February 2021 - Pheek's Mixdown and Mastering

VCV Rack Ideas And Meditations

February 25, 2021/in Blog/by pheek

If you’re not familiar with VCV Rack you should be. While modular synthesis is an expensive hobby, usually reserved for people with cash flow, the open source, mostly free VCV rack is democratizing people’s access to this amazing creative tool. VCV Rack acts as a Eurorack DAW, allowing you to build complex patches using a variety of free, or premium modules, often based on existing hardware. In this post, I won’t talk so much about how to use VCV Rack, as there are tons of tutorials already on it. Instead I will talk more about how it has inspired me, VCV Rack ideas, and how you can use it to inspire yourself.

VCV Rack Ideas Are Meditative

The first benefit I noticed from VCV Rack was how meditative it is. I have been an avid practitioner of traditional meditation for many years now, and the similarities are striking. It forces me into a state of flow, one that often results in the dissolution of all outside distractions. A state where time and space become irrelevant, and I am concentrated on a singular purpose.

A lot of people conflate meditation with a silencing of thoughts, when that’s far from the truth. We’re human; we’ll never be able to silence our mind. Instead, we have to funnel those thoughts into a singularity. A singularity where you accept you have no control over what happens, both of which VCV Rack ideas do for me.

The Random Beauty Of VCV

That’s the beautiful thing about modular. These electrical circuits are so finicky that often what you aim to create and what comes out are often vastly different. It’s that sense of unpredictability that makes it so wonderful, and thus, meditative.

Surprisingly this sense of randomness and unpredictability isn’t lost in a digitalized version of modular. Somehow the community of open source developers have kept this aspect true to form, demonstrating the increasing dissolution between analog and digital as technology advances.

Many of you probably don’t know this, but I was an actor, before I was a musician, and even went to school for it. While you have a script, the fine art of acting was always in the slight improvisations. Lines often wouldn’t come out as intended, and you would have to react in the moment. This would often lead to beautiful accidents, far superior to the original script.

In a sense, the life that exists in modular is very much like a fellow actor on stage. It may have its lines, but ultimately, it will improvise, and it’s up to you to harness this improvisation and redirect it to something evolutionary.

VCV Rack Tutorials Are Fun

The second thing I noticed about VCV Rack was that it made me appreciate tutorials again. If you’ve been a power user of Ableton for as long as I have, you may find that Ableton tutorials an get super cookie cutter, and formulaic. This often results in stale music that sounds like everyone else who watched the same tutorial.

This may be one of the reasons why the sound we hear is becoming more and more homogenized, and less innovation is seeping through the cracks. This is despite an exponential increase in the number of musicians. However, with VCVRack, the tutorials seem more personalized. Even if you try to recreate something precisely, you’ll almost never get the same result, due to the nature of modular. The sheer amount of VCV Rack ideas you can get from these tutorials is incredibly exciting, and constantly motivating.

VCV Rack Tutorials Help You Build Existing Hardware

Another fun aspect of tutorials is that there are some people out there, like Omri Cohen, who build faithful reconstructions of existing pieces of hardware. The one that I linked to is for the Moog DFAM, a semi-modular percussive sequencer that allows you to build really wild, synthesized patterns.

Normally a DFAM runs for about $700 USD, which isn’t a small investment. While following these tutorials, you not only learn the ins and outs of the DFAM by building it piece by piece, but you also get to try it before you buy it, in a sense.

This allows you to figure out your setups and configurations for your hardware studio, without having to buy things, and send them back if they don’t fit. Also, since it’s fully modular, you can in theory connect multiple recreated devices together. This allows you to see how they will perform as a hardware version. So let’s say you wanted to see how a DFAM would interact with a Moog Subharmonicon. This is now possible through VCV Rack, for the low low cost of zero dollars. These are just some of the hardware VCV Rack ideas found in tutorials.

VCV Rack emulates the Moog DFAM

VCV Rack Changes How You Listen To Music

The third thing I learned while formulating VCV Rack ideas is that it changed how I listened to music. Normally I have a nerdy way of listening to music from a sound engineer point of view, where I analyzed EQ, compression, stereo spread, etc, but now when I listen I notice the changes in the patterns, and how things modulate.

While toying around with VCV Rack ideas, I start thinking about the patches that make the sounds. For instance, what waveform is controlling the FM, or how the envelope routes to the VCA. Or what hooks up to the clock, or how many VCOs are in play. Still, super nerdy, but it adds another dimension to the whole thing, which in turn, stimulate more VCV Rack ideas.

VCV Rack Ideas Help You Build Your Real Modular Setup

The fourth benefit I got from playing with VCV Rack ideas is that just like it allows you to build existing pieces of hardware to test in your setup, it also acts as a way to test modules for your real modular setup. There are a bunch of faithful emulations of existing modules. For instance, the Audible Instruments line is a software emulation of Mutable Instruments. There, you can get clones of things like their Clouds or Tides modules and test them in your setup.

