Members BTmusic Posted February 19, 2012 Members Posted February 19, 2012 I have been fooling around with music all my life, I love it. 15 years ago I began with a Tascam portaII, multitrackin' for fun. The last few years I have been laying tracks for a decent sounding demo....Where do I start in regards to getting it out there and listened to? I'm not involved in any online community or play any shows. I play all the tracks, and usually it's an instrumental. I can sound pretty good at times. Once in a while I'll shoot out some mp3's as email attachments to entertain friends. I love what I make and want others to hear it, too. That aside, the question is, where do I start in terms of sending out a demo?Also I've got alot of stuff and I do worry about people ripping off riffs and melodies.Should I patent everything first( not that it's that big a deal) I just want people to dig what I've been digging, you dig? I appreciate any help!
Members BlueStrat Posted February 19, 2012 Members Posted February 19, 2012 Welcome to the music biz, 2012. Like nearly everyone else, you might be trying to use an old model paradigm to apply to the "new " model. It used to be, when the music business was thriving, you could make a demo and send it to reviewers, distributors, record companies, labels, producers, and so on. Now, those roles are almost gone or have evolved into something really different from what they used to be. Today, creating a demo to shop and then trying to find interest in it is a bit like buying a fishing boat before you find out if there are any fish to be had. There is still a market for selling songs to singers, mostly R&B, pop and country singers, but your stuff had better be uber commercial. You said you write instrumentals. I'm sad to say, there's not much of a demand or market for them- with exceptions that I'll get to in a moment. I write songs and perform them. But I haven't made a record since 2003. Why? Because I have done some homework and have discovered that there is no demand yet for it. I'm getting close, at least locally, but as far as just sending my stuff out....there's really no one left to send it to. No one is signing development deals anymore. If you want your demo to get attention, you have to perform a lot, get interest in your music locally, and start selling tracks, downloads, EPs, CDs, whatever it is you have to sell. If you start getting a good response, get it up in Itunes or Amazon and Spotify. If your stuff is really good, you might get some attention like that. The days of making a demo and putting it online or sending it out to gather interest while you do something else are about over, though. You have to perform live, it has to be exceptional, and it's a lot of work. I should warn you at the outset that instrumental music is a really tough sell. Instrumental music that you don't play live makes it tougher. I don't mean to be discouraging, it's just the current reality. If you can start selling hundreds or thousands of downloads and streams, and get multiple thousands of hits on Youtube, you might arouse the interest of folks who smell a potential to make money off of you and they'll contact you. Otherwise, you might have to be happy just giving it away to people to enjoy. It sucks, but that's kind of the new reality for all but a few. One avenue that is open for instrumental artists is the soundtrack market. I am not sure ow one goes about getting into that market, but lots of buyers are looking for them- reality shows on Discovery and NatGeo, movies, documentaries, radio shows, and so on. I know there are guys here who do have sound track experience, though. Hang in there- you might be able to tap that market. Good luck!
Members BlueStrat Posted February 19, 2012 Members Posted February 19, 2012 As to your other question, you copyright music. (it's not a patent). In the US, a piece of music, writing or artwork is automatically copyrighted work the minute it's set into tangible form. That is, your demo is already copyrighted material. You may register your copyright with the US Copyright Office, which will prove ownership if you are ever sued or someone copies you. Look at this thread here: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?1703192-Copyright-101...before-you-ask-or-POST-please-take-a-look! It should answer any questions you have. Bottom line, you can register your copyrights if it makes you feel better, but the chances of you getting ripped off or sued are about the same a getting hit by lightning twice in the same place. Once again, good luck and welcome to the forum! There are some great guys here; we often disagree but we like and respect each other and have kind of become a family of sorts. A very, very dysfunctional family, but a family none the less!
Moderators daddymack Posted February 19, 2012 Moderators Posted February 19, 2012 Actually, as BS mentioned there is a decent growing market for instrumental music, and you can try getting your material into libraries or placed through services like Taxi; but this is not the old world, and your submissions have to be ready to sell: complete, mastered, perfect. You can sell music for anything...video games, ringtones, documentaries, tv show themes, film scores...and it happens all day everyday.
