THE PROCESS
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you have lyrics, melodies, a chord progression or a cool beat; let your ideas flow freely then organize your sound in a way that is unique to you. Once you have a few solid songs, protect them through copyright. These initial raw recordings can also be used as your reference demo for the next steps.
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Once you have full demos of your compositions, protect them through copyright. (copyright.gov) This ensures that you own the rights to reproduce your music. You can copyright single compositions as well as full bodies of work. (Albums) Include charts and lyric sheets in the upload. Also include your cowriters by adding them as composers.
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Record a timeless version of your composition; one you can be proud of for the next 100 years. Record it solo or collaborate with friends. You can also hire professional musicians to be a part of your project. Always have fun and document the process; you’re making memories and history. Make sure to have a writers split sheet agreement present for all collaborators. Check out the various performing-rights-organizations (PRO) and make sure that you’re signed up as a writer and publisher. (ascap.com - bmi.com) Pick one and receive your interested-party-information (IPI) number(s) to use for the split sheet agreement(s).
“ASCAP vs BMI” - Tynia Coats (video)
“How Do Producer and Songwriter Splits Work” - Ari’s Take (video)
“What is a split sheet?” - Casey Graham (video)
Split Sheet Download - Casey Graham (here)
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Track mastering will enhance the two track stereo bounce of your final mix. This will ensure that your music is consistent from song to song throughout an album and is also leveled properly for distribution.
Mastering resources:
Ask for Rick at Make Believe Studios (here)
Fiverr.com mixing and mastering (here)
Emastered.com subscription (here)
Landr.com subscription (here)
You’re on your way!
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In addition to a performing-rights-organization (PRO), you may consider signing up with a publishing administration platform as you take steps closer to sharing your music worldwide. (songtrust.com)
“Songwriting vs Publishing vs Producer Royalties” - Tynia Coats (video)
“What is Songtrust?” - Casey Graham (video)
“Register a song with Songtrust” - Music By Azuma (video)
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Now that your compositions are recorded, mixed and mastered, it’s time to start the process of worldwide distribution. Before uploading your work to the world, make sure to go over all sound recording split sheet agreements with your collaborators. It’s now time to share your music with the world!
Distribution platforms:
(www.symphonic.com - www.tunecore.com - www.cdbaby.com - www.distrokid.com)
This is your moment!
“How To Release An Album (2023)” - Ari’s Take (video)
“Music Distribution Explained (2023)” - Tynia Coats (video)
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Imagine a seed in the ground planting its roots. Over time the roots send a stem of life up to the ground surface. Your compositions, copyrights, recordings, mixed sessions, mastered tracks and splits are the deep rooting process of your musical works. When you share your music through distribution, it’s the initial surfacing of your musical works. (the first stem) Make it grow through celebrating your work day in and day out. Make posts, videos, submit songs to playlists and include behind the scenes stories about your compositions. The more you celebrate, the more it grows. Grow branches of your musical works!
Playlist submissions:
REMOTE SESSIONS
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Preview sketches are a great way to get started with the recording process. Get an initial idea of what your track will sound like with added production elements.
Steps:
Send a “preview sketch” request. (here)
We will correspond with you to get an idea of your style then ask for you to send us a wave file, mp3 or voice memo recording of your song/demo performed with a metronome. There are artistic exceptions to the metronome request.
Specify the tempo (bpm) and sample rate of the track if your demo isn’t an m3p or voice memo recording. (48 kHz or 44.1 kHz) Also include the key center(s) of your song.
We will work our magic and send you a reference mp3 with newly tracked layers in addition to the demo layer(s) you provided us. There will be a faint click/metronome present in the background.
Check it out and see if it’s something you’d like to continue working on with us. This is your preview sketch. Next up is the review.
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Review sessions are a great way to get really specific with you song arrangements.
Book a review session.
This is a second draft on an initial idea. Add instruments, make revision or add transitions to your sound.
You will receive the newly added layers along with your recording as a single stereo wave file with a faint click present.
This is your review.
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Stem bounces are the final step to the remote recording process.
This part of the process involves a contract prior to stem releases. There isn’t a clickable option for this final step. Stems are released upon request via email or text and we process the payment though a transfer once the agreement is reviewed and signed.
The payment varies depending on split agreements. Review the section called “The Process” on this page for more info.
This is our final step.
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Three payment process:
Preview
Click and pay for a preview session that allows you to hear initial ideas with your track. Preview tracks are sent back as a stereo bounce with a faint click present.
Review
Click and pay for a review session that allows us to add layers, rearrange, or overhaul an idea. Review tracks are sent back as a stereo bounce with a faint click present.
Stems
We discuss splits, form an agreement and make a final transfer. (payment / stems)
There are some cases where the initial idea is “the one.” In that case there are only two payments to prepare. (preview / stems)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Please send over your song ideas with a clear melody and chord progressions recorded to a metronome in wave format? Sometimes charts help as well if the harmony and form phases are tricky.
Please specify the tempo of the song and the sample rate in which it was recorded. (bpm + 48 kHz or 44.1 kHz)
Please ensure that the recorded performance is captured with solid timing. This makes it easier to layer without sacrificing quality. There are some artistic exceptions to this rule. Unclear recording performances may be sent back for revisions before commencement.
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There are three payments to consider:
Payment to commence tracking. (preview deposit) This is a great way to get started. If you want to hear ideas played along with your music, just book a recording date, submit a deposit when prompted and within 24 hours of the recording date, you’ll receive a stereo bounce of your song with added layers and a faint click to preview. You can then decide if it fits your direction musically and proceed from there.
Payment for additions, edits and song completion. Sometimes the first set of ideas are perfect but there are times where changes are desired. This is a second draft on an initial idea. If you decide to pick a package that includes revisions, you’re already two steps ahead.
Payment for stems. This is the final type of payment. We negotiate whether there is an upfront type pay-out, or a lower payment that includes percentage splits on the back end. This is explained more in the section called “The Process,” found on this page under “Splits.” This step involves a contract.
For clarity:
You can get a sense of what would be on your project with payment one. You can make changes and finalize your project with payment two. You will receive stems after negotiating a pay-out or split agreement with payment three.
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Yes! We highly recommend it. Project vision calls are included when we book the recording date. We also provide project vision calls as a form of music lessons separate from recording bookings.
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Yes! The format for this is on the “Contact” page located at the bottom of the home page.
