How To Get Clients Mixing and Mastering? 🤔

[@mixbustv]

PLEASE VOTE FOR BELLA 👇 theopenact.com/2022/bella-kelly 🔥 YOU GOTTA WATCH THIS! ➡️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6a1h3evfLFjjLs 🔥 🔥Join the Channel to Access All The Premium Courses: bit.ly/2SNX8bx + Mix Consultations 🔥Bella Kelly's Single/Video Throat: bit.ly/3dxeJOf

[@danymalsound]

Yes, the cheapest clients ARE a revision nightmare... been dealing with that for 15+ years lol Trying to step things up a few notches. Cheers!

[@TigroGumi]

This is always the way… those people will often be, I find, the ones talking about governments enslaving us and heavy on conspiracies, the senseless type of it, they talk about slavery and then enslave you while this system actually gives back quite fairly… I had when younger a “friend” that wanted me to be his hip hop group producer, always raping about selfish rich people, and had me working 14 hours at a time for free and wouldn’t get any cut of a show because it was his show that he did… a show that they didn’t have to set up, just walk on and take a mic and rap… wouldn’t even agree for me to do sound checks first, so it for a hour and then just get drunk the rest of the time… they were basically rapping about themselves was my conclusion in the end and learn a valuable lesson about how important it is who you choose to work for

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

ugh tell me about it! that 20 revisions or whatever he said was an understatement, more like 40-50 if they can get away with it.

[@snubdawg1386]

@@CreativeMindsAudio do you think that the finish product still sounds good after this 40 revisions or do you give the client what he wants at this point but think it sounds shittier as it could it be?

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

​@@snubdawg1386 oh it is a mix of both. a lot of it is just clients not knowing what they want and can't commit to anything. they are more control freaks and perfectionists. I am not a perfectionist, i'm just a 'i made it significantly better than it was when i got it' kinda of engineer. I'd rather put the time into it and just move on than have things perfect. I would say with that specific client some of it was better and valid things, but most of it was just "can you turn up that background instrument no one will hear by exactly 2 db" "oh that wasn't enough can you do it again by another 3db?" "oh now it's too loud can you lower it by 4db" or something crazy like that where you just sorta half undo what you already did. a large part of it is how the client wasn't listening on proper devices, didn't want to come into the studio (which I didn't have amazing acoustics either), in any case other people loved the mixes i got out of it it was just a lot of nit picking and the artist's personality to have their vision exactly how they want it. it's an ego rock star thing for sure. but yeah i just gave the client what he wanted. currently i would charge by the hour after a certain number of revisions based on what they paid. i start my prices at a cheap rate so poorer people can still get a significant improvement on their music, but it comes with 1 revision. On the top end is 7 revisions (with some as remote zoom sessions) at 7 times the price. note the low tier i will only do basic automation. I find a lot of this is the more time you put into it the less of a % change you'll notice. i try to get 75% there at the lowest tier highest tier is to get it right and sound great and i will even put in some basic producing as well. these days I am pretty much only taking people I know as new clients. Easier to work with. I have no desire to make mixing a career at this point. in the spirit of randall, "this job would be great if it weren't for the fucking customers"

[@misterniceshoes2888]

Haha holy crap, I am just starting out and this is absolutely true. I am having an absolute revisions nightmare at the moment. I got asked to turn something down by 1/10th of a DB... slowly going isnane 😂

[@pocket1684]

Good question. I"ve been doing this for 20 years fulltime. I"m terrible at marketing. I kind of fell into mixing/mastering.-90% of my jobs have come word of mouth. I've run ads, got facebook page. This did nothing. Word of mouth is everything.

[@mr.monkei]

Agreed most clients are word of mouth. Too much competition now and running ads is a waste of money.

[@thomas-beaver]

But still, how does work of mouth work if you can't figure out how to get your first clients? I know more than the majority of these cheap mixing engineers and can produce very good mixes as long as the source material itself isn't a complete mess.

[@pocket1684]

@@thomas-beaver As strange as it sounds. I would try to work with some artists, and or producers for free or offer to take a stab at their song and if they like it, charge them..I understand its hard at first and kind of feels like a catch 22, but the more things you work on even if its free or low pay, pretty soon, people will hear your results. And People talk.Good luck.

