Going into the studio. One really good song or save for an ep?

kcamsdog1387 · #1 08-20-2009, 07:31 AM

So my band is playing a wedding this weekend and we plan on using the money to start a "Record fund." The thought of having to pay for a full ep is a little unnerving, as i know its not going to be cheap.

At the weekly gig we do at an open mic, one of the guys that also plays gave us all a huge boost of confidence last night. He said that he was really taken aback by our performance and there was one song in particular that he loved. He also gave us some advice to stay away from the basement (recording-wise) and take some money and just get that one song recorded professionally, talk to local radio music directors and try to get that song played. (He used to work at a local big market rock station here in Boston that sadly doesn't exist anymore)

So now we're looking at about $300 that we're going to have come Saturday. So my question to you guys is do you think there validity in his claim? Here's a link to said song so you guys can check it out for yourselves. Any feedback would be awesome, guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH-jbgMBhmQ

Jamasaurus · #2 08-20-2009, 07:39 AM

I'd probably wait until you have more money to record 4 or 5 songs for a solid EP. Atleast then you'll have something to give to people at shows. If you know any radio guys then have them come out to one of your shows and see what they think. Otherwise, it is really hard for local groups to be heard on the radio, just the nature of the biz. I'd focus more on building your fanbase through your gigs and do the recording once you know that you have a market for it. Just my 2 cents.

By the way, we went the 'basement' route and recorded our entire 13 song album for like $400. Can't say the quality is superb, but the price was right

kcamsdog1387 · #3 08-20-2009, 07:43 AM

Yea I forgot to mention that we do have a ok quality cd that we've been giving out. Don't know if anyone is familiar but we're using a Korg D1600 workstation to do all of our stuff. The more we record songs the better they get, but i think we've hit a wall with that technology. That guy is also supposed to give us some names of people he knows because he thinks we have something going for us.

phatbass · #4 08-20-2009, 08:24 AM

I know it's easy to say 'coz it's not my money, but my honest opinion is if the band is serious about having a bit of a career, even as just a serious hobby rather than full-time, you should record the best stuff you can, in the best studios you can realistically afford. You're better off with a few, or even just one or two, really good tunes recorded really well than everything you've ever written recorded just okay.

Stuff recorded in $200-dollars-for-a-4-hour-session demo studios, to my ears, always sounds like it. I'm talking local here is Perth Australia rates, by the way, but I assume there are similar setups all over the world. You're much better off in the long run saving yer money up and recording in decent pro studios.

As far as that song goes (and just my opinion):

What sticks out to me is the lead guitarist needs to STFU; he's widdling over the vocals way too much. He should be playing some sort of restrained backup, more like what he was doing at the start of the song, until the lead break. At the moment, all that happens for the lead break is the singer stops and the guitar keeps playing the same widdle

Also the wah is way overdone - when both guitars are wah-ing away from the start of the solo it just turns to a mess.

evergroove · #5 08-20-2009, 08:33 AM

As a studio owner, and a band member, I would write 8 or so songs and then pick the best 4 or 5 and track those for an EP. Make sure the songs are REALLY good, well arranged, and well produced. I mean go over those songs with a fine toothed comb and work out all the kinks - seriously.

jmac · #6 08-20-2009, 08:37 AM

Don't underestimate the value of a good producer.

Marko5657 · #7 08-20-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcamsdog1387

That guy is also supposed to give us some names of people he knows because he thinks we have something going for us.

Sounds to me like he’s drumming up business for a buddy’s studio; he probably gets a cut or something.

He probably says this to a lot of other acts, as well.

Do what you think is best for yourself without regard to what this guy told you.

modulusman · #8 08-20-2009, 09:31 AM

All i can say is, I hope you were paid more than $300.00 for the wedding.

mambo4 · #9 08-20-2009, 03:07 PM

If the only choices are record one song or save up for an ep, then try to save for an EP.

