Money in electronic music?

[Rezzidex]

Ok so i got a couple of questions about TODAYS electronic music in general.I have been making deep dubstep tunes for 2 years and i understand that i have to change my style to more modern type of electronic music to make some money,cuz i dedicated my life to music ,i go to a music school ,and basicly all day every day im making it (---to the point).How do people make money in todays music i know that its hard to get to that point but im wondering do guys likedoctor p,flux,skrillex,datsik,excision all get money from music or do they have jobs.What do you think how much do they get from music? and also i would like to here some other fellow producers opinion and plans in life.Dont get me wrong ,the thing is next year im 18 and i promised my mom that il get a job and study music on the side,im really conserned about my future.IS THERE HOPE?

[lloydy]

Dj'ing or performing your stuff live is probably where it is at.Honestly if you are making club music it isn't really going to have much longevity because of the way the whole industry is.
I would of thought if you want to write albums and stuff then there must be money in it if you actually do well,there must be some exceptions to the rule.Prodigy done an interview a while back and said if they was to put their music against a genre it would be punk because it has that in your face attitude and a short shelf life but they sell a fuck load on album sales and that so they must make some money from it.

[JTreeZY]

Your lucky your so young and have 2 years experiance, Im a senoir in college and i'm just realising that producing is mad fun

[wormcode]

There's barely any money in music period, and when you're talking about a niche of a niche like standard electronic music, don't get your hopes up. You'll have a better chance making money working elsewhere in music (like engineering, or selling backing tracks) if it's that important to you. Most people also have jobs... usually related to music but jobs nonetheless. Not very many people can make a living from music alone. Even if they are, they rely on constant bookings so definitely up your DJ skills. All these music streaming services which are currently dominating are making it harder as well, I'd stay away from them or be careful with what you allow them to have. Right now a large majority of money is in licensing music, so if you don't mind your tune being used to exploit consumerism, you can try to break into that. All about connections though. What is this 'music school' you're at? If it's like most, it's a place to make connections and maybe become an intern in someone's studio.

If you enjoy living a simple and frugal life and don't care about fancy luxuries it's not that hard really. Though to live the way most people prefer with a nice car, nice house, latest gadgets etc... not so much.

tl;dr Make music as a hobby.

Just for fun, take a look at how many times these get played in 6 months versus how much money they make (BEFORE their distribution takes their hefty cut). Do you have enough confidence in your music to be played 100s of thousands of times in a couple of months?

I Run an Indie Label. And Here's What Spotify, Rhapsody & Zune Are Paying Us...

Zune
15,159 plays = $437.58 = $.028 = 25:1 Itunes Song Download

Napster
30,238 plays = $479.07 = $.016 = 43:1 Itunes Song Download

Rhapsody
50,822 plays = $668.57 = $.013 = 53:1 Itunes Song Download

Spotify
798,783 plays = $4,277.39 = $.005 = 140:1 Itunes Song Download

Lots of good info here http://thetrichordist.wordpress.com

[deadly_habit]

There's barely any money in music period, and when you're talking about a niche of a niche like standard electronic music, don't get your hopes up. You'll have a better chance making money working elsewhere in music (like engineering, or selling backing tracks) if it's that important to you. Most people also have jobs... usually related to music but jobs nonetheless. Not very many people can make a living from music alone. Even if they are, they rely on constant bookings so definitely up your DJ skills. All these music streaming services which are currently dominating are making it harder as well, I'd stay away from them or be careful with what you allow them to have. Right now a large majority of money is in licensing music, so if you don't mind your tune being used to exploit consumerism, you can try to break into that. All about connections though. What is this 'music school' you're at? If it's like most, it's a place to make connections and maybe become an intern in someone's studio.

If you enjoy living a simple and frugal life and don't care about fancy luxuries it's not that hard really. Though to live the way most people prefer with a nice car, nice house, latest gadgets etc... not so much.

tl;dr Make music as a hobby.

Just for fun, take a look at how many times these get played in 6 months versus how much money they make (BEFORE their distribution takes their hefty cut). Do you have enough confidence in your music to be played 100s of thousands of times in a couple of months?

I Run an Indie Label. And Here's What Spotify, Rhapsody & Zune Are Paying Us...

Zune
15,159 plays = $437.58 = $.028 = 25:1 Itunes Song Download

Napster
30,238 plays = $479.07 = $.016 = 43:1 Itunes Song Download

Rhapsody
50,822 plays = $668.57 = $.013 = 53:1 Itunes Song Download

Spotify
798,783 plays = $4,277.39 = $.005 = 140:1 Itunes Song Download

Lots of good info here http://thetrichordist.wordpress.com

if you make any money in music consider yourself fortunate

[forsak3n]

From what I've learned in talking with people who making money off of their music, it really is about touring. Your music should be like giving someone a card to advertise your show. Pretty sure it's only the bigger artists who are making money off of Album/EP/singles.
And if you write electronic music in a certain genre, start diversifying yourself. If your life is REALLY about music, you'd probably be listening to loads of different styles, why not write some music for film, tv or docos?
& going to a music school to study music should be 90% about making connections. Most of the stuff you learn at music school you can learn yourself through hard work, analysis and research on books and the internet (especially electronic music).

