A person can develop his musical skills endlessly. Probably, there cannot be a peak of development, although many singers and musicians consider themselves almost the best performers in history. Fans idolize them, and the media intrudes into their lives in every possible way, fueling interest in these personalities. What kind of equipment do global bands currently use? What is the secret of the unusual and high-quality sound of past generations? Let's look at the most expensive and most magnificent instruments played by the legends of world music!
"Koshansky" - Stradivarius violin.
There is a very mysterious story associated with this violin. Russian virtuoso Koshansky pre-revolutionary years was one of the best violinists in the world. All European critics gave the highest marks to the performing skills of this Russian violinist. Nicholas II himself applauded the musician and asked him to play for him personally. It was Nikolai who gave the famous violin to Koshansky.
Koshansky spent the years of the revolution abroad. After his death, the violin constantly disappeared somewhere, passed from one hand to another. The instrument was stolen several times and even the armored case could not save it from the last theft, so valuable was this heritage. Subsequently, the violin was stolen along with the car where it was stored, and nothing has been heard from it since then.
"Lady Blunt" - Stradivarius violin.
Antonio Stradivari's violins are considered the best and highest quality in the world. This model was created in 1721, and the price of this instrument is currently almost 10 million dollars. Stradivari's instruments still break all records for value even after his death. In 2011, the Tarisio auction house sold the instrument for a gigantic sum of $16 million. The proceeds from the sale were donated to charity. There was a stir around the sale of this instrument, and there were a lot of stories shrouded in mystery. For many years the violin belonged to Lady Anne Blunt, and subsequently many famous collectors owned it. 
Eric Clapton's electric guitar.
The legendary guitarist in the 50s of the 20th century created a magnificent instrument that stood out for its unique sound quality. Three Fender Stratocaster guitars were used to create this luxurious model. It was due to Eric's development that the Fender Stratocaster became very popular among others famous musicians. Eric's guitar was sold in 2005 for $2.6 million. In addition to Eric's autograph, the guitar bears the signatures of Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger and other world stars. 
Benny Goodman's clarinet.
There are only a few performers on the level of Benny Goodman. This great master playing the clarinet, which no one can compare with modern musician. The "King of Swing" dropped out of school to pursue music. Goodman died in 1986. Over the years of his career, Benny had a lot of similar instruments. The clarinet, sold at auction at the beginning of the 21st century, cost $25,000 and is considered the most expensive instrument that Ben owned. 
Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet.
The jazz trumpet virtuoso is considered one of the founders of the bebop style. Dizzy lived to be 75 years old and replaced huge amount tool. In 1995, the Gilespie pipe was sold for $55,000. This tool is special. Fate decreed that during the accident the instrument was deformed in an unusual way. Thanks to this, the trumpet acquired a special sound, which became iconic both for the musician himself and for his listeners. Another “weapon” of the musician was sold in 2005. The sale amount was about 30 thousand dollars. Gillespie's instrument will always remain iconic, even for modern society. 
Bass guitar "Flora Aurum".
This guitar is the brainchild of renowned guitar maker Jens Ritter. The musical instruments of the German master are valued all over the world and represent a premium class on the market. The original design is what his guitars are loved for. Standard guitar Jensa costs from 4000 thousand to 17 thousand dollars. “Flora Aurum”, created by the master in 2007, was bought by an unknown person for 250 thousand dollars. "Flora" was trimmed with gold, platinum and diamonds. The main material was mammoth tusk. The main cost was not only due to expensive materials, but the main thing was the master’s vision for the construction of the guitar and the quality of the handmade work. 
Drums by Keith John Moon.
One of the cult drummers on the planet, Keith John Moon, aroused admiration for his playing style and the highest quality of the most complex parts that he performed. This genius' drum kit was sold for $140,000. The auction was held in 2004 by the most interesting fact What happened in this situation was that at the beginning of the bidding the installation was valued at 15 thousand. 
Source: owro.ru
Thanks to eBay, we have the opportunity to experience the joy of online auctions. eBay was created by Pierre Omidyar in 1995 in California, and now has offices in 30 countries. Today, eBay offers Buy-It-Now shopping, online event ticketing, and more. There is probably not a single American who can say that they have never bought anything on eBay or simply looked at this site, but what is even more interesting is how much money people are willing to spend on purchases on this site. From priceless artifacts to one-of-a-kind memorabilia, eBay sells the most extraordinary items for crazy prices. Here are the top 10 most expensive items ever sold on eBay.
