how much to charge for a mixing job?
Sat, 28/01/2012 - 19:47
hey fellow djenters/djentesses,
more and more people ask me for a mixing job and also how much i´d charge. i gotta be honest i have no idea about the busyness side of song production. can anybody give me some advice on the matter, joey 
? should i charge per song or per hour or what the heck am i supposed to do? also, since i´m not a pro i also don´t want to charge too much.
any help is very much appreciated.
cheers
Sat, 28/01/2012 - 21:19
#2
6 songs, didn´t say how many tracks, but he sent me one song and there isn´t much in it - drum tracks, two rhythm guitars, a lead guitar, bass and a vocal track.
i´m not recording, just mixing. they´re tracking the song at a studio. they already payed them for that so they are slightly on a budget. he tells me he spoke to a few people who mix and master for 100$ per song. he wants to now if i would charge per song or by time.
so what would be the smartest thing to do for me now? is it also a good idea if i roughly mix one song for them for free just to see if they like my work?
Sat, 28/01/2012 - 23:37
#3
you can do that if you like, for 100 per song thats an awesome first pay gig I struggle to get bands to pay me that much currently. if you're confidant that you can mix and master say 100 per song is fine. future projects ask how much the band is looking to spend. nothing is worse then finding out a band was willing to pay you more then what you quote.
I charge on a per project base for mixing and mastering, per hour for tracking and when editing its by minute of the track. I also require 20% down to book me but I do that so that a band doesn't go to mr free engineer last min.
Sun, 29/01/2012 - 07:37
#4
awesome, very helpful. thanks.
Sun, 29/01/2012 - 14:54
#5
Be flexible to start with. $100 is a great first recording gig, but consider offering discounts or package deals to bands that come to you with a large number of songs. Good luck 
It's a difficult industry to break into, but just be patient and open-minded, and you'll do fine!
Mon, 30/01/2012 - 07:41
#6
Also be careful when you send first drafts and such if a band hasn't payed the full agreed amount watermark your mix. some bands will take your roughs and not pay you what they owe. its not common for this to happen but there is always people who will take advantage of a situation.
Mon, 30/01/2012 - 08:17
#7
i already thought of that, but still thanks for the warning.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 10:16
#8
Also be careful when you send first drafts and such if a band hasn't payed the full agreed amount watermark your mix. some bands will take your roughs and not pay you what they owe. its not common for this to happen but there is always people who will take advantage of a situation.
A simple solution for this is to take the full amount after tracking and before mixing. I personally don't bother with the usual 50% in advance, 50% upon completion thing - since I offer more or less unlimited mixing/mastering time, I always take the full amount before I start mixing a project. That way I can concentrate fully on the job without any concerns at all.
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 14:37
#9
'SKYHARBOR'!!!!!!!!
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 15:09
#10
I give a band flat rates on my mixing and mastering as well, I just give them until I'm done mixing to pay in full. its kinda just me giving them that extra time to get me all the money. I'll admit I'm starting to think I'm going to change this policy and do 50% booking, 50% when tracking is done.
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how many songs? how many tracks per song roughly? and are you recording and mixing? does the band have a budget?