Author Topic: Why many talented producers don't make it big in the music business!!  (Read 9061 times)

vernonbrown

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I think I know why many talented producers do not make it big in the music business. Below is an excerpt from the book 'A Newcomer's Guide to the Music Business'. I recommend that all upcoming producers read this book:

CHAPTER 7 PRODUCERS:
Hard work, luck and contacts are evidently some of the factors that can help an individual progress in the industry. But what many producers tend to forget is that an awareness of the business and legal aspects of the music business is just as crucial in aiding them to climb the industry staircase. I would even go as far as to say that a basic understanding of these two fundamental components is more or less mandatory for any producer seeking to sustain long-term success. Therefore, a wise producer must not only be creatively adept, but they must also make sure they are legally and economically alert as well.

To start with - from a legal perspective - it is vital a producer is aware that they automatically own the copyright to any instrumental they compose. If an artist then writes lyrics, and lays down vocals on the instrumental, the artist will own the copyright in the lyrics, as well as having performer's rights with regard to their vocal performance on the instrumental. So when a song is finally completed, both the producer and the artist will potentially own separate copyrights in the composition.

In addition to this, a producer possesses 'moral rights' over any music they compose. Moral rights dictate that the producer - as the author of the musical work - has the right to be identified as the author of the work. Coupled with this, they also give the producer a right to object to the work being altered in any way that might have a negative effect on the dignity or reputation of the producer.

FarleyCZ

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I don't think it's connected at all, tbh. I've seen successful people who sample without premission and/or use stolen software as well as unsuccessful ones like that. I've also seen unsuccessful people with everything legal and so on. Cold truth is that it's just about talent, courage and luck. Everything else is secondary. Articles like this are just trying to explain that "luck" part to desperate readers.
"Earth is round right? Look at it from right angle and you'll be always on top of the world."
...but don't overdo it, because that's called being a d***k.

vinceasot

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yeah its good to know whats in a contract or cause there is a lot of trickery

there are fabricated entertainers out there created by agencies, i can give a name and everyone knows it, dash berlin

these guys probably dont even know what middle C is or what a sine wave is 

you have to display your talent with your production,

 thats one of the points why mat zo made this forum




« Last Edit: May 05, 2016, 02:49:53 pm by vinceasot »

Lydian

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yeah its good to know whats in a contract or cause there is a lot of trickery

Just look at kesha. God what a heartless business music can truly be.
A young 14 year old me with a really bad haircut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMbftWV75w

vinceasot

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yeah its good to know whats in a contract or cause there is a lot of trickery

Just look at kesha. God what a heartless business music can truly be.

Lol we may never know if she was attention seeking or she was a victim


Lydian

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yeah its good to know whats in a contract or cause there is a lot of trickery

Just look at kesha. God what a heartless business music can truly be.

Lol we may never know if she was attention seeking or she was a victim

Willing to bet it's a little bit of both.
A young 14 year old me with a really bad haircut. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMbftWV75w

bryan

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Yeah, I'm with FarleyCZ, I don't buy it.  It MOSTLY takes luck, or rather "being in the right place at the right time."  A lot of famous artists (I'm talking EDM here) were producing well before the EDM scene really took off (especially in the US). 

Take deadmau5 for example.  He was producing on his own in his parents' house, started working at a studio learning the ins and outs of hardware production, and was a bit of raver.  He knew Steve Duda and one day they were messing around and saw that mp3.com (or was it beatport?) had some EDM on there.  Up to that point, he hadn't really produced a lot of 4 on the floor type beats, but when he heard what was top-ranked on the site, he knew he could do better. So him and Steve (together: BSOD) produced a "joke" track called "this is the hook" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AnmTP5L-9U) as a tongue-in-cheek joke.  Thing is, it was actually good and well-produced for its time.  It quickly topped the charts.  This all happened as the EDM scene was blowing up and well...the rest is history.

If you listen to deadmau5 or follow him closely, you know that he dabbles in a lot of non-EDM electronic music.  In fact, you could say that truth be told, he "dabbles" in EDM, cuz that's the moneymaker of his time.  I'm not implying that he's a "sellout" or anything, just saying that it took the mix of his talent, background, connections and being at the right place at the right time for him to become a massive global phenomenon.

Dot

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To start with - from a legal perspective - it is vital a producer is aware that they automatically own the copyright to any instrumental they compose. If an artist then writes lyrics, and lays down vocals on the instrumental, the artist will own the copyright in the lyrics, as well as having performer's rights with regard to their vocal performance on the instrumental. So when a song is finally completed, both the producer and the artist will potentially own separate copyrights in the composition.

Well, from a legal standpoint, a lot of that is not true. While you do "own" the rights from the moment of creation, backing it up in court is another matter. It used to a common recommendation to just mail an envelope to yourself with an original recording, and the post mark would prove it.

In most cases, that will not stand up in any court. You need to file with the copyright office in your country.

Also, on the second part, if you make an instrumental composition, someone can not just come along and write lyrics over it, and lay any claim to your composition and recording. Again, file your music with the copyright office to avoid that ever happening. And if it does, you have some recourse.
Dan Richards — Pro Studio Reviews