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Post by copperx on Dec 8, 2022 20:44:03 GMT -6
Hi,
I have a question for you. There's a band I know which I love. It's made up of two members, and I went to middle school with one of them. They release about two songs per year, and they're great. It kills me that while their musicianship is stellar, the sound is not; and I know exactly the sound they're going for and I'm very confident that I could create a stellar mix for them. I wouldn't charge them, I know they're on a shoestring budget in Mexico. I've been fantazising to mix a song for them, but I haven't had the courage to approach them because I feel that
* aproaching them would somehow imply that I think their sound sucks, and I don't want to offend them;
* they might not be willing to experiment with their sound; and
* fear of rejection.
But mostly I am afraid of offending them, because I'm a fan of their music.
Should I refrain from asking them altogether?
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
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Post by spindrift on Dec 8, 2022 21:18:47 GMT -6
The answer is always no if you don’t ask. Just approach them about how jazzed you are about their sound and that you’ve been working hard on your mixing skills lately. (here’s an example of some of my work). I’d love a shot at mixing your next trac …no commitment or strings attached. If not, that’s cool too.
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Post by jeremygillespie on Dec 8, 2022 22:00:49 GMT -6
I’d rather offer my services and be told no thanks than sit around and wish I gave it a shot. Nothing to loose!
Also I wouldn’t start by offering free stuff. Value your own work or nobody else will. You can give them the old hey I’ll do it no cash up front no strings attached but if you like it and wind up using it the price is xxx.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2022 22:35:37 GMT -6
Just ask, say you know how to mix, show them some work, and offer to do it. Salvaging some horrible recordings is how I got some good work... salvaging other horrible recordings that at least emerged into something cool because they were done at a real studio.
oh and have a price they can afford and turnaround they want.
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Post by Ward on Dec 9, 2022 9:57:20 GMT -6
Tell them how much you love and/or admire and/or are intrigued by their music . . . and what an honor it would be for you to have the opportunity to mix a project for them in future, and "hey throw me a song to do a remix, if you like, and see what you think . . . gratis"
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Post by drbill on Dec 10, 2022 9:50:46 GMT -6
I’d rather offer my services and be told no thanks than sit around and wish I gave it a shot. Nothing to loose! Also I wouldn’t start by offering free stuff. Value your own work or nobody else will. You can give them the old hey I’ll do it no cash up front no strings attached but if you like it and wind up using it the price is xxx. I'd agree with everyone about approaching them. But I really resonate with what Jeremy said. If your goal is to just get your hands on their raw tracks and you have no long term aspirations about making money mixing - then I guess doing it for free is OK. It's no different than downloading raw tracks that you like from the internet to practice mixing. If you want to be paid for your services in the future, doing freebies tends to get you pigeonholed as "the guy who works for free cause he's not very good". I've seen it dozens of times. Short term it seems like the only way to get your foot in the door, but long term it's just not a good game plan. To have a sustainable relationship - you have to value what they do, and they have to value what you do. Even if it's as simple as having them mow your lawn for you or buying you a few dinners. It doesn't have to be a ton of money - but there has to be an acknowledgment of the value you bring to the table. Go for it and good luck!! |
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