The 7 Steps to Making a Great Music Album

Free Online Articles Directory

Why Submit Articles?
Top Authors
Top Articles
FAQ
ABAnswers

Publish Article

0 && $.browser.msie ) {
var ie_version = parseInt($.browser.version);
if(ie_version Login

Login via

Register
Hello
My Home
Sign Out

Email

Password


Remember me?
Lost Password?

Home Page > Arts & Entertainment > Music > The 7 Steps to Making a Great Music Album

The 7 Steps to Making a Great Music Album

Edit Article |

Posted: Feb 09, 2009 |Comments: 0
| Views: 2,007 |

]]>

You play in a Band or are a Music composer or dream of becoming one… Your next big step is going to be making a timeless album…

Despite how far or near this event looks to you these seven steps should be clear to you in your mind. Helps to have a clear picture of the future you are about to embark on…

STEP 1: Ideation

The initial spark can come anywhere. Typically one band member or the composer will come up with a starting point which is typically a guitar riff or a musical piece on the Keyboards or the Piano. It is best to have all band members participate in the ideation stage so that the band is truly greater than the sum of the parts. However typically in many bands there is one person who is the creative director of the entire show.

As an individual composer your initial spark can come from many sources including the songs and musical genres that you are currently listening. This is not the same as being “inspired” or illegally ripping off someone’s musical work. However keep listening to new genres of music to have an open mind and greater exposure.

STEP 2: Background Arrangement

Once you have an initial starting point you will need to arrange other pieces of music around the initial riff. Say for example you have a killer guitar riff (Say a progression of chords) you may want to start the song with it or use it as the verse or chorus or main melody.

The other pieced of music will act to support the rest of the song. For example if you use your initial riff in the chorus you may want to use a lighter version (say an arpeggio version) of the progression or some complementary riff for the verse. Other derived musical pieces could become the bridge or the intro to the song.

Once you have figured out the pieces of music you will have to arrange the entire background of the song from the start to the finish as you want it.

Arranging is mostly done on computers using a very powerful computers say for example a machine with a 4/8 Core Intel/Mac processor. Various software like Logic can be used for arrangements. However if you are recording demo versions at home this can be done on much less powerful machines… even of your laptop!

STEP 3: Recording

Now as a composer or a band you need to bring in other instruments and/or vocals and record them separately.

For example you feel your composition could use a sitar solo in between or a Carnatic vocalist for backing vocals. (This is the stage to let your imagination soar!) The possibilities are limitless.

Once the lead parts of the song are recorded we can move on to the next part.

STEP 4: Music Production:

At this stage you may still want to nail a particular feel and add more instruments and effects. You may add or edit certain effects to the various musical parts you have recorded so far. The amount of processing you can do for each of the tracks you have recorded is again endless.

A word of caution: There is a point of time whereby you will not achieve much by spending sleepless nights tweaking some process into the tracks. Just be aware when to move on to the next stage! There are bands and composers who spend forever trapped in production! Just see where you draw the line between perfectionism and paranoia.

STEP 5: Mixing

This is where you give everything you have produced so far to a mix engineer and give him a basic idea of what you want to achieve in terms of the sound. The Mix Engineer will thereafter mix the song and give it the correct treatment. A mix engineer’s tool is of course the multiple Channel Mixer. In a typical professional setting it could be a 24 channel mixer with the ability to process any number of tracks.

STEP 6: Mastering

Once you are through with each of the above 5 Steps for each song that you want on your album you are ready to move into the penultimate step which is Mastering the Album.

The tracks which are produced so far are sent to a Mastering Facility where the final EQ adjustment including equalising the loudness of all the tracks takes place. The tools for this purpose used are Mastering Boxes.

STEP 7: Replication

The Mastered Tracks that are so produced are then finally sent to (hopefully!) your label company for final replication and distribution into hopefully millions of CDs.

