9 deadly mistakes to avoid when submitting demo to labels

[@Alice-Efe]

The arrangement theory video is coming in few days, still working on it. Wanted to publish this so that you have something to watch until that video comes out! ❤ If you want to listen more Mercurial Tones releases, here is our official release playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/2S7iXpNzi9jVFvm3iDrkmD?si=c6c237f48412498c And drop your comments on what you think is big mistake when submitting a track to labels.

[@jedsithor]

Can't wait for this. I hope it covers outros because that's what kills me more than anything and nobody ever really talks about outros in tutorial videos. It's always limited to "remove layers gradually" etc. But I think there's a danger that outros can be really boring and since that's the last part of a track, you want to make a good last impression just as much as you want to make a good first impression with the initial build. If you don't cover outros extensively in your upcoming video I think it's something you should think about covering as its own topic in the future.

[@edcepod7417]

Efe selam, vokalleri (temiz bir şekilde) instrumanlardan ayırabilir miyiz? Eq ile yapılan videolar var. Online ayırıcılar var ama vokali ayırınca ses bozuluyor çok temiz olmuyor. Yok mu bunun bir yolu. Eğer varsa temiz bir şekikde nasıl ayırırız bunun videosunu çekersen faydalı olur yada bir fikir verebilirsen bu vokalleri sanatçılardan isteyeceksek tek yol buysa nasıl ve ne şekilde yol izlemeliyiz ? (bir iki defa denedim mail ve sosyal medya ile dönen olmadı) Cevabını bekliyorum teşekkürler.

[@Bensonisalsobenz]

This is perfect, it gives me the picture of the things i haven't done yet. Thank you for this!

[@Barfunkel]

It would be nice to have a sort of a reverse tutorial of this one. Ie. deadly mistakes tiny and small labels make when dealing with musicians. Many people start labels nowadays or dream of it at least. Most of them handle things truly horribly. As an example, on my latest release the label didn't even mention the release on any of their social media pages or anywhere else either. And it seems like small labels do zero promotion. I know they don't have real budgets but you can do lots with no to little money in this day and age. A tutorial about that would be ace, from techno/house POV where the target audience is often DJ's.

[@davidbucka]

agree 💯 I often ask myself why the people started the label in the first place when they just don't care about the music and trust the artists put in..

[@Rivessound]

Good tips! I’ve sent a lot of good emails out there. Some respond others not at all. I’m so tired of waiting for labels to respond, so I decided to release by my self. And that way you also have the full control of your music, rights and graphics.

[@xDRAGONSHAGGERx]

Sounds like the way to go, how do you release it? Via streaming services bandcamp/Spotify etc?

[@Rivessound]

@@xDRAGONSHAGGERx I release it via Cd Baby. And then it's going to be on most platforms. When you release via Cd Baby you need a Performing Right Organisation to handle your royalties. (Coda/Koda). You do also need UPC barcodes to add to your EP or single. Cost almost nothing. And then a W-8 BEN form for handling taxes between USA and Europe. A little bit of a paperwork the first time you release but then you are good to go. :)

[@Openeyesopenmind777]

Agree. I think about too. Even when the mixdown is on Point and Track ist very good, there is to much politic on Label Decisions.

[@LeoContrerasMusica]

This is so important, as much as music production ! Thanks Yalcin, u always on point :)

[@DeanKennyMusic]

Thanks for using my track at 2:54 Yalcin! Mercurial is a top label to work with!

[@Alice-Efe]

Cheers Dean, you had a great EP!

[@michatroschka]

this is a cardinal sin of edm right there!

[@VAUGHNANTON]

@Ricky Garcia-Vendor faxing berlin will never be the same

[@fkcoriander]

The short snippet of the music makes this little joke so good haha

[@awakening.alchemy]

Such great advice! Thank u so much ❤

[@ricardojmestre]

Super useful, thank you!

[@thomasmurphy5170]

The Babetta track in the background is a belter!!

