These are questions we often hear from customers and potential clients. If you need more detailed answers or have other questions, please email us at info@tmpb-rec.com or call us at (505) 682-1210.

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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RECORD WITH TMPB?

TMPB Recordings offers affordable in-studio multitrack recording for all of its artists. Every recording project is tailored to the artist's needs and includes a producer, engineer, mixing, digital mastering, and a take-home chrome cassette. Package deals for complete albums and other services are available.

Unlike most studios which charge by the hour, TMPB charges by the track. This means that once a track is recorded, our engineer/producer will spend as much time as necessary to ensure it is the right sound and THE RIGHT PERFORMANCE. The only exception to this rule concerns changes which are required after the song has been mastered. Mastering takes a lot of time and concentration, so changes made after this point will start costing you.

Below is our basic cost schedule: (Prices are valid for songs under 5 minutes. Extra time is prorated.)

Cost per track - artist: $10.00 plus tax
Cost per track - studio musician: $15.00 plus tax (not including the musician's fee)
Mastering (cost per song): $30.00 plus tax

Keep in mind that some instruments require more than on track to ensure a professional-grade recording. It is always best to discuss your arrangement with us to get the most reliable quote. After discussing your project with you, we may even be able to come up with ideas to reduce your overall cost. Just contact us and let us know what you're thinking.

Remember, we at TMPB want you to release a quality product as well as you, so it's in our best interest to ensure it's recorded right.

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HOW MUCH DO FULL PRODUCTION CDs AND CASSETTES COST?

We contract most CD and cassette manufacturing to one of our partners. However, even prices among manufacturing companies vary due to the different services they provide. Your CD or cassette will undoubtedly be different than someone else's, so prices will vary accordingly. Will the album cover be in color or in black and white? Will lyrics be enclosed? How many pages are in the CD booklet? What kind of printing will be on the CD itself? What type of packaging? What kind of artwork is required? How long is your cassette? We will help you sort through the details and options involving your project and find the best vendor for the best price.

The volume of production also significantly affects the price. Typically, the larger volume of product ordered, the cheaper the unit cost. This rule generally applies to CD and Cassette manufacturing. Here are some example prices, but remember that anything can be added or tailored out: (Quotes include taxes and other fees which most companies do not advertise in their literature. As you can see, depending on the options you choose for your project, prices can vary dramatically.)

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WHAT KIND OF DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS CAN YOU OFFER?

TMPB Recordings maintains relationships with major and minor music retailers primarily located on the West Coast and Southwest regions of the United States, with other retailers scattered elsewhere. These relationships are well-established based on our vicinity and the touring regions of most of our artists. The advantage of dealing with major music retailers is that the area of distribution can be expanded to other locations, if required.

Distribution arrangements will vary by project. They will be dependent upon an artist's touring region, sales cycle, fan following, and marketing budget. It usually takes months to evaluate the best marketing approach and distribution plan for artists needing this service, so the scope of this question is too broad to be answered here. It is best to contact us for distribution plan discussions.

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WHAT IS YOUR DEMO POLICY?

TMPB Recordings accepts unsolicited tapes and CDs. To assure prompt attention, be sure your demo package includes anything you have that will help us discern the seriousness and dedication of your band. Such items include:

• A statement of the band's objectives
  
• A demo (tape, CD, or DAT) of at least 4 original songs
  
• A band bio
  
• A picture of the band
  
• A video of the band performing (particularly if your act uses visual content, such as dancing or elaborate props)
  
• Documented success to date (press clippings, reviews, etc.)
  
  

Don't worry if you don't have everything on this list. Many bands climbing the ladder will not. However, these items represent a significant portion of the total package for a successful musical act, and depending on your objectives, you will likely need this package pulled together sooner or later. Although we will review everything we receive, demo submissions received without the majority of this requested material will receive a lower priority and you will have to wait longer for a response, even if it's favorable.

Send Demo packages to:

TMPB Recordings
PO Box 1234
Cloudcroft, NM 88317-1234
USA

Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are able to reply only if we are interested in your submission. If you would like your submission returned to you after we review it, please enclose a SASE. Please do not call the TMPB Recordings office with questions regarding your submission.

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WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR MUSIC?

Many major record chains sell TMPB products. If you cannot find a particular product at one of these stores, you can order it on the Internet through The Minstrel Avenue Record (TMAR), which contains our music catalog as well as music by many other talented musicians. You may also purchase music and other merchandise advertised on this website by sending a check to TMPB Recordings, PO Box 1234, Cloudcroft, NM 88317-1234. For more ordering information, click here.

