What it's REALLY like being a full-time audio engineer (the ugly truth)

[@hardcoremusicstudio]

Grab your free Mixing Cheatsheet to learn the go-to starting points for EQ and compression in heavy mixes: hardcoremusicstudio.com/mixcheatsheet

[@ChernobylAudio666]

Totally true about not having any hobbies anymore. I don't even know what to do when I'm not working on music... so I just practice different mixing techniques or experiment with different IRs... I don't even play games or anything anymore, really. The other 'down-side' is that I stopped seeking out new music or trying to find different/new bands. I can't tell you how many times I've finally decided to go to bed, just to lay in bed for 2 hours thinking about a mix and then after another hour, I'll eventually just get out of bed to try it. It's nothing to brag about but yeah, it's really interesting how it all turned out. I wouldn't change it, though, that's the truth. I can't see myself in an office or doing anything else ever again.

[@SecretMetalFromAbyss]

I'm not even a pro mixer or anything but I like to call that situation The Mixers Curse. :D If you try to listen some new stuff you firstly/mostly focus on the sounds, not the songs, and eventually fall in that rabbit hole when you're just thinking how to achieve some different sounds or something you think you need to achieve.

[@teddystevens6624]

Facts

[@MarcelloDiLorenzo]

Off topic question. Speaking of Midi drums: instead of creating a fake room with reverb, wouldn’t it be better to use a simple delay, maybe for all the instruments in a given mix?

[@loneryouth]

this was such an interesting and fun video i absolutely LOVED that conversation. Thank you guys

[@JtWing369]

Deep convo. Much needed in this community. Thank you guys for sharing your experiences.

[@darkwormskate]

Did you ever contemplate building yourself a little 3-4 ft mini ramp (halfpipe) in the backyard? It's a great low-stakes way for the aging skater to transition back into it without the fear of completely destroying yourself down the local skatepark. Benefits include. - Low impact slams on ply as opposed to concrete - Get to hone your woodworking skills - can pad up for added safety - zero pressure skating where you can relearn at your own pace, without being mocked by kids at the skatepark ;-) - Great for your kids as well to jump on and have a blast - don't need to go to the gym

[@isaacmccready8388]

Such a great conversation to listen in on. Thanks for sharing your perspective and insight over the years!

[@CoreyParkison]

This is so amazingly helpful for people like myself. Thank you!

[@Tylerbag]

This was super helpful! Some real great insight for someone like myself who really wants to make this a career. Thanks for sharing your experiences of what it's really like to be on the other side of the fence. Awesome content 👍🏼

[@sionnachs_workshop]

Shout outs to all the partners keeping us sane! 👏👏👏

[@chrisherrera108]

I feel the same way, get so bored at times, glad I'm not the only one, thanks guys you are such an inspiration, which is hard to find now a days, 🤘

[@BNormousProductions]

This was great conversation guys!! I have now been full time for two full years and I can relate to everything you guys have talked about! Fortunately being part of your program for so many years I had a head start in this way of thinking and have been working 9 to 5 in the studio since the beginning. Granted tracking days are usually the weekends due to most bands I work with have full time jobs so those are the days they usually want so my weekends are usually spent in ten studio tracking but I still try to stick to 9 to 6 or so when I am tracking which is nice. Then I get to enjoy working on my mixes during the week and taking my time and being able to go for a drive or whatever during the middle of the day during the week and have the freedom to be out of the studio if I want to. But it’s funny having hobbies outside of music is hard cuz it’s what we love so much so it definitely feels a bit boring in comparison lol 😂

[@khelmeri]

Definitely wanna hear more about the philosophy side of the business and some personal struggles from both of you. Would that video also be a good time to finally get the interview with Baseford?

[@catloverextreme]

BOUNDARIES! I won't do sessions longer than 4 hours with clients in the room, stick between noon and 7 p.m., and am very selective with booking on the weekends now.

[@dshredmusic]

I've been having it as a part time job and I honestly believe it's the perfect spot to be in... Music is not the kind of stuff I'd like to feel burnt out of. It would make me hate it.

[@compucorder64]

Completely agree with you. Then the other part-time job I have pays the basic bills and makes sure I never need to worry, or take on music work I don't really feel. Part-time music / part-time breadwork is a totally underrated approach. Especially if the other work pays pretty decently. There's a self-defeating attitude that if you can't make a living from just music, you are failing. When the reality is that trying to turn an art into a full-time living buries the soul, and can lead to burn out, or even crashing out, juggling half a dozen different roles. There's much much easier ways to pay the bills than music. Even at a high level, making all your money from music is very hard.

[@dshredmusic]

@compucorder64 100%. Add to that the burnout of being a full time artist trying to fight a 2 front war against hobbyists that don't want the money and corporations that want too much of it.

[@michellaforce2414]

If you enjoy music as work, why question yourself, who says you need a hobby, just do what pleases you at the time you are feeling it.

[@Jazzguitar00]

Well if you actually watch the video, they say "why"...

