113. $980 Spent on the Production of My Single - a breakdown

Episode Title: Breaking Down the Costs of Producing Your Song

Episode Description: Dear songwriter, you've written a song and are ready to take it to the next stage—production and release. But when it comes to investing in your music, you're unsure where to start. What should you spend on? Who should you hire? How much is fair? These are common questions that every songwriter faces, including me.

In this episode, I share my recent experience producing a single, breaking down the exact costs involved. From hiring instrumentalists to mixing and mastering, I'll walk you through the investments I made to help you get a better sense of what to expect for your own projects. Whether you're thinking, "Wow, that's a lot," or "That’s not too bad," this episode will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions about your music production budget.

Key Investments Discussed:

1. Hiring a Violin/Viola Player:
   • Investment: $255 (85/hr for 3 hours)
   • Why: I wanted a secondary voice in the production to complement the vocal melodies. Initially considering trumpet, I realized strings would better suit the song's overall vibe.
   • How: I worked with Godfrey, a past acquaintance, who provided remote live recordings.
2. Hiring a Cello Player:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song needed more "body" in the arrangement, particularly in the low/mid-range frequencies, which the cello provided.
   • How: Godfrey connected me with Tiger, a Brooklyn-based cellist who also recorded remotely.
3. Hiring a Drum Programmer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: The song called for programmed electronic drums instead of acoustic ones. Despite attempting it myself, I recognized someone else could do it better.
   • How: I reached out to my friend Sam, who brought his expertise to the project.
4. Hiring a Mixing Engineer:
   • Investment: $350 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mixing is crucial to create the best blend of all recorded tracks. Given Sam's success with the drums, I entrusted him with the mixing as well.
   • How: We agreed on the rate, and I provided isolated tracks for each song element to begin the process.
5. Hiring a Mastering Engineer:
   • Investment: $150 (flat rate)
   • Why: Mastering is the final stage of production. I prefer to work with a separate engineer from the mixer to get a fresh perspective on the song.
   • How: I reconnected with Jason Livermore from The Blasting Room, whom I'd worked with before, and arranged for mastering.

Sneak Peek at Upcoming Investments: In the next episode, I'll detail the costs involved in promoting and releasing the single, including hiring a PR agency, creating album art, and running ads.

Conclusion: Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should invest in your music. I could have spent less or more, but I’m satisfied with the decisions I made and thrilled with how the song sounds. If you’re navigating these decisions and want to discuss your goals further, consider booking a free call with me to see if my mentorship could help you reach your goals.

How to Stay Connected:

• Free Call Booking: connorfrost.com/startcall
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: connorfrost.com

Closing: Thank you for tuning in! I hope this episode provided value and insight into the real costs of producing a song. Stay tuned for more in the next episode, and until then, happy writing!