I've used Soundcloud over the years for my experimental, "never made it to an album" songs. But you wonder, if someone stumbles upon those songs, will they think those are the best you can do? I've replaced them with actual album versions, but maybe I'm just wanting to put the best foot forward and being paranoid. I think Soundcloud is a great venue to stream your music from and they making sharing your songs real easy. I have friends that come across artists they like and they'll listen to Soundcloud all day, and make playlists. What has been the biggest positive from your using Soundcloud?
The other site I come across a lot or am asked about is Bandcamp. I like their artist showcases and other features, and might explore their site more.
As an indie artist, you're always looking for ways to showcase your music, and become more well known. Check these two sites out: https://bandcamp.com/ and https://soundcloud.com.
Have you ever tried to record your acoustic guitar adding percussive slaps and found it impossible to avoid clipping? Obviously, a compressor/limiter on the front end could mitigate this, but in my current setup, I didn't have a way to add one in line. So, the solution was to position the X-Y Mic above my head about 3 feet away. This allowed me to increase the mic sensitivity to the desired levels without clipping every time I smacked the guitar. I hope this isn't too obvious to be helpful. Here are a couple of examples I was playing around with to fine tune the video and levels. I've seen and heard some pretty bad acoustic guitar videos and always try to maximize what I have if I'm going to share something. I researching webcams that offer 60fps this year as 30fps still makes fast right had parts blurry. What have you found that works? Feel free to leave a comment, thanks!
Mic and video test #2
I'm using the Zoom H4N with stereo X-Y mics. I like that it has a monitor mode where the mics are always on. I don't have to press any buttons to have it detect audio and be ready to go. Also, it has many accessories such as: mic stand/mount, pop screen, remote, etc. I also appreciate that I can keep it out of the videos.
If you're like me, you use and do whatever you have to. I've found the perfect use for shudders that I don't normally open - They're the perfect webcam holder! Having the webcam up high allows me to get both me and the guitar in the picture. I'm interested in switching to a 60fps webcam to eliminate the blur you get playing fast parts.
In my project studio, I've never really found a great table top rack for my headphones...until recently when we discovered a washcloth holder that works perfect. Life is about the little things right? I use many different types and am not in love with any at the moment. The Bose feel the best for long sessions, but I know they're not flat. Plus, having to put a fresh AAA in while recording at times is annoying. I'm very interested in trying the headphones by B.L.U.E. as I used their microphones for years and loved them. What's your headphone preference?
Once your CD is done and you start marketing it, you find that you're missing some things, like a positive review. I've noticed a lot more pay-for-review sites available, but I've never used one? Have you tried any services like this and if so, who? I plan to update this post with a list. I remember TAXI and others back in the day, but I'm not looking for representation per se'.
Have you ever uploaded a YouTube video and then afterwards realized you should have made the bed? Or taken your cereal bowl to the sink first? I love looking in the backgrounds of peoples videos and wondering if they knew a particular item was visible. I realized recently how ugly an old, not-working intercom system was that was on the wall behind me in the office. I've taken it down and covered the hole with something else. Often, it appears that items are actually sticking out of your head...
I've always written my own bio, I thought I new and could elaborate on my own accomplishments the best. Recently, I discovered a website called Fiverr.com where you can get a bunch of different services for $5.00, $5.50 if you pay w/PayPal. I had two bios made and had all the info ready to send them. I was curious what kind of perspective they'd have and if they'd include any new wrinkles.
If you don't have a bio, I would certainly recommend putting a few notes together and giving one of the Top Tier bio writers at www.fiverr.com a try.
Like many indie artists, I created my own Facebook Artist Page. The day I did it I remember thinking "this is like a permanent Facebook Selfie". I wondered if my friends and family would think I was being egotistical? I started running through different lines in my head to use as good rebuttals, "well, if you want to advertise and sell music on Facebook you have to have one". Have you had a similar experience as a solo artist?
