Step Three - CD production
Once all your WAV files have been processed, you are ready to make the CD. Remember that this article is focused on how to make an Archival CD Recording of live performances for the benefit of furthering the education of the performers. It is illegal to make CDs for commercial sale without the permission of the copyright holders.
That said, there's no reason not to make your CD recording look professional. There are several vendors of CD labeling products, including AVERY who are carried by the likes of OfficeMax. Make sure you clearly indicate on the CD label and jewel case cover that this is an Archival Recording - not for commercial sale. A charge of about $6 will be sufficient to cover your expenses, offset some of the costs of wear and tear on your equipment and go towards some of the expense in purchasing the recording equipment in the first place.
Conclusion
Well that's about it! I have always been surprised at how many performers appreciated being able to hear themselves as the audience does. It has helped them improve their styles and, for amateurs, gives them another reason to participate in performing live music. I get comments from people who say they still play their Archival CD Recordings years later or when they are a little down. Performing live music makes a nice contrast to the "spoon feeding" of TV and movie theatre commercialism - enough said!
David Breton is a degreed software engineer with experience in audio and video processing. He is a participant in performing live vocal music and a strong supporter of community-based performing arts. He lives in the Newport, Rhode Island area and can be contacted at dbretonusa@yahoo.com.
Copyright David Breton 2001
