you recorded your first album in your home studio. what do you do now?

[sparqee]

Spellcom hasn't been back since that last comment (see his personal profile for activity info).

I just now started to write something towards this thread but I found myself failing to offer anything positive. :/

[ChicoBluez]

I am close to finishing my first home CD project and I'm sure that calling a duplicating CD plant will answer all my questions. Still, I know I can't be alone in wondering about this topic since it's a sticky.

I keep reading about Redbook.

Is this something that is needed to sell at stores?

Is this something that the CD duplicating plant needs?

What is the most economical way of achieving Redbook standard/status?

What should I know besides Redbook before sending a CD project for duplicating?

Are test tones (maybe showing my age) required?

Have you seen my baseball??

Chico

[Cailyn]

Originally Posted by ChicoBluez

I am close to finishing my first home CD project and I'm sure that calling a duplicating CD plant will answer all my questions. Still, I know I can't be alone in wondering about this topic since it's a sticky.

I keep reading about Redbook.

What is the most economical way of achieving Redbook standard/status?

I just did all of this in March of this year with my first CD. I went with Diskmakers and they walked me through the process and answered all of my questions along the way. Red Book Audio is the standard they use for the master. If you have a 24 bit-depth recording, you need to render it to a 44,100/16 bit .wav file. If you use any commercial program for making audio CDs like car audio, the program will burn your files to a disc in Red Book Audio. That disc is what you will send to the mastering/replicating company. I used dithering in the reduction process. There is some argument about whether it matters. They told me to render the files both ways and send the files I though sounded the best. If you just want to send in your .wav files as is, they will charge you extra to bring down to 44,100/16. I had them perform the final EQ and mastering and I'm glad I did. They also handled all the artwork.

Promoting it is another matter. I gig quite a bit so I have that outlet. I've sold a some through MySpace and a few more through CD Baby. I've managed to get a fair amount of airplay for an unknown and couple of decent reviews. Get the Indie Bible and there you will find all the places who might review your music or play it on the radio. This is a LOT of work.

Good luck!

(what's a test tone?)

Contact me directly if you have more questions.

[brandondrury]

I had them perform the final EQ and mastering and I'm glad I did.

How much did that cost? I've heard horror stories, but I hear horror stories of pretty much everything imaginable.

Brandon

[Cailyn]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

How much did that cost? I've heard horror stories, but I hear horror stories of pretty much everything imaginable.

$390 for up to six tracks. I believe it is $490 for 7-12 tracks. If you're not happy, they return the master and the money.

[guybarnes]

Heres a pessimistic view point if ever there was one

I was involved as a writer and producer of a girl band who we got signed to a 6 album deal under a major label

I cant mention names for legal reasons but it took 3 years to write, record, project and market this band within the label after 6 years of...writing..projecting and marketing this band!

heres my take

We had no doubt about it... 2 albums in the bag already approved, 1 song playing in the backgound of the queen Vic pub in Eastenders, 3 weeks to go before the 1st single hit the shops, then a tv show came on that one of the said A&R guys was involved with and
suddenly everything slowed, got put on hold, video was wrong, etc etc and then the sub label got disbanded(something i still think the management company were stupid to overlook in the contract seeing as how A&R guys disappear like snow in a heat wave)

it just goes to show, you can have one of the biggest companies in the world, alotta money and work your ass off and it still can go wrong!

[Tony B]

Yeah - I'm in the same boat too.

I finished my CD in August 2007 - sold it to friends and family and work colleagues (70 copies). 50 copies went to public radio stations in Australia - I had plenty of air play through this - did a few interviews. However, I still haven't sold a copy to someone I don't know.

I didn't do a launch and have only done a handful of solo gigs.

What I'd like to know is - where have people found a tipping point for their CD? - when did it started selling (I'm talking to Indie artists here).

Was there a strategy that was particularly successful?

I'd really like to hear some ideas about this - some real success stories and ideas.

Cheers,

Tony

MySpace.com - Tony Brewin - Melbourne, AU - Pop / Rock - www.myspace.com/tonybrewin

[bloozarumba]

here's my advice: get a list of every college and university with x miles of you and find out the number and address for office and person in charge of booking campus entertainment then send out a press kit (CD, glossy photo, a nice letter introducing yourself) and then call them up and ask for a gig. When they say no just keep calling them til they say yes. Sell your CDs at the gig. Be nice to everyone. Play every open mic / free show you can every week. Network with other musicians you find to your taste. If your any good - and you'll find out soon - find an agent who will get you more shows. Persistence works. MySpace and mailings lists kinda work too but don't count on them alone. If you are desperate for PR you can do trash a hotel room or at least detonate the toilet bowl.

[haveigonemental]

Originally Posted by bloozarumba

...or at least detonate the toilet bowl.

I do that on a fairly regular basis and I've yet to sell any CD's. Can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[BatPat]

Same here. What the hell is this? lol
I believe that there is only one thing you have to do to get a break - live and breath the music. And this better be great music. Rehearse, gig, rehearse, gig over and over again. I've given up the thought of making it by compose, record, CD:s, selfpromotion, cross-your-fingers (repeat this cycle a 1000 times). Most bands/artists that make it have to work really hard 24/7. One problem with many of us who are trying is that we're lazy. Really! Wishes and dreams won't do the hard work for us. Hell, not even good recordings will do it. Only hard work and persistence...