Sonodyne presents SonoSessions ELEVATE, powered by SONGDEW– Your original music, mixed and mastered, by the best in the Industry.

Today, independent artists (singer-songwriters and bands), are creating fabulous music at home. While the musicianship is high grade, the end product is often not. This is primarily due to the need for specialisation required in the mix and mastering process. Without a high quality mix - master, the artist may not fully unlock the potential of the creation.

Sonodyne understands this and would like to partake in the artist’s musical journey to creating professional-sounding tracks.

Upload your original music. Our curators shall identify 10 tracks they feel should be “Elevated:” These songs shall then be sent to professional mixing engineers who will take their tracks to the next level in sonic quality.

CURATORS:

EHSAAN NOORANI
Composer, guitarist
Ehsaan is one third of the hugely successful trio Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy (SEL) - India’s towering presence in the field of cinematic music and composition. His musical landscape, vast knowledge of music, endless reservoir of melodic ideas, and ability to instantly create strong hooks; both vocal and on the guitar are only a sliver of his massive contribution to the musical tripod that is Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy! He has charted a course all of his own, learning from diverse experiences along the way, in his eternal quest for creative brilliance…one that he is always eager to share with budding musicians.

He says: “Learn something new everyday….there is a musical universe out there"


NAKUL KAMTE
Sync sound engineer, and technologist
Nakul has been the front runner in sync sound recording and sound design in International Cinema. Lion, The Best Marigold Hotel, Lagaan,  Rang Di Basanti, and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag are some of his noted works. Manytime Filmfare and National Award recipient, of late, he has taken on the role of Specialist- Sound technology at Netflix, where he uses decades of experience to take the OTT provider's sound production to the next immersive level. 

He says: “It’s ok to dream big. Follow your dreams and passion."


NILADRI KUMAR
Sitarist and composer
A prodigy and & 5th generation sitar player, Niladri is an unconventional and rare instrumentalist. Not only does he have a profound understanding of traditional and classical styles on the sitar, he also delivers electrifying renditions on his own instrumental innovation, the ‘Zitar'. He is a prolific performer, globetrotting with the likes of Pandit Zakir Hussain and has also lent his unique sound signature as composer.

He says: “This is a great opportunity to unlock your creativity….go for it!"


RAGHU DIXIT
Singer, composer, producer
Raghu is is the frontman for the Raghu Dixit Project, a multilingual folk music band. Often hailed as India’s biggest cultural & musical export, Raghu Dixit’s unique brand of infectious, happy music transcends age, genre, and even language. His music is strongly rooted in Indian traditions and culture and is presented with a very contemporary, global sound. His soul resonates with strong moral and ethical belief, that is often felt in his music. 

He says “Remember, being a musician itself is a trophy! What a ride! Enjoy every bit of it, especially the failures because that's where inspirations comes from. The rest is just bonus!"

MIXING & MASTERING ENGINEERS:

VIJAY BENEGAL
Sound engineer
Vijay's career as an independent Sound Engineer has spanned three decades with experience on diverse sound recording and mixing projects for radio, films, television, and music albums. Artists recorded for include Ustad Zakir Hussain, Indus Creed,  Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, and, Ram Sampath. Film recording projects have included engineering album and background scores for Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Don, Don2, Wake Up Sid, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and others. 

He says "Know your sound and record it right" 


SUNNY M.R. 
Sound engineer, composer
Sunny is a composer, Music Producer, Sound Engineer and Playback Singer. A prolific sound engineer and mentor, he has collaborated with the leading artists both in West and South india. He has received several recognitions for his arrangements and engineering including  the Global Indian Music Award, and Mirchi Music Award.

He says “Music is limitless. So let yourself sink in rather than staying afloat."


SAYAN GHOSH
Sound engineer, guitarist
Sayan Ghosh has been working full-time as an audio engineer for over a decade both in live sound and studio. A guitar player himself for the metal act What Escapes Me, he has worked with artists and projects across the world like Shakti, Karnivool, Guthrie Govan, Goethe Institute projects and Amyt Dutta. He has also worked with regional artists like Anupam Roy and Somlata Achharya Chowdhury, both of whom he tours with as the FOH.

He says "We are living in a time where technology has enabled us to record and release music with or without a band, from our homes. You are only bound by the limitations of your own mind. Use this opportunity well."

PRAMOD CHANDORKAR
Sound engineer, Educationist
Pramod has persevered in the complex world of sound engineering not only as live and recording engineer but also as an entrepreneur. While he has received critical acclaim and awards for his studio and live sound projects for the like of Sonu Nigam and Lata Mangeshkar, he is the proud owner of Soundideaz Academy that moulds young enthusiasts to becoming sound professionals. 

He says "Musicians need to look out for our fellowmen... this is an opportunity to get back to what we do best .. Make great Sounding Music. We are ready to hold your hands .. you make Music and we will make it Sound Great !!!"

