The term "Passion" gets thrown around in creative fields left right and center as a primary motivator to "keep on keeping on". But as the panelists at " How to get started in the music industry" started building upon each other's tips and rants on recording and gigs, it became clear that it is not the only or even most important factor, probably just the most romantic.
Developing the passion, putting the band together and writing songs is just the beginning. Producing a good album goes beyond these preliminary steps, it requires an acumen for sound, self awareness and discipline.
Panelists emphasised on the importance of being physically and mentally prepared for recording. Noting that many young bands often turn up for recording unprepared or in bad form, the panel did a run through on what one should always do before going into the studio to record that all important track:
Guitarists
Practice the heck out of your part, WITH A METRONOME.
Tune your guitars beforehand, and change your strings, especially if they look like they belong with the rusty wreckage of the Titanic.
Vocalists
Avoid foods that will irritate and compromise your vocals. Or if you are like panelist Saiful Idris of the Great Spy Experiment, buck the trend and load up on the sambal for that raspy rockstar tone.
Practice your enunciation and projection.
Don't just sing well, sing with emotion and personality.
Drummers
Avoid overplaying.
In what moderator Willy Tan of Aging Youth likes to call the "HDB Drummer Syndrome", there is a tendency to let loose too much in the unconstrained space of a studio, resulting in a straight succession of rolls and fills with no discernable beat that may be required for the song in question. "Unless you are a hardcore band, playing in a hardcore gig, tone it down."
For bands or musicians who are strapped for cash but still want the best sound possible, Roland Lim of Sync Recording Studios recommends recording a single with a higher end producer, and then going to less established studios to record full length albums, with that single as a point of reference. Not only is this more cost effective, it encourages new producers to meet up with the standards of the experts in the field. Everybody wins.
Lastly, it is important to review the mix using different speakers, added Syaheed of Bedsty group, to ensure that the sound is consistent regardless of where it's played.
"You are your business, you do not have to be under a major label to succeed anymore." He continued.
Indeed, given the availability of online platforms and independent events to play at, there is no lack of chances for exposure, and opportunities to reach out and build a fanbase. But at the end of the day, it is the music the artiste produces and stands by that defines the substance of the scene. Whether it is developing a set of work ethics and expectations to performances and recordings, understanding your marketability or knowing how to forge good working relationships with sound guys ( always be nice to the sound guy) and industry players, how you present your music to the world is quite an artform in itself.
Passion is just the beginning. But there is much fortitude required to stay in the game.
Are you ready to get started with the music industry?
Read the first part on the forum here.
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