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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1435.0. "An album? How cute ... (yawn)" by MIZZOU::SHERMAN (Baron of Graymatter) Tue Jun 07 1988 13:08

    Gang, I've always wanted to put together an album of my original
    stuff.  So far, I can work up about 9 songs (that I like, no filler) at 
    about three to four minutes each.  In your esteemed and collective
    opinions, how many songs do you think I should add to complete the
    album, or do I have enough already?
    
    By the way, on a lark I thought I'd peddle a cassette of the album
    around through music stores, radio stations, publishers, etc.  I
    figure with a little more gear I can generate cassette masters one at 
    a time.  I know not much would come of peddaling a cassette, 
    but it would be fun and exciting to do.  Last time I tried something
    like this (about 10 years ago) I got lots of compliments and no
    takers, but it was fun.  I was basically following the leads in the
    1980 Songwriter's Market.  Now, I'm more interested in peddaling 
    instrumentals. (I know, no market, and the stuff I do tends not to
    fit into 'regular' categories, but it'll still be fun to try ...)
    Anybody have other experiences, comments or suggestions?

    
    Steve
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1435.1Go For It Steve...JAWS::COTEAre you buying this at all??Tue Jun 07 1988 13:264
    I get just the teensy bit irked when an album runs over 45 minutes,
    no matter how many/few songs are on it...
    
    Edd
1435.2NYMPH::ZACHWIEJAPaul Hider made me do itTue Jun 07 1988 14:409
    
    So if you really want to piss him off you should put out a  one  hour
    CD. :-)
    
    Seriously though, 9 * 4 should be enough.  You could probably squeeze
    in two more.  In general if we are  talking  instrumental,  I  prefer
    longer pieces.  Give it a chance to develop.
    
    _sjz.
1435.3There's Listeners Out ThereAQUA::ROSTLizard King or Bozo Dionysius?Tue Jun 07 1988 14:4229
    
    Actually, there is a grass roots "New age/electronic" market out
    there.  
    
    I'm not sure how to tap into it, but a number of college
    stations in the Boston area have shows playing stuff from Tangerine
    Dream to Throbbing Gristle.

    Plus, labels like Audion and Private Music are working their way
    into the mainstream.
    
    Some places to send your tape to:
    
    Keyboard and EM Magazines....if they run a review of it, you'll
    probably get some mail-order bites.
    
    Contact any and all college radio stations you know of locally and
    try to find who does the New Age or electronic or weird noise or
    fusion show(s) and get them a copy, and follow up on how they like
    it.  Airplay can lead to more mail-order sales.
    
    My house  8^)  8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    
    
    						Brian
    
    
    
1435.4Fair WarningSRFSUP::MORRISExcitable BoyTue Jun 07 1988 17:235
    Before you do it, I suggest you read 'The Platinum Rainbow' by Riordan
    and somebody else.
    
    For the record, anybody trying to get *anything* performed or published
    or whatever should read it.
1435.5i did this when i was... 34CANYON::MOELLERHe points. He grunts. He's hi-tech.Tue Jun 07 1988 17:3714
    Steve, commercial albums/cassettes max out normally at 45 min.,
    or 22 min/side.  Unfortunately there aren't any 45-min. cassettes
    available thru retail.  However, cassette duplicators DO have these,
    and sometimes will sell some.  If you're happy with your master,
    you might consider having a duplicator do 50 copies.. believe me,
    there's nothing more tedious than dubbing cassettes one (or even
    four) at a time. Also the continuous playing ruins your (cassette)
    master.
    
    You've thought about a cover, and sticky cassette labels too I suppose.
    Handwritten labels don't make it. If you wish, VAXmail me and I
    can send you your very own copy of 'Produce Your Album on Cassette'.
    
    karl
1435.6Riordan, yeah I got some jeans by that name ...MIZZOU::SHERMANBaron of GraymatterTue Jun 07 1988 21:219
    re:.4
    
    Well, I went to my library an looked for 'The Platinum Rainbow'.
    They don't got it.  Oh, well.  Is it one of those books that warns
    you about the sharks out there who promise you they'll publish your
    stuff for a 'small' fee, who have you sign a contract that ties
    you down, who want a little payola to play your stuff, etc.?
    
    Steve_who_expects_nothing_so_he's_never_*really*_disappointed
1435.7Bob Monaco and James RiordanSRFSUP::MORRISExcitable BoyWed Jun 08 1988 10:4013
    re: .6
    
    It warns you about *everything*.  From shady management to good
    management to how to get a record deal to why you shouldn't make
    your own record.  Very insightful.  The other author's name is Bob
    Monaco.
    
    I ended up buying my own copy because of, among other reasons, all
    of the addresses of record companies, publishers, and managers.
    
    I can post the address here tomorrow.
    
    Ashley
1435.8A good investmentSRFSUP::MORRISExcitable BoyWed Jun 08 1988 10:423
    Oh yeah, the address of the publisher.  And the cost of the book.
    I believe it's Swordsman Press in Woodland Hills, CA.  I'll find
    out and post it all tomorrow.
1435.94TRACK::LAQUERREWed Jun 08 1988 11:2812
    
    Anyone know of local places that will make professional copies of your
    cassettes?  I just glanced in the Yellow Pages for the Nashua, NH area
    and the only entry I see that mentions tape duplicating (listed under
    Recording Service - Sound & Video) is one in Revere, MA called
    Fleetwood Taple [sic] Duplicating Co.  The typo, "Taple," is actually
    *in* the phone book!
    
