Protecting your music

Posted on 08/17/2010 by Jake Sabers

So after a long couple of weeks taking care of some business I’m back with some more information for whoever reads this.  On the subject of copy writing and the general idea of making sure your music is protected.

There’s a lot of people out there that make music.  Whether its just for fun, or its a way to make money as a career.  You shouldn’t slack on the protection of your music in case someone gets a little bit greedy with your material.  I’ve heard the story over and over especially in the case of hip hop or any kind of music for that matter, where someone has taken certain liberties with the track in question.  Whether it’s a track you helped work on, or a beat you made there are a few ways to cover your ass when it comes to making sure no one can prove its anyone other than you.  First off if your recording with someone such as doing lyrics for a song you didn’t produce try to secure some publishing rights for yourself.  Try ASCAP or BMI, however wherever you are may have some other options so look around. Number 2 try and get a copy of the master project and keep a dated copy of your lyrics with it in some kind of file, that way if any authenticity is questioned you can produce original documents.  If your a producer make sure all of your track projects whether their completely digital or mixed down in a daw are dated and a backup is kept.  Same rule can apply to you if your the one engineering the recording and might I also add try and get the money up front.

For ANYONE that has anything to do with a piece of music.  Make sure and I can’t stress this enough.  Make sure you know the ins and outs of whatever site is hosting mp3s or any other format of your material.  Most sites like that allow users to download your music as well as listen to a stream.  Unless you want to make the song available for download, take the time and research the site your using to find out how it works.

If your sending out demos to labels. Try and only put 2 or 3 songs on a disk after all you never know who actually listens to it so be safe and don’t load a cd with a years worth of material.  Also if your planning on going to a label its good to get a lawyer to hash out your contracts just so in the end you can be sure your not being screwed over..

If theres anything i left out leave a comment I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Peace and play safe

j

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Why you need a Soundcloud now!

Posted on 07/27/2010 by Jake Sabers

First off www.soundcloud.com Is a pretty revolutionary site.  It almost works like a twitter but for musicians and lovers of music.  You can follow artist’s you enjoy and artist’s can follow others whose art they enjoy.  The general idea of the site strikes me as brilliant.  Instead of limiting how many songs one artist can upload, you get 2 hours of time to fill.  Not to mention thats just with the free account.

Soundcloud can upload any file type and descriptions you would like to use for your music.  The reason I dig this personally is because most music uploading or hosting sites have way to many rules when it comes to what you can upload.  Also sites like facebook your led to believe you can share music, but in fact you can’t.

I use my account all the time and i love it.  The way the songs are mapped out into wave forms is beautiful, and the fact that other users can comment at any time during the tracks timeline.  So for example if your friend likes a particular breakdown in one of your songs they can comment on it the exact second it happens.

All in all I can only see Soundcloud.com playing a huge role in the future of music as we know it.  Many people have already adapted, because at it’s core it’s such an amazing and seamless way to share your music with the world.  Don’t just take my word for it check it out yourself, or you could even check out mine.

www.soundcloud.com

www.soundcloud.com/jake-sabers

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Get started now the future of the music business is upon us

Posted on 07/14/2010 by Jake Sabers

Everything changes over time.  Especially industries, from the time of their conception they are always evolving.  This is especially true for the music business.  There are so many outlets for many musicians to get their music out to the public for a small fee, or most of the time for free.

If you really break it down, the barriers of traditional record companies are being done away with completely.  No more label politics and no more tiny percentages for the musicians themselves.  Musicians are becoming more and more free to dive into their curiosity without having to deal with imaging and collaboration limits.  What this all means is that its easier for people to create and record at home or at a smaller studio and still get a sonically valuable sound.  Going hand in hand with the fact that if your recording with some friends, creative and fresh ideas can flow more freely.

The tools have gotten considerably easier and more affordable.  I remember a while ago when an eight track zip drive recording unit was a state of the art piece of machinery.  Now that piece of garbage gathers dust in my basement.  Software and home recording tools in general have come down in price considerably, so if your thinking of trying your hand at a little singing or maybe some beat production, its not that much of an expense to you.  Which means I personally think you should go for it !

These are all things to consider if you are a musician or are thinking of becoming a musician.  Its a good idea to go for it now simply because all these means of producing, recording, and selling are all considerably cheaper and easier to obtain.  Do a little research, the itunes store and snowcap are some good places to sell it. Not to mention most software companies have demos of their software.  So find something you like and let it bang.

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Reason 5 Record 1.5 excited I think so

Posted on 07/06/2010 by Jake Sabers

A couple weeks ago the good folks over at Propellerhead announced the upgrades to their flagship synthesizer and recording softwares.  A slew of new features await users, but I’m rather excited for the fact that the sampling is all on board along with the sample chopping.  The Kong drum synthesizer with it’s sixteen pads is sure to excite any hip hop or electronic producer.  Well the same can be said for pretty much all of the new features.  The new song structure block mode is worth checking out just by itself, but don’t take it from me check it out for yourself over at http://www.propellerheads.se/

Also keep an eye on this site for plenty of exciting new stuff coming.  There’s always something to discover in the future of music.

