Making Music Guide (Part Three: Recording & Publishing)

Now That you have completed your song and you really like it and You don't want to change anything, You want to start recording it...There are many different methods for recording music, you choose according to your budget and target audience, quality is the main subject here, let's make a logical map...

RECORDING:

Analog audio recording:

An Analog recording can be made using an analog recorder like : Tapes, cassettes, vinyls and other similar forms.. Unless you use quality hardware (which are VERY expensive!) and know what you're doing, you can't get as much quality as other solutions can give you. so if you're a starter i guess you should stick with digital equipment.

Digital audio recording:

Some people prefer analog, but digital is now gaining more ground as it's more convenient, far more cheaper and faster. although the quality is not as good as analog for some people, but it can be very satisfying and it's only getting better and cheaper (just like computers) you can buy a sound card or an audio interface, a DAW (Digital audio Workstation), some mics and instruments and you have a decent quality home studio! and not much money spent too! (more about making a home studio will be available separately)

Getting the Pro Sound:

Everyone who makes music knows how hard it is to get the pro sound found on major recording labels' albums, it's not only the equipment, If you have the money you can buy pro equipment, it's mainly the mixing and mastering, learning how to mix involves using equalizers, effects, limiters and panning and other factors, the art comes from the ear of the audio engineer which is trained (gaining experience over time) for years on what sounds good and what makes a track better, you can find many books that will help you start mixing and mastering, but you'll need to experiment a lot to gain the knowledge that will take you're music to the next level. stay in tune to get some FREE basic mixing tips!

PUBLISHING:

Publishing to your small Community:

Your small community is all the people you know, your family, friends, colleagues..etc if you target them as your audience, then your publishing job is easy, just make some CDs or maybe upload them on a file host website then spread the links through your Facebook, Myspace or Twitter, You can make yourself a fan page on Facebook or an artist page on Myspace, and tell your people about it, You can make some backyard live performances....Choose what suits you best, Then do it.


Publishing To your Local Community:

Your local community can be you're town or a part of it, the audience is bigger...You can use the same methods stated above plus the following....Sign up for an audition to a gigging place, Communicate with other local musicians, Try to go live as often as you can..Do covers for your favourite artists and other famous ones to attract more audience then play some of your tracks.
Give your CDs to your local music store maybe someone will buy it! at least you'll get noticed.. Just showcase your music.

Publishing Online to The World:

Make a website, add Videos for your Music on Youtube or other video sites (which is a very effective way), Join online music Social networks like Reverbnation, if you want to sell your music consider itunes... Try to offer help and tips and free lessons then link to your music, Participate in as much Forums and activities as you can , the more you spread you're music , the more audience you'll get, but remember Only GOOD music will attract people.

Signing to a record Label:

That's what many artists are trying to do (Though not all). But it's hard, The first step is to do all the listed above..Try to get all the criticism you can handle, and keep searching for your sound, make creative, new Music... People enjoy good riffs, melodies and New exotic sounding Music (but don't go too Far!) Try to get heard....Local Battle of the bands can help good.. also send demos to producers... But not until you have a good amount of audience, otherwise why will these Producers be willing to sign you up? They must feel that You are Popular and Wanted.. If You're good enough you will get Noticed Fast , as people who like your music will advertise you for free! People recommend music everyday , make sure you can get recommended.


Finally, If You don't like Your Music, or aren't Passionate enough about it, People too won't like it..Music is the expression of yourself, You must be satisfied with it so you can have the confidence to Proudly say.... "Listen to my music". Yes there are people who just do music to be famous and make money, But this is not how it goes , You have to like making music because you enjoy it and so you can share your thoughts and ideas with the world..