Hi, I’m Greg. I’m an entrepreneur from California who makes a living producing music and sound designing for big brands. I consider myself very fortunate to do what I love for a living but trust me, nothing came by luck.
My Story
I use to be in the same boat as many aspiring producers (creatives). You know, working the 9-5 grind, then coming home and spending hours learning my craft and creating music, hoping that one day I’d get some placements here and there…Hoping that one day all this hard work would pay off.
Hell, when I started, I didn’t even know what gear to get. I just remember hearing that Dr. Dre, as well as a few other composers, used an Akai Mpc 3000 along with a Korg Triton, so… That’s what I got! I figured if they use it, then it must be good.
I understood next to nothing about contracts, legalities, or what to expect money-wise. In fact, money wasn’t a part of the equation. I was focused on perfecting my craft as best as possible. The 1st time someone asked me for a track… I didn’t want to sell it! I was just shocked at the fact that someone liked my work enough to use it.
Ghost Production (It Paid Well)
I wound up ghost-producing for a few majors, and by doing so, I learned the importance of negotiating and having your paperwork in order. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have listened to my manager/friend at the time, but instead (being young and cocky) put money in front of everything. Being a young producer making between $1,500 – $2,000 a week cutting tracks, there wasn’t much you could tell me. After all, I was making more $$ on my own than most did with a 4-year degree.
I was ghost-producing for a little over a year before the light bulb went off in my head. I was getting screwed left and right (production credits, money, etc.), and I felt it was time for me to position myself around people with different mindsets and experiences and really sit down and learn the business side of the industry. Since then, I’ve had nothing but positive results, and I make a great living doing what I love ‘music production’ without labels, artists, or managers.
So Why Diy Music Biz?
I wanted to create a reliable resource for musicians, producers, composers, songwriters, artists (regardless of skill level), etc. Helping others reach the level of success that I have without all the b*******. Granted, there are a lot of online production communities out there, but let’s be honest… Most are filled with people who haven’t the slightest idea what they’re doing. Most of them still think ‘Poor Man’s Copyright’ Is legit. Smh.
Most people you run into via music forums or social media don’t know what they’re talking about. A lot of them are speaking out of term with little to no experience running a successful business. If you’re not making a good consistent living from your craft, then in my opinion, you’re not qualified to give anyone advice on doing so.
Here are some topics covered on this site:
- Music Licensing – The ins and outs of landing clients that utilize your music in TV/Film and Video Games. There’s a right and wrong way to play the field. A mentor of mine told me this was the real estate of the music industry (he wasn’t lying).
- Sound Design – We cover everything from basic synthesis to sound replacement. The latter is good practice and very useful when landing high-end clients.
- Gear Reviews – Software, and hardware there are lots of tools available today. I’ll show you what’s needed to get the job done without breaking the bank.
Where To Start?
Start with My Music Licensing Guide – It’s free.
Next, head over to my post regarding ASCAP vs BMI. These are Performing Rights Organizations you should know about.
Check out the free guide on Mixing Music For Beginners. These are tips that have helped me deliver quality mixes for TV, Film, and Video Games. Simple enough for beginners yet effective enough to get the job done.
Once you’re done, email me any questions you have. I’m more than willing to help.
Keep in mind that I’m a DIY guy. I go against the grain and do what’s needed to make things happen.