Spotify ad studio is essentially an advertising platform that makes it possible for anyone to create an ad and manage it through the Spotify platform. If you are a musician, a band, or a business owner – especially in the music industry, this platform is perfect for you. It targets people who are already interested in the industry and it allows for greater communication with your followers and potential fans. Spotify offers different types of Campaign Objectives for whatever you are looking to promote.
How to sign up:
In order to sign up, you need to start with a Spotify account then sign up for Ad Studio. If you already have an existing Spotify account, then you should already be able to sign up for Ad Studio.
Types of Ads:
– 30 second (or less) audio recording that will be listened to by users who have the free subscription to Spotify – Your ad includes a clickable image which is presented on the screen for the duration of the ad and is linked to the landing page of your choice (your website, your Spotify account, a page to purchase tickets/RSVP, etc.).
How to create your first ad (once you’ve created an account with ad studio):
– Choose your objective:
The first step in this process is to name your ad and select an objective (this is your end goal. Do you want to promote your next show? Your new song? Your new merch release? Etc.) Whatever your end goal is, keep it in mind as you create your ad.
– Select your audience and your budget:
If you haven’t figured out your target demographic, it’s time to get on that, because it is highly important when it comes to setting your ad up for success.
Also, make sure you are promoting your ad in a timely manner. If your show is tomorrow, then it’s probably not a good idea to create an ad. Depending on what you are trying to get the word out about, you probably want to promote it between 2-4 weeks before the day of. This allows your followers and listeners to make plans to be there or tune in that day. When it comes to your budget, think about how many people you want to reach and how much you are willing to spend to reach them. When it comes to budgeting for an ad, it’s not about how much you spend, but HOW you spend it. Be smart and do your research.
Lastly, you will need to schedule your ad. The benefit of doing everything in a timely manner is that it gives you the opportunity to fix any issues if they happen to come up.
– Create your ad:
This is where you can get creative and start adding your image, your voice recording and your link. When it comes to all of these things, make sure that they are enticing. Make sure your voice recording is clear and that the message is straight and to the point, remember you have 30 seconds. It is also important that whoever is speaking is not monotone, or too excited, a nice middle point is just right. For your photo make sure that it is appropriate for your audience and that it reflects your brand and your message in the right way.
– Submit for approval:
Lastly, once you submit Spotify will review your ad and ensure that it aligns with their community guidelines. Once they have approved your ad, then you are good to go and your ad will launch on the day it’s been scheduled.
As music makers, this is an exciting and innovative feature that Spotify has created. It is now easier than ever for artists to create awareness of their work and to spread the word about what they are doing.
The team had a short field trip the other day to our local coffee shop in an effort to break the monotony of the every day hustle. While working on all of our miscellaneous tasks, we made an effort to understand the company a little bit more and really dive into what it is that we do exactly. I had an interesting conversation with our head engineer about what mastering really was and why it’s important. Here’s what he said:
What does it mean to “master” a song?
When it comes to making music, mastering a song is the final step of the process. The purpose of this step is to make a song loud enough and comparable to others so that it’s competing with the song that came before it. It also makes it so that every song is translatable to any platform, say: CD’s, vinyls, MP3s, Spotify, iTunes, etc.
Every platform has different specifications and it creates a sense of uniformity, especially when it comes to a track list on an album or playlist. The last thing you want is for someone to have change that song every time it comes on because it just kills the vibe.
Who is a good person to master a song?
Basically any audio engineer with professional experience. There are engineers that are really good at mastering and are labeled “mastering engineers”, but they’re not necessarily the only ones that do mastering. If you are working with a studio, make sure that the studio is certified to master for iTunes (MfiT Certified).
How long does it take to master a track?
Generally, mastering a track can take me between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the track. But in all honesty, I hate this question. Mastering is a service that is necessary for a track to be competitive. It’s like the clear coat on your finished painting. Don’t skimp on the material no matter how long it takes you to apply it because without it, your painting isn’t likely to last very long. It’s something you won’t regret investing in.
What do I need to get my song mastered?
Your song needs to be Mixed FIRST. The best thing we could receive is a professionally mixed song, but if you do your own mixing you can follow these guidelines:
Balance levels Add eq and light compression Make sure your track isn’t clipping (or distorting) on your output
If you’d like a free trial of our mixing and mastering services click here for more information.
What Mastering ISN’T:
Mastering cannot adjust the volume on particular instruments, it cannot add effects to anything, it cannot balance your mix. Like I stated before, it’s just the finishing coat over a painting. The project needs to already be good. It’s not VooDoo, it can’t make your song something it’s not.
Is Landr and eMastered Bad?
If you’re strapped for cash and it’s the only option for you, it is definitely a decent option. They’re artificial intelligence mastering services that make mastering accessible to the masses. At the present moment AI software isn’t very intelligent. Perhaps one day it will be, but for a more in depth look at this topic, read our blog: Don’t try Landr without reading this first.
Who’s behind the rise of Studio 411, you ask? Today we take a dive into the brief history of the founders and creators of this up and coming conglomerate. Even if you have met them, you may not know the history and experience behind this dream team. Without further ado, lets dive in:
As our in-house sound engineer he is the brains behind all the mixing and mastering here at Studio 411. Chris has worked in the music industry for over 9 years; working with labels like Sony, RCA, Atlantic, and Super Records, among others. Throughout his time working with artists, Chris has developed a keen skill set and a well-rounded knowledge about the ins and outs of the industry. Not only can he mix and master your music, but he also serves as a guide for new and upcoming artists who are wanting to make a name.
Chris started his career in music at a young age, but truly found his calling as he witnessed English Pop band “McFly” record their song Love Is on The Radio. The heartwarming lyrics “but I can get up now, the dark clouds have lifted” carried him through a rough patch in his life and lead him to find his place in the music production world.
Aside from music production, Chris is also a dedicated father, husband, son, and friend and enjoys spending time with family and reading anything and everything Gary Vee puts out.
You can follow his personal page on Instagram: @_bayland and catch him on our page @recordat411.
Jimmy is a multi-hyphenated persona, to give him a title is to confine him to a box that sheds no light on his many talents. With his background in graphic design, music writing, and marketing, Jimmy handles all the ins and outs of the studio’s website, Instagram page, merch design, and much more. Although he works mostly behind the scenes, his work does not go unnoticed; Jimmy’s vision for the studio is what truly brought it to life in early 2019.
Jimmy started his career in music as a young guitarist in high school and then continued on to play in bands as a guitarist and now a vocalist in his band The Dead Electrics. Throughout his time working with his bands he naturally landed the manager position; handling all the booking, branding, merch design, and social media – even back in the MySpace days!
Aside from putting in work at the studio, Jimmy works as the creative director of his marketing agency Positive Design Company where he creates web and logo designs, handles SEO and social media, and essentially guides businesses to grow in their market. He dedicates his weekends to writing music and working on all “the band stuff” for The Dead Electrics. And, as though he did not have enough on his plate with running three businesses, Jimmy also has an upcoming project: Moon City Clothing Company, in which he will dabble into the world of the fashion industry. Throughout all of his ventures and big ideas, what keeps him grounded are his loving fiancé Janene, their cat Whisper, and occasional yoga sessions.
