Dubstepforum.com

Thanks!

Yeah - I agree. A polite email up front will certainly help matters - you will get to know the person to speak to briefly, you'll get a feel for their timeframes and how fast they reply, as well as their manner, and the sort of communication they appreciate.

You can find out the best way to send things, and it also means that you're spending a bit more time on writing to them - not just shotgun-blasting promos to everyone you can think of.

You would do well to mention where you got their contact details from too - so they don't think you just got included in a reply-all type email and poached a bunch of email addresses from it.

I like getting an email to me specifically, and not to 100 people including me.

What I hate though, is when people don't take the time to write anything - I regularly get people trying to send me something via AIM or by attaching it to an email (terrible practice by the way) and not even saying anything - just assuming that I'll accept it, listen to it and want to sign it, or feed back. Often some people will just give me an "ez" message and try and send me something - no conversation, nothing else - just the expectation that I have time to check something that I have no personal or vested interest in.

DFRNT wrote:Thanks!

Yeah - I agree. A polite email up front will certainly help matters - you will get to know the person to speak to briefly, you'll get a feel for their timeframes and how fast they reply, as well as their manner, and the sort of communication they appreciate.

You can find out the best way to send things, and it also means that you're spending a bit more time on writing to them - not just shotgun-blasting promos to everyone you can think of.

You would do well to mention where you got their contact details from too - so they don't think you just got included in a reply-all type email and poached a bunch of email addresses from it.

I like getting an email to me specifically, and not to 100 people including me.

What I hate though, is when people don't take the time to write anything - I regularly get people trying to send me something via AIM or by attaching it to an email (terrible practice by the way) and not even saying anything - just assuming that I'll accept it, listen to it and want to sign it, or feed back. Often some people will just give me an "ez" message and try and send me something - no conversation, nothing else - just the expectation that I have time to check something that I have no personal or vested interest in.

Exactly, some people may not like the full formailty, whilst others may. Its always in your best interest to at least try find something about the person/label is doing and bring that up in the conversation, essentially bringing the 'commercial awareness' aspect from many business jobs into the equation. And as for the "ez" messages... haha Theres not reason why someone would take their time out and listen to your stuff if you haven't even done the basic research!

P.S am not quite sure how you manage your time with the numerous things your involved in..!

nitz wrote:P.S am not quite sure how you manage your time with the numerous things your involved in..!

Haha, yeah it certainly keeps me busy. 2 labels, a podcast, a blog, a (now slightly stagnant) magazine, freelance web design work, my full-time day job, DJing (from time to time), and some sort of a social life (including girlfriend!). There's rarely a moment when I'm not working on something to be honest.

It's tiring, and I struggle to get up in the mornings, but I'd like to hope that it'll all be worth it one day!

DFRNT wrote:

nitz wrote:P.S am not quite sure how you manage your time with the numerous things your involved in..!

Haha, yeah it certainly keeps me busy. 2 labels, a podcast, a blog, a (now slightly stagnant) magazine, freelance web design work, my full-time day job, DJing (from time to time), and some sort of a social life (including girlfriend!). There's rarely a moment when I'm not working on something to be honest.

It's tiring, and I struggle to get up in the mornings, but I'd like to hope that it'll all be worth it one day!

I always say that its good to be busy rather than doing notting! So its all good you're working like a mad man, because the holidays feel great then!

would it be relevant at all for there to be a thread entitled 'answering emails links to dubs you've been sent: being polite/responding'?



or do manners only apply to the plebs?

Pistonsbeneath wrote:would it be relevant at all for there to be a thread entitled 'answering emails links to dubs you've been sent: being polite/responding'?



or do manners only apply to the plebs?

I think it should just be a thread called 'Don't be rude: reply to emails'.

Always better to receive a polite no than just air.

Some of that is covered in the article - I asked about whether people got back to those who sent them stuff - some try to, some don't. Some assume that if they support in mixes or something - the person who sent the tracks will find out.

Basically if you're convinced that someone is listning to your stuff when you send it - if they don't get back then it's not good enough I guess.

Only problem with no replies is - do you send more? Where do you look to improve? Did they get the tracks in the first place?

