Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum amount of CDs we must order?
Any amount of CDs may be ordered; pricing is lower with larger amounts. For details of price breaks see cost and profit schedule.

What are the recording and production costs?
We combine all fees into one amount that varies based on the amount of CDs you order. The package price includes travel, set-up, 2 hours of session or concert recording, mixing and mastering, graphic design, printing, duplication, filing and paying for the mechanical licenses required by law, and a sample CD.

Based on the amount of CDs you order your cost can be as low as nothing at all, to a high of $475, but this amount is rarely charged because significant discounts apply with purchases of certain CD amounts. You drastically reduce or eliminate your recording fee by purchasing specific quantities: When you order 50 CDs the fee is reduced to $375 and when you order 75 CDs the fee is eliminated.

How can our group make a profit selling our CDs?
When you purchase 100 or more CDs you will have no recording and production fees, and your cost for each CD will be discounted below the retail selling price of $16. At 100 CDs your price is $14, so you would make $200. At 150 CDs your price is $10.00, so that you would make $6.00 each or $900. At 200 CDs your price is $8.50, so that you make $7.50 each or $1,500. And so on. See cost and profit schedule.

What about the Copyright Laws?
If you are making recordings be aware that you are legally allowed to make only one copy for use in the classroom without being required to obtain and pay copyright license fees for any copyrighted material you use. If you plan to duplicate CDs for your students it is necessary for you to obtain and pay mechanical license fees to the copyright holder, the composer, and the arranger of each piece you record. Giving the recordings away, being a non-profit organization, not making any profit on the recording project, or not selling to the general public are not exceptions to this law. Mechanical Licenses must still be filed and paid.

Can CDs be reordered?
Yes. We keep masters of every CD ever recorded by Soundwaves and reorders are always available. To determine cost you simply add the reorder quantity to the amount you have already purchased and the new price is based upon the new total quantity. This will usually result in you purchasing reorders at a lower cost due to a total purchase that puts you in a lower price bracket. See the cost and profit schedule.

How much music will fit on a CD?
With the newest audio CDs we can now put up to 78 minutes of music on a CD.

We would like to include more than one concert or session on our CD, is this possible?
Yes, you can make a “compilation” CD. We can record multiple concerts, dress rehearsals, or special recording sessions. In each instance you will receive a fully mixed, edited and mastered CD Master. From these masters you will select the pieces you would like to included on your final compilation CD.(We can also include recordings that you may have made.) Each session costs $375, the cost of the final session is waived if you purchase 75 or more CDs of the final master. (the final CD includes both graphic design and the filing and paying for the mechanical licenses.)

When do you collect payment?
We do not ask for payment from schools or churches or booster groups until you receive your CDs. When multiple sessions are involved payment for each individual session is not required until you receive your Master CD of that session. Payment terms are 30 days after receiving your CDs. No up-front costs.

Are past recordings available from Conferences?
Yes, all music conferences, festivals, and district events we have recorded in the past are available. Please check the online music catalog or call us at out toll free number: 877-226-2567.

What about graphics?
We have a full-time graphic artist who can design your CD art from scratch or she can work with ideas you give us. We can use your supplied photos or graphics, or we can create graphics that fit your project. We include the names of all your ensemble members, so please supply these if they are not in your concert program. We'll also need the names of the composers, arrangers, and publishers of the pieces on your CD.

Our standard printed CD inserts are four panels: front cover, two inside pages, and the back page. So, in addition to the program and the students' names, there is usually room for a short message from you such as information about your group, a dedication, some thank you's, your mission statement, etc.

Often, everything we need is taken from the concert program leaving you with nothing to do regarding the graphics.