Choosing songs to go on a new project & process

[ProfessionallyTrill]

Say you have 30 beats that have been chosen by an artist for a new tape from a pool of almost 400 beats

But only about 13-16 tracks will be on the project and recording has to stay within budget (aka the cheaper the better)

Two choices:

A. Cut down those 30 to the desired amount (13-16) so the artist can write to it beforehand. This would cut costs b/c the artist doesn't waste studio time on tracks the wont make the project. Everything is ready and all the artist needs to do is record those certain tracks and be good. Extra cash for promotion, etc.

OR

B. Record as many tracks as you can afford since some songs are growers plus you can get feedback and tailor the tape to the songs with the best responses. The down side is, more songs recorded (studio time) = more money spent.

What do u say? Also, no responses about DIY or going cheaper. All of this is being done where it can. So please give your two cents and why

 

[LauderdaleBoss]

Me personally I'd go with option A, I never been one to write/make a bunch of songs and then sort shyt out from there. I think it's better to go in a with a plan/theme and write it beforehand so you go in with a mindset of what you're going to do instead of pushing out tracks randomly then seeing which ones are the hottest. I really gotta feel a certain way about a beat in order for me to write to it and make it into a song therefore I don't feel like its a waste of time or some average shyt. Some people are different tho. Besides the extra money for promotion would be a win in itself and that can help with the presentation of the overall product.

 

[puppetmaster]

Say you have 30 beats that have been chosen by an artist for a new tape from a pool of almost 400 beats

But only about 13-16 tracks will be on the project and recording has to stay within budget (aka the cheaper the better)

Two choices:

A. Cut down those 30 to the desired amount (13-16) so the artist can write to it beforehand. This would cut costs b/c the artist doesn't waste studio time on tracks the wont make the project. Everything is ready and all the artist needs to do is record those certain tracks and be good. Extra cash for promotion, etc.

OR

B. Record as many tracks as you can afford since some songs are growers plus you can get feedback and tailor the tape to the songs with the best responses. The down side is, more songs recorded (studio time) = more money spent.

What do u say? Also, no responses about DIY or going cheaper. All of this is being done where it can. So please give your two cents and why

option B IMO. It TOTALLY depends on what kind of creative space you're in, if you're in a zone and can afford the extra time then run with it, you might drop a few things that may not fit the scheme of the direction on this current project but that may be something to spark ideas for the next. When that creative bug hits you ought to try to squeeze every bit of juice out of it



-P-

 

[Sincere Noble]

Im roll with Option B. It would seem you wouuld have more creative freedom like that and just go in and make music without having to feel confined to what you chose before hand. I knwo that if I was an artist thats the way I would want to work. Plus, you said some songs do take time to grow on people and might take a different light if you let others hear it etc.

 

[Chadisorad]

A

 

[Itzdadiabolical]

B, you gotta invest in yourself. Plus you never know how it's gon really sound til you got it all recorded and mixed.

 

[Paradime]

B - If you are gonna get anywhere you have to be willing to take risks.

 

[BlackDroog]

A. Quality over quantity. Put everything you have into that set number of tracks so there is a fucus and an overall theme/feel to the album.

 

[LauderdaleBoss]

A. Quality over quantity. Put everything you have into that set number of tracks so there is a fucus and an overall theme/feel to the album.

Exactly...This way forces you to make a cohesive thought out project with a theme which a lot of projects from upcoming artists lack. Option B is more like shooting randomly into a crowded room hoping you hit something. Most memorable albums/mixtapes have good concepts/themes (ex:..DMX, Its Dark and Hell is Hot, Tech9ne, Angehellic, Mobb Deep, Infamous) As soon as you hear and pick out the beats you should already have a general direction of where you're going. It's up to the artist on how dope they can make that shyt afterwards.

 

[ProfessionallyTrill]

Yall got the juice

A seems like the best move yall. I've got a cohesive vibe to the project so thanks to everyone.