    Has anybody heard of or used this or any other duplicating company? 
    What was your experience and how much did it cost?
    
    Peter
1435.10Go northDFLAT::DICKSONNetwork Design toolsWed Jun 08 1988 11:4720
From the Manchester, NH yellow pages, the following two places say they
do duplicating:

	Man from Mars Productions
		159 Orange St, Manchester
		668-0652

	Merrimack Recordings
		1200 S Mammoth Rd, Manchester
		624-1125

Or you could call one of the recording studios listed and ask them where
they get theirs duplicated.

I know someone who just finished a new casette album last month.  She said they
cost her $3 each, including stick on labels and black-and-white paper inserts.
(Not including assembly.  She stuck the label on and folded the insert herself
just before she sold it to me.)  She sells them for $8.  I don't know what
volume you need to order to get that price, nor do I know where she had it
done, although I know what studio she used, in Concord NH. 
1435.11In the Berkeley College areaAKOV68::EATONDNo, no, no... 47!!Wed Jun 08 1988 12:026
	The Tape Complex in Boston does dupes.  You can also buy various
length cassettes from them.  I have no idea how good their copying is, but
I always stop in their for small tapes when I'm snooping in the music stores.

	Dan

1435.1245? 46 going once, going twice...NAC::PICKETTDo the voices in my head bother you?Wed Jun 08 1988 12:049
    re: .Moeller
    
    While there ain't any 45 minute tapes out, I use 46 minute tapes
    all the time, to make albums of my music for my friends. 23 mins/side
    should be just enough for your music. And just enough to irk the
    living daylights out of Edd. 
    
    dp (who can still remember Edd asking 'Is this gonna be long?' in
        the middle of one of my 7-8 minute creations ;^)
1435.13How long is .5 a C90???JAWS::COTEAre you buying this at all??Wed Jun 08 1988 12:226
    C'mon, Dave, cut me some slack!! I had just knocked back a few
    Grolsch's and my kidneys had this increased sense of urgency!!
    
    :^)
    
    Edd
1435.14Tape Complex...FSBIC4::DDREHERWed Jun 08 1988 13:337
    I friend of mine did a project at my studio and had 200 copies
    made at the Tape Complex.  The quality is very good.  She also
    had inserts and labels made at a copy place in Cambridge.  I'll
    find out about prices tapes, labels and inserts because I'm interested
    in doing this also.
    
    Dave
1435.15Fleetwood - behind the times?DARTS::OPERWed Jun 08 1988 13:438
    
    	The Fleetwood studio mentioned earlier used to make Radio
    	commercials 15 years ago. They have a reputation for not
    	keeping up with the times, they may have just recently updated
    	to four tracks.
    
    	Guy Novello
    
1435.16A couple more options . . .BEOWLF::BARTHWed Jun 08 1988 13:5822
    
    	When I advertised an alternate set of sounds for the D-50, I made
    a demo tape displaying several of the sounds for customers to hear
    before buying.  I bought tapes through mail-order from a company
    in the mid-west, I think.  Their name is Full Compass Systems, and
    their number is 1-800-356-5844.  The tapes I bought were 10
    minutes/side;  they are generic tapes, but very good quality.  You
    can order normal or high bias, and they have many different sizes
    (i.e., length per side).
    	I had duplicating done from a company in Western Mass, who now
    has an office around Boston, too.  They are an entertainment agency
    called Rack-a-Disk, but offer tape duplicating and other services.
    I found their quality of duplication to be very good;  in fact,
    my "master" was made direct from the D-50 into a JVC tape deck,
    and the copies sounded better than the original!  Give them a call;
    tell them I sent you -- 1-413-256-8526.  They also have an "800"
    number, but I can't remember it off hand;   you could check the
    yellow pages or call directory assistence for their office in Amherst
    or Burlington.
    
    	Good Luck,
    			Ron
1435.17this is great!MIZZOU::SHERMANBaron of GraymatterThu Jun 09 1988 00:178
    Thanks, guys!  This is great info.  I expect I'll probably make
    a couple of high-bias masters and check out some of these sources.
    It was mentioned that it is not a good idea to do your own album.
    Is this because of home-quality versus studio-quality?  Or, is it
    that if you do your own and approach the powers that be you'll run
    into difficulties?
    
    Steve
1435.18The Platinum RainbowSRFSUP::MORRISExcitable BoyThu Jun 09 1988 11:0917
    FWIW 
    THE PLATINUM RAINBOW
    (or how to succeed in the music business without selling your soul)
    15445 Ventura Blvd, Suite#10
    P.O. Box 5973
    Sherman Oaks, CA
    91413
    
    $9.95 plus $1.50 postage and handling
    
    "Gives you an inside look at the recording industry and tells you
    how to think realistically in a business based on fantasy, how to
    promote yourself, how to get a manager, producer or agent, how to
    get free recording time, how to make a deal, how to recognize and
    record a hit song, how to be a session musician, how to put together
    the six key elements a record company looks for, how to kick your
    brother out of the band and much more."