[Dixielandjazz] FW: Bands with CDs

[Jim Kashishian]

Kevin asked about recording his own band.  You didn't mention, Kevin, if you
were interested in a live recording or a studio recording.  I have found
that your cd will sell better if it is a live recording.  People at your
gigs want to have on record something like they just heard, so by saying
"it's live" will guarantee your sales.  Signing your cd for them will get a
good response from others that see you signing, and they will want one, too!

I have had good luck recording with a Tascam DR-40 Linear PCM Recorder.  It
will cost around $300 in the U.S., I suppose.  The 3 AA bateries will last
for 3 or 4 gigs (of two 45 minute sets).  There is enough space on the
memory card to store two sets of 45 minutes at 44.1 kHz, which is the format
you will need for a cd.

This recorder has it's own two microphones which are surprisingly good.
There is an excellent limiter that will keep you from going into the red (a
no-no in digital). The model I have has an input for two more microphones.
These are professional XLR inputs with phantom power, so you could use two
professional microphoes along with the two on-board mics.  This will eat up
your memory card faster, but you can always insert a bigger card than the
2Gb card that comes with the outfit.  

You need to experiment as to where you place the recorder on the stage to
get a good balance.  I have found that by placing the recorder near the
monitor we use for trumpet/trombone/voice, I can get all of those sounds
(which have a bit of reverb used on our mike), and a good balance from
piano/bass/drums which are of course just behind us by pointing one mic
toward our monitor & the other towards the rhythm section. 

Granted, this requires that the band plays with a balanced sound as you are
going to get what you sound like!
The output, even if you use 4 mics, is going to be in stereo, so you need to
play around a bit with the placement of mics to get the balance right.

Since the recording is already in stereo no mixing is required, but it is a
good idea to do a bit of mastering.  Here you can fade out/fade in applause
before & after a song, put spaces between songs, change the order, etc. A
bit of reverb can be added to the overall sound if required, and
bass/mids/highs can be adjusted & compression can be added, if needed. Your
overall level can be adjusted here, also.  It is a good idea to get as close
to zero db without going over for the overall sound, while respecting the
dynamics of the band.
You can get a total of 78 minutes on a cd, which will include the time
between songs, also...not just the music part!   

Finally, get your cds printed by a factory & stay away from the computer
generated, home-blown versions which often fail when played later.  A 4
side, color brochure adds a nice touch, with a bit of the band's history,
it's members, and the tunes.  Add a nice picture of the band leaving an area
for signatures above/around each member! You'll be surprised how little all
of this can cost! 

Don't be afraid to ask a decent price for your cds.  We charge as much as
any well-known artist cd costs in a shop and still often get "keep the
change" remarks from the purchaser. 

By using a portable (this one can go in your pocket!) recorder, you can set
it up at gigs over a period, saving only the really good songs until you
have enough for a cd (12 to 16 songs). The memory card will pop into your
computer where you can keep the songs you might include in your cd.  Be sure
to keep everything at 44.1 kHz,always, no matter where you have it stored. 

Others may have other suggestions.  Jim