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GMC Forum _ Bands and Guitarists _ Soon To Be Self Releasing An Album!

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 22 2010, 02:51 AM

For the past 2 years or so, I have been non stop recording pretty much. I have about 30 songs finished, and about 15 that I am truly done with in terms of experimenting with the song structure itself. So now since I have acquired a new PC and some new and awesome software with my tax refund, I'm going to be spending the next few weeks getting about nine of those fifteen songs ready for a release. The quality will be much better than the average unsigned band release (at least better than whats being thrown around here where I am), So I am putting everything I can into this.

I would like to know if anyone knows of any artists that work with people via online for album artwork? I have some sketches I have done myself but would like to hire a real artist to do this professionally. Also any other things like hosting sites for this kind of thing, or any other stuff related to this that could help, I would like to know about. Anything that can help make this better pretty much.

If you are interested or are just curious, check the left side of the page http://myspace.com/lascaillesshroud for a track listing and some other info. The final release will have over 70 minutes of music, so look for it soon!

EDIT:

I have also re-uploaded all my songs with much better sounds and mixes, so check em out!

Posted by: JVM Feb 22 2010, 03:04 AM

I don't have any info for you, but good luck. The improved audio sounds much better I think

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 22 2010, 03:09 AM

Thanks

I think for the budget I have (Under $650) The quality is quite good, and is still yet to be fully improved

Posted by: JVM Feb 22 2010, 07:20 AM

My shadow, cast upon the sun is pretty badass By the way, what does the band name mean? Also I must say I hear some kirk hammett in your soloing, not only him but definitely.

Posted by: Staffy Feb 22 2010, 08:22 AM

Way cool buddy! I noticed Your creativity during my time here, and it didn't surpise me that You did that many songs in 2 Years!
Yeah, the sound is improved now, and I guess it will be even better. But I suggest leaving the mastering job to some other guy's unless You haven't got some bad-ass equipment. It can really improve the whole sound and make's it sound sooo much better.

What kind of artwork are You looking for? Digital, oil-painting or what? I have some friends doin stuff both way's that may be interested.

I wish the best luck for You!!!

//Staffay

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 22 2010, 03:41 PM

Probably digital would fit what I have in mind best. And as for the mastering, Im already having it done by someone else with there own studio, I just need to save up for the costs.

@JVM, Strange about the Kirk Hammet thing, I love Metallica but dont particularly get much inspiration from Kirk in the solo areas. Ive always been told it sounded more like Maiden, Or Iced Earth which made some sense to me, seeing as Ive listened to both every day pretty much for 10 years

Personally I dont know what my music sounds like when compared to other bands, I see some similarities but mostly I just find myself unable to make any comparisons like "Man, that sounds just like a dream theater riff" or anything like that.

The name "Lascaille's Shroud", Comes from a book called "Revelation Space" by Alastair Reynolds. In it, roughly 500 years in the future, There is an alien species (dubbed Shrouders) that live in "Shrouds", Areas of space so tightly warped that it is simply impossible to go in, Unless they let you (Which of course, they never do). One man, by the name of Phillip Lascaille, gets access by having his brain re-worked by another alien lifeform called pattern jugglers to resemble the shrouders. But when he returns he has gone insane, and later commits suicide after going into the deepest ends of madness (although what really happens to him is MUCH more detailed and interesting).

This area of space was dubbed "Lascaille's Shroud".

Alastair Reynolds is my favorite author BTW, I have read every book like a devout christian reading the bible

Posted by: Fran Feb 22 2010, 04:37 PM

That's cool Brett, I'm sure it will be awesome. I liked your solo compilation vid!

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 22 2010, 05:10 PM

Best of luck Brett - sure it will be great once it'd done

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 22 2010, 03:41 PM)

...And as for the mastering, Im already having it done by someone else with there own studio, I just need to save up for the costs.

...

Great - Staffy is correct about gear and I'd also add that mastering is also usually best when it's done objectively. Very often the musicians and the recording engineer are too involved at an early stage to be neutral enough for mastering

. If you need any help etc on mastering just shout (this project or more generally)

Posted by: Staffy Feb 22 2010, 05:52 PM

QUOTE (tonymiro @ Feb 22 2010, 05:10 PM)

I will go as far as say that generally the musicians are too involved in the producing stages, even in the early one's...

It's pretty tough trying to produce Your own music, since the ears gets blinded after listening to a song some 2-300 times. The best way to do it by Yourself, would be to make the song - let it rest for some weeks/months, go back and adjust and repeat it a couple of times. Its very hard to be objective to Your own playing, and things like You consider a mistake may sound good in other peoples ears.

//Staffay

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 22 2010, 06:03 PM

Absolutely Staffay - though you do get some who are objective. Best are those who give you the mastering brief, accept that you're the specialist and let you get on with it. But I would say that .

