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The JG BeatsLab Protocol

The "Side Hustle" Stack This is the exact, field-tested stack we use in the Lab. We prioritize tools that offer ownership, efficiency, and scalability for the independent AI artist.

Creation & Strategy (The Engine)

Suno AI

  • The Role: Primary Music Generation Engine.

  • The Lab Logic: We choose Suno because it allows for asset ownership. In a landscape of "Walled Gardens," the ability to download your file is the single most important feature for an independent artist. We specifically use the v5 model for high-fidelity audio and leverage the "Batch Generation" workflow to identify the best "Golden Seed"

ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini

  • The Role: The "Suno Co-Pilot."

  • The Lab Logic: Even the best producers need a sounding board. We use these LLMs not to write the music, but to structure the "Style Prompts" using our proprietary tagging format. By pasting the "Co-Pilot" prompt from our guide, you turn a general chatbot into a specialized studio assistant that adheres to the "Golden Rules" of prompting.

Quality Control (The Polish)

eMastered

  • The Role: AI Mastering Service.

  • The Lab Logic: We skip the distributor's up-sells . eMastered provides a consistent, stream-ready polish that balances loudness and EQ without the ongoing per-track fees often hidden in distribution packages. It allows us to attain professional loudness standards instantly, which is critical for competing on Spotify playlist

Tunebat

  • The Role: The "Audio Analyst."

  • The Lab Logic: Data management is what separates a hobbyist from a professional. We use Tunebat's free analyzer to instantly capture the Key and BPM of every track before release. This data is mandatory for your "Producer's Logbook" and crucial for future remixing, sync licensing, or DJ integration

The "Startup" Engine (Distribution & Finance)

DistroKid

  • The Role: Digital Distributor ("The Digital Trucking Company").

  • The Lab Logic: Scalability is key. Our model relies on frequent, consistent releases (e.g., every 3-4 weeks). DistroKid's "Unlimited Uploads" subscription model is the only cost-effective way to sustain this velocity.

  • Critical Setting: We explicitly recommend the "Social Media Pack" add-on to automate monetization on YouTube and TikTok, turning social shares into a passive revenue stream.

The Royalty Trifecta

  • The Role: Comprehensive Income Collection.

  • The Lab Logic: DistroKid does not collect everything. To ensure you aren't leaving money on the table, you must register with the three "Gatekeepers" of monetization:

    • ASCAP / BMI: For Performance Royalties (Radio, Venues).

    • The MLC: For Mechanical Royalties (US Streaming interactive).

    • SoundExchange: For Digital Performance Royalties (Satellite/Internet Radio).

Section 2: The Extended Lab

Specialized Tools & Alternatives While the "Protocol" above is our daily driver, a true R&D Lab explores every option. These are the additional tools we use for specific workflows like visual branding, video creation, and advanced audio experimentation.

Visuals & Branding (The "Art Dept")

Midjourney / Ideogram / DALL-E

  • The Role: AI Image Generators.

  • The Lab Logic: Your music is only half the story. We use these tools to execute the "Visual Identity" chapter of the playbook, generating consistent artist personas, album art, and social media assets that match the specific "Vibe Keywords" defined in your Artist Identity Worksheet.

Canva

  • The Role: Graphic Design & Layout.

  • The Lab Logic: Essential for typography and layout. We use this to overlay the fonts and logos defined in your Brand Kit onto your AI-generated artwork, ensuring every release looks professional on Spotify and Apple Music.

Video Promotion (The "Camera Crew")

Adobe Express / Microsoft Clipchamp

  • The Role: Short-Form Video Creation.

  • The Lab Logic: In the streaming age, you are competing for eyes, not just ears. We use these template-driven tools to rapidly create the "Teaser Videos" (15-60 seconds) required for TikTok and Reels. They are perfect for turning your static cover art into engaging audio visualizers without needing complex video editing skills.

Advanced Audio & R&D

Udio

  • The Role: Alternative Music Generator.

  • The Lab Logic: A high-quality alternative to Suno for specific sonic textures. Critical Warning: We treat Udio with caution due to the "Walled Garden" risk. Always check their current Terms of Service regarding audio downloads before building a long-term artist project on this platform.

Lalal.ai / Fadr

  • The Role: Stem Separation.

  • The Lab Logic: For the advanced producer. These tools allow you to split a flattened AI track into separate stems (Vocals, Drums, Bass). This unlocks the ability to remix your own work or import individual elