The Rareform Rundown: Music, Media & Sync
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Sonic Branding, Fair Pay for Musicians, and Mixing Massive Drums

Sonic Branding, Fair Pay for Musicians, and Mixing Massive Drums

Nathan Fields
February 08, 2025

The Rareform Rundown #48

Hello Friends,

Nathan here! From mixing tricks to industry shifts, this week’s blog covers a little bit of everything. I’m sharing a game-changing percussion technique I picked up from Junkie XL, diving into the power of sonic branding, and looking at a conversation sparked at the Grammys about financial and healthcare support for artists.

Whether you’re here for production insights or bigger industry discussions, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s get into it.

New projects + music we are looking for

PROJECTS

Hyped to share that our sound design is featured throughout the campaign for A Complete Unknown! Always cool to collaborate with our friends at Searchlight—huge thanks to them for making this happen!

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Discussions inspired by community questions

I got a question about percussion and some mixing techniques I use. A while back, I came across this tutorial from Junkie XL, and it completely changed how I process percussion to really cut through the mix. Thought I’d share it here—it’s been a game-changer!

Submit Your Questions

Have a topic or question you’d like me to discuss in the future?

In this blog, we’re looking at a moment from the Grammys that got the industry talking. During her acceptance speech, Chappell Roan took a moment to address something bigger—financial and healthcare support for artists. She called on record labels to pay livable wages and offer health benefits, especially for developing artists, since labels profit significantly from their talent.

Her speech sparked a broader conversation online and within the industry about how artists actually make a living. Some labels have introduced wellness programs in recent years, but the larger debate over fair pay and benefits is still ongoing.

What are your thoughts? I’m all for supporting those in the industry, but do you think something like this could realistically happen?

Chappell Roan Wins Best New Artist at Grammys, Calls Out Record Labels Over Artist Wages

Chappell Roan took home Best New Artist at the 67th Grammy Awards and used her speech to demand better wages and healthcare for musicians. The singer, known for Good Luck, Babe! and Pink Pony Club, addressed the challenges artists face and called on record labels to do more. Read more about her speech.

www.rareformaudio.com/blog/chappell-roan-grammys-speech-artist-wages

Sonic branding isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when building a brand identity, but it plays a bigger role than most realize. Sound can shape perception just as much as visuals do. Whether it’s the subtle background tones in an app, the sound design in a commercial, or a memorable sonic logo that sticks with people long after they hear it.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how sound influences brand recognition and why intentional sonic design can make a lasting impact.

Sonic Branding: How Sound Design Shapes a Brand’s Identity

Sound design is a powerful tool for shaping brand identity. From setting the tone and evoking emotions to enhancing recognition with consistent sonic cues, the right sound can elevate your brand’s presence across all platforms. Learn how intentional sound design leaves a lasting impression.

www.nathanfieldsmusic.com/blog/sound-design-shapes-brand-identity