10. EBay for Charity: Lunch with Warren Buffett – $3,300,100
Warren Buffett is the third-richest man in the world, so the chance to chat with this legendary business magnate over lunch is probably worth the price. The 88-year-old billionaire partnered with eBay to raise money for charitable foundation Glide, which donates funds to the poor, people struggling with drug addiction, or the homeless. An auction is something very near and dear to the successful investor's heart; Buffett's annual goal for charitable causes is $20 million. “The Glide Fund really helps people who have hit rock bottom get back on track,” Buffett said.9. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Baseball Bat – $577,610
Joseph Jackson was a Major League Baseball outfielder who excelled on the field, but his 12-year career was cut short. Jackson was rumored to be involved in the Black Sox scandal, in which members of the Chicago White Sox deliberately lost the 1919 World Series Championship. Although Jackson and the other participants were acquitted, they received a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball. Jackson's baseball bat was sold on eBay for $577,610 to Rob Mitchell, owner of a marketing company. 8. Original HOLLYWOOD sign – $450,400
In 1923, the world-famous HOLLYWOOD sign was installed in Los Angeles, California. However, the first character had the addition LAND at the end. The sign was made to help develop local real estate, but due to the attention it received, the sign was abandoned. In 1949, the sign was reconstructed and the last four letters were removed. Dan Bliss, the sign's former owner, sold it on eBay for $450,400. Bliss bought the sign from Hank Berger, a nightclub promoter, who in turn bought the sign from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce after it was taken down. 7. Mike Trout 2009 Baseball Pin – $400,000
Mike Trout is a professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels. Trout was an eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star and won the American League Most Valuable Player Award in 2014 and 2016. He was nicknamed the "Millville Meteor", received much praise in the press, and is considered one of the most outstanding players in baseball history. The pin initially sold on eBay for $500,000, but the price then dropped to $400,000. Dave Oancea bought it for this money. 6. "Life" by Ian Asher - $309,292
Who knew that with one click of a button someone could get new life and leave all your worries behind. One man is living proof that eBay is changing lives for the better. After his divorce from his wife, Ian Usher hit rock bottom, but he decided to give up his property and follow his dreams. In 2008, he put his life “for sale” on eBay for $309,292, and was able to escape his home and travel the world. 5. The first collection of Captain America comics from 1941 - $175,200
For decades, Captain America has been one of the most beloved superheroes by fans. Before his character was portrayed by the charming actor Chris Evans, Cap fans could only see him in animated films. television shows and comics. The very first comic book featuring Captain America was published in 1941. Of course, it can be considered a priceless artifact, so when it sold on eBay for $175,200, it didn't come as much of a surprise. 4. Ford Mercury Hot Rod from the movie "Grease" - $180,100
In 1978, the musical romantic comedy Grease was released, and for many years everyone was humming the song from this film. The film that started acting career John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, is also one of the highest-grossing musical films. The iconic Ford Mercury Hot Rod from the film was auctioned on eBay in 2014 for $180,000. It was reportedly purchased by a huge Grease fan. 3. Nintendo World Championship Video Game Series – $99,902
The Nintendo World Championship video game series was created in 1990 and was a nationwide video game competition. The winners of the tournament were awarded 90 rare video game cassettes. In 2014, after an auction that attracted over 300 bids, a lucky bidder was able to purchase this unique series for $99,902. The seller currently holds the record for the most expensive sale video games of all time. 2. Olive Green Hermes Birkin Bag – $79,000
There is not a single fashionista who would not dream of a Birkin bag. The leather bag, which was named after actress Jane Birkin, is a symbol of wealth due to the fact that it costs crazy amounts of money and is often seen in the hands of celebrities. Prices for a Birkin bag can range from $11,000 to $300,000, depending on the leather or fabric used to make it. It's no surprise that this bag became the most expensive bag sold on eBay. Olive Hermes Birkin, Porosus Crocodile, sold for $79,000. 1. Michael Jackson's Crystal Glove – $19,000
The incredibly talented legendary pop singer Michael Jackson has tragically passed away at the age of 50. This performer was known for his unique dance moves, incredible hits and a style that fans imitate to this day. One of his signature features was the crystal glove that he wore on his left hand. This unique, stunning glove first appeared in 1983 at the famous ceremony dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Motown Records, where Jackson also demonstrated the moonwalk for the first time. The glove sold on eBay for $19,000. I’ll take my laptop and connect a flash drive ($37 thousand) to it, then put it in a case worth $11 million. I’ll talk on my iPhone ($8 million) and play Angry Birds on an iPad worth $8.1 million. What’s wrong? After all best friends gadgets are diamonds!
