By Disc Makers' Author Lauren Davish Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Vinyl record sales have surged in recent years and have become a tangible connection between fans and artists once again. Beyond the impeccable listening experience that vinyl records offer, their physical format provides an experience itself, where artistry and design play a huge role in deepening that artist-to-audience connection. Two features in the world of vinyl production are the vinyl jacket (also known as the single vinyl jacket) and the gatefold jacket. Here, I’ll explore the differences between these two options ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Historically speaking, artists have needed assistance getting their music into people’s hands. Enter the music distributor! In the old days, music distribution companies were intermediaries between record companies and retailers, delivering vinyl and CDs to brick-and-mortar stores. Their relationship with the retailers was their reason for existence; they had little or no contact with artists. Currently, the definition of the music distributor has changed as digital music distributors are very easy for anyone to hire, and gett ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Michael Gallant Estimated reading time: 7 minutes When inspiration strikes, it’s not always feasible (or affordable) to book time at your nearest recording studio and lay down some gold-plated vocals. But if you’ve invested the time and effort into building a home studio, the equation is entirely different. Vocal production in your home isn’t dependent on the latest software and equipment, but there are ways to improve your recording quality. Here are some tips and strategies to help you capture powerful, pristine vocals in your basement, bedroom, or elsewhere in your ho ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 8 minutes You’re new to music and have just made your first recording. Congratulations! Now, how do you share it with people in an impactful way? The landscape of releasing new music online or physically (e.g. music distribution, music marketing, and music promotion) is far different from in the past. With all the music available today, it can be difficult to stand out as an independent artist. Here are some tips to teach you how to release new music and reach an audience. Table of Contents: • Preparing For Your Music Release • What Ar ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Lauren Davish Estimated reading time: 7 minutes The music industry is constantly changing and evolving. And thanks to continuously advancing technology, streaming platforms, and social media, opportunities for new artists to get themselves out there and connect with listeners are more abundant than ever. That means that the dream of becoming a professional singer in today’s music world is more accessible than ever — with the right approach and strategies. Whether you’re just starting with singing lessons, singing into your voice memo app in your bedroom, or are a seasone ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 1 minute Everybody loves a good story, and music is no exception. Stories in human society have been shared since we were prehistoric hunters huddled around campfires, and for almost just as long, these stories have also been sung. The Iliad and The Odyssey, classics of ancient Greek literature, were originally performed as songs. While storytelling songs aren’t topping the charts the way they did in the 60s and 70s, recording artists of today still use narrative approaches to entice their audience. Whether you’re just about to start wr ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 4 minutes As time keeps on slipping into the future and the music landscape continues to shift and change, it can be hard to know where all your possible income streams are as an independent musician or recording artist — especially if you are just starting out! In fact, digital performance royalties are one income stream that many are not aware even exists. Table of Contents: • What are digital performance royalties? • Differences between digital performance and other music royalties • The mechanics of digital performance royalties ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Shawn Leonhardt Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Some of the coolest things a trained guitar player can do is heavy metal shredding or Spanish style guitar. They are entirely different genres and picking styles, but they are both impressive to most listeners as they find the flow and speed incredible. Table of Contents: • What is Spanish style guitar? • The music theory of Spanish guitar • Common techniques used in Spanish style guitar • Further Spanish guitar study If you want to be fluent in classical or flamenco methods, it will take plenty of slow and deliberate p ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Scott McCormick Estimated reading time: 6 minutes You’ve written and recorded original songs and maybe even signed up with a digital distributor like CD Baby, Distrokid, or Tunecore. That’s a great start, and you may be forgiven for thinking you’ve covered all your bases when it comes to collecting the royalties you are owed for the use of your music. Table of Contents: • Introduction to SoundExchange • Understanding SoundExchange in the digital music era • Understanding interactive vs non-interactive streaming • Understanding the four different kinds of royalties • How ..read more

By Disc Makers' Author Chris Huff Estimated reading time: 7 minutes As long as humans have been making music, they’ve been writing songs to express the feelings inside them. Most songs fall into similar thematic categories, as the North Carolina State 2014 study on American popular music found (12 common themes to be precise). Table of Contents: • Exploring timeless songwriting themes • Love and heartbreak • Personal struggles and triumphs • Social commentary and rebellion in lyrics • Mental health and self-discovery • The art of storytelling through ordinary experiences • Nature and the worl ..read more