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aberdeen-music

Help! I am also an HNC Sound Production Student.


amber wilson

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Hello abody!

I'm currently working on my graded unit which involves combining all elements of the course into a big business plan.

My idea was originally to set up a mobile studio in the back of my dads caravan and call it "The Band Wagon", recording sessions with touring bands enroute to gigs or at their hotel and then making these sessions available as a monthly downloadable podcast with the possibilty of the sessions being filmed in a la blogoteque stylee.

What I was wondering was-

Do you think there would be any scope for this in Aberdeen and would anyone be willing to subscribe to the podcasts for a monthly fee? If so, how much would you be willing to pay?

Any feedback would be appreciated muchly.

Thanks :popcorn: xx

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I would download the podcasts, but I definitely wouldn't pay for them. There are some fantastic free podcasts out there so I would even consider parting with my hard earned cash for such a thing.

Also, I don't know how you plan to fit a whole studio into the back of a caravan, especially the drum kit.

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As much as I'd be tempted to subscribe to anything you did Amber I don't think I'd be that tempted by this.

If I understand the proposition, each month it'd be different Aberdeen bands I'd get live recordings of for a subscription fee. Is this correct?

EDIT:

Oh no, wait. I got it wrong. I sort of understand now. It'd be touring bands coming to Aberdeen you'd record.

EDIT EDIT:

I'm still confused.

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Cheers for the feedback Lucky, yes you have a point about the studio fitting in the back of a caravan, I shouldve specified it would be a "black cab sessions" style unplugged acoustic sessions with recording full band at various locations with the portable set up. The idea is still in the developing stages. The annoying thing about this darn graded unit is that you have to make the plan sound financially viable when I would easily do something like this for fun and as a hobbie! There are many great free podcasts, indeed.

Yes Robert, it would be a monthly subscription fee for the exclusive band wagon sessions. Or can you think of another way I can make this plan look like it will make money? Perhaps advertising on the website?

Brain is fried! x

Robert - Haha yes touring and local bands. So say Tim and Sams tim and the bla bla tomorrow who are playing at the tunnels, Id get them to record a live session in the caravan or say during soundcheck or at a random location.

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Perhaps advertising on the website?

That sounds simpler to implement but less predictable in terms of income.

Perhaps you should try and plan out both in terms of predicted revenue streams.

What is confusing me is this:

You record the artists and then put them on a podcast to sell at your profit.

So what's in it for the artist?

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Hello abody!

I'm currently working on my graded unit which involves combining all elements of the course into a big business plan.

My idea was originally to set up a mobile studio in the back of my dads caravan and call it "The Band Wagon", recording sessions with touring bands enroute to gigs or at their hotel and then making these sessions available as a monthly downloadable podcast with the possibilty of the sessions being filmed in a la blogoteque stylee.

What I was wondering was-

Do you think there would be any scope for this in Aberdeen and would anyone be willing to subscribe to the podcasts for a monthly fee? If so, how much would you be willing to pay?

Any feedback would be appreciated muchly.

Thanks :popcorn: xx

It's an interesting idea, which could work if marketed well.

What my concerns would be:

1. Local radio stations already do these recordings with local and national acts. With the likes of Northsound/Original 106 having their own recording facilities for live studio recordings, I don't think they'd be too keen on paying out extra money for something they already have in-house.

2. Parking/Power restrictions near venues like the Music Hall, Drummonds, AECC might cause problems.

On a more positive note:

I think there's a good opportunity for working with schools, especially rural ones. Many schools have no access to decent recording facilities and would welcome the chance to record on their own premises. This also goes for Youth Clubs etc. I'd suggest you consider this your target market.

These are just a few things that have came to mind in the last 10mins or so, I might add some extra bits and bobs as they come to mind...

Give us a heads up if you need any info for creating Business Plans/Grant schemes etc as I've had a good 5 years of teaching kids about them!