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1. Laptop case – $11 million
The world's most expensive laptop case, Diamond Laptop Sleeve, from the Dutch company CoverBee, is hand-decorated with 8,800 rare diamonds from different parts of the planet. The cover is trimmed with natural black sable fur from Siberia - the designers claim that they used only the fur of animals that died of natural causes. Diamonds are attached to the skin, and the fur located with inside cover will reliably protect the laptop and warm it at sub-zero temperatures. The diamond case took two years to create.
2. iPad 2 with T. rex bone – $8.1 million
The design of the world's most expensive laptop, the iPad 2 with a gold casing, was developed by British jeweler Stuart Hughes, who specializes in premium gadget design. To decorate the tablet, 2 kg of gold (24 carats) and 750 grams of ammolite, the oldest precious stone of organic origin, were used. The design of the iPad 2 uses fragments of Tyrannosaurus rex bone weighing a total of 57 grams. The Apple logo is made of 53 diamonds. A large diamond weighing 8.5 carats is inserted into the center of the home button. The designer gadget is offered to customers in only two copies.
3. Diamond iPhone 4 – $8 million
The world's most expensive phone - iPhone 4 with 32 GB memory - was also designed by Stuart Hughes. The phone case is encrusted with 500 diamonds weighing about 100 carats. The phone's navigation is made of platinum, and the main button in the center is a solid 7.4-carat pink diamond. The back cover of the phone is made of rose gold and the Apple logo is decorated with 53 diamonds. An individual box made of granite is provided for the smartphone. This iPhone was created in only two copies by order of an unknown Australian rich man.
4. Organic Harmony speaker system – $6.95 million
The world's most expensive Hi-End speaker system Organic Harmony was created by Shape Audio in a limited edition. Precious and noble metals were used as the main materials for its manufacture, thanks to which, according to the developers, it was possible to achieve the highest sound quality of the acoustics and combine the qualitative and aesthetic characteristics of the device. The system was developed with the active participation of Shape Audio President Luciano Pasquarelli and is a five-way active speaker system. Organic Harmony has an almost omnidirectional polar pattern and is available in three versions - with a case plated in 18-karat gold (priced at $6.95 million), 925 silver ($416,000) and bronze ($87,400). The system includes a Class D amplifier with an output power of 1000 W, equipped with a stereo analog input and digital inputs DSP, S/PDIF, USB and Ethernet.
5. Supreme Rose TV - $2.3 million Stuart Hughes again took part in the development of the world's most expensive TV - the 55-inch PrestigeHD Supreme Rose Edition - with the support of Metz and PrestigeHD. The model was released in only three copies. The frame of the TV is made of 28 kg of rose gold and is decorated with 72 round one-carat diamonds, as well as inlaid with amber and amethysts. The back of the TV is trimmed with crocodile leather.
6. Beats by Dre headphones – $1 million
The most expensive headphones in the world were created by Beats By Dre in collaboration with Graff Diamonds, one of the most famous and innovative gem dealers in the world. Set with 114 carats of diamonds, these headphones were created especially for the American football Super Bowl final, which traditionally features halftime performances music stars, and these headphones were worn by LMFAO's SkyBlue during their show with Madonna. According to the manufacturer, these are high-definition wireless headphones, so comfortable that you feel the music, not the headphones. The velvet ear pads are covered with ultra-soft, breathable material to prevent your ears from sweating.
7. Nintendo Wii Supreme - $481,250
The British also created the most expensive game console in the world, covering the standard Nintendo Wii console with two and a half kilograms of 22-karat gold. In addition, the front console buttons are decorated with 78 diamonds weighing 19.5 carats. It took the designer six months to produce this luxurious device: only four months less than the previous work of the master, the diamond iPhone 4, took. In total, only three similar consoles were released.
8. Gold RC1 Remote Control – $55,000
Created by Danish manufacturer Lantic Systems, the Gold RC1 universal remote control boasts a glamorous design and the ability to control almost any electronic device in the home - TV, video and DVD players, stereo, internet, email, home alarm, lights, curtains and curtains, air conditioning, CCTV and navigation system. The solid gold remote was first introduced in 2007 at METS in Amsterdam and has nearly doubled in price since then.
