<p>Well, I've also posted this on the parents' forum to cover all my bases, but here goes... time is running out to record my college tape (for singing), and I'm pretty much on the edge of freaking out. I've asked my voice teacher and music teacher at school, and they're pretty clueless as to how to do it. Do colleges expect a professional- quality recording made in a studio, or will just a regular tape recording do? How did you go about making yours? Thanks so much for any help.</p>
<p>Well naturally the best way to answer your question is to contact the music dept of the college(s) to which you are applying, and/or the Admissions office. (A recording can be sent to an Admissions office -- sometimes a special division -- or a Music Dept., depending. Target your question to whomever will be receiving & hearing the tape.)</p>
<p>My D sent an instrumental tape. That college preferred a CD -- as do other colleges I recently checked out. Hers was nowhere near professional recording quality, although in her case it did not hurt her. (She was NOT applying to be a music major, though; that's an important difference.)</p>
<p>If you are applying to be a voice major, & your vocal sample is an element of that, I would take the time to investigate how to get the best <em>amateur</em> quality recording done; that would probably be a CD. I do not think it has to sound as if it's made in a recording studio. This is for a college app -- not for a record company.</p>
<p>My son's band and music technology teachers had equipment to record CDs...maybe try your high school instrumental teachers. I will say, though, that the acoustics in the room were not the best. I do know that some musicians had CDs made professionally.</p>