Keeping the lights on

[pucho812]

I always wonder how a studio with expensive gear like a new ssl aws console and a lot of other expensive gear and large staff lost can charge a day rate of 400 dollars and still keep the lights on, especially in places like nyc or l.a. it baffles the mind.

 

[living sounds]

How many studios are there that actually keep a large well-paid staff and where the gear gets turned on at all, let alone actual use for recording/mixing of music? Seems to me the business models often revolve around making videos (how-to-mix tutorials etc.), hosting well-paid how-to-mix courses, using the studio as backdrop for fotoshoots and video productions etc., recording voiceovers, audiobooks etc.

And with a modern AWS console and not much else, do you even need any staff? Many well-equipped studios I know of are owned by people who don't have to make money from the recording studio itself, but rather from songwriting / production credits or work completely unrelated to anything music.

Sadly, I don't think the kind of sound quality a big analog studio brings to the table isn't something that is required for sucessfull marketing of music today.

 

[Jim McKeveny]

There are very, very few that operate at any kind of profit. US tax law encourages artist-owned studios, who use their "cache" to attract vanity projects. This is why SSL has moved towards the Live market and podcast market. Worldwide, rent & insurance costs alone discourage new entrants.

 

[pucho812]

Well it comes of the heals of a session recently. Had an outsider in. Did all kinds of things that you would go hmmmm ok on. In the process was bragging about their spot and when I looked if up. Had a large staff on the website. Lots of fancy new toys like the afore mentioned ssl and was ultimately charging 400 day rate. I was just baffled they could operate at such a rate. I am not even talking about turning a profit. Just keeping the lights on breaking even

 

[scott2000]

Maybe it's a laundromat too..

 

[shabtek]

Maybe it's a laundromat too..

been there, seen that

 

[JohnRoberts]

I don't know anybody still operating a recording studio profitably, not like I knew a bunch before.

I have seen what looks like a modest recovery in the live sound reinforcement business over recent months... but that was before the omicron shoe dropped.

I remain optimistic for live sound, studios have been limping for decades, but I expect things to get worse before they get better, hopefully soon.

JR

 

[Tubetec]

In my one horse town studios more or less always ran at a loss , typically at the low end it was a converted shed or property where a landlord just needed a tenant to keep the place going over the shorter term . Then there were bigger projects that recieved government funding . Wasnt for the lack of musical talent around these parts , but everything turned to dust in the studio scene here years ago . Dublin you might stand a chance , but the competition is ferocious , and you see the few bigger names in the studio game offering daily rates of somewhere around 300-odd euros . From what I can tell that only gets you the use of the studio , the modern equivalent of a tape op / or Protools guy with head stuck in the computer, sure you can set up any mic you want ,hire in what ever your heart desires , but engineering/production skills are an add-on if you want to pay for them . Course they will make sure theres a hungry guy/gal in the studio team willing to double up as eng/producer because their into the vibe and willing to take a punt on the next latest sensation for a low ball fee .

Your dealing with a lot of personalities at their most rarified in the studio game , my guess is there was no shortage of heated debate between Paul and John of the Beatles when they were hacking out the beautiful details , I bet a lot of that banter had to hit the cutting room floor.

I had the chance to see a gig last night , safely socially distanced , actually out of doors looking in , while most of the older folks took tables inside , masking wasnt manditory at tables , but while moving around it was only good manners , staff remained fully masked while on duty and only were allowed to go unmasked while on their break times , I felt bad about not being more generous with the tips , but my guess is its the bar owners who want their workers wages suplemented by the good old fashioned 'bung' technique , Im not saying the old fashioned back hander or brown paper envelope full of cash wasnt a reality in politics and business here in Ireland for generations , now we have a bunch of bucky beaver politicians willing to engulf the engorged member of the social media corps. its not cash in hand anymore ,its favours in kind . Quash unfavourable content etc.

Its like playing a get out of jail free card when a supposed optomist says its gonna get worse before it gets better , we'll soldier on the best we can. Friendship is about finding common points of interest , dwelling on the differences only divides us .

Win ,loose ,draw theres very few opinions I read here that I dont count into the grander equation ,
Slainté ,Saluts, Cheers or whatever the local dialect equivalents is .

 

[pucho812]

guess this goes back on the old saying
“Want to make a million in the music business start with 10 million”

 

[Tubetec]

Law of diminishing returns strikes down on artistic endevour , recording is more like a charitable organisation these days , I suspect it always has been , since the dawn of the independant studio . Your the stuff heroes are made of Pucho , no need to become a martyr to a cause either.

John Martyn ,May you never OLD GREY 78