9. Flash drive Magic Mushrooms – from $16,500 to $36,900
Swiss jewelry company La Maison Shawish has turned an ordinary flash drive into a luxury item by launching a line of the world's most expensive USB flash drives, Magic Mushrooms, made in the shape of mushrooms encrusted with diamonds. The maximum data size of such flash drives is 32 GB. Depending on the precious stones used, the cost of the device varies from $16,500 to $36,900. The cheapest pink “mushroom” is covered with 11.34 carats of pink sapphires and white diamonds, the middle version, which costs $24,400, is made in red and decorated rubies of 11.34 carats, and the most expensive flash drive is decorated with emeralds of 9.18 carats, giving the product a green color. According to the designers, the appearance of flash drives should take us back to childhood and be associated with the fairy tale “Alice in Wonderland.”
10. The world's most expensive hard drive
The world's most expensive hard drive was developed by the French radioactive waste management agency ANDRA for the government. It is made of artificially grown sapphire and platinum. The sapphire hard drive, which consists of two twenty-centimeter thin fused disks, is expected to last one million years, so you don't have to worry about losing important data. The disk is capable of storing up to forty thousand miniaturized pages printed using platinum micropatterns. This data can only be read using a microscope.
11. Diamond Mouse – $25,700
The Pat Says Now Diamond Computer Mouse is a standard three-button USB optical mouse with a 300 dpi sensor resolution. The mouse is made of 18 carat white gold and framed with 59 diamonds. In addition, the mouse can be personalized with your name in diamonds. There are two designs - Diamond Flower and Scattered Diamond - and a choice of yellow, red and white gold. The top cover and buttons of the “Diamond Flower” are made of 18-carat white gold. Gold gets its color from an alloy with palladium, a precious metal similar to platinum. The amount of palladium in the alloy is 13%.
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Every modern music lover undoubtedly has high-quality headphones or a headset that allows them to get maximum pleasure from their favorite music. The choice of listening devices is very wide. But not everyone knows how much the most expensive headphones cost, and yet their price can sometimes reach unimaginable values.
The cost of headphones is influenced by the following factors:
- material of manufacture;
- the use of precious stones and metals in external design;
- circulation of issued copies of a particular model;
- functional features;
- additional functions;
- brand.
Headphones are a progressive device, which technical specialists and designers are constantly working to improve. Moreover, by their nature, they must be integrated and used in combination with other devices. Therefore, from time to time certain updates are released that can greatly influence both the very principle of headphone production and their price.
Grado PS1000e, 130 thousand rubles.
Grado PS1000e is one of the representatives of expensive headphones, the price of which is due to the excellent quality of the technical part. Despite the high cost, this model has become very popular in the world. The cable is designed specifically for this model, it consists of 12 conductors of ultra-pure long-crystalline copper, and the advanced design of diaphragms and voice coils provides high volume and transparency of sound.
Grado PS1000e have good characteristics
Shure KSE1500, 163 thousand rubles.
Shure KSE1500 is a representative of exclusive in-ear models. The headphones are equipped with electric emitters. It was the use of emitters and a separate amplifier that had such an impact on the cost, which is very high for their class.
The KSE1500 has amplifiers that deliver impressive results
Ultrasone Edition 10, 163 thousand rubles.
Utrasone Edition 10 are headphones made in a classic style, which gives them charm. The perfect combination of technology and luxury will not leave anyone indifferent. High sound quality was achieved using 40 mm drivers, as well as using Ultra Low Emission technology and the S-Logic Plus surround sound system.
The price matches the sound quality
HiFiMan HE1000 V2, 170 thousand rubles.
HiFiMan HE1000 V2 have a body made of wood and metal, and are also stylized as antique headphones. The unique design makes them very attractive, and the well-executed technical part will delight every user. HE-1000 is full of various proprietary findings: a nanometer-thick membrane, a special asymmetric magnetic system, a driver open on both sides - all this gives excellent sound.
The price is relatively reasonable compared to competitors
Stax SR-009, 196 thousand rubles.
Electrostatic headphones Stax SR-009, unlike many other examples, do not have a super unusual design and expensive elements. Therefore, their cost can only be explained by the new technologies used in development and production. An ultra-thin film made from the latest high-molecular polymer is used as a membrane.
Stax SR-009 provide high-quality sound
Final Audio Design Sonorous X, 229 thousand rubles.