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 19, 2012 Members Posted February 19, 2012 Consider music libraries for your instrumentals if they're broadcast quality. Good place to start into the world of music libraries is here: http://www.musiclibraryreport.com/ Good luck, John:cool:
Members rsadasiv Posted February 19, 2012 Members Posted February 19, 2012 I have been fooling around with music all my life, I love it. 15 years ago I began with a Tascam portaII, multitrackin' for fun. The last few years I have been laying tracks for a decent sounding demo....Where do I start in regards to getting it out there and listened to? I'm not involved in any online community or play any shows. I play all the tracks, and usually it's an instrumental. I can sound pretty good at times. Once in a while I'll shoot out some mp3's as email attachments to entertain friends. I love what I make and want others to hear it, too. That aside, the question is, where do I start in terms of sending out a demo?Also I've got alot of stuff and I do worry about people ripping off riffs and melodies.Should I patent everything first( not that it's that big a deal) I just want people to dig what I've been digging, you dig? I appreciate any help! Put your tracks up on soundcloud, soundclick, or one of the other free music streaming sites. Much easier than email attachments.
Members Dingoist Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 If you are good at instrumentals on demand, demos? Well, I'd approach the local ad houses and media outlets for contract work with the demos. When I was an Ad Writer, we used to purchase songs all the time for local and extended regional spots. We'd get the common distro canned from the music libraries stuff for generic spots, but when it wasn't right we'd go to a local pool to get a custom stuff. There were a few local studios, and a growing pool of musicians that we'd pull from. Once you got in the door, was known to be reliable, well chances were a fairly regular gig coming from our agency. But... screw up (i.e. over promise, not meet deadlines, etc) then the agency would move on. Cut throat but that's the way it was. Get a reputation of producing stuff on time, starting small and moving bigger. and being reliable. It's not rock star glamorous but a decent way to get paid.
Members wrongnote85 Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 so far, this is the wordiest thread ever.
Members BlueStrat Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 so far, this is the wordiest thread ever. Yeah, I know. Sometimes problems require solutions that are actually in depth and a bit complicated and demand more than a sentence or two. Imagine that.
Members BTmusic Posted February 20, 2012 Author Members Posted February 20, 2012 Thanks guys, good advice and a good welcome. I'm picking up on it, kind of a daunting task, trying to make a name for myself, as if writing and recording wasn't enough. I really appreciate when I'm given names of places to start, I'm the type that needs to be shown. I'll be posting alot of questions. how about this: If you had material that was of decent quality, soundwise, good stereo mix, panned, compressed tracks, some tasteful effect accents, a good showcase of what you do, let's say a 5 song project, maybe some jams best loud n' live, or a good riff for an ad, Just not that final Mastered product that'd come from an experienced engineer,Would you be confident in that? Where would that have the best chance? Any luck with talent agencies?
Members kurdy Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 If you had material that was of decent quality, soundwise, good stereo mix, panned, compressed tracks, some tasteful effect accents, a good showcase of what you do, let's say a 5 song project, maybe some jams best loud n' live, or a good riff for an ad, Just not that final Mastered product that'd come from an experienced engineer,Would you be confident in that? Where would that have the best chance? Any luck with talent agencies? First of all, when I hear the term "talent agencies" I think "scam artists"...maybe there are some legitimate ones, but even so, they really aren't geared toward musicians anyway. If you're doing instrumental music without any vocals, it may be good enough (emphasis on "may"). Vocals are the hardest element to mix, and usually what separates the amateurs from professionals. But if your music is up to par, the next step would probably be to get your music mastered by a professional engineer. However, if you are new to the game, I would advise against spending any money until you've learned as much as you can about the business side of things and know what you're doing. For now, the easiest way to get your stuff out there is to put it on the web...there are a lot of free websites like Soundcloud, Soundclick, YouTube, etc. If you want to get your music copyrighted...just go on the US Copyright Office website, and fill out an SR form (you can do it right online)...I think there's a $35 registration fee (but you can compile an unlimited number of songs, and get them all registered at once for no additional cost) but as BlueStrat said, the odds are slim that anyone is going to rip off your stuff. Still, it's good to take extra precautions just in case (also helps getting used to filling those things out...you'll likely be doing it a lot.)
