iTunes Producer and Indies - Growing Pains?

MacRumors · Dec 8, 2003, 03:40 AM

According to reports, Apple finally released their "iTunes Producer" tool to independent record labels back in Mid-November.

This Apple tool was released to "Indie" record labels who had signed a contract with Apple in order to allow them to encode and transmit their music to Apple for inclusion into the iTunes Music Store. Apple initially hinted at this tool during their meeting with Indie labels back in June.

After some delays, the tool finally made its way into the hands of the Indie labels, but based on one report, the submission process is less-than-ideal. Reportedly, the tool allows little room for error and offers no method to correct submitted information. Beyond this, encoding and transmission of albums can take an excessive amount of time, with little feedback from Apple. As a result, there may be ongoing delays with representation of smaller indie labels on the iTunes Music Store.

stoid · Dec 8, 2003, 03:42 AM

I hope this is where Apple is spending a good deal of money and resources. If Apple really wants to make iTMS stand out, they need to have excellent support for indie groups.

york2600 · Dec 8, 2003, 03:45 AM

Maybe this explains the title errors with the Live from the Apple Store Thursday/Thrice album. Great album, but they screwed up the track names.

Sabenth · Dec 8, 2003, 06:00 AM

its like anything new theres gona be problems. This will get sorted out if apple really wants the indies..

MrMacMan · Dec 8, 2003, 07:16 AM

I really hope they allow Indie to be umm Independent.

Let they have some freedom... Sumbit the Music then become like the Admin for your band, allow you to change around the titles of the songs and stuff.

SiliconAddict · Dec 8, 2003, 08:37 AM

Sounds like a v1 Microsoft app. What is with Apple lately and them getting so sloppy?!!?

rotorblade · Dec 8, 2003, 09:02 AM

"The tool allows little room for error."

Isn't that the idea.

"The encoding process can take an excessive amount of time."

I'm not saying this new indie tool is perfect and may not have it's flaws, but I find it hard to believe that this new tool is that much more complicated than whatever has been used with the few hundred thousand songs that are available up to this point.

tny · Dec 8, 2003, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rotorblade
"The tool allows little room for error."

Isn't that the idea.

"The encoding process can take an excessive amount of time."

I'm not saying this new indie tool is perfect and may not have it's flaws, but I find it hard to believe that this new tool is that much more complicated than whatever has been used with the few hundred thousand songs that are available up to this point.

Which leads to an interesting question: did Apple encode all the music from the big 5? If not, what software did they use? Didn't Apple say that the indies were going to be given equal treatment?

kd0tc0m · Apr 13, 2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tny

Which leads to an interesting question: did Apple encode all the music from the big 5? If not, what software did they use? Didn't Apple say that the indies were going to be given equal treatment?

They did say that the Indies would get the same treatment. It's obvious things haven't been as smooth as they thought would happen.

I would think Apple used their own software... they had to create iTunes for themselves, why trust anyone else to build this new component?

Dunepilot · Apr 28, 2005, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kd0tc0m

They did say that the Indies would get the same treatment. It's obvious things haven't been as smooth as they thought would happen.

I would think Apple used their own software... they had to create iTunes for themselves, why trust anyone else to build this new component?

They had to create the iTunes Music Store themselves, but iTunes was built on an existing mp3 player programme that they purchased.

mclosers · Dec 8, 2003, 12:37 PM

Fat Wrekchords is one of the indie punk labels out there yet is still not on iTunes. They have bands such as NoFx and others. I think that is a real travasty. People that like those types of bands love music in general. and of the people i know that like punk music 100% of them own iPods (me included). Check out what Chuck from A Simple plan has to say about hte iTunes Music Store and online downloading in general.http://www.vttv.vt.edu/stupid/chuck.mov

TomSmithMacEd · Dec 8, 2003, 12:56 PM

It sounds good, anymore music is good music. I don't care how bad some indie bands are. Some are great!

daku · Dec 8, 2003, 01:22 PM

When I was at CMJ this year I came across this companies booth: http://www.iodalliance.com/.

From their mission statement:
ODA provides comprehensive services for independent artists, record labels, and publishers in the digital music world, to:

* create collective bargaining leverage to counter the advantages currently enjoyed by major labels and publishers within digital music outlets

* provide first-class media encoding services and metadata management tools

* aggregate and administer royalty payments and provide reporting tools for precise tracking of digital releases

* promote the presence of independent music online and assist with digital retail marketing

* provide one-stop shopping for digital music services to license valuable indie music

No I don't work for them.

mclosers · Dec 8, 2003, 04:52 PM

Here is an interview with MxPx about the iTunes Music store. "They like it... What's a buck... you drop a buck on a cup of coffee."
BTW their newest cd "Before Everything and After" is amazing
Get it on the itunes music storeInterview
and no I don't work for MxPx
Let me know by email if you want to see more interview with bands about the iTunes music store. stupid@vt.edu thanks

jero · Dec 8, 2003, 09:09 PM

itunes needs an indie section. like, oh say...well, just peep my sig.

york2600 · Dec 8, 2003, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mclosers
Fat Wrekchords is one of the indie punk labels out there yet is still not on iTunes. They have bands such as NoFx and others. I think that is a real travasty. People that like those types of bands love music in general. and of the people i know that like punk music 100% of them own iPods (me included). Check out what Chuck from A Simple plan has to say about hte iTunes Music Store and online downloading in general.http://www.vttv.vt.edu/stupid/chuck.mov

Wait a second. When did Simple Plan become punk? No seriously. When?

mclosers · Dec 9, 2003, 12:49 AM

I don't believe i said they were punk? Did I?
They are decent and support the iTunes music store. What else can you ask for?

http://www.vttv.vt.edu/stupid/Simply Stupid

cdreviewscom · Apr 13, 2005, 01:47 AM

HAHA, simple plan is not punk.