[@robertwhite9378]

So true.... after over 20 years engineering and over 40 as a professional musician, you hit the nail on the head. "Who's in is in, Who's out is out". Excellent video. Straight to the point.

[@SuperDenglish]

This is totally based advice. I've been tracking since I was 14 years old. I'm now 45. I'd honestly say it only been the last 4 years that I actually 'got' mixing and really only the last 6 months that I feel I can stand at the bottom step of the pro ladder. And you'd be stunned how good someone's ear gets when they're picking up the tab. Do the best you can then add 100% and you might get close.

[@silkee]

Similar to me - I started on the Amiga back in 1995, I was 14....I would say only in the last 3 years something clicked and everything made sense...I understood the theory all along but you dont "hear" it.

[@Hudson_Jones]

This is great advice! Its all about what makes you you. Not every client is for everybody and not every artist is for every client. Its what you the artist bring to every mix. You got have some you in every mix or master or piece of art you put together. Thats what makes your work unique.

[@iambigasmutombo]

The treatment in that room is next level

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

This is amazing video! I can't agree more about mixing your own stuff isn't the same as dealing with clients. The reason i don't WANT to be a full time audio engineer is because of this. Dealing with clients can be very frustrating. I enjoy being able to say NO to clients that seem like a lot of work. At this point I ONLY work with people I know and friends. Not only do the other engineers know, but also the artist often knows their song waay better than any engineer working on their stuff does and they know what to listen for and their own vision. Communication is EVERYTHING here. These are musicians we are talking about so it's often up to YOU as the engineer to lead in good communication and expression of ideas/vision. Aka: You have to deal with a lot of artists who know what they want but can't communicate it to you and you have to communicate well enough to get it out of them. Customer service is everything in this field. It was also the part that i didn't expect to be so difficult, but I am grateful it's an area I excel in comparison to others. Patience is your friend.

[@panorama_mastering]

Bang on; you made some good points about about the price brackets and how people interperet "cheap prices"; good job mate!

[@normandlanglois1475]

Hi David ...Another thing when i decided to invest in my studio i bought alot of gear (100K) i saw my client base triple and was able to charge much more ....aside of getting a great sound clients love to see alot of high end gear........ i'm always amazed to see their faces when they walk in my studio .......it also motivates them to step up their game .......Gears matters and helps getting more clients .....thanks for the video

[@AironExTv]

Helpful as always. I'll add one of my own client pitches to the mix. Twelve years ago I was discussing price for some editing&mixing work on a tv series for the international version of the show. Music had to be swapped out and mixed in to the show. Simple stuff and I'd done it hundreds of times before. I asked for a higher than average payment and gave the producer a realitively simple reason. "I've done this and all the stuff around it a thousand times over. If anything does not work, I'll fix it quickly. What you're buying here is someone who never panics and gets your project done on time. You're buying certainty." And you'd better be ready to deliver on such a pitch. I face problems every day that I don't know how to fix at first, but experience has tought me that I very likely will solve it. Sidenote, I am a professional for audio in post production. Dialogue, fx and rarely music. I am an amateur to intermediate in music mixing. Most of us seem to specialize, which is why you'll often see multiple re-recording mixers on tv/streaming/cinematic shows. Perhaps it helps to specialize and get VERY good at mixing some styles of music/instrumentations, not all of them. At least that's what I'd probably try.

[@ArthurBarycshev]

that is so true and thank you for this frank response,I'm sure it's eye opening for many

[@lebcaleb8692]

100 percent agree with you. There are a ton of people mixing out there, but only a few are pretty good . That's why they get the best projects. When you're really good at some point you can't hide yourself.

[@KarenBasset]

You inspired me to reach out to my own circle of musicians. I got a song to mix out of it! Thanks for the great content!

[@WalkinonSunshyne]

Great answer - very well thought out. Appreciated!

