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PART 3 —
A catalog isn’t just a folder of tracks.
It’s an asset class.
But only if:
- the works are organized
- the ownership is clear
- the versions are tracked
- the metadata is consistent
- the deliverables are ready
Most musicians think they need:
- more gear
- more plugins
- more opportunities...
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PART-2 Musicians spend hours perfecting a track…
and minutes naming it.
But in today’s industry:
Metadata is the real master.
If your metadata is unclear, incomplete, or inconsistent:
- your tracks become hard to place
- your catalog becomes hard to search
- your deliverables become unreliable
- you...
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PART 1 — “Most Musicians Don’t Have a Catalog Problem — They Have a Structure Problem.”
Most musicians think their biggest challenges are:
- finding opportunities
- getting placements
- improving their sound
- learning new tools
But the real issue sits upstream:
Their catalog isn’t defined.
When th...
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Before publishing, before pitching for sync, before distribution, before metadata…
there’s an upstream layer most musicians never get taught:
What exactly is in your catalog?
How is it organized?
What belongs together?
What’s an asset and what’s just a file on a hard drive?
When the catalog is uncle...
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Curious how other composers capture ideas when inspiration hits.
Voice memos, notation apps, DAWs, piano sketches, or something else?
I save ideas in Microsoft Word or emails, Kat Spencer. I also downloaded a voice recorder app to save ideas.
In the car it's voice memos on my phone. If I have to be quiet then it's a music notebook I usually have in my bag. At home it's sometimes guitar into the phone or a short sketch in Cubase.
As voice memos or just a few notes on a quickly drawn staff (the old way)))
Hi Everyone! ☺️
I have been wanting to focus more on my singing and possibly getting together with other creators to produce some music, but I have no idea of where to start!
While I love acting and plan on still doing it, singing has always been my favorite when it comes to performing arts. I know I...
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Hey Composing Lounge,
I just watched this breakdown on Better Man, the Robbie Williams biopic where he’s portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee, and it’s a really fun conversation starter for anyone who thinks about music, identity, and how songs function inside a story.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/wat...
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I haven't seen Better Man yet, Ashley Renee Smith. It looks interesting. I think what makes a music biopic’s song choices feel earned is when the song is about the story, something in the person's lif...
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I enjoyed this movie. - the Colony.
Lorenz used a lot of new concepts for me.
From how he and his team created Low sounding drums to create tension within the movie, to smooth sounding techniques throughout the movie made the audience and movie a great experience.
Wanted to share and see if anyone ha...
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Hey, Kerry Kennard. I don't think I've seen The Colony, but I'll check it out and keep an ear out for the music and sounds. Thanks.
Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays, Wyman!
Aitziber Olabarri, thank you. I hope you have a wonderful time meeting 2026.
Step inside the sound design and mix of Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest film, One Battle After Another, with this in-depth look at the work of the sound team. Featuring Re-recording mixer, supervising sound editor, sound designer Chris Scarabosio, Re-recording mixer Tony Villaflor and Production Sound...
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I watched One Battle After Another the weekend, Pat Alexander. The movie and sound are incredible! The sound is unique! It's one of the things I'm still thinking about. Thanks for sharing the video....
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It has been 10 years this month that David Bowie left this mortal coil. Here is a great and insightful article into the collaborations that Bowie was involved in with musicians and filmmakers and is a testimony to his resilience and commitment to his work as an artist.
When focusing on the video for...
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My condolences to David's family, friends, and fans, Geoff Hall. I'm not sure if I've heard of his music, but I've heard of him. I also found out he was a songwriter and actor....
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Maurice Vaughan yeah Maurice, he was an established actor. His credits include: Labyrinth (1986), The Man who fell to Earth (1976) Twin Peaks (2014) Absolute Beginners (1986) Merry Christmas Mr. Lawre...
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Maurice Vaughan here's one track from David, which dates back from 1969. 'Space Oddity'
https://youtu.be/iYYRH4apXDo...
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Thanks for sharing the video, Geoff Hall. I found out yesterday David was in Labyrinth. I didn't know he was Jareth. His character is the main thing I remember about the movie....
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Maurice Vaughan that’s cool, Maurice. By the way - His music evolved over the decades and is so unlike Space Oddity.
What’s your favorite Christmas music to listen to (or secretly love)?
I’ve always loved David Lanz and obviously Mannheim Steamroller.
But if we’re being honest about true Christmas music…
The Chipmunks are my go-to.
Your turn.
Kat Spencer My favorite is "Carol of the Bells" by John Williams (Home Alone).
Hey Kat Spencer, Kenny G, love saxophone , Celine Dion I can harmonize with, and Ill Divo makes me feel like I am in love shifting my mood on the first song. They fill my home with beautiful voices and music that lifts spirits and warm souls.
The rock guitarist in me loves Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I would love to put together a local Christmas show with all their greatest Christmas tunes, my cover band Hired Gunn has talked about it but i...
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An example from my album Philadelphia Experiment, my artist name is Mandrake. A new album Gradstein 2, is coming soon... Music doesn't generate profit yet — still at $0.00 : ) https://music.apple.com/...
Expand commentAn example from my album Philadelphia Experiment, my artist name is Mandrake. A new album Gradstein 2, is coming soon... Music doesn't generate profit yet — still at $0.00 : ) https://music.apple.com/us/album/philadelphia-experiment/1848954627
2 people like this
Thanks for sharing this, Vladimir — and congrats on getting the album out into the world. Most musicians are in the same place you described: the music is finished, but the structure around it isn’t d...
Expand commentThanks for sharing this, Vladimir — and congrats on getting the album out into the world. Most musicians are in the same place you described: the music is finished, but the structure around it isn’t defined yet. Profit usually starts showing up only after the catalog is organized, the metadata is consistent, and the assets are positioned clearly. Your work is the raw material — clarity is what turns it into leverage.
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Vlad, there’s real intention and craft in what you’re making. The music is strong — now the structure around it just needs to catch up.