[@MrMihaiVoicu]

mostly related to family time - they literally do not care if you like or you don’t like what you do; it becomes difficult to spend time together regardless (if you are obsessed w stuff, whatever it may be)

[@simonaustin1136]

It’s not questioning yourself, it’s a subconscious thing that happens. Speaking from experience when music becomes your job you need to actively pursue enjoyment in other areas of your life, or else your mental well-being becomes too tied up in the ups and downs work (horrible idea). I myself go for runs, play tennis, want to read more etc. I think it makes you better at your job and helps avoid burnout (which can start to become constant without such outlets).

[@genephillips4809]

I too, suffer with the boredom aspect. Being a freelance audio engineer is VERY sporadic and there's a lot of instances where you don't have work... and it's rough because I literally have no life outside of the studio 😂

[@vigilant545]

The art of free time, when you've made it. Real important topic because it's real. What to do when you're set? Discipline and routines help out a lot.

[@compucorder64]

Sometimes, for off time, it's good to look for things that fill out your life in ways that balances out the worklife. Studiolife isn't physically active, can be unhealthy and is largely indoors, sometimes without natural light. So things to look at would be healthy active hobbies that get you in touch with nature, like having pets, cooking, hiking, camping. Audio Engineers can be quite nerdy and tech driven, but also very aware of their senses and love technology, so adjacent interests like photography, videograghy, field recording even cycling can be of interest - though at the risk of adding another money pit. Depends where you live, but indoor things that you use your hands, as you said can be great. Woodworking, sculpture, whatever - though again, watch out for another money pit. Yeah, like you said movies. You can enjoy an adjacent artform, and appreciate the sound and visuals without over-analysing the audio.

[@airmusicindia]

Mix Engineers love movies simply because there is a lot of music in movies and that too in surround or dolby atmos is fun for mixers.

[@jeejeeBlaps]

I've been struggling with this for years and now working remotely/at home full time has amplified it. I work in 3D/Architecture and used to have a true passion for it all but that's gone away almost completely because it's what I do day to day at my job. I don't want to come home and sit on the computer and do more of the same no matter how I flip it and try to convince myself. Working remotely is another tricky thing that has mostly been great but now work intrudes on my music and studio space....so after work, I don't want to stay in the studio because I have been here all day! First world problems, I know but it's real. Thanks for the discussion and the video.

[@mastromattei100]

The fellas 💪

[@whosyabobby]

I spend so much time on music that I don't have time to do my "useless stuff". Man, if music was my full time I'd love to be able to play video games, cook something awesome, watch all the cool new streaming shows, take photos, etc.

[@SoundKilterStudio]

This would be pretty simple for me. My hobby when not mixing, which ia very rare, is playing guitar and writing music. So it doesn't matter if its my full time job or not, I know I will be in the studio while "working" or in my spare time because I don't care to do anything else. Sure, like anything else you take a break from everything (a day or 2), but then its right back to it. If someone is that passionate about something, even with deadlines etc., its never really a "job".

[@scottykomer9992]

Great interview, fellas. Jordan, I love the hat. Rolly I love the hair.

[@RoelofKlop]

Thank you Scotty, thinking about dying it pink, thoughts?

[@scottykomer9992]

You know what I’m gonna say.

[@RoelofKlop]

@@scottykomer9992 Please say yes!

[@indrazchannel2024]

What is your opinion regarding the Fluid audio SRI 2 audio interface?

[@StuCrombie]

I did a band mix on a core2duo dunno how I managed it, the studio was like who recorded this? They thort cud we do better 😂 well they did do better but I got a great mix down using a Motu 8pre, firewire 400 same as a usb A 😂 I actually learned logic 8 automation with the guitarist, he.s like make that bit louder, bring that down, all on a 2.4ghz mac haha

[@jasterthefathyena1843]

Pretty relatable.... I been working from home, doing commissioned art for like 6 or 7 years now after killing my back doing electrical work forworking as an electrician for 15 years. And whereas I used to draw in my freetime.... now I build Gundam model kits and dioramas, heh. Which is also an enjoyable time suck. I stopped dating like a decade ago after dealing with a very abusive partner, so I been thankful for the ample diversions, and honestly kinda' enjoying my hermit-40's in that sense, even if money is always a huge struggle of scraping by juuuust so (don't live in the US and injure yourself at work, best advice I can give.)

[@soundcasts2udios]

Life is problems so choose what problems to have.

[@diostaylow]

First, where to get that BSA merch cap? Hehehe

[@vidicsferenc182]

i wanna have these problems so bad 😂

[@audioedgerecordings2286]

Seeing a new podcast being born here guys, and a new time filler! Everyone wins! 😄

[@Just-gt9oo]

👍

[@rasm0225]

I recommend biking over skateboarding so you don't break any bones. And online chess.

[@compucorder64]

It's true, but oth, an engineer friend lost his finger in a mountain bike accident, hitting a tree branch at speed.

[@JessopHathaway]

ssop saying "like" every, like, other word. Makes it impossible to focus on your message.

[@PrantoKoX]

Spot on - SO annoying! 🎯🤦🏼‍♂️

[@MikeFromDownUnder]

Had to stop watching because of it.

[@RoelofKlop]

Why, you don't "like" it? :P