Feel free to replace “mixing engineer” with anything you’d like to “become” or something you love that you’d like to have generating an income stream for you. There’s a fundamental first step that most people skip over, end up wasting a lot of time and move no closer to achieving their goal.
This first step is so easy to take but it’s so important and powerful that it will get you much closer to your dreams than you realise…
Now, I get a lot of emails from people asking about how to make a steady income from their home studios and I completely understand why I get them. You love what you do and you want to be able to do that every day of your life. I understand and I feel the same way.
I also understand that you probably have a full time job and a lot of other responsibilities. “Finding the time” to get your mixing or music production squeezed into an already busy day probably seems like a near impossible task at the best of times, but you still know in your heart that you love it and if you could, you’d spend every minute of your day creating music.
So, I’m here to give you the first step towards making money as a mixing engineer, music producer, triangle player, whatever you want…
You have to change your mindset
The word “professional” is the most important word you can have in your head when it comes to making that mindset shift.
A professional is someone who “participates for gain in an activity of field often engaged in by amateurs”. In your case, that field is mixing engineering or music production.
You have to think of yourself as a professional every single step of the way. Yes, by all means, you’re doing something you love for enjoyment and happiness but there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t be a professional. So, think of yourself that way from the very start.
One of the first questions we often get asked is, “What do you do?”
If you’re an accountant, you’ll tell them “I’m an accountant” and that becomes part of your identity. These people have no idea that you’re a brilliant musician or engineer in your spare time. That identity is hidden away because your current profession is what defines you. But what if you said “I’m a musician” or “I’m a music producer”? Don’t you think the conversation and the opportunities that might open up for you would be more rewarding than simply stating that you’re “an accountant”?
So, if your goal is to generate an income and become a professional mixing engineer, music producer or musician, then I ask you to consider yourself a professional in that field from this day forward.
Make the decision to hold yourself to the highest standards and make the time to learn the necessary skills and immerse yourself in the profession that will become your primary source of income in time.
Remember – if you don’t block out the time in your calendar, it doesn’t exist.
Make time for music creation, give to others, help them with their music and you will be rewarded long term
I am very grateful that I’ve been able to make a living out of working in audio for the best part of the last 10 years. It is my primary income stream but I would be lying to you if it was all plain sailing. Then again, when is life always plain sailing in any aspect?
Now, I also understand that not everyone wants to move towards working as a mixing engineer or music producer full time but you might want to generate an income “on the side” from your hobby. That’s all well and good and I absolutely think there’s room for people like that in the world. But you still need to think of yourself as a professional. When you’re done with your “day job” and you’re working on your “side business”, the mindset and identify shift still applies.
You go from being “taxidermist” (if you’re a taxidermist, please email me and let me know what that’s like!) to “mixing engineer”.
I promise you that if you make this change in your mindset and decide to be a professional in your desired field, then things will start changing.
So, my advice is to make that decision today and start thinking of yourself as a professional. Set aside the time in your calendar every week for your “new” profession and own this identity when you’re meeting new people.
You’ll be amazed at the opportunities that arise when you start thinking this way.
Now, I’d love to know…
When you’re asked “What do you do?“, what do you say?
Leave a comment below!
professional sounding mix every time...
Hail Stephen, great article again; from now on, my answer to the above question will be, as a matter of course: “I am a music producer.” !! Thank you!
Great! You’re welcome.
Risking myself to sound like a clown:
What about people like me that has no studio, no job and no credit card? I practice mixing and mastering constantly but I “have no credibility” (in other people words).
Sorry if this comment doesn’t belong here.
Doesn’t your credibility come from the work you do as opposed to the money you put in? If you’ve practiced hard then I assume you have something to listen to. That material right there is where your credibility comes from.
Great advice Justin! Thank you for being so supportive.
Hello there! I remember you once wrote you live in a country where there’s no market for music production… Where are you from? I live in Portugal and seems the same. About this comment of yours: first, I think you are way ahead of me when it comes to mixing knowledge; second, more than everyone else you are a real mixing engineer and should consider calling yourself so. And people who give you things to work on MUST acept that; after all it’s your only way to get an income and they can’t say “we dont have to pay you ’cause you already have a job” (it would de riddiculous in my thought). Hope it gets better for you soon, feel you worth it! Paulo Andrade from Portugal
I live in Colombia (South America) and the situation here isn’t about no music market at all, but that there are no jobs for people like me that don’t have their own studios (I don’t even have a interface), everyone that wants a piece of the cake here must build their own studio and I’m totally bankrupt.
