But because
we are most times aiming for national and international marketplace
success (including radio, stores, publicity, television, etc),
this is not a bargain basement studio approach.
Ours is a full service
package include consulting, writing, arranging, complete
studio production, plus photos, design, and guiding the
process from songs to CDs coming to your door.
We are working with the
very best that the Christian music industry here in Nashville
as to offer.
This kind of
quality can easily cost $20,000 and up.
When we work
at a studio for writing, recording, or mixing, or use other musicians
and engineers, you pay the cost of studio time, engineers, and
musicians as needed.
The good news
is you pay as you go, and you can pay in increments instead of
having to come up with a huge sum all at once.
Our Best for HIS
Best
Creative Soul exists for the exclusive and specific
needs of the professional Christian artist who needs the
absolute very best quality for radio, national and
international distribution, and for success in the promotional
side of music ministry. We cut NO corners, use only the
top players in the business, and make no excuses for charging
a premium price for our work.
We have the top Christian
producers, musicians, studios, and engineers in Nashville
to give you a unique sound that defines your music and ministry.
Don't be fooled by the myth that because you are coming to Nashville
that you will have the "Nashville" or "CCM"
sound. That's where Creative Soul and YOU come in, taking the
best team in the world and creating something new and different.
Not
Just a Studio
The Lodge at Darkhorse Recording, Franklin,
TN
We are a full development
and production company, meaning we work with artists from conceiving
the songs and direction of the music, through recording, mix and
master, graphic and web design, and even duplication in some cases.
Choosing a Producer
God has blessed our company
with growth since our move to Nashville a few years ago. And through
our relationships, we have met a host of Godly men here who have
amazing backgrounds in the industry making wonderful records.
As we get to know you, our job is to find the right producer who
will not only work with us musically, but also someone who shares
the vision for the ministry. Then together, Creative Soul, the
producer, and you the artist will work as a team through the music
production.
Songs
The first step in any
album project is great songs. Let that sink in. Great
songs. This is the first place we step things up. Maybe
you have written them already, or maybe we need to co-write
them, or find you songs. But the songs need to be a step
up from anything you have done.
We'll usually get together
at the studio, and just spend a day or two pouring over
the songs, the reasons you want to sing them, how the arrangements
should flow, and what kind of musicians we will need for
them.
(pictured: Paragon Studios,
C Room. Franklin, TN)
This is an important
time, and we are after original, high-quality songs that
come from your heart.
Tracking
Then it's time for the tracking
sessions.
We start by getting the musicians
scheduled. Drums, Guitar, and Bass will be the foundation of the
record, and the players here in Nashville are quite frankly the
best Christian session musicians in the world.
And besides being great players,
they have incredible ideas for the songs and arrangements, and
many times we'll leave the studio with much more than even we
planned in pre-production.
We are also careful to hire
a great lead engineer, and pick the right studio rooms to record
in. Again, we don't cut corners here. A quality engineer adds
experience and makes sure every note played by these fine artisans
get recorded right. And the studios we work at are among the best
in the business. (pictured: Sound Kitchen, E Room, Franklin, TN)
Overdubs
& Vocals
Then, after we add other
overdubs such as keyboards, orchestration, background vocals,
and any other needed elements, it's time for the artist
to sing.
This is another area
in which we add quality. Most likely, in your previous recording
projects, someone directed you to a booth, pressed Record,
and pointed your way. Our approach is a bit different.
We need the absolute
best vocal we can get from you. And this means working with
you on how to sing notes, phrases, and licks. It also may
mean bringing in a vocal coach or arranger to work with
us. Finally, we carefully tune and perfect the vocal performance
to make sure we have the best vocal track we can have.
Many vocalists like
this to be a separate trip, so you can have time at home
with the studio tracks to get your performance down. This
is totally up to you. This is also usually the time we have
the photo shoot for the album design and web site.
Mix
Once all parts are recorded,
we begin the mix.
Again, a very important part
of the quality issue. We use award-winning engineers that have
been part of many large Christian label projects, and that are
selected especially for your mix because of what they bring to
the table. Not just the same old crew that does every record.
Then when mixes are approved,
it's time to get the mixes mastered, graphics ready and then off
to duplication. Usually 1,000 CDs are made on most projects to
start, unless there are distribution issues and more than 1,000
will be needed. You are the complete owner of the CD master.
Tracking