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You hear it everywhere: computer-generated music and effects made for television, radio, film and video, the Internet and video games. It’s big business, and while there is substantial demand for media related music, there’s also lots of competition.
 | You should own your own digital recording studio
or have quick access to one |
From basement studios to high-tech facilities, folks are turning out musical pieces for companies big and small. If you’re a musician and know how to program music, you may want to give it a try yourself.
What you need
To succeed in the business, you’ll need to have knowledge of multiple genres of music and know how to program and produce it. Also you should own your own digital recording studio or have quick access to one.
Media music clientele
The principal clientele for media music is film and video producers, advertising agencies, radio and TV stations, and web site designers.
Custom music
Some clients will contract you to record CUSTOM MUSIC directed at specific creative endeavors. A few examples of custom work are video or film post-scores, vocal jingles, audio (or “sonic”) logos, and music to sync with online flash animation.
Library music
Another demand is for LIBRARY MUSIC, where one can choose music from a large collection of pre-recorded tracks. Some library companies will customize the music with vocals, but the tracks are usually instrumental.
A few music libraries have existed for a while, but since the advent of computer-based music programming, numerous companies have arisen.
Much library music business is done online, where one can search a site for the kind of music he or she needs, preview it, pay for it and download the file instantly. The cost for library music is generally much less than it is for custom music.
Realistically, to build a library of music takes a lot of time and manpower. If you want to create library music, the best way to start is to submit tracks to large library music companies that either hire composers or accept individual tracks for their collection.
Starting up
As in any business, you must build a reputation, and for that you need a track record. I suggest that you approach local ad agencies, TV stations, video houses and web site designers and offer to do the first project for free. Also do some public service stuff.
You need to accumulate enough jobs to put on both audio and video demos that you can submit to potential regional and national clients. Then put together your own web site and market your product accordingly.
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