@@DowdenProductionAcademy I'm sure you will achieve it, you are very good and you already have tracks on well-known labels. I just signed with 3rd Avenue and I am excited because it is the first label I knew before signing, the rest of the tracks that I released were with unknown labels.
this is gold for people getting into the label game. I've been trying to self release for some time now but am slowly realizing that building relationships is key for getting my music heard. I'm a DIY type of guy but realize the value that comes from releasing with labels. Props to you Dowden!
As always very high quality videos Dowden. Thank you for your constant uploads. This is one of the best UA-cam channels for music production tips, tricks and now super useful info on releasing music on labels.
Agree with every point. The only thing… wait 2/3 day and don’t waste your time . Also don’t send 3 min short preview of your track , only full version by private link. A short message , no need for memoir, we don’t read them. Get to know what label releases before sending.
2 or 3 days is too quick for bigger labels, in my opinion. Sometimes I've had to wait months just to get a single track signed 🙃 Good point! Forgot to mention that one about not sending previews.
Folks stop giving your music copyrights and publishing away to labels. I have signed work to many labels then I wised up and started my own label Soterios Records 17 years ago and never looked back. May be your next video will shed light on how all label contracts are rigged to only benefit the label. Or how the artist has to chase each label for his or her royalties $. Or how your hard work will be lost among many other artist they signed. Most labels want to jump on an existing situation but they do not develop new ones. In this case if you are doing the music, creating the Buzz, art work , logo, site, social media, videos, etc... then why hand it nice & hot to a label that wants everything (copyright, Publishing, and ownership) and with no Advance. Plus, they play this mental game making you think you cant do it yourself. Start Your Own Label. Your own Music. Your own freedom to release what you want.
Hey mate! Have to disagree with you. I've worked as a label manager myself, and it's a ton of work. Most artists are struggling as is to get their music heard, and using a label is a great way to get your music promoted by a platform that already has a following. Yes, some labels are difficult to work with, unfortunately. But they are a huge stepping stone and goal for a lot of artists. You of course start your own label, but although it worked for you, it may not work for a lot of other artists. The label market is also very saturated already, as well. More labels would cause more saturation. Self releasing is very popular these days, but creating an entire label just to release your own music doesn't make much sense in my opinion, but I'm glad it worked for you! You must have worked very hard for that, so props to you!
Not even evil I'd say. Often we get a lot of music from people who did not do their homework and sent some tech house to a progressive house label. While genres are really blurring borders ask yourself - why are you willing to be released on a label that releases music so different than yours? None of their usual audience (DJs) is going to like or play it. Fact.
Thanks for the information Dowden I just have one question. Do you have to copyright your music before sending it to labels or they will do it for you once you get signed?
You are welcome! Labels should have a deal with distributors and stores that will have your music copywritten. Right away you own your own music, but once you sign the label you are signing a contract that is stating you are offering them a portion of the rights, and they own part of your copywritten material. :)
Mastred is good for demo submissions, but -6db pre-masters are also fine. They don't even need to be mastered, even a limiter to bring it to 0 is mastered enough for demo submissions :)
What is your dream label? Comment below - when you reach that goal, it will be here in history!
Lost & Found, Anjunadeep and Sudbeat. Small labels, you know.
@@asimismo23 Haha, those are on my list, too!
ADID, TRYBESof, Tale & Tone
@@DowdenProductionAcademy I'm sure you will achieve it, you are very good and you already have tracks on well-known labels.
I just signed with 3rd Avenue and I am excited because it is the first label I knew before signing, the rest of the tracks that I released were with unknown labels.
@@asimismo23 3rd Avenue is one of the first labels I signed to! Congrats. The label is great!
this is gold for people getting into the label game. I've been trying to self release for some time now but am slowly realizing that building relationships is key for getting my music heard. I'm a DIY type of guy but realize the value that comes from releasing with labels. Props to you Dowden!
Thanks, mate! Just keep on pushing - you'll get there!
Being in this industry for over 17 years and counting, these advices are solid, pure gold. I will be sharing with aspiring producers.
Thank you for the kind words!
Tip number 5, this is the most frustrating one. Playing the waiting game is the worst!
For sure!
As always very high quality videos Dowden. Thank you for your constant uploads. This is one of the best UA-cam channels for music production tips, tricks and now super useful info on releasing music on labels.
Thanks, Rony!
Great tips man!!
Thanks, man!
Great vid! love it
Thanks!
Agree with every point. The only thing… wait 2/3 day and don’t waste your time . Also don’t send 3 min short preview of your track , only full version by private link. A short message , no need for memoir, we don’t read them.
Get to know what label releases before sending.
2 or 3 days is too quick for bigger labels, in my opinion. Sometimes I've had to wait months just to get a single track signed 🙃
Good point! Forgot to mention that one about not sending previews.
Folks stop giving your music copyrights and publishing away to labels. I have signed work to many labels then I wised up and started my own label Soterios Records 17 years ago and never looked back. May be your next video will shed light on how all label contracts are rigged to only benefit the label. Or how the artist has to chase each label for his or her royalties $. Or how your hard work will be lost among many other artist they signed. Most labels want to jump on an existing situation but they do not develop new ones. In this case if you are doing the music, creating the Buzz, art work , logo, site, social media, videos, etc... then why hand it nice & hot to a label that wants everything (copyright, Publishing, and ownership) and with no Advance. Plus, they play this mental game making you think you cant do it yourself. Start Your Own Label. Your own Music. Your own freedom to release what you want.
Hey mate! Have to disagree with you. I've worked as a label manager myself, and it's a ton of work. Most artists are struggling as is to get their music heard, and using a label is a great way to get your music promoted by a platform that already has a following. Yes, some labels are difficult to work with, unfortunately. But they are a huge stepping stone and goal for a lot of artists.
You of course start your own label, but although it worked for you, it may not work for a lot of other artists. The label market is also very saturated already, as well. More labels would cause more saturation. Self releasing is very popular these days, but creating an entire label just to release your own music doesn't make much sense in my opinion, but I'm glad it worked for you! You must have worked very hard for that, so props to you!
Man very valuable what you said about demos about waiting and how to manage it
I'm glad!
This video is about that part of music production that I don't like. 😭
"Sorry not for us".
A necessary evil! :/
Not even evil I'd say. Often we get a lot of music from people who did not do their homework and sent some tech house to a progressive house label. While genres are really blurring borders ask yourself - why are you willing to be released on a label that releases music so different than yours? None of their usual audience (DJs) is going to like or play it. Fact.
Thanks for the information Dowden I just have one question. Do you have to copyright your music before sending it to labels or they will do it for you once you get signed?
You are welcome!
Labels should have a deal with distributors and stores that will have your music copywritten. Right away you own your own music, but once you sign the label you are signing a contract that is stating you are offering them a portion of the rights, and they own part of your copywritten material. :)
this was very heplful dowden, thanks for the educative content again!!
You are welcome :)
This was very helpful. I still want to get a meeting with you soon.
Glad it helped! And of course :) my schedule is always open (at least for now, haha)
Thank you for this video Dowden!
You're welcome!
Should demo tracks be mastered or -6db?
Mastred is good for demo submissions, but -6db pre-masters are also fine. They don't even need to be mastered, even a limiter to bring it to 0 is mastered enough for demo submissions :)
@@DowdenProductionAcademy Tnx ❤️
very good tips, thanks man :)
Thanks!
I would love to sign you on our label , just waiting for cool original before approaching to you mate. Following you on fb already for a while
Thanks! Feel free to share your your with me. Would be happy to check it out!
What's your label?
Great content as always! Thanks for the tips
Thanks! You are welcome :)