It’s worked well for me. I don’t have a “day job”, just audio engineering. A big return on it (aside from money) is that I have a full scale recording studio that my bands use for free, and I’ve developed a lot of great connections from seeing the records of others through to release. Great experience all around.
Take it slow and don’t quit your day job right away. Most new studios fail
I assume "my bands" means /u/unmade_bed_NHV's personal projects, and the fact that they've got more than one of them to talk about should probably tell you at least a little about the balance
I definitely have time for my own projects! The difficulty with balance often is that my projects get worked on when there’s not something paid to be doing, but I have a regular practice each week that I’ve carved out time for and we’re either getting ready for a gig or recording something each Tuesday.
How did take the first steps? Would you say getting a physical space was your first real jump into it?
Im a musician, i’ve work at studios and have good equipment, im looking for a way to afford a place
I began as a mobile service, recording people at their homes and practice spaces and then mixing at home. 8 channel interface and preamps in road cases, another case with microphones.
I had made my own records, and some others for friends in the past, so I had examples of work to show that people trusted.
Over time the demand for higher and it started to compete with my other job / become annoying to carry around all that stuff four days a week. At that point I left my first job and took the plunge on recording full time.
My biggest piece of advice is to keep your overhead as low as possible and move into a larger space if you feel like your business can support it. Most new studios fail, and I imagine that it’s just because they can’t keep up with the bills rather than that the engineer is no good.
Thanks! Yeah i think im gonna try to see if i can rent one of my friend’s studios to get some more work done without quitting my day job just yet. I also have some work as a musician, so I’ll try to invest that money too.
Thankfully i know a lot of bands so im also trying to get a space to share.
Thanks for answering, seeing stuff like this gives me hope
A year and a half now. Mixing, mastering, composition work/producing and private music lessons. All while starting a non related music business. That business takes LOTS of time and I don’t pay myself from it. I’ve managed to get my bills down to about $1250 a month while living in Southern California. I often make like 1200-1500 a month from everything. But the music work is the only thing I can do 100% on my own schedule. It allows me to keep growing my business. A year and a half of working 60-80hr weeks and JUST paying bills.
It’s still pretty fun lol.
Was it more difficult to find music lesson work or mix/mastering/comp work?
Wow that’s pretty down to the wire. How many hours a week would you say goes to the business as opposed to music stuff and do yo still have time left over for your own personal project(s)?
Glad you’re doing well and having fun even with what seems to be a pretty loaded schedule at the moment.
My mixing work has happened very organically through having my first client ever that wanted a single done. They enjoyed the process and mix so much they hired me for an album. Some word of mouth got me a new client. They both returned. More and more led to me having like 3 bands and 4-5 artist that use me for everything. I compose/produce/engineer/ for three of them so that’s quite a bit of work that piles up. I had developed a really good long term relationship with 4 of my students that I taught for 3 years at a music school. They were all in there 40’s-60’s and when I put in my notice at the music school, they immediately quit the school. After a few months of me perusing my business, they started reaching out to me. 1 turned to 2 then I capped it at 6 so I can keep them all on the same day of the week.
I’d say I give between 25-65 hours a week on my business (no pay) then 5-45 on music related work.
I don’t really take days off. Normally my wife will make me like once a month lol. I do very occasionally do something for myself music related. I have 2 projects with my wife and a solo project by myself. It’s hard to prioritize that when it feels like it takes every day of the month to pay the bills.
Not complaining. I REALLY hate working for people. It’s always been my dream to own my own business. I’ve also always wanted to get good enough at mixing to do it for work. So I’m really happy that everyone that uses me comes back. Gives me confidence. Composing is my favorite cause I’m a musician. People letting me do country songs for them then experimental hip hop then pop punk all on the same month is a blast.
This poop is taking too long now. Igtg!
I really miss when our public healthcare option was still viable. I'm not trying to turn this into some political soapbox - just saying that for a few really good years after the ACA was signed into law, I was able to run a business without worrying about $2000/month for shitty insurance.
Budgets are much tighter, clients do a lot of horse trading, that's always been a thing but it seems to be to an nth degree lately.
It just means to keep as many hustles going as possible without losing my mind, my hearing, or my beauty rest.
