Stupot

I certainly agree that if you set yourself up in a the public eye by posting music and asking for a critique then there should, of course, be discussion and negative comments if something is bad. It helps you improve. I dislike threads descending into a personal tirade of abuse. It's counter productive. Stripey's only real problem is his broad brush approach to north east people and music. There are some amazing young acts (and not so young acts!!) out there and a huge diversity of musical tastes and genres. I find it difficult to believe he can't find anything he likes. In the last few weeks alone, I've had several outstanding acts through my place. Bands like, Ded Rabbit, A Silent Fire, Bin Laden's Daughter and Mind Gone Blind to name but a few. Some of the stuff I've heard on north east bands myspace sites has been superb. It's out there if you can be arsed looking for it.

I have to agree with some of this. Other music related sites i visit, HUBL and Nessmp3 spring to mind, seem to be blessedly free of rancour. If people don't like something they either say nothing or state," No, not my thing really." and leave it at that, without descending into personal abuse. Other sites, like undergroundscene for example are sometimes just zoos.

I do, in Moray. PM if you want details.

Not bigging up the mill in particular or saying oceanrock is a poor studio, just using these two as examples of different studios. I've heard good stuff coming out of both. Sounds like you should visit me!!

I think the main problem was, this guy didn't have a reputation as his studio was brand new. So all the bitching and slagging meant he never got a chance to build one. I think you're right in saying that an established studio with a good rep and extensive back catalogue and client base has nothing to fear from forum bitchiness. I like the stock answer to the hypothetical question. That may be valid if both studios were unknown to you. But I'm sure you know that the mill has an amex desk, both radar and soundscape, and runs to a bosedorfer grand piano. I know where I would spend my free session.

If you know anything about the recording studio world, you'll know that reputation is everything. Studios often build up their client bases through referals from bands that have recorded there. If a forum is ripping a studio's rep to shreds it will affect business, especially new business. Suppose I offered you a day's free recording and gave you the choice of two studios. Let's say Oceanrock or The Mill. Where would you go?

No, he was from england somewhere. The tragic thing was, his studio was pretty well equipped with a pro tools rig or soundscape can't remember which. You don't need to go to abbey road or AIR to have a good recording made-I'd be pretty fucked if you did!! I just felt sorry. I think it was the unrestrained glee and joy that these guys (none of whom had an abbey road studio themselves) set out to destroy him that bugged me. But I take your point that he played a role in his own downfall.

That's the fella! A tragic tale. To be fair the guy did claim to be the equivalent of Abbey Road and AIR which was plainly not going to be the case. But the visceral response was a bit over the top.

Web sites like this always seem to attract people who like to cause chaos and wind people up. When you meet them in the pub, they're usually perfectly nice people. I dare say stripey is perfectly OK in the flesh. On line personas are always a bit weird. There does seem to be some pretty vehement debates on here, which, of course is a good thing, provided it doesn't descend into personal abuse. I remember reading a thread on a music forum years ago, the name now escapes me, about a guy who started a studio, mortgaged his house to do it, then was torn apart by the members over his level of equipment, experience, everything really. As a result, people got the entirely wrong impression. He got no work and ended up selling up, losing his house and almost being bankrupt. An extreme example perhaps, but it goes to show how public forums can affect individuals quite seriously. It's fine to make a point or state an opinion, but, keep it civil.

I was thinking more of the neato type cd labels, which can look not bad if done right. If it was just a gash paper sticker I wouldn't even play it. If someone has arranged with me to send me something, I don't care what it looks like. If it's unsolicited, it's nice if they've made an effort. A&R guys always say that to people. Salt, pinch of, for the taking of.

Try here. www.novatech.co.uk

I like to see: 1. A 3 track CD that looks reasonably pro, (not a tatty, grubby stick on label or worse felt tip pen!) A cardboard wallet is fine as long as some attempt has been made to give it a bit of gloss. A plastic see through wallet is fine too if your CD has been properly printed. Make sure the band name, track list and contact details are on the CD body. All the tracks should be strong, no fillers. Make the first track your best. If you can afford to have your CD mastered, then do so. It's not a good impression if the listener has to turn up his CD player in order to hear your music.CDR is perfectly fine. You need to order a minimum of 500 units to get a CD pressed. If you do this, you need to be sure of selling at least 100-150 to break even. 2. A photo of the band. 10 x 12" B&W is the industry standard, but any decent pic is fine. 3. A single A4 bio stating members, influences, bands played with, venues played. A record label will want to know how many gigs you play a year as well. If you play once every six weeks, a label or promoter will wonder why.Yes I know it's unfair. Personally, I concentrate on the music, but, not all will. If you tour, this is an advantage as you're likely to sell more records. A lot of the time, your stuff will sit in a pile or end up in the bin. This is normal. Nobody does as much A&R anymore. I listen to demos in the car. If a track jumps out while driving, it's a good 'un. Persevere.

If you're on a budget, try www.thomann.de They do USB powered large diaphragm condensers for about 66 and ordinary XLR condensers from 50 up wards. Not high end gear but will do a better job than a sm57 or 58 for recording. Don't let the gear fashionistas put you off either. It's what you do with it, not how much it costs.

Be happy to, but you'd have to travel 60 odd miles!!!!

And a very good compressor.

Boy, you lot are fierce!! I'm glad I'm nice and safe with all the neds and gangsters in Lossie.