[@Protegido7]

Bebetta GODESS!!!... Yacin I recognize and value the work of people like Andrew, u, Bebetta, Bad Snacks, Rachel K Collier and others. I'm working to get to that truly inspiring quality and humility. I'm practicing my bad English, but my production is better than my English =D Thank you for that!

[@fredthebasspro2256]

Very insightful Yalcin, thank you for sharing your experience/perspective!

[@juannieuwenhuizen2557]

Thanks for all the good videos bro. Looking forward to the arrangement theory video

[@matthardern1594]

Great tips, as always!

[@probarsukov]

Should the music be send as sample 1.00 minute or send fully track? Should be download available or better not ?

[@tommymoosburner857]

Thank you so much for your Vdeos, you are an immensely inspirng artist!

[@Alice-Efe]

Glad you like them, thanks and cheers Tommy!

[@iskra4420]

is it ok to post the track on soundcloud in public mode without download permission, and post that track again in private mode, for label? or track that suposed to be released should not be posted like this?

[@silentrebel6564]

From what he said in the video, it seems like labels want a track that nobody else has really heard or has access to. So having multiple uploads doesn't really matter if the songs available publicly at all.

[@iskra4420]

a lot of "how submit demo" videos on YT, but no one talks about it directly

[@OrangeNash]

Should be fine. Just make sure you remove the public version. How will the label ever know? Most likely they never heard the original. And if they did hear it, they must have rejected it, so will just reject it again. You won't get imprisoned!

[@xDRAGONSHAGGERx]

It just seems like a dumb unwritten rule. Djs play unreleased tracks from artists all the time, and im sure some do eventually get released. This makes sense because then the tune gets publicity and hype before it's released, but you upload something public to soundcloud and it is void from being released by default? Surely it would get more plays/downloads if more people had heard it.. Idk

[@bourastechno]

Great video as always 😁

[@AKAtAGG]

How do we send demos to your label, that's what I wanna know. I will def send one but you will def say no thanks but just having you listen to one of my tracks would be amazing.

[@serhatyildirim1989]

Great video! Could you do a video on producing a tech house track and keeping all the sounds/instruments in key? Thanks.

[@markorbit4752]

I have been reading that most labels do not accept unsolicited demos and I must go through manager. Is this true?

[@phobik7226]

Well done mate 👏

[@Alice-Efe]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@flcn99]

0:12 I see what you did there haha

[@Alice-Efe]

I just couldn't resist it 😅

[@dylancairns8267]

@@Alice-Efe Haha nice!

[@v5q211]

One question can I send a drive link?

[@ep5856]

Thanks Yalcin! What is the maximum numbers of tracks you should send to labels? Assuming they all fit the genre of the label of course.

[@Alice-Efe]

There is no maximum really. More is better but for an EP labels tend to demand minimum 2 or 3 tracks.

[@nicerinohighrollerino8307]

How fast do labels release tracks? My mix was accepted (as they said - could make it bandcamp exclusive), but no any news since last mail, getting kinda nervous haha

[@shuakki]

Can anybody tell me the track ID of what plays at 1:33 in the background. SOUNDS SO SICK !

[@MrKorax76]

Pretty helpful 🙏🏼

[@simenga4414]

🎉🎉 very usefull !

[@Tufnikel]

can labels steal your song?

[@mythik7658]

Technically yes but any self respecting label would see it as not worth the risk

[@xDRAGONSHAGGERx]

There are plenty of people out there though that if they believe you aren't going to do anything about it, they will take advantage of you one way or another. Just be aware of that

[@arjanelsinga75]

How to identify the genre of a track? I often make what I like, but sometimes I find it hard to find the right (s7b) genre. And which label with what genre?

[@michaelmarkspersonal]

I definitely would like to know this as well!

