how many songs max. on an E.P. ?

[e-modic]

hi,

can a CD with 10 songs on it still be an EP?
I want to name my CD titled with EP so it´s clear it´s not a regular CD, also I don´t wanna call it 'demo'.
Any ideas?

ingo

[Kriminal]

I'd say 4 or 5, 10 is an album really...

[wwwill]

I would agree with Kriminal. The other thing to think about is how many SONGS (not tracks) are on the collection. Often you find remixes(dance music) of songs or 60-second or less commercial skits(rap/hip hop) listed as seperte tracks.

Here's my little guide:

1 or 2 SONGS: Up to 5 tracks = SINGLE
2 to 3 SONGS: Up to 6 tracks = MAXI-SINGLE
3 to 5 SONGS: Up to 8 tracks = EP
5 or 6 SONGS: Up to 6 tracks = DOUBLE-EP
7 SONGS AND UP = ALBUM

Not hard and fast rules. This is just wat I've seen and priced accordingly.

[chagzuki]

Seems like you've got 2 EPs.

[cron]

Autechre's EP7 was over 60 minutes long containing 11 tracks and, if I remember rightly, priced as an EP would be. The vinyl release was split into two parts released simultaneously (EP7.1 and EP7.2), but the CD version contains the lot.

My advice is to go for it.

[dx-9]

well ep's can very well incl. 10 tracks if there are some edits of the same track on it. 10 diff. tracks would be an album to my eyes.

[origami]

well that's very relative though. for example, most Tangerine Dream albums had 3 or 4 songs and they were considered albums. each song lasted for 15 minutes though...

[Gwydi]

I wouldn't ask yourself how many tracks is appropriate for an EP - I'd ask what the total *duration* of the tracks is?

Remember, EP stands for "extended play", so it's assumed to play for longer than a single, but for less time than a full album.

Or maybe that's just how old farts like me (who grew up with vinyl) think

G.

[e-modic]

ok, I see, 10 regular songs and no remix is a bit to much then. Would look a bit stupid titled with EP.

thanx

[CskaTorpedo]

hi,

can a CD with 10 songs on it still be an EP?
I want to name my CD titled with EP so it´s clear it´s not a regular CD, also I don´t wanna call it 'demo'.
Any ideas?

ingo

What you really need to know is WHY, not WHAT...

Record companies release singles to peak interest in bands future albums without releasing an entire body of work, but not a lot of people buy cd singles, this is mostly because who wants to pay $5-6 for one good song, a dance "re-mix", and a acoustic version of a song they already have?

An E.P. is an old term for album, still used by dance music labels because they press their music on vinyl, but mostly an outdated term when it comes to commercial releases.

A little history;
Originally singles were mostly for promotional uses, to disc jockeys, clubs, and record stores. They came on vinyl, and were usually 45's (the small record with the big hole in the middle), meaning there was one (maybe two) songs on the record.

Before you release your cd you have to have an idea of what you are actually doing, are you promoting the furture album? Or are you releasing the album? Pretty silly to give your "single" away with 10 songs on it. Sort of defeats the purpose of marketing it as a single. Conversly if you put 4 tracks on an "album" people will feel that they got ripped off (unless of course it's four 15 minute songs).

If your album is actually a demo (you are going to send it to A&R for evaluation)then don't be afraid to call it what it is. There is no stigma attached to the title, demo's range in quality and are just a snapshot of what the artist can do rather than a completed body of work.

One last thing, if you are sending a demo out try not to put 10 tracks on it. Most A&R departments don't listen to every song on the demo, rather they expect you to have your best work presented to them. Save six songs for later, four is a standard number of songs. It's enough to see if you are consistantly good, and few enough to make sure you are just giving them the REAL quality music, and not a bunch of filler tracks.

If it's your own label then do whatever you want, print a million with 99 6 second songs on them and call it a single. Charge 50 dollars a cd, and donate half of it to help Tsunami victims.

[wwwill]

If you indeed have 10 songs you are better off offering two 5-song EPs as opposed to one 10-song album. You will be asking your audience for less initial risk investment, it's easier to take a chance on an EP than a full album. At the same time your audience will be in the habit of buying your product; REPEAT customers are the key. If you plan on involving the media(radio, tv, print, internet) it's easier to direct their focus to specific songs/tracks/singles with a 5-song EP than a 10-song album.

[Funkybot]

6 tops. If you have 10 release the best 6 then start a new batch of tunes for another EP.

[vurt]

4 + 6 secret tracks