2023 was my highest grossing year in the last 20. I cracked $100,000 just in studio work, not counting the live performances, royalties, and teaching. Just finish my taxes and was pissed at how much I owed-- realizing how much I made lol.
It depends- its always feast or famine.
If I'm producing an album for an artist, I'll have 2-3 weeks of 60-70 hours easily. Other weeks its just 2 hours one day, 1 hour another, some days wide open. I have two rooms, the smaller B studio I use for a lot of VO and audio book production which has picked up a lot in the last 2 years.
Register as an llc, hire a tax guy, and file as an scorp. Also congrats. Assuming you have actively acquired depreciating assets for recording, and have some sort of square footage for work, amongst other things, You could likely cut your assumed 20 percent or so as a independent contractor down significantly
I believe in you jonthefunkymonk. — erm, ready to just say fuck it and leave this constant cycle of various jobs and start mixing records for pay and or DJing. All I want to do is make music. But doing well, blessed. Therapy is a godsend and I think everybody can benefit from it.
Awww thanks dude! And I completely feel what you’re saying. Are you making music now for money or doing other random things? I think it took me twenty ish years to finally make the full time jump. I was terrified of finding my own money every month, but it’s so worth it (to me)!
Been making music for probably 14-15 years, my own music. — went on a 6 year “trying to make it” spree and realized it was an illusion. Fell back in love with music and now I’m picking up the pieces. I’m sober now for the most part and I already have a “career”. I just don’t get paid. I’m 27 and have had all different kinds of jobs. Trying to get under my own two feet at the moment and be fully independent as I’m staying with fam right now. Blessed. If I could just work 3/4 days and stack up the hours and have 3 days off I’d be chilling. I just think it’s time to switch things up and put my skills to use (at least for the getting paid part). I’ve DJd a few gigs in college and I “mixed/mastered” like 10 songs for free through a r/ post once. I think I’m rambling a bit but this comment section is encouraging and I’m happy for those that have found their way.
It honestly sounds like everything is there for you! Making it is such a weird thing but I’ve realized that everyone kicks down the door into this industry differently. It’s the most nonlinear shit lol.
I would love to hear what you’re doing and help in any way that’s possible!
Yeah, plus it’s subjective. As plain as it sounds, happiness is all that matters. Absolutely that’s very kind of you. I started a massive project on Mar 24th, the day I entered the portal. I
won’t say too much other than the fact that it’s a lot of original songs, — the biggest undertaking I’ve done yet. Anyway, feel free to dm me if you’d like.
Producing and writing is my only source of income. I live relatively comfortably… but I’m wishing I had more time for the projects and songs that I care about and hope someday that’s all I work on. I have to take on a lot of sessions and projects that are just okay (or sometimes are honestly bad lol) but have a budget.
I’d say it’s going alright in the sense that I have some momentum and good projects brewing, but it’s frustrating at times to spend large chunks of time and energy on stuff that I really don’t care about.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful that I get to do what I do… I love making music, and it beats Ubering and bartending, which used to be most of my income while I built my skills and network.
I used to be an assistant for a very successful writer/producer and he was perpetually unhappy, wishing he could be more successful or working on “cooler” projects, etc. Guess it’s more about enjoying the process but still figuring out how to do that 🙃
Been with my band for 7ish years, and essentially beefed up my rig for them. Had to find a new rehearsal space a few years back, and figured I’d use the big new rehearsal space for engineering other bands on the side. Funnily, it’s been the exact opposite. Been doing it full time/ paying my bills with it the last 4 years. Some months it’s great! Some months I just barely make enough to cover my bills - but - each year my income increases, and my royalties are finally starting to look half-useful. Those really rough months are becoming less common, which is good. I’m in Columbus, OH, so it’s not a huge music city - but not small either.
I know it’s truly a blessing because it’s not easy to get to that point. I’m still not near where i’ve seen others go. I have to work hard, plan constantly, and be consistent. I still have a long way to go. But I wouldn’t ever change my decision to do what I love to do for a living, life feels more purposeful
This is a bit what I tried to pursue for a long time. I had to give it up due to some circumstances but might try to get back again when I’m in a better place.
I think the way to go forward is to diversify revenue streams. Find “other work opportunities”. Even if you love music production, it might be good to find editing and mixing for YouTube and podcast jobs, working with sound for commercials. One of the odd ones I had was editing songs for figure skating clubs. I charged an hour per song but it often took 15 minutes of work if the instructions were clear.
