recording hints

Stone Wall's Helpful Hints for Recording

So you want to be a recording artist --
Here are some suggestions to save you time and money in the recording studio:

1. The least amount of time you spend in the studio = the least amount of money you pay for the recording + the greater amount of money you have for producing copies for distribution.

2. IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE STRINGS ON YOUR GUITAR OR THE HEADS ON YOUR DRUMS, DO THAT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE STUDIO!!! CHECK OUT ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE STUDIO TO RECORD!! DOWN TIME ON EQUIPMENT COSTS YOU, NOT THE STUDIO!!

3. Know what songs you are going to record and have all musicians know the songs you are going to record, as well as their parts, before coming into the studio to record. Waiting until you are in the studio to arrange your songs, to learn your parts, to debate issues related to the songs, and other decisions you make in the studio that could be done before you get to the studio = paying the studio more money for the studio's time and your delays.

4. After the tracks have been laid down, it then becomes necessary to "mixdown" the music for a master tape. At Stone Wall Studio™ we generally give you a "rough mix" of the music recording after the recording has been completed. Then you have an opportunity to listen to the recording and decide what mixing changes to make (i.e. what effects to add to the final mix, which vocals/instruments need to louder/softer; which vocals/instruments need to be recorded, what order the songs need to mixed, etc.). You can generally figure that the mixdown will take 2-5 times as long as the actual recording, depending on a variety of factors, including the number of tracks and the complexity of the music.

5. The more preparation and thought you put into your recording the better recording you will get, the less time you will spend in the studio, and the more money you will save.

6. Practice, Practice, Practice before coming to the studio!!!

CLICK HERE for hints pertaining to recording with accompaniment tapes...

LEGAL ISSUES:
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT NOTICE
FEDERAL LAW PROVIDES SEVERE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR
THE UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION OR EXHIBITION
OF COPYRIGHTED WORKS. CRIMINAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
IS INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI AND MAY CONSTITUTE A FELONY
WITH A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND/OR
A $250,000.00 FINE.

If you are not the person who wrote the music and/or words of the song you wish to record and publish for resale, then you must obtain a license from the copyright owner(s) to record and publish the song in question. You should take the following action:

1. Contact the copyright owner if you know and explain the purpose for the recording and selling his copyrighted work -- you might be able to work out an agreed royalty rate per song which may be cheaper than obtaining a "compulsory license".

2. If you do not know the copyright owner, then you can call one or more of the following companies to obtain this information:

a) Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) (212) 586-2000, or visit their website at www.bmi.com;

b) American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) (212) 621-6160;

c) The Harry Fox Agency, (212) 370-5330, or visit their website at www.nmpa.org;

d) the Gospel Music Association, (615) 242-0303; and/or

e) the Country Music Association, (615) 244-2840.

3. If the copyright owner will not give you a license, then you have the right to obtain a "compulsory license" and pay a statutorily established royalty (currently this is 8 cents per song of 5 minutes or less; each additional minute adds 1.55 cents per song).

THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY; YOU SHOULD OBTAIN LEGAL COUNSEL IF YOU INTEND TO PUBLISH AND SELL MUSIC, WHETHER YOUR OWN OR SOMEONE ELSE'S. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE!!!

STONE WALL STUDIO® REQUIRES THAT YOU ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH COPYRIGHT LAWS!!!

Time and Money Hints, Click Here