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[superbanger]

just a quick query... if i were to make a cd with only 8 songs on it, how much do you think someone would be wiling to pay for it??? and would anyone actually be interested in buying one? i'm thinking $10 just to cover the costs of recording and punching out like 500 of these things...

Comments

[jaideran_frost]

I may be the odd one out here, but I'd say make 2 CDs with 4 songs each for $5.

London's big up-and-coming music house ("Call the Office") was a stop for all kinds of big Canadian acts. (Moist, Our Lady Peace, the Hip, etc.) We saw Billy Talent there about a year before they broke out.

Everyone who played there had shirts, CDs, and whatever, but it was all for $5. I think it had something to do with people only paying $5 to see them live for an hour, so why would they pay $10 for a CD with 3 songs... That said, yours DO have 8.

I really don't know. Anyway, that seemed to be "industry standard" from what I saw. So yeah. Maybe make a CD with 3-4 songs for $5, and then if you have more songs, make a second CD?

It's more complicated, I know, but that's how I've seen it done before. What do the other guys at your shows do?

[adamjury]

I can think of another good reason for this: with 3-4 tracks on a CD, it's easier to release a CD with only *really* good tracks, and it's easier to build a CD with good transitions between 4 songs than 8. Of course, you don't get to show off your range as much ... if I bought a CD that had 4 tracks and the music style varied wildly between the 4, unless I already knew that was what I was getting, I probably wouldn't be that impressed.

Also, splitting things up into small batches allows you to theme them better. For example, you can do two CDs: "Songs where I mope about love problems that are all my fault; I'm going to go drown myself." and "Songs where I mope about love problems that are all her damned fault the crazy bitch I should kill her with scissors." which are much better titles than the 8 song album: "Songs where I mope about love."

[superbanger]

you know i like the idea of making the two four song cds, but i wonder how much it's going to cost to make a second insert and sleeve... unless i do some really simple cd cover insert and have it like an outlined image and say a red background and then a blue background for the second one?

hmm... adam... i do recall you being into graphic design..... interested? i may or may not pay you for it.... :D

[adamjury]

We can discuss the project, but:

a) CD covers are not something I normally do, so I can't claim to be an expert on the nauances of designing a great sleeve.

b) I would need to be paid.

c) yes, doing two covers that are relatively similar would be cheaper than designing two entirely different ones.

I assume if you're doing 500 units you're getting them pressed/printed professionally; if you hire me, I can help you make sense of some of the printing terminology to make sure you don't overspend to get what you need.

[w_fictitious]

I tend to agree: not that you couldn't easily pull off 8-10 songs, but perhaps best to do less songs fantastically at first then release the rest later.

[superbanger]

so then your thoughts on this: two faster songs and then two slower ones on each cd or a fast cd and a slow cd like adam was saying?