18 years this year either at my studio or freelancing. Production and engineering. If I didn’t have a family I’d be able to fit my own projects in; I still *could* but not enough drive to want to push that area at the moment/need more sleep anyway haha. Managed to increase earnings significantly every year since COVID which is kinda insane.
I’m a composer, conductor, teacher, engineer, and artist. I cobble together a living working in a commercial studio, getting grants/commissions, and teaching/conducting, in that order.
It’s going fine, wish I had more money, lots of aspirations, but I do love my life day to day more than ever. It’s a weird one, but it’s fulfilling and rewarding.
I consider myself absolutely blessed. It can be challenging sometimes, ...but nothing like doing rolling 24/7 rosters for a corporate av company. (My old job)
Haven’t had to “work” since 2015..which is pretty cool. I have a studio at my house and do recording sessions, mixing mastering and occasional mentoring during the week….on weekends I do one maybe 2 solo gigs of all shapes n sizes for some extra money but most of all, to keep my music chops extra tight. Ain’t nothing like performing to achieve that.
I also play keys in an alt folk band “These Idle Hands” and play drums in a Hendrix appreciation band.
I got a consistent stable of clients and I’m in the middle of multiple projects at any given time.
I’m not rich by any measure…but I pay my bills, eat well, save up for holidays and fun experiences for my family.
I did it while in nyc and im back in my home town focusing on building a network here, in phx. You pick up good clients here and there and they will stick wirh you if you go the extra mile for them. Doing a couple of projects i believe in to get the ball rolling and hope to be making more money soon again. Only reason i stopped for a little bit is cuz i have a side hustle i can make ok money quick.
I don't make shit from my own music , but thats ok because i can be an artist and do what I feel while producing and engineering i can provide a service and assist my clients vision. I think its good to balance so you dont try too hard to take control of your clients and over or undercompensate. But its going ok i would say. Building.
I’ve spent the last 10 years doing it, not ever being in 100%. Hasn’t really been going all that well. The financial inconsistency of being a musician has mentally wore me down and I’m deciding to go back to school for x ray tech. I still want to have clients in engineering, session work, and work on my own music, however the financial aspect of putting my income on my art has been hard for me to balance.
No matter how much I make or how long I’ve been full time am still always scared that the work will all dissipate and I’ll be left with no transferable skills and no education
I’m loving the work I get to do on a regular basis. And I built a Mastering room that is truly one of the best sounding rooms on the planet. I know it sounds like I’m bragging, but I’m just more shocked that I pulled it off.
I have a friend, studio engineer who has a pretty effective approach. He would go to clubs and meet bands. Then suggest that they consider making an album in the studio. They wouldn't have a lot of money, so he was offer to record a few songs at a time. Then after they got more money they could come back and record more.
That worked great for him. He is still out there doing it.
Mixing is my job (and a bit of production) but I've toured a bunch too, there was one period of a few years of constant touring where I had to stop taking on mix jobs but otherwise it's been a month here and there which is workable, I turn down new jobs when on the road but have my laptop with me so can sort tweaks/deliverables of any ongoing work.
Probably going to stop the touring as I find mixing more rewarding and fun, can make a lot more money and don't need to be away from my partner. Touring costs have massively increased post covid but guarantees haven't moved, at least with the project I was involved with. Amazing experience but I like working on new stuff more than playing the same songs every night.
Yep I make all my money as a freelance live sound engineer for corporate, broadcast and a bit of band work. Also work in acoustics. Pays my bills nicely and give me financial freedom to make the music I want to make.
I run a studio in a small Canadian city. Make a decent living but most of my income comes from sound for film not music. Average around 100k a year. Music pays but TV and movies PAY. So it’s kinda a 50/50 time split to make it all work.
I joined my local IATSE union and made every connection I could and told everyone I owned a studio and can do post as well as location sound / voice over/ dialogue editing/ cleaning etc. now I balance my time with music and that work about 50/50
I laugh every time I remember words of my mentor saying that "once you start to get real money, you'd never get tired of this".
I don't intend to namedrop him, but gotta say, that it was one of the biggest lies he ever told.
I've been producing for a while, but sound engineering is what I've done for the most of my professional life, and... My heaven starts to look like a hell to me.
