7"
- Started
- Last post
- 31 Responses
- r3mote
I'm about to set up my own record label. I have quite a bit of info already, but does anyone here have experience in doing this, and could anyone recommend any more good research material?
FYI it's going to be 7"s only, with initial releases as a ltd edition of 500. Oh, and it's run on a break even basis, with the main aim being to help break some unsigned bands.
Oh, and feel free to send me demos, I aim to be putting out anything that has SOUL...
- EMGEE330
Man, I'm pretty sure that you can get cds about as cheaply as records these days.
Who wants to by a 7" record?
That's right, emo kids who only listen to bands who only put out 7".
In all seriousness, cds have got to be as cheap to purchase, and much more viable to get music out there. Seriously, I don't know ANYONE who has a record player unless they are a hardcore audiophile, and those kinds of people are not buying 7" records of bands they've never heard.
- Tara0
what kind of music?
- EMGEE330
SOUL apparently.
- iSolve0
eerrrr.... umm....
what's a record?
- Tara0
right, see that now
hmm could be good
- GreedoLives0
at least make some CD samplers once you got a few 7"s out there so the turntable-less folks can give you some money.
- Gorbie0
i'm gonna disagree mg33 (without proper knowledge)
The material alone that 7" are produced with have to be 1/2 the cost of a CD w/ jewel case. They're so thin and cheap, and the sleeves are just a sheet of cheap paper.
Unless we're talking a double gate-fold packaged, 180g, colored vinyl 7".
- EMGEE330
gorbie,
then a suitable workaround would be to custom make packaging for cds.
Depending on whether or not he wanted to create the discs from his computer, he could bulk order cd-rs with graphics pre-printed (although I can't remember a url for such a company) and burn them himself.
I know there are also companies that will create the cd's and artwork without jewel cases.Solving the problem above is a whole process in itself...
But I just don't see the point to a 7" record. It's 2004, I think bands who put out 7" records do it because it seems like a part of their A-Z process of getting heard. It's kind of out of date.
I wouldn't think for a second about doing that with my band. When you want people to hear your music, or the music on a label you run, you want them to be able to play it-soon, often, and let other people hear it.
I guess it boils down to how you're trying to succeed, and obviously he said he expects to break even, so, no profit.
Personally, I feel like the goal of a record label should be to get music in the hands of all the people who are interested in it in the most viable format possible.
These days, that means CD's.
- Tara0
good point EMGEE33
- Gorbie0
hmmm...
He's running the label himself - so I'm sure his method of production and distribution make sense to him. I think you're talking in terms of a band trying to get signed to a label themselves.
Maybe it's a question of sound, and image, though. There are intangibles - such as the methodic, clinical production and sound of a cd versus the warm vibrations of a record.
I do listen to both, though.
- Tara0
i associate 7" with music that is hard to find or rare.
these days tho it seems like most 7"'s end up in the discount bin
i could be wrong i don't want to rain on your parade, just something to think about. you can def. reach more people with cd's but if that is beyond your cost then i guess you can build up to that. are 7's your first choice?
- DaveId0
wait a second....
yes it's 2004. i got rid of all of my cds in 2002.
case study:
first i steal a bunch of music, then if i like it i go buy the vinyl.i'm involved in a tiny label. we make cds and 12"s mostly. i don't usually buy 7"s. but many do.
my only advise is if you want to make 7"s, please do. it will make the world a better place.
- cinder0
I'm a little tired of the "it's cool because it's on vinyl" attitude that seems to plague all these über-collector ultra-rare record nerds.
Vinyl means one thing: Vastly fewer people will be able to hear your music.
- DaveId0
my mom calls me a food-snob
the coders at work call me a mac-snob
the staff photographer (digital of course) makes fun of my leica
now i'm an "über-collector ultra-rare record nerd".
i just like things that are made by people that love what they do (rather than to "move units")
seems like most debates about format come down to that.
- rasko40
Northern Soul DJ's do just fine with 7"s... dont know if mainstream consumers would be too impressed tho.
- r3mote0
Thanks for the interesting comments...
I'm setting up a 7" record label, because I like the format.
Releasing CDs is likely as well, but at the bands discretion. My preference would be to keep it vinyl.In the UK, especially London, 7" are still reliatively popular, especially in independent record shops.
The type of music I will be releasing is not necessarily SOUL but if you read the orignal post 'I will be putting out anything that has SOUL...' - Punk can have soul, electronic music can have soul, hip hop can have soul, u get the idea...
oh, and it is cool because it's on vinyl...
- Gorbie0
when the consumer starts to think like the marketeer - we all lose the point.
- r3mote0
Oh, and respect to you DaveId, you are completely on my wavelength.
I am not Richard Branson, nor do I want to be. It's just 500 record releases, no repress...
- apt13isdead0
i've released numerous 7"s (as well as CDs) all through the mid 90's. not sure about prices now. but then it was about half the price to produce CDs than vinyl. so expect to pay a little bit more, but nothing too heavy. your main problem is going to be finding somewhere that will only do 500. usually mimimums are 1000. and different plants vary in vinyl thicknesses and sound quality. make sure you study up on how long the songs are and how long you can make them without losing quality. the more they squeeze in there, the more its gonna sound like shit. also, have someone else do the mastering, never let the plant master the stuff themselves. more often than not they will do a half ass job. sorry i can't remember exactly the logistics of it all, the only plant i remember using alot back in the day was UNITED. they were the place where most of the punk records of that era were done. they were mediocre in quality, but had nice thickass vinyl. i always dig 7"s. they are the perfect size and defintely cool to get and have and collect. i have too many as it is...time for ebay! if you are interested in more info about records, i could dig some shit up for you. like i said, it's been some years.
- aurablue0
I have ran a label and worked with indie music for 10 years now and believe me you will not sell those records if the bands have no buzz. 7" inches are out across the board and only work for die hard emo and punk kids and even then they will not by a no name record. Yes- and 500 7' will cost you more than a 1,000 CD's. 7's are like a photocopied zine now a days, it's hard enough to sell a CD of a no name band on a start up label let alone a record. If let's say a popular emo band like Thursday comes out with a new release- the distro company I design for will sell close to 3,000 of their CD's and about 100 of the vinyl releases. The only people buying vinyl at all are DJ's and audiophiles who think they are on to something cool (yeah maybe 15 years ago). Even DJ's and their "indie" releases are a dime a dozen now-a-days. everyone is making music- and with music being so free everywhere (you can thank your own stolen music collection) kids do not buy unless the buzz is loud enough ....
good luck- but if you sell only 7's you will be out of business in less than a year.