[Strigoi]

Guys I wanted to know, is it true that label really don't check all demos and they only do check those they know names of or heard from before ?

It's been bugging me for a while now and i can't seem to get an honest answer at all... I know most big guys and all will say ''Of course, of course''

But i think it would be really bad not to tell the truth to the upcoming ambitious ones and simply destroy their dreams just like that then come on Tv or on Radio and say heyyy we doing this and that to help the upcoming generation and bla bla...

Although don't get me wrong but i got proofs that i sent Demo to some big labels and they didn't even play the demos because there's counters on Soundcloud links so. Imagine.

I just hope and wish from the bottom of my heart that all i think about the matter is wrong and nothing close to reality.

Either way i know it'll just make me work harder and harder day by day....
Thanks to those who are being real in a fake industry !


Cheers everyone
The Mannnnn!

This post has been edited by Strigoi: 03 February 2012 - 06:55 AM

[MoeFizzy]

No it's not true...labels (no matter how big they are) either don't accept demos AT ALL, or listen to all the demos they get, whether they've heard of the artist or not. I know that for a fact; if you sent a demo to a big label and they still haven't played it, it's either because your demo got lost in the VERY big demo pool they get, or you just haven't waited long enough...patience my friend!

Also might depend on the message you send along with your demo I would imagine

This post has been edited by MoeFizzy: 03 February 2012 - 08:51 AM

[no0od13s]

It really just depends on the label. Every label I have dealt with has been different.

Some are pretty consistent when it comes to checking. Others don't check at all.

[Bluffmunkey]

Of course all labels don't listen to all demos.

[wayfu]

A little reminder if the Soundcloud counter hasn't moved in a month doesn't hurt

[Marcioz Pollack]

Well, you have to be a bit lucky to be choosen on the big swimming demo pool, this labels recieve too much demos, you have to understand that.

The best way to get signed to big labels its doing like blake jarrel did. He got in an AvB show than gave him a Cd with his tracks (ofc that you need to be sure that you sound awesome) than avb heard it, than asked his manager to sign his as soon as possible.

^-^

[Matt BK]

A&Rs in many big labels really do listen to demos. For example Enhanced, I signed a track to them after uploading my track to their soundcloud dropbox. As far as I know, Anjuna staff checks all uploaded demos too.

However, there are some huge labels that do not check demos@ e-mail inbox at all (nothing strange, they do not have time to check 1000+ demos every week) and you have to know some other address to get to the A&R.

This post has been edited by Matt BK: 03 February 2012 - 07:13 PM

[no0od13s]

 Matt BK, on 03 February 2012 - 07:11 PM, said:

For example Enhanced, I signed a track to them after uploading my track to their soundcloud dropbox.

Never had them check my uploads, only way I got to them is through someone else.

I always delete once it hits 15 days though. Dunno how long you had to wait.

This post has been edited by no0od13s: 03 February 2012 - 10:47 PM

[Dpooga]

I got a response from Black Hole recordings (the next day) and an increased SC counter from Enhanced (after about 10 days). Not sure about Anjuna - their demo uploader is not really intuitive (or maybe it's just my browser)... and they don't accept SC links, so there's no way of knowing if they listened or not...

[paranoiabla]

Yep,

Enhanced listens and also downloads the track (not sure why they do that). Black hole also listens - i got a reject email from them ... About anjuna beats I know they listen, because Ost&Meyer got discovered because they uploaded a track through the website.

My feeling about the uploading demos is that you have to have something EXTREMELY good to propose to them! Once they have signed one of your tracks they might sign some others later, but your first one has to be absolutely the top of your game. Matzo's latest tracks are nothing special, compared to the tracks he used to release a couple of years ago.

I have never released a track so this might be all wrong, but that's how i feel

[Matt BK]

 no0od13s, on 03 February 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

Never had them check my uploads, only way I got to them is through someone else.

I always delete once it hits 15 days though. Dunno how long you had to wait.

They were not checking it for 14 days, I just uploaded it once again - then it got downloaded in 1-2 days and they replied me after a few more days.

Anyway, your track has to be really special (good melo, great mix, fresh sounds) to get noticed in a soundcloud dropbox among other demos (when they finally listen to it). Even a well mixed track with with good sounds but with no special idea has no chance of signing.

This post has been edited by Matt BK: 03 February 2012 - 11:44 PM

[Arksun]

It wouldn't really make much sense for a label to ask for demos and have an upload system if they were only interested in established artists. What would be the point? they'd just work through their own connections and networks.

And when it comes to independant trance labels, which label wouldn't want to discover the next big thing, like the next Arty.

For a major record label like Sony, sure. Send a demo to them and they'll destroy it, they even used to say that on their website, don't know if they still do. But thats hardly surprising, you'd have to hire an army to sit and listen to the volume of demos coming in, there aren't enough man hours in the day.

But for these relatively much smaller scale trance labels?, naaaa. The demos should get listened to. Anjuna listens to all the demos. They do now with Jer doing the checking, and I can tell you they certainly did when I used to do it before Jer.