[@xDRAGONSHAGGERx]

Maybe make a folder of your tracks that you struggle to categorize, then you could self release them or eventually find a label for 1 or someone who likes them who also runs a label haha

[@Frost0ne_]

Hey that's pretty cool but how could you actually find a label that fits your music ? I've been searching for a long time but I can't find anything since I don't really have any particular genre in mind when I write a music (and I like to explore different genres so I'm not really consistent in my content). I also like to mix many genres so I'm always struggling when it comes to finding a label/promotion channel.

[@Alice-Efe]

That is a hard one but there are also labels that are broader with their genres. You can try to find some labels like that.

[@Frost0ne_]

@@Alice-Efe Of course. It's all about finding "the one". Unfortunately I don't know a lot of labels since I mostly listen directly on the artist medias.

[@Clodix]

Bebetta in love

[@zakariaslayer715]

can you please add more platforms we can upload our music and send them to label . because soundcloud have a limiting amount of tracks you can submit in free subscribtion

[@LOScreates]

Your thoughts on sending unmastered tracks? mistake or is that okay?

[@Alice-Efe]

Completely fine, just put a soft limiter on master so it is not too quite.

[@jonesy4458]

How do i find the mail where to send the demo? Thanks

[@Alice-Efe]

Most of the labels have their demo email on their socials or web page. You can also check labelsbase

[@ilikebassmusic]

2:03 lmao

[@mariopalermo7610]

OT,what is that snap mouth at the of every videos? Lol

[@Alice-Efe]

Haha no idea, habbit I suppose

[@mariopalermo7610]

@@Alice-Efe you know very well,dont be shy,its a kiss for all of us.😂

[@mattbukovski92]

Can you please make a video that explains the key differences between modern: - Melodic House - Melodic Techno - Progressive House - Deep House I'm so confused because there seems to be no clear distinctions? On Beatport all the genres are messed up and tracks are labeled kinda randomly as well?

[@bastiangarciaofficial]

Beatport is the worst way for trying to comprehend/analyze or notice the differences between genres. Time is your best teacher. But I'll name you some labels, tracks, and artists for each genre so you can start working on this. (Be careful, these labels and artists may play a variety of genres, apart from the ones that I'm going to mention on the list) MELODIC HOUSE: Tends to be similar to Deep House, but it's VERY melodic and sometimes atmospheric (BUT NEVER CHEESY, leave that for EDM), it can be both, calm and energetic. -Anjunadeep (Label) -Lane 8 (Artist) -Yotto (Artist) -Bastian Garcia - MOON R3T8 (Tale of Samsara) -Nick Muir, Gabriel Ananda, John Digweed - Tachyon Dream (Original Mix) -Sébastien Léger - Majuro (Original Mix) (this is an old one! 2008! you can still hear how the snares sounded back in the days) -Tim Engelhardt - Loh (Original Mix) -Edu Imbernon - Starbuster (Original Mix) -Kölsch & Michael Mayer - Dogma 1 -Bound To Divide - Parabola MELODIC TECHNO: It is techno, but so with minimal percussions, drums (Most of the times but not always). I refer to "minimal" as an adjective, not the genre. It has a lot of all sorts o crazy modulated synths that make trippy but very serious melodies. -Afterlife (Most recognized label of this genre) -Steyoyoke (Lable) -Tale Of Us (Artists) -Mathame (Artists) -Adriatique (Artists) -Colyn - Resolve -Thomas Schumacher & Victor Ruiz - Apollo -Henri Bergmann & Julian Wassermann - Maenad (Original Mix) -Adana Twins - Uncompromising -Tale Of Us - North Star PROGRESSIVE HOUSE: This one might confuse you because it has very similar elements as melodic house. But this genre has more trippy atmospheres, melodies, and percussions. -Sudbeat (Label) -Lost and Found (Label) -Hernan Cattaneo (Aartist) -John Digweed (Artist) -Guy J (Artist) -Nick Warren (Artists) -Guy J - Letter for Poly (Cornucopia Revisit) -Guy J - Nirvana (Original Mix) -Cid Inc. - Via Karelia (Original Mix) Deep House: This genre is the perfect one to play at a beach club and bars, it's groovy and people that don't usually listen to electronic music will like it because it's easy to digest. Tends to have piano chords, vocals, and light melodies, and groovy basslines! -Get Physical (Label) -Crosstown Rebels (Lebel) -Serge Devant (Artist) -Hot Since 82 (Artist) -Adam Port (Artist) -Gorje Hewek (Artist) -Bastian Garcia (My Self lol) -Amirali - Chromatic Dreams (Original Mix) -Tim Green & The Slow Revolt 'Still Not Born' (Club Mix) -ME & Her - Ginseng Feat. Thomas Gandey (Mendo Remix) -Serge Devant - Thinking Of You feat. Camille Safiya (Serge Devant's Floor Cut) - Roy Rosenfeld - What Happened To Me (Original Mix) -Zone+ - You (Original Mix)

