What are your options?

Let's talk first about existing tracks. They can come from many sources.
Two of the larger tape companies are Musical Creations (www.musicalcreations.com) and Omega Sound. (www.omegasound.com) Tracks may be purchased in the 2:00 format from either company ranging in price from $15.00 - $20.00. I have, and still use both companies for existing tracks.

Most of my work however is done in the custom arena. These are arrangements that are created for one person, exactly the way that person wants the arrangement to sound by finding the best key, the best notes, and the best possible way to present the song to show off the performer's voice and ability.

There are two major factors to remember when hunting for or building a track. First, we look at the arrangement itself. You only have 2:00 minutes to make something happen. The arrangement must help you get that done. Secondly, we look at the quality of the tape. Does it sound like a real orchestra, or does it sound like a synthesizer? When you start comparing tapes from various sources you will be very surprised at the differences in sound quality. This can make a major difference in a talent presentation.

Then there are custom tracks. Once again, these are tracks built from the ground up and made specifically for one person. You are the only one that has this arrangement on a particular song. All of the companies listed earlier do custom tracks at various costs. Every company’s final product will have a very different sound.

My first step when a vocalist comes to me for a custom track is to sit down at the piano with her. We find the right key and then pound out different options as to what can happen with the arrangement. Once we both agree what is going to happen with the arrangement, it is time to figure out who will actually put the track down. You basically have two options depending on what your budget will allow.

1. $750.00 These tracks are done by Milton Smith in Hope Mills, NC. Price includes arrangement and the track. Bill does the arrangement. How are Milton’s tracks built? Well the piano, drums, and bass guitar are all live instruments. Meaning that live players actually play them. The strings, woodwinds, and horn lines are then built over the top of the existing rhythm unit. These additions are synth. There are numerous sound sampling devices that reproduce strings, woodwinds, and horns, but in all honestly the North Carolina produced tracks have some of the most realistic sounds on the market today. This is fairly obvious in how Milton’s tracks have done in competition. Between Bill and Milton, from 1990 through 2008, they have worked on music for:

7 Miss Americas
Kirsten Haglund, Lauren Nelson, Ericka Dunlap, Nicole Johnson, Shawntell Smith, Leanza Cornett, and Debbye Turner

2 First Runner Ups
Faith Jenkins and Michelle Warren

5 Second Runner Ups
Soncee Brown, Jennifer Makris, Paula Montgomery, Lissette Gonzalez, and Tina Sauerhammer

3 Third Runner Ups
Taryn Foshee, Deborah McDonald, and Pam McKelvy

3 Fourth Runner Ups
Kim Massaro, Nancy Glisson, and Dusharme Carter

25 Semi-Finalists
Diana Reed, Katie Bailey, Kylie Williams, Kimberly Morgan, Kristen Eddings, Mari Wilensky, Eudora Mosby, Erica Powell, Megan Bushell, Amber Etheridge, Kelley Scott, Lisa Dalzell, Jennifer Adcock, Jennifer Hover, Kaci Hundley, Mary Louise Curry, Erin Wheatley, Julie Hackney, Mette Boving, Shani Neilson, Tricia Schaffer, Nicloe Bethman, Stephanie Patterson, Robin Wasson, and Jennifer Smith

13 Talent Winners
Diana Daunis, Diana Reed, Erika Powell, Ericka Dunlap, Lisette Gonzalez, Tina Sauerhammer, Mary Louise Curry, Shani Neilson, Tricia Schaffer, Michelle Warren, Faith Jenkins, Pam Mckelvy, Nancy Glisson

2. $1,400.00 These are tracks that are built with ALL live players. (Usually from the Big Band genre) Though pricey, the sound of the final product on this type of a track is amazing. "I've Got the World on a String" and "Come Rain or Come Shine" are samples of this type of a track that can be heard under the 2:00 Tracks Available area of this web site. Call or email for the re-sell price on these tracks.

Now, what else might be done to enhance the sound of a track?

BACKUP SINGERS: Some arrangements are enhanced by the addition of back-up singers. As long as the back-ups are not on the main vocal line, consist mostly of ooh's and ahh's or back-up pops doing repeats of specific words, it is perfectly legal.
COST: $300.00 - $400.00

LIVE HORN PARTS: The most difficult instruments to achieve a realistic sound when producing a track are the brass instruments (especially the trumpets). As an option to solve this problem, I have been adding live horn players to many of the newer arrangements. This can also be done with most existing tracks. The live horns give the track a very crisp, bright, and energetic feel.
COST: $300.00 - $400.00

Feel free to email me with any further questions at talentwolfe@aol.com