I was excited when I first created my Twitter page (https://twitter.com/guitarantics, or @guitarantics). I thought "how hard can this be"? I've come to the realization that to gain real followers, that don't drop you because you don't follow them, and that don't spam you to death is hard. I've put a lot of time in recently to boosting my Twitter footprint and have had many thoughts: 1) Don't pay for followers, they just drop and make you look retarded 2) Use Fiverr.com to send a tweet to thousands of their followers, has worked (somewhat), 3) Don't worry about only having 100 followers. I'd rather have a consistent 100 that I can interact with that do the same than having thousands and having to take 3 days off work to read yesterdays Twitter feed. IMO.
I've been using CD Baby as my US Distributor since 1999. I've been happy with their services and have enjoyed watching their growth. I would still recommend them but am always curious, who are you using?
I don't really perform much, other than during guitar students weekly
lessons and the family Christmas party every year. I've wondered how
much the fact I don't perform limits my CD sales? I believe that
artists/guitarists that regularly perform and have that visibility do
better with music sales, thoughts? I've probably recorded and uploaded a YouTube video as much as I've performed in my lifetime. Is that odd? My channel is located here - https://www.youtube.com/user/ericbuddhahendrix.
As most independent artists, I would love to receive that email from CD Baby indicating someone has bought your song or CD on a more regular basis. Any tips you'd offer to the aspiring musician wanting to find the right audience for their music?
I think it would be very hard to calculate the number of hours to
record an album. I've been asked this before, "how long did it take you
to do this"? The song writing process is very fluid, ideas come in
sections a lot of times. During the song construction phase, the parts
get moved around and re-vamped, and you don't have a stopwatch rolling.
Once the recording starts (especially if recording in your project
studio like I do) time just slips by.
I ask the
question as am curious. Do the people that buy our CD's understand how
much time, effort, money, and sacrifice it took? How can we get them to
understand or appreciate what we do more?
Welcome to my brand-new blog focusing on indie artists and trying to raise awareness of what we do. I'm an independent musical artist, just finished their 18th CD and doing the usual 'shameless plug, trying to sell copies. I'm interested in discussing musical trends, sharing helpful tips, and networking with other indie musicians.
Some questions I've had include: 1) Have you noticed how hard it is to sell your CD when completed? 2) Why do people expect to get one of your CDs for free? 3) Why do some of your closest friends and family not want to donate to your cause, or support you by purchasing a CD? 4) Are you closer on Facebook to people you went to school with but weren't really friends with? 5) Do you allow just 30 sec. clips of your songs or the full length song? 6) I've wondered (other than the obvious, your music sucks) why visitors to your site advertising music don't even download a song. 7) Have you seen the look on people's faces after their saying "hey, I'd love to hear you sometime", and you cue up a song on your phone for them to hear, and they practically run away?
Let me know if you have seen any of these same trends. I'm interested your feedback.
In my project studio, I've never really found a great table top rack for my headphones...until recently when we discovered a washcloth holder that works perfect. Life is about the little things right? I use many different types and am not in love with any at the moment. The Bose feel the best for long sessions, but I know they're not flat. Plus, having to put a fresh AAA in while recording at times is annoying. I'm very interested in trying the headphones by B.L.U.E. as I used their microphones for years and loved them. What's your headphone preference?
I don't really perform much, other than during guitar students weekly
lessons and the family Christmas party every year. I've wondered how
much the fact I don't perform limits my CD sales? I believe that
artists/guitarists that regularly perform and have that visibility do
better with music sales, thoughts? I've probably recorded and uploaded a YouTube video as much as I've performed in my lifetime. Is that odd? My channel is located here - https://www.youtube.com/user/ericbuddhahendrix.
Welcome to my brand-new blog focusing on indie artists and trying to raise awareness of what we do. I'm an independent musical artist, just finished their 18th CD and doing the usual 'shameless plug, trying to sell copies. I'm interested in discussing musical trends, sharing helpful tips, and networking with other indie musicians. 