Unsigned Bands: Recording and Pressing Your Own CDs

Your band has no trouble getting good paying shows, your audience seems to get bigger each week, and things feel pretty good. When your band reaches this point, you may be left wondering, “What’s next?”

Has the idea of recording some of your own material for a CD crossed your mind? If so, you may be wondering how to pull it off without a record label to foot the bill for recording and CD pressing.

Here some good news! Any band with a steady income can record it’s own CD, and it doesn’t have to cost you your first born to produce a quality product.

First Things First

Your band does need some money to get started. If your band doesn’t have any money saved at this point, start saving. The best way to do this is to put aside at least half, if not more, of your earnings each week.

You may come upon the possibility that someone in your band has the money to pay for the CD costs, or a member of someone’s family is happy to loan you the money. If your band chooses to go this route, you’ll skip the step of having to save money.

A word of warning: money issues can break apart the best of bands. Do not borrow money without thinking it over, drawing up a contract for repayment, and creating a clear plan about how the money will be repaid.

Recording Studio

As you are saving or securing money for your CD project, you need to call local recording studios for price quotes. Each place should let you know how much they charge per hour. Sit down with a phone and a phonebook until you have a wide range of studios and rates from which to choose. Recording studios may be willing to work within your budget, as long as it’s within reason.

CD Pressing

With a minimum order, your band can get a great deal on CD pressing. Just as you did with the recording studios, you want to call around for rates. In most cases, the more your band orders, the less each unit will cost you. You’ll save money per CD if you order a thousand as apposed to a hundred.