Once a band has mastered the basics of writing music for mass appeal (see Making the Music Count), the next natural progression will be moving to live shows. Before it can land those gigs, however, a band will need to market itself to venues. In order to do that, a demo CD will need to be submitted to the venue agent in order to demonstrate the band’s ability to deliver a quality performance.
Not so long ago, recording a demo meant renting studio time and paying for all that came with that time. While a professionally-recorded demo in the studio is still a great option, it can be cost prohibitive. Luckily, there are now many less expensive alternatives that can still result in a quality demo that can be used to shop for gigs. It is, however, important to note that any recording is going to cost something.
The Roughest Mix : Live Rehearsal Recording
The easiest and least expensive option is for a band to record live in its own rehearsal space. Unfortunately, this method will also result in the lowest sound quality of any other option. If, however, it is the only alternative available at the time, it can result in a decent demo that is suitable for approaching venues the band wishes to play.
To accomplish this, the band will need a computer and a piece of audio interface gear. Tascam seems to be the manufacturer of choice for most musicians, and a used audio interface that has everything a band needs to record tracks to a computer can be purchased very inexpensively. (When buying used, however, the band should ensure that a user guide or manual is offered with the equipment.)
Prices on the same equipment new (such as the Tascam US122L Recording Package), are not that much more, and the band will need to determine how much use it will get from such gear before making that decision.
Studio in a Box : Pro Tools DAW
In 1984, the Pro Tools Digital Audio Workstation revolutionized the use of a home computer to record music. With this gear, people could record, edit, mix, and master sound recordings themselves, cutting out the high cost of those services from a recording studio. While Pro Tools is still the product of choice, it now has competition from other manufacturers, most notably Apple.
This should be a carefully considered purchase, as it is relatively costly, and the band, or those members who are particularly tech-savvy, will need to put some time and effort into learning the program in order to achieve the desired sound. As an alternative to purchasing the program directly, a band can put out feelers for people in their locale who may already have such audio tools and who would be willing to record the band’s demo for less than the cost of the actual gear (and far less than studio time).
Crème de la Crème – the Recording Studio
While most bands would prefer to record in a professional studio, the cost of doing so makes it difficult, as does the fact that, unlike convenience stores, they’re not always to easy to find in certain geographic areas. Where this is the case, the band will not only be responsible for studio time, but also the cost of travel to the studio and lodging for a few days while recording.
Renting studio time is not all inclusive, and a band should expect to pay for the cost of a recording engineer as well as mixing and mastering. If a rough mix is desired, that is another cost to consider.
Along with the cost of using a recording studio, there is the issue of quality. A band must put a lot of effort into researching any studio that is being considered to learn about the studio’s reputation for delivering a quality product within the time frames required and promised.
Of course, a band does not need a Sylvia Massey-produced EP (extended play) in order simply to land gigs (although it helps). What it does need is a demo with between three and six good songs that adequately illustrate the band’s talent and what the venue can expect as far as the music.
Such live performances can eventually help the band to build the funds necessary for the next step in recording – the EP that can be shopped for the Holy Grail – the recording contract.
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