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“My music
sounds great!
Thanks for doing such a good job!”
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Music
 For musicians, vocalists and songwriters, professional
audio production can make the vital difference between winning and losing
in a highly competitive marketplace. Although a high-limit credit card can
purchase basic recording equipment, experience won’t be part of the
package. In the final analysis it’s the experience, not the equipment,
that’s most important.
 For a CD you can be proud of, it’s easier, simpler, cheaper – and far more
effective – to use an established production studio. With that said,
consider what you want to record – and what you’ll use the recording for.
Getting Booked
If you want to perform your music for live audiences, a demo CD will help
you get booked. Three, four or five songs should be enough to allow
someone to make a booking decision in your favor. If you play music that’s
already well known, most of the tunes on your demo should be up-tempo with
the best-known song first.
Getting Signed
If you write original music and want either a recording or publishing
contract, a similar demo will enable you to present your work effectively
to the necessary contacts. Once again, put your strongest material up
front.
Getting Rich
As long as you’re in the studio anyway, consider recording an entire
album. There are two very good reasons for this.
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Nearly 40 years ago, three guitarists from the West Coast decided to
form their own record company rather than sign with one of the major
commercial labels. They hired a studio, contracted for pressing and
printing, then placed ads in popular music magazines and began selling
their records through the mail. Others began to follow their example. Now,
independently produced original music is a $50M per year market. With a
little effort, you can have your share. |
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If you prefer the traditional approach, a record company representative
receiving your album will know immediately that you’re serious enough
about your music to have already made a substantial commitment. The more
you demonstrate your faith in yourself, the more likely someone will share
that faith by investing in you and your creativity.
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Included with Your Recording Session
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A recording engineer
with many years of experience as a professional guitarist, singer and
songwriter – and 40 years in professional audio
If desired, coaching can be provided in guitar, voice and musical
arrangement technique. |
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An 8-track digital recording system combining Macintosh, Mackie and ProTools, expandable to 24 tracks. Many musicians play more than one
instrument, so a trio can sound like several more players. Multiple tracks
also permit making revisions at a later time without disturbing anything
already recorded. |
Fees
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$65.00 per hour, one-hour minimum, payable by cash, check or money order. |
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After the first hour, sessions are billed by the quarter-hour.
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Fine Points
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For vocalists who don’t play an instrument and have no access to
musicians, several companies provide pre-recorded music tracks for an
amazing variety of songs.
Pocketsongs.com is just one; there are many others. |
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Ask about neatly designed and printed CD labels, covers and tray
inserts. The better your CD looks, the more likely someone will actually
listen to it – or buy it. |
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Before anyone else can do anything for you and your music, you must do
something for yourself. If you don’t make a concerted effort at building
your career in music, you’ll live out the rest of your life wishing that
you had. |
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How to Prepare for Your Recording Session
For an enjoyable and productive session, follow these hints:
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Decide in advance exactly what you will sing or play.
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Determine the final order for your tunes, then rehearse them in that
sequence until you can perform them in your sleep. For a guitarist using a
capo, grouping same-key songs together makes it easier to keep in tune.
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If you’ll be using music charts or lyric sheets, bring extra copies to
the studio for the recording engineer. Someone else may hear an error that
you miss. It’s faster and more economical to record another take
immediately.
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On the day before your session, check your instrument(s) for the
condition of guitar strings
and cords, amplifiers, rosin, valve oil, reeds, power supplies for
keyboards, extension cords, etc.
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On the night before your session – sleep! Although there is a certain
“show biz” mystique about working long hours without rest, your
performance will suffer as a result of fatigue.
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On the day of your session, arrive early to become comfortably
acclimated to the studio environment.
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Listen carefully to all playbacks, then direct all mixing.
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