Recording Tips???

[singforsam]

My friend wants me to help coordinate her band. I'll be the manager so to speak. I want to know what we need to record her band. If you have any suggestions because I'm new to this. I'm reading books and everything, but i think asking from experienced people would be more effective.

Sam
Fontana

[yourockradio]

You can record them on a computer. The learning curve is HIGH, and you would have to go track by track, instrument by instrument. Creating the correct environment for recording a live band takes money above and beyond the initial 300 to 3000 for software, decent computer, mics, etc.

Reality... It is cheaper and better to buy studio time. The product is better and the learning curve is simpler. As long as the bass player doesn't spill his beer all over the engineers mixer board, you should be fine. If not, then you owe the guy 24,000 for his pride and joy. Oh, and make sure they know the parts of the song BEFORE they are on the clock. Explain to them that this is a recording studio NOT a rehearsal studio. Mastering has to be done also, that is an additional step. Then there is the decision about marketing. I didn't say deciding about what website to flop your mp3's on, I said marketing.

That means booking shows, creating a loyal following, untold hours, days weeks, months, years, collecting names addresses, emailing, handing out press kits, mailing press kits, contacting radio stations, doing radio interviews, getting reviewed in magazines, TV spots, booking more shows, going on a national tour, taking the band worldwide to Europe, etc. Then after you are all done with that, you can think about the second round and start all over again.

Then if you decide you need those CD things, that is a whole other bag. You need a pressing plant, cover design, insert copy info, bar codes, and a place to distribute them to, which takes you back to marketing again. Oh, and postage, don't forget the shipping costs there.

Then when that's all done you can start on the new album.

Then the band gets signed by a major label and tells you to kiss off. Then you commit suicide because you are so depressed over your failure to keep the band you are managing. You lost your house, car, significant other, and the dog growls at you when you come home, if you are lucky enough to still have a dog.

You can get studio time as low as $25.00 an hour on up to the sky is the limit. May as well go cheap though, you are gonna need plenty of money to buy booze, drugs, sex and antibiotics for the clap your misfit band is bound to catch. Save some for the hotel rooms they trash too, insurance never covers that one. And if they are all women... Whole different set of rules there. I need more time for that one.

Welcome to the music management biz....

[BelovedLife]

If you live in Los Angeles I can produce and manage your record for $10 000. I am using my girlfriends studio apartment as a studio right now. We use Garage Band.
We can use what we don't spend on rent to install some mics so we can position them around the studio, maybe buy a mixer from craigslist.

[Terrytown44]

the best thing is to get really good optical wires, then find good acoustics in the room.

[trichards]

I agree with yourockradio. Finding a good inexpensive studio in your area isn't too difficult and, if your knowledge about recording techniques are limited, as in your case, your can save days, weeks or months and tons of frustration. Believe me, it takes time.

It's not a bad idea however to investigate recording on your own since it can be useful having songs on tape for rehearsals or whatever other purpose.

Good luck!
Terry

[1undread]