Hey folks, what is the best way to go about getting a track released? Listen to similar styles on Beatport and send it off to those labels? Seems like a lot of work - there are TONS of labels out there atm!
I’ve just finished my first track (will post link up this evening).
Any hints/tips from those who have had tracks released very much appreciated.
@ Kieran Mach
here are some tips that i learned working with some labels out .
a well mastered track helps 30% to get signed
a tracks that is really groovy and well arranged usually helps 70%
what i mean is .
if your track is well master but it sound dull and boring , your track would not have many chances to be released .
there are so many people focused to master and make the track sound pro and forget about the whole track itself .
working in a small EP increase the chances to release multiple tracks as long as they sound good.
and the best way to find out about labels is promoting your music . in places like sound cloud,myspace and other social networks . having lots of exposure ensures you to get constructive criticism . also if the tracks is not mastered , most of the labels will offer mastering when they already send you a contract. also remember to organize your projects files since this is very important at the times when they master your tracks.
now good luck with your tracks !! 
Collect a database of licensing emails for labels who are close to your style.
Long winded at first but after you’ve collected, then it’s there and it’s ready for you each and every time you need it.
Simples.
[quote]roben (31/05/2010)[hr] a database of licensing emails for labels
Simples.[/quote]
what do you mean exactly?
i know what licensing is in principle …
[quote]chekka (31/05/2010)[hr][quote]roben (31/05/2010)[hr] a database of licensing emails for labels
Simples.[/quote]
what do you mean exactly?
i know what licensing is in principle …[/quote]
If you want to get it signed, these days the best way is probably find the labels myspace/website, get their email & say I made this stuff would you like it.
If the track is suitable for the label & is well mixed they will most likely take it on because they really have nothing to lose in term of money.
Bascially what Roben was saying.
[quote]chekka (31/05/2010)[hr][quote]roben (31/05/2010)[hr] a database of licensing emails for labels
Simples.[/quote]
what do you mean exactly?
i know what licensing is in principle …[/quote]
Find labels website/myspace/soundcloud and you’ll more often than not find an email or a way of communication in regards to having them listen to a track. For example for normal communication they might be: info@recordlabel.com where as their licensing email would probably be: licensing@recordlabel.com
In thier soundcloud accounts they usually allow you to upload a track to them via the soundcloud, although this can be long winded if you’re wanting to send out to multiple labels.
Easier getting their emails, just put into a word/excel document (or even in your email account) and then collect them all up.
Then when you create an email just copy n paste them all in (if you used the excel or word document) otherwise just select the email group (email account) in your BCC then send the email out as a mass email each time you need too.
I’d recommend BCC so that companies can’t see you’ve also sent the same email to various other labels, also it stops other people stealing your database.
[quote]roben (01/06/2010)[hr]
I’d recommend BCC so that companies can’t see you’ve also sent the same email to various other labels, also it stops other people stealing your database.[/quote]
Ahhhh, very nice tip roben. You don’t want labels to think you are just emailing everyone under the sun to take your track on! This was my main concern, I didn’t know there was a way to conceal a mass email like this.
Cheers man!
Dont just send tracks & say listen to this song i made, tell them a little about yourself, & what it is you are wanting to achieve, dont mass email neither, send to a handful of labels you would like to be on, & make sure you bcc it, they have to think its exclusive to them etc… also sending full mp3s is good, but maybe at a lower bitrate. Depending on the size of the label will depend if they get back to you or not, the smaller labels will probs reply back, the bigger 1’s tend to wait for you to have a bit of a name for yourself, not always the case, but anyway few tips to help you out
Paul
[quote]alinenunez (01/06/2010)[hr]
try to learn how to promote in sound-cloud
[/quote]
How do you do this other than just going onto forums with your sound-cloud link as a signature and hope people click on it?
I wouldn’t put anything on soundcloud that is releasable. From personal experience, labels are hesitant to anything that has been heard before.
Make a track for someone specific. Try to be a little more general, as in make a song that could fit into a couple different labels genres/sounds. Send an email to the label to find out where to send tracks. After that, wait a few days and follow up.
