AI Mastering for Indie Artists: A Practical Guide

This document provides a comprehensive guide to audio mastering for indie artists, specifically focusing on the growing role of AI-powered tools. It begins by defining mastering and its importance in achieving a "radio-ready" sound for various listening environments and streaming platforms. The text then explains how modern AI mastering works, noting its ability to analyze and shape tracks by learning from successful masters, often using specific software examples like iZotope Ozone 11 and Audiolens. A significant portion compares the trade-offs between AI mastering and hiring a professional engineer, considering factors like speed, cost, consistency, creative input, and handling of complex scenarios such as vinyl or broadcast. Finally, the guide offers practical advice on when each approach is most suitable, including a step-by-step tutorial for using Ozone 11’s Master Assistant, along with a list of popular AI mastering services and their current pricing.

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AI Marketing for Independent Musicians: A Simple Guide

The provided text, "AI Marketing for Indie Musicians," explores how artificial intelligence can empower independent artists to grow their fanbase and manage their careers more efficiently. It emphasizes that AI acts as a smart assistant, not a replacement for creativity, by handling tasks such as personalizing fan communications, repurposing content for social media, analyzing audience data, and automating fan engagement. The source provides practical examples and tool recommendations for indie musicians to leverage AI for email campaigns, social media management, understanding their audience, and maintaining constant fan interaction, ultimately aiming to reduce burnout and foster independence.

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Breaking Free: Decentralized Music for Indie Artists

"Breaking Free: Indie Musicians and Decentralization," explores how Web3 technology and decentralization are empowering independent musicians to escape the limitations of the traditional music industry. It highlights how major record labels and streaming platforms operate like restrictive gatekeepers, offering artists meager earnings and limited control. The source then introduces decentralized alternatives like blockchain, NFTs, and DAOs as revolutionary tools that allow artists to directly connect with fans, retain ownership, and earn more fairly. It cites real-world examples of artists like RAC and Daniel Allan thriving through these new models, and outlines various platforms such as Audius, Catalog, and Royal.io that facilitate this shift. Ultimately, the text argues that decentralization fosters genuine artist-fan loyalty and is reshaping the music industry into a more equitable, community-driven ecosystem.

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This guide provides a comprehensive overview for indie artists looking to build a home recording studio on a budget, emphasizing that expensive equipment isn't necessary for professional-sounding music. It outlines essential gear categories, including audio interfaces, microphones, headphones, and digital audio workstations (DAWs), offering specific, affordable product recommendations in each. The source also highlights what equipment can be acquired later as skills and budgets expand, drawing inspiration from successful artists like Billie Eilish who produced Grammy-winning work with modest setups. Ultimately, it encourages artists to prioritize creativity and songwriting over accumulating excessive gear, suggesting a foundational setup can enable high-quality recordings from the start.

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mary Strand

I never dreamed of being a writer as a kid. Nope. I had bigger plans—like joining the Harlem Globetrotters, skating with the Ice Follies, or becoming a U.S. Senator. While other little girls fantasized about being princesses, I wanted to be king.

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Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey's Interview with Johnny Iguana

Johnny Iguana, along with his longtime songwriting and producing partner JQ, is the composer behind the original score for the hit FX/Hulu series The Bear. Though Chicago has been his home for decades, Johnny still carries his East Coast roots proudly.

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Making a Scene Brings you an interview with Brad "Guitar" Wilson

Brad “Guitar” Wilson is quickly becoming a standout name in the modern blues rock scene, known for his fiery guitar work, soulful vocals, and magnetic stage presence. With a sound that blends classic influences and contemporary energy, Wilson continues to build a loyal fanbase across the U.S. and beyond.

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Making a Scene Presents - What is a Music DAO? How to Start or Join One and Take Control of Your Career

If you’re an independent musician, chances are you’ve felt that nagging frustration: the music industry is built to keep power in the hands of labels, managers, and big platforms. They control the money, the exposure, and too often, the rights to your music. For decades, artists have been left fighting over scraps while corporations cash in.

But what if you didn’t have to play that game anymore? What if you could gather your fans and collaborators into a community where everyone contributes, everyone benefits, and the rules are clear from day one? That’s the promise of a Music DAO.

Don’t worry if the word sounds like alphabet soup. By the end of this article, you’ll not only know what a Music DAO is—you’ll also know how to join one, how to start one, and most importantly, how it can completely change the way you run your career.

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Making a Scene - How AI Can Build Your Music Marketing Plan in Minutes

Being an indie musician today means wearing a lot of hats. You’re not just the songwriter and performer—you’re also the marketer, designer, and promoter. In the old days, record labels had entire departments handling those jobs. Now it often falls on your shoulders, and that can feel overwhelming. Luckily, AI is stepping in to give indie artists a serious advantage.

Artificial Intelligence is like a tireless digital assistant. It can write ad copy, design social posts, schedule campaigns, and even study your fans’ listening habits. What makes it so powerful is not that it replaces you, but that it speeds up the process. Instead of spending days or weeks trying to figure out your marketing plan, AI can give you a working blueprint in minutes—something you can adjust and personalize with your own story and voice.

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Yates McKendree

Producer Kevin McKendree puts it best: “Because of Yates’s lifelong dedication to blues and roots music, he’s developed a direct line from his soul to whatever instrument he picks up. When he sings and plays, you don’t just hear it—you feel it. On these recordings, you’ll hear him on guitar, drums, bass, upright bass, and organ. Beyond all that talent, he’s my son, and the joy of my life is making music with him. The musicians on this album are also our closest friends. We hope you feel that love in every note.”

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