How long does it take you? Soup to nuts?
 
For me, it's usually 3 to 6 weeks depending on the complexity of the song? Some parts are easy, some are harder and take longer. But 3 to 6 weeks is a good estimate (for me)
 
I'm starting one this weekend :-)
 
I stand in awe of people who can crank them out... I'm not that guy.

I usually am recording a song just so I won't forget it when I write it and will have a record of it. So, It can take me anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple of weeks depending on the song. If it is something that I think is worth spending the time on it can take weeks or even months. I am mostly a lyric kinda guy so I try to get those down as quick as I can.

Can usually write a piece over a weekend, and then spend a month or so to get the mix right. Mixing is still pretty foreign to me. 
I'm in awe of guys that write for scores, 2 mins per day for up to 6 weeks. 
Music, where would we all be without it. 
Look forward to hearing you next piece. 
 

I can't discern any pattern really. I've written, recorded and mixed a piece in 2 days, sometimes they take months. Got one now that's stuck..it's all there, laid out, just can't find the right topline melodies. Probably should have started with that first...

That is a really open ended issue.
 
Writing a song can be anywhere from 45 minutes (I think that's the quickest I've written one) to many weeks or never.... generally the writing process is a day or so in length for the first draft..... then it may be weeks to re-write the song several times to end up with what is considered to be the "final version".....
 
Recording..... another open ended issue. Is a recording ever truly finished? Some would argue "no", but I like to say there is a point where I'm not willing to put any more effort into the project, and that's when I call it finished.
 
The shortest new project to done for me was 4 hours give or take. However, most often, again, the recording and mixing process often takes several days to a few weeks depending on numerous factors. I can easily spend days on end obsessing over the minutia in the project.
 
That said, most of the projects I work on are "start to finish" probably in the range of about 2 to 3 weeks including the writing and recording. (Whether that is consecutive is another story)

I'm pretty muck like James, I've recorded songs in a couple of days and other have taken months. My longest is probably the one on the song forums right now. It's nothing special, but I droag that rhythm track idea around for almost a year before putting words to it.

This morning I had an hour to my self. I started anew song. My goal was to get a good clean scratch acoustic guitar track down and a good scratch vocal. My goals are small, because of limited time. I spent nearly 4 weeks writing the lyrics.

I"ve pooped one out in a day, "but it hurts..." For me, it's more about loving the track, practicing it, comping it in, listening to it, having Mark beat me like a captive in the dungeon from Silence of the Lambs... (it puts the lotion on its skin!) SING IT AGAIN!! (He's a task master... "relentless.") I don't want the hose again? So I am compelled to comply...
 
I am preparing to track guitar (acoustic and then electric?) And since I don't really play anymore unless I'm tracking, I've lost my callouses :-( I've grown some decent ones back after a week or so of practice, so I'm feeling pretty manly about that (except when I have to put the lotion on the skin. That's always somewhat humiliating?) I hope to start tracking tomorrow :-) I love the process... But I hate the drums.

this is a good topic to put out there Robbie 
let me think about it some , I'll be back .
 
Kenny
 

You can guess which one I'm working on :-) It's in my sig... I love the classic rock from the mid to late 60s/early 70s? I think it was the golden age of music. But we all have our own likes and dislikes? Nothing wrong with that, it's what makes the world go round...

I guess you're referring to producing a finished song.
That is sort of rare for me as technology lets you rewrite forever.
 
Anyway, I'd say Minimum of a week. I've had one that took 25 years. So, basically, everything in-between.
That's for my stuff. For other peoples stuff, I strive to git-er-done when they want it. So, a week or 2.
 
I guess it all depends on the clock. I mean, if you have the leisure to diddle around with something forever, you will.