Mixtapes Vs. Albums

Hey Viewers,

This week, I want to separate the differences in between two primary ways musicians, especially Start Ups, are getting a list of their music to the public. It’s very important Novice Musicians and Artists to understand the difference between the two: Mixtapes Vs. Albums.

As a former Artist, and current band manager and consultant, I understand the quality versus quantity aspect of the two. But do you? One provides more types of music all mixed together recorded from different sources, but another is more focused, timelier, and more expensive, but gets you a greater return if done correctly. Do you know which is which?

What is a “Mixtape?”

According to Merriam-Webster, the term “mixtape” was first used in 1991. A Mixtape is a compilation of songs recorded from various sources. Nowadays, that can be on a CD, online, video podcast (of music videos or cinematography - the creation of motion picture images), or wherever you can get music to depending your target market. Mixtapes are usually good in a sense for Start Up musicians, because they may be the most inexpensive way to get a list of your music to the nearest club, DJ or venue you may be interested in playing for. Mixtapes are more freely done, less structured, usually longer and more tracks, and AS LONG AS YOU RETAIN YOUR RIGHTS TO YOUR MUSIC, can be recorded from various locations or sources. Mixtapes are not usually made for a Start Up Artists to seek return, they are more so the music sample to be given away to prep your listeners for the Album, Live Performance, Open Mic, etc.

So, What's an “Album?”

Good old Merriam-Webster states that an Album is one, or more, recordings (12 being industry standard) produced as a single unit. An album is usually is comprised on a CD, or online today. Albums are more so for the Artists that have been “in the game” for a while and have some sort of capital, or profit, where they can invest more money into the necessary equipment, or people, to have all their production (likely mixing and mastering as well) done in one remote location. Albums are more structured with a focus, or storyline, to show the quality of the musicians’ skills, usually shorter than mixtape songs, and completed by a team of 1-2 people, Producer and Audio Engineer.

For example, if you are a live band,

Your mixtape would be:

-       Jam sessions;

-       Each track 5-10 minutes long;

-       May be done live with someone recording “the magic as it happens.”

As where your album would be:

-       Composed Music;

-       Each track in basic structure;

-       May be recorded in an industrial recording set up with an audio engineer instructing the band on how and when to play.

If you are a rapper or lyricist of any sort,

Your mixtape would be:

-       Freestyles or ciphers (not necessarily in a battle);

-       Lyrics spat or written, and recorded, to industry beats;

-       May be recorded on spot with a camera where the audio from the clip would be extracted and put to file.

As where your album would be:

-       Written, and revised, lyrics;

-       Every track with Hooks and Verses recorded 3x’s over to ensure quality;

-       May be laid in an industrial recording lab, and on composed instrumentals made by the Producer or Audio Engineer likely recording your album. 

My personal advice would be that if you are a novice musician or Artist with limited funds to invest in an album, record a "quality" mixtape. So, in other words, protect your music rights, and if you can record in one location, do so. If you are recording from various sources, just have the same Audio Engineer mix down and master your all of your music per project. 

If you are a beginning musician or Artist that comes from better means, do things right. Not an album "per say" right off the back, maybe just a single or two to circulate so your targeted audience becomes familiar with your sound. After about 6-8 months, work on the release of your album. Details of how to do so will be in another post. 

Helpful Links:

UK Music Copyright Info: 

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/protect/p07_music_copyright

US Music Copyright Info: 

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl105.html

Read. Converse. Enjoy.

Cherry

References: 

Album. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/album. 

Engineer Vs. Producer. (2012, July 21). RCR Recording Studios. Retrieved from: http://rcrrecording.com/blog/2012/07/engineer-vs-producer/

Mixtape. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mixtape. 

P-07: Music Copyright Information Fact Sheet. (2004, June 30). Copyright Witness Ltd. Retrieved from: http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/protect/p07_music_copyright. 

Target Market Definition. (n.d.). Entrepreneur. Retrieved from: http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/term/82498.html 

U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright Registration of Music. (2010, November). U.S. Copyright Office. Retrieved from:  http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl105.html.