Wallace Rahming: Ministry Tips

Tip #6: Producing Your First CD

So you've decided to produce your first CD........ There are certain things you must take care of in order to complete this task.

1) Decide What Your Expected End Will Be. For your first project you should begin with no more than 300 "replicated" CDs. You don't want to have hundreds of boxes of CDs sitting in the living room should they not sale. If you run short, you can always re-order copies at a reduced rate.

2) Decide How And Where You Are Going To Record Your Music. Will you use a professional studio or will you use a D.I.Y. Home Studio?

3) Determine Who You Will Need To Assist You (i.e. singers, musicians, producers, ect).

And, 4) Add Up The Cost And Obtain Financing. What will your recording costs be? How will you finance your recording? How much will you spend on CD duplication? And don't forget to determine how much you will need to spend to adequately promote your release. Next month, we will discuss the pros and cons of recording in a professional or project studios. Until then, get your plan in motion. Peace.

Tip #5: Getting Ready To Record

When you minister in music, you are touching the lives of those to whom you minister. It is normal for them to want to take home a little of what they experienced during the church service or event. You can afford them this through producing your own recordings. Recordings allow your ministry to reach places you may never go and minister to people you may never meet. It is important to understand that not every music minister should record. You should not record if: 1) You are spiritually insecure or young in the faith. Faith is a process and there is no fast track classes.
2) You are performing cover songs. Why should someone purchase a CD of you singing songs by a mainstream Christian artist when they can purchase the original version by that artist?
3) You have not perfected your writing style. Poorly constructed songs are the enemy of the message in the music. I've listened to many songs from aspiring Christian artists. Most have great ideas but not songs because the song form was broken. There was just a long continuous verse.
4) You have not reached the necessary skill level required for music production. Six months of keyboard lessons will not prepare you for excellence in performance. You must carefully consider if you are ready to record. It is better to wait until you are fully equipped than to begin before you are ready. First impressions are lasting impressions and recordings are forever.

Tip #4 Study To Show Yourself Approved

Before attempting to minister to God's people, we should make sure that our giftings and abilities are the best that they can be. If you are a vocalist, don't simply assume your voice is the best that it can be. Take voice lessons. Instrumentalists should read music periodicals and listen to many recordings of musicians who play the same instrument. Song writers should take a course or read periodicals on song writing so that their songs consist of correct song form.

It is vitally important that we convey the Gospel message in the correct fashion and manner. The true message of the gospel will not reach a listener if it is buried beneath "out of tune" vocals, weak instrumental performances and poorly constructed songs. Constant improvements and performance enhancement will keep you in top ministry shape.