I’ve always disliked recording music for several reasons. I’ve dedicated myself to it, but it’s not because I want to record; it’s because I feel a need to record.
I put it off for many years because I couldn’t afford studio time or accompanying musicians (and I’m too stubbornly independent to ask for help). I got to work on developing a solo program to save money; then with the help of family and the then-new digital equipment, I finally started putting music on wax. Fast-forward to today: My laptop, a decent condenser mic ($40 on Amazon), and free software (Audacity) has put the financial issue to rest for good.
I had the opportunity to record with three different Trad Jazz groups in 1998 (Riverboat Jazz Band, Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, and Three Rivers Jazz Band); I enjoyed that because I was in an accompaniment role with only an occasional nerve-wracking solo.
My first solo CD—Banjo Reflections—was done in an effort to promote myself and to hopefully make banjo conventions financially feasible. Imagine my disappointment when I sold only 17 at my first convention! Nowadays, I’m lucky to sell five; that and a nickel will get me a cup of coffee. I guess I should have known better.
I did the majority of this CD in a professional studio; the engineer mixed it and sold me 100 burned and printed discs. I did the rest of the work (jewel case inserts) using my laptop and printer. 10 years later, I decided to have another 100 produced by a printing/duplicating company (in more-modern cardboard sleeves—much better!).
When I got involved with the Clifford Essex Music Company in 2011, I became aware of a huge recording opportunity; here was a collection of hundreds of pieces of pre-Jazz Age banjo music, just begging for a recorded revival. I figured it would take about 10 CDs, which would be spread out over about 10 years (if I worked hard).
I cranked out my first CD of the series—The Plectrum Banjo Music of Emile Grimshaw—in about two months of work. I set up my extra bedroom as a studio, using the mattress and box springs as walls, and a heavy blanket over the top as a “booth.” I mixed it myself, then thought better of the decision and took it to a friend who is a recording engineer. I sent the tracks and my artwork off to the same printing/ duplicating company and had 150 copies made.
Along about that time something interesting happened; CDs suddenly went out of fashion! Even older folks—who just a few years earlier had been asking “do you have it on cassette?”—had discovered digital downloading. I have paid off the investment (on both CDs), but it will probably take the rest of my life to sell what I have left! I’ve taken to giving them away as calling cards or gifts, and I no longer bother with inventory or bookkeeping (two things I absolutely abhor).
It took a few years to figure out what to do next so I could get back on track for my 10-year goal. I uploaded to CD Baby, but never got around to advertising. I have finally decided to offer them for free listening (and downloading if you’re so inclined) on The Banjo Snob.
Here’s why (plus some of the reasons I dislike recording):
1. The cost of making a CD, plus the work involved in setting it up (having enough tracks to make it worthwhile, balancing all the tracks so they sound similar, etc.). This way I can record one at a time and post them; I try to keep the values the same, but it’s not nearly as important.
2. I tend to be a perfectionist: A professional CD requires perfection, which I am incapable of (as most humans are). Recording for a one-at-a-time “archive” gives me the time-saving opportunity to record “warts and all.” Which would you prefer? Cold perfection, or warm “live” imperfection?
3. I also believe in honesty. I refuse to “fix” my mistakes (lacking the engineering skill and the patience to do so), or should I say, “make me sound better than I am.” What you hear is what you get! At least you can’t say you overpaid for it!
4. For the music in question, “archive” is much more important to me than promotion or sales. The amount of work required in producing a CD was a stumbling block to forward progress (and I’m way behind on that!). I know the recordings will not create the kind of buzz necessary to turn a profit anyway, so why bother with expense? It costs me nothing to record a track with my own equipment; it should cost you nothing to listen to it. You’re welcome!