[quote]Kieran Mach (02/06/2010)[hr][quote]alinenunez (01/06/2010)[hr]
try to learn how to promote in sound-cloud
[/quote]
How do you do this other than just going onto forums with your sound-cloud link as a signature and hope people click on it?[/quote]
no u need to follow people in soundcloud. com .review tracks , message people about the tracks that u like etc. basic networking skills my friend .
if you need more help how promote in sound cloud go to the help page.
also if you dont want to share ur tracks except with labels u can set a private link for the labels . no one else will hear ur demos except the people u choose.
[quote]alinenunez (02/06/2010)[hr]
no u need to follow people in soundcloud. com .review tracks , message people about the tracks that u like etc.[/quote]
I take it you can just search for ‘techno’ or ‘house’ and see what comes up? I only signed up to soundcloud this week so it’ll take me a while to find out how to work it.
The whole ‘do put on soundcloud/ don’t put on soundcloud’ debate is a very akward one to be completely honest with you.
You’d be really surprised how many people have got a track signed through their Soundcloud and just how many A&R’s will use Soundcloud to find good tracks and hot artists.
I’ve seen various top producers putting their brand spanking new tracks on Soundcloud.
Of course i’m sure there are definitely some labels out there who’d rather not touch something that is on Soundcloud, but likewise i’m sure there are just as many more (if not more) who are happy to touch it.
On the basis that is that the whole track hasn’t been uploaded on Soundcloud. You see, the trick is just to have a 2 min or so clip of your track, a taster, some what similar to what you’d get if you listened to a track on Beatport for example.
[quote]roben (03/06/2010)[hr] You see, the trick is just to have a 2 min or so clip of your track, a taster, some what similar to what you’d get if you listened to a track on Beatport for example.
[/quote]
Nice tip roben. Cheers dude!
so you guys reckon to send the labels an email telling them a little about yourself, and enabling them to listen to the track.
question: for those labels that provide an email address, but no specific instructions regarding how to submit a track to them, what format should you send them the track in?
should you just link to the track with an .mp3 file, or send the mp3 in the email (surely it would be too big?).
or send a link to the track on soundcoud? - alot of people have mentioned that if the label sees the track is on soundcloud, this will put them off?
what’s the best way of submitting the track to them do you think?
Dave.
The bigger labels have enough artists to put out music consistently on Beatport that they dont have to go looking for artists on Soundcloud. IMO, this leaves the ones that are looking on Soundcloud for artists to be startup labels, or labels with no money, or some even scam artists. If I want to release a track, I will seek out a label. I dont want a label to seek me out. If the track is good enough, I will get hits back from the labels I submit it to. If I dont, its probably not good enough. In the end, I’m not gonna put out a song on a label just so I have a “released” song. I could care less. I release great music. I wouldn’t want to associate myself with a label that releases garbage. I want a label that is gonna promote me and sell alot so we all benefit.
Its like Cadbury getting into manufacturing cars. Would really think that their cars would be top notch? Or, would you buy a Bentley if it was same price? I hope this analogy made sense.
I have to agree with that but only slightly.
The latest track I signed, I had a few labels who I originally approached interested in signing it, however the label who originally approached me to do a remix for them (and ended up signing) also wanted it, I have had a good relationship with them for some years though my DJing side (promos / charting / etc) so felt much more comfortable signing the track with them.
I’d much rather keep a good relationship by signing with the same label multiple times than with multiple labels.
I think what i’m trying to say here is, find a label you know and trust and stick with em.
They’re more likely to look after you and promote you well, if you already have a good rapport and relationship with them.
We had the soundcloud issue with a tune signed to CR2 … they just requested we take down the sample until its released … wasn’t a big deal
I always put up low quality samples on soundcloud and ask the labels if they mind the tunes being used in mixes etc and mind who has them.
If your polite and personal with them it will be fine
I agree with Japwow .most of the Big labels they have Drop box in soundcloud where they can receive ur promos or private tracks. usually if u made a hot track they will notice and take it . so yeahh SoundCloud still is great as long as u know where to look .