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On a more serious note ..Sampling

Posted on 07/02/2010 by Jake Sabers

So I’ve been sitting here with a bit of a sinus infection, bound to the indoors on this beautiful summer night.  During my time inside I’ve been listening to a few of my favorite records.  Stuff along the lines of old wu-tang clan and public enemy.  I have been thinking alot about sampling as far as now vs then.  Back in the day sampling laws were far more loose.  The artists did not have to clear all the samples that they used in their final composition. Nowadays its seems sample laws (at least in the USA) are rather tight even if your only using a 1.5 second sample.

I guess I just have a “nothing comes from nothing, something always comes from something” attitude about this.  For a lot of people sampling may be what got them inspired to listen to or create certain type of music.  I know it was for me I can’t even express what it felt like the first time i figured out how to chop up some breaks and rework them into my own little composition.  So why if your only taking a small sample and reworking it does the industry have to shun it so much.  Even if your taking said sample and bit crushing it until its so distorted no one can recognize it, it still needs to be cleared.

Regardless no matter how many laws are passed i still think people will sample.  Its like taking something old and making it new again, that is if it stays recognizable. Here’s a really good run down of current sampling laws.   http://www.superswell.com/samplelaw/main.html Its a pretty good guide for sampling and safeguarding work.

I would love to hear some opinions on this and what you think the future holds for sample based music.  I think sampling will play a huge part now and during the future of music as we know it. So keep digging in those crates, and let us know what you think down there in the comments section.

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The Rise of SoundCloud

Posted on 03/05/2010 by Alexander

Even if the're clouds in the sky, the sun shines bright for SoundCloud

There are only a handful of companies in the professional online music sphere which are doing things right these days and SoundCloud is definitely one of them.

For those that like to number crunch, they managed to get their user base up to 600,000 in only 2 years (UPDATE 1.000.000 after 2 1/4 years), but the greatest testament and what one finds most impressive is that many of these users are already paying for the services of SoundCloud. A subscription model in the online-services sphere that really works? I thought it was high time to meet Alexander Ljung, one of the founders and current CEO of SoundCloud, to find out a bit more about the role of a company like SoundCloud in the Future of Music.

Watch the full interview now:
Part one

Part two

SoundCloud was founded in September 2007 by Eric Wahlforss and Alexander Ljung. The two Swedes came to Berlin in July 2007, where they began to build on their vision to create a platform for the easy transport of digital music. German efficiency coupled with Swedish innovation. So simple.
Through their work with DJ’s, producers and sound designers, they were all too aware of the clumsy and frustrating ways that existed to share music files – primarily by email, via FTP or file sharing systems such as yousendit – and they set out to simplify and streamline it. They also introduced some really cool and much needed upgrades. For example, before SoundCloud it was not possible to keep music files, descriptions and feedbacks together.
After nearly two and a half years of development, the reality of SoundCloud is very close to the initial vision of founders Wahlforrs and Ljung. Their goal is still the same – to make music sharing easier for professionals in the music sphere.

Not only have they successfully developed a good looking, easy-to-use platform, they have also managed to build an ever-growing community of loyal users, which today counts more than 600,000 worldwide. As if to illustrate the benefits of such a service, SoundCloud users are not only musicians but also record labels and other professionals within the music industry.

The now 12-strong team behind SoundCloud consists mostly of programmers. “The programmers from Germany are very good,” said Ljung in our video interview. He emphasized a kind of ideal constellation for startups: in his opinion, German programmers simply cannot be missing from the equation. In return, we assume the Swedes must have extremely high motivation, communication and networking capabilities.
SoundCloud has succeeded from the very beginning to reach the major DJs and labels as multipliers, but also to secure seed investors and business partners, thus ensuring the necessary financial support. In April 2009, SoundCloud acquired €2.5 million from the private equity firm Doughty Hanson Technology Ventures for further development of technology and services.

But it’s a tough world out there, and although many of their users are paying customers, becoming a profitable company is still a goal for the future. “We are not yet profitable,” said Ljung, “and it is certainly still a long way before we get there.” Investments in technology and new services will ensure in the medium term the return on investment.
Ljung sees great potential in particular for integration with other services and social communities. “We have focused our development on an open and well-functioning API “, he said. This puts SoundCloud in a good starting position for becoming a one-stop platform for music professionals. The first functional integrations and references are for example to the Presonus Studio One, a new but serious player in the market of audio applications, also boasting an online partnership with the prestigious Abbey Road Studios.