Then again, saying all of this. It all depends on whether you're an uncompromising cynical asshat or if you want to make a living off writing music.

[baseband]

[zeta]

There's barely any money in music period, and when you're talking about a niche of a niche like standard electronic music, don't get your hopes up. You'll have a better chance making money working elsewhere in music (like engineering, or selling backing tracks) if it's that important to you. Most people also have jobs... usually related to music but jobs nonetheless. Not very many people can make a living from music alone. Even if they are, they rely on constant bookings so definitely up your DJ skills. All these music streaming services which are currently dominating are making it harder as well, I'd stay away from them or be careful with what you allow them to have. Right now a large majority of money is in licensing music, so if you don't mind your tune being used to exploit consumerism, you can try to break into that. All about connections though. What is this 'music school' you're at? If it's like most, it's a place to make connections and maybe become an intern in someone's studio.

If you enjoy living a simple and frugal life and don't care about fancy luxuries it's not that hard really. Though to live the way most people prefer with a nice car, nice house, latest gadgets etc... not so much.

tl;dr Make music as a hobby.

Just for fun, take a look at how many times these get played in 6 months versus how much money they make (BEFORE their distribution takes their hefty cut). Do you have enough confidence in your music to be played 100s of thousands of times in a couple of months?

Do you mind elaborating a bit on this? I get that there's little money to be made in music, however I'd still like to give it a go anyway. I'm doing a conjoint BA/Commerce degree atm and the main struggle is finding motivation to be studious since all I want to do is be creative.

Aside from the technical portion such as mix engineering etc, are there any jobs involving production that have a steady stream of income depending on skill/talent? I've been considering trying to do soundtracks/commercials on the side of my degree and hoping to create enough of a portfolio so that I can get a job like this out of uni as well as doing my songwriting/producing thing.

[wormcode]

Do you mind elaborating a bit on this? I get that there's little money to be made in music, however I'd still like to give it a go anyway. I'm doing a conjoint BA/Commerce degree atm and the main struggle is finding motivation to be studious since all I want to do is be creative.

Aside from the technical portion such as mix engineering etc, are there any jobs involving production that have a steady stream of income depending on skill/talent? I've been considering trying to do soundtracks/commercials on the side of my degree and hoping to create enough of a portfolio so that I can get a job like this out of uni as well as doing my songwriting/producing thing.

Yeah there's lots of that, but getting it heard is the problem. It's probably no different than getting signed by music labels. There is a lot of good things to license music to as well, not just blatant adverts but as you said soundtracks for film and TV. All those reality singing/dancing shows out right now are one place to aim for. I've heard loads of dubstep type stuff on those X-Factor type shows recently. The only way I've known to go about it is via labels who make licensing deals, or via A&R type things.

I've not been active in that for a few years, but there are companies or people you can hire who will shop your stuff around to various places. You essentially pay them to use their connections in the industry. The old 'gotta spend money to make money' thing. There's been books written on this actually (Ron Proulx comes to mind).

Above all else, you just have to be able to make unique and good music and sounds.
Position Music is one such company who sells and markets artists directly towards film/TV/video games etc. They also license 'sample packs' if you will that are geared toward filmmakers and such (effects, ambience, background music... all that filler music you hear watching movie/tv). I know a couple of former electronic producers who go through them actually. I'm positive there's loads of these companies around.

[Attila]

There's a fortune to be made in almost anything if you're willing to work hard enough, and music is far from one of the hardest fields to be successful in. Most producers are just incredibly lazy and unfocused.

[zeta]

But a lot of musicians work hard and some literally work their pants off in order to make a living. It seems rather simple to just say 'oh, you're not working hard enough'.

There are a lot of other factors though hard work is still major, and though I'd like to be successful, I simply want to be in a creative place with a steady stream of income and a good, uncompromised artistic vision. Won't be driving fast cars and playing games on a massive screen anytime soon...

[Attila]

Yeah I mean if you're making a living doing music you kind of have to work your ass off, but isn't that the point of it anyway? The reason we all get involved? If we didn't want to work hard we'd get a 9-5 and call it quits. But imo aside from hard work, there really aren't that many other factors in someone's way of becoming a top tier producer. Unless you're actively producing a genre with limited appeal, the only other factor is trends, which musically speaking usually last around 6 months to a year. It usually takes me roughly 3 weeks of focused work to finish a good track, so that theoretically still gives a window of 6-8 tracks to keep on top of things. If those songs you're releasing are better than what's out, then it's seriously impossible not to be successful unless you're actively avoiding shows and opportunities.

And uncompromised artistic vision is a myth when producing alone. But yeah man, I guess it all depends what you goals are and what you're after musically.

[zeta]

Yeah man I get what you're saying and you're probably right. Except how is uncompromised artistic vision a myth when you produce alone?

