Local musicians go digital

The word revolution has always been synonymous with rock music. The Beatles wrote a song about it, fans often yearn for it and critics try to attach labels to it.

In the past, if bands wanted to hear themselves they were forced to record crummy demos on cheap cassette recorders because the cost of pressing records was too expensive.

However, the advances in recording technology, combined with the music industry's switch to CDs, has opened up a new world to aspiring musicians making the impossible now possible. "Anybody who picks up an instrument and creates something with it wants to ultimately capture it on tape," said Brian Tripp (sophomore-liberal arts).

Tripp, an aspiring bass player, attempted to record his band by using cassette recorders and camcorders, but grew frustrated with the poor sound quality.

"The instruments sounded like they were recorded in a tin can," he said.

All hope is not lost, though. Aspiring musicians such as Tripp an affordable answer has come in the form of local digital recording studios.

Studios such as Audible Images Recording, 72 Cedar Ridge, Port Matilda, have cropped up, providing professional quality recordings at an affordable rate to local bands.

The studio has worked with such local groups as Queen Bee & The Blue Hornet Band, the AAA Blues Band and Two Thousand Flushes.

Bill Filer, the recording engineer and owner of Audible Images Recording, said the advancement of technology allows him to be more efficient and creative.

"I'm able to make CD recordings on-site so that the band can hear whether they like the direction things are heading in," he said. "It saves on both time and money."

One group that has recorded at Filer's studio is local ska band Two Thousand Flushes.

The band recorded their new CD Please Flushes, Don't Hurt' Em at Filer's studio during three recording sessions each lasting three days.

"We never thought it would happen," said Mike Minervini (senior-telecommunications), guitarist for the band. "But it was really affordable and the owner of the studio was really helpful."

When the recording process was completed, the band sent the tape away to a factory in Canada where the CDs were made.

Once a local band such as Two Thousand Flushes has their new CD in hand, the next step is to start marketing it so they can make enough money to record a follow-up CD.

One way to do this is to sell the completed CDs at local record stores.

Many local stores, such as Mike's Movies and Music, 210 E. Calder Way, which displays an advertisement for a new compact disc by local favorite Brownie Mary, have sections of their stores devoted to local musicians.

Joe Apfelbaum, a manager of Mike's Movies and Music, said he has noticed an increase in self-financed CDs being brought to the store.

According to Apfelbaum, selling CDs locally is a viable way to recoup the money lost on recording expenses.

"Popular local groups like The Dirges are able to sell in numbers on par with national bands," he said.

Another way for a band to make their money back is by selling the CDs during live performances. Two Thousand Flushes has employed this method.

Minervini is quick to add, however, that the money isn't the main concern. The reason for producing self-financed CDs, Minervini said, is so that the fans can take the music home, rather than waiting for another performance.

"It's something for our fans who really enjoy the live show," he said.