Audio Recording

Before internet became a popular medium in promoting independent artist online, it is virtually impossible for any indie artist to release album in a worldwide scale. Think about the cost of replicating thousands of CDs, cost of distribution, cost of radio airplay, cost of releasing singles which is massive and seems very impractical to the indie artist budget.

It is why only artist supported and funded by major recording labels has the ability to finance and market the artist songs in a global scale. We are talking about millions of dollars cost of promotion here. Unless you are the daughter or son of a multi-billionaire who can afford to promote albums for millions of dollars, not all indie artists can afford this amount.

Even major labels faces a problem with plummeting CD sales, a trend that will most likely continue even today. Now that internet came to the scene, it offers a new opportunity for both indie and major label artist to market their music to their possible fans. The good thing is that selling digital tracks online is HOT as of 2010.
Now let’s asked a question: How to release a digital music album online?

If you are an independent artist, you should consider this plan in your marketing efforts. Let’s make a common assumption to this plan: supposing you are the one writing your own songs as well as the one financing the records. So it means you own both songs/lyrics and the sound recording copyrights of your tracks. Also this tutorial assumes that you already have the master recording of your tracks ready for release.

Securing Copyrights and Registering your Songs to Performing Right Societies

First step: Secure copyrights for both song/lyrics and sound recording. If possible, copyright the whole album (you can submit 12 songs to the copyright office as one CD package). Secure form SR, this is the most important. The recommended bit rate for submission is MP3 320 Kbps, CBR only.

For best protection, you can as well apply for PA (Performing arts) copyright for your music and lyrics (submitted also as one separate CD package containing the same set of songs you used with Form SR). Form PA and Form SR is recommended for a self-produced digital album release. It is because you are the writing the songs as well as producing the records.

In other countries, they do not have online copyright application so you would opt to use snail mailing method to deliver your work to the copyright office of your country. In US, they have online copyright application; so it’s faster and efficient. It is recommended to wait until you received the copyright certificate for both SR and PA before proceeding to the next steps. It is because problems might arise in your copyright application and you will be denied with the copyright ownership for some issues.

Second step: Once you have the copyright certificate. You will be assigned with a copyright registration number. Use this number to register your songs in performing right societies. You have 3 major choices: if you live in the US, BMI/ASCAP or SESAC. You should also register in Sound Exchange and Harry Fox Agency. Or you can affiliate in your own country performing right societies; for example FilScap in Philippines. Do a Google search for their websites regarding their application requirements.

Get an ISRC, UPC and Design and album cover

Since you are the sound recording copyright owner, you will need to secure ISRC for each track in your album. ISRC is a number coded that depends on the country; date, etc. where you are releasing your digital album.

For detailed information about ISRC, you can refer to the following tutorials:

a.) ISRC Registration & Application: How to apply and get for ISRC Codes

b.) How to embed and Read ISRC Codes of MP3 files for free

c.) Frequently Asked Questions regarding ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)

UPC is a bar code system for tracking album sales. Without UPC bar code number for your album, you will find it hard or impossible to get your album in main online music distributors. There are lot of services that can provide UPC for your album. For example CD baby provides this service:

http://members.cdbaby.com/barcode-for-music.aspx

This is an example UPC bar code:

This is equivalent to UPC-A 123456789999.

Fourth step: Design an album cover. Make it creative. You can either do it yourself or hire someone to create an album design for you.

Look for online music distributor

Fifth step: Now that everything is ready, your next step is to look for an online distributor.One of the recommended is Zimbalam:

http://www.zimbalam.com/

The advantage with selecting zimbalam as your digital online distributor is that in a single fee, it already includes the UPC code. Now go to the website, sign –in, upload both your songs and your cover art. Finally secure a UPC code number.

iTunes is also one of the most popular online music distributors. You can read this post on how to sell your music or songs in iTunes.

CD baby is also one of the most respected online music distributors for indie artist. It is one of the simplest and easiest to get with. You can check here for more information about releasing a digital album in CD baby:

http://members.cdbaby.com/digital-distribution.aspx

CD baby as well forward or distribute your music to other top online distributors like iTunes. These music distributors would require that you own the sound recording copyrights and that your album complies with the basic requirements such as UPC, ISRC, etc.

Promote and Market your Song for Airplay

Seventh step: Your album as well as your singles should now start appearing in online stores like iTunes, Amazon, etc. Now you need to promote your singles in airplay. The most recommended upon examination is:

http://www.jango.com/

You will still need to promote your singles in the airplay to get new fans. You need to expose them to your songs, and let them know that your album is for sale in those outlets. You can even use:

http://www.radiosubmit.com/

This will submit your songs to all registered radio stations in the US and Worldwide. The key is to let them know your singles and where they can find and buy your album. So make sure you have the iTunes, Amazon, CD baby, etc. “Buy Now” widgets in the track sales page! You can even make a press release, as well as do a massive marketing in social networking sites like YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace. Then your album starts to sell like hotcakes as well you can earn royalties.