Other examples include:

Lateralus: Hybrid diode/transistor ladder. This models itself after the Roland filter circuit where they added a few alterations to get close to the Moog circuit.
Vorg: Single segment of the filter circuit of Korg MS-20.
Ferox: CMOS filter based on the circuit of the CGS749.
Nurage: The Nurage bases itself on the circuit of Thomas White LPG which bases itself on the Buchla LPG.
Vortex: this bases itself on the circuit of the Polivoks (Erica Synths version).
Tangents: This bases itself on the Steiner-Parker version of Yusynth. The three models are variations of the same circuit.
Stabile: based on the textbook Stave-Variable filter circuit (linear version).
Unstabile: Nonlinear State-Variable filter with low voltage simulation

The real Mutable Instruments Elements

VCV Rack that includes Mutable Instruments emulations, aka Audible Instruments

VCV Rack Is Constantly Improving

Since it’s community supported, it’s constantly evolving, with new modules being added frequently. Most are free, too!

Some people will complain that it doesn’t integrate into other DAWs in a smooth fashion, but VCV has heard the complaints and in 2.0 the rumor is that they will have this integration.

These are just some of my observations about VCV Rack and its amazing ability to spark creativity. In truth, the sheer amount of VCV Rack ideas and inspirations you can get from those VCV Rack ideas are quite staggering. If you have any questions about it, or want to share your experiences with it, feel free to contact me, or make a post in Pheek’s Coaching Corner and let the community know what you think!

How To Release Music During A Pandemic

February 12, 2021/in Blog/by pheek

A question that I commonly get during my mentorship sessions is if it’s different to get signed to a label during the pandemic, or if it’s the same. The answer is yes to both, but with some caveats. These are some of the best ways for how to release music during a pandemic.

The best way to get signed to a label is through networking, rather than cold submission, pandemic or not. Over the years of running Archipel, only about 2% of its releases are from cold emails.

That’s because most of the people I sign I have a personal relationship with. And most of these personal relationships were fostered through meeting people at events.

Clearly there aren’t events now.

Another common way that tracks would get signed is DJs would play a track at a club, and label owners like myself would ask what the track was. We would then contact the artist, and see if they wanted to sign to the label.

But alas, clubs aren’t open, and live streams aren’t attended like clubs are. So the chances of an organic signing happening like that are slimmer than it used to be. Sure, it can still happen, especially through DJ mixes, but it’s not the same.

But don’t despair. Just because traditional, organic avenues of track signing are unavailable, doesn’t mean that new avenues haven’t become available.

Strategies For How To Release Music During A Pandemic

How To Release Music During A Pandemic – Things That Don’t Work

Before we get into what does work during a pandemic, let’s cover what doesn’t work. Harking back to emails, like I said before, only 2% of my signees are from them. During a pandemic, this number is significantly reduced due to the sheer volume of people soliciting signings.

Additionally, many labels are reducing the amount of signees, since DJs aren’t buying as many tracks, thus drying up their revenue streams. Plus, if they release on physical formats such as vinyl, or cassette, many of these factories are operating on reduced staff for health reasons. This delays releases, and increasing the cost of these mediums.

This makes labels even pickier about the stuff that they sign, considering that it will ultimately net them less revenue.

In other words, unless you are someone they really want to sign, the chances of you getting signed through a cold approach are pretty slim, due to scarcity.

How To Release Music During A Pandemic – Things That Do Work

This doesn’t mean that artists are screwed though. Even with clubs closed, and inboxes inundated, there are both alternative routes to getting signed, as well as new ones that have become available due to the pandemic.

First, lets talk about the alternative routes.

Getting Discovered On YouTube Or SoundCloud

This is a process involves a sacrifice; a sacrifice to the YouTube or SoundCloud gods. There are dozens of sound specific YouTube and SoundCloud channels out there, dedicated to supporting good music. A lot of the time, these channels aren’t concerned about brand recognition, or revenue potential, since they don’t make a lot, or any money off of what they upload. Additionally, the cost to them is only an opportunity one, since it’s free to upload to SoundCloud and YouTube.

If it’s a well curated channel, there will be label owners who frequent it, because first and foremost, label owners are music fans. Secondly, if your track is that good, and they hear it, they may reach out to you to see what else you have.

The track you uploaded won’t be signed usually, but if you make a similar sound, chances are one of your other ones will. Additionally, you will get your track put up on a well trafficked page, so who knows who else will hear it. It could lead to new fans, downloads, etc.

So how to release music during a pandemic on these channels?

