🎙️ Make Money From Your Music

PressPlay brings you the latest news covering the audio industry and music news all in one quick 5 minute read!

Quote Of The Day:

Hit Song Friday

The top performing songs released today!

• TV - Billie Eilish - I just about cried

• Pressurelicious - Megan Thee Stallion - This song is awful, fight me.

• Darling - Montell Fish - Banger per usual

• Forgive Me - Odeza - Who doesn't love Odeza?

• If I Get Caught - Dvsn - Ehh...

Free Stuff

Look, I know you're excited to read my articles full of peak grammatical skills and genius insight, but I need to announce something neat. Baywood Audio just dropped a new free vocal preset pack. Download that right now, you're going to be shocked at the quality. This isn't the only dope pack they dropped this week, there's something even better at the end of this article...

Moving on...

15 Ways To Make Money From Music

Let's be honest, there are still many artists out there that don't know that their music is a form of business. Within a business such as music, we have access to so many more revenue streams than we actually consider! 

1.  Streams - Obviously this is the most simple, but maybe by some strange anomaly, you didn't know that... Though the most basic, this is the most important part of this whole money-making process! The streams are what warm up your fans enough to buy higher ticket items in the future!

2. Music Sales - Quite honestly I don't think this is the best route, but apparently people still sell hard and digital copies of their singles and albums. With the accessibility streaming platforms have created I don't find selling music to have a point, but I guess some people still buy it! Those same people are probably traveling by horse as well.

3. Sample Packs - This is an amazing one for producers! Selling drum kits, guitar loops, piano loops, etc is making producers MILLIONS! If you're a full-time producer you must consider selling a sample pack ASAP!

4. Track Licensing - This is a fancy way of saying selling beats.

5. Sync Licensing - Though very rare, sometimes you can hit BIG with sync licensing. Sync Licensing is how artists get their songs in films, tv shows, etc. Getting the right film or show can take your song to the moon!

6. Stock Licensing - Just like sync licensing and track licensing, stock licensing allows creators to see and use your catalog. The big difference is that with stock licensing is that the sites are tailored toward smaller creators. With stock licensing, you're more so going to have Youtubers using your track and getting a much smaller payout. Stock licensing pays in a way similar to streams on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

7. Merch - This is most likely one of the most sought-after revenue streams for an artist! Hoodies, shirts, you name it!

8. YouTube - Though you must reach monetization and remain consistent, YouTube can become a legitimate source of income. The amazing thing about YouTube is it works while you sleep! If you're not at least posting YouTube shorts then you're fumbling the entire bag right now!

9. TikTok - Just like Youtube, you can monetize off of your views on TikTok eventually! Realistically it likely won't end up being your full-time job as it doesn't pay much, but it helps. You're better off focusing on blowing up a song on TikTok, in turn making money from streams.

10. Instagram Reels - Though not available for everyone, Instagram Reels now pays! Not only do they pay, but it's also actually a good chunk of change! If you're posting on TikTok, post all of that same content on Reels, it's definitely worth it!

11. Live Streaming - Yes, this actually works! I myself have been streaming live on TikTok using my new iRig Stream and I have been making a few bucks per stream just performing my songs! I suggest you get the iRig, it will change your life!

12. Live Shows - It's going to require a little more grind and organization, but you can still make revenue from live shows in your hometown! You'll have to run around selling tickets like a madman, but it's possible. I hate the concept myself but to each their own!

13. Paid Community - Look, you're gonna need a pretty large following to even start a paid community, but it might be fruitful! You could offer something such as exclusive merch, unreleased music, never before seen content, etc. This is typically something an artist would do using a service like Patreon.

14. Education - When it comes to music, what are you good at? Take that and build a community-driven around teaching that topic! There are many people looking for help when it comes to this music stuff, help them out and reap the benefits of growing a community around it, then later monetizing!

15. Services - Providing services is more short-term as it requires you to sell your time, but can give you the fuel you need to build your music catalog or product. Services can range from management to marketing, songwriting, and basically anything else with a demand!

Are you making money from your music? If so what of the following are you doing? Reply to this email and teach us something!

How Do I Start Recording?

To my music veterans, go ahead and skip this one. I need to show some love to the people that are interested in making music but just haven't pulled the trigger. Here are 5 things that you need to start making music today! 

