You produce music and sounds. My question to you is, what do you enjoy most? I know, there’s so many things to choose from, right? I would like to say recording and editing, but I also enjoy foley and sound for film. The truth is, I don’t think that there is anything about creating sound and making it enjoyable for others that I don’t like. The point is, whatever you like, do it because you like to, not because you have to. It really makes a difference. Share with us some of your favorites.

I’m just speaking in general, but how much is too much? When using reverb, do you ever find yourself using too much? What about compression? Have you used so much of it that the vocals are inaudible? I’ve got one that you can relate to. Auto tune! Did that strike a nerve? It’s a great tool to use, but honestly, sometimes it’s used too much. The same goes with other effects that are used. If you’re experimenting just to find out what works, then make sure that you rest your ears before making a final decision. Even better yet , get another set of ears to give you some feedback. You don’t want to be that person that people are talking about in a negative way. Anyway, let me know what your thoughts are about it. I’d love to hear from you.

When you start your recording studio, you expect to be flooded with clients, only to find out that no one knows who you are or where you’re located. You think you’ve covered all the bases, but still, there’s no business. What did you miss? Maybe you can advertise more aggressively on social media sites. But that can be costly, and though it’s needed, you need clientele to offset the cost. Then it hits you. Why don’t you record an artist with potential for free, and mix and master it with the agreement that the artist plugs where they got it done. This is considered to be a cost-free advertisement, and everyone will soon know who and where you are. Finally, a solution to some of your problems. Just be sure that you represent yourself accurately. This is just a suggestion. There are certainly other options. If you know of some, share it for those who are looking.

I’m not a spokesperson for this organization, but I do attend and recommend that every audio engineer, producer, and manager check out what they are doing. I’m taking about the Audio Engineering Society. Any and everyone involved with audio recording or sound production is most likely members. Even new technicians are getting involved. Engineers of renown artists gather to share their experience and techniques with all who are interested. It’s a time of shared knowledge and new equipment for both analog and digital professionals. This year it’s in New York , October 16-19. It’s always a blast. Check them out and see if it’s something you might like.

I borrowed this message from Walter Tucker, President, and Founder of LiveThe.Biz. For a decade, he has served as a consultant on the business end for the teams behind such stars as 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jazmine Sullivan, and Adele.

How musicians can break into the music industry: 

1. Master your craft: Whether singing, songwriting, rapping, playing an instrument, or producing music, all musicians need to spend a considerable amount of time perfecting their talent. Hire a talent coach, perform to build up experience with live shows, study those that came before you, experiment, get professional feedback and tons of practice.
2. Decide your message: Having talent is great, but every musician needs to focus on their message and what they want to express to the world. Making music is not just about skill, but also about feeling and freedom of expression. In order to build a fanbase and a following, your songs should connect to a specific audience and give a voice to those who don’t perform. Talent will make you a good singer, but talent with a message will make you a great artist.  
3. Record, record, record: As they’re perfecting their craft and finding their message, all musicians need to record their music and begin creating full songs. Finding the best producers to help develop your sound and working with songwriters to create captivating songs can make or break your career. Delivering your best material to fully represent your vision and talent.
4. Market and promote yourself: After making great songs, musicians must be involved with the marketing and promotion of their content. Technology has made it easier to create and distribute music. However, this also has created an oversaturation of music projects. To combat that, it’s extremely important for you to be creative in how you promote yourself. You must be savvy in building your social media presence, take amazing photos that highlight your brand, interact with your followers, and so on.
5. Network to build a team: While creating and performing your music, you also need to attend networking events, open mics, music conferences, and go anywhere else where you can make creative and business connections. Network with music producers, find fellow musicians to collaborate withHow rising music executives can break into the music industry:
   1. Research what you want to do in the industry: There are so many people I’ve met at LiveThe.Biz events or in classes I teach who want to work in music but haven’t decided what they want to do. Spend time researching careers. Look up the job descriptions on the websites of music brands and on LinkedIn. Read articles on music websites about established music executives. Listen to music industry podcasts. This will give an idea of what jobs are out there and what skills are needed.
   2. Get valuable experience: Whether assistant, college intern, apprentice, or any other entry-level position, find it and take it to gain experience working in the music business. This will help in defining what you’re good at and help build up your resume and industry connections. Building up relevant skills in another industry also can be very useful.
   3. Network, network, network: As you’re gaining experience, build up your contact list of peers and executives in the entertainment business. This will help you to learn about career opportunities, get job references, and receive mentorship.
   4. Go for it: Whether applying for open positions or starting your own company, the best way to break into the industry is to go for it. Focus on positions that are looking for people with your skillset.
   5. Believe in yourself: Just like musicians, executives need to stay motivated and encouraged. Remember to have fun, learn as much as you can, and stay focused.

   and connect with a business manager.

