Amen to what you just said!
For me, I very much admire the unpaid jobs I do for my friends.
Sometimes when I get bored in the studio I organize small Jams in the Studio for my mixed talented friends and local guys.
Some have small projects that will never go big nor might be worth even recording, but still working on some of them is so chilled.
If I set one drum mic, no one will ask stupid questions or tell me all he knows about drum micing. ;D
And I can make much more experiments than together with clients.
Sometimes I force my friends to release something in a very small quantity.
That makes a difference to me sometimes.
You know, I could record their live show or art performance etc.. But not for the drawer.
I want some recordings to be heard by at least some other folks.
So I mention my cassette copy machine and say: "We can make a cassette release of 30 pices and you will have to make a cool release party and sell some tapes...... I copy one Tape for 2€"
So I get a copy job, the band organizes a cash box...... and In the end... a cool party.
For the Studiojams I always send out some recordings to the people who showed up. Thats all for free, but It also seeds new ideas to the people around you.
In my life I am not surrounded by a lot of super professional musicians. But cool projects can rise without everyone being the greatest.
I just send out a jam recording today. My goal was to record the Jam with 2 mics only and see how good I can get.
In the end this jam was not very crowded and left me with a very unbalanced recording, but hey I had Drums Git and Bass on only 1 mic for all.
https://hearthis.at/dereber-ot/18-03-18-baerli-abschiedsjam-2mics-WvR/WvR
(the raps were not part of the original, but is my way of showing these 4 guys to be good enough for a Rap Instrumental)
8)
So I totally like your approach and say go for it!
So, what could be useful for everyone here is that you share a little what kind of music and projects you personally dig the most.
Maybe we can organize a small GDIY release.
all the best,
Stephan