I come across enough producers who are too close to the mix as well. My wife is one example - a real pain to master for as she doesn't like objective criticism (takes it very personally) and she changes her mind continually but with little regard for the consequences . Fortunately we now have non-destructive editing and full EDLs .

Posted by: Ruzz Feb 22 2010, 06:10 PM

I have some friends who have used this guys to make cover art for their albums:
http://tonysandoval.deviantart.com/

Perhaps you could try contacting him if you think his work suits your album

Posted by: JVM Feb 22 2010, 06:29 PM

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 22 2010, 09:41 AM)

Personally I dont know what my music sounds like when compared to other bands, I see some similarities but mostly I just find myself unable to make any comparisons like "Man, that sounds just like a dream theater riff" or anything like that.

The name "Lascaille's Shroud", Comes from a book called "Revelation Space" by Alastair Reynolds. In it, roughly 500 years in the future, There is an alien species (dubbed Shrouders) that live in "Shrouds", Areas of space so tightly warped that it is simply impossible to go in, Unless they let you (Which of course, they never do). One man, by the name of Phillip Lascaille, gets access by having his brain re-worked by another alien lifeform called pattern jugglers to resemble the shrouders. But when he returns he has gone insane, and later commits suicide after going into the deepest ends of madness (although what really happens to him is MUCH more detailed and interesting).

This area of space was dubbed "Lascaille's Shroud".

Alastair Reynolds is my favorite author BTW, I have read every book like a devout christian reading the bible

It's probably true that you listen and take influence from some players I've barely heard of, so Kirk may just be the most mainstream influence or something

It would be earlier kirk, not the later stuff generally. Or maybe it's just me

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 22 2010, 09:57 PM

I dont mind the comparison at all, the solo at the end of Fade To Black is still one of the most incredible solos in metal I think

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Feb 23 2010, 02:23 AM

Congrats on getting the album done! Songs on myspace sound very good and production is pretty good!
How are you going to distribute the album ?? Digital downloads (iTunes etc?) ?

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 23 2010, 05:43 PM

I'm going to be doing digital downloading of it, Easiest way since its going to be a free thing.

Thanks for the compliments guys!

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 26 2010, 05:42 PM

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 23 2010, 05:43 PM)

I'm going to be doing digital downloading of it, Easiest way since its going to be a free thing.

Thanks for the compliments guys!

Even as freebie you should talk to your ME about including the ISRC Brett if you haven't already done so. Without it you will struggle to get your performance rights money and some radio stations will refuse to broadcast it.

You might also want to look in to gracenote/CDDB and other meta data so that your music gets ID'ed ok

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 27 2010, 07:59 AM

Don't ISRC's cost money though? I always thought there was a fee for each code you used.

Posted by: MickeM Feb 27 2010, 11:51 AM

Good luck with it! Wit all your good text material I'm sure it's going to be fantastic

check out http://www.cdbaby.com they sell records, distribute to iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. Cost money though.

www.snowfish.com
www.ubeeto.com

are a couple of services that pay artists through their income from commercials.

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 27 2010, 07:59 AM)

Don't ISRC's cost money though? I always thought there was a fee for each code you used.

Yes it cost money but I think it's a must if you want to sell your music.

Posted by: zen Feb 27 2010, 12:07 PM

Very happy for you man !! Sorry, cant help you with album art etc but goodluck with it and the mastering etc. I'll be happy to spread the word around when the album is out.

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 23 2010, 07:57 AM)

I dont mind the comparison at all, the solo at the end of Fade To Black is still one of the most incredible solos in metal I think

Indeed.
A lil birdy told me that this is coming to gmc very soon

Posted by: tonymiro Feb 28 2010, 02:20 PM

QUOTE (The Uncreator @ Feb 27 2010, 07:59 AM)

Don't ISRC's cost money though? I always thought there was a fee for each code you used.

Afraid so Brett - they used to be free but last year they put a 60USD charge ( least I think it's 60USD) on it. I think it's mainly a one off charge to get you registered as a record label with the IFPI and assign the ISR code for the label.

If you don't get an ISRC you'll have problems getting PRC from any radio station that plays your recording (and some will just not play it). Also I-Tunes etc will not stock it without an ISRC. These may or may not be an issue for you as you're distributing it for free but the other thing to think about is your IPR etc - ISRC doesn't fully establish and protect your IPR but it can help.

If it helps more on the ISRC http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_resources/isrc_faq.html

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Feb 28 2010, 04:51 PM

It's great that you decided to publish your music to the world. You will need a cover and CD, that's true, but only in limited quantities. Try some design forums to see if people are interested in doing your cover graphics, and for what money.
Also, try to push your music via commercial services, like iTunes, that's how you can actually earn something out of it.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Mar 5 2010, 04:16 PM

here's a link to a friend page, he's a cover album artist, quite good:

http://www.myspace.com/diegore_extremeart