Why So Many Home Songs Suck

[hates recording]

While the sound can be good for some, one problem I hear is they cant wait to get their hands on their band in the box, their samples, their recording gear, not realizing that recording without a song, is like painting without a canvas.

I feel today indie artists and hobbyists are doing it backwards, adding a little song to their recording.

and in the end the final product isnt comparible with what is on the radio, and therefore the song cant compete.

Yes, there are bad songs on the radio as we speak, but they sound so top of the notch, home recordists cant match it.

In order to have any kind of a chance, you need as good as song as possible, as good of a performance,s, as possible, as good as a mastering service as possible, and as much luck as possible.

You aint going to do it with a shit song.

 

[Greg_L]

Looks nice in print, but you fail to realize that no one will agree on what a "good song" is, so it's all moot.

 

[hates recording]

Not Moot at all. I agree, many wont agree what a good song is, but a professional song will stand out over non professional one.

And I hear some of the folks singing the songs, and Im like are you kidding me? Not thats its bad, but if you think thats anything other than a demo,
you are too far gone to help.

In other words, 99.99% of the stuff you hear on boards arent good enough to even consider.

 

[Steenamaroo]

99.99% of the stuff you hear on boards isn't good enough to even consider.

That's why it's home recording. 99.99% of it isn't meant to be considered.
What's your point?

 

[hates recording]

That's why it's home recording. 99.99% of it isn't meant to be considered.
What's your point?

You understand the point, why is home recording so popular then? why are there forums, why is sweetwater making a mint on gear, and manufacturers
making a mint on gear. Why are so many investing so much time in learning home recording, and in the end, still record at home?

What is the point of recording then when you arent producing masters. A demo is suffice to pitch to publishers.

 

[Greg_L]

Not Moot at all. I agree, many wont agree what a good song is, but a professional song will stand out over non professional one.

And I hear some of the folks singing the songs, and Im like are you kidding me? Not thats its bad, but if you think thats anything other than a demo,
you are too far gone to help.

In other words, 99.99% of the stuff you hear on boards arent good enough to even consider.

Maybe, but why give a fuck? Who cares? For 99% of home recorders, this is just a hobby. Something fun and interesting to do. I have more respect for someone just doing it for enjoymant than I do some delusional wannabe rock star thinking they're gonna break through and get big.

You sound like any other internet windbag that thinks he has all the answers, so I'll say to you what I say to them: let's hear YOUR stuff.

 

[hates recording]

and you sound like a typical windbag on a forum, who attacks people as if they are a threat to their existence,

id be inclined to believe your answer, if your cd wasnt up for sale on cdbaby and your webpage.

Its a hobby you want others to pay for then?

Showing my music, would not solve anything. Im not the one trying to make records in my room.

 

[heatmiser]

Yeah, I mean I don't think most home recording folks see it as some kind of springboard to something bigger and better. I think it's kind of an end unto itself. I don't think most see themselves as trying to compete with stuff on the radio...it's almost apples and oranges there. Totally different motivations and goals and stuff.

Fortunately, music really is its own reward, and I think most simply take pleasure in trying to improve themselves.

I do agree though that there is a tendancy for home recording to be so focused on gear and production techniques that you sometimes wind up with remarkably well produced recordings of stuff that really doesn't have too much substance. It's probably easier to produce good sounding tracks than it is to create great songs...I mean, I guess. I really wouldn't know.

 

[Greg_L]

and you sound like a typical windbag on a forum, who attacks people as if they are a threat to their existence,

id be inclined to believe your answer, if your cd wasnt up for sale on cdbaby and your webpage.

Its a hobby you want others to pay for then?

Showing my music, would not solve anything. Im not the one trying to make records in my room.

So you have nothing to offer, you're just talking out of your ass. You have nothing to back up your ramblings. Got it. Why though? Why are you so angry at people that CAN write and/or record at home? Don't be jealous or resentful. No one is born knowing this stuff. You can probably get there one day.

As for me, I give every penny from my sales to charities. I write and record my own stuff because it's fun, if someone else likes it enough to buy it then fine, and I give the money away to people and causes less fortunate than me. I'm so terrible.

 

[hates recording]

Yes, it's a hobby, it's fun. but it's also extremely expensive, time consuming and fruitless.

But I think people dive into it because they think SOMETHING will come out of it. You wont spend thousands of dollars on equiptment when
a simple four track recorder with a sm57 mic and an acoustic guitar is all you need to make a recording of your song.

And it's not a knock on producing. Producing music is a skill just as important as writing or playing or singing, and maybe some think they will one day be a top notch producer, nothing wrong with that. But I wonder how home recording has become the monster it has.