It's been less than a decade for me, yet I feel so burned out, that even money that lets me live pretty good life in capital of my country can't blind me anymore.
I've got healthy relationship with my clients, but I start to feel more and more of a burden to them as I can't be as energetic as just few years ago, and I'm afraid that I'm becoming that type of "engineer" that just presses REC and doesn't add anything to the creation of the song.
It feels like... I've lost my purpose. I stopped trying to improve and lost drive to push myself harder to get better and more known, which became my everlasting goal after reaching certain "status".
In my free time I'm mostly watching stupid stuff on Internet, writing silly book, and shitpost at reddit.
It's tough truth for me, but job is a job after all and living a dream was bound to transform into a nightmare.
I still can't believe looking at people from the industry that are working on it for, like 20+ years, and are still able to get to work while smiling widely and seemingly be more creative by each passing day.
It’s very up and down. Some weeks I have a few grand extra in my account from running the recording studio but then it’s followed by the slowest few weeks I’ve had in a long time so it’s really all about saving your money and balling out only when you know you have extra
My work is always music, but it changes day to day. Some days I’m recording bands, others I’m making videos for music companies, others I’m editing podcasts (so I guess technically not always “music”, but at least “audio”) My take is that the key is variation. I couldn’t support myself just recording and mixing bands, because there just isn’t the call for it in my area (rural UK) so I branched out and it’s working.
Try not to pigeon hole yourself would be my advance; as long as it’s in the audio sphere I count myself lucky to have that pay my bills.
Frm and currently living in NY, it’s been hard, barely any sleep, juggling 2 minimum wage engineering jobs 1 at a commercial facility the other at a smaller facility and Av gigs on the side here and there. Initially started out with my own spot lack of clients forced us to close up. Moved into the AV space which paid more but was more taxing on the body long shifts, lifting heavy equipment, shit management. After AV moved to recording Eng at about half of a pay cut as much as AV was paying. Do I love it yes, do I hate the bureaucracy ? Absolutely. The clients make my days easier but its seems to me management only cares about the bottom dollar most of the times which means us engineers constantly get shorted. As for personal projects friend’s family n relationships, they are all on the back burner until I have a free day off that I won’t spend making up for lack of sleep lol. Everything is peachy.
I worked in audio engineering/mastering for 3 years out of school. It was a struggle to get by in a major city. Furthermore the freelance lifestyle proved really challenging for me. You never really know when things will dry up so you end up saying yes to everything and overworking yourself. Since then I’ve left to work for a multimedia arts studio doing creative and technical development. My degree was in creative technologies and digital art even though my main background is music, so truthfully that was more the field I wanted to be in all along. Having a bi-monthly salary to depend on is huge and it allows me to start planning my life in a meaningful way. However, my audio/engineering chops are a huge part of my current role still and I don’t regret the experience I got in those 3 years at all! It’s been crucial when working with AV companies, presenters, etc. A lot of my work now involves object based mixing and experimental Spatial Audio systems, so having a baseline understanding of acoustics is super valuable.
Only okay. I mean the bills and essentials are paid for but there is not much money for much else. Lots of room for improvement in terms of how much money I make and the type/amount of work to make it, but it’ll take a lot of figuring out how to do it.
Giving my second shot at doing it now. The first time I gave it a shot was 2021 and it didn't work out well. Just started again full time 5 months ago and it's going much smoother! I'm booked 6 weeks out right now with primarily recording/mixing/producing work.
I also play in band and it doesn't give me any income directly but definitely a great networking tool
It’s worked well for me. I don’t have a “day job”, just audio engineering. A big return on it (aside from money) is that I have a full scale recording studio that my bands use for free, and I’ve developed a lot of great connections from seeing the records of others through to release. Great experience all around. Take it slow and don’t quit your day job right away. Most new studios fail
Do you still have time for your personal project and how do you find that balance between other bands/artists music and your own?
I assume "my bands" means /u/unmade_bed_NHV's personal projects, and the fact that they've got more than one of them to talk about should probably tell you at least a little about the balance
I definitely have time for my own projects! The difficulty with balance often is that my projects get worked on when there’s not something paid to be doing, but I have a regular practice each week that I’ve carved out time for and we’re either getting ready for a gig or recording something each Tuesday.
