This week, a client and I came full circle in our journey of working together.

We’ve been working together for nearly a decade, doing everything from recording lessons and gear recommendations, to recording sessions and mixing, then branding and artist development. After my moving out of state in 2021 (and later out of the country), we reconnected just a couple of months ago, and talked at length about what the best process would be to get his songs out into the world in the most sensible, streamlined way.

Initially, we worked with some modest recording equipment, later upgrading to some better industry-standard gear more along the lines of the sonic textures we were pursuing, then were persuaded to indulge in more boutique equipment. Although the boutique equipment is of incredible quality, it didn’t line up with the workflow we needed, and actually impeded the creative process more than it helped.

As we’ve reconnected, we’ve gone back to what I would consider “stage two” of our journey, where the gear that we chose to inspire the creativity is the primary workhorse, and the decisions that feel right, are right; leaving only what gets the results. You can certainly call this the 80/20 rule, but I’d also like to think of it as a good working relationship- one where getting to know your client’s needs goes farther than the quick sell.

With an endless array of musical gear and pro audio equipment, it’s important to understand what will suit someone best, and get to know that their needs truly are. After getting these things right, everything else always seem to find a way to fall right into place!