MusicAnswers
as an independent music creator
now take your pick ~or~ just keep scrolling
1.
How to be a DIY musician
Includes info on:
- List of Basic Equipment for At-Home Recording/Producing
- What are distributors and How to Register
- Do I Need a Manager/Agent/Publisher?
2.
Collecting your Royalties
Includes info on:
- What is SoundExchange and How to Register
- What is the MLC and how to register
- What are PROs and how to register
3.
Registering your Copyright
Includes info on:
- What is the difference between Sound Recording and Composition Copyright
- How to register works with the Copyright Office
4.
Legal Aid Resources for Artists
Includes info on:
- Affordable Legal Representation
- Why Are Contracts Important?
- What is VLA? CoSynd?
1.
If you’re an artist just getting started, it can be wildly intimidating to see others arriving to point B,while youre still at point A, trying to figure out how to join them. But not to worry, in this section we will discuss basic equipment, releasing and more!
first, get the gear!
A Microphone! Whether you're a vocalist or instrumentalist--even just a producer--you're most likely going to need to have a microphone to record yourself or different sounds. Now, when you start your search for the right mic, you may find that the amount of options out there can be simply overwhelming. A good rule of thumb here is to think about the environment you’ll be recording in. A condenser microphone will be much more detailed, fragile, and capable of picking up everything you’re capable of hearing while you record. While a dynamic microphone will generally be more focused and less sensitive, so it will pick up more of what you’re trying to record, and want it to hear, and less of what you don’t! A good starting point for a condenser mic would be the Rode NT1, and if you’re looking to go for a dynamic mic, consider the Shure SM57 or the Shure SM7B. But always keep in mind that, regardless of your financial stipulations, you can find a microphone that works for you, with a little dedication; expensive doesn’t always mean best!
A DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Garageband, or FL Studio is the main program artists use to record, create, produce, edit, and polish their music. They come at varying prices with varying pros, cons, and learning curve, but nevertheless, you’ll need one to get started!
An Interface is the main component that takes the acoustic energy you create in your space (guitar, piano, vocals etc) and turns it into digital information readable by a computer. Your interface will likely have an XLR input for a microphone cable, and/or a ¼” input for an electric guitar or other audio signal of the like. Popular beginner interfaces include the Focusrite Scarlett series, the UAD Volt series, the SSL2+, and Presonus
In order to hear what you’re recording, you’ll need a set of headphones for monitoring. Popular entry-level headphones include: The HD 280 by Sennheiser, The Audio Technica ATHM50x, and the Beyerdynamic DT 770s. You may also want a set of monitors to listen back in the room like theM Audio BX5s, JBL 305Ps, or the KRK Rokits
A MIDI keyboard is also a great tool for the aspiring creator as it allows you to control a variety of instrument sounds within your DAW and greatly increases the capacity and boundaries of creativity! Examples
The most important thing in your recording space to achieve high quality sound is room treatment. If you record in your bedroom, it’s likely you’ve already done quite a lot to treat your space without even knowing it! A bed, carpet, and accompanying furniture help to break up harmful reflections and standing waves that can cause undesirable artifacts in recording.
last thing to do is CREATE! and once you do that.....
it’s time to release!
Distributors are companies that help get your music out to online stores and digital streaming platforms (DSPs) like Spotify or Apple Music. They act as the middleman between you, the artist, and these platforms.
When choosing one, consider their reputation, pricing, and the services they offer. Look for distributors that are transparent about their fees, offer good customer support, and provide analytics to help you track your music's performance. Ultimately, pick a distributor that aligns with your goals and values as an independent artist.
Now that you've got your music ready, you might be wondering how to release it and get it out to the masses? Well, that's where distributors come in.
*Something to note - most distributors collect your sound recording/masters royalties for you, but many do NOT collect your mechanical, or songwriter, royalties. SO, be sure to register with the MLC to ensure you get your full and rightful pay! More info on the MLC, SoundExchange, etc. in section #2*
Do you need an artist team to be an independent artist? The short answer is no...then later, maybe yes.
You can release your music independently without having an artist team. Doing it on your own means you have full control over your artistic direction, decisions and of course, royalties. However, it also means you'll be responsible for all aspects of your career, from promotion to distribution to copyright registration, which can be time-consuming and increasingly challenging the more popular you become.
On the other hand, having an artist team like a manager, agent, or publisher can offer valuable expertise, connections, and even financial support. They can help you navigate the industry, negotiate deals, and promote your music to a wider audience. But, you will most likely have to share a portion of your earnings with them and/or an upfront fee, as well as relinquish some creative control.
SO, is it necessary to have a Manager, Agent, Publisher, etc?? Ultimately, the decision depends on you and your goals, resources, and preferences.
alright, you’re ready for the next step...
2.
