Ok, so i am new here, nice to meet you all.
I have come here like I'm sure many people do, to ask for help and advice.
I have made a business plan and have a company ready to make CD's and package them for me, ready for sale. I also have a business plan and the money for the initial start up of my record label business. Yep, thats right, a record label.
Unfortunatly, i have a few problems. The first and main problem being that i plan to create a studio (most probably in a room at home, possibly in its own location) and do the recording of the bands myself/with my business partner. We have several instruments and some basic equipment that we have been donated by friends/family all in working order (a Gibson les paul, fender, a couple of bass guitars etc). Now, what i would like to know, is what would you recommend as the minimum required 'specification' of a recording studio. I have to say my knowledge of the industry is quite limited and i do need advice. What software/hardware will we need? I have messed around with some recording software but not properly yet.
I am also concerned about the copyright/lawsuite issuse. I do not want to go into this only to find out i have a lawsuite against me due to breaching copyright. Is there any set place to check names of bands/songs (or even names of record labels)?
I expect i will have several other questions and i know i sound like my record label will fail pretty quickly, but i do not plan to rush into it, I'm taking things slowly and making sure i learn all i can in the process.
Thank you for your time.
LondonStudio
p.s. any advice on what to include in contracts, what not to include etc will be very useful)
EDIT: I forgot to ask a pretty important question. What is the standard % of royalties that usualy goes to a band? I have an idea of the % and it is written down somewhere (can't find it right now, it has been a while since i looked over my business plan, have been getting money together!) but i would like to check my figure is correct.
Comments
Cheers for advice, it seems pretty sensible to me! I have a frie
Cheers for advice, it seems pretty sensible to me! I have a friend who is a music engineer (or about to finish training as one) and he is going to come and work for me in the studio. Thing is, i wanted to have an idea of what i am doing rather than sit and watch him work. I would rather feel more involved with the recording (plus renting a studio for recording time is going to push up our regular costs and eat into profits). Although it is not going to be great at first, we have a few bands who are willing to let us experiment withe them. So once we have a studio set up we can get them in, mess around with the equipment get more used to using it etc..
LondonStudio
LondonStudio wrote: ...what would you recommend as the minimum r
LondonStudio wrote: ...what would you recommend as the minimum required 'specification' of a recording studio.
Recording Space
This means a place to put the band to record them. If you are recording a full band, you need to be able to place instruments like drums and guitar amps. A bedroom is not advisable because they are generally small and you would probably drive your family/neighbors nuts with the noise.
Of course, a bedroom could be used if you are only doing things like guitar, vocals or keyboards.
Recording Medium
Since you mention software, I'm guessing you are wanting to go digital. That means a computer. You want to get the fastest damn thing you can afford. Don't skimp on the processor.
Recording Software
Cubase, Sonar, ProTools, DP, Sequoia or any of the other ones out there. You are going to have to make that decision. No one can make it for you.
Recording Interface (AD/DA)
You need to determine what you need...4 channels, 8, 16, 24, 32? 44.1, 48, 96, 192? With or without pre-amps? USB, Firewire or dedictated card? What other features might you need?
Once you have that, then there's only about 1billion more decisions to make...microphones, cables, stands, headphones, monitors, acoustic treatments
If you want me to make all your decisions for you? Do this:
Get a computer with the fastest/best processor you can afford
Cubase 4
Mackie Onyx 800R with firewire I/O card
2 Shure SM57s
1 Rode K2
1 AT 4040
1 AKG D112
Fill in the rest of the blanks yourself.
BTW...why aren't you asking your friend the music engineer these questions? He should be able to at least tell you what is needed.
LondonStudio wrote: ...renting a studio for recording time is going to push up our regular costs and eat into profits.
Where as it may push up your costs...from the lack of knowledge you currently have I doubt that you would be able to produce a product as good as an established studio. So those additional costs would result in a much better product. Also, all studio rental fees should be charged to the band...no cost out of your pocket.
Wow. I just want to say Welcome first off. I guess a few peopl
Wow. I just want to say Welcome first off. I guess a few people mentioned that most people here take their craft very seriously. So it may seem that people are a bit tense, that is basically because they most likely have spent a great deal of time and money experimenting to get the answers to their own answers to your questions.
As far as gear goes, that’s a big question... What you need first determine is your budget and how important a good product is to you. Granted good gear does not ensure that you will end up with a good product, however it does make it easier.
Next, you say you want to learn how to record yourself…well then take lessons. Maybe get your friend to teach you. Or pay for them, either way it greatly decrease the time it will take you to get up to speed.
So once you have some basic knowledge, and a budget, you have to then decide what type of music you want your label to record and market. It may seem odd, but different styles of music get different treatments in the studio. Once you figure out what market you want to start with this will help you select gear for that market. Of course there is overlap but having a clean picture of your starting market can help streamline the choices initially.
Best of Luck,
The one thing that the world does not need is another recording
The one thing that the world does not need is another recording studio, especially one run by someone without a clue as to what they are getting into. My suggestion would be to RENT time in a studio near you, hire an engineer who knows what he or she is doing and YOU run the record label and let someone knowledgeable handle the recording and mix downs at least until you get you feet wet and learn what equipment is really needed and how to record someone properly.
This is not a flame just a simple statement of facts.
Best of Luck!