[@karmatosed7211]

I like to think that saying inexpensive as opposed to cheap sounds so much better. Cheap implies quality in addition to price. I really enjoy ur content David, think I’m gonna sign up for ur course later next week. Fixing to invest in building a fairly serious studio. ^^

[@Snipersounds]

MixbusTV RAW!! Great advice/ tough-love!👍

[@BraindropOfficial]

Kinda related to this topic … In a video earlier I asked you about how to get/convince clients when you have good digital mastering , yet they still choose the dude next door who hardly has any mastering experience but got all the juicy hardware. 🙄 it literally happened to me again recently. You said it would be a good topic for a future video ! Waiting for it 😃

[@atacamabeatsindierecording8406]

Great. Formal Studies + Real Experience = Profesional Service

[@DanielGuillaud]

the truth offends people who are wrong and who know it. Merci pour votre sincérité !

[@trevornokesmusicltd5357]

Great advice David. I started my business earlier this year, all of my work so far has been word or mouth and getting out there. Ive had people say they they have had tracks mix'd for say $100 and i've advised them if that is what they are happy with then they sould stick with it. If however they want a better quality Mix / Master then Invest in yourself and ultimatley your carear as an artist etc .... Speculate to accumulate, always go for the best you can afford, this is no different to when buying gear for our studio's. pretty much the same as your TV example.

[@MusaRecordings]

You only learn and grow when you push yourself… find out if u can handle something after u tried 💯

[@TigroGumi]

The most important part of starting a business is knowing you do it well, or, know what you need to do it well and have at least the money to get what you need to do it well. If you have invested into those things then your services relate to your investment and what will knowingly need to keep being investing into it to. Those prices then need to be enough to keep your company and its assets growing. But also, your clients are also your assets as well. This isn’t like a restaurant only letting in the most privileged through their doors, a client for mixing isn’t someone consuming your goods, they are basically business associates you are “associating” with and need to work with people that are on the same page as you… then, you have to be confident with enough of the projects you have coming in are going somewhere otherwise your work is only going to be heard in smaller communities which is only going to then bring your name in the mouths of lesser clients. A good thing I think and what I’ll do is first network with already successful producers and mix and mastering engineers and look for gaps to fill… even if projects are lesser you’ll still have you names foot in the door of a already good network of clients that’ll most like already know educate of being professional

[@mrspoon1956]

Thank you David 😄

[@FredDeMassiveAlambic]

Wise words again, thank you so much David

[@Khyl_LemmeHearThat]

Another excellent video!! Thanks David!

[@bhargavdobhal5327]

Thank You bro🙌🙌Very Helpful Video🔥🔥.

[@winterovthanatoz3748]

I have been wondering about this as I am planning on getting my own label going, this is great advice. I plan on getting more into a surrounding where there are more metal bands and building a client tell in a busier place, and investing into the studio itself is something I am realizing truly does matter as I've been ensuring I have good quality equipment and keep building on it. In the mean time building it from who I've run into in the underground industry. Everyone has to start somewhere /m/ new mixing and mastering engineer

[@NominalTopic]

Dude, I thought you were very humble and realistic. Anyone who finds this offensive is a real piece of work! This is true advice for any endeavor in which there are stakeholders and portfolios involved; mainly in that your own projects don’t count and calls end up being made by committee (usually). Excellent video Mr, Gnozzi.

[@mixbustv]

Thank you!

[@ubu-ibme]

Extremely insightful. Great analogies 👍👍

[@CryzorBeatz]

great video ! I don't feel offended in any way because you tell the truth about this business. I have a lot of clients who come to me and tell me that they don't want to spend any money for mixing anymore because of guys like "I'm a pro I mix your album for $20" :D Nobody should pay $20 for a mix from a guy with just a laptop and FL Studio on it without the right knowledge about mixing. Using Ozone means not you are a mixing enginner guys :D Keep up the great videos ! You are doing a great job

[@LesVegasMusic]

Your reply from my last question has led me to a new question. How does a mixing and/or mastering engineer at your level, separate themselves and get clients over the biggest names in the industry like Howie Weinberg, Ted Jensen, Bob Ludwig, Vlado Meller, Bernie Grundman Mastering, Lurssen Mastering and all the guys over at Sterling Sound, Metropolis and Wired Masters for example.

