This week is all about finding your sound as a producer, artist, DJ,  and engineer. The benefits go well beyond the art you create. If you’re struggling with getting your sound in order, stick around until the end for 9 tips that’ll help immediately.

Lab Report

CBC News Investigates Ticketmaster (2:40)

Spotify To Allow Direct Uploads from Indie Artists and Will Launch Middle East/North Africa (11:03)

Music Modernization Act Passes (14:55)

Lab Technique of the Week: Birthday Crate (20:33)

Crate preparation is a big part of DJing. Make a crate or playlist full of songs you’d want spun on your birthday. When done, select three random friends on Facebook or in your phone an make them crates based on what you’d play for their birthday. Use a streaming service or write the playlist down and send it to them as a random hello. This exercise serves 2 purposes. It’ll get you thinking critically about song selection and will get you more practice with maintaining relationships.

Main Topic: Finding Your Sound 

What does it mean?: (23:45)

Having a distinct and recognizable sound in your art that serves as a calling card. When you find your sound, people know you made something before they’re told. They hear your traits on the audio itself.

Why is it important?: (25:27)

Your sound is directly tied into your brand. As such, it dictates things like your website, target audience, and overall strategy in how you present yourself publicly. For example, f you have a gritty underground sound, your site and social media should reflect that. The more you have a sound, the better you can present that package.

How to tell if you have a sound?: 26:34

Perform “The Bar Exercise”. Can you seal the deal before my Guinness arrives?

9 Tips to find sound: (30:38)

1. Revisit your catalog and identify your best traits
2. Focus your education on your best traits
3. Design Your own Sounds.
4. Use Templates and Kits to start sessions
5. Create more consistently. Use a schedule if needed
6. Trim unnecessary gear
7. Read your bio regularly
8. Get criticism from others
9. Work on developing an artist