Of course now that you album is ready for distribution you will have to make a huge effort to promote the album. That would require a lot many steps and in case you are an independent artist without the backing of a Music Label these initial steps are going to be a very difficult. Yet there is no need to lose hope if you are a band or composer who has found his sound the audience is out there. Make the effort and reach out to your audience. Use the internet to promote your music.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/the-7-steps-to-making-a-great-music-album-762567.html”

(ArticlesBase SC #762567)

Watch your traffic increase just by submitting articles with us, click here to get started.
Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it’s free and easy!

Somit Bandyopadhyay -
About the Author:

Somit Bandyopadhyay is a Music Composer, Writer and hosts the Website 4guysformusic.com! The website offers a lot of resources for budding music lovers, musicians and composers including music tutorials, equipment reference, free classifieds, forums, music Genres and Artists.

Contact: 4guysformusic@gmail.com

]]>

Questions and Answers

Ask our experts your Music related questions here…

Ask

200 Characters left

How many steps are in the great wall of china?
Does lady gaga make her own music?
What are the steps in making a graph ?

Rate this Article

1
2
3
4
5

vote(s)
0 vote(s)

Feedback
RSS
Print
Email
Re-Publish

Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/the-7-steps-to-making-a-great-music-album-762567.html

Article Tags:
music production, mastering, producing an album, riff, music composer, musical arrangements, music studio, band

Related Videos

Related Articles

Latest Music Articles
More from Somit Bandyopadhyay

Dragon Age: Origins Thirty Seconds to Mars Music Video

Award-winning rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars will headline the in-game soundtrack for the new epic RPG, Dragon Age: Origins. The title song from the band’s new album “THIS IS WAR” debuts in this brand new trailer. (02:25)

How to Fund a Music Album

Learn about how to score funding for your next album: Solid advice and resources for funding your next musical CD album from CL of the Music Independence Summit Connection. (04:48)

Tune in: Novice Guide to iTunes – #1 – Getting Started with iTunes

With iTunes you can download single tracks or full albums from your favorite artists, you can buy and rent movies for playback on your computer or iPod / iPhone, you can grab video and audio “podcasts,” grab the latest episode of your favorite TV show, get games for your iPod or iPhone and much more. All for a nominal fee or, in some cases, free. (02:08)

Xygni’s Rock Band DLC Reviews 9/30 Pt. 3

Xygni and Dogmatic review the new downloadable Rock Band songs for the week of 9/30:

(Blood Sugar Sex Magik- Red Hot Chili Peppers full album)

Sir Psycho Sexy
They’re Red Hot
(04:19)

Xygni’s Rock Band DLC Reviews 9/30 Pt. 2

Xygni and Dogmatic review the new downloadable Rock Band songs for the week of 9/30:

(Blood Sugar Sex Magik- Red Hot Chili Peppers full album)

The Righteous and the Wicked
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Under the Bridge
Naked in the Rain
Apache Rose Peac (09:14)

Tom Morello

Early life Tom Morello was born on May 30, 1964, in Harlem, New York, to Ngethe Njoroge and Mary Morello. He is of Irish and Italian descent on his mother’s side

By:
ryyyl

Business>
Leadershipl
Aug 26, 2010
lViews: 192

An Interview With Koko Dozo: Bringing a Little Madness – and Lots of Teamwork – Into the Mix

On their debut ‘Illegal Space Aliens’, Koko Dozo – Polarity/1, Rubio and Amy Douglas – shows that individual and group expression can meld into one.

By:
Mark Kirbyl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Jul 24, 2008

Grammy-Nominated Conductor Christopher Lyndon-Gee Returns to Long Island to Lead Adelphi Symphony Orchestra in Grand Style

International conductor and Adelphi Associate Professor Christopher Lyndon-Gee will have a homecoming when he returns to the podium in the Concert Hall of the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 8, 2011, at 8:00 p.m.

