Music distribution / free tunes

[Libra]

Hey DSF.

So I was toying in my head with the idea of just giving all my music up for free download, or as a package/album a donation via band camp. I have had lots tracks signed in the past as Depone and have had releases on CD in HMV and on vinyl worldwide as well as digital. But... It just simply doesn't make any money. Now its great to be in the shops and charts, leads to exposure. But, wouldn't it just make sense just to give the tracks for free, if i'm making very little from them? Maybe if I bundled my music together as an album with a pay as much as you want type thing with a few exclusives in there might be a better option. I'm not here to make masses of money, but to raise my profile as 'Libra'.

The other side of the coin is that It might devalue the music, and people won't initially want it because its a freebie. Do you get what i mean? If you can think of a better sub to post this please suggest.

[wub]

Setup a Bandcamp page with an EP for free download. When you release another free EP, change the one before from free to $3 or some nominal fee.

That way, people who are fans of your work have the opportunity to get it for free as its released, and as you continue to build your back catalogue people who are new to you can get the latest stuff for free, and pay a nominal fee if they want any of your earlier work.

Bear in mind that giving away music for free in this manner doesn't mean that production quality slips, obviously.

[fragments]

Not that I have had any releases or anything, but I think charging something reasonable for a minimum with the ability to pay more is the best route. Your thoughts on devaluing the music are spot on IMO. On the other hand people seem to be willing to blow 25 dollars a week on fancy to-go coffee, but for some reason cant be bothered to pay for music from their favorite artists.

wub's idea is very interesting as well. Make it free for like 30 days and then charge afterwards. Gives die hard fans plenty of time to get your newest for free as well as gives new comers a free sample.

We live in strange times in regards to how people "value" things in general...

[outbound]

I'm sure on band camp there's a donation only option? or am I mistaken.

Also as if you're Depone! I wonder how many people on here are people that I used to know under a different alias lol

[test_recordings]

People don't even spend their money on good coffee ffs. Charge a quid a track or something

[Libra]

I'm sure on band camp there's a donation only option? or am I mistaken.

Also as if you're Depone! I wonder how many people on here are people that I used to know under a different alias lol

Its quite flexible. You can have a fixed or donation based price. %10 goes to bandcamp which aint too bad considering the cut you get from most labels.

And yeah different genre/style so wanted to start afresh. Is harder than I anticipated!

[Libra]

So I went ahead and put the first track up on bandcamp, and I actually got some money from it using a free/name your price model. Pretty good eigh.

Have a listen here-
Soundcloud

(Shameless plug)

[outbound]

I'm sure on band camp there's a donation only option? or am I mistaken.

Also as if you're Depone! I wonder how many people on here are people that I used to know under a different alias lol

Its quite flexible. You can have a fixed or donation based price. %10 goes to bandcamp which aint too bad considering the cut you get from most labels.

And yeah different genre/style so wanted to start afresh. Is harder than I anticipated!

Big up! and glad you're getting some love through on the band camp. Was supposed to ask before actually but didn't get round to it if you'd be interested in collaborating in this style, i've been mixing and listening to a lot of it and made 1 track a few weeks back and had a lot of fun making it. If you're up for it just drop a PM and we'll take it from there!

[legend4ry]

I just put everything out free via my soundcloud/a labels soundcloud cause I really can't be arsed waiting 3/4 months just to be paid a couple of quid.

Unless I am earning more than my months wages a month then I really don't see the point on putting a price tag on my music.

[Libra]

I'm sure on band camp there's a donation only option? or am I mistaken.

Also as if you're Depone! I wonder how many people on here are people that I used to know under a different alias lol

Its quite flexible. You can have a fixed or donation based price. %10 goes to bandcamp which aint too bad considering the cut you get from most labels.

And yeah different genre/style so wanted to start afresh. Is harder than I anticipated!

Big up! and glad you're getting some love through on the band camp. Was supposed to ask before actually but didn't get round to it if you'd be interested in collaborating in this style, i've been mixing and listening to a lot of it and made 1 track a few weeks back and had a lot of fun making it. If you're up for it just drop a PM and we'll take it from there!

Yeah, I'm up for that for sure, will pm you now

[Libra]

I just put everything out free via my soundcloud/a labels soundcloud cause I really can't be arsed waiting 3/4 months just to be paid a couple of quid.

Unless I am earning more than my months wages a month then I really don't see the point on putting a price tag on my music.

Yeah i don't think I will be doing things via bandcamp exclusively, bu for now its a good option.

[m8son666]

Unless I am earning more than my months wages a month then I really don't see the point on putting a price tag on my music.

That's pretty stupid why not?

[Ascian]

Just as a word of warning... Your Clubfoot tune on Soundcloud still says "Free Download" in the name. Not sure if it's actually still up for download as just on my phone but it's probably a good idea to remove the download function and put a link to Bandcamp in the description.

What synths are you using for you basslines? Really like your stuff mate

[Libra]

Just as a word of warning... Your Clubfoot tune on Soundcloud still says "Free Download" in the name. Not sure if it's actually still up for download as just on my phone but it's probably a good idea to remove the download function and put a link to Bandcamp in the description.

What synths are you using for you basslines? Really like your stuff mate

Yeah think that might be a problem with the mobile app or website as the link to bandcamp is in the players 'buy' button as well as in the description, but not in the title.

And thanks. I use a different synth almost every time haha. Any specific track? I need your love was FM8 and then resampled in sampler in ableton. And for Clubfoot I used a modified patch from the sonic mechanics Underground house and garage presets for Massive. I did a few video reviews for them, check them out on loopmasters. Really quality stuff! Full audio reviews and demos

[Ascian]

Yeah think that might be a problem with the mobile app or website as the link to bandcamp is in the players 'buy' button as well as in the description, but not in the title.

And thanks. I use a different synth almost every time haha. Any specific track? I need your love was FM8 and then resampled in sampler in ableton. And for Clubfoot I used a modified patch from the sonic mechanics Underground house and garage presets for Massive. I did a few video reviews for them, check them out on loopmasters. Really quality stuff! Full audio reviews and demos

Ahh fair enough... Sounds like you didn't need my help!

Haha. So you're on Ableton now? I remember you used to use logic when you were Depone. I've had Logic for a couple of years now but it's no where near as intuitive as Ableton so I've not used it much.

Sonic Mechanics - I'll definitely check them out, cheers

[Libra]

Yeah think that might be a problem with the mobile app or website as the link to bandcamp is in the players 'buy' button as well as in the description, but not in the title.

And thanks. I use a different synth almost every time haha. Any specific track? I need your love was FM8 and then resampled in sampler in ableton. And for Clubfoot I used a modified patch from the sonic mechanics Underground house and garage presets for Massive. I did a few video reviews for them, check them out on loopmasters. Really quality stuff! Full audio reviews and demos

Ahh fair enough... Sounds like you didn't need my help!

Haha. So you're on Ableton now? I remember you used to use logic when you were Depone. I've had Logic for a couple of years now but it's no where near as intuitive as Ableton so I've not used it much.

Sonic Mechanics - I'll definitely check them out, cheers

I still use logic, but changed to ableton recently. I find the fx chain (at the bottom) really counter intuitive. I want a mixer that shows your plugins in a stack. I also much prefer logics built in EQ over abletons. In ableton it seems I can push +10db at a frequency and it certainly doesnt sound like its doing much. If I did the same with logics EQ you would soon know about it!!!