[@mixbustv]

There is a lot of music produced every day, 5 guys can only do so many songs a year and most of those guys have deals in place with labels, that's their clients. And I don't know about others but remember what I said in the other comment? About winning over other engineers? Well one of them was one of those multi Grammys winning engineers, and it happened to me before for a pretty big album, so, take this any way you want. That's how I do it, don't know about others

[@BenKash308]

Real talk. I appreciate your help 👍🏼

[@AntmanFelix]

I appreciate this video very much. I myself have been dabbling with my own music, but that can only do so much. I have started networking the last few months, particularly with other bands and artist I know around my area and so far its been doing great so far. I feel you just have to take the initiative and put yourself out there without being intimidating if you will. The music the artists work on are like their babies, and need to trust that you can bring their music vision to life. At least thats what I am seeing and has been my approach so far.

[@damnjd4061]

this man just called out my whole life haha

[@hmonerris]

When my clients ask me "Why should you mix my song?" I answer "If I mix your song, no other song will sound as bad"

[@mixbustv]

Reverse psychology 😄👍

[@sonicart1808]

Good solid advice thanks David.

[@atcordice]

Love it bro. It is thee bitter truth...

[@1loveMusic2003]

You should do a video on the beginnings of your career and how you got started. I think people would be interested in your story.😃

[@mixbustv]

There are many inteviews out there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4DVm3-qnt2knKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn24ZJujpquKb5I

[@1loveMusic2003]

You did Ladytron! I love that shit. Sifted through lots of shit until I found your channel through Produce like a pro. Your the real deal. Great channel man. Appreciate all of the advice.

[@thekitchenproductions9616]

compliments for the channel and above all for your work! in the video you give us excellent advice, it would be interesting if you deepened one point: how to create a good portfolio! Would you recommend proposing to mix some bands for free or to use the multitracks found on the net (when the bands give their consent)?

[@mixbustv]

Thank you! Both, if you're starting you do both. But the ones you mix for free, try to get someone somewhat known or a good (great) artist. There's plenty out there who are amazing and alone trying to release music.

[@thekitchenproductions9616]

@@mixbustv you mean find a band and produce it as a sort of collaboration right?

[@bashav619]

this is deep ❤️🙏

[@thomasbjor2332]

Thank you man!

[@phantom_him]

Thanks as always David. After watching one of your recent videos, I decided to try to sell my Weiss Suite and stop trying to mix and master my own stuff/focus on just producing. Quick question for you or anyone reading this: where is a good place to sell your plugins? I joined the KVR forum, but you have to be a member there for 6 months to sell something. Thanks for any info.

[@mixbustv]

Probably gearspace (formerly gearslutz) and facebook. There are some plugin trades groups

[@phantom_him]

@@mixbustv Thank you!

[@JayFlyMastering]

Bro I been dealing with these clients for 17 years it’s all about offering free sample at first then they gone wanna but it’s like trying food in the mall

[@psyderdj]

So many people on Fiverr sell their souls for work, saw one guy posting a pic in a massive commercial studio offering analog mastering for $10 per song xD

[@mixbustv]

I tried to hire a guy for a KZbin intro video (not for me) and lol, just lol.. even there the quality is beyond embarrassing 😄 it was so bad

[@peterbondmusic]

All excellent and true advice

[@morabeats2762]

nice video bro!!😎 do you recommend using facebook ads to get clients and work on mixing and mastering services?🤔

[@mixbustv]

Maybe, they can work, they did nothing for me, I gave them a try since we use them for artists (with good results) but they were a waste of money for me but it was also a long time ago

[@xdewic9867]

Do you know where I can start out its really tough being under 18 and finding clients and ways to master music for people

[@mixbustv]

You're 18, for how long have you been doing this that you want to provide services for others? What's your portfolio? What makes you or your sound special?

[@ShadowV]

Any tutorials on how to get shoulders like that? :p

[@mixbustv]

Yep, grab a barbell and overhead press a lot of weight 👍

[@silkee]

@@mixbustv It's the traps I struggle with.

[@giannarayassamy8858]

So can you tell us are did you start with your first clients when you were not known and recognized...

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

Hey, mixbusstv!! could you help me Please!! I’m self taught producer & mix engineer. My setup is a lynx aurora n, 1176 bluey, la2a & Rupert neve portico preamp for tracking & for da/ad conversion. I create great mixes for my clients; I also master the their projects in the box. I’m familiar with mixing & compression. Majority of times I’m mixing hip hop, r&b, & rap music. I want to incorporate a analog compressor for mastering but not sure which to go with: multiband, singleband compressor or tube compressor for color. Could you help me? which would best fit for me versatility. Thanks so much

[@cesargonzalezbueno3359]

This video touched me. Thank you.

