In my efforts at having my own discs reproduced, so as to have something to offer to listeners, I started as inexpensively as I could. Having no real know-how, I went to friends who did have the skills and equipment to help me. As my own skills with computer duplication techniques and graphic production grew, I wanted to try to improve upon the attempts that others had made on my behalf.

The difference between the two products, that which was produced for me by others and what I was able to create myself, was like night and day. I used the same process, a home computer. Working on my own projects, I was able to dedicate as much time as was necessary to the task. Asking the same of someone else's time would have been more costly for me. Since I, currently, have more time than $, I toughed my way through the learning curve of how make my own recordings.

I began this exploration, of making my own recordings, by finding the least expensive products needed and readily available at local retail outlets. I soon found these sources to be unreliable for my needs. As they did not keep the desired stock on hand and their prices varied greatly. This led me to explore online suppliers. I found that I could pay less and get a far better quality media and supplies online.

The 'CDR' designation was the last thing that I recently added to the cover art of my graphics packages for each of my recordings. I wanted those purchasing my recordings to know that they were CDRs. Even though I use the most expensive recording media available, because of the differences in player qualities that folks use to listen to Cds, some of my recordings will not play on some players. I cannot control that factor.

I think that most folks purchasing recordings these days can readily tell, that a Cd that's packaged in a less than standard way, with a black marker scrawled across it for a label, in a paper sleeve, is probably not something industry produced. Many folks will support an artist no matter what kind of process is used to create their recordings. I've seen lots of listeners buying paper sleeved, black marker labeled, poorly executed home recordings for $10 each.

My recording's packaging is far more complex. I wanted to offer a more retail ready packaging, a better looking product. I ask a higher price for my recordings, than the $10 most others are asking, because of the production that I put into each of my recordings.

They each have a full color double sided glossy tray card, a full color glossy four panel insert and a full color glossy printed Cd. I use the Taiyo Yuden Water Shield discs, their most expensive product. I like the glossy finish that this product offers my label printing and the recording quality is top notch.

I have not found a company that will do, what I do in the production of my discs, for a reasonable price. That's why I do it all myself. This process also allows me to alter any aspect of my production. If I wish to add a song, or remove three songs and/or change the font on the cover, or alter the text in the insert, I can do so readily and easily at my discretion. I can create an almost unending variety of my products by altering them to suit my immediate needs. I can even create some that are simply black marker labeled in paper sleeves if I wish and offer them for ten bucks.

I think that this is what SA was referring to when he described the process as feral.

- having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication

One might look upon the previous inability of the average muso to easily create his/her own high quality products as a domesticated state of affairs. There was a time when this level of production was only within the reach of those with very deep pockets and that gave the industry a distinct advantage when it came to what kind of music was available for listeners to hear and purchase. It was a domesticated state of affairs where those within the industry decided who would get recorded and who would get heard.

Digital technology has leveled that playing field, as it has with digital video production and in so doing, has opened up a new chapter and era. These days, more artists are now producing a wider range of musical offerings to listeners than ever before in history. The same can be said for video production. Coupled with the web, these changes have pioneered a revolution.

We all are witnessing the greatest alteration of musical perception ever. More music and a greater variety of music is being created and enjoyed by more people than ever before in the history of mankind's brief existence on this planet. I think it's a wonderful thing to behold.

It is wild and untamed out there today in the digital musical world and I don't know that I'd like to see it any other way. It's a digital jungle. Around every turn of this inflammation stoopid highway lurks the wild and weird, the beautiful and bizarre, the unique and yes even the underdone and overdone leftovers from days gone by. You can offer your music as primitive or as sophisticated as you like and more than likely, however you present it, you'll find some ears that will delight in hearing it.