EP, LP, and in between

[aaronaustin]

That's exactly the problem I'm dealing with. I could release one EP, but financially, two may be an issue. That's why I've considered the A side B side concept. Maybe you could purchase the download in EP format, and buy the LP. That may be too confusing though. You're probably right, nobody will notice the side A and side B, but I will feel more fulfilled artistically. I'm trying to come up with some creative packaging ideas that may lower the cost of the EP. I'd like to package it in a small booklet and while it looks like I could break even with the price of a regular jewel case and pressing, it doesn't look any cheaper.

[RefD]

there have been a few albums i've really liked that were structured as A/B within the same CD...or each side of the vinyl was considered a whole separate album.

so it's probly a worthwhile approach.

[RefD]

I'm trying to come up with some creative packaging ideas that may lower the cost of the EP. I'd like to package it in a small booklet and while it looks like I could break even with the price of a regular jewel case and pressing, it doesn't look any cheaper.

DigiPak has been a good one, in my experience.

[rwc]

WAre the songs any good? I mean, they are your songs, you can't be objective. Are they any good?

Young DIY'ers run screaming from real feedback. That's why things like myspace exist- so that one can choose the feedback they desire.

From a general song-writing standpoint, www.ourstage.com or www.garageband.com can at least give you some feedback on whether you're any good at your craft.

As for your last statement. Yikes and ouch. Are you serious?

Ah, the impatience of youth and the search for quick gratification. The Garageband method teaches you that it's not all about you, and you also develop skills as a critical listener determining why a song does not work or not. Totally worth it as opposed to being mired in a completely self-centered domain.

Maybe this artist needs to ask what the main intent of the recording is- and yes, that means, will it be a legitimate release with a barcode?

quit being a douchebag.

I think from now on, anytime someone starts a thread asking about a specific technique or idea, someone needs to challenge the quality of the songwriting somewhere in the first 3 posts.

Q: I'm trying to get my heavy guitars to sit better in my doom rock mixes. Any tricks I should know from folks who record/mix doom rock?

A: Are your songs any good? You can't possibly be objective, but are they?

Q: Does anyone have opinions on whether to use an RE20 or an SM7 on a male baritone voice? I'm doing Wilco-esque songs with a Tom Petty-ish vocal, though not as reedy.

A: Do your songs suck? I bet your songs suck.

Q: Would a LDC be better or worse than a SDC for recording mandolin overdubs?

A: Are your songs any good? I'm betting they aren't, since you don't have a barcode.

I think this is the way TOMB should operate from here on out.

LOLZ @ deja vu

[MoreSpaceEcho]

yeah it does get kinda "groundhogs day" around here sometimes doesn't it?

[tdbajus]

EPs are harder to recoup your pressing costs, since you'd have to be a real ass to sell an EP for $10... but god i love the format of an EP. they're also easier to sell, since they are a lower price and a less intimidating amount of material for the potential fan to become familiar with. of course, if you have a "guaranteed" market for the number of CDs necessary to recover your manufacturing costs, than go for it.

i've seen a few CDs here and there organized into a Side A and Side B... it's a neat idea, especially if you get the sequencing right, but i'm pretty sure that the only people who would notice are talking to you on this board right now. the rest will just cherry pick THEIR favorite songs when they download it off iTunes.

That's exactly the problem I'm dealing with. I could release one EP, but financially, two may be an issue. That's why I've considered the A side B side concept. Maybe you could purchase the download in EP format, and buy the LP. That may be too confusing though. You're probably right, nobody will notice the side A and side B, but I will feel more fulfilled artistically. I'm trying to come up with some creative packaging ideas that may lower the cost of the EP. I'd like to package it in a small booklet and while it looks like I could break even with the price of a regular jewel case and pressing, it doesn't look any cheaper.

Well, that was what I was trying to get to with my long, unfocused ramble- you can put each EP as it is finished up on Amazon/iTunes to be downloaded at a significantly cheaper price than a full-length, and then when you have a few done, you can press up 2 or 3 on the same CD.