[@hansdumbf7608]

between your legs?

[@cesargonzalezbueno3359]

@@hansdumbf7608 I won't lower myself to that level.

[@hansdumbf7608]

@@cesargonzalezbueno3359 That's right buddy! Don't give in to the harvey weinseins of the music industry.

[@cesargonzalezbueno3359]

@@hansdumbf7608 you deleted your previous comment. Blessed day for you.

[@hansdumbf7608]

@@cesargonzalezbueno3359 No i didn't buddy... :D You know, sometimes youtube is a little weird. Blessings for your untouched willie.

[@LesVegasMusic]

Excellent video with some really good insight! I didn't find it offensive at all. As an example, could you share with us what you tell your clients makes you special?

[@mixbustv]

Lol that's really not gonna work, I've already had a couple of engineers literally stealing my exact words in interviews. But I can tell you this much: I don't have to tell my clients that because thye already know my style and my mixes. And I can also tell you how I got one of my latest clients ( a big one), they sent a song to master to 4 different engineers, some of them did several attempts. I won against them all, unanimous, 1st try. This is what made me special.

[@LesVegasMusic]

​@@mixbustv Oh no! Yeah, nobody should be using what you say word for word - that makes no sense at all. That would only apply to you. I was looking for more general things people could say make them special because technically, we all do the same thing and what separates us is our ears and taste. And how do you tell clients you have the best ears and taste in the industry? That's not going to work. But in your reply here, you make a good point about you and experienced mixing and mastering engineers. That would make the advice in this video to communicate what makes you special really only applicable to those just starting out. And you say that in the beginning of this video, but somehow that missed me. Experienced mixing and mastering engineers with an extensive list of credits don't need to establish what makes them special because they can just let the clients listen to their portfolio of work.

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

i agree. And see, most people would say: just improve and network. But this is so vague advice

[@mixbustv]

I have 2 more videos on the subject if you want less vague

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

@@mixbustv cool! thx

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

idk if i let clear, but i mean, to improve and network is still very vague. It is not hard to see someone skilled and socialized, but without a clear system for getting clients yet, principally on website.

[@Airic]

has anyone ever heard an engineer say "you dont need to do gain staging" ? lol the idea of that alone is hilarious... #RUN!

[@petefaders]

You kind of don't. Floating point.

[@Airic]

@@petefaders you mean 32-bit float?

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

2:40 lol yes

[@AlexSaheli]

That is the answer to the wrong question :)

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

here is one ;) but i can’t afford yet, so i don’t even annoy you all

[@arisalvanos7924]

100%

[@AlistairMaxwell77]

harsh bro .... harsh....

[@wavkingz]

Hey David! What would you say your elevator speech is? What do you think is your selling point as an engineer? Just curious what you would say it is.

[@mixbustv]

Fortunately, I don't have or need a speech, I think my body of work out there does the talking

[@wavkingz]

@@mixbustv I mean yeah haha, clearly it does. I guess I meant on your come up, when you maybe still needed one

[@erimahmet4461]

Can u do some tutorials on your upper body and how you got that amazing asthetic

[@joost3783]

David what makes you special, why you over someone else? Would be curious to what your answer would be.

[@mixbustv]

That would be my vocals, both production and efx. My versatility and the amount of details my mixes have, which translates in the more you listen to a song the more ear candies you notice, which in my opinion gives a song much more lifespan. When you have a comprehensive discography tho, you don't really have to tell your clients, they come to you because they heard your discography and tbey already know they like your style and sound.

[@erictorres5935]

😂😂😂25 revisions man sad but true

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

in my experience that's an under estimate 😂

[@erictorres5935]

@@CreativeMindsAudio 😂😂

[@thomas-beaver]

This does not really help. I need advice on how to actually obtain the first several clients. Strategies, where to look. The things you mentioned, you didn't really go into any detail.

[@mixbustv]

Want a coffee too? Lol

[@emiel333]

Great advice, David. Respect 🫡