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HOW CAN I USE YOUR MUSIC FOR COMMERCIALS, PROJECTS, ETC.?

These types of questions can be best answered by calling (505) 682-1210.

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WHERE ARE TMPB ARTISTS PLAYING?

Check out our posting of tour dates and other public appearances on the TMPB Events Calendar.

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HOW DO I GET ON YOUR MAILING LIST?

If you sign our guestBook, you will automatically be entered into our mailing list database. Or, send us mail to TMPB Recordings, PO Box 1234, Cloudcroft, NM 88317-1234 and will put you on our list.

Feel free to view our guestBook to see what others had to say.

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WHAT CAN A COMPANY LIKE YOURS DO FOR A TOTALLY UNKNOWN ARTIST LIKE ME?

The degree to which TMPB can help you is completely dependent upon your goals, both as a group and individual. Generally speaking, TMPB is postured to help artists at all levels--including artists like yourself.

To help achieve your goals and propel your act to the next level, we establish an artist-producer relationship to help you develop and refine your songwriting, promotional material, marketing strategy, and, of course, your recordings. Depending on your readiness, style and popularity, TMPB may actively promote and distribute your recordings.

In fact, we have a special program especially for artists that have talent but lack much of the other necessary credentials for success. We invite you to look into it to see if it can help you meet your personal goals.

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HOW DOES THE ARTIST-PRODUCER RELATIONSHIP WORK?

The short answer is that the artist-producer relationship is whatever is deemed necessary to achieve a great recording and a successful sales cycle. Often the producer will get involved in a project very early to help with writing and arranging and then will later assist you in reaching the perfect performance during recording sessions.

At TMPB, the producer's job is to ensure the recording meets the satisfaction of the artist and the label. Satisfaction is a broad term, however, and will always depend on what the goals of the recordings are. That will vary with each project, but after discussing your goals with the producer, he can advise you on which way to proceed.

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IF YOU GUYS ARE IN CLOUDCROFT, NM, HOW COULD I WORK WITH YOU IF I LIVE IN MAINE, OR CALIFORNIA, OR EUROPE?

Distance is a detail that needs attention and the solution depends on the scope of the project. TMPB has worked with artists all over the United States and continues to maintain relationships with industry professionals domestic and abroad.

When a project is to be recorded at TMPB's Cloudcroft studio, TMPB has pre-negotiated pleasant, affordable lodging for its artists. For independent projects recorded elsewhere and that require an on-site producer, TMPB personnel will travel as necessary provided that suitable accommodations can be arranged.

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I'M AN ENTHUSIASTIC ARTIST WITH PLENTY OF TALENT BUT NOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. DO YOU OFFER ANY TYPE OF ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO HELP ME GET THAT EXPERIENCE?

Absolutely. TMPB recognizes this situation and devised a program specifically for such artists. The purpose of this program is twofold:

• To nurture artists so that they can compete more effectively within the music industry.
• To posture TMPB to carry more seasoned artists on its label.

The first objective is naturally the only one a new artist is likely to care about. By leveraging TMPB’s expertise and resources early in their careers, they will become acquainted with the strategies used to propel artists to success, gain an acute appreciation for what is required to succeed, and be able to assess their career goals accordingly. Those wishing to pursue higher goals will be armed with much of the business savvy required to accomplish this.

The second goal is also in the artist’s interest, although it is less obvious. We are very proud of what TMPB can offer artists in terms of services and expertise but are always seeking to offer more. The only way we can do this is to have more profitable artists signed to the label.

New artists always pose a significant risk to a record label, but at least a record label has a lot of these artists to choose from. More seasoned artists present less of a risk, but there aren’t a whole lot out there. By developing the high risk artists into lower risk artists, the world will not only have a higher density of high caliber artists to choose from, but TMPB will (hopefully) have a healthy relationship and proven track record with these artists. By adding more seasoned artists to TMPB, the label will grow and more services will be available to the signed artists.

If you feel you might qualify for this program and would like to pursue it further, please send us a demo package for our review and indicate your interest in our artist development program. Although we are still very selective about who we sign, this program may be the easiest way for an unseasoned artist to get his foot in the door.

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Have we answered your question? If not, please send your question to info@tmpb-rec.com.