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Getting a track signed...

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:05 pm
by heider
i've never had to deal with a record label before so i have no experience in the matter. any tips on do's and don't?

- send by cd or post up a private link?
- mp3 320 or wav?
- informal email or professional email sent by "agent"?
- how long to wait for a response before saying "screw it" and posting up for free?
- how much to charge per track (of course there are a ton of variables like notoriety, what label, etc)?
- should a bio be sent with your info?
- will any audio finalizing be done on the label end or does the producer copy get pushed straight out?

:?: :?: :?:

- and do label owners monitor dubstepforum for new producers or do you need to contact each label directly?

Re: Getting a track signed...

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:38 pm
by drwurst
Heider wrote:i've never had to deal with a record label before so i have no experience in the matter. any tips on do's and don't?

- send by cd or post up a private link?
- mp3 320 or wav?
- informal email or professional email sent by "agent"?
- how long to wait for a response before saying "screw it" and posting up for free?
- how much to charge per track (of course there are a ton of variables like notoriety, what label, etc)?
- should a bio be sent with your info?
- will any audio finalizing be done on the label end or does the producer copy get pushed straight out?

:?: :?: :?:

- and do label owners monitor dubstepforum for new producers or do you need to contact each label directly?
lots of questions, interesting for me dont know much about it
have produced some cd for other genres...
id say it depends (digital releases dunno, could be somethings different)

1. send cd or post up the link (both possible, depends, nowadays mostly second option)
2. 16bit wav if its mastered 24 bit if not
3. ??? or anice privat mail?

4. try to call them after 2 days, you send the firs mail....a week?
5. this one really depends on the contract and the royalties they promise
6. sounds good
7. for demo you master, for release theyll tell you???

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:54 pm
by chunkie
cd or emails is really wither or, personally i'd try the unsolicited route by making contact with a PM or so first AND don't just spam yourself out select labels who release outside their won camp and approach selectively

i'd be careful chasing can make you look a bit pathetic, especially given the misinterpretation of tone in emails etc

money-wise depends on who the label is, type of distribution, who you are etc

bio-wise, i'm not sure about this - i'd say why-not but be brief-ish and focus on your audience rather than your background. for example, major labels deal in personalities they want to know who you are when you were born etc etc. this is a niche scene with most labels only set-up as a means of output for their own product and i'd assume a pulling factor is if you're really big in your home state or have some kind of following (maybe myspace etc...) - ie they don't need to know what your hobbies are..

i'd also be very wary of posting tracks up for free that you're sending to labels because you would die a slow painful death if you sent the track out to some heads today, next month posted it up for free, then in January got a call from Deep Medi!! - Just bear in mind most 'label-bosses' are also producers/djs/promoters and hence generally a bit busy

best of luck with it

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:09 pm
by dirty
If its dubstep you want to release then put work in gettin to know people.

Try and build up a relationship with different people in the scene. Give yours tracks to DJs who will play them on the radio and in clubs.

Basically get a little name for yourself and you see how your tracks are recieved.

or

If your desperate to release something then use an online like indiestore or digital tunes and have a digital release.

Basically just make good tunes because there is some stuff being released which shouldn't get a release

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:16 pm
by heider
thanks for the info so far. :)

anyone know if there are any label owners on this board?

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:17 pm
by FSTZ
DIRTY wrote:Basically just make good tunes
the universe will take care of the rest

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:27 pm
by chunkie
Heider wrote:thanks for the info so far. :)

anyone know if there are any label owners on this board?
yes, i wont start naming who but theres a lot of 'big' people on this board
including a lot of dubstep artists, and as the artists own the labels......

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:48 pm
by dz
If its dubstep you want to release then put work in gettin to know people.

Try and build up a relationship with different people in the scene. Give yours tracks to DJs who will play them on the radio and in clubs.

Basically get a little name for yourself and you see how your tracks are recieved.
I agree.
Basically just make good tunes because there is some stuff being released which shouldn't get a release
hhehhehe. oh the times are a changin' ;)

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:55 pm
by dirty
Big up DZ, man makes quality music

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:49 pm
by heider
Chunkie wrote:
Heider wrote:thanks for the info so far. :)

anyone know if there are any label owners on this board?
yes, i wont start naming who but theres a lot of 'big' people on this board
including a lot of dubstep artists, and as the artists own the labels......
you think they'd rather not be contacted about that on here? i know some people get pissed off if you're persistant.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:14 pm
by FSTZ
Heider wrote: you think they'd rather not be contacted about that on here? i know some people get pissed off if you're persistant.
I would use proper channels before just hitting someone off for a review



for example...

you want to get a tune signed on scuba or hotflush?

go to their website and you will see instructions as to how to send them your tune. (they prefer standard post btw)

do some research and make some contacts instead of just firing off pm's on this forum

that is advice that has worked for me

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:40 pm
by thesynthesist
DIRTY wrote:Basically just make good tunes because there is some stuff being released which shouldn't get a release
What fantasy world are you living in? Have any tickets for this "Fantastic Nonsense Express"??

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:57 pm
by FSTZ
thesynthesist wrote:
DIRTY wrote:Basically just make good tunes because there is some stuff being released which shouldn't get a release
What fantasy world are you living in? Have any tickets for this "Fantastic Nonsense Express"??
you are killing me!!!

choooooo chooooooo

here comes the music industry fastasy expressliner!!!

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:10 pm
by thesynthesist
Next stop:

Successful Music Career-ville...

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:23 pm
by FSTZ
oooh!!

is that the stop before MTV cribs-land???

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:58 pm
by thesynthesist
Fuck, I'll stay on for that stop.

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:59 pm
by thesynthesist
Ooops, one problem.

The bridge is out!

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:39 am
by little boh peep
unklefesta wrote:do some research and make some contacts instead of just firing off pm's on this forum
That. And know your audience; send labels the style they generally release.

320 for email and PM links, and wav quality for a CD in the post. Wait at least a month before you give away the tune for free; DJs and label owners are often swamped with submissions, or "out of the office" so to speak on bookings, so they may not get to it right away.

Also try to put your best foot forward when you send demos. If you continually send out subpar work (and I know it's difficult to be impartial when it's your own tune), by the time you produce something which is to a releasable standard, they might have already written you off and won't check it.

Don't discuss money immediately. Ideally you should be paid, but if it's your first release, and it's a label of a decent size, you're getting the better end of the deal - not the label. If the label likes you and wants to continue working with you, they will bring up an advance.

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 6:49 am
by thesynthesist
Little Boh Peep wrote:Don't discuss money immediately.
Image

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:09 pm
by ozols man
dont ever expect a label to get back in touch with you














:lol: maybe thats just me