Final Audio Design Sonorous X is another example of expensive headphones. They stand out for their distinctive conservative design. Stainless chrome steel and aluminum are used in production, which gives them an extravagant look. The model is equipped with a dynamic driver, thanks to which it develops increased sound pressure with synchronous resistance, this allows you to get rid of discomfort even when listening at high volumes.
Final Audio Design Sonorous X does not cause any negative effects on hearing
Audeze LCD-4, 268 thousand rubles.
Similar in appearance to the previous model are the Audeze LCD-4. They have a very original design. When developing these headphones, Double Fluxor magnetic planar technologies and ultra-thin Uniforce membranes were used, which made it possible to provide very good quality sound, but at the same time increase their cost.
Audeze LCD-4 have a rare look
oBravo EAMT-1s, 298 thousand rubles.
It's worth mentioning the very expensive oBravo EAMT-1s in-ear headphones, which cost £3,500. They have Hybrid Dynamic AMT drivers, which are the first to be used in these types of headphones. This upgrade allows you to achieve high quality sound, which cannot but please the owners of the exclusive gadget.
oBravo EAMT-1s are overpriced for their class
IDiamond ear, 420 thousand rubles.
The original IDiamond ear stereo headset, designed by Norwegian jeweler Thomas Heyerdahl. It is worth mentioning that there are only 100 copies of these headphones, which, accordingly, affects their cost. These headphones are encrusted with 204 small diamonds, which is the main reason for the high price.
Each diamond weighs 1.65 carats
V-Moda Crossfade M-100, 2.6 million rubles.
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 with 3D printed “shields” made of platinum, silver and gold have a very original design and at the same time high-quality technical part, which allows you to get maximum pleasure from listening to music. The strange thing is that despite their price, these headphones cannot boast of having cutting-edge technical features, but nevertheless they sound great.
There are cheaper analogues with steel and aluminum inserts
Sennheiser HE1060/HEV1060 Orpheus, RUB 3.6 million.
The price of the Sennheiser HE1060/HEV1060 Orpheus is due to its exceptional characteristics. The acceptable distortion level is only 0.01% at 1 kHz at 100 dB. In addition, the headphones are electrostatic; instead of the usual membrane, which is set into oscillation by electromagnetic pulses, these headphones use a very thin and elastic film, which is fixed between two electrodes. They are accompanied by a special high-frequency amplifier, which maximizes the full potential of the headphones. The difficulty of making this item limits the number of copies produced in one year. So, on average, it takes about 400 hours to produce one set. This aspect affects their cost.
Such headphones will be able to please even the most demanding music connoisseur, because the sound quality in them is excellent.
Onkyo H900M, 5.8 million rubles.
The price of the Onkyo H900M is primarily due to the inlaid diamonds weighing 20 carats, and instead of the usual logo, a ring of red rubies was placed on the right bowl. It was the decorative elements that provided them with a high price.
The cost was influenced not only by the design, but also by the sound quality
Focal Utopia by Tournaire, 7.9 million rubles.
A more pretentious and at the same time more expensive example is the Focal Utopia by Tournaire. This model has an original design: decorated with 18-karat gold and diamonds, weighing a total of 6.5 carats. So, in addition to the mind-blowing sound, these headphones can also surprise visually.
Cost influenced by design
Beats By Dre and Graff Diamond, RUB 65.4 million.
The most expensive headphones in the world are Beats By Dre and Graff Diamonds. Only one copy was released. The product is encrusted with diamonds weighing 114 carats, which gives them unsurpassed luxury and creates a breathtaking price. By the way, these headphones were first seen on the neck of the lead singer of the group LMFAO when he performed with Madonna.
There is a legend that if you listen to rock in these headphones, you can hear the classics
Pros and cons of expensive headphones
Among the advantages of the most expensive headphones are the following factors:
- exclusivity, which will allow you to stand out from the crowd;
- incredible sound quality, which is achieved by using latest technologies during development;
- pleasure of use, which is achieved thanks to the previous two points;
- excellent quality allowing for many years enjoy the perfect performance of the product, which is an important factor.
Despite the above advantages, they also have disadvantages:
- high cost, which not everyone can afford;
- servicing expensive headphones. If any problems arise, you will not be able to take them to the nearest service center, and this may cause a number of minor problems.