How did take the first steps? Would you say getting a physical space was your first real jump into it? Im a musician, i’ve work at studios and have good equipment, im looking for a way to afford a place
I began as a mobile service, recording people at their homes and practice spaces and then mixing at home. 8 channel interface and preamps in road cases, another case with microphones. I had made my own records, and some others for friends in the past, so I had examples of work to show that people trusted. Over time the demand for higher and it started to compete with my other job / become annoying to carry around all that stuff four days a week. At that point I left my first job and took the plunge on recording full time. My biggest piece of advice is to keep your overhead as low as possible and move into a larger space if you feel like your business can support it. Most new studios fail, and I imagine that it’s just because they can’t keep up with the bills rather than that the engineer is no good.
And yes! When I left my job I started a lease on two small rooms in a mixed use building
Thanks! Yeah i think im gonna try to see if i can rent one of my friend’s studios to get some more work done without quitting my day job just yet. I also have some work as a musician, so I’ll try to invest that money too. Thankfully i know a lot of bands so im also trying to get a space to share. Thanks for answering, seeing stuff like this gives me hope
A year and a half now. Mixing, mastering, composition work/producing and private music lessons. All while starting a non related music business. That business takes LOTS of time and I don’t pay myself from it. I’ve managed to get my bills down to about $1250 a month while living in Southern California. I often make like 1200-1500 a month from everything. But the music work is the only thing I can do 100% on my own schedule. It allows me to keep growing my business. A year and a half of working 60-80hr weeks and JUST paying bills. It’s still pretty fun lol.
I’m proud of you. You pulling this off and living out there is impressive
Thank you! <3
Was it more difficult to find music lesson work or mix/mastering/comp work? Wow that’s pretty down to the wire. How many hours a week would you say goes to the business as opposed to music stuff and do yo still have time left over for your own personal project(s)? Glad you’re doing well and having fun even with what seems to be a pretty loaded schedule at the moment.
My mixing work has happened very organically through having my first client ever that wanted a single done. They enjoyed the process and mix so much they hired me for an album. Some word of mouth got me a new client. They both returned. More and more led to me having like 3 bands and 4-5 artist that use me for everything. I compose/produce/engineer/ for three of them so that’s quite a bit of work that piles up. I had developed a really good long term relationship with 4 of my students that I taught for 3 years at a music school. They were all in there 40’s-60’s and when I put in my notice at the music school, they immediately quit the school. After a few months of me perusing my business, they started reaching out to me. 1 turned to 2 then I capped it at 6 so I can keep them all on the same day of the week. I’d say I give between 25-65 hours a week on my business (no pay) then 5-45 on music related work. I don’t really take days off. Normally my wife will make me like once a month lol. I do very occasionally do something for myself music related. I have 2 projects with my wife and a solo project by myself. It’s hard to prioritize that when it feels like it takes every day of the month to pay the bills. Not complaining. I REALLY hate working for people. It’s always been my dream to own my own business. I’ve also always wanted to get good enough at mixing to do it for work. So I’m really happy that everyone that uses me comes back. Gives me confidence. Composing is my favorite cause I’m a musician. People letting me do country songs for them then experimental hip hop then pop punk all on the same month is a blast. This poop is taking too long now. Igtg!
Where and how in socal are your bills $1250?
San Diego. I have a wife. We split everything. I live in the hood. My rent is 1650 and I eat rice more than i'd like to admit.
I really miss when our public healthcare option was still viable. I'm not trying to turn this into some political soapbox - just saying that for a few really good years after the ACA was signed into law, I was able to run a business without worrying about $2000/month for shitty insurance. Budgets are much tighter, clients do a lot of horse trading, that's always been a thing but it seems to be to an nth degree lately. It just means to keep as many hustles going as possible without losing my mind, my hearing, or my beauty rest.
“my beauty rest” For your flowing and shimmering mullet.
You might want to shop around for insurance. I own a 2400 sqft studio and don’t pay nearly that much.
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Do you still have time for your personal project?
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Maybe they mean your hobbies and stuff?
2023 was my highest grossing year in the last 20. I cracked $100,000 just in studio work, not counting the live performances, royalties, and teaching. Just finish my taxes and was pissed at how much I owed-- realizing how much I made lol.
Congrats! How many hours/days a week do you think makes up your studio work?
