[HANASHIR:9446] Re: recording budgets

[Debra Olitzky <devora85...>]

Andy,
I would love to hear about what kind of program, sound card, etc. your 
using. I'm about to invest in a digital keyboard, so I can do this kind of 
thing from home, just to use with my school kids, at this point.


>From: Andy Curry <acurry (at) san-carlos(dot)rms(dot)slb(dot)com>
>Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
>Subject: [HANASHIR:9419] Re: recording budgets
>Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 09:31:48 -0700
>
>Chaverim,
>
>I'm posting this message about recording projects to the list, not just to
>Rachel, because I think it's important.
>
>In this day and age, you can do it yourself.  You need a fast computer with
>a good sound card, a mixer with good microphones, some software, and a DAT
>unit and/or CD burner.
>
>Caveats:
>
>It's not for everybody.  If computers and things electronic intimidate you,
>hit the trashcan button.  Or, if have no interest in learning more about
>music, do the same.
>
>It's not THAT cheap.  Don't expect to slap a $100 piece of software on your
>PC, plug your Radio Shack mic into the Brand-X sound card, and be getting a
>Grammy for it.
>
>It does involve a lot of learning.
>
>But consider these points:
>
>You can spend $5,000 for a few days of studio time, or you can have some
>pretty good equipment which will last a very long time, and which you can
>use any time you want for as long as you want.  And, if you use MIDI, you
>can compose, arrange, and play any instrument you want!
>
>The quality of recordings done on digital-audio workstations (PCs & Macs)
>can be every bit as good as those done in a professional studio.  The main
>challenge involves mixing the raw recorded tracks and mastering the overall
>project for the end-product CD or tape.  This is the part which may best be
>entrusted to pros.
>
>While we're discussing quality, I don't think it's news that many
>recordings by great artists don't come close to presenting the artist in
>his/her best light.  They're overproduced, underproduced, swimming in
>reverb, have cheesy instrumentation, cheesy arrangements, incomprehensible
>song selection...the list goes on.  When you go to a studio, you may or may
>not have a producer.  The studio is primarily in the technical business,
>not in the business of producing and making artistic decisions.  It is best
>to have a producer IF that person understands your craft and appreciates
>the musical neshama you are trying to project.  If a producer DOESN'T
>understand and appreciate, you're better off without.  With the advent of
>the digital-audio workstation, you can be a producer.
>
>And don't ever expect to make money from it (especially if you're making a
>Jewish-music record!).  Most performers signed to record labels don't make
>much at all from record sales.  Where the monetary benefit comes is being
>able to charge more for live performances.  Lately, many performers have
>realized this and have chosen not to feed the "music industry" but instead
>post their recordings on the internet.
>
>Now, it's testimonial time.  I've been recording on my PC for about 3
>years.  I keep learning how to do it better, and this summer my Jewish band
>is doing a recording project in this way.  Every one in the band, even the
>technologically challenged, have expressed how much of a POSITIVE
>experience it is.  If we were using a professional studio, we would hear
>the clock ticking and have to settle for less.  If you're a serious
>musician/performer, one of the most rewarding things you can do in your
>musical life is to invest in a recording rig like I've described and learn
>to use it.  You will learn SO much, and have a whole lot of fun.
>
>My 2 zuzim.
>
>Kol tuv,
>Andy
>
>At 09:21 AM 6/26/01 -0700, you wrote:
> >>>>
>Hi Rachelle,
>
>I think it's OK to send this to the list.  The most obvious rule is "you
>get what you pay for". It's up to you to decide what degree of quality you
>want for your project - and that will be the most significant cost-factor.
>You may want to find CD's that are similar to what you have in mind - in
>terns of production style, and find out the cost.  In very broad strokes -
>you're looking at a range of between $10,000 and $20,000 for your bottom
>line.  Personally I don't know anyone who produced a CD for the lower
>figure... but it may be doable. But it always comes down to quality...
>
>Good luck on this project... it's the most incredible thing to do!
>
>Shirona
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>- -
>
>  A question for those of you who have recorded your own CD's:  I am 
>putting
>together a budget for a recording project and would welcome any help in
>listing expenses.  Off the top, I can think of studio time, side
>musicians/backup vocals, cd production, artwork, liner notes, packaging,
>and distribution.  I am also interested in knowing how many hours you have
>budget per cd cut and any other do's and don't's you may have learned along
>the way.
>
>  Please reply privately to <mailto:notfranz (at) total(dot)net>notfranz (at) 
> total(dot)net
>
>  Thanks,
>  Rachelle
>  <mailto:notfranz (at) total(dot)net>notfranz (at) total(dot)net
>
>
><<<<
>
>
>Andy Curry, Kansas City
>acurry (at) san-carlos(dot)rms(dot)slb(dot)com
>
>

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