GHOST IN THE MACHINE

Is the ‘ghost writing’ service We Make Dance Music a dance music saint or sinner?

WE MAKE DANCE MUSIC is an interesting concept that seems to cover a few bases. From the initial exploration of their website it would appear that it is a souped-up sample library portal where DJs and producers can sign up and enjoy what’s on offer. But as we sift through, we start to realise there is more going on than initially meets the eye...

Let’s break it down. We Make Dance Music is a two-way service that offers producers a number of resources for making music or selling their services, albeit via the format that the website employs. Initially,anyonecangoontothesiteandtake advantage of what’s on offer. We Make Dance Music sell templates, sounds, complete projects, music and their own services. These can be everything from mastering to creating complete tracks for you — as per a ghost writer session.

The guys behind WMDM are keen to point out that the service can be educational as well, as the templates on offer give producers a way to learn and understand how a project is built up. There are also quick tutorial videos that go with this side of the service. As mentioned, there are other options that can be explored — right up to delivery of a full track. The way the nished tracks can be used is dependent on how the consumer licenses them from WMDM. This is all facilitated by the WMDM licensing system. A Regular License is used for learning, where the users can add some of their own elements — these can then be used for non-pro t media campaigns and so on.

A Commercial License allows for use in apps, videos and compilations, and comes with project les, .wav and MP3 les included. An Exclusive Full License, meanwhile, is sold only once to a single user or company/label who can then resell, license, register copyright and use the product as their own — this is where the ghost written element comes into it.
With some of the license structures, credit has to be given to the actual WMDM producer, whereas with the Full License you can register the works as your own. There is a list of uses and restrictions to each license that can be viewed on WMDM website.

The tracks, samples and templates on offer cover a

wide range of electronic dance music genres — too many to list here, but practically every popular style is covered. There are four featured producers on the site who provide the content and also their services. Mikas, one of the producers, is also the founder of the company, and has had 20 years of experience in the dance music industry. As WMDM also promotes
a community-type vibe, there are other producers who make their work and services available. As you explore the site and options, it details who exactly is behind each project. ThecompletetracktemplatescomeinLogic,Ableton, Cubase or FL Studio formats, which users can download and start using straight away in their DAW of choice. The pricing structure varies, dependent

on what you are after, with samples and templates beginning around £17, whereas full ghost-written production can be between £600 and £1400.

WMDM is a complex venture as some of the services it offers are akin to a production music company who make incidental music for lm, TV, commercial and media projects and not just for the dance oors. We Make Dance Music also allows producers to upload their own samples and projects onto the site, where anyone can then purchase these to use. The

creators are then compensated for the time, work and effort they have put into creating something. This is de nitely a plus-point — it can see your hard work recognised in a nancial capacity, and is most de nitely welcomed.

However, there is a dark side to this service. While this can be a useful resource to producers and
artists, it can also be something that is negative
to the production community, in DJ Mag Tech’s opinion. Making tracks isn’t a domain for everyone; not everyone can be an elite athlete (even if they wantedtobe),andnoteveryonecanbeasuperstar DJ/producer — that’s just the way life is. If there is a service that means, as the producer/artist, the work gets done for you, then a key point is missing. Making music is about moments, experiences, feelings, expression, captured by you the artist and relayed to the listener/music fan. If this is being done for you, then there is something being lost.

Production isn’t easy and you have to earn your stripes, learn your craft. If you use a service such as this to aid you on this path, then hats off. However, if you want to take a shortcut that sees your tracks being completely made by others, then we would question your suitability for this fantastic scene we share. wemakedancemusic.com