If you need backup players or singers, hire the best musicians you possibly can. The sweet church pianist that is willing to play for free will likely increase your costs radically in retakes and editing. Experienced studio pros will save you money and usually give your music a better feel. (No slight to church pianists intended. We know some really great ones... and hire them!)
When it comes to equipment, there is a reason classics become classics. We spend the extra dollars on top-flight equipment because it truly sounds better and makes mixing go faster.
The idea that you will be "discovered" is a fantasy. Nearly 100% of successful artists worked hard for many years in obscurity before getting a big break. A big break is when preparation meets opportunity. You can go a long way with tenacity, diligence and hard work. Make a CD and get out there with it!
We work diligently to get the sound and feel right during tracking. Though our editing tools are nothing short of spectacular, the goal is to get a cohesive, moving performance. A great performance is vital to a great recording. We have Antares autotune but use it only as a last resort.
Don't buy more duplicates than you can realistically sell. It's not worth saving a few cents per CD if they end up stacked in your garage. Normal business and marketing rules still apply even though you are an artist. Plan your work in advance and then work your plan.
Never give your CD's away (except to media). And if you must have a special to reduce inventory, make it a buy one, get one at a reduced price deal. Never lower your price or people will wait for the next time you lower your price.
You may laugh at this one but it has proven true over and over. What you see and think about when you record is important. Focus on technical details and equipment can inhibit creativity. This is one reason why you will come up with a better recording if you let an engineer worry about bit rates, mic patterns, knobs, buttons, meters and a thousand other technical details.
The most important ingredient in a great music recording is a good song. The second most important ingredient is a great performance. All technical details come after.
Just because someone buys the tools to paint a portrait doesn't mean they are talented enough for you to hire them. When you select Sound Amazing, you're not just gaining access to our high-end professional gear. You are also accessing our talent, craftsmanship, musical instincts, lifetime of experience and contacts.
For engineers and producers - One of the first steps in the music recording process is to visualize in your mind where you want all the instruments to be on the sound stage. If an instrument is supposed to sound like it's 10 feet away, you will never be able to mic at 1 foot and make it sound like 10. All of the psychoacoustic cues change as you change distance. Focus on making each instrument sound appropriate for it's role and location in the mix.
Be sure you are doing business with a legally registered studio that pays taxes and abides by the law. The advent of cheap audio gear has produced a flurry of "studio" wannabe's hanging out their shingle. Those that operate under the IRS radar may offer cheaper prices but they threaten the existence of those of us who only offer top quality equipment and play by all the rules.
The only thing worse than no recording is a BAD recording. Another reason why it's worth hiring a high quality professional.
Here's a good adage we ran across that seems to be true in any field: "The misery of poor quality is still there, long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten." As Yoda said in one of the Star Wars movies, "Meditate on this, I will."
We have a whole page of tips specifically related to recording larger groups or choirs. These may be primarily of interest to other studio owners but may be of interest to anyone involved in a choir recording. Click here to see those tips.
If it's been a dream of yours to record, never give up!
On a-cappella choral or group instrumental recordings with brass or orchestra, the room itself becomes one of the players and contributes significantly to the blend. It's worth the time to locate an auditorium that gives your music the character you desire. Many churches and colleges are happy to let talented musicians record music CD's in their auditorium, especially if you promise to list them in the credits. Often, all you need to do is ask. The worst they can say is "no" right? Don't forget to give consideration to noise from heating and air systems or traffic if near a busy road.
If it's been a dream of yours to record, never give up!
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