One song a a CD is not worth much to the average Joe, but 4-5 song EP will be perceived as more valuable. Plus, the degree of effort and patience your band puts into saving up will reveal a lot about everybody's commitment and work ethic.

quartermoonpro · #10 08-20-2009, 04:38 PM

I'd save up for at least an EP of 4 or 5 really great songs, and make sure you have at least one more great song in reserve (don't studio record it now). As someone else mentioned, get a good producer to go over the songs with a fine tooth comb and really work on the arrangements, parts, etc. The reason I say save at least one great song is because when movers and shakers take a look at you, they'll have listened to the EP and then go.. ok, what else you got? Viola, you're ready to fire another tune or two at them.

As for the radio thing - highly unlikely. If the station has like a "homegrown" segment, then sure you could get on there, but forget about regular rotation. Most stations have an agreement with the labels that they won't play unsigned material in regular rotation. Promote your website, Myspace, etc and sell, sell, sell!!

lonote · #11 08-20-2009, 07:43 PM

No question about it, work toward the EP.

alfredpunkjazz · #12 08-20-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmac

Don't underestimate the value of a good producer.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000

I would try a combo of the two situations.. I'll go on and record the best song in the best way possible, I mean, with a producer on a nice studio, etc, the whole enchilada. That could turn into a nice workable song for radio, and then keep on recording stuff until an EP or a LP conceived...

xgator4u · #13 08-20-2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonote

No question about it, work toward the EP.

^ This.

Jeb · #14 08-20-2009, 11:47 PM

Recipe for disappointment. The song takes 30 seconds before the vocal comes in. To me it sounds so much like everything else. I don't mean to come across as overly critical (although I know thats how this will be taken). How many other songs will the band be playing at this wedding? $300 for a wedding, I wouldn't even play that gig unless it was for friends/family, and then I wouldn't accept anything. My advice would be to really think with your head on this. So many people don't think. Save your money.

RFord04 · #15 08-21-2009, 12:21 AM

Yeah, radio airplay is unlikely outside of a local program on a station, unless it's something like a college station, but I'd say spend a lot of time before you go in to the studio on perfecting the songs, and spend the extra time and money on a four or five song demo at a studio YOU think will be best.

I agree that the lead guitar player needs to back off all of the leads and learn how to play rythm though. There's nothing more annoying than a lead guy who doesn't ever stop playing leads. The song is decent though and it's admirable that you'd write your own originals as there are so many people who will criticize the hell out of someone else's original material, but all they ever do is play covers, and it takes guts to put it out there for people to judge.

kalle74 · #16 08-21-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatbass

As far as that song goes (and just my opinion):

What sticks out to me is the lead guitarist needs to STFU; he's widdling over the vocals way too much. He should be playing some sort of restrained backup, more like what he was doing at the start of the song, until the lead break. At the moment, all that happens for the lead break is the singer stops and the guitar keeps playing the same widdle

Also the wah is way overdone - when both guitars are wah-ing away from the start of the solo it just turns to a mess.

Well, mine too... The guitarist really needs to restrain himself.

Your drummer needs some work, too. He seems to be coming late on almost every 1, especially after fills.

Oh, and the song is very long. 5min. That´s alot considering it doesn´t vary that much.

I´d save more money, and use the time well, having lots of practise, and learning to "edit" songs, so they contain only what´s needed. 4 choruses and overly long solos (especially when they have "nothing to say") are just too much.

After you are done saving enough for an EP, you´ve propably gained a lot for your songwriting and playing skills...

kcamsdog1387 · #17 08-21-2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys. I was in Cape Cod overnight and jus got back. We've already edited that song down a little bit. It took a lot because are singer was always the doing singer/songwriter thing and wasnt into much changing of his songs. We all talked about it and are starting to edit things.

The wedding we are playing is for the singer's mother as the last band(Doing only 4 songs). Shes pretty adamant about paying us because she knows its going towards helping the band. The lead guitarist is an ongoing work in progress. He widdles around until he finds something that sticks, and usually it becomes pretty mild.

Thankfully there are a lot of college stations that are geared toward homegrown music here in Boston. And don't worry about hurting my feelings with criticism, I'm pretty thick skinned and I take it as an opportunity to make the best music I can.