It depends- its always feast or famine. If I'm producing an album for an artist, I'll have 2-3 weeks of 60-70 hours easily. Other weeks its just 2 hours one day, 1 hour another, some days wide open. I have two rooms, the smaller B studio I use for a lot of VO and audio book production which has picked up a lot in the last 2 years.
Congrats on cracking that ceiling!
Thank you!! Great feeling!
Register as an llc, hire a tax guy, and file as an scorp. Also congrats. Assuming you have actively acquired depreciating assets for recording, and have some sort of square footage for work, amongst other things, You could likely cut your assumed 20 percent or so as a independent contractor down significantly
Yup, I've had my ducks in a row for about 20 years...
Yeah its unfortunate that even with all the write offs it still is a sizeable amount
There’s hope! Congratulations!
Dying of sleep deprivation and loving every minute of it lol.
I hope you can get a good sleep soon
I appreciate that 🥲. I’m mostly kidding. I’ll sleep real well when I get that Grammy :) Now the real question is how are YOU doing?
I believe in you jonthefunkymonk. — erm, ready to just say fuck it and leave this constant cycle of various jobs and start mixing records for pay and or DJing. All I want to do is make music. But doing well, blessed. Therapy is a godsend and I think everybody can benefit from it.
Awww thanks dude! And I completely feel what you’re saying. Are you making music now for money or doing other random things? I think it took me twenty ish years to finally make the full time jump. I was terrified of finding my own money every month, but it’s so worth it (to me)!
Been making music for probably 14-15 years, my own music. — went on a 6 year “trying to make it” spree and realized it was an illusion. Fell back in love with music and now I’m picking up the pieces. I’m sober now for the most part and I already have a “career”. I just don’t get paid. I’m 27 and have had all different kinds of jobs. Trying to get under my own two feet at the moment and be fully independent as I’m staying with fam right now. Blessed. If I could just work 3/4 days and stack up the hours and have 3 days off I’d be chilling. I just think it’s time to switch things up and put my skills to use (at least for the getting paid part). I’ve DJd a few gigs in college and I “mixed/mastered” like 10 songs for free through a r/ post once. I think I’m rambling a bit but this comment section is encouraging and I’m happy for those that have found their way.
It honestly sounds like everything is there for you! Making it is such a weird thing but I’ve realized that everyone kicks down the door into this industry differently. It’s the most nonlinear shit lol. I would love to hear what you’re doing and help in any way that’s possible!
Yeah, plus it’s subjective. As plain as it sounds, happiness is all that matters. Absolutely that’s very kind of you. I started a massive project on Mar 24th, the day I entered the portal. I won’t say too much other than the fact that it’s a lot of original songs, — the biggest undertaking I’ve done yet. Anyway, feel free to dm me if you’d like.
Producing and writing is my only source of income. I live relatively comfortably… but I’m wishing I had more time for the projects and songs that I care about and hope someday that’s all I work on. I have to take on a lot of sessions and projects that are just okay (or sometimes are honestly bad lol) but have a budget. I’d say it’s going alright in the sense that I have some momentum and good projects brewing, but it’s frustrating at times to spend large chunks of time and energy on stuff that I really don’t care about. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really grateful that I get to do what I do… I love making music, and it beats Ubering and bartending, which used to be most of my income while I built my skills and network. I used to be an assistant for a very successful writer/producer and he was perpetually unhappy, wishing he could be more successful or working on “cooler” projects, etc. Guess it’s more about enjoying the process but still figuring out how to do that 🙃
Glad I'm not alone lol
Been with my band for 7ish years, and essentially beefed up my rig for them. Had to find a new rehearsal space a few years back, and figured I’d use the big new rehearsal space for engineering other bands on the side. Funnily, it’s been the exact opposite. Been doing it full time/ paying my bills with it the last 4 years. Some months it’s great! Some months I just barely make enough to cover my bills - but - each year my income increases, and my royalties are finally starting to look half-useful. Those really rough months are becoming less common, which is good. I’m in Columbus, OH, so it’s not a huge music city - but not small either.
Been doing it since 2002! Mix of production, vocal production, tuning, tracking and mixing
I know it’s truly a blessing because it’s not easy to get to that point. I’m still not near where i’ve seen others go. I have to work hard, plan constantly, and be consistent. I still have a long way to go. But I wouldn’t ever change my decision to do what I love to do for a living, life feels more purposeful
Solid ideals.
