Category: Recording

I’ve been pretty frustrated with the new studio. I need time in there to observe and learn the ropes. I also need time to get solid on ProToos (ProDrools) and some of the ways the place works.

I’m having a bugger of a time getting replies to my calls and/or emails from the owner on when I can come in. It can take several days for a reply.

Fortunately he did get back to me today so I’ll have a chance to sit in this week. The quicker I can get this stuff learned the quicker I can start doing real gigs.

This experience has reminded me of what I’d tried to forget, how unpredictable and tough to schedule or budget your time working in the studio really is.

Remember that new engineering gig I landed? Well there are two studios. He’s the first pic I have of the “other” studio. During this session we were recording a small orchestra (percussion and woodwinds in the back sound rooms). The music was for a movie which will be coming out in a while.

My first session at the big studio went pretty well. It was a baptism by fire. It was a relatively easy project though, mic up the grand piano and record about 10 tracks of piano.

The toughest part for me was trying to navigate around Pro Tools. I haven’t used that system for a long time and the keyboard shortcuts I don’t remember. I’ve gotten used to the way Nuendo/Cubase/Logic and a zillion other DAW’s work, you know sensibly. Pro Tools may be the industry standard but there are some really lame ways things have to be done. I may end up with a whole new category here: “Pro Tools sucks because.”

Anyway I finished up with the guy and only needed help from the owner with a couple of issues or I would have been fine on my own.

I sit in on a few sessions for training next week. There are some orchestra setups which will be good for me to learn. Also I hope to get more time on the board so I can continue my crash course in Pro Drools.

The new digs.

I pretty big studio around here has contacted me. They may be the 2nd or 3rd biggest studio around here. It seems the studio’s “manager” was in a band I recorded a few times and likes my engineering skills. They want to hire me. Since I shut my studio down in 2003 I’ve done a few recording gigs here and there but nothing much.

Why this sounds good

The good thing about working for a bigger studio would be that I’d be an “engineer” and not the all-encompassing “owner.” I’d be able to just work the board and not worry about bookings, billing, cleaning the toilets, clients who bounce checks etc.

Why it may be a trying gig

This is a pretty “conservative” place. I’d have to bite my tongue. Much of the material I’d be working with would not be my cup of tea. But then again I wouldn’t have to be gagging down on gangsta rappers saying “motha fucka” so that’s not all that bad.

The place is also a bit of a drive.

But, it’s a gig and I could use one right now.