1. This is an opportunity being conducted by Sonodyne Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
2. The artist accepts that the scope of the opportunity is restricted to
   a.  An independent artist based in India can submit their original music track. After a process of selection by leading music curators, the final selected tracks will be mixed and mastered by leading sound engineers and the final mastered tracks will be returned as a value added musical track to the artist for his/her further distribution
   b.  All the winning tracks will be distributed on all the streaming platforms by Songdew Free of Cost.  Songdew would also promote these releases on Songdew TV and on its social media platformt . To enable Songdew to do so , a separate agreement has to be signed between Songdew and The concerned artis. If for whatever reasons, the artist opts to distribute the track on his own or through any third party, he will be free to do so.  Sonodyne will not have any role to play in the distribution of the mastered tracks.
3. Directors and Employees of Sonodyne and Songdew are not allowed to participate in this opportunity.
4. There are no entry fees or joining fees to participate in the opportunity.
5. There are no cash prizes given to winning artists
6. This opportunity is open to all independent artists in India. Independent artist would mean any artist not having any ongoing contractual agreement with any music label/production house.
7. The terms Submitting artist refers to any individual, individuals or band which has singly or jointly created an original musical track which they would like to submit to this opportunity.
8. Artists and musicians are instructed to submit only one original creation. More than one submission by an artist will not be considered.
9. The track should be the sole intellectual property of the submitting artist. If it has been created by more than one individual then all names of the artists with ownership to the song/music should be given.
10. The same will be considered as a submission as original and with clear ownership of the submitting artist in good faith.
11. Any submission which is found infringing any copyright or IP issues will be disqualified from the opportunity.
12. Sonodyne, its directors or employees, will not be responsible for any liabilities or indemnification if in future it is found that the submission by the artist was not original or was infringing any copyright or contravention of clause of original content.
13. Any track found to be promoting religious, political, social hatred or directed towards any community, caste, creed, gender, religion or political affiliation will be disqualified.
14. The track to be submitted has to be in MP3 format. If selected for mastering, all stems have to be submitted  in .wav format by the artist and would have to confirm that they own the copy rights of the track submitted .
15. By agreeing to the song being distributed by Songdew, the artist agrees that
    a. Sonodyne will have the perpetual and uncontested right to use a 45 second clip of the final mastered track for its promotional purposes.
    b.     Sonodyne will have the perpetual and uncontested right to use the name and image/picture of the final selected artists for promotional purposes about this opportunity. 
    c. Artist will have to use the term “produced by Sonodyne” and “mastered by_____ (name of the sound engineer)” wherever distributing the mastered track on social media or on digital stores. This would hold even if the artist decides to commercially sell/ donate/ transfer the track to any other individual/ organisation or music label.
16. This is a creative endeavour and the decisions of the empanelled curators and sound engineers will be final. There is no right to challenge the basis of selection of any track. The curators are unbiased experts in the field of music and audio and their selection will be considered final
17. The last date of submission of the track is 6:00PM on 28th June, 2021. Any entries received on our platform after the said time will not be considered.
18. Sonodyne and Songdew are not responsible for any delays or loss in submission due to technological, bandwidth or any other issues on behalf of the artist.
19. Submission of the track does not create any agreement between the artist and Sonodyne to distribute the submitted or final audio track.
20. Any activity by the artist to influence the selection or mastering process or activity timelines in explicit or implicit manner will lead to disqualification of the submission by the artist.
21. A minimum of 10  tracks will be selected by the curators from the total submissions for mastering by sound engineers
22. Sonodyne reserves the right to change any terms and conditions of this opportunity at any point of time, without prior notice

Q. What are the pre-requisites?
A.     * The song must be an original creation; not a cover
        *  If selected, you must be able to send .wav files of each track
        * You must be an independent artist (i.e., not working with a label)

Q. Can we send songs, already released by us?
A. Yes, we are happy to accept them.

Q: What should we send you?
A:  Please upload your music using the link:  https://songdew.com/opportunity/sonodyne-elevate-873

Q: What should the music format be?
A: Please send only mp3 songs for consideration; if selected, you will be asked to send .wav files of individual tracks.

Q. Do my song / tracks need to be recorded in a studio?
A. The song and tracks must be of a good quality to be considered. We believe that this is very possible at home if you are using good instruments, mics, sound card and DAW. So, a professional studio recording is not a requirement.

Q. How many songs can we send?
A. Only one song per artist please
 

Q. What about song ownership?
A.  Sonodyne or anyone related to this endeavour will not expect or take any ownership in your creations. You are free to use the mix and mastered end product as you wish.

 

Q. What expectation does Sonodyne have? 
A.  Sonodyne will have the perpetual and uncontested right to use a 45 second clip of the final mastered track for its promotional purposes.
b.  Sonodyne will have the perpetual and uncontested right to use the name and image/picture of the final selected artists for promotional purposes about this opportunity.
c.  Artist will have to use the term “produced by Sonodyne” and “mastered by_____ (name of the sound engineer)” wherever distributing the mastered track on social media or on digital stores. This would hold even if the artist decides to commercially sell/ donate/ transfer the track to any other individual/ organisation or music label.

Q. What interaction shall applicants have with Curators?
A.  None

Q. What interaction shall selected applicants have with Sound Engineers?
A.  The selected tracks’ stems in .wave format shall be sent by the Artist to a specified sound engineer. The Engineer may hold discussions with the Artists as per mutual discretion as per the medium specified by the Engineer. A maximum of one revision shall be allowed (following the first mix).

Q. Are there any costs involved?
A. No, its 100% free!
 
 

Q. How will we be informed of the selection status?
A. The entries shall be officially closed on June 28. If selected, you shall be informed by email and telephone, and advised next steps. 

 

Q. Can I send covers?
A. No, only original music shall be considered

 

Q. Do songs have to have vocals?
A. No, we are happy to accept instrumental tracks also

 

Q. Do songs need to be of a specific genre?
A. No, we are happy to accept all genres