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Recording Artist with questions about vinyl

1. DMM - I have heard many records that are better than some DMM. As with everything it has to do with your production/sound engineering team. I don't think DMM merits the extra production cost.

2. 45 RPM - It is nice to get a 45 RPM album, even if split in two. I don't mind the split, as when I hear records is to enjoy the music, the sound quality. For other purposes there is CD and MP3/AAC. It does make for a more expensive album, which is not a good thing. Remember, when you split you use double the raw material (vinyl), therefore it is more expensive to produce; either you cut your profit and absorb the extra cost, or you pass it on to the buyer (as almost everyone does), so more difficult to make it available to a wider audience.

About 6 months ago I had the opportunity to get Miles Davis Sketches of Spain 45RPM/180 Gram/Box Set new for $49.99 from an online retailer, I wasn't ready to spend that much at that time, now you are lucky if you can find it for less than $175.00.

C. 180 Gram - I buy most of my vinyl in 33RPM/180 Gram, find it to be much more quiet, better tracking, and brings out the best from your TT/cartridge. Again, I buy my vinyl to enjoy the SQ. I have been lucky as all the 180's I have are great, especially the MoFi and Prestige pressings. I usually pay between $16.00 - $25.00 for them. On the other hand, I have some regular vinyl that are as good as 180 Gr. Again, sound engineering comes into play.

IMO, if you can assemble a very good sound engineering team and use a recognized recording studio I don't see why a regular vinyl shouldn't be great. Most labels offer a 180 Gr. release in standard weight vinyl also. The 180 will sell for around $20.00, while the standard will sell at around $12.00; if it is a good record, at around $15.00.

You could make 75% std/25% 180, and if it is a really good recording the 180 could be a collector's edition.
 
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Hi Ben,

To put my cents worth in, as a 32 year old vinyl junkie, who has several hundred LPs from more recent artists, and am also a fan of your music.

as far as DMM and 180g go, not very important on my list of what I look for.

I look for good quality pressings, that are backed up by great mastering.
those are the two most important factors in my book. 180g is a bonus as they feel better.

when pearl jam re-released "ten" in the collectible set two years ago, it took me 3 copies to find one that didn't have pressing flaws...was not happy about that.


as for your album being 45 minutes, you could press it at 33, and put it on 3 sides at 15 minutes each.
the 4th side you could do something fancy, like explosions in the sky did with "all of a sudden i miss everyone" where they acid etched the album art on the 4th side. looks cool. plus 2 discs gives you the option of a gatefold which you can cram more awesome artwork in.

I don't particularly mind flipping the discs when listening, but having everything on one disk is much better for the flow.

Other interesting options include a special edition on 180g vinyl, with a USB stick with the MP3, FLAC, and WAV files on it, with a few vids tossed in.
Portishead did that with their latest album's collectors edition.

As for the fans, I think it would sell on vinyl, just make sure your distribution chain includes indie stores, and the online vendors like insound.
looks like the pricing would need to stick around 15-20$ to compare to other current releases that target the 20-35 demographic.

I look forward to Buying this release.
 
Um, holy crap, welcome! Others have already offered up views similar or identical to my own, so I'm just gonna say hi. Looking forward to watching this come to fruition for you!
 
benfolds said:
Vinyl is the medium that won't die and nothing is more important to a musician than the longevity of their music. Music fans who are passionate enough to bother to buy a less convenient medium because it makes them feel good are to be listened to.
Ben
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So true. It's funny how many CDs I've lost over the years, or digitized music on my computer long gone. But you know... I still have my vinyl.

Ben.... Never heard of you before tonight... (my daughter has though). I'll be buying whatever you decide to record. But then again, all the music I buy now new these days is vinyl only. I don't see the point in buying anything else. OK... maybe used vinyl :)
 
Welcome to AK Ben.

The 45rpm format is a great one. A close friend of mine has been acquiring jazz classics as they appear in 45. He raves about them all. I must admit, I think I'll be buying one soon to try it out.

That said, using this format for your new album would be incredible for vinyl junkies. I think it would also serve as a great statement from your band. BUT...

The masses just don't care. Infact, it may even work against you. Even in regards to 180g, it's just not that important to alot of people.

My personal thought would be to cut the LP at a respectable weight, ensuring that the fidelity is there. But that's it, get the best bang for your buck so to speak, and pass that onto your fans at the registers. I'm listening to an original 120g LP of Zappa's Zoot Allures. It sounds amazing as would your album with the right processing.

What would be great, and probably proportionally sound, is if you could somehow do a limited run of 45 or 200g, etc. Your hardcore fans, and audiophiles would greatly appreciate it.

Good luck with whatever you do. Ben, I have a question for you. At the level you're at, what kind of things are you being told regarding vinyl? I'm curious about what the "industry" thinks at this juncture. Vinyl is experiencing a rennaissance, however brief, do you think the music industry are trying to push it along? I would think they'd be drooling at the thought of young kids wanting to buy physical software for $20+ again.
 
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lico said:
I'll be buying whatever you decide to record. But then again, all the music I buy now new these days is vinyl only. I don't see the point in buying anything else. OK... maybe used vinyl :)
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Googling around I found a retailer who still has (at a very reasonable price) vinyl copies of Ben's "Songs for Silverman" album. I didn't even know it had been issued on vinyl.

http://www.oldies.com/product-view/16349V.html
 
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derekva said:
Couldn't have said it any better myself.

-Derek
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Yeah, I'm playing it cool right now. One of the biggest influences in my musical tastes has an AK account.

Welcome to AK, Ben. It's cool to see a musician who is devoted into top notch sound quality in this day and taking charge in the war against loudness and compression. Looking forward to the new album and will purchase the vinyl copy on its release date.
 
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