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savage
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8/5/2007 9:10:11 PM
what do agents really do - savage
I had a nightmare experience with white eagle records from toronto Ont.My band and I have been working long hours to produce our own CD and we finally felt we had the sound and the time was right to contact an agent.The agent (White Eagle Records) would listen to our recordings and give us advice and direction for $150.SO we sent off the money and 1 week later Maureen Smith the proprieter called.We got no usefull advice except that our songs were excellent but the recordings were useless.She mentioned that her studio could do the work and asked how much we were prepared to spend.White eagle records was never unprofesional and they did do what they said but in the end we felt cheated and no further ahead then when we still had the $150 in our pockets.Yes we use our own studio equipment - but we don't have the money to spend 20 to 50 thousand on recordings as WHite eagle records said we needed to.
It all leaves us wondering
is there any interest in the music
or is it all about the money your willing to fork out
theres the old saying - you need to have money to make money
at least were still making music
savage
P.S. are we alone or has anyone else has bad expiriences like this
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SILVERWOODSTUDIO
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8/5/2007 9:53:50 PM
You have raised a very interesting situation!
-------------- which is really describing the tension between recording using a well established conventional recording studio------with money no object,
or creating it with the resources you can afford, and this is the conundrum facing each musician on this site!
There will be Artists on this site who have spent thousands on their product, and others who have produced quality stuff for a small budget------------BUT!!!!!!!
EVEN THE BEST HOME RECORDING WILL NEVER COMPETE with a major recording company!
It will require re-educating the audience, who have got used to listening to "perfect" studio sound for years-----to start to appreciate amazing sounds, but with the lo fi " human" sounding recordings that many Indie Artists produce----------there are a few here on IAC (Sam & me) who actually prefer the lesser production sounds ---
-
----think of the difference say between drum sounds on a Silverwood recording versus the big drum sounds on say, Chemical Bros or Pete Townshend!
-------but we can smile knowing they probably had a budget of $10,000 and we spent $50 plus time!
We should all be proud of what we can achieve, with our own sweat and tears versus the corporate giants !
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Pulse Eternal
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8/5/2007 10:48:51 PM
I think the whole 'recording not good enough' line has more to do with the label wanting to own the copyright in the sound recording rather than having to do with sound quality.
Silverwood, I agree with most of what you say but I respectfully disagree that a home recording will NEVER sound as good as a major label job.
Given the quality of equipment artists now have available for relatively little outlay, this is no longer the weak link it used to be. Put in the right hands, a home recording can sound every bit as good as a major label recording and can sometimes sound better!
I have heard certain recordings by major labels that I really do not like and have often wished I could get my hands on the original mutli tracks so I could show them how it would sound done properly!!
When I heard Metallica's 'St Anger' I cringed!!! That was possibly the worst major label recording I have heard in a long time and I couldn't believe that was anything more than a garage recording on a four track!!!
Also, this stupid hypercompression nonsense many of the majors and their supposed professional mastering engineers are engaging in is totally destroying any dynamics that may have once been present in the recording. What is the point of using 96 KHz or more and 24 bits during tracking when the final mastered product doesn't even go close to making use of the dynamic range available on cassette WITHOUT any noise reduction!!
If anyone wants proof of what can be achieved on a home studio rig, send me a PM and I'll send you a copy of my recent live recording of Russell Morris performing his hit 'The Real Thing'.
I'd challenge any of the majors to produce a better live recording any day!!!
SuperPuss
=^.^=
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Duane Flock
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8/6/2007 12:15:33 AM
Anybody got two cents?
OK... I'll chime in anyways.
I do all of my tunes on a "studio in a box" Yamaha AW16G (about $1200). I play almost everything you hear myself. I mix it, change the wave forms, the whole nine yards. There are some tunes I'm reworking as I learn more about this machine I bought.
About a couple of weeks ago I ran into another musician that liked some of my tunes and mentioned his brother has a "pro"- studio (60k plus in equip.) He also mentioned they need another guitar player in thier live band and that he could give me a "family" discount on remastering my tunes at half price. 12 tunes for $600 bucks as a package deal!! I may do it.... or I may not. The point is you have to work the system and do your homework my friend.
My song Smile came out so nice and clean from my box I wouldn't have anyone touch it.
I usually save all of my money from my gigs to pay for all of my musical needs. But that's just me. Good luck!! Duane
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savage
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8/6/2007 9:24:14 AM
I aggree
we have the boss 900cd and the sound quality is fantastic
of course you need the ness periferal ie.condenser mic, talent,some recording experience.
my point is to save someone else from the same experience
agents are simply in it for the money and they will tell you they are being honest with you by telling you that record companies will not accept demos from unrepresented musicians
I believe this is a lie
My band and I are going to try to do just that
its a long road - I have a friend who got his recording contract and is now opening for big acts (yes he does have an agent) and ive seen the hell he went through to get there
this is all part of the experience
hopefully by sharing these with each other we can avoid unnessasary mistakes
savage
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Jeff Allen Myers
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8/6/2007 10:42:41 AM
Be very careful of studios asking for money...anyone for that matter. If you only gave them $150.00, consider yourself lucky. There are many "Sharks" out there preying on peoples dreams.
You don't need advice and direction from a record company friend, and I don't see what they would do to further your career , or get you an agent. The way to make it in music is to get signed. With a publisher and a record company. An agent might help if they have contacts, but that is a long shot. An agent might help you get "Live" dates for exposure, but again you do not need one. If you want to be discovered as a Live act, you will need to Play Live as much as possible. The powers that be are more interested in seeing stage presence and audience reaction. A good sound recording will do nothing for you, there are thousands of bands that sound good. Its about the Songs and Hard work! There is no shortcut or magic potion. Most publishers will not accept usolicited material, they are worried about getting sued for copyright infringement.
I would suggest getting a book on the music business, there are many at "AMAZON. COM" Do not give away any of your money until you have a handle on the business...and stay away from anyone who makes it all sound too easy...and jeep your money! Spend it wisely.
Hope it all works out for you, I wish you success following your dream.
Jeff
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