How-To Tutorials - Music Production

This article is an excerpt from the book, A Power User's Guide to FL Studio 21, by Chris Noxx. Get a chance to learn from an FL Studio Power User to take your music productions to the next level using time-tested and decade-mastered production techniques. This book will uncover techniques for creating music in FL Studio and best approaches to making your way to Billboard charts.Introduction This broad article captures the essence of “Chapter 8 - How to Get Records Placed So They Land on Billboard Charts” of “A Power User's Guide to FL Studio 21” book written by Chris Noxx, covering key areas such as placements, catalog building, rights, outreach, and types of deals, all while remaining true to the original content​ In the highly competitive music industry, getting records placed with major artists and landing on the Billboard charts is a dream for many producers. This chapter provides a comprehensive guide on how to achieve that dream by focusing on placements, catalog building, networking, and understanding the business deals that will help propel your career to new heights. The Importance of the Journey Before diving into the technicalities, it’s essential to recognize that the path to success is not straightforward. Embracing the journey, with all its ups and downs, is crucial for maintaining the dedication and perseverance needed to make it in the music industry. What Are Record Placements? Record placements are one of the most coveted opportunities in the music world. They involve getting your music featured on a major artist's album, single, or other releases. In addition to record placements, sync placements offer another avenue for revenue, with your music being used in television shows, commercials, films, or video games. Both types of placements provide significant exposure and the potential for substantial income. Building and Valuing Your Music Catalog Your catalog of music is a valuable asset. Each track you create holds the potential for future placements, and over time, your catalog can generate consistent revenue. It's essential to recognize that catalogs have become an alternative asset class. They can be bought, sold, or licensed, much like real estate or stocks, making them a crucial long-term investment for your career. The value of a catalog is determined by various factors, including past performance, future sync potential, and overall demand. Even older tracks can increase in value when they find the right placement. Understanding Rights and Income Streams In the music business, revenue streams are primarily derived from two sides of the copyright: the publishing side and the master side. Publishing side: This covers the composition, including melodies, chords, and lyrics. Master side: This pertains to the actual sound recording. Maximizing income from placements means retaining as much ownership as possible on both sides of the copyright. Having a solid understanding of these rights ensures you're protecting your work and maximizing your earnings. Taking Action: The Key to Success Opportunities rarely come to those who wait, which is why taking action is critical. Whether through networking, outreach, or consistent improvement of your music, positioning yourself in the right places at the right times is vital to your success. Building relationships with key players in the industry—artists, managers, A&Rs—is a fundamental step toward getting your music in front of the right people. Attend industry events, create meaningful connections, and ensure you're continuously improving your craft to stand out in a crowded field. Two Primary Approaches to Securing Placements There are two main strategies for landing placements: Direct action: Actively pursuing placements by reaching out to artists, managers, and A&Rs. Indirect action: Building your brand and reputation through content creation and networking, allowing opportunities to come to you over time. Both approaches are essential and should be used together to maximize your chances of success. Consistent effort in both areas will yield the best results. The Power of Cold Outreach Cold outreach is a powerful, albeit often underutilized, tool in the industry. By reaching out to artists, managers, or other key players, you can introduce your work and potentially land a placement. Personalizing your outreach and demonstrating the value you bring to their projects will increase your chances of getting a response. Building a Strong Lead List Having a well-targeted lead list is crucial for cold outreach. Your list should include relevant artists, A&Rs, managers, and industry professionals who are likely to benefit from your music. The more focused your list, the better your chances of success when conducting outreach. Types of Industry Deals Understanding the types of deals available in the industry is essential for protecting your interests and maximizing your earnings. Here are some common deals that producers may encounter: Co-publishing deals: Where you split ownership of the publishing rights with a publisher. Administration deals: You maintain ownership of your rights but pay a third party to manage and administer them. Traditional publishing deals: You assign your publishing rights to a company that manages your catalog in exchange for an upfront payment and royalties. Self-publishing: You retain full control of your rights but take on the responsibilities of managing and administering them. Production deals: Where you provide services to artists in exchange for a portion of the income generated by their music. Management deals: An agreement where a manager oversees your career and takes a percentage of your earnings. Label deals: Contracts with record labels to distribute and promote your music. Joint venture deals: Partnerships with labels or other companies to jointly promote and distribute your music. Distribution deals: Agreements to distribute your music through a specific platform or company. Each type of deal offers different benefits and trade-offs, and understanding which one best suits your goals will help you navigate the business side of the music industry. Steps for Building a Successful Career Success in the music industry doesn’t happen overnight. It requires dedication, persistence, and the willingness to take deliberate action. By following these steps—building a strong catalog, mastering the business aspects of music, and positioning yourself effectively—you can increase your chances of landing major placements and seeing your records rise on the Billboard charts. Conclusion Achieving success in the music industry, particularly landing records on the Billboard charts, requires more than just talent; it demands strategic planning, consistent action, and a deep understanding of the business side of music. From building a valuable catalog of songs to mastering the intricacies of publishing rights and making the most of both direct and indirect outreach, every step plays a vital role in your journey. By positioning yourself in the right places, embracing opportunities through cold outreach, and networking with key industry players, you increase your chances of getting your music placed with major artists and securing lucrative sync placements. Understanding the various types of deals, from co-publishing to label agreements, further empowers you to protect your work and maximize your earnings. At the heart of it all is the drive to continuously improve and take action. The music industry is competitive, but by combining creative mastery with smart business moves, you can create lasting success and potentially see your records climb the Billboard charts. Your journey is as much about persistence as it is about creativity—embrace both to unlock your full potential. Author BioChris Noxx is a FL Studio Power User and JUNO nominated (2020 Rap Recording of the Year) producer, composer, and arranger, who has charted on Billboard Charts over 12 times in the US and Canada, and has worked with some of the most iconic hip hop artists of all time using FL Studio (including Dr Dre, Chuck D (Public Enemy), KRS 1, RBX, The Outlawz, Nate Dogg, DJ Quik, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Kurupt, B Real (Cypress Hill), Tory Lanez, Classified, Crooked I, Faith Evans, Troy Ave, Ras Kass, Bishop Lamont, Seether, Talib Kweli, Xzibit, Waka Flocka Flame, Lloyd Banks & Young Buck (G-Unit).