As for iTunes, check out http://onramp.digitalmusicworks.com as a way to get onto iTunes

Dec 8, 2003, 03:40 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	iTunes Producer and Indies - Growing Pains? According to reports, Apple finally released their "iTunes Producer" tool to independent record labels back in Mid-November. This Apple tool was released to "Indie" record labels who had signed a contract with Apple in order to allow them to encode and transmit their music to Apple for inclusion into the iTunes Music Store. Apple initially hinted at this tool during their meeting with Indie labels back in June. After some delays, the tool finally made its way into the hands of the Indie labels, but based on one report, the submission process is less-than-ideal. Reportedly, the tool allows little room for error and offers no method to correct submitted information. Beyond this, encoding and transmission of albums can take an excessive amount of time, with little feedback from Apple. As a result, there may be ongoing delays with representation of smaller indie labels on the iTunes Music Store.

Dec 8, 2003, 03:42 AM	#2
stoid macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: So long, and thanks for all the fish!	I hope this is where Apple is spending a good deal of money and resources. If Apple really wants to make iTMS stand out, they need to have excellent support for indie groups. __________________ Get Salted!

Dec 8, 2003, 03:45 AM	#3
york2600 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Antarctica & Portland, OR	Thursday/Thrice Maybe this explains the title errors with the Live from the Apple Store Thursday/Thrice album. Great album, but they screwed up the track names.

Dec 8, 2003, 06:00 AM	#4
Sabenth macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: UK	its like anything new theres gona be problems. This will get sorted out if apple really wants the indies.. __________________ http://www.icompositions.com/artists/Lapskin/ Yep i am lapskin

Dec 8, 2003, 07:16 AM	#5
MrMacMan macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: 1 Block away from NYC.	I really hope they allow Indie to be umm Independent. Let they have some freedom... Sumbit the Music then become like the Admin for your band, allow you to change around the titles of the songs and stuff. __________________ There is a little Steve in all of us! -->Folding is Fighting Against Disease and help MacRumors. Join Today!<-- Props to --> Shadowfax For Making My Avatar! IM Me On AIM Already!

Dec 8, 2003, 08:37 AM	#6
SiliconAddict macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Burnsville, Minnesota, USA	Sounds like a v1 Microsoft app. What is with Apple lately and them getting so sloppy?!!? __________________ -iPod Video 160GB -MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.33Ghz/3GB RAM/250GB -Newton 4700 (a.k.a iPaq 4700) -Dell 2405FPW 24" Widescreen

Dec 8, 2003, 09:02 AM	#7
rotorblade macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2003	Huh? "The tool allows little room for error." Isn't that the idea. "The encoding process can take an excessive amount of time." I'm not saying this new indie tool is perfect and may not have it's flaws, but I find it hard to believe that this new tool is that much more complicated than whatever has been used with the few hundred thousand songs that are available up to this point.

Dec 8, 2003, 12:37 PM	#11
mclosers macrumors member Join Date: May 2003	More indies Fat Wrekchords is one of the indie punk labels out there yet is still not on iTunes. They have bands such as NoFx and others. I think that is a real travasty. People that like those types of bands love music in general. and of the people i know that like punk music 100% of them own iPods (me included). Check out what Chuck from A Simple plan has to say about hte iTunes Music Store and online downloading in general.http://www.vttv.vt.edu/stupid/chuck.mov

Dec 8, 2003, 12:56 PM	#12
TomSmithMacEd macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fargo, ND	It sounds good, anymore music is good music. I don't care how bad some indie bands are. Some are great! __________________ Erik Myxter Erik.Myxter@sendit.nodak.edu aim: thinlayorofpole http://www.xanga.com/erikmyxter Looking for a powerbook.

Dec 8, 2003, 01:22 PM	#13
daku macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2003	Alternative to iTunes Producer When I was at CMJ this year I came across this companies booth: http://www.iodalliance.com/. From their mission statement: ODA provides comprehensive services for independent artists, record labels, and publishers in the digital music world, to: * create collective bargaining leverage to counter the advantages currently enjoyed by major labels and publishers within digital music outlets * provide first-class media encoding services and metadata management tools * aggregate and administer royalty payments and provide reporting tools for precise tracking of digital releases * promote the presence of independent music online and assist with digital retail marketing * provide one-stop shopping for digital music services to license valuable indie music No I don't work for them.

Dec 8, 2003, 04:52 PM	#14
mclosers macrumors member Join Date: May 2003	MxPx Here is an interview with MxPx about the iTunes Music store. "They like it... What's a buck... you drop a buck on a cup of coffee." BTW their newest cd "Before Everything and After" is amazing Get it on the itunes music storeInterview and no I don't work for MxPx Let me know by email if you want to see more interview with bands about the iTunes music store. stupid@vt.edu thanks

Dec 8, 2003, 09:09 PM	#15
jero macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2003	itunes needs an indie section. like, oh say...well, just peep my sig. __________________ www.asisphonics.net www.livejournal.com/users/standing8/ www.djdstyles.com ibook g4 800mhz -640mb ram -60gb drive -bluetooth -airport extreme apple bluetooth mouse

Dec 9, 2003, 12:49 AM	#17
mclosers macrumors member Join Date: May 2003	punk? I don't believe i said they were punk? Did I? They are decent and support the iTunes music store. What else can you ask for? http://www.vttv.vt.edu/stupid/Simply Stupid

Apr 13, 2005, 01:47 AM	#18
cdreviewscom macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2005	iTunes Producer HAHA, simple plan is not punk. As for iTunes, check out http://onramp.digitalmusicworks.com as a way to get onto iTunes

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