6. Believe in yourself: Always remember why you want to be an artist and stay motivated. It can be a very rough business, but what’s worse is not pursuing your passion and giving up your dreams because of fear.

I just thought you would appreciate some words from another professional.

Check this out. I like analog because it’s hands-on, but daws have made their mark in the industry. That being said, not all daws give you all the options that others may have, and for me, that is problematic. I have some plugins that are not excepted by some daws. Why is it a problem? If you are collaborating with artists around the world, they may be using an inexpensive daw that is not supported by your daw, and then work is halted. In a perfect world, everyone would use the same daw, but alas, we’re not in a perfect world. I’ll discuss analog in another blog, but let me know what your thoughts are on this?

Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but having too many engineers can be both positive and negative.

Let’s look at some positive ones:

1. You always have other ears to both critique and help when recording. And who doesn’t like a little help in the studio?
2. They may hear something you don’t, and it may help the project.
3. And most of all, you’ll need someone to get the take-out that’s two miles away. Ok, forget about this one, lol!

Now let’s look at some negative ones:

1. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. What I’m saying is everybody has something to add. Let the engineer work, and let the producer/manager give directions unless they’re all the same person.
2. Too much talking and not enough, listening. Your engineers, do what engineers do, listen. Then if asked, you can give your opinion. Otherwise, shut it!
3. Everybody has a friend who has never been in a recording studio, and it shows. Ask if it’s ok to bring someone along before the set starts, otherwise leave them home, or wherever else they would choose to be.

Obviously, this is not all the pros and cons, and I’m sure that you could name a few. Yeah, let’s hear some of your pros and cons where you are? You don’t have to expose any names. That can turn, nasty! Or feel free to elaborate on the ones mentioned above.

I don’t know if you’ve realized this yet, but right now is the easiest opportunity to get your music or information about your music out to the world. I’m a little bit older than some of our newest producers and engineers today, so I’ve seen a little more than they have. The turn of the century has opened the gates for all artists, producers, managers, etc.. The internet, with hundreds, if not thousands of avenues to display what you have is out there for the pickings. The hardest decision that you’ll have to make is, how many do I set up. Think about back in the ’50s and ’60s, on up to the end of the ’90s. If you wanted to be heard, you would have to know someone, who knew someone, who could introduce your material to a large music company, and hope that they like it enough to offer you a contract. Now, all you have to do is get it recorded, mixed and mastered, and choose where to start. Think about what direction you’d like to go while building your material, and move in the direction that you’ve planned. That’s the easiest way to distribute your material to the world. You just have to see the big picture.

It all starts with a vision. You don’t necessarily need an artist, but it’s a plus if you do. Don’t be in a hurry when creating it. Don’t over do it. It’s always good to have another set of ears to tell you what may be missing in the mix. Ask yourself, would you buy it if it was created by someone else? Does it make you feel good when you hear it playing? Would it transcend over time, or is it a one time hit? Let a few of your colleagues listen to it and give you some creative criticism about what they think about it. Get it out to the public and advertise the crap out of it. Most of all, never give up!

If you are an engineer or producer worth your salt, you will make sure that you are equipped with the tools of your trade. What are they you ask? Well, that depends on what type of studio you’re running. The thing you don’t want is, having clients come to your studio and not able to give them what they are requesting. Look around the studio and see what is needed and, set aside some cash until you have enough to purchase those items. First impressions are lasting ones. If you are not able to give a client what they’re asking for, let them know. Also, tell them that you are in the process of getting them, and when to expect them to be there. That is, if they are willing to wait. If not, then recommend someone who does have it, or better yet, ask them to allow you borrow it and compensate them after your done. Bottom line, you need to equip your studio with the tools that are required for your success.