The following questions are frequently asked by writers. To go directly to the answer of a particular question, click on that question. Or you can just read down the page. If you have more questions, perhaps we should add them here. Please let us hear from you. E-mail, call or write, and we'll do our best to provide the answers you need.
What is a songwriter demo?
What is a songwriter demo?
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.
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Who's in charge?
Ed Russell or Joe Khoury 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. Call 615-401-7111 and talk to Dave if Joe is in a session, please leave your name and number so that he can return your call.Ed Russell and Ron Treat are the studio managers, and they are very happy to answer questions about our demo packages, discuss orders, set up appointments, etc. They work hard to manage the day-to-day affairs of the studio, and do a great job. Feel free to call them anytime.
Office: 615-401-7111
E-Mail Lakeside@CastleRecords.com
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What about musicians?
We take care of booking the musicians to record our songwriter demo packages.Ed Russell has a great working relationship with numerous session players here 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. We use professional musicians who are members of the Nashville Association of Musicians local 257
Back to topWhat recording format do you use?
Lakeside Recording Studio is a fully equipped recording studio and transfer facility. It is equipped with, a 32 Track Digital Adat with BRC control system. A 24 Track to 48 Track Hard drive system. Pro-Tools HD 3 Accel-Digidesign 192 HD interface / 96i interface Top of the line Waves plug in's The recording studio, contains five (5) isolation booths, top of the line microphones, outboard gear and a Yamaha Baby Grand Piano. A Triton Pro X 88 keyboard with weighted keys the triton has a SCSI interface board. Technology. It is fast becoming the industry standard for professional recording. uses no tape, and it has incredible editing characteristics that come with digital hard drive recording.
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Do you have ProTools?
Yes, we have ProTools. We also have a variety of top of the line plug-ins to give us the best editing capabilities. We have the Waves Platinum bundle as well as the Melodyne tuning software.Back to top
What is a tracking session?
A tracking session is a recording session with the musicians. For a Standard Demo Package, this would be a session with 4 musicians. For a Premier Demo Package, this would be with 6 musicians.
The typical tracking session lasts 3 hours. 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. These players are real professionals. 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.
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What about vocals?
Typically, we provide the lead vocalist for songs that we record. And we have some great vocalists to sing for you! Check out our Sample Page 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 (up to $80 per song) 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. We have demo packages that are recorded without vocals so that you can add your own (labeled as NO VOCALS). These demo packages cost less than the demo packages with vocals. Then you just pay for studio time as needed for your vocals. The cost for studio time is $60.00 per hour.
Sometimes, you might want a copy 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.What if I rewrite the lyrics to my song after it's been recorded?
If you rewrite your song, we can re-sing* and remix the song (without re-tracking the whole band) if :
(1). the arrangement of the music hasn't changed, (2). the key is the same, and (3). we still have the song on DVD files. See Rewrite on the Order Forms.Back to top
What is arranging?
Arranging 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 acapella 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.
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What is the cost for studio time?
Studio time is generally included for the Songwriter Demo Packages. The studio time allotted for vocals is up to one hour per song. The studio time 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 $60.00 per hour. This includes an engineer.
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What is mixing?
Mixing is the procedure of blending all the instrument and vocal tracks together. The multi-track tape (24-tracks) is mixed down to 2 tracks like you would normally hear on a CD.
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What about tape costs?
One CD is included FREE with each Songwriter Demo Package. Additional CDs are available.
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What if I want to bring my own musicians?
You are welcome to bring your own musicians to our studio to record. The studio time charge of $60.00 per hour applies. The cost for studio time does not includes an engineer. Some limitations apply when you bring your own musicians. Call 615-401-7111 or 615-401-7110 to get more information about this.
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What 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.
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How do I pay for my order?
We 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.
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How long does it take to get my order back?
Our general policy is to ship demos within 4 weeks of receiving the order. Add 10% for rushed orders (within 2 weeks). Our goal is to provide quality recordings in a timely manner.
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