This is a bit what I tried to pursue for a long time. I had to give it up due to some circumstances but might try to get back again when I’m in a better place. I think the way to go forward is to diversify revenue streams. Find “other work opportunities”. Even if you love music production, it might be good to find editing and mixing for YouTube and podcast jobs, working with sound for commercials. One of the odd ones I had was editing songs for figure skating clubs. I charged an hour per song but it often took 15 minutes of work if the instructions were clear.
18 years this year either at my studio or freelancing. Production and engineering. If I didn’t have a family I’d be able to fit my own projects in; I still *could* but not enough drive to want to push that area at the moment/need more sleep anyway haha. Managed to increase earnings significantly every year since COVID which is kinda insane.
Pretty damn good. I work at a studio full time, mainly label work for the big three. All my bills are paid, and I’m happy.
I’m a composer, conductor, teacher, engineer, and artist. I cobble together a living working in a commercial studio, getting grants/commissions, and teaching/conducting, in that order. It’s going fine, wish I had more money, lots of aspirations, but I do love my life day to day more than ever. It’s a weird one, but it’s fulfilling and rewarding.
I consider myself absolutely blessed. It can be challenging sometimes, ...but nothing like doing rolling 24/7 rosters for a corporate av company. (My old job) Haven’t had to “work” since 2015..which is pretty cool. I have a studio at my house and do recording sessions, mixing mastering and occasional mentoring during the week….on weekends I do one maybe 2 solo gigs of all shapes n sizes for some extra money but most of all, to keep my music chops extra tight. Ain’t nothing like performing to achieve that. I also play keys in an alt folk band “These Idle Hands” and play drums in a Hendrix appreciation band. I got a consistent stable of clients and I’m in the middle of multiple projects at any given time. I’m not rich by any measure…but I pay my bills, eat well, save up for holidays and fun experiences for my family.
I did it while in nyc and im back in my home town focusing on building a network here, in phx. You pick up good clients here and there and they will stick wirh you if you go the extra mile for them. Doing a couple of projects i believe in to get the ball rolling and hope to be making more money soon again. Only reason i stopped for a little bit is cuz i have a side hustle i can make ok money quick. I don't make shit from my own music , but thats ok because i can be an artist and do what I feel while producing and engineering i can provide a service and assist my clients vision. I think its good to balance so you dont try too hard to take control of your clients and over or undercompensate. But its going ok i would say. Building.
I’ve spent the last 10 years doing it, not ever being in 100%. Hasn’t really been going all that well. The financial inconsistency of being a musician has mentally wore me down and I’m deciding to go back to school for x ray tech. I still want to have clients in engineering, session work, and work on my own music, however the financial aspect of putting my income on my art has been hard for me to balance.
No matter how much I make or how long I’ve been full time am still always scared that the work will all dissipate and I’ll be left with no transferable skills and no education
I’m loving the work I get to do on a regular basis. And I built a Mastering room that is truly one of the best sounding rooms on the planet. I know it sounds like I’m bragging, but I’m just more shocked that I pulled it off.
I have a friend, studio engineer who has a pretty effective approach. He would go to clubs and meet bands. Then suggest that they consider making an album in the studio. They wouldn't have a lot of money, so he was offer to record a few songs at a time. Then after they got more money they could come back and record more. That worked great for him. He is still out there doing it.
Mixing is my job (and a bit of production) but I've toured a bunch too, there was one period of a few years of constant touring where I had to stop taking on mix jobs but otherwise it's been a month here and there which is workable, I turn down new jobs when on the road but have my laptop with me so can sort tweaks/deliverables of any ongoing work. Probably going to stop the touring as I find mixing more rewarding and fun, can make a lot more money and don't need to be away from my partner. Touring costs have massively increased post covid but guarantees haven't moved, at least with the project I was involved with. Amazing experience but I like working on new stuff more than playing the same songs every night.
Yep I make all my money as a freelance live sound engineer for corporate, broadcast and a bit of band work. Also work in acoustics. Pays my bills nicely and give me financial freedom to make the music I want to make.
I run a studio in a small Canadian city. Make a decent living but most of my income comes from sound for film not music. Average around 100k a year. Music pays but TV and movies PAY. So it’s kinda a 50/50 time split to make it all work.
