So you´ve recorded your album. You have the finished songs as WAV files. Now you have a decision to make. Which of these is nearest to your plans? -

a) I just want to release my album as a CD to sell at gigs or give as a Christmas present to friends and family.  I´m not bothered about World domination and superstardom.  In which case....read on!

b) I want my music heard all over the world. I also want people to be able to download my songs (and pay me when they so).  In which case you need to know about making a Digital Release. Learn how here

c) I want a CD to sell to my adoring fans at my gigs (or at the Merch stand when I eventually play stadiums) but I also want them to be able to listen to me on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services as well as purchase my songs as downloads. Read below and then click on the link to "Digital Downloads" at the end.

 

Let´s look at the CD route first. If you play gigs it is always nice to have something available that people can take away as a souvenir. I certainly sold more CDs at gigs than in any other way.  

 

For a good explanation of the advantages of having your music available on CD see here

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As usual, we have a wealth of experience in TisT members to draw on.

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Paul Fincken again
"I had 50 CDs copied with simple card sleeves, and did my own ‘artwork’. That cost £133."
So that would be 50 CDs for a total cost of £333 (including  studio costs) - which comes out at  £6·66 a CD. Sell them at gigs for £10  a time and you´ve even made a profit (although Paul donated the proceeds to a local charity)"

Suzanne Pursey says:-
"I made 50 CDs it cost 100£ inc cardboard sleeve. I´ve also paid a company called CD Unity £170 to press 100 CDs Inc a cardboard sleeve which I will send the designs over to use.
So that´s probably a good indication of the price you can expect to pay for actually holding a physical CD in your hand  once you have your recording."

 

CD Unity are fairly unique in that they are happy to do quantities as small as 25 CDs. Ideal if you just want copies for family and friends or want to test the water to see if there is a demand at gigs. Here´s the link

 https://www.cdunity.com/ 

Chris Martin says:-
"These days, I only have small runs of CDs done, as no one really wants them.  £60 for 25 Digipak CDs.  I’ve used the same guy for years and he always does a top job.  

 

Artwork: I do all my own artwork (as I love doing it) and produce the PDF templates for the outside, inside and disk artwork.  I have done/helped various friends with their CD artwork, as for some it’s not a skill they have."

Here´s the link to the firm Chris uses:-  http://www.theduplicationservice.com/

 

Chris Manners says:-

"Sleeve design including 16pp lyric book, slightly cheaper than another studio day.

300 shrink-wrapped CDs, including bar codes, ISRC (streaming) codes, on-line registration, uploading to major streaming sites and assorted admin (customs charges etc) plus VAT: almost exactly the same total cost as the studio."

Chris speaks highly of Birnam CD   Click on the link to find out more.

Perhaps the biggest take away is that it is possible to have small runs done.  (see CDUnity)  There are too many tales of people being left with 800 unsold CDs in a garage somewhere. You can always have more made if you sell out of your first run. I remember talking to a girl who was a professional singer and had appeared in several West End shows. She had 1500 CDs made. After a year she had sold.......200. I think her garage is full!

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To find out about digital releases click here

 

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