They talk about the most expensive headphones in this video:
The choice in the segment of expensive headphones is quite large. But the extraordinary cost of these products can create problems during their operation. However, cases of breakdowns of such accessories are extremely rare, this is one of the reasons why expensive headphones will always attract buyers. It’s very nice to know that when you buy expensive headphones, you are not just buying something, but an exclusive product that will delight you for many years.
If you don’t know, the artist and producer Bahh Tee started a cool telegram channel in which he talks interestingly about the modern music business. Here we know what advances are and why they are so easily given to artists. Now he wrote great material about the work of beatmakers in Russia, and how best to monetize this work.
What is the difference between a beatmaker and a producer/sound producer:
A beatmaker, as follows from the etymology of the word, writes beats. Rappers call beats the instrumental blanks on which they compose songs. In other words, these are ready-made arrangements that only lack a vocal track. After writing, they sell or rent the beat and forget about it.
Producers are responsible for producing the song itself. It is more important for them to frame the work, which may not even have been written by them, in the correct sound. The sound producer works on the song together with the performers and authors, thinking through not only the sound of the beat, but the sound of the song as a whole: he tells the artist how to sing correctly, helps in editing the lyrics of the song, and can offer his own options for developing the composition.
In short: a beatmaker works on the beat, and a sound producer works on the song.
Potential sources of income for a beatmaker:
Selling beats
Turnkey production of songs in conjunction with the authors
Writing custom music
Leasing (rental) bits
Royalties for adjacent
Alternative sources of income (master classes, DJing, etc.)
How it works in the West:
When writing a beat, the beatmaker acquires copyright (he writes, at a minimum, harmony and, in some places, melody). In addition, Western beatmakers are, after all, more sound producers. When a beatmaker writes a beat, he often comes up with some kind of flow, a presentation with which the artist can record vocals, which is why Western beatmakers often work in the studio with the artist. Consequently, they automatically have related rights. The beatmaker/sound producer does not alienate the rights to the performer/label, but transfers to them a license for his share or entrusts the collection of his copyright/related share to his label/publisher.
“There” the authors understand that it is better to receive small money over a long period of time than tangible money here and now. They are working to expand the catalog of their rights, because even if each written beat earns them a modest $100 per month, then in five years they will collect $6,000, and 30 such beats will already earn $3,000 per month or $180,000 for five years.
How it works for us:
Our beatmakers are trying to sell their work here and now for money that is tangible to them. There is no talk of any royalties. Average cost bat on the market - 10,000 rubles. If you sell at a higher price, they will buy from someone else, because the competition is fierce, and there are not many solvent artists. At the same time, it’s funny, but solvent in our country are the artists who do not yet earn money from music, but have some other sources of money. When an artist takes off and becomes popular, he stops paying for beats. And the point here is not the greed of the artist, but the fact that his mailing addresses are overflowing with beats that beatmakers are ready to adjust “for respect” and “a mention in the VKontakte public.” Beatmakers do this for a portfolio so that they can later sell their work to young artists who carefully monitor whose beats their more successful colleagues record.
Another option is to rent/leasing bits. I believe that this is generally big problem, and for releasing labels it’s a headache, but beginning artists willingly rent beats, because it costs several times less than buying them. Thus, a beatmaker can rent out the same beat to several artists, earning more money than for sale. For example, the songs Markul & Oxxxymiron "Fata Morgana" and Dramma & Lesha Svik "Rico" are recorded on the same beat. Moreover, all 4 artists have a certain fame, their hits and concert stories.
Why is it different here than in the West:
- We have beatmakers, they have sound producers
When a beatmaker sells just a beat, he doesn’t know what song will come out in the end, because further fate the bit does not depend on him. The artist will write lyrics and come up with hooks without the participation of a beatmaker, and you can’t predict what he’ll come up with. It all depends on the artist. It is very unlikely that the track will shoot. It is much clearer to a sound producer that a song will become a hit, because he works on the process of creating a song until the end, taking part in all stages, right down to mixing and mastering. Having heard a hit, the producer begins to fight for his rights (sounds funny, but it’s true), and the artist, knowing that a hit is a very fragile substance, is afraid to change anything in the resulting song, and gives the share to the sound producer.
- I don’t have my own face
Our beatmakers are still copying. I will even say this: they copy so professionally that anyone can be instructed to “write the same beat as in this song” and he will most likely succeed. This is a problem. Let me explain: if an artist likes a beat, but the beatmaker doesn’t want to sell it, but wants a share in sales, then it’s easier for the artist to instruct any other beatmaker to write the same beat and pay him 10,000 rubles. This is business, guys, you can understand the artist. But if a beatmaker has his own style, he is cool in something as cool as only he can be, then it’s a different story.
