For many recording enthusiasts, working alone brings great freedom and solace. You get to vibe to your creations, as well as finagling and remixing until your hearts content. But when do you get outside of your space? Are your actively making new connections in your area? Are you meeting other aspiring recording producers who you could learn a few things from, or they could learn from you? Making connections is key to your continuous growth as a home producer!
Local Search - There are dozens of places to begin your connection journey. You could first find your local Yellow or White Pages (do they still exist) or do a local Internet search to begin there. You may not find home recording producers, but you will find the local listings for local recording studios. Believe me, most of those guys have a home recording studio somewhere in their home. Call the studio, set up an appointment to talk with one of the recording producers, and ask if you could simply speak with them. Many producers will jump at the chance to share their thought while many will want to be compensated for their time and expertise. But think of this as a great self investment. You could spend $25 - $40 an hour to learn from a studio professional..;.How cool is that? There are many people who spend decades in classes, but never get to learn or train from someone doing recordings on a day-to-day basis. With a simple phone call, you can make it happen!
Open Mic Night - These free venues are a great way to meet like-minded individuals. Let's say you've just written a song and you need the right female vocalist to complete it. Grab a local listing of open mic nights in your area, and head out to a few of them. Have your business cards and flyers handy because the more professional you are, the more receptive someone will be to you. Listen to the talent. There will be some unpolished stones in the crowd, but before long you will find your gemstone. Set up a meeting with the talent and share ways you could benefit one another. The singer may need demo work, so that's a win-win in negotiating a fee. You could also choose to pay the singer for their time, and the vocals recorded on the track remain your property for session work. This is just one example of how getting out and listening to different talent can lead you to numerous opportunities.
Social Media - There is no excuse not to make connections using social media. From Facebook to Instagram, Twitter to LinkedIn, there are just too many ways to build your recording network. Through Facebook I regularly collaborate with an ex-military buddy of mine who also created music. He keeps me in check with my song choices, web designs, and also family ties. Social media keeps your fans current with whats going on in your world, and is a viable way to share your thoughts and opinions in your field. I would strongly suggest you keep your personal social media content separate from your professional side at all costs. You don't want fans uploading baby, puppy, or questionable photos on your professional pages---so separate them NOW!
I'm sure we could go on and on with keeping connected with other home recording enthusiasts, but learn from my top 3. Get on that local search to see who is willing to sit down, make an appointment, and talk with you about your craft. Don't worry about the investment, think of the priceless wisdom you could glean! Next, don't forget the local open mic listings in your area. You can also go online or find a local newspaper to get connected with the talent that you want to work with. And third, understand the power of social media. It's there--so use it! But remember to use it wisely by separating your personal from your professional pages. It's time to connect!
Dray