By:
Kali Chanl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Pimp Your Ride With The Best Car Sound System

In getting the best car sterio systems, there are some key points that you must grasp first. This will help you pick the best choice that would exactly suit your vehicle and of course, your taste. The suggestions or tips, if you will, that you can read below will be very valuable in guiding you on your way to acquiring the car audio system of your dreams.

By:
Patricia Jonesl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Professional Event Organisation

Parties and Events today are not just a reason to celebrate a birthday, wedding or anniversary but are organised to celebrate corporate success, product presentations, promotional events, Children’s Shows, jubilee organizing, kids show etc.

By:
yogita1l

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Bismajeur Scripting Success of an Event

Excellent evenementenbureau service is imperative to ensure success of an event. An event is organized for a variety of purposes. For a nation, an event is the best platform to showcase its progress and prosperity whereas in the corporate world, an event is the podium to promote the new launches and build up business connections. Whatever be the objective, a superlative management of event is a must to fulfill the purpose.

By:
mical smithl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Set Your Event Apart with Proper Evenementen Organisatie

To get rid of the monotonous routine, people must try to keep on changing their surrounding from time to time. Artiestenburo makes it easier for people to arrange a party to celebrate a remarkable event of their life. For proper evenementen organisatie, however, assistance from professionals is a necessity.

By:
mical smithl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Give a Flip to Your Monotonous Life with Themafeesten

Entertainment is one of the most important elements that helps one get relaxed from the daily professional routine and tensions. With the help of artiestenbureau, one can easily arrange a heart throbbing party in his settlement. Theemafeesten, however, are the centre of attraction as far as entertaining people is concerned.

By:
mical smithl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Discover Beat Maker Software

If you materialize being fascinated with creating beats required for rap, techno, hip hop or virtually any other style of music, next you are likely to will have to acquired a beat maker computer software that may assist you out!

By:
Serkanl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Seher presents “delhi jazz festival”

In a first-of-its-kind music festival, some of the world’s greatest jazz performers will congregate in Delhi in April for a three-day musical extravaganza. Presented by SEHER in collaboration with ICCR, the three day “Delhi Jazz Festival”, featuring nine jazz bands from across the globe.

By:
Neha Chandral

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Apr 06, 2011

Key Aspects of Playing in a Live Band

Issues faced in playing live and practising in a Band

By:
Somit Bandyopadhyayl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Feb 09, 2009
lViews: 1,275

The Highs and Lows of Playing in a Band

Life and its up and down playing in a music band!

By:
Somit Bandyopadhyayl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Feb 09, 2009

Six Things You Should Know Before You Buy Guitar Equipment

Things to look for when buying Guitar instrument for the first time.

By:
Somit Bandyopadhyayl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Feb 09, 2009
lViews: 366

Introduction to Basic Guitar Effects

This is a introduction to Guitar effects for someone who is new to Guitar effects.

By:
Somit Bandyopadhyayl

Arts & Entertainment>
Musicl
Feb 09, 2009
lViews: 894

Add new Comment

Your Name: *

Your Email:

Comment Body: *

Verification code:*

* Required fields

Author Navigation

My Home
Publish Article
View/Edit Articles
View/Edit Q&A
Edit your Account
Manage Authors
Statistics Page
Personal RSS Builder
My Home
Edit your Account
Update Profile
View/Edit Q&A
Publish Article
Author Box

Somit Bandyopadhyay has 5 articles online

Contact Author

Subscribe to RSS

Print article

Send to friend

Re-Publish article

Articles Categories
All Categories

Advertising
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Beauty
Business
Careers
Computers
Education
Finance
Food and Beverage
Health
Hobbies
Home and Family
Home Improvement
Internet
Law
Marketing
News and Society
Relationships
Self Improvement
Shopping
Spirituality
Sports and Fitness
Technology
Travel
Writing

Arts & Entertainment

Antiques
Art
Dance
Humor
Literature
Movies
Music
Online Gambling
Television
Theater
Visual Art

]]>

Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog

Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map
Mobile Version

Webmasters
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us

Business Info
Advertising

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2011 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.