1. DAW - A Digital Audio Workstation is a vital part of creating music. This is the software that allows us to record our audio and manipulate the way it sounds. a DAW is also used to make instrumentals/record instruments. Logic Pro 90-day free trial.

2. Microphone - Now that you have your DAW, we need to make sure that you can get your vocals from your mouth to your computer. Having a quality microphone in the beginning is the best thing you can do for yourself. Understand that the quality of the initial recording is the most important part of your entire song! Don't be afraid to get a good microphone off-rip! Here's our recommendation. But wait, you're gonna need this next piece of equipment!

3. Audio Interface - An audio interface works as the middleman between your microphone & computer. The interface essentially translates your vocals into the software! Having a high-quality interface is just as important as a quality microphone. We suggest the Focusrite Solo to get started as it's high quality, inexpensive, and durable!

4. Headphones - As a beginner, the quality of your headphones is probably the least important factor of them all. If you've totally gassed your budget feel free to throw in some apple headphones for the time being. Otherwise, I'd suggest trying out the AT M60Xs by Audio Technica. As you become versed in vocal mixing you will definitely want a solid pair of mixing headphones!

5. Insulation - Although you could go hop in the closet, hang up a blanket, and record, I don't suggest it! One, it's dark and scary, two, it's a lot of work! When we record in a bedroom what happens is our vocals bounce off of the walls surrounding us causing vocal frequencies to clash, in turn causing problems in the mix. The Kaotica Eyeball cover works to eliminate the clashing and clean up your vocals a ton! If you can't afford this there are many off-brand alternatives.

If you're interested in more information on how to start recording as a beginner watch the in-depth guide created by Baywood Audio!

As a beginner what would you like to know? Reply to this email with any in-depth questions you may have, let's get you started!

This Device Is Blowing My Music Up

I know I've talked about this thing before, but I actually just got one finally and I have to let out my passion for this thing! No joke, this has changed my TikTok live career like crazy! Not only can I use my microphone to speak straight to TikTok, but I can also add all of my effects by routing my audio from Ableton, directly to my phone. 

The best part is that the device doesn't cause a lick of latency when routing my audio to TikTok live. I literally have done live shows every single day for the past week garnering hundreds of followers all while having fun just performing my own songs. This device is literally something I have dreamed of! I definitely suggest getting one! 

Artist of the week: JVKE

Another artist from TikTok, maybe I'm just biased because I love TikTok but it's hands down the BEST place to find artists! (If you want to get featured you better hit me up on TikTok.) Anyway, this dude has literally hacked the entire TikTok algorithm with his creative skits. 

This dude was able to create a video skit that was 1:06 long to make his song "this is what heartbreak feels like" go viral. If you use and/or consume TikTok you'll know how hard it is to keep someone watching for that long! 

If you're an artist looking for a content style, I highly suggest checking JVKE out!

Who should be the featured artist next week? Submit your song here!

So often we forget that the term "freestyle" doesn't actually mean freestyling off the top of the head. This just means going in on any beat using old-written songs of yours, or improvising. Today I want to show you someone that ACTUALLY freestyles off the top. Not only can he freestyle like a monster, it always makes sense!

Notable Lyrics:

The best part of all of this is he lets the audience pick the words he freestyles too, man can do it all!

PressPlay Quick Links

• DaBaby x Full Send Podcast

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• Last week at PressPlay

• Andrew Tate x Adin Ross

• How Burstimo started!

• Recording In FL Studio (Like a pro.)

Vocal Sauce Vol. 3

Baywood Audio just dropped their most insane vocal preset pack yet! I got to try these ones out early and wow... These literally sound phenomenal on my vocals. 

Whether you're rapping like NF, singing like Billie Eilish, or whatever it may be, VS3 has a preset for it. This is hands down the most dynamic pack & high-quality pack they've created yet. Don't take it from me though, go listen to the before and afters on their website!

Share PressPlay with your friends, acquire free PressPlay merch, and then acquire more friends as a result of your awesomeness. We’re saying we’ll give you free stuff and more friends if you share a link. Super easy, free stuff, let's get it! :)

Reply with a link with one of your best songs for a chance to be featured as artist of the week!

Signing off for now!

 - PressPlay