Getting that CD out...finally (?)

[thatcrazycajun]

Sigh. Another new year, another chance. Every year for the past decade and a half or so has begun with me swearing fulsome oaths to myself, "THIS will be the year I finally put out a CD of my songs!"...and ended with no progress made towards that end whatso-frakkin'-ever.

So to anyone reading this who has (a) put out at least one CD of their own and (b) any desire to see me do likewise, I beseech your help and advice. How do you go about doing this when you (a) can't play an instrument worth a damn or write sheet music, (b) have not even enough knowledge of computer software for creating music to fill a Dixie® cup, and (c) have even less knowledge of the technical aspects of musical production? Am I just gonna have to bite the bullet, camp out on someone's doorstep who has the knowledge and equipment and offer them money, chocolate and/or my first-born child to help me? You can also buttonhole me at GAFilk this weekend if you want to put in your $0.02.

Comments

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Relax, amigo. This could get ungodly complex, so I'll try to give you small doses.

First things first. Do you have chords for your songs? If so, you can go to my old site Music Machines and download SuperJam, which is a MIDI jamming program, i.e., you tell it what musical style you want and give it chords and it will create a background arrangement for you. A dozen years old, but I'm still using it. If you like the vibe of how that one works, but want more musical options, go get Band In A Box 2007. Don't mess around -- get the MegaPak. Trust me.

On the other hand, if you're running a Mac, there's a version of Band in a Box for that, a couple of iterations behind the curve but still godawful useful, and/or you can get iLife and use GarageBand.

Further, deponent sayeth not.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

I second everything filkertom says, especially the recommendation for Band In A Box. I often use it as a starter for arrangements I create.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Many of us would be flattered to be asked.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I have GarageBand (it came with my Mac Mini that I bought last year) and am still trying to figure out my way around it enough to actually, like, *do* anything with it. And Band in a Box for Mac still seems to be PowerPC-only, with no info on the website as to whether or when an Intel Mac version will be made available. I will keep plugging away at GB since I have it, but I think something way more intuitive in its interface design would be better for my needs. Thanks for the advice, though.

[redaxe.livejournal.com]

You rely on the assistance of others, in general. (Then again, with few exceptions, that's how it's always been done. Production is a team effort.)

I'd speak at GAFilk with the folks who have put out CDs, and especially local folks. You do have one of the top filk producers right there, fergossakes, and if he's willing to share knowledge with you, take it. (If he has time. If not, make an appointment. And as far as the actual work goes, be prepared to do it on a professional basis; no presuming on friendship there.) There are also people there who do and enjoy musical transcription and arranging; work out times and arrangements (which may include cash payments or quid pro quo -- artwork or the like) to get done what needs doing. You have a wealth of talent within physical reach; go for it, and we'll look forward to the results!

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

If by "one of the top filk producers" you mean bedlamhouse, he's booked up until the next millennium, and anyhow is getting ready to move back North to his old home town. And I am fully cognizant that I cannot presume on friendship to extort professional services, nor would I. I will be speaking with some of those you mention at GAFilk, though, and I have hopes.

[filkferengi]

If you don't want the hassle of actual physical media, have you looked into online downloading?

Whatever the format, if you put it out, I will buy it.