> Thanks for the tips! I'm gonna have to get
> myself a good microphone.... :)

Mine's a Realistic - unidirectional (Frequency Response 60-12,000Hz, 72dB sensitivity, 500ohms impedance - which means it's right for the job).

Depending on your recorder, you may or may not need to get a plug adapter - one plug to two and/or thick to thin.

> How about opening music? Most audio tapes
> seem to have an opening piece of
> introductory music.... Is this necessary, do
> you think? (I guess it does kind of
> "ease" the listener into your
> tape....)

With just a tape recorder and a mic you can create a product. Simple.

Adding music creates an added step - an another reason - which can prevent you from creating your tape. You will have to take your master to a duplication studio and ask them to add music. And that will mean you will have to pay royalties on the music they add. Unless you have your own royalty free music. But then, how will you add the music? Do you have a mixer? Are you willing to pay a few hundred dollars for an audio guy to make your master with music which fades in and out? How quick do you want to get the product out?

See how adding music just adds more reasons NOT to create the tape in the first place?

I've made tapes with music and without music. And after making them without music, I have never made one with music since.

If you are concerned about what the customer may think about your tape without music, have a cover letter which has something like this in it...

"The tape was made by a real person and not a paid professional speaker. Our goal is to concentrate on the information the tape contains, because that is what will bring the results to you. And to me, that's what counts the most."

Tapes without music are quicker, easier and cheaper to get out onto the market.

Michael Ross