Library Music, Sync, Licensing, etc.

Anything about MUSIC but doesn't fit into the forums above.
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Hello everyone, just thought I'd start a convo going on the subject in case anyone has questions. I started composing and producing music for music library services a few years ago and am now starting to see a decent return. I realised there are thousands of professional musicians and song writers out there who are NOT actively pursuing this aspect of being a musician/music producer. There are also thousands of artists who sign all of their publishing over to an indie label and the label is not actively placing the music. It's kind of a waste really. Let's get something going here for folks who are new to this side of things so we can help them along. There are tons of informative blogs and articles out there as well. One place to start is to subscribe to BMI or ASCAP if you have not already.

Here are some questions. Are you registered with a PRO? Do you have music placed? Have you licensed or sold the rights to your songs? Do you have a publisher's account? Would you like to get your music placed or are you happy just making music for your self?

I think these things are an important part of every musician's career and should defo be taken into consideration.

cheers

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I did Library Music for a small label for many years. The company I worked for stopped their Library Music business and I'm now looking into those Stock Music upload sites like 'audiojungle' but I'm not sure what to think of them. I'm reluctant to take a step because it truly feels like a jungle to me. There is a lot of competition and a lot of them offer way too much artists and music. Uploading a track would be like sticking a needle in a haystack. Also, they seems to run a very different system compared to the one I know, especially concerning music rights and fees. It's more like you are selling your music. Once a customer pays and downloads a track, he can used it for as much and as long as he wants. Is anyone familiar with these music sites? It seems to be the thing these days. And what about traditional Production music labels? Are they still looking for new music?


Alex

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Can you mention the companies you worked for? I'm on audiojungle and i don't know aboy any other model of selling/composing your own music but I'm sure there has to be something else

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djpuzzle wrote:There are also thousands of artists who sign all of their publishing over to an indie label and the label is not actively placing the music. It's kind of a waste really.
I'm busy with sample and plugin development, but I'd really like to have my music published in tv shows, video games and movies. This is a dream I've had for a long time. One thing that is stopping me from doing this is the over abundance of music library companies. How do I know which are the good ones who will actively place my music vs the ones who are doing nothing (or not much at all)? I don't really have the time to try them all. :)

Awhile ago I've searched the net about the topic and there was only one good article on the subject of making money with music licensing (online). The author of the article had successfully submitted his piano music to various music libraries and made a living from it. In his article, he reviewed a couple of the companies in the business and shared great information, but that information is now outdated.

What companies would you recommend for a newcomer in the music licensing business?

Regards

EDIT: I've just read tons of articles about music licensing and wondered: is it a good idea to upload my music to as many music library as possible (the non-exclusive ones) assuming they are legit (by checking their reputation by googling them)? Will I multiply my chances of getting published?

Thanks!

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I've just realized that the thread is 1 years old! :dog: I won't hold on for the OP answer then! :lol:

In any case, here's some good articles I've found on the subject. It may help some of you:

On the history of library music: http://pitchfork.com/features/starter/9 ... ary-music/
A good topic on the subject at Gearslutz: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-p ... poser.html
A very good blog about stock music production: http://www.dayinthelifeofacommercialmusician.com/

From what I've read, my own list of good and "bad" music libraries:

Good reputation:

* Pond5
* You License
* LuckStock.com
* Revostock
* Productiontrax

Bad or not so good reputation:

* Pump Audio
* AudioJungle
* AudioSparx
* iStockAudio

Of course, the is people making money on all of these sites, but some of them have bad reputation because they keep your track forever, making them non-exclusive permanently (AudioSparx). Others don't pay enough (AudioJungle, PumpAudio). Their contracts has the reputation of not being ethical (not fair) to the musicians. From what I've read, it's not the case with Pond5, LuckStock, etc.

It also helps a lot to have legal knowledge on the topic:

The basics: http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-rig ... c-library/
A Simple Guide to Signing the Best Sync Deal Possible: http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2015/05 ... -possible/

I've found that Gearslutz is a good place to know about the subject, here's a couple of good threads:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-p ... ic+library
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-p ... ic+library
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-p ... ic+library

There's some very knowledgeable folks there with experience in the music library market.

Hope it helps.

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Atza wrote:Can you mention the companies you worked for? I'm on audiojungle and i don't know aboy any other model of selling/composing your own music but I'm sure there has to be something else
Hey sorry I didn't reply sooner. I am using a few services. Those that you mentioned are what they call micro sync or micro licensing sites. I have SOME music on Audio Micro but honestly the companies that are doing well for me are bigger more respected agents and they are a bit more difficult to get in to. One in particular is APM in Hollywood. I have 130 songs with them exclusively. They placed over 50 of my songs. I also go through a friend of mine who is in the band Warrant (from the 80s Cherry Pie?). He has a private company with several close direct relationships with music supervisors. I'm having good luck with him as well. In fact he will ask me for sound a likes and they usually get placed immediately. Typically what editors will do is they will cut to library music and then ask for a sound a like because A) they already used that song one hundreds times B) the song is from a library they don't want to work with for some reason.

My third top agent is a new one out of the UK called Dynamic Music. We just composed and entire album for them. They have a blanket license with BBC and Channel 4 in the UK.

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Alex Cremers wrote:I did Library Music for a small label for many years. The company I worked for stopped their Library Music business and I'm now looking into those Stock Music upload sites like 'audiojungle' but I'm not sure what to think of them. I'm reluctant to take a step because it truly feels like a jungle to me. There is a lot of competition and a lot of them offer way too much artists and music. Uploading a track would be like sticking a needle in a haystack. Also, they seems to run a very different system compared to the one I know, especially concerning music rights and fees. It's more like you are selling your music. Once a customer pays and downloads a track, he can used it for as much and as long as he wants. Is anyone familiar with these music sites? It seems to be the thing these days. And what about traditional Production music labels? Are they still looking for new music?


Alex

Hi Alex, I am familiar with them and they are what is called a micro sync site. I don't really recommend using these types of services to be honest. Yes there are labels still looking for new music but they are usually very picky about who they will sign on and it can be difficult to get it. I'm with two right now, APM in Hollywood and Dynamic Music in the UK. I have two libraries. One non exclusive library of 350 songs that I use for licensing to micro sync sites and other projects that are ok with non exclusive and an exclusive library of about 150 songs that I send to APM. Both do quite well. I recommend having two separate libraries like this.

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Hey everyone, I was asked to be a guest on Nick Batt's Sonic Talk videocast to discuss my experience as a library music producer.

Here is the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHOz0X09R-c

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