Releasing Your Own Record
by Jon and Mandy
Here at Profane Existence, we recieve requests on an almost daily basis from bands wanting to be on our record label. In response to this, we thought it would be a good idea to give some tips for the many bands since we simply don't have the time and money to help out. Putting out your own record is a lot more simple and inexpensive than most people realize. All in all, you can usually put out your own 7" with the total end cost being between 80¢ to $1.20. This is especially true in the case of 7" records, especially if you are in a band where everyone is willing to put in a share of funds etc.
Here's a step by step list of what it takes to do your own DIY record...
RECORDING
It's your option how far you want to go with recording- whether you want to go to a full 16 or 24 track recording studio, or do it at home on an eight or four track recording board. I've heard great recordings done on four or eight tracks. It all depends on how well you know how to twiddle the knobs. I've also heard really bad studio recordings. This obviously depends on how well the engineer knows what he or she is doing, and also depends on how well you commicate the sound you're looking for. When looking for a recording studio, ask other bands in your area that you like where they've recorded. Then you'll get an engineer who's familiar with the sound you're looking for. If you're going to a new studio, maybe bring a tape of a band with a similar sound to use as a reference. Most studios range in price between $15 and $50 per hour depending on the engineer and the facilities.
Some tips for when you go into the studio: Be on time (a lot of engineers start charging you from your scedualed start time, whether you're there or not). Be well rehearsed so you can nail your tracks as fast as possible. Record your tracks in the order that they will appear on your record. This saves editting time later.
When you're ready to mix down, whether it's on D.A.T. (Digital Audio Tape), VHS cassette, or 1/4 analog tape, it saves confusion down the line by laying the songs down axactly as they will appear on the record. This means putting only the songs going on the record on the D.A.T. If you do other stuff during the session, mix it down on a seperate D.A.T. Also, lay the songs down with the exact time gaps between songs you want on the record.
MASTERING
Once you have a master copy of your recording, it's time to send it off to get mastered onto the metal plates that are used in the actual pressing of the vinyl. Most pressing plants can do this for you. However, it is sometimes better, for quality sake, to send it off to a place that specializes in this process. Once a place like this has completed the metal plates, they will immediately ship them off to the pressing plant of your choice.
*If you go to an independent mastering place like METROPOLIS MASTERING, you have to know where you are getting the records pressed. Work out the job details ahead of time with the pressing plant and give them a general idea of when to expect the plates.
We use METROPOLIS MASTERING for all of our releases.
Ph# (773) 631-3526
6400 North Leoti Ave. / Chicago, IL / 60646
PRESSING PLANTS
For 7"s, UNITED RECORD PRESSING is one of the cheapest and most widely used plants in the DIY scene. Labels from all over the world get their releases pressed there.
The first pressing of any record will be the most expensive. This is due to the extra set up costs.
You'll want to call up ahead of time to get exact price quotes and to ask them to send you templates & color information for the center label artwork (you send this directly to them). UNITED usually wants half of the money up front and the remaining balance when the test pressings are aproved.
ALBERTI RECORD PRESSING is a common place to go for pressing an LP. (They also do 7"s but they cost more than UNITED). ALBERTI can also take care of covers and printed inner sleeves. Contact them for artwork requirements and details.
UNITED RECORD PRESSING
Ph# (615) 259-9396
453 Chestnut Street / Nashville, TN / 37203
ALBERTI RECORD PRESSING
Ph# (818) 282-5181
312 Monterey Pass Road / Monterey Park, CA / 91754
COVERS
Again, it's your option how far you want to go with the packaging of your record, and how much you want to spend. Printing options range from a single sheet photocopied cover, to offset printing which offers a multitude of options between colors, sizes, paper texture and thickness, to totally DIY, hand-made covers where the sky is the limit.
For printing, you can check local shops for estimates. But also keep in mind punk-run print shops like Punks With Presses and Newtown. They offer reasonably rates and by supporting them, your keeping your money in the punk scene. Contact to them for their price lists and specifications. Another good thing to keep in mind is that the bulk of the cost for offset printing is the plating and set up charges. So it's a good idea to print more covers than you need at the time if you think you might be repressing. After a certain number of covers, you're basically just paying for the paper.
Punks With Presses/ 1001 41st St./ Oakland, CA 94608/ U.S.A. phone (510) 658-PUNK fax (514) 654-6766
Newtown/ 800 Place Victoria, C.P. 635/ Monreal, PQ H4Z 1J8/ Canada. phone (514) 868-0633 fax (514) 868-0636
VINYL SLEEVES
One of the cheapest places to get them is through BAGS UNLIMITED. You can also check local record stores. Some places sell them in bulk.
BAGS UNLIMITED
Ph# (800) 767-BAGS(2247)
7 Canal St. / Rochester, NY / 14608-1910
That pretty much covers all the steps. Releasing and distributing your own record can be quite fulfilling since you see exactly where your stuff ends up and you have complete control over all aspects from production to distribution. It's DIY punk in it's purest form. DIY meaning... DO IT YOUR FUCKING SELF!