Target Your Channels

First, make sure the channel is targeted. If you are making minimal house music, it doesn’t make sense to send it to a drum n bass channel, or vice versa. Not only will you waste your own time putting together the contact info and email, but you will also waste theirs, which increases the chances of your email being flagged as spam. Get enough spam flags, and none of your emails will deliver, even to relevant ones.

A good way to target these channels is to think of a small to mid sized artist that has a similar sound to yours, and then search for them on YouTube or SoundCloud. Then, if you see a channel that has uploaded it, then reach out to them.

Make Sure The Channel Isn’t A Label

Note, that many of the channels that upload these tracks are the labels themselves. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to contact these, as this is not the goal. Just make sure to pay attention to who you are submitting to.

Example Email

When reaching out to these places, understand that the more popular the channel, the more solicitations they will get. Therefore, keep your messages short, sweet, and relevant.

Hi {channel name or first name of channel owner},

Thanks for supporting smaller artists. It’s people like you who keep good music flowing upwards, and for that, I appreciate you.

I saw that you uploaded {similar artist name}. I just finished this track (link to download enabled track on a private SoundCloud) and I think it has similar vibes, and would work well on {channel name}.

Would you let me know your thoughts on it?

Thanks for giving it a listen!

{Your Name}

{Links to EPK, website, etc.}

See how it’s short, sweet, flattering, and provides all the necessary information. This is a great way for how to release music during a pandemic.

Advertise That It’s Unsigned

If they decide they want to upload it, they will most likely contact you about it to ask for more info. Ask them to stipulate that the track is unsigned and self released in the YouTube description. This will typically be in the section where it says the label name, but instead will read unsigned.

This will signal to potential labels that you’re available, and is a key tactic in how to release music during a pandemic.

You Will Get Thousands Of Listens

Don’t despair if you don’t get signed this way, though. If it’s a popular enough channel, you will get thousands of ears on your track, which in itself is a win. Also, there is nothing from stopping you from submitting to multiple channels as well. They are channels, not labels. You can be on multiple channels with the same song. This is still a solid tactic for how to release music during a pandemic.

Paid Channels

Note, that there are a lot of paid channels. Some are good, some are not so good. The good ones will have a curation process, and won’t accept just anything. If you get a reply back from one soliciting payment for an upload, check their other tracks and see if they are quality. If they are just uploading anything they can make a few dollars off of, then chances are the engagement you are seeing is fake since who wants to engage with bad quality stuff?

SubmitHub

Some people may be familiar with SubmitHub as well. It is a common channel people would use for how to release music during a pandemic, or not.

If you’re not familiar, SubmitHub is a place where you can pay a small fee to solicit a listen from a blog. If they like it, they may upload it. However, you only pay for a listen, not an upload.

SubmitHub is a decent route for how to release music during a pandemic, if you have really good stuff. But make sure 1) your stuff is relevant and 2) they have a decent acceptance rate. If they only have a 1 or 2% acceptance rate, that’s a similar chance of your stuff getting signed from a cold email to a label, so you might as well just go to the label directly instead of doing this roundabout way. Look for channels that accept at least 10% of submissions.

Networking, Pandemic Style

The next way to get signed is through referral, or through meeting the label head directly. While it will be less personal than meeting them in person, while under the positive influence of the club, and it’s many vices, there are still ways to achieve a similar goal using things like social media. These methods are one of the more sure fire ways for how to release music during a pandemic.

Reaching Out To DJs/Producers For A Referral

While in the past, DJs would have been on tour, and thus less responsive to messages online, in this current environment, they’re all home. That is, unless they’re playing Tulum and killing someone’s abuela for clout.

But for the non-selfish DJs, most are sitting home, or in the studio, not doing much, just like everyone else. Therefore, they are more likely to respond to messages. That means they are more likely to respond to your message. If done tactfully, you can turn this message into a referral to a label that they are on.

One of the best ways to get noticed by someone is to ask for their advice about something. People like to be appreciated for their expertise, and since they have time, they are willing to give it out.

However, just like in Pheek’s Coaching Corner, if you’re going to ask them for advice, make it specific. Don’t just ask them what they think of the track. Ask them specific things, like parts of the mix, what they think of the bridge, or a specific tone you use. Ask them how they would improve it, or if they think it’s good as it is.

If they have advice, modify the track using it, and then send it back to them for a follow up opinion, which, if they helped you the first time, they’re likely to help you again.

Proposing To Them

Once you get it to a point where they are excited about the track, you can drop, “In your opinion, do you think it would work well on {insert label} if I sent it over to them?” They would hopefully give you a yes, or no answer. If it’s a no, maybe ask them the reason, and what you can do in order to improve your odds.

Don’t take it personally, sometimes labels are just not signing new artists, or they only sign artists within a certain social circle.

If it’s a yes, almost apologetically, ask if they would make an intro for you, or allow you to use their seal of approval in the email you send over to the label. This will go a long way in proving to the label that you’re just not another submitter, but rather someone who is part of the inner circle. Getting them to agree to feedback, or an introduction, will one of the best recommendations I can make in regards to how to release music during a pandemic.

