DIY, dictate, pass the baton?

[EtherEel]

First, pardon if this is in the wrong section.

I have a project that I'm working on that needs music. I could do the music myself, but that takes a ton of time and since my skill isn't top-drawer, I'll admit, it would take me a long time to make my songs the quality I want to make them. Furthermore, I don't have any particular song written, although I know what I want.

My question is this: Should I...

a) just do it myself anyways;

dictate what I want to another artist/musician (he might not like it, idk);

c) just pay someone else to be creative;

Doing it myself, I don't have to deal with the hassle of working with someone who a) may not really know what I want and/or may be uncooperative and not want to improve on his work. But on the other hand, I might find someone who is really creative and can come up with song ideas in the style I want far better than I can.

And before you mention it: I did think of asking around OC, but everyone here it seems has a distinct sound that isn't what I'm looking for. Not to say they couldn't do it, but that depends on the artist I guess. I suppose I could use various styles, but I'd like a consistent theme.

What do you guys think?

[Skyline Drop]

I suppose it really more than anything depends on your budget, both in regards to time and money. Outsourcing the music duties is pretty much common practice for a lot of filmmakers (how many directors do you know also write the music for their movies?), and while I don't know the exact nature of your project, I don't really see why you couldn't do the same if you had the means available to you. It's also totally fine to ask someone else to produce your music and explain to them what kind of vibe you want for them to create. I don't know how typical it is to dictate parts to someone for that purpose, though; I imagine some might take it as a bit of a slight to their talents that you won't let them develop their own themes instead. I dunno, though.

That said, if you feel you have the capability to do it yourself, maybe just give it a try. Saying "it takes too long" or "someone else might do it better" sound like more than good enough reasons to hire someone else to me, though.

[EtherEel]

Thanks for the advice, Skyline!

It makes me wonder now abit more about the budget, and if the price will change the more specific I am. Who knows. Everyone has their own price. Not that I want cheap - I want good - but you can't always get what you want in the way you want it. I guess the best thing to do would be to talk directly with artists and see what kind of terms they want to work with.

[SnappleMan]

Budget is important, but if the person you hire is into your idea and is on the same page you'll end up with a much better product in the end. That's not to say you don't get what you pay for, but the first thing you should do is contact some artists you like and pitch your idea (and budget) to them.