Does anyone here know just how long (if you can even put a time on it) it takes to actually release a CD?

The music is recorded...all you need is to put together some artwork, and burn the CDs...

How long? Anyone know for sure? Any guesses?

LaVisHh said:

There is usually some type of marketing program connected to the release. Promotional materials, advertisements, press releases, etc. that have to be arranged prior to a CD hitting the street. Distribution channels are usually a fore gone conclusion in the case of well-established record labels or, in the case of internet releases, non-existent. THe real key is positioning. Record companies, not unlike movie studios, release new product whe the market conditions are optimal. The best time to release usually coincides with a minimal amount of "static" in the form of other movies, videos, CDs, etc. being released that would compete for the finite amount of disposable income that comsumers will allocate toward entertainment.
THis marketing concept was the genesis of the dilemna that Prince had with Warner Bros. Prince - being Prince - did not want to adhere to any unwritten rules or purely revenue-driven parameters on the release of his great work. WB thought that he not only released far too frequently but far too much (double and triple albums are thought to be too much product for the pop/rock market segment and they tend to be more expensive ie. Emancipation and the additional disc that was intended for SOTT).

Thank GOD that Prince now releases his music when and how he wants to. THus, when he said he would send us a copy of a track from the Xenophobia celebration, he was actually able to do so only a few days later via his website.

And lets not forget the simplest tactics for CD releases: just holding out to build anticipate and word of mouth. Why people worry about the reason a CD is not released when they want it to be ot when it was originally slated is beyond me. If it eventually gets out, it doesnt actually matter.

I'm fairly certain if a record company wanted to manufacture and sell a new ONA CD they'll do so right before Xmas, when sales for compilations, live sets, and albums in general do much better. That said, ONA should reach npgmc customers about a month prior, butt who knows what they have planned.

As to a CD release, i would think the performance, editing, and printing of a master CD on the artist's part and then the promotion, printing, manufacturing, and then shipping on the label's part-- totals about 5-6 months. Without any promotion, about 3 months to print the CD's and mail them out.

Wow...thanks FACE and mrchristian... never thought of all the points you both brought up!

I guess I was thinking of the little man who does it, and not the big people (who I really wanted to know about).

I didn't consider how important the release date was in the success of the album...

I write and record about 4 songs per month, and it takes me about 3 months to make a CD, artwork, recording, and all, while still working 50 hours per week, so for a full time musician it may be less of a time to record everything.