I read an article recently by Kevin Becka, on the “Versatile Engineer”. It impacted me so much I had some thoughts. While I do not claim to “know it all”, I do know that being versatile has been the mandate of every engineer who has survived decades of providing service in the recording industry.

If versatility is the “new” in thing to be then why are industry pro’s constantly voicing the same complaint about lack of work. Well is it actually lack of work or lack of people willing to pay? I look at our industry and in particular the audio engineer as what I like to call the screwdriver concept. Years ago when you rented studio time the engineer came with the room. Much like a tool kit comes with every luxury car. Now you never really value the existence of the tool kit until you are in an emergency. Well audio engineers were always important it’s really the fact that so many people originally purchased studio time that included the engineer that people began to not understand the value of the engineer away from the studio setting. So in the beginning engineers many times sold their service with the room to guarantee a wage and because that’s all they knew. The product (music) was being created so fast no one ever thought to lock down some serious standards and practices when it came to payment and business structure for this important role. In addition the desire for everyone to become a producer instantly put the focus on this higher role of responsibility and access. Producers had a structure for payment as well as access to the royalty tree.

As we turn the page and see the industry of today resetting itself we have many engineers who now are not only charged with producing great results, but must in addition having to become marketing experts as well. Before they can even get into the studio to work they must first identify their own brand and learn how to up sell what to the masses looks like that same screwdriver in the free tool kit. In the end of the day your versatility as an engineer sets up your access and opportunities to work.

Don’t get me wrong I think it’s great to be able to do what ever you type of specialization that you choose. I also believe that engineer to producer is the natural progression that comes when you assist others in building their catalogs of copyrighted material. No one who is in this business should be content with only work for hire as a means to survive let alone prosper.

There is work everywhere. The work was never exclusive it was the access to the work that made it special. Control the access and you control the work opportunities. So as an independent engineer in order to control your access to work you must create some perception in the market about the exclusivity of how you provide service. Also you must put time in on growing your business. It was easy for many of us who have been around for years. We simply in many cases outworked the rest of the field. Stay out working long enough and the others go home. Methodically servicing your customers is a great way to let your work do the talking for you.

Our industry and the evolution of technology created many new levels of engineers who don’t know all the rules of audio but are able to craft hits all the same. Around the corner we all must learn how to move forward and be as strong about our creativity both individually and collectively as we are about securing the dollars that are associated with the world of electronic content.

Let’s look at some general truths in reference to recording opportunities and access.

In independent music, it’s a great song that starts it all, mix that with a producer’s vision and the sweat equity of great engineers and musicians and you once again have a prosperous circle of activity that feeds many households and in tern promotes creative people to actually want to work together again. In many music settings today it’s branding, budget, and politics that can propel the music to anyplace on the board. Once the finances are in play you can create the moment. Both ways work, with the independent route being more organic and feeling driven.

While I understand that clique like tribal activity will always exist it is necessary to look at how our industry has transitioned in a very short amount of time from being song driven to being spin driven. Quality, trust and talent have to matter for dynamic change to occur in anyone’s life, let alone our industry.