[Musaics]

 Arksun, on 04 February 2012 - 01:25 AM, said:

It wouldn't really make much sense for a label to ask for demos and have an upload system if they were only interested in established artists. What would be the point? they'd just work through their own connections and networks.

And when it comes to independant trance labels, which label wouldn't want to discover the next big thing, like the next Arty.

For a major record label like Sony, sure. Send a demo to them and they'll destroy it, they even used to say that on their website, don't know if they still do. But thats hardly surprising, you'd have to hire an army to sit and listen to the volume of demos coming in, there aren't enough man hours in the day.

But for these relatively much smaller scale trance labels?, naaaa. The demos should get listened to. Anjuna listens to all the demos. They do now with Jer doing the checking, and I can tell you they certainly did when I used to do it before Jer.

Maybe it's a rhetorical question, but is that the same for Anjunadeep?

[Arksun]

Anjunabeats Anjunadeep, same deal

[Audioholic]

No response prolly just means its not worth to get a response. At least thats the best way to think of it imo. Dont have any experience with it tho apart from 2 demos I sent thru the years. When I sent them I thought they were good enough, listening back to them now.. well I cant do more than laugh hard at myself.

Like arksun said, it would be silly if a label wouldnt accept fresh talent. How would any business grow when they never expand their product line?

If your music is good enough you will get signed someday, if you want it at least. If not you could try networking your way up, but thats just my point of view

[Electrodia]

 no0od13s, on 03 February 2012 - 10:46 PM, said:

Never had them check my uploads, only way I got to them is through someone else.

I always delete once it hits 15 days though. Dunno how long you had to wait.

Enhanced took one and a half months to play my demo on Soundcloud. Even then it wasn't until I had a member of Enhanced personally ask them to play it. Sounds pathetic I know but it can be very disheartening to have a demo just sit there forever without any regard whatsoever. I don't know if this is the story all the time but it was the case for me. Same with Perceptive, no plays after two months. Maybe some demos just get missed?

[Matt BK]

you just have to upload it to a dropbox again if there's no single listen after more than 2 weeks.

This post has been edited by Matt BK: 04 February 2012 - 03:37 AM

[00264167]

 Electrodia, on 04 February 2012 - 02:10 AM, said:

Enhanced took one and a half months to play my demo on Soundcloud. Even then it wasn't until I had a member of Enhanced personally ask them to play it. Sounds pathetic I know but it can be very disheartening to have a demo just sit there forever without any regard whatsoever. I don't know if this is the story all the time but it was the case for me. Same with Perceptive, no plays after two months. Maybe some demos just get missed?

this is why i find it incredible that some labels insist you send to only one at a time then never bother listening to it and some act like prima donnas if they think youve sent it to their rivals.

[paranoiabla]

 00264167, on 04 February 2012 - 10:17 AM, said:

this is why i find it incredible that some labels insist you send to only one at a time then never bother listening to it and some act like prima donnas if they think youve sent it to their rivals.

Is that true???? My tracks will then never get released - I always have them shared with at least 20 labels on soundcloud )))) Simply if one label does not respond in a week I just shared it with another, and so on...

This post has been edited by paranoiabla: 04 February 2012 - 12:09 PM

[00264167]

 paranoiabla, on 04 February 2012 - 12:09 PM, said:

Is that true???? My tracks will then never get released - I always have them shared with at least 20 labels on soundcloud )))) Simply if one label does not respond in a week I just shared it with another, and so on...

youre probably ok, as far as i know others cant see who youve shared with on soundcloud

[paranoiabla]

 00264167, on 04 February 2012 - 12:48 PM, said:

youre probably ok, as far as i know others cant see who youve shared with on soundcloud

They can't see who exactly but they see the number 21 and a padlock

[Arcalis]

I'm my experience, all my demos have been listened to, eventually.

The top labels do get a ton of demos every week and sometimes, they just get overlooked. I used to miss emails all the time at work, so I don't see why demos to labels would be any different. It is okay to email again and ask (politely) but don't send them 50 emails a day, nagging them to listen. Use your judgement if you think it has been overlooked.

This post has been edited by Arcalis: 04 February 2012 - 02:42 PM

[dj_phi]

different labels are all different in how they handle demos.

but even one label differs in their response.

i'll share a few with you


Flashover: i got a response from them for a track a LONG time ago (the track sucked). they literally responded half a year after i sent the demo with a rejection. for stuff i've sent since, no response

Armada: I've sent demos and demos with no response. when i sent Lumin to them, i got a rejection response after about a week and a half. Demos since i've had no response/downloads.

Perfecto (post-acquisition): Askew responded to the first demo i sent him (said it was good, but too dutch). then never responded to Batshit Crazy, but that was in the middle of his whole marathon thingy or whatever it was.

Black Hole: i still have no idea how to send to them

Spinnin: Never gotten a response from them, but i HAVE gotten a response from Tone Diary. the A&R from Tone Diary seems nice

Be Yourself Music (High Contrast Recordings, In Charge Records): NEVER got a response, except when i sent them Bandicoot. Dick De Groot seems to respond whenever.

Musical Madness: Varies everytime. No response, response, no response, response.

Vandit (pre and post acquisition): NEVER received a response. But i KNOW they check their emails. or at least Alexa does sometimes.