Reaching Out To Labels For Advice

This same approach can be taken for labels. While, it’s not recommended that you send them your track right away for them to provide feedback on, maybe hit them up with a, “Hey, I love your label {briefly talk about what you like about it]. I’m an artist who’s trying to learn the ways of the world, and I was curious, what’s the best way to approach a label like yours? Do you recommend just submitting it cold, or is there a better way?”

This way, you’re asking for their feedback, not necessarily submitting a track. If you’re able to build solid rapport with them, then ask if they will check out your track. Worst they say is no, and you will have learned a valuable lesson about how to approach labels, and made a good industry connection that you can call on, assuming you keep rapport with them.

A piece of advice before reaching out to anyone though – make sure to interact with their content beforehand so that you show that you’re a real fan, and not just someone who wants something. For a couple months, like, and comment on their posts so that they recognize your name when you eventually reach out to them. This will warm the water a little bit, and make them far more receptive.

How To Release Music During A Pandemic – Other Channels

Join A Group

For instance, Pheek’s Coaching Corner. There are tons of label owners on there, and if you stay active on there, and upload your tracks for advice, there is a good chance a label owner listens to it, and reaches out to you if they like it. There are tons of groups like this for their respective genre, on Facebook, and Discord. You can also ask these groups about how to release music during a pandemic.

Join A Class

There are tons of producers who are hosting online classes. For instance, Justin Jay currently teaches a group of students, and he recently released a class compilation on his label. They may even cover how to release music during a pandemic.

Start A Blog

You’d be surprised how easy it is to get an artist to give you an interview, especially nowadays. If you target your blog to a specific topic that isn’t well covered, then you can build an audience around that niche.

Another good thing to do is to just create a Facebook page where you do video podcasts and upload them to Facebook. Once you upload them to Facebook video, you can share them in relevant groups, and each 3 second view counts as a view. This way, you can show some good stats to potential interviewees, and show that it won’t fall on deaf ears.

You can then upload your videos to YouTube as well, and start a YouTube channel with the interviews.

This method is valuable because not only do you get an introduction, but you also provide them value, which begets reciprocity. And reciprocity is a great “how” for how to release music during a pandemic.

Contribute To An Established Blog

If you’re a good writer, many of these blogs are looking for people to contribute and add new content. Many don’t pay, however, the amount of value you can get from these is worth the money, as it gives you access to people you normally wouldn’t have access to.

Also, this way you don’t have to build your own blog, and are instead using the position of something already established to garnish interviews.

However, I would not recommend a quid pro quo, where they get an interview for signing or listening to your track. This can come off wrong, and runs the risk of the blog you write for dismissing you as a writer.

Instead, after you publish the interview, ask them if they wouldn’t mind answering some questions for you and/or giving you feedback.

Start Your Own YouTube or SoundCloud

This is similar to the method we talked about before, where you get discovered on a YouTube or SoundCloud channel, but kind of in reverse. Now, the labels come to you. And if you curate the channel with a sound that is similar to yours, the labels that will come to you are targeted.

Since it’s your channel, you can set up whatever terms you want for them getting their track on your site.

This will obviously take time to build to a point where it’s viable, but once it’s established, you will have a constant stream of labels that you wanted to sign to reaching out to you, instead of vice versa. You will also have a channel to premiere your own music on, if you chose to.

Start Your Own Label

Similar to starting your own YouTube or SoundCloud channel, this makes it so the people you want come to you, in a sense. At first, you will have to build a base of releases. These can be from friends, or small producers looking for any label to sign to (some small producers just like to collect labels).

Then, once you have a dozen or so releases, you can start reaching out to smaller artists on labels that you want to be on, or labels that are related to labels you want to be on. Then you sign those people, and continue to trade up, until you start signing more established artists.

Use Torrents

Another route is to use Soulseek. Soulseek is a private bittorrent network where people share music. Many of the people on Soulseek are the types of people who just need to own everything, so by putting your stuff on there, there is a chance that it will get picked up by someone, and disseminated organically. Once again, no guarantees, but it doesn’t take a lot of effort to put your stuff out there.

Some Final Thoughts On How to release music during a pandemic

These are just some of the creative ways to get on a label during the pandemic. Most of these techniques work at any time during history, but are made more available due to people just having more time.

When the world gets going, DJs and labels are going to be less enthusiastic about responding to all the messages they get from fans over social media.

Additionally, people aren’t going to have the same amount of time, and thus desire, to start blogging, or start their own label, or even take classes. Therefore, there is no better time than now to seize the day. History has given creatives a silver lining; we might as well mine its ore while the getting is good.

Hopefully you got some value out of this article on how to release music during a pandemic.