[deadly_habit]

heh even the guys i know who have actual record deals in non edm genres and who tour actively and quite a bit still have day jobs
like i said count yourself lucky if you make any money
if you can make a living from just one aspect of your music and not teaching or some other offshoot then you're truly lucky, even more so if it's from a niche subgenre of edm

[Fbac]

Conforming to the latest trend (as op mentioned making more bro then deep tunes) isnt the answer as youl find that the producers who get "big" , have been working on that style for ages and by the time you crack the sound the "fad" is over.

The business model in relation to the music industry is changing also, as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, your music being your business card for gigs has lead to "Pretty Lights" 's success. (All his music was free to download and now has a large fan base who come to his shows.)

Also if you want to work in music you dont have to be an Artist. Mastering Engineering and Studio enginnering can be well paid, but youl need to put in countless hours and get "experience" so its best if you love that side of music making.

Or create a new genra and hope it takes off with you being the pioneer. 1bpm music played in reverse anyone?

[Rezzidex]

There's barely any money in music period, and when you're talking about a niche of a niche like standard electronic music, don't get your hopes up. You'll have a better chance making money working elsewhere in music (like engineering, or selling backing tracks) if it's that important to you. Most people also have jobs... usually related to music but jobs nonetheless. Not very many people can make a living from music alone. Even if they are, they rely on constant bookings so definitely up your DJ skills. All these music streaming services which are currently dominating are making it harder as well, I'd stay away from them or be careful with what you allow them to have. Right now a large majority of money is in licensing music, so if you don't mind your tune being used to exploit consumerism, you can try to break into that. All about connections though. What is this 'music school' you're at? If it's like most, it's a place to make connections and maybe become an intern in someone's studio.

If you enjoy living a simple and frugal life and don't care about fancy luxuries it's not that hard really. Though to live the way most people prefer with a nice car, nice house, latest gadgets etc... not so much.

tl;dr Make music as a hobby.

Just for fun, take a look at how many times these get played in 6 months versus how much money they make (BEFORE their distribution takes their hefty cut). Do you have enough confidence in your music to be played 100s of thousands of times in a couple of months?
,it seems to me that in todays music its more about connections that quality of music.but im no expert. (I think you are right,)
I Run an Indie Label. And Here's What Spotify, Rhapsody & Zune Are Paying Us...

Zune
15,159 plays = $437.58 = $.028 = 25:1 Itunes Song Download

Napster
30,238 plays = $479.07 = $.016 = 43:1 Itunes Song Download

Rhapsody
50,822 plays = $668.57 = $.013 = 53:1 Itunes Song Download

Spotify
798,783 plays = $4,277.39 = $.005 = 140:1 Itunes Song Download

Lots of good info here http://thetrichordist.wordpress.com

i dont want to be famous or anything its not really my goal,,,i just want to make a normal living out of music,,you know??,I like playing my music,,spreading the energy that i feel to other people.

[Brothulhu]

i dont want to be famous or anything its not really my goal,,,i just want to make a normal living out of music,,you know??,I like playing my music,,spreading the energy that i feel to other people.

Become a DJ and play some of your own stuff

[wub]

Get yourself a copy of Future Music in it this month, main article is a 20 page on Making Money From Your Music.

Options are (outside of being a producer and making dollar selling your stuff);

- Producer/Engineer (sitting in a room and being paid to help other people make their tracks)
- Remixer (Develop a sound and remix other artists into that sound, often to give them dancefloor accessibility/your own unique stamp)
- Making music for images (soundtracking moving images, either for film/TV)
- Making library music (stock tracks sold to a company who then licenses them on to production companies)
- Sound Designer (again for film/TV/production companies, great little interview with the guy who made the R2-D2 sound for Star Wars


All of the above are dependant on your own level of skill...if you churn out identikit brostep, for example, then don't expect the remix work to come knocking as there are a thousand people who already offer that, and chances are quite a few of them will be better than you.

Expect to work for free for a while to build up your experience/CV, then take it from there. It's all down to experience/contacts/talent/lucky breaks.


But yeah, buy the magazine and have a read for yourself.

[Rezzidex]

Get yourself a copy of Future Music in it this month, main article is a 20 page on Making Money From Your Music.

Options are (outside of being a producer and making dollar selling your stuff);

- Producer/Engineer (sitting in a room and being paid to help other people make their tracks)
- Remixer (Develop a sound and remix other artists into that sound, often to give them dancefloor accessibility/your own unique stamp)
- Making music for images (soundtracking moving images, either for film/TV)
- Making library music (stock tracks sold to a company who then licenses them on to production companies)
- Sound Designer (again for film/TV/production companies, great little interview with the guy who made the R2-D2 sound for Star Wars


All of the above are dependant on your own level of skill...if you churn out identikit brostep, for example, then don't expect the remix work to come knocking as there are a thousand people who already offer that, and chances are quite a few of them will be better than you.

Expect to work for free for a while to build up your experience/CV, then take it from there. It's all down to experience/contacts/talent/lucky breaks.


But yeah, buy the magazine and have a read for yourself.

aahh thanks mate ,,il chek that out,,

[laurend]

When numbers matter.
How much do music artists earn online?
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Sorry the picture is too big to fit in this forum reply.