[@mattbukovski92]

@@bastiangarciaofficial Wow, that's really helpful and quite an effort to write this comment! Will analyze everything and will check if I notice those differences myself!

[@lostynwonder9588]

Im not sure labels do much anymore.

[@AlexLapugean]

How about not sending plagiarised music, or with unlicensed samples/vocals?

[@Alice-Efe]

I think this one is pretty obvious. That being said, it is still producers responsibility even after track is released. Most labels have a strict clause in their contract that producer must cover the damage in case of plagiarism or sample related damages.

[@AlexLapugean]

@@Alice-Efe For sure, responsibility and damages are on the producer's side, but I think what I meant is that people use a lot of unlicensed content, especially on what they freely put on soundcloud, and get away, because they are not known enough and not making any money, but If you actually send it to a label, you'll loose all credibility and future with that label.

[@gurito4329]

@@Alice-Efe How do you make sure that you have permission to use samples, especially the ones that come with ableton live suite, can you just use whatever is available in the samples for your own tracks?

[@tubnybert3859]

Merci Yalcin :)

[@blakeromex3813]

So... what do you do if you follow these tips and still get no response from the label? Also, I agree that custom emails for every label are VERY important, but so many big labels have switched to stuff like LabelRadar... they don't even have a demo email! 😔

[@Alice-Efe]

If they listened to your track but didn't get back to you, I would suggest keep sending demos. It means that probably they are not happy. If they didn't listen to your track and you are confident about quality of your track; try to be active on label's social media and see if you can get in touch with their A&R team. It could be that label already have full schedule and dont have any spot for new artist. It is often the case as label also have limited amount of resources and sometimes just can't have more artist.

[@blakeromex3813]

@@Alice-Efe as I suspected... I was shooting for some pretty big labels, so they might have their artist rosters full already. Thank you for the advice! 😁

[@OrangeNash]

That's totally normal. There are so many submissions, I've seen estimates that a third of tracks submitted "cold" don't get listened to. And another third are listened to for about 5 seconds.

[@paulthompson6473]

you can send an mp3 via email

[@cjfromgtasanadreas]

I really hope nobody had to hear some of these tips 😭

[@hereasafanofallsorts5164]

I have a question - have you had many of your demos picked up by major labels recently and released on that label ??

[@dylansendeck9872]

I don't know what you tried to mean tbh, but there's logic behind every single tip he said, at least for those having a bit of common sense

[@hereasafanofallsorts5164]

@@dylansendeck9872 unquestionably good advice I'm not knocking anything - I'm just genuinely curious if any of his music has been released on a prominent label

[@funkyinferno]

Most of this is just common sense, no?

[@darrend7386]

It would be nice to get my music somewhere mojoheadz are interested but want money for mastering I don't really mind that I just don't have it can you give me any advice I just want to see my music being played and enjoyed somewhere I've no papers I've learned only from KZbin I love producing only life get in the way keep up the awesome work