All the best :up:

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I'm pretty sure recording in a moving caravan would not yield great results, yeah sure the Stones had their mobile unit, but it was stationary when recording, or have I just misunderstood the 'en-route' bit you mention. Also, people don't buy podcasts, and its really hard to make money from studios. Good luck anyhoo.

**RANT SPOILER** Although the fact that the grubby finger of business should be part of a sound production course in the first place is symptomatic of the misplaced priorities within the UK culture factory. Arts Administrators; hate them or despise them, you can't execute them, the classic example of those who live off 'the next man head', as Lee Perry so wonderfully put it.*

*Yes of course there must be some oversight of public funded arts projects, but the current balance is tilted grossly in favour of triangulating apparatchiks, rather than those who create.

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I think there's a good opportunity for working with schools, especially rural ones. Many schools have no access to decent recording facilities and would welcome the chance to record on their own premises. This also goes for Youth

^^^^ This

I proposed this as a business plan to get on a course not long ago but the course was for developing and progressing a business that needed a boost with expertise and perhaps a specialist piece of equipment that would take it to the next level. I had no equipment, only an idea which was the issue for not getting on the course (I'm adimant of this as my presentations skills are second to none, as is my charisma ;)).

The idea is completely sound though and the chance to make money out of if is actually real. It's maybe not as cool as recording touring bands but doing school work has definitely more scope for a vialble business. Schools have funds to take advantage of this kind of thing. Also combine this with producing the product and selling it to parents like a school picture type thing like recording the school concert etc ... sadly I don't have the time to take advantage of this with other ideas taking priority at the moment.

Your original idea would still be ace as a hobby though ...

*agree with rant spoiler but as far as music jobs go this is probably more in line with teaching, or that was the angle I was aiming at*

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I agree with RockAustin in the fact that schools would be an easier target market. However, the idea of a mobile caravan/studio for bands is still an absolutely awesome idea and could pick up a fair amount of interest through blogging and online networking.

I for one would be interested.

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I agree fully with the rant spoiler Pierre! It's a farce indeed and is certainly not what I signed upto when I applied for the course! The moving caravan may not yield great results, I was inspired by this BLACK CAB SESSIONS I was thinking of it being more of a 'quirk'.

Ach well, I just had visions of Bass Drums moving all over the shop, y'know drummers with their rugs and carpets to stop sliding things, I just multiplied that hassle by the scene in the Likely Lads film where they have a caravan.

I admit I'm jaundiced on the business side of things, from reading the countless litanies of ripped off musicians, and my particular antipathy to administrators wasn't helped by Aberdeen Uni moving the History of Art department out of Powis Gate to make way for administrators ie disrupting the actual business of the institution for the aggrandizement/comfort of those who only support the functionality. That this happened after I graduated is small consolation, that department was glorious, and such internal sabotage is insupportable-2nd Rant Out

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I'm pretty sure recording in a moving caravan would not yield great results, yeah sure the Stones had their mobile unit, but it was stationary when recording, or have I just misunderstood the 'en-route' bit you mention. Also, people don't buy podcasts, and its really hard to make money from studios. Good luck anyhoo.

**RANT SPOILER** Although the fact that the grubby finger of business should be part of a sound production course in the first place is symptomatic of the misplaced priorities within the UK culture factory. Arts Administrators; hate them or despise them, you can't execute them, the classic example of those who live off 'the next man head', as Lee Perry so wonderfully put it.*

*Yes of course there must be some oversight of public funded arts projects, but the current balance is tilted grossly in favour of triangulating apparatchiks, rather than those who create.

Could you try expanding on this?

What you're saying sounds quite interesting but I don't really know all the background. I also don't know the Lee Perry reference.

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Ach well, I just had visions of Bass Drums moving all over the shop, y'know drummers with their rugs and carpets to stop sliding things, I just multiplied that hassle by the scene in the Likely Lads film where they have a caravan.

