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How to make a label?

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:32 pm
by WhoAmI - NXT Records
I am thinking of making a new label to release a few tunes. (tnuc trax 4,5,[6])

I'm guessing the place to start is the mastering and vinyl production.

But then I assume the way to go is to get a distribution deal to get it into the shops and online.

How would I do this??
Who are the people who give labels distribution?

safety

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:42 pm
by deamonds
i know this may seem patronising but, distributors

Z Audio, S T Holdings..etc

Re: How to make a label?

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 2:48 pm
by JazzyJazzy
whoami wrote:I am thinking of making a new label to release a few tunes. (tnuc trax 4,5,[6])

I'm guessing the place to start is the mastering and vinyl production.

But then I assume the way to go is to get a distribution deal to get it into the shops and online.

How would I do this??
Who are the people who give labels distribution?

safety
I'd go with ST Holdings or SRD

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:07 pm
by blackdown
things you need to put in place, once you have a musical vision and the will to battle on with a label...

1. art designer
2. mastering engineer
3. vinyl production plant (distro will recommend one)
4. physical distribution deal
5. digital distribution deals
6. plan how to get your music out there if you want to push it at all: PR, radio, marketing, social media plan - or none if these kinds of things appeal to you...

good luck!

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:38 pm
by NilsFG
Blackdown wrote:things you need to put in place, once you have a musical vision and the will to battle on with a label...

1. art designer
2. mastering engineer
3. vinyl production plant (distro will recommend one)
4. physical distribution deal
5. digital distribution deals
6. plan how to get your music out there if you want to push it at all: PR, radio, marketing, social media plan - or none if these kinds of things appeal to you...

good luck!
What about paperwork? I can imagine creating a label and releasing music on that label needs a lot of paperwork for registration etc.

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:45 pm
by blackdown
it's not an essential step but as you start to make money you will need a bank account and perhaps will want to register the label as a company/limited partnership etc.

i was just outlining the steps i could see from "great dubs" -> "big tune in shops." :)

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:58 pm
by skrewface
NilsFG wrote:
Blackdown wrote:things you need to put in place, once you have a musical vision and the will to battle on with a label...

1. art designer
2. mastering engineer
3. vinyl production plant (distro will recommend one)
4. physical distribution deal
5. digital distribution deals
6. plan how to get your music out there if you want to push it at all: PR, radio, marketing, social media plan - or none if these kinds of things appeal to you...

good luck!
What about paperwork? I can imagine creating a label and releasing music on that label needs a lot of paperwork for registration etc.
If you wanna do it the babylon way.. the paperway is a muss

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:52 pm
by WhoAmI - NXT Records
cool guys i will give ST Holdings a bell.

hard thinking of a name tho.

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:58 pm
by mawltea
what about "tnuc Records" - can't beat that! Hehe.

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 6:06 pm
by ♫♪♫
Sausage Tunnel Records

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:33 pm
by MissBrass
good luck!

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:53 pm
by mikey_g
Sight wrote:
Autopilot wrote:Sausage Tunnel Records
Waste of a post. Not even funny. Why don't you give us a break with your attempt at wit and post something constructive for a change.
who made you fun police?
i think its a great name taking into account the original tracks were relased under the name tnuc trax.

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:52 pm
by WhoAmI - NXT Records
Ok so im trying to make an account on STHoldings but u need to have all of this stuff that i don't have.

Seems almost impossible for one guy to start a label without prior label experience.

Dang. Keep on trying i guess. BLAM

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:38 pm
by ♫♪♫
*quits internet forever*

Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:43 pm
by abZ
Autopilot wrote:*quits internet forever*
Should have said Sausage Garage sounds better :lol:

The biggest thing is you have to have shit hot marketable tunes and then it shouldn't be a problem getting distro. You have to have a good idea of what is going to sell though. It is also tough getting said tunes when you don't have an existing label but not impossible.

I just went the digital route. It is pretty easy to get started but I guess I am a quick learner as I am distrod and beatported after 6 months in business. I'll go after vinyl next year as a much more informed and experienced label owner.

Just don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:45 am
by tranquera
Blackdown wrote:things you need to put in place, once you have a musical vision and the will to battle on with a label...

1. art designer
2. mastering engineer
3. vinyl production plant (distro will recommend one)
4. physical distribution deal
5. digital distribution deals
6. plan how to get your music out there if you want to push it at all: PR, radio, marketing, social media plan - or none if these kinds of things appeal to you...

good luck!
That's all! A nice start with these lines...

Vinyl pressing

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:48 am
by killtone
Try Tom at Breed Media for the vinyl. We just got the records made and dealt directly with the key UK shops/distributors (Boomkat, Juno etc etc).

We actually didn't bother with a central distributor as there's only a handful of specialist shops left in the UK, a small enough number for you to deal directly to them. It's a lot of work but you're cutting out another link in the chain.

And that's probably also why you can't find our records anywhere ;-)

Wonder if there are any more threads about vinyl pressing plants? That was our main problem but we got a great job done by breed in Sheffield.