I’m very happy to announce that I will be self-releasing my very first album in 2010. It will be an EP, 5 or 6 songs, and I’m planning on a release date in March 2010.
I’m still figuring out the distribution method, but my current plan is:
- ~300 physical CDs will be replicated, packaged in cardboard sleeves or a Digipak. (Replication is what the big boys use – instead of simply burning CD-R’s, a glass master is created and used to “stamp” the blank discs!)
- CDs will be available for purchase from me personally, via my website (http://music.iancanderson.com), as well as via CD Baby.
- Digital downloads will be available for purchase at my website (http://music.iancanderson.com), as well as several online outlets including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, Amie Street, Spotify, and even Mobile carriers, including Verizon.
I won’t make as much money per download selling on iTunes as opposed to selling on my site, but I’ve come to realize that people like the “convenience” of the iTunes store.. Okay I won’t get into an anti-Apple rant here.
In short, I’m really excited about this. However, I have a very busy (though fun) few months ahead as I re-record and mix my songs, and I’ll be calling on YOU to help me get my music out into the world. Thanks ahead of time =)
Day 0 of #ica2010album : Drum Sounds
Today (technically yesterday now..) I started the process of salvaging my (rather poorly) recorded drums from a few years ago into separate MIDI tracks. Reaper makes this process easier with a JS plugin called drumtrigger – it takes an audio signal as an input (such as a snare drum track), and outputs a MIDI note with a velocity that’s proportional to the intensity of the snare hit. I then route the MIDI notes to my Steven Slate Platinum sampled drum library to get some radio-ready drum sounds right off of the bat. I also put down a quick take of piano using Kontakt 4’s sampled grand piano. Take a listen to the excerpts before and after the kick, snare, hi hat, and piano were replaced by their virtual counterparts:
2009.12.07.Hopes.Up.High.pre.SS.Drums.mp3 2009.12.07.Hopes.Up.High.post.SS.drums.mp3