I admit I'm jaundiced on the business side of things, from reading the countless litanies of ripped off musicians, and my particular antipathy to administrators wasn't helped by Aberdeen Uni moving the History of Art department out of Powis Gate to make way for administrators ie disrupting the actual business of the institution for the aggrandizement/comfort of those who only support the functionality. That this happened after I graduated is small consolation, that department was glorious, and such internal sabotage is insupportable-2nd Rant Out

Loving the rants! This is the kinda stuff I miss on here :)

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Easy bit first, Lee Perry was plagued by Hangers-On at his Black Ark studio in the 70s, to the point that he'd rather burn it down than carry on. The track 'Evil Tongues' from the Roast Fish, Corn Bread and Collie Weed album has the ace line;

"You're too lazy you can't leave your bed

But you want to live off the next man head" eg those who live off the efforts of others creativity without doing any work/creative ability, so not including say managers or booking agents or people who do actual stuff, but definitely including some within the creative factories who only exploit, eg BOB promoters etc

This combines with the destructive mode of thought all too prevalent within creative manufacturing, that anything without monetary value, is of no value. In this context, If someone wants to learn entrepreneurship within the Music Factory then fine, but someone who is learning sound production, an incredibly involved discipline, might have no interst in the grubby mechanics of svengalihood, and any such content can only mean less time doing the shit that was signed up for. Like if I had a compulsory module in my History of Art degree in how to win at Bargain Hunt/Art Dealing*, it might have been practical, but it would be nothing to do with the core values of the course.

Right, nuff already.

*This does not exist

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The idea is completely sound though and the chance to make money out of if is actually real. It's maybe not as cool as recording touring bands but doing school work has definitely more scope for a vialble business. Schools have funds to take advantage of this kind of thing. Also combine this with producing the product and selling it to parents like a school picture type thing like recording the school concert etc ... sadly I don't have the time to take advantage of this with other ideas taking priority at the moment.

That is a dam good idea...and one i might steal when i graduate!

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The idea is completely sound though and the chance to make money out of if is actually real. It's maybe not as cool as recording touring bands but doing school work has definitely more scope for a vialble business. Schools have funds to take advantage of this kind of thing. Also combine this with producing the product and selling it to parents like a school picture type thing like recording the school concert etc ... sadly I don't have the time to take advantage of this with other ideas taking priority at the moment.

Aye. Just be wary of any letters from a G.Glitter or J.King offering competitively priced 'consultantcy services'.....

Don't think the idea would work for 'real' touring bands because there would be nowhere near enough interest, it's hard enough getting 'da scene' on the local radio and suchlike.

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I had a compulsory module in my History of Art degree in how to win at Bargain Hunt

The first step would be NOT to buy goods at retail and then to try selling them wholesale.

Moving on...

The business modules in these courses are society's way of reminding you that art which generates no tax revenue serves no useful purpose and that you really will need to get a proper job and contribute in some meaningful way to society you fucking hippy.

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This is a great idea, thought these video's might be of your interest

Kasabian acoustic sesh:

Stripped down songs like this i think would be best: Acoustic, tambourine, maracas and also a blow keyboard (Melodica)

The dodgems acoustic sesh:

If you look at the video 3 minutes in they're doing the same kind of sound, bongos, acoustic and a melodica

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I started this course a few years ago (possibly 2...i can't remember) never finished it though, was off for a day, went back and was extremely confused haha!

And I also just skipped 1 and a half pages of people's suggestions/rants, so if this has already been put forward, my bad :)

Offer to record live bands for a small fee, then put the podcasts out for free. You'll make a small profit on the money the band's are giving you, and the band's are getting air play.

It's a win-win for everyone really.

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A lot of bands could be deterred i reckon. If they can play somewhere for free and/or get paid then why would they pay for yours? Just an idea.

Good point, some bands could be deterred. Could always remote record entire set's for paying band's, then put together podcasts taking one or two songs from different band sets as a compilation?

The band's would then have a live ep, and be getting airplay.

effectively, the band would be paying for a mastered live ep. I could see bands wanting a piece, just depends on how tight the members are:up:

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