I'd say a reply is better than nothing - even if it's a "thanks" or a "not this time" - even as aknowledgement of you sending tracks.

From the flip side, can you imagine getting 50 emails with tracks in every day - with a multitude of different ways you'd have to feedback - forms, websites, comments, or replies ot the email.

You'd spend all your time replying to people and you'd never get anything done.

It's a really tough one.

@DFRNT
Generally if I send someone a dropbox/message on Soundcloud I try write something nice to accompany the song but most of the time I just end up listing releases and biging up the producer or label. What do you think is a nice way to establish a relationship/establish you're not a spambot while sending a dub without just biggin up the recipient for a paragraph or two? Or should I just be humble and sincere and hope for the best?

There's nothing wrong with being sincere and humble - that's always a good plan.

Sincerity will be evident.

As for biggin up their releases - if you really feel that way then sure - I'd say you've got no reason not to do that. It will likely come acorss as genuine, and even if the person you're sending to doesn't like your tracks, they may still thank you for your kind words about their output or their label's output.

People like to read good things about their work - it helps make it worth all the trouble and hard-work, so I wouldn't feel bad or stupid writing a few things if you really mean them.

Sincerity is the key though - I think there's always going to be the chancers that will big up anyone just in order to get in there, but really you can always tell when someone is genuine.

Found this very interesting cheers

Good read, cheers.

I enjoyed reading this, might be useful in the future. Nice one

brasco wrote:..and if your lucky enough to get sent dubs etc ... treat them as you would like your own music to be treated. Keep them to yourself!! So much gets passed around nowadays without a thought towards the producer, its not on at all.

Only just got round to reading this thread in its entirety, but definitely this!

Never gets passed on without permission from the person who sent it, and even then, I only pass it on to people who would further the cause.

Great thread man.

When it comes to mastering what you send out, it would seem that it’s not too important. Most of our subjects would agree with Oli when he says “Masters are always preferable but a well mixed demo usually gets the point across well enough…”. For radio, the mastering doesn’t seem to matter too much, since broadcasts often have limiters on the output, but if it comes to playing your dubs out live, most of the recipients seem to prefer mastered. As Micky says “Mastered would be nice.

DFRNT wrote:This is an article taken from Modus Magazine Issue 1.

I've opted to post it here, because despite it getting out there, I really would like to see an improvement in the quality and presentation of tracks that get sent out. I think most other producers owuld agree. Maybe if the mods feel it's appropriate they can make this a sticky or something.

Dub Etiquette

To those familiar with dubstep and electronic music, a “dub” may be an oft-heard term. Short for “dub-plate” it's traditionally a promotional vinyl that will have a limited number of plays that producers would give to a DJ to allow them to play tracks pre-release, if indeed there would be a release at all.

A “dub” as we know it today is a progression of this culture to the point where it is now a term used to describe......

I fell asleep about here

twist2 wrote:

DFRNT wrote:This is an article taken from Modus Magazine Issue 1.

I've opted to post it here, because despite it getting out there, I really would like to see an improvement in the quality and presentation of tracks that get sent out. I think most other producers owuld agree. Maybe if the mods feel it's appropriate they can make this a sticky or something.

Dub Etiquette

To those familiar with dubstep and electronic music, a “dub” may be an oft-heard term. Short for “dub-plate” it's traditionally a promotional vinyl that will have a limited number of plays that producers would give to a DJ to allow them to play tracks pre-release, if indeed there would be a release at all.

A “dub” as we know it today is a progression of this culture to the point where it is now a term used to describe......

I fell asleep about here

how very mature.

wicked tips man cheers!

s.a.m wrote:

Pistonsbeneath wrote:would it be relevant at all for there to be a thread entitled 'answering emails links to dubs you've been sent: being polite/responding'?



or do manners only apply to the plebs?

I think it should just be a thread called 'Don't be rude: reply to emails'.

Always better to receive a polite no than just air.

Air is the nicest way imo,

Example

Random Guy: Ez mate sent some tracks (i dont mind this at all)

You: Ez not feeling them bro .

if you sent tracks via soundcloud you'd be able to see the people that listened to it.

some real good points to be taken on from this thread, seems some people can be a bit scared of approaching some people with their music incase they get turned away, but theres always another to come back i say!