How
It Works:
Step by Step Through a Recording Project with S.O.L.O.
Productions,
“The Performing Songwriters Best Friend.”
|
- Talk to us
about your project in person, over the phone, or via email. Every
artist and every project is unique, so we'll work with you to
determine your specific goals. We'll get all the details down in
writing and prepare a Project Agreement. This agreement
includes everything discussed about your recording project, including
your directions regarding production details (style, arrangements,
etc.) and a fixed price or hourly rate for your project. The
atmosphere at S.O.L.O. is friendly and conducive to creativity. We
want to help you get your music from your head and heart onto a master
and beyond.
- Choose
your recording options. You always have the option of recording with us
in Florida regardless of where you live. However, many of our clients
choose to work with us from long distances. We frequently do
cross-country multi-facility recording projects. A typical example of
a multi-facility project: basic tracks, backing vocals, lead
instruments recorded at S.O.L.O., your vocal and/or your instrumental
recorded at a facility in your area, mixdown wherever you choose. If a multi-facility project is what you need, we'll help you locate the
best facility available in your area for your budget, and will
coordinate efforts between studios.
- Record a
rough demo of your song(s). It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just
voice and piano or guitar. You don’t need to be able to write music,
you don’t even need to give us the chords. In fact, you don’t even
have to play an instrument. If you can sing your song “acapella”,
in tune, with a steady rhythm (a metronome or “click” in the
background will help) then we can figure out the appropriate chords
suggested by your melody and create an arrangement for the song.
Several songs on our demo were done in this way.
- Fill
out the “Stylistic Guide” form that we provide. This will help
us learn more about your song, the style you hear it in, and the type
of arrangement and music style you’re hoping to hear. We’ve
successfully done just about every style and type of arrangement there
is. Or, simply write us a note describing your song, and the
style that you hear it in. If there is an artist or song whose style
comes close to your idea for the song, let us know. Other things to
consider include whether you want an instrumental solo in the song,
the key in which you want the song produced, the type of ending (fade
out, cold ending, etc.), mid song key changes, and so on. In
short, write down anything that you think would help us capture your
artistic vision. Also, be sure to include a lyric sheet. If
you’re thinking, “I want a great track, but I don’t know what
specifics I want,” that’s okay, just leave it to us! Many of our
clients just give us their song and say something like, “It’s a
country (pop, rock, R&B, etc.) song. Do what you think is best.”
We will do our best to make sure that you are happy with your S.O.L.O.
track
- Send your
demo, completed form, and your payment or deposit to: S.O.L.O.
Productions, P.O. Box 492, Sharpes, FL 32959 (Minimum deposit of 50%).
Give
us a call to ask about our pricing and rates.
- We’ll
call you when your project arrives and establish a project
schedule. If you have a specific deadline, please let us know.
Turnaround time for a small project of a few songs can be as short as
two weeks, depending on the backlog. Rush requests can be accommodated
for an extra fee.
- We will
send you a mix of your song(s) for your review. If
we’re doing a song demo for you, you will hear an arrangement of
your song, along with a scratch vocal. If we’re doing a performance
track you’ll hear the track and you can practice singing with it.
Most of the time we will give you a few different mixes to choose
from. Now it’s up to you to listen, and let us know if
anything needs to be changed. Almost anything is open to change, the
key, tempo, instruments used. Don’t worry about asking us to make
changes; we want you to get what you want! Upon your approval, if we
are doing a demo for you, we will add the final lead vocal. Whatever
type of project you are doing, you can be sure that we will guide you
every step of the way towards completion.
- We will
provide you with whatever format you want your tracks in:
-DAT master -Multitrack ADAT master -MIDI file
-CD, minidisc, cassette, MP3, .wav
- If you
are doing a multi-facility recording project you have the option of
taking the backing tracks into your local studio to add vocals and
additional instruments, and to create the final mixes.
- Prepare
your artwork and liner notes (if applicable).
This should be done preferably before or during the time you are
recording.
- Manufacturing
(if applicable). When you have your master tape (usually a DAT), your artwork, and
your liner notes, then we can go over your manufacturing options with
you.
|
