Introduction

Some bands now permit taping of their live concerts, a practice started with the Grateful Dead. Special Tapers sections are normally found at these shows behind the soundboard. Using professional level recording equipment, these shows then follow a variety of paths to end up on somone's etree trading list. This page details how to start your own collection.

The agreement of a band to allow taping at its concerts is not without conditions. The most important and generally included condition is that music may only be traded, never sold. This means that you may trade a show only for an equivalent amount of media. In other words, three blank CD's may be traded for three recorded CD's of a concert. In no case should you ever participate in a trade that requires more media from either party. If someone asks for more blanks than they are providing back to you - this is a music sale and is not permitted. Please do not patronize anyone performing this practice (sometimes referred to by ratio, i.e. "five for three", etc.).

What is a B&P?

B&P basically stands for Blanks and Postage. This arrangement allows a new trader who has a small or non-existent collection to acquire shows. In return for sending blank discs with return postage, you can end up with some pretty excellent audio and DVD shows. The person distributing the show only gets the satisfaction of spreading some incredible music and joy, and assisting someone else in sharing something they love.

How Does It Work?

An individual who has a show to offer will post an announcement, usually to the trading forum. You then follow their instructions for how they wish to acquire sign ups. You are then given instructions and an address to send to, usually via email. You send off the required number of blank discs, along with a return mailer with sufficient postage. The trader takes your blank discs and records the show onto those discs, and then mails them back to you. The trader receives nothing in return for this service.

How to Participate

The first step in participating in a B&P deal is to locate a B&P offer.  I've found the best place to locate these deals is the trading forum located here: antsmarching.org traders forum . This forum has B&P notices from individuals frequently. One thing to check before you reply to an offer, is whether the original poster has added additional replies to the thread. When a trader has filled his offer, he will usually reply to his original message and append the word "CLOSED" to the end of the subject.  Check to make sure that the offer is still open before you reply.  And if a deadline has passed, don't reply or grovel.  Honor the trader's request and keep looking.

When you see a B&P offer that interests you, make sure it is what you really want. Make sure you read the original posters full message. Look for the number of discs you will need and if the B&P is for audio, be sure to note if they are planning to burn data (SHN/FLAC) or audio (CD-R), or if you have the option. Also make sure you know if the show is audio or DVD so you can be sure to send the correct type of discs.

Once you've determined that a B&P offer is something you would like to have, you need to quickly respond to the offer. It is important that you do so in the manner indicated in the message. Here's a typical B&P posting;

DMB 4-19-02 DVD B&P for 10
This is the newest Sinclair DVD 4-19-02. I will offer it up for 10 people.
It is 2 discs and I can burn either format, 8x please.
You must send your package no later than Monday.
Sign up like this
#
First name Last initial
email address
If you want to trade leave me your list and I will look to see if there is anything that I want.

There are several things in this offer that are important. The first is the show being offered, DMB 4-19-02.  Also note that you'll need 2 blank discs, and 8x speed, either format (-/+R) are preferred.  If you send other discs, such as cheap generic bulk discs, they may fail in the trader's burner, and he will have made handy coasters for you and you don't get the show.

Also, the time period is important. If a deadline was given and you can't make it in time, the trader will end up sending back your blank discs, and you will have prevented somebody who could have met the deadline from getting the show. Most traders keep shows on their hard drive to make copies, and don't want to keep the same shows on their hard drive forever. This is why they like to conclude the B&P as quickly as possible.

A very important part of the above offer is that the trader will accept the first 10 people who leave the instructed information. This means that you must get your message posted quickly. Some traders pick random requests, and stop accepting requests at a certain time. You usually will hear back about the B&P in a day or so. If you don't hear back, you might want to check the thread to be sure something didn't change in the offer or that you got your request in time. When you do hear back, you'll receive an e-mail that includes instructions and an address.  This message may look something like this;

Thank you for signing up for my 4-19-02 B&P.  Please send 2 blank discs to me (most branded discs work fine, but generics have been known not to work).  Please send to the address below. Be sure to include your email or nickname and a note telling me which show I am burning for you. Thanks and happy B&Ping...
Traders Name
123 Any Street
Anytown, OO 15151

 Before you do anything else, reply to the message and tell the trader that you acknowledge your acceptance and are preparing the materials for immediate shipment. Let them know what your estimated timeframe is, and how you can be contacted. And be sure to WRITE DOWN and save the name and details of the B&P somewhere. Trust me on this one!

What You'll Need

To participate in a B&P, you'll need several things. I was able to get everything I needed at Office Max. I purchased the following:

Click on items 1-5 for a larger picture.

1. 9x12 Envelopes ( Shown here are Tyvek (#10 1/2) by Columbian (CO851). Tyvek is the material FedEx envelopes are made from) 2. Self-Sealing Bubble Mailers (Shown here are Manco Care Mail - Size 0, which is 6x9) 3. Address labels. These are optional. (Shown here are Manco Care Mail labels) 4. Blanks CD or DVD discs (Shown here is TDK CD-R purchased in single jewel cases) 5. CD Sleeves or Clamshells 6. Standard index cards. These are optional.

