Who we are:


Soundset Recordings is an independent record label specializing in classical and acoustic instrumental music. We also provide many services to assist musicians in producing and marketing their own recordings.


As we all know, the business of recording and selling music has changed drastically in recent years. Many traditional record labels, especially those specializing in genres outside of popular music, have not been able to survive. Ones that still exist commonly make contracts in which the musicians pay all production and manufacturing costs, irrevocably sign over ownership rights to the label, and then are expected to buy back copies of their own recordings!


We think we have a better and more equitable way to do business by working in partnership with our recording artists.


What we do:


We give you the recognition of being signed with an established record label while protecting your rights of being independent and letting you choose promotional and marketing strategies that work best for you.


We provide you with the Soundset logo, a unique catalog number, UPC (bar) code, and ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) for digital distribution.


Soundset artists have their CDs distributed in the US to retail stores through our partner Albany Distributors in New York. Albany also lists your recording in ArkivMusic, AllMusic.com, CD Universe, and other databases, as well as in catalogs for Borders Books and Music, Barnes and Noble, Target, and other retail outlets.


Soundset makes the recording available for sale through online distributors such as Amazon and CD Baby. We also work with the artists to send complimentary copies to reviewers and seek licensing deals such as television and motion picture soundtracks, commercials, ringtones, and other media venues.


We create files for digital downloading, provide unique codes so that royalties can be tracked and properly assigned, and provide worldwide digital distribution to Internet retailers such as Apple iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, eMusic, and others.


For ongoing marketing purposes, it is better for Soundset to hold the CD copyright; however, this is not absolutely necessary. If the copyright is in our name, a provision is made in which the ownership reverts back to the artist under simple conditions stated in the contract. We will not make this difficult for you.


To legally sell and distribute compositions that are copyright-protected, it will be necessary to obtain mechanical licenses for physical CDs and "PPD" licenses for the right to sell digital downloads on the Internet. These must be obtained in separate transactions. We will process the paperwork for you if the recording is registered in our name; however, you are still responsible for the amount owed. We charge nothing for this service and take no portion of the royalty fee. (If you wish to keep the copyright in your name, you must apply for your own licenses and provide us with finalized copies. By properly licensing your recordings, you are ensuring that the publisher and the composer are fairly paid for their work.)


With regard to production, we have associates who offer their services at competitive rates to record, master, and develop artwork/layout in preparation for manufacturing. If you already have these services, we can send you the files for the logo and UPC code to add to your graphic design, or else you can send us the completed artwork and we will add those things for you. We could also do the entire design with the artwork that you have selected. We'll work with you to do whatever is best for your needs. You can do it all yourself or we can help; it doesn't matter as long as the quality meets our standards.


We promote and sell your recording and digital downloads on the Soundset website. You are given your own URL where extensive and detailed information, including reviews, biographies, pictures, MP3 samples, and other information, is posted and can be updated and managed by you and by us. You will even be able to promote the recording in advance of its release and sell individual digital tracks before they are compiled onto a physical CD, as long as they are ready and copyright free. Once something is finished, it can be posted. Furthermore, your Soundset site can be linked to your own personal website.


We provide you with a username and password with which you can upload information about your recording to the Soundset web site. You will be able to add updates such as reviews, new recordings, and other data at any time. After logging in, you will also be able to manage your Soundset account and have access to hidden information about sales figures and royalty account balances. You can find information about how to do this here.


On the Soundset website, we also sell selected recordings that are not on our label. If you have another recording that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact Frank Koonce (frank_k@soundset.com). Once accepted, we require five CDs up front from you. We simply pay an agreed-upon distribution rate to you when sales have reached a certain amount and when we are ready to ask for more. For digital downloads, we take our percentage and add the rest to your account.


What you do:


The artist is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining compulsory licenses for the right to record and distribute copyrighted works. We will take care of the licensing process if we are listed as the copyright holder of the recording; otherwise, you are obligated to obtain the licenses yourself and follow all legal procedures.


The artist pays for all production and manufacturing costs. You are welcome to find your own service providers and manufacturer; however, we can manage all or part of this process for you at a very reasonable and competitive rate through our own associates. The cost depends, of course, on what you want. Traditional clear plastic jewel boxes are the cheapest; however, “DigiPaks” are now becoming very popular and have many advantages. Although a little more expensive to make, they do not break like plastic, and they cost less to mail because they are lighter and do not require padded envelopes.


The artist gives Soundset 100 copies of the CD, out of each 1,000 units manufactured, free of charge and without royalty obligations from us to you. The artist keeps all remaining CDs to sell or distribute as desired, without royalty obligations to us. If we need additional copies over our initial 100, we will purchase them from you at an agreed- upon distribution rate.


Cooperative plan summary:


To put together and market a CD recording is probably a bigger challenge than you can imagine if you don't have all the parts in place. We can help you avoid the pitfalls. Essentially, by going through Soundset, you will have all of the freedom of being independent and protecting your rights while also having the benefits that a label can provide, such as distribution and the possibility for reviews. (So-called "vanity" recordings--those not associated with a registered label--have absolutely no distribution channels into stores and receive very little consideration from reviewers.) What we can provide is the legitimacy of being on a label--with a barcode, catalog number, embedded ISRC numbers, website presence, and digital downloads--as well as assistance with mechanical and digital-download licensing, marketing tips, and specific production services that you may wish to purchase.

•    You are a classical or acoustic instrumental performer