Let's listen to the main hits of 2017-2018 and try to distinguish the beatmakers who wrote them by their sound: “Medusa” by Matranga, “Smoke” by Lyosha Svik, “Rose Wine” by Eldzhey and Feduk. With all due respect to the beatmakers who wrote the beats for these songs, it was not the instrumentals that made them hits, but the hooks of the performers. The first was beatmaker Empaldo ( great guy, by the way), who wrote the beat for “Pink Wine”, and then hysteria began with a straight kick drum and the rest of the beatmakers began to copy each other. And of course, the price for such copied bits is 10,000 rubles.
- Lack of a culture of paying royalties to beatmakers/sound producers
Simply put, in our country, it’s trite, no one has yet started doing this so that others will be convinced that it’s cool and want to do the same.
- Narrow focus of beatmakers
More often than not, they make beats in a certain style and get stuck into it. A sound producer must be able to make a song in any direction and must have a wide range of skills. A sound producer must “be in touch” not only with genre music, but with mainstream music in general. He must understand what makes a hit, what is currently working, must understand post-production, mixing and mastering, must be able to record live instruments. Unfortunately, our beatmakers don’t always even distinguish keys. If you study music, spend a month of time, educate yourself, learn the basics of solfeggio. Unfortunately, most of the beatmakers I met didn't know how to read music.
- Poor positioning of oneself, inability to sell oneself
I want to know who I work with, who I buy a beat from, who I invite to the studio. Right now I spent five minutes on the public and personal page of beatmaker 4EU3, but I still couldn’t find any information about which songs he had a hand in. There are tons of beats for sale and information about beats sold, but I want to know the customers - this information is not provided. How do I know who his clients are, what hits and cool songs he had a hand in? At the same time, Chase is one of the coolest beatmakers in the country and an iconic personality. The opposite example is the beatmaker Scady. By going to his public page you can immediately find out who he worked with and what songs he participated in.
More or less good sound producers make songs from 100,000 rubles, while beatmakers, on average, receive 10,000. Why do they cost more? Because they make the song turnkey. They create the arrangement, record, mix, master, edit vocals, and help with singing. As a result, a beatmaker spends on average up to one day on a beat, and a sound producer a week. That's the difference in price. At the same time, the importance of sound producers working in the direction of pop music is much higher than that of beat makers. They earn, of course, less than artists, but they also drive good foreign cars and buy apartments. I think that these people are, at this point, much closer to starting to demand royalties from artists than beatmakers, and, in their cases, it is more justified. An artist comes to their studio and records a song with them - the sound producer immediately has related rights to the phonogram, which he can sell or monetize himself.
What should I do?
The solution to the problem depends on many factors. As long as musical fast food is relevant in the country and house rap is working with a direct kick drum, little can be changed. The musical part of these songs does not carry any cultural or creative value, remaining just an accompaniment. These songs change on radio stations, while the broadcasts themselves remain, as it were, unchanged. But this will soon pass. And then everything will depend on the beatmakers themselves. Transformation into sound producers is what can help you. If you have chosen writing music as the main direction of your activity, then you need to constantly educate yourself, improve yourself as much as possible as an arranger, sound producer and songwriter. Artists should come to your studios and work with you, not buy beats from you. Related rights consist of performing rights (50%) and rights to a phonogram (50%). The rights to the phonogram belong to the one in whose studio the phonogram was created, or to the one who created it, or to the one who paid for it all. Accordingly, if artists create their tracks in your studios, record and mix them, then 50% of the related rights will remain with you (if you do not take money). It sounds like science fiction, but this is the future. It’s up to everyone to continue writing beats for 10,000 rubles or start building your own catalog of rights, which in a couple of years will earn you good money. Believe me, rap artists now earn no less than pop artists, and they are willing to pay, but it would be worth it. Today the reality is that a rap song is made by a performer and a hook, and a pop song is made by a sound producer (we are talking about the domestic market). That's why rap producers earn much less than pop producers.
Another solution is to create turnkey songs in conjunction with the authors. This is when a beatmaker and an author (poet/composer) together compose a finished song, record demo vocals and invite the artist to perform this song. It is a rare artist who will refuse the opportunity to add a percussion hit to his repertoire, especially since he is invited to everything that is ready.