Bear in mind that these items may be available through other sources at better prices, but I like the one stop shop approach of an office supply store. Blank discs can be bought in bulk, often in spindles of 50/100, for far less than you'll pay for branded TDKs at Office Max. However, you need to remember that the discs you buy need to work in other people's burners. The people doing the B&P will let you know what discs work for them, and everybody I've worked with so far has accepted TDK.

Also, if you can find a smaller envelope than the 9x12 Tyvek for shipping there, that the bubble mailer will fit into, use it. Some traders have a hard time getting the large envelope delivered to their residence. And many people find that manila envelopes will work just fine.

Try to avoid buying the mailers that are padded with paper fiber. They're usually brown and say "To Open, Pull Tab".  The Care Mail KPE-2, which says "Jiffy Padded" and "Contains over 60% Recycled Fibers" is an example of a mailer to avoid. These are usually purchased directly at the post office window.

Some traders feel these can contaminate the discs with small particles, especially since the packages seem to easily get ripped when opening or during shipping, creating a mess for the trader.

Doing the Deed

Now, here's what to do with the assembled materials:

	1. Jewel Cases will usually not survive the shipping, and add significantly to the postage costs. So take the required number of discs and place them into either clamshells or sleeves. Clamshells provide better protection, but increase the postage cost. Most people find that sleeves work fine.
	2. Put an address label on the bubble mailer, to reflect that it will be coming FROM the trader TO you. Be sure to use a return address where this mailer can be delivered to you.  You can write directly on the envelope if you prefer, especially if it will keep the weight under 3 ounces ($0.77).
	3. Put the discs into the Bubble Mailer.
	4. Write a short note explaining the B&P deal you've arranged, including the show you are getting and your nickname or e-mail address. Be sure to mention how happy you are that this kind person is willing to do this for you.
	5. Put this note into the bubble mailer with the discs. Do NOT seal the Bubble Mailer.
	6. Take a large envelope and put an address label on it FROM you TO the trader. If possible, put the show date on the envelope somewhere, or next to/under the trader's name. You can also write the information directly on the envelope, if you prefer.
	7. Put the UNSEALED Bubble Mailer into the large envelope.

Take both of these envelopes to your local post office, or proceed as listed below if you already know postage rates. (Remember postal rates increased as of January 8, 2006. You can also take the materials to a local commercial shipping center, like Mailboxes USA, but you'll need to actually watch them to ensure that they do everything correctly. Often, the person doing the work will not be the person you talk to. Ask if they can take care of it while you're there, or go elsewhere. If you find that your packages always cost the same to mail, just use stamps in that amount.

Mailing the Package

Going International? Be aware that your local postage can not be used to return the package to you from another country.  There are several solutions to this dilemma, the key being to work out the situation with the trader in advance. You can always convert small amounts of currency and send that along.  And some traders welcome additional blanks instead of postage. Just be sure to ask the trader how they prefer to handle international postage. A good idea for international trades is International Reply Coupons (IRCs). These are coupons you buy in Post Offices in your own country.The trader can then exchange these in his own Post Office for stamps. The exchange rates in US Post Offices is 60c or 80c per coupon. Another good resource is the U.S. Postal Service International Postage Calculator.

If it took you longer than 3-5 days to get the package out, you should send a notice off to the trader that you've got the package in the mail, and remind him of the deal. Then all you have to do is sit back and wait for the bubble mailer to come home to roost!

Reaping the Rewards

It will normally take 2-3 weeks for your show to arrive, sometimes longer, sometimes faster. Understand that traders live normal, full lives like the rest of us.  And burning a show for you can tie up their entire computer. So, be patient and keep checking that mailbox. If you don't hear anything and a month goes by, feel free to inquire about the status of your B&P. Use your own judgment here.

When your show arrives, inside you will find your original discs, only now they contain the show you requested. (Note that some traders will send you back the show on different blanks if they had trouble with your discs or burner issues.)  Also, most traders will include a note but be aware that the show may come back with no notation on what show it is. You'll need your note from when you sent the package out (you DID write it down, didn't you?) to figure out what show it is.

I listen to or watch the show to make sure everything went okay with the burn and the shipping back to me. I then e-mail the trader, letting him know what I thought of the show, and thanking him again for taking the time to enhance my personal collection. I may also ask the trader any questions I have about the show, such as lineage and sources, etc.

If I have any problems with the show at all, I contact the trader immediately to see if my discs reflect his masters, or if I got a bad copy. I let them know specifically what I'm hearing or seeing and where, and what I think it might be. If you treat the trader as a friend who is helping you out, you'll get a much better response than treating him unkindly.

On To Trading!

I hope the information I've included here helps you get started with B&Ps so you can build your collection. Don't forget to give back once in awhile and offer up a B&P yourself to the new guys. It's all about sharing the love!

Thanks goes out to all the tapers who bust their ass to get us some great sources to circulate and to the amazing DMB community for helping me build the collection I have today. And special thanks to Ed for allowing me to use his information from http://www.mcnichol.com/bnp.