Moderators daddymack Posted February 20, 2012 Moderators Posted February 20, 2012 Thanks guys, good advice and a good welcome. I'm picking up on it, kind of a daunting task, trying to make a name for myself, as if writing and recording wasn't enough. I really appreciate when I'm given names of places to start, I'm the type that needs to be shown. I'll be posting alot of questions. how about this: If you had material that was of decent quality, soundwise, good stereo mix, panned, compressed tracks, some tasteful effect accents, a good showcase of what you do, let's say a 5 song project, maybe some jams best loud n' live, or a good riff for an ad, Just not that final Mastered product that'd come from an experienced engineer, Would you be confident in that? If you believe in your material, then present it at its absolute best. No excuses, it is the best you have, the best you can get it done. That is how it gets sold now. No one is going to take any time to 'nurture' your talent, or invest in you as an artist. That doesn't happen anymore. Where would that have the best chance? Any luck with talent agencies? Talent agencies? Really? Forget that...old world...not viable...waste of time. The new paradigm is DIY...meaning pay for it yourself
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 "the odds are slim that anyone is going to rip off your stuff" - daddymack Yeah, and if they're gonna rip you off, they'll do it whether it's registered or not. I just had a track of mine borrowed for a Canadian TV show. It was not only registered with the Library of Congress, but published as well. It's just not cost-effective to go after these scoundrels. John:cool:
Moderators daddymack Posted February 20, 2012 Moderators Posted February 20, 2012 your publisher should go after them!
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 20, 2012 Members Posted February 20, 2012 your publisher should go after them! We're having trouble tracking the culprits down. Being International makes it near impossible. ASCAP couldn't help me.
Moderators daddymack Posted February 21, 2012 Moderators Posted February 21, 2012 Is this a regular CBC programme? (note the spelling...my Canuck relatives would be proud)
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 21, 2012 Members Posted February 21, 2012 Is this a regular CBC programme? (note the spelling...my Canuck relatives would be proud) Not a lot of info on the ASCAP statement. This is the program: "VRAK LA VIE" (French). John
Moderators daddymack Posted February 22, 2012 Moderators Posted February 22, 2012 Astral Media owns VRAK.tv, which was, years ago La Canal Famille (the family channel) for the Quebecois...This is a licensed (CRTC) broadcast outlet, so they really should have taken the time to get permission to use your music. http://www.fairplayweb.com/en/productions/vrak-la-vie-seasons-i-and-ii/
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 22, 2012 Members Posted February 22, 2012 Astral Media owns VRAK.tv, which was, years ago La Canal Famille (the family channel) for the Quebecois...This is a licensed (CRTC) broadcast outlet, so they really should have taken the time to get permission to use your music.http://www.fairplayweb.com/en/productions/vrak-la-vie-seasons-i-and-ii/ Thanks for the info daddymack. John
Moderators daddymack Posted February 22, 2012 Moderators Posted February 22, 2012 good luck, John! or, should I say bon chance, Jean!
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 22, 2012 Members Posted February 22, 2012 good luck, John! or, should I say bon chance, Jean! You wouldn't happen to have a contact email of this broadcaster would you daddymack? Best, John:)
Members Matximus Posted February 22, 2012 Members Posted February 22, 2012 What he said: Gotta play live if you want to move up the ladder, unfortunately. There just ain't a market for bedroom recording artists.
Members Johnny-Boy Posted February 22, 2012 Members Posted February 22, 2012 What he said: Gotta play live if you want to move up the ladder, unfortunately. There just ain't a market for bedroom recording artists. Hmm... I'm a bedroom recording artist. Seem to be finding a market for my work. John:cool:
Moderators daddymack Posted February 22, 2012 Moderators Posted February 22, 2012 You wouldn't happen to have a contact email of this broadcaster would you daddymack? Best, John:) testing my research skills? hmousseau@astral.com Hugues Mousseau Director, Corporate Communications and Synergies Astral Media inc.
Members niceguy Posted February 22, 2012 Members Posted February 22, 2012 What he said: Gotta play live if you want to move up the ladder, unfortunately. There just ain't a market for bedroom recording artists. I'll notify all the people who have purchased my music and tell them that they were wrong to do so, because I'm not currently playing live. Sure, it's nice to sell music all over the world, but it's so much better to pour thousands of dollars into rehearsal space rentals, transportation, and finicky bandmates and then play a show to a room full of your friends, family, and coworkers.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.