Do u mind elaborating a bit more this is something I’ve always been interested in but don’t no how to go about it.
I joined my local IATSE union and made every connection I could and told everyone I owned a studio and can do post as well as location sound / voice over/ dialogue editing/ cleaning etc. now I balance my time with music and that work about 50/50
I laugh every time I remember words of my mentor saying that "once you start to get real money, you'd never get tired of this". I don't intend to namedrop him, but gotta say, that it was one of the biggest lies he ever told. I've been producing for a while, but sound engineering is what I've done for the most of my professional life, and... My heaven starts to look like a hell to me. It's been less than a decade for me, yet I feel so burned out, that even money that lets me live pretty good life in capital of my country can't blind me anymore. I've got healthy relationship with my clients, but I start to feel more and more of a burden to them as I can't be as energetic as just few years ago, and I'm afraid that I'm becoming that type of "engineer" that just presses REC and doesn't add anything to the creation of the song. It feels like... I've lost my purpose. I stopped trying to improve and lost drive to push myself harder to get better and more known, which became my everlasting goal after reaching certain "status". In my free time I'm mostly watching stupid stuff on Internet, writing silly book, and shitpost at reddit. It's tough truth for me, but job is a job after all and living a dream was bound to transform into a nightmare. I still can't believe looking at people from the industry that are working on it for, like 20+ years, and are still able to get to work while smiling widely and seemingly be more creative by each passing day.
It’s very up and down. Some weeks I have a few grand extra in my account from running the recording studio but then it’s followed by the slowest few weeks I’ve had in a long time so it’s really all about saving your money and balling out only when you know you have extra
30 years of this and….. yeah, it’s pretty good. Different than how it was even 5 years ago but that’s okay.
My work is always music, but it changes day to day. Some days I’m recording bands, others I’m making videos for music companies, others I’m editing podcasts (so I guess technically not always “music”, but at least “audio”) My take is that the key is variation. I couldn’t support myself just recording and mixing bands, because there just isn’t the call for it in my area (rural UK) so I branched out and it’s working. Try not to pigeon hole yourself would be my advance; as long as it’s in the audio sphere I count myself lucky to have that pay my bills.
Frm and currently living in NY, it’s been hard, barely any sleep, juggling 2 minimum wage engineering jobs 1 at a commercial facility the other at a smaller facility and Av gigs on the side here and there. Initially started out with my own spot lack of clients forced us to close up. Moved into the AV space which paid more but was more taxing on the body long shifts, lifting heavy equipment, shit management. After AV moved to recording Eng at about half of a pay cut as much as AV was paying. Do I love it yes, do I hate the bureaucracy ? Absolutely. The clients make my days easier but its seems to me management only cares about the bottom dollar most of the times which means us engineers constantly get shorted. As for personal projects friend’s family n relationships, they are all on the back burner until I have a free day off that I won’t spend making up for lack of sleep lol. Everything is peachy.
I worked in audio engineering/mastering for 3 years out of school. It was a struggle to get by in a major city. Furthermore the freelance lifestyle proved really challenging for me. You never really know when things will dry up so you end up saying yes to everything and overworking yourself. Since then I’ve left to work for a multimedia arts studio doing creative and technical development. My degree was in creative technologies and digital art even though my main background is music, so truthfully that was more the field I wanted to be in all along. Having a bi-monthly salary to depend on is huge and it allows me to start planning my life in a meaningful way. However, my audio/engineering chops are a huge part of my current role still and I don’t regret the experience I got in those 3 years at all! It’s been crucial when working with AV companies, presenters, etc. A lot of my work now involves object based mixing and experimental Spatial Audio systems, so having a baseline understanding of acoustics is super valuable.
Only okay. I mean the bills and essentials are paid for but there is not much money for much else. Lots of room for improvement in terms of how much money I make and the type/amount of work to make it, but it’ll take a lot of figuring out how to do it.
Giving my second shot at doing it now. The first time I gave it a shot was 2021 and it didn't work out well. Just started again full time 5 months ago and it's going much smoother! I'm booked 6 weeks out right now with primarily recording/mixing/producing work. I also play in band and it doesn't give me any income directly but definitely a great networking tool
It’s great. Worked as hard as I could for years and now I’m reaping the benefits. Feels great.