Later this year, integration into other existing products like Ableton’s Live is on the roadmap, and other software vendors have already expressed interest. “We have a number of further integrations scheduled for this year” said Ljung, with a mysterious tone.
It looks like we can expect a lot of cool SoundCloud integrations in the near future and an on-going improvement to their core services.
As with any startup, the pressure is really on but according to Ljung, working like hell is driven by their passion for music and their commitment to change the digital music world, even if a little, for the better. And profitability, of course.

There is no doubt that SoundCloud will influence the Future of Music in an inspiring way. Great name, great people, great service. Someone once said, “The simple things in life are often the best”. Touche.

For further information, just go to SoundCloud

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SoundCloud
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The Future of Music – Statements, Musikmesse 2010

Posted on 04/07/2010 by Alexander

What’s the Future of Music?

We say thanks a lot to Thomas Wendt, he picked up the following statements on The Future of Music from Craig Anderton, Ernst Nathorst Böös, Clyde Sendtke and other insiders during the Musikemesse 2010 in Frankfurt -

The diversity of opinions is very impressive…A must watch!

Clyde Sendtke Director Product Planning, Steinberg

Eric Nolot, CEO of Dontcrack.com

Woody Moran, President of Mamba Gear

Jason Davies Vice President Marketing from Bias

Craig Anderton, Editor in Chief Harmony-Central.com

Ray Williams, President Musicmarketing and Paul Wishart, President Carillon Audiosystems

Ernst Nathorst Böös, CEO Propellerheads

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SoundCloud is reaching out for 1 Million Users

Posted on 05/18/2010 by Alexander

Today, SoundCloud announced that they have reached their millionth user. Congratulations to the amazing team behind.

This is the post on their website:

“Ta-da!

Big day today. At 10:29 Berlin time this morning, our one millionth user signed up for a SoundCloud account. A bigger than words thank you to every single one of you, building SoundCloud for you truly is a great pleasure.

Now, let’s get back to work.

Alex, Eric & Team SoundCloud”

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SoundCloud
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UJAM.COM – Interview with co-founder Peter Gorges

Posted on 06/22/2010 by Alexander


UJAM.COM is already a phenomena. They made a very cool presentation at Techcrunch Disrupt in NY. They made it to the finals and ended as runner up. Second place out of a bunch of about 20 quite interesting companies isn’t that bad.

The idea behind is -everybody can create music.

You hum or sing something into your computer and the rest is being done by UJAM.

As I’am going to test the service over the next weeks, I’ll can’t tell you too much for now.

But what’s already shown up @ techcrunch disrupt is true. The magic sauce behind ujam.com is it’s great sound.

As you can see on the Techcrunch Videos – it’s an application to make music online, mostly based upon your voice.

We met Peter Gorges on Skype for an interview, he is besides Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams one of the founders.

He is giving us some insights into the company and its technology behind. And he’s is sharing some secrets with us.

A must watch!
Part ONE:

Part TWO:

Part THREE:

And here you can get an impression of Hans Zimmer and Pharell Williams and their involment in UJAM.COM

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Future of Music @ c/o pop in Cologne

Posted on 06/21/2010 by Alexander

The Future of Music is happening @ c/o pop, cologne.

Our first event is made for electronic music lovers, and with our

partners Abelton and Novation we’re going to rock cologne.

Join us and enjoy the workshop of Dankmar Klein (an Abelton & Novation Pro), Maik Loewen and Adam Marshall.


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Cool free VST’s

Posted on 06/29/2010 by Jake Sabers

Hello all,

Since ill be posting over here from now on.  I decided to do a moderately short post on some really really cool vst’s ive been messing around with.  The best part is their all free!

The first really awesome plug I’ve come across is called glitch.  It can be found over at www.illformed.org as far as i know its only one person writing all the programming for this particular plugin and from playing with it I can tell you its damn impressive.  On a basic level its a loop smasher/ chopper but it does all of this in real time leaving you the ability to go totally tweakhead on it with automation in a session.

Not to mention it looks pretty cool too doesn’t it? With tons of built in effects and different ways to mangle your audio its a real good time when it comes to warping stuff, definitely worth the download if your working on a pc.

Next up we have an offering from synthtopia.com called the BLIP2000.  This is a VST that emulates the tenori-on sequencer /instrument.  Its definitely good if you want to dive into step sequencers, or just get a feel for a hardware step machine before you spend the money on one.  The Blip 2000 works just like one would expect a step sequencer to work and it looks pretty cool as well. Check it out and give it a try here http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2010/02/23/free-matrix-sequencer-for-windows-blip2000/ .

Last but not least if you haven’t checked it out there’s kore player by native instruments which comes with a seriously nice set of stock samples and synths.  The refill or instrument bundles are also very moderately priced as well.  Check it out here http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kore-player/

Thats all for now Ill keep everyone posted with any new stuff that I find as well as tutorials and a couple reviews.  Keep letting that bass knock .

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