As an independent creator, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to understand one of the most important aspects of the industry that makes continual creation possible. PAYMENT. Luckily, there are some tailor-made services designed with independent artists in mind to make collecting your royalties as easy as possible. In this section we will discuss The MLC, SoundExchange and PROs!
get your money, honey!
It's crucial to be proactive in collecting your music royalties. Every stream, download, and performance of your music can generate income, but only if you're registered to collect it. Don't let a lack of knowledge block your money! That being said...
The MLC
(Mechanical Licensing Collective)
The MLC or The Mechanical Licensing Collective was created in the wake of the Music Modernization Act and is a non-profit geared towards administering blanket mechanical licenses to eligible streaming and download services in the US and collecting on the resulting royalties in order to pay the writers, composers, lyricists, and artists that are owed.
Think “Songwriters”, “Publishing” or “Composition Copyright”
FAQ: Do you need to register with a PRO, in order to register with the MLC?
The short answer is, you should do both. Technically, no, because both services collect royalties for different things...BUT, one does not replace the other and without both you will miss out on some of your earnings!
SoundExchange
SoundExchange administers the statutory license, and ensures the correct gathering and distribution of digital performance royalties to artists, globally. SoundExchange also handles the collection and distribution of royalties for both featured artists as well as the owner of the sound recording copyright when content is played on non-interactive digital platforms.
Think “Artist”, “Masters” or “Sound Recording Copyright”
Debunking Myth - SoundExchange is not specifically limited to neighboring royalties! While neighboring rights are a significant part of what SoundExchange manages, it also administers royalties for featured artists and copyright owners domestically, as well as all other digital performance royalties
But wait, you mentioned PROs...what’s that?
PROs or Performing Rights Organizations collect license fees from businesses that play the music of the artists, songwriters, and singers they represent. There are several well known PROs that have a simple registration that can be done quickly online. BMI and ASCAP are two of the most well known PROs, and likely a good place to start if you’re a the new Independent artist.
okay, thats all for this section, onto the next!
3.
Registering your copyright is crucial for safeguarding your creativity and ensuring you receive proper recognition and compensation for your efforts. However, it can be confusing trying to navigate the different types of music copyright. In this section, we will discuss the difference between Sound Recording and Composition copyright and how to register your works!
all about that copyright!
So I guess lets just get right to it, huh...Whats the difference between Sound Recording and Composition copyright?
Sound Recording
Composition
Sound Recording Copyright is defined as the fixed performance recording or “Masters” of a song. This basically means if you’re an artist or band, producer or sound engineer, you’ll likely be most concerned with the Sound Recording copyright
Composition Copyright is defined as the musical body and accompanying lyrics of a song. This basically means, if you’re a songwriter, composer or a lyricist --and sometimes producer--you’ll likely be most concerned with the Composition copyright
If you are responsible for writing, performing, and recording your own music, then you’ll likely want to pay attention to both!
Fact: Simply by creating a work, you already hold the copyright! Registering it just protects you legally, in the event that you are unjustly compensated, poorly credited or infringed upon in any other ways.
Wait we’re almost to the end... I think you’re getting it!
4.
As an independent creator, it is CRITICAL to seek help from a lawyer when navigating any conversation or deal involving legislation. Even if you think you know your stuff, just one textual misunderstanding could get you stuck in a deal you didn’t know you were getting yourself into! But the fact of the matter is, legal aid can be so expensive, especially for independent musicians.... That’s why, in this section we will offer some affordable legal aid options, specifically tailored to independent creatives!
here’s the deal!
If you’re looking for general legal assistance on artistic-related matters, such as: contracts, deals, intellectual property, etc...then VLA is the way to go!
VLA or Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, assists low-income artists with their arts-related legal issues. “Artist” includes almost any artistic discipline, including, but not limited to, visual arts, design, dance, theater, film, and music. Now, there is a fee because VLA works on a membership basis. HOWEVER, the cost of that fee may differ depending on if you are a student, your financial eligibility, etc. Plus, the lawyers themselves are working pro-bono so no additional fees there!
**Note: VLA is NY, NJ and Connecticut based organization, only, and therefore does not offer services for outside of those states! HOWEVER, here is a list of other affordable legal aid services for creatives, throughout the US
If you’re looking for assistance in crafting contracts, specifcally for collaborative copyright deals, then check out CoSynd!
CoSynd is a service that provides assistance in creating copyright contracts of different kinds. Some examples include: Co-Ownership agreements, Work-for-Hire agreements, Producer agreements, etc. Most all of the contracts will address topics such as: ownership percentage splits, licensing, dispute resolution, reservation of rights, etc. Now there is a fee for Co-Synd, which will differ depending on if you want to make a one-time purchase or subscribe, but relative to other services, these costs are competitive.
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