The other big problem is that in this country every job ask for at least 6 months of experience, even for jobs where high school graduates can apply, and I don’t have any certified experience on anything so no job for me.
Now talking about how I see myself: Yeah, just as you say I consider myself as and mixing/mastering engineer, and I’m constantly learning thanks to many people on the internet like Stephen. And I’m trying to offer low prices to mix/master their records, but no one hires me. I gues I should start by making some free records to build a portfolio first (I upload mixes to my Youtube channel btw, you can hear that I’ve been slowly getting better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvG5n2LA3A0&list=PLoR5yL5yG-mHuYP7SU7VT5BheYYUu7pAq ).
Thanks for cheering me man 😀
Your comment definitely isn’t out of place and I agree with the guys above… you must own the identity of mixing/mastering engineer and don’t give up.
It can be difficult to get paying clients at the start but you are not limited by being in Colombia. As we spoke about before, we live in an age where you can communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world with ease.
I listened to your mix and you can mix well.
You know what to do already. Yes, mix for free and build a portfolio. Entering mixing competitions and mixing freely available stems will help get your chops up but the next stage is interacting with people.
To work with people, you have to chat with them. So if you feel that you can’t get clients by going to gigs and working the scene in your local area, start reaching out to bands and artists online and offer to mix for them for free. That way, you’re increasing your experience and ability to deal with clients.
When you have a portfolio of 3-6 songs that are mixed to a level that you are proud of, then it is time to start charging for your mixing and work your way up from there.
I really hope this helps you and do not give up!
Thanks to you too!
Hi again! Sorry for my slow reaction.
Not having an interface, yes, might be an handycap. Still…
I took a look at your Youtube channel and you know your stuff! Just like Stephen already said, go ahead with your portfolio and show the world (not just Colombia) what you are capable of. I`m gonna try doing something similar right here in this little corner of mine.
Best wishes from Portugal! Yours, Paulo
Thanks for your supportive advice Paulo!
Hallo heavymetalmixer, you make good and great mixes. Make a website with your portfolio or links to youtube, and take an other name. There want more people mixes than heavymetalfans. I would´nt take you with this name if I want country, rock, blues – whatever have mixed. What about “Your Mixer”? Good luck.
Another great article Stephen.
I got to think being an Audio Engineer beats scooping the entrails out of dead animals and mounting them on wood, any day! But maybe that’s just me.
Thanks Justin. Hey.. you know… whatever floats your boat man!
Well… normaly I would say “I`m a Dentist” but considering that I`m about to create my own site / portfolio for musical production, just don`t know anymore. Maybe I`ll start saying “Dentist AND Music Producer”?
Now that I`ve finished my working morning and going out for lunch and since I suffer from double personality, I´ll be the Music Producer `till I return.
For real: great article, Stephen. And so right about the mindset! I`ve always felt that I`ve something else to offer beyond dentistry…
Exactly! Maybe you’ve got a bit of the Clark Kent/Superman vibe going on? But which identity is Superman?! 🙂
Good question, although my favourite super-hero was Batman. The problem is I don`t feel comfortable working late at night right now… 😀 Have a fine weekend!
Most people assume that a 67 year man is “retired”. So I don’t get that question very often anymore.
However, the way I used to answer that question was to say “I’m a musician” because that’s what I had consistently done most of my life. And it’s truly who I’ve been. There’s a history to back it up. So, I have to believe it.
However, since changing over to mixing/producing, I’ve discovered one thing about myself that seems to be consistent. And that is, I have always (and I will use the word ‘always’) believed that what I’m doing is worth doing, so I do it like a professional……I don’t second guess my ability to learn, improve or change on top of what I do. And I deliver what I say I’m going to deliver when I say I’m going to deliver it.
People are attracted to confidence, especially when you’re on time and you ‘back your hand’ for them.
In my experience I’ve noticed there’s not a lot of “successful” wishy-washy, self doubting people in the world……….get over your self doubt. Believe what you do before you try to sell it to someone else. And know your craft.
Wow! Dave – These are very powerful words and come from a place of deep experience.
I love when you have something to offer, so thanks very much.