Q: I've heard a lot of sample tapes from demo services.
They all sound pretty good. Does it really matter how good the demo is?
A: The first thing to remember as a songwriter is that you are competing
against hundreds of professional songwriters. Their names are familiar
to the producers and record exec's, yours may not be. You have but a few
short seconds to peak their interest. Your demo better be at least as
good as the pro's.
Q: How much do the professional writers spend on demos?
A: The average song demo in Nashville for "music row" writers is
probably in the neighborhood of $700-800.
Q: Why do they spend so much on a demo?
A: They too, know how strong the competition is. They also know that the
real decision-makers (producers, artists, A&R, etc...)are used to
listening to master quality recordings. If the initial sound of the demo
is not up to that standard, you already have one strike against you.
Q: What is the basic difference in a $200.00 demo and a demo costing more?
A: First, and very important, is the musicians and engineers used on the
session. The only players used by pro-writers are seasoned "union"
musicians. There is a basic union scale for these players that everyone
must pay. Some less expensive demos use "non-union" musicians.
The rule of thumb is that any musician willing to work for less than union
scale is not in the same league, musically, as the union players. Second,
the engineers used by the pro-writers have a basic charge. To use someone
charging less will most probably drastically affect the final sound of
your song demo. Another important factor is how the demos are being done.
A lot of budget demos are done in a "cattle call" situation.
Sometimes as many as 7 different songs are done in one assembly line process.
This is barely enough time for the musicians to listen to the songs and
play through them briefly before recording the demo.
Q: Does the demo singer matter that much?
A: The demo singer can make or break your song demo. Have you ever heard
a lounge singer sing a well-known hit? Do you say to yourself, if I heard
that song for the first time done by that singer I would never think it
was a hit song. It's like hearing a really good joke told by a really
mediocre comedian.
Q: How do I get a major label record deal?
A: There are a couple of paths to take to try and get a label deal. One way
is to put together a 3 or 4 song demo CD to present to labels directly
or managers, music attorneys, publishers that might help shop your deal.
The CD must be as close to a finished master CD as possible. Your CD will
be in a stack with many others, it better jump out. The other way is to
do a complete album to both pitch to the labels and sell yourself. If
you can generate a good amount of sales on your own the major label will
be much more interested in talking with you.
Q: How much does it cost to make a record for me to
sell at concerts and on the internet?
A: If a production company gives you a flat rate for making a record, run!
This question is equivalent to asking; "How much will it cost to
build a house?" Do you want $10.00 a gallon paint or something
that will last more than a couple of years? Do you want brick or siding?
I think you get the point.
You can use players that are known as "demo" or "custom" session players. These are musicians that predominately work for budget, non-major label accounts. Fortunately, at Ken Barken Productions, because we do a lot of projects for labels such as Curb Records, Atlantic, EMI, as well as major motion pictures and television, we hire the absolute top players in the world on a regular basis. They are kind enough to, in turn, play for our independent projects whenever they can. The difference in using these players is unbelievable.
There is a reason why they normally make $200.00 per hour. When you are quoted a flat rate for your record, there is a formula for the amount of time that can be spent on each phase of the process. For example, to do 10 songs, requires first recording the "basic tracks" or the music you will be singing to. At a rate of about $1,000.00 per song or $10,000.00 for the record the speed in which the band must record is very close to the speed of sound.
If you have done any recording, you realize that this leaves no time for such things as trying some ideas that may be fresh and new, or making sure to fix all mistakes or parts that could be played better. You will basically get a once down, thank you very much, let's go on to the next song.
The equipment used is also very important. Most equipment looks pretty impressive, especially if there is a lot of it. If you have ever sung on a vintage U47 vocal mike and compared it to a standard mike that most low priced studios use, like an AKG-414, you would be incredibly surprised. At your fixed rate project you have been slotted for so much time per song to sing.
As a major label producer, I have spent a half-hour on a lead vocal and I've spent 2 days on a lead vocal. It all depends on how long it takes to get a "performance" on the song. Obviously, independent projects don't have the same budget as the big majors, so some restraint needs to be exercised. It is just impossible to say that you will get all the vocals done, that you will be proud to unleash on the world, in X amount of time.
I think this gives you a good idea of, at least, how many variables are involved in the recording process and how you can come out of the studio either sadly disappointed or on an all time high. This is not to say you should mortgage your house to do this. Just know what you are getting for your money.