Master Class: Surviving the Recording and CD Replication Processes

On Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30-Noon, an extremely robust presentation was made covering the CD process from recording to post-production. Noted Cincinnati-based composer Frank Proto and Keith Kavanaugh of BauWau Design in Kansas City were assisted by the Canterbury Brass and trumpet virtuoso, Stephen Burns. On Wednesday, the master class began with a discussion of microphones by Mr. Proto in preparation for a recording session with Mr. Burns and the Canterbury Brass. They recorded a very enjoyable brass quintet by Mr. Proto. Mr. Burns and the members of the Canterbury Brass (Stacy Simpson – trumpet, Kathyrin Hagen – horn, Mark Babbitt – trombone, and Todd Nix – tuba) did a terrific job. Sitting in the recording studio, the audience was able to watch Mr. Proto interact as a producer with the brass quintet. Mr. Proto directed the brass quintet to re-record specific sections and he demonstrated some basic editing techniques to the audience.

Mr. Kavanaugh presented the second part of the master class on Thursday. He focused on the post-production process and provided useful budget figures for planning a CD project. Mr. Kavanaugh impressed upon the audience the benefits of using a professional graphic designer that has CD liner and booklet experience. Using friends or relatives to design the booklet and liner can result in an unusable product. In addition to avoiding size mistakes that make it impossible to use the liner and booklet, a professional graphic designer will create a product that matches the professionalism of the artist’s music. The final stage of post-production involves selecting a CD replication broker that will monitor the process from beginning to end. Mr. Kavanaugh concluded the master class by advising the audience to allow sufficient time to complete the post-production process–from two to six months. The presentations by Mr. Proto, Mr. Kavanaugh, Mr. Burns and the Canterbury Brass provided an excellent overview of the CD process with substantial practical insights.

Submitted by Daniel Burdick, D.M.A. Assistant Professor of Low Brass Edinboro University of Pennsylvania