How To Create Cds To Sell To Your Fans

By Author: Gabe Sullivan
Total Articles: 10
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The hardest part to be ‘the next big thing in music' is the start. In music, the start includes looking for gigs, get some local fans and record a demo CD to be distributed to your fans -and some music labels. If you're lucky, you might be picked up for a single and if it hits the right spots, an album deal will be waiting at the end of the tunnel.

So let's say you've been having gigs around town and have developed your own fan base. Now they're demanding for a CD from your band and you think: CDs? Aren't they expensive to make? Well, good news for you: producing a CD will take some work, but it does not have to be intimidating or excessively expensive. The most important thing you'll need is a good repertoire of songs from which to choose. And after that, here are the step-by-step guide of the things you'll need to do:

1. Decide how large your project will be (i.e., full-length, EP or single). Let's be realistic: in the end it's all about the money and you need to realize that your budget plays a big role in this decision. But no worries, limited in funds does not mean that you can't do anything; ...
... but it might be in your better interest to record fewer tunes at first, and do them well. You don't have to do a Nashville-level project, but the sound quality should be something you're not ashamed to sell.

2. Choose your songs wisely. Make a good selection of music, and bear in mind that you're recording for an audience and not for yourself. So include your best-performed songs in the lineup, not merely your favorites—songs that play well for your fans and possible record executives. Also, if you use cover songs, you'll have to get licenses from the copyright owners.

3. Choose a place to record. Who doesn't want to record in a reputable recording studio? But if the budget is tight and your connections are good, you might find some cheaper alternatives. Some bands have successfully recorded in their own basements, and here's where an experienced band mate comes in handy. Whatever you decide, try not to sacrifice quality to cut costs. If you're not absolutely sure you can record it right, pay the extra and go to the studio.

4. Record your material. Some studios charge by the hour, so whenever you decide to record, go into the recording session well-practiced and well-prepared to save takes and time.

5. Mix and master the recording. Have a skilled set of ears fine-tune the balance of instruments and vocals, prepare the record for duplication, and do NOT forget to burn a master CD.

6. Prepare the CD artwork. Get a professional (or a skilled artist friend) to do this if you can't do it well, because an eye-catching CD package will attract more attention than those wrapped in plain paper.

7. Send the master CD for packaging and replication. There are lots of companies that do this, but Mixonic.com is one that does high quality CD production at a low cost, and can replicate both large and small orders based on your need. They can even help with the artwork design if you need it.

When the CDs are done, what else are there left to do? Well, a lot, actually. But one thing is for sure: create the best product as possible, and grow your reputation even more.

The author works for Mixonic, a leading CD and DVD production service, which deals duplicate CDs and duplicate DVDs as well.