[megajoe]

Well, that was what I was trying to get to with my long, unfocused ramble- you can put each EP as it is finished up on Amazon/iTunes to be downloaded at a significantly cheaper price than a full-length, and then when you have a few done, you can press up 2 or 3 on the same CD.

I like that approach a lot.

I was just gonna say that length doesn't really matter for an LP or EP that's going to be released on a CD. Daughters' Canada Songs is an 11-minute LP and The Mars Volta's Live EP is over 42 minutes long. As others have mentioned, since a CD doesn't have the physical limitations of vinyl, the terms EP and LP don't really mean anything for a CD. It's more like the short story vs. novel analogy that was brought up.

Another thing that you can do with extra material is make demos on business card CDs. They look cool and you can put up to five minutes on it (two short songs in my case). They fit easily in pockets, wallets and the smallest of envelopes. You can carry a bunch on you and hand them out, throw them off the stage at a show, etc. In many cases 5 minutes is plenty of time for a person to decide whether they like a band or not.

[aaronaustin]

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought about that. I had thought about finding some cheap flash drives and putting mp3s on there and a nice label.

[tdbajus]

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought about that. I had thought about finding some cheap flash drives and putting mp3s on there and a nice label.

The White Stripes did a special edition something or other where they sold (possibly their last album?) on USB memory sticks that where shaped like Russian nesting doll versions of Jack and Meg. It was pretty adorable, but as I remember, pretty pricey- something like $50 a pop.

[RefD]

That's a good idea. I hadn't thought about that. I had thought about finding some cheap flash drives and putting mp3s on there and a nice label.

The White Stripes did a special edition something or other where they sold (possibly their last album?) on USB memory sticks that where shaped like Russian nesting doll versions of Jack and Meg. It was pretty adorable, but as I remember, pretty pricey- something like $50 a pop.

my cousin went to go see the Asia reunion tour when it cam thru Dallas and, after the show, the board mix was sold on 1GB thumb drives for $7/each including the thumb drive.

i guess they got a volume discount on the drives?

[tdbajus]

[quote="RefD"

my cousin went to go see the Asia reunion tour when it cam thru Dallas and, after the show, the board mix was sold on 1GB thumb drives for $7/each including the thumb drive.

i guess they got a volume discount on the drives?[/quote]


Well, the jump drive the WS sold were custom molded like those dolls, so I'm guessing that was petty pricey.

Then again, it could have been just the heat of the moment...

>?gag!<

[JGriffin]

About a year ago my bandmate and I looked into getting custom-imprinted thumbdrives with our album pre-loaded on them, to release it that way instead of on CD. The cost was still up there around $7 per unit, as opposed to the dollar or so you can do CDs for. (that was for quantities far lower than Asia and the White Stripes ordered,certainly) I assume it's come down since; I am once again in a position to inquire so I'll be getting a fresh quote in the next couple of weeks.

[coldfingaz]

Do whatever you want unless you are looking to save and/or make money. Maybe consider how many projects you want to work on, if you know.

If I had 30 strong tunes, I'd probably start with a 4- 6 song EP to see how it goes. Then maybe a couple of LP's. On the other hand, if I felt there were two distinctive sets of songs, I'd probably just go with 2 long LP's.... my songs are short & pretty bad so tossing in some extras could help really upset detractors.

8 songs is fine if you price it accordingly, but I would likely go a more traditional route.

[ZacharieDaquiriDoc]

Creativity isn't something reserved just for elite to buy. Well maybe they draw sticks first, beside the point.
Excuse my language, but this really pisses me off. We don't even know what the material sounds like and everyones like, poking your idea with a wand that says 'create within your means'.?. Not necessarily bad advice. Just not a very tactful way of suggesting for some..This is the kind of shite that makes me want to go to sleep right now. Someday you should feel sorry for yourselves.
I think AndySmash mentioned the basics, aaronaustin.
If you were to,
bot'om got'em smoke'em.Hehem
Lay 'm down and Cherry 7-up!
That's just my triple nickel.
People are making me so serious...lets calm down,breathe,yoga!