Anjunabeats: no response ever, but i only sent them tracks back when i wasn't any good. once i got good i realized my stuff wasn't their style.

Recoverworld (Discover, Discover Dark, Flux Delux, Kill The Lights),: i ALWAYS get a response if i send to Chris Hampshires A&R email.

Enhanced: I gave up on sending anything to them. I ended up having to get a friend to send it in for me lol.



but for smaller indie labels... response is almost guaranteed. no shame in signing your first few records to a good quality smaller label. it'll get you exposure, some playlistings, even some contacts which will make it easier when sending your next demo.

[Marcioz Pollack]

 dj_phi, on 10 February 2012 - 05:21 AM, said:

Black Hole: i still have no idea how to send to them

Just use the comum email.Sent my last EP to them, got response in 2 days: "Sounds good, but not for us"

This post has been edited by Marcioz Pollack: 12 February 2012 - 10:35 PM

[Lethyx]

About 8 months ago I had sent a demo to Macarize, a progressive house track I had made. I recieved an aswer the same day, Kris said it wasn't for them. However, a month ago I had sent one of my recent tracks, but didn't get any response.

Other than that, i've never gotten any response from other labels about my demos. Enhanced did listen to my track once, though.

Oh and Daniel Kandi also had replied when I sent in a demo for Always Alive Recordings, he said my production sound is great but the melody isn't his taste

This post has been edited by Lethyx: 12 February 2012 - 02:10 PM

[seo]

 Strigoi, on 03 February 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

Although don't get me wrong but i got proofs that i sent Demo to some big labels and they didn't even play the demos because there's counters on Soundcloud links so. Imagine.

I wouldn't rule that out right away because maybe the counter only works if you listen through all the song (or most of the song) and not if someone quickly listen to it for 20 seconds,... maybe someone can elaborate more on how the soundcloud counter works?

[ChrisQ]

worst damn part is waiting ..and then waiting some more for the release to come out .. but once you get signed the head of A&R usually gives you there email for future stuff but then going to a new label the waiting starts all over again haha

[MoeFizzy]

 ChrisQ, on 11 February 2012 - 08:55 PM, said:

worst damn part is waiting ..and then waiting some more for the release to come out .. but once you get signed the head of A&R usually gives you there email for future stuff but then going to a new label the waiting starts all over again haha

That's why you have to do your research before sending to labels...if you have people on the inside that helps to...I had a friend send a track of mine to perceptive and the owner replied within 1 day accepting the track...and he's always available when I email him for whatever...then again before Perceptive I uploaded it to the dropbox of a few other labels like Silent Shore (who accepted within less than a day) and Be Yourself, Enhanced, Infra, etc...Enhanced didn't even listen and Infra listened but never replied, but I was glad anyway as I had heard that both have insanely long release queue's and I had already gotten an offer from Perceptive so it was all good!

[ChrisQ]

 MoeFizzy, on 11 February 2012 - 09:08 PM, said:

That's why you have to do your research before sending to labels...if you have people on the inside that helps to...I had a friend send a track of mine to perceptive and the owner replied within 1 day accepting the track...and he's always available when I email him for whatever...then again before Perceptive I uploaded it to the dropbox of a few other labels like Silent Shore (who accepted within less than a day) and Be Yourself, Enhanced, Infra, etc...Enhanced didn't even listen and Infra listened but never replied, but I was glad anyway as I had heard that both have insanely long release queue's and I had already gotten an offer from Perceptive so it was all good!

Contacts get you only so far ...The thing I hate is they cant seem to give you a clear answer ,i'd rather have a reply in 1 hour saying ' mate the track isnt for us ' than for them to reply saying mate we quite like the track but can't confirm anything yet ' 2 weeks later when I dont give a shit anymore they reply with ' not this time , but keep sending us demo's . Infra and Enhanced both gave me this answer , but Enhanced told me in a couple of hours , Infra still hasnt given word yet .. it doesnt matter which friend knows who ..new material gets a complete and thorough listen because these guys put out quality material , not the same can be said for these other labels ... sometimes the right contact might just push the record through ..and besides i'm not the kinda guy who likes to tells friends to speak to their friends bout my music , I'd contact the label straight away

[MoeFizzy]

 ChrisQ, on 12 February 2012 - 09:47 PM, said:

Contacts get you only so far ...The thing I hate is they cant seem to give you a clear answer ,i'd rather have a reply in 1 hour saying ' mate the track isnt for us ' than for them to reply saying mate we quite like the track but can't confirm anything yet ' 2 weeks later when I dont give a shit anymore they reply with ' not this time , but keep sending us demo's . Infra and Enhanced both gave me this answer , but Enhanced told me in a couple of hours , Infra still hasnt given word yet .. it doesnt matter which friend knows who ..new material gets a complete and thorough listen because these guys put out quality material , not the same can be said for these other labels ... sometimes the right contact might just push the record through ..and besides i'm not the kinda guy who likes to tells friends to speak to their friends bout my music , I'd contact the label straight away

Yeah I actually meant that contacts can usually just get the label to listen to the track sooner than they usually would