5. SELECT A CD DUPLICATOR

And here we come to the Grand Dilemma: CD or tape? While some people are convinced that a tape is necessary because many executives listen to demos on the way home from work and can "pop the tape into the car player," this is absolutely FALSE. All record execs prefer CDs. Almost all vehicles have CD players nowadays anyway. If you also want tapes, you can order those on the side, but the CDs are key to having people take you seriously.

OK, so you'll make CDs. But there's a catch: you need lots of them. Tons. Hundreds, if you are serious about your potential career in music. So you need to find a company that can reproduce them and make them stand out in a sea of CDs. The largest CD duplicator in America is Disc Makers (1-800-468-9353). They offer an incredible array of packaging for your CD, and although their prices can be steep, they are focused and diligent in helping you create a product you will like.

Through some more creative searching, you can easily find other CD duplicator companies that may better suit your needs. Companies such as Oasis (the company, not the band) offer CD duplication at a relatively low cost, and they provide some choices for CD packaging, but not nearly to the degree of Disc Makers. If your only concern is cost, that's the way to go.

Here's the procedure:

  • Request a catalog from the companies you like.

  • Pour through your cache of catalogs to look for hidden expenses (including shipping) that may not be immediately obvious.

  • Once you have decided on a company, sit down with a pen and paper and add up the cost of all the features you want for your package. Be sure that the final figure fits into your budget, remembering that you may have recording costs to pay.

  • Typical costs for 1,000 CDs range from $1600 to $4000 (including art printing). Often, there is little difference between a duplication company that charges you $1600 and one that charges $4000.

So compare services carefully and choose the most economic (but high-quality) duplicator.

A word about the cover of your CD...

Appearance matters. Don't expect to catch the eye of managers, producers, or record labels if your cover isn't catchy; you need a talented graphic artist to pull together the "concept" of your ensemble or band and put it in writing and pictures. CD duplication companies will often offer their own graphic artist department for CD design, and likely will do so at a lower cost than you would pay if you went to an independent designer (unless you call that independent designer "Mom"). Because the CD duplication companies print your artwork for the CD package, if they do the graphic arts for the CD, they will make sure you are happy with the design and transfer the design to paper in a professional manner. If you use your own graphic artist, be absolutely sure that your graphic artist can provide the design to the CD duplication company in the appropriate format, using the correct computer software. Screwing this up can be a HUGE hassle (as well as expensive one), so be warned ahead of time that you always take a chance by using a non-affiliated graphic artist. The dimensions could be off from those that the duplication company requires, the colors may not be accurate, or any other number of unforeseeable glitches.

You're almost there! Once you've chosen the duplication company, all you gotta do is fill out the duplication request form in the company's catalog. Some last minute reminders:

  • Remember to listen to your final recorded product in its entirety before you submit it for duplication. Wouldn't it suck if, during the application process, a glitch made your demo sound like garbage?

  • Make a copy of the DAT tape or CD before you send it in, in case it is lost in the mail.

  • Submit any materials needed for the graphic artists (if you are using the company's services).

  • If you have any questions during the duplication process, do not hesitate to call the company and ask them. As a paying customer, you have a right to know how your project is coming along and what the turn-around time is.

  • Don't plan distribution to the exact time and day, because deadlines will usually be extended. Cushion always helps; be prepared for delays and problems.

Hardly any major project is without a few crises! But patience and a sense of humor will get you through the duplication time, and soon, you'll have a final product that was well worth the wait. One last piece of advice: grow your hair long and stop bathing. You're a real musician now!