Engineers, strictly speaking, are responsible for the “nuts and bolts” of the recording process. In our current technological environment, this means not only a familiarity with ageless studio techniques such as microphone placement but also a deep understanding of the latest innovations in their chosen digital audio workstation (DAW) software and contemporary approaches to recording
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Getting a chance to sit down with a music publisher and play them some of your songs is a genuine opportunity and one not to be taken lightly. While having great songs is certainly an important part of the equation, it is by no means the only thing that counts. To that end, I’ve listed
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As much as we’d like to admit it, not all of our songs are going to be worth spending the kind of money and time that a professional demo recordings require. In order to know whether or not your song is – or can be – worth that investment, a song critique can be helpful.
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The difference, in my experience, between professional songwriters and hobbyists has very little to do with actual songwriting talent. Being a pro requires an ironclad work ethic to not only create a consistent body of work but also to develop and maintain what I like to think of as songwriting muscles. I’ve put together a
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For songwriters getting ready to demo a song, it’s essential that you choose a professional recording studio with qualified personnel. However, if you haven’t spent much time in the studio, it can be tough to know what distinguishes true professionals from wannabes. In this article, I’m going to delve into the specifics of what you
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There are times our songs come to us easily. They feel good as we’re writing them, people respond when we perform them and the demos practically jump out of the speakers. There are other times, however, when things just don’t seem to quite come together. To help you troubleshoot, I’ve put together a checklist to
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Recording your song demos can – and should – be a terrific experience. Hearing a world class singer and studio musicians bring your song to life is one of the great joys of being a songwriter. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind both before and during your demo if
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One of the unsung elements that helps bring a song to life – and make it memorable – is the groove. By way of definition, groove is a mystical combination of tempo and feel that adds depth and texture to your song. That being said, it’s not uncommon for songwriters to relegate groove to an
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While professional demo sessions are notable for what the songwriter doesn’t have to do (i.e. perform, record, produce), there are nonetheless important things that every songwriter needs to bring to a demo session to assure a successful result. I’ve listed the most important ones below… 1. A Finished Song It may sound obvious but make
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OK, since we’re all artists here and open to some of the more mystical/emotional approaches to art and life, I thought I’d take a moment to emphasize the importance of being truly present – aka mindful – in your songwriting practice. While there are whole books – and philosophies – written on the the value
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Having been on both sides of the studio owner/studio client equation over the years, I thought I’d take a moment to give songwriters a little insight into how to handle themselves when it comes to their interactions with professional recording studios. The more aware you are as a studio client, the more smoothly your session
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Every once in a while, it feels great for me to remember that at this point in my career I’ve managed to surround myself with some of the most intelligent, thoughtful and accomplished industry friends a person could possibly hope for. Not only that, but they’re generous, too. I reached out and asked some of
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