Music Business--What's More Important Better Gear Or Making A Top Notch Album?

Thursday, July 23, 2009


By Mark Grove

I came across a website called Artists House with a post that asked, Should you use better road gear or make a better album.Okay,I’ll get right to the point.If any working musicians say making a better album is more important,stop reading this,sell all your gear and go back to that day job you hate.

This is dead simple guys

A player who’s been in the game one month could figure it out. If they can you can.

Before doing anything else learn how to play better with the gear you currently have,before you do anything else.Learn from other musicians better than you,and attend jam sessions with other blues and rock players.

This is not hard guys.

Okay,what to do next?

Make a better album? Noooooo!

Better Gear? Yes!

Anyone can make a better album with today’s technology.You don’t have to be a musician to make a good album with computer technology. If you’re a working player it’s vital your band uses road worthy gear. Amps like Mesa-Boogie,Ampeg,SWR or Randall for heavy music players.

Use top quality cables,cords,mic’s and mixing equipment for your live gear.Even top quality cases that protect your gear.It will take time to start being able to afford this top quality gear. Just be patient.

If you don’t make investments in top quality gear your playing will suffer and your gear will not last 3 months on the road.

Bottom-Feeder Recording To Be Creative:

If you really want to make an album do it ghetto style lads when you’re first starting out.Or You’ll waste your money and time.Wait until you have a band together for a year or so and you’re making a good living before considering using a top quality studio.And don’t use computer technology to record your first album.

Do it with Analog equipment at first.That will help your band be more creative than doing it with digital equipment.I’ve mentioned in other articles to go buy an old Tascam 4 track cassette with a built in mixer on it.Record it directly on the floor like a live gig.Use high quality mic’s like Shure 57’s or 58’s.Make sure its mixed well and keep the analog state of the live recording in tact.

At this point if you’re playing regularly,you’ll know local studio recording engineers.Get them to listen to it.Ask for any tips on recording and mixing it better.Interview them and offer to put the interview on your band site.Offer to interview him on a regular basis. This may get him to do a free mastering and final mixing of your CD.

Still keep the analog sound in tact.

You can grab cheap Tascam 4 track decks off E-Bay and Craigslist.

Simple marketing of your Analog CD:

Make only 300 or 400 and split the cost between the band members. Ask 10 bucks a CD.Even if you only sell 200 you'll still make money. Do the recording and packaging yourself.You’ll start a business.I’m off on a tangent here,but it’s all inter-related guys.

Give out 5 to 10 a month at your gigs.Give out at least 10 to local media,clubs, agents and blues music societies.Even include a couple to your local musicians union who are huge resources of help to musicians.

Marketing damn important!!!

Interview other bands
Write articles for other bands
Hold Q and A sessions for your fans and fans of other bands

Help other bands,buy better equipment,market your band properly and learn all you can from doing what you love,song writing and recording. Forget the better album right now.