Plenty of people are making money on it, but usually not the ones doing it

 

[hates recording]

So you have nothing to offer, you're just talking out of your ass. You have nothing to back up your ramblings. Got it. Why though? Why are you so angry at people that CAN write and/or record at home? Don't be jealous or resentful. No one is born knowing this stuff. You can probably get there one day.

As for me, I give every penny from my sales to charities. I write and record my own stuff because it's fun, if someone else likes it enough to buy it then fine, and I give the money away to people and causes less fortunate than me. I'm so terrible.

ahhh the ole tie my music to a charity gag.

Why dont you give all the music away free, in exhange for information about your cause. Dont sell it, some might think you are stealing

 

[Steenamaroo]

Yes, it's a hobby, it's fun. but it's also extremely expensive, time consuming and fruitless.

But I think people dive into it because they think SOMETHING will come out of it. You wont spend thousands of dollars on equiptment when
a simple four track recorder with a sm57 mic and an acoustic guitar is all you need to make a recording of your song.

And it's not a knock on producing. Producing music is a skill just as important as writing or playing or singing, and maybe some think they will one day be a top notch producer, nothing wrong with that. But I wonder how home recording has become the monster it has.

Plenty of people are making money on it, but usually not the ones doing it

Most hobbies are, and the 'extremely expensive' bit isn't necessarily always true.
It can be costly, but so can track days, shooting, climbing, whatever....
What about photography?

A lot of youngsters get into HR with the hope of being the next best thing, but that's no different to buying gibson guitars and marshall amps to become a rockstar.
It's no different to buying baseball mits balls and bats to become the next Ruth.
Youngun's have dreams and they're usually completely unrealistic.
The older guys? They're keeping a hobby, for the most part.

Plus, the number of people on here who are of a professional standard might surprise you.

I don't think you have any argument, really, other than "Most people here won't be famous engineers/producers/musicians/songwriters",
and we knew that anyway.

 

[gecko zzed]

Fortunately, music really is its own reward, and I think most simply take pleasure in trying to improve themselves.

I have a 'virtual' band called the Defibrillators; me and a couple of other musos who get together once a week to record songs that appeal to us.



We've recorded seven CDs, one a year since 2005, with no expectation of commercial success. The only people who ever get to hear the results are friends and family. We do it just because it is fun to do. Each CD we finish gives us a great sense of achievement.

However, these recording projects are important to me, because they allow me the opportunity to develop and refine my recording skills and techniques.

Music is its own reward. Recording is also its own reward.

 

[Greg_L]

ahhh the ole tie my music to a charity gag.

Why dont you give all the music away free, in exhange for information about your cause. Dont sell it, some might think you are stealing

No gag. I do give it away for free as well. If you or some other shmoe thinks I'm stealing, I couldn't give a fuck less.

 

[fat_fleet]

Whatever...

 

[hates recording]

I dont think I have an argument either, being it wasnt one. That is until you and your cronies countered my STATEMENT

There are folks ion boards who are into the tens of thousands on gear. And they still havent left the board.

A huge argument in favor of toning down ones enthusiasm in home recording

 

[hates recording]

Who cares?

The people who spent thousands on gear.

 

[Greg_L]

We've recorded seven CDs, one a year since 2005, with no expectation of commercial success. The only people who ever get to hear the results are friends and family. We do it just because it is fun to do. Each CD we finish gives us a great sense of achievement.

However, these recording projects are important to me, because they allow me the opportunity to develop and refine my recording skills and techniques.

Music is its own reward. Recording is also its own reward.

That's pretty much how I feel about it. I like the concept of an "album". Not concept albums, but making an album. I get much personal satisfaction out of doing my own thing, and truly do not care if anyone hears it or likes it. I've written and recorded dozens and dozens of songs that have never polluted anyone's ears but my own. The process is fun and that's all I care about.

 

[hates recording]

I have a 'virtual' band called the Defibrillators; me and a couple of other musos who get together once a week to record songs that appeal to us.



We've recorded seven CDs, one a year since 2005, with no expectation of commercial success. The only people who ever get to hear the results are friends and family. We do it just because it is fun to do. Each CD we finish gives us a great sense of achievement.

However, these recording projects are important to me, because they allow me the opportunity to develop and refine my recording skills and techniques.

Music is its own reward. Recording is also its own reward.

Music is its own reward but recording it, not really. Not unless you can at least break even in your expenses.

 

[Greg_L]

I dont think I have an argument either, being it wasnt one. That is until you and your cronies countered my STATEMENT

There are folks ion boards who are into the tens of thousands on gear. And they still havent left the board.

A huge argument in favor of toning down ones enthusiasm in home recording

Ok, so you're not really angry with the concept of home recording, but more with people spending too much of their own money on their going-nowhere hobby? Okay then. Fair enough. It's a fucking stupid thing to get upset about, but that's your call.

So the next time someone wants to buy something, should they run it by you first?