FAQ's
A songwriter demo is a recording of a song so that it can be demonstrated to others. Some songwriters want their songs to be recorded by recording artists for monetary gain. Others have their songs recorded for their own personal pleasure. We work hard to record professional quality recordings for writers that have either goal. If you plan to pitch your songs so that they can be recorded by artists on their records, you need a professional sounding demo of your songs. Our philosophy is that the more your songs sound like records, the better chance they have to be successful. We strive to provide songwriters with high quality recordings so that their songs can be presented in a professional manner.
Back to topJeff Carson is in charge of making sure your music is recorded in a professional manner. You can talk to him personally about any questions you have about recording your songs. He is more than happy to discuss the recording process with songwriters. If he is in a session, please leave your name and number so that he can return your call.
Back to topWe take care of booking the musicians to record our songwriter demo packages. Jeff has a great working relationship with numerous session players in Nashville. He not only works with them at our studio, but also works with them around Nashville performing on recordings for record companies and publishers. He knows who to call to put together a great group of studio players for your songs and uses professional musicians who are members of the Nashville Association of Musicians.
Back to topWhat recording format do you use ?
We use the ProTools 32 track Hard Disk computer based system on a Macintosh iMacG5 computer. Recording to hard disk is fast becoming the industry standard for professional recording. This format uses no tape, and it has incredible editing characteristics that come with digital hard drive recording. After a recording is made, the music can be backed up to a CD for remixing or adding tracks at a later date.
Back to topA tracking session is a recording session with the musicians. For a Standard Demo Package, this would be a session with 4 musicians. For a Pro Demo Package, this would generally be 6 musicians. Occasionally, the Pro Demo Package starts with 4 or 5 musicians recording together with more added on overdub sessions. A scratch vocal (not the keeper vocal track) is usually done with the musicians, but the main vocal and harmonies, if any, are recorded after the tracking session has been completed. We utilize Nashville union musicians from the Nashville Association of Musicians for our songwriter demo packages. Some of the finest recording musicians in the world are in Nashville. They do recording sessions for a living, and they are extremely talented and creative. Check out our sample page to hear for yourself.
Back to topTypically, we provide the lead vocalist for songs that we record. And we have some great vocalists to sing for you! Check out our sample tape to hear a sample of songs that we've recorded with our Nashville vocalists. We take care of hiring and paying the vocalists, and the cost is included in the Songwriter Demo Packages. If you are a singer and want to sing your own vocal tracks for your songs, that is fine, too. You can record your vocal track here at HC Music after the tracking session is complete. Then you just pay for studio time as needed for your vocals. The cost for studio time is $50.00 per hour. Sometimes, you might want a tape of the music without the vocals. This way, you could perform live with the musical tracks, or you could record your vocals near your home if it's not possible to make a trip to Nashville. If this is the case, there are two options. First, you could order one of our Songwriter Demo Packages with vocals and get an extra copy without vocals for yourself. Second, you could simply order a Songwriter Demo Package without vocals.
Back to topArranging is a service that we provide to help writers with the chord structure of their songs. This generally happens in two different instances. First, if you don't play an instrument, you can send us an a cappella tape with singing only, and we can arrange the chords to go with your melody. Second, if you have chords to your song already, you still might like some help with the chord structure. We could help in this area, also.
Back to topWhat is the cost for studio time?
Studio time is generally included for the Songwriter Demo Packages. The studio time generally allotted for vocals is up to one hour per song. The studio time generally allotted for mixing is up to one hour per song. If you are present and want to spend more time than we generally allot for vocals and mixing, a studio time charge will apply. The studio time charge is $50.00 per hour. This includes an engineer.
Back to topMixing is the procedure of blending all the instrument and vocal tracks together. The multi-track (32-tracks) is mixed down to 2 tracks like you would normally hear on a cassette tape or CD.
Back to topOne CD is included FREE with each Songwriter Demo Package. Additional CDs and additional cassettes are available. We do not use multi-track tape anymore to record. The Pro Tools system records directly to a hard drive. We back up to an external hard drive. We generally keep the backup files for approximately three months. If you would like to purchase the ProTools session files (optional), the cost is $25 for each DVD. If you record a large project like 8 or 10 songs, we recommend saving the files to an external hard drive.
Back to topWhat if I want to bring my own musicians?
Sorry we only use professional musicians who are members of the Nashville Association of Musicians. Jeff has a great working relationship with numerous session players here in Nashville and knows who to call to create a sound that is consistent with the music that publishers and recording artist listen to everyday. These studio musicians record masters and demos every day and are use to the studio environment. They are fast and very creative in the studio.
Back to topWhat if I don't play an instrument?
Some writers can write songs, but they don't play an instrument for accompaniment. This is okay. If you can send us a tape with someone singing the melody, we can take it from there. We can arrange chords to go with your melody for an arranging fee of $50.00. This service is provided for orders from our Songwriter Demo Packages; it is not a stand-alone item. We do require a melody to do an arrangement. We suggest that you never pay to have a melody put to your words. If you cannot sing the melody yourself, find someone who can sing a melody to your words and make them a co-writer.
Back to topWe accept personal checks, money orders, cashier checks, cash (in person). Since we have to book musicians, vocalists and engineers in advance, we require payment for demo orders in advance.
Back to topHow long does it take to get my order back?
Our general policy is to ship demos within 2 weeks of receiving the order. Our goal is to provide quality recordings in a timely manner.
Back to topWe do not like to critique or judge your songs. We suggest that you contact one of the many Songwriter Associations for this service. We will, however, help you narrow your choice down. Suppose you had 10 songs ready to record, but only wanted to record 5 to start with. We can help you choose which 5 to record first.
Back to topWhat if I have more questions?
If you have more questions that you don't see answered here or on other pages, please contact us to let us know. Perhaps we can add your questions to this list.
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