Here is a short 30 second preview of a track that may end up a commercial....
Let's start this off by telling everyone who you are and where you're from.
My name is Jim Meeker, but most people know me online as Sindustry. I grew up in the Detroit and Kalamazoo areas of Michigan, but now I live in the Grand Rapids area. Its cold as hell right now and I'd sure rather be someplace sunny and warm.
How did you get into making music, and when did you take it serious?
Back in High School when I was 15 years old, a guy in social studies class was a guitar player and we became friends. He said he was going to start a band and needed a bass player, so I volunteered. He set me up with lessons from his guitar teacher and I took them for about a year until I learned to play the bass parts by ear from the cover tunes we played. We played hard rock and metal. Years later when I was no longer playing in bands, I got bored playing the bass by myself. I bought a guitar, drum machine and four track cassette recorder and started writing and recording my own songs. Later I got a keyboard and a computer and started getting into MIDI sequencing which evolved into the eventual move to an all computer based recording setup. I continued to make and record my own tracks and only played them for a small circle of friends. By now I was working at an inner city youth center and I was able to secure some grant money to build a studio. All the kids wanted to record rap music so, not knowing where to get the music, I started producing the beats myself. Someone turned me onto uploading my music to the internet and eventually I started getting inquiries about purchasing my tracks. I had no idea back then the market for selling tracks was huge. It was then, about 2003 or 2004 when I started to think I could make some money doing this.
Do you sell you're beats online, face-to-face, or both? Do you have a preference, and why?
I stopped putting tracks online about two years ago. I got into a little slump and stopped producing for awhile. I continued to have an online presence making my older tracks available as downloads in iTunes, Soundclick and other stores, but none of my newer stuff has been put out yet. I've mainly sold beats online, so I guess I would prefer that simply because it is easy. All the people I've worked with in person I haven't charged for my beats.
You've been topping the Soundclick charts for years. Do you make much money from that site?
I used to make decent money off that site a few years ago. They changed the format to include social networking with friends and all that which hurt my chart positions and sales a lot to the point where I pretty much abandoned the site in favor of my offline endeavors... which are going much better.
What's your take on the whole "Hardware vs. Software" debate, and what do you use?
I don't pay it much mind. I think both are great...use what works for you. For me personally, I used to have a couple racks of sounds in addition to my keyboards sounds that I used with wires running all over the studio. But I abandoned those once I discovered the program Reason. I just prefer the ease of use of software synths over the hardware. I've used both and for me they sound great and keep getting better. Currently I'm using mainly Logic Studio for all my beat and synth work and Protools if I'm doing more of a live project. I'll throw in my recommendations for some awesome plugins too: Refx Nexus, Lennar Digital Sylenth1, Camel Phat, Camel Space, BFD2, anything by Wave Arts.
The majority of our members use FLStudios. Have you ever used it? If so, what do you think?
Never used it....only because I'm a Mac user and its not available for my computer. I know plenty of people who use that program to the fullest though.
I see you have credits on television, film, video, video games, and various albums. Our members stretch across the globe. Is there any artists or programs we might be familiar with?
Yeah, I'm sure a lot of listeners have probably heard a track of mine or two and would never realize it. Most of the work I'm getting is background music for TV shows. Anyone interested in seeing my credits, I list most of them on my site (link below). The biggest artist who recorded a verse over one of my beats would be B-Real of Cypress Hill. I really haven't done too many large projects....just many small ones!
How did you first get into publishing? Any tips? Did you need or do you have management? What about a PRO(Performing Rights Organization) such as ASCAP or BMI?
When I signed with my first catalog company, they weren't asking for any of my publishing, so in addition to signing up for an artist account with ASCAP, I got a publishing account as well to collect all my funds due. I realized fairly quickly there was a lot of money to be made in the publishing side of things so I began to read up on the topic.
As far as management is concerned, I haven't been in a position where I thought I needed a manager or met anyone who were in a position to make things happen for me. I've always been pretty much self motivated and a little bit of a control freak, so I don't think management is for me anytime soon.
When choosing a PRO, I went with ASCAP. They seem pretty solid and have worked for me thus far. They were the first one and when BMI came (which was created by the record companies), they created competition with ASCAP. As with all competition, prices came down (for the artists). So I'm partial to ASCAP. A monopoly in the PRO arena would have been best!
I see you're semi-pro? Is it hard to make a living soley from music revenues? Any advice?
You must have read my website! If I was single, I could squeek out a living doing solely doing music....but I'm married with a wife who doesn't work and three small kids! I work a ishty day job and music affords me to have a really nice studio, house and some nice extras for the family. One day soon though, I intend to make the transition to music full time. It has a lot to do with the cost of medical benefits.
The drums and mix on a beat are the most important part. Are there any tips you can give us to make the sound come out sounding professional?
I wish I were an expert. Its a continual learning process. I still read and watch tutorials constantly. I would just recommend educating yourself as much as you can on the equipment you are using by reading the manuals. I'm surprised at how many people would ask me questions on my old forum about things that were readily available in their equipment manuals. When I get a new piece of gear, the first thing I do is read the manual, front to back. Knowing what your equipment is capable of doing is important. Then I would study up on mixing, using compression, EQ's and all of that. Then practice doing what you read by doing it on your setup. Practice recording like you would practice learning an instrument, its no different. I wish I had some magic bullet tip, but I don't!
In your opinion, what is the element any young producer/composer should focus on to help develop his skills to bring themselves to the next level?
Just like I mentioned previously...know your equipment, study, read, and practice. I would also strongly recommend developing you own style. Its great to imitate others when you are first learning but take what you've learned and make it your own. For me its always been more important to be original instead of mimicking someone else's style...it may cost me sales but I honestly don't care.
The number one problem most producers face is promotion. Do you have any advice on how to get your name out there?
I wish I did! I'm just getting back into the online game after a couple year hiatus. It's amazing how things have changed in that time. I don't know if it's advice, but I plan on using all the major social network sites and producing various videos for youtube and other video sites. I may even add a couple new tracks to soundclick.com and give that a go again. Hell, I may even work on a podcast...I just don't know. I'm currently exploring all options.
What producers/composers do you draw inspiration from?
A: I would love to give you this long list of producers that have influenced me but I don't have anyone in particular. I purposely don't listen to popular music. My inspiration changes from time to time. Right now I've been listening to the oldies stations on my drive to work and really getting inspired by some of the old bands from the 70's. There was really some great music back then.
What are your most proud accomplishements in the music field?
A: I have had a lot of luck getting music placing sites but I think I'm most proud that I'm able to get work doing music I've composed for myself first. I love to just sit in my studio and just compose a piece of music based on however I'm feeling at the moment. I can take it in any direction I like with no one over my shoulder. If I am able to license that music, thats awesome. If not, I feel blessed just able to do what I love to do for that time I have available to do it. Time is flies when I am in my studio space. Making money is great, but its not about the money for me. I turn down a lot of jobs.
Is there any projects you're working on that you want to talk about?
Definitely. 2009 is going to be a big year. I've been working my contacts over the years and will be launching a new catalog service called Playgrind. Me and my partners are putting together a music publishing/catalog company to shop around. We will actively be recruiting composing artists who wish to make money with their productions. All of the submission information will be online soon at our website: Playgrind.com. I would encourage all of your members to check that out once it is live, hopefully by the end of January or February 2009! Also, I just got done doing the music for a series of NASCAR commercials and am slated to be scoring an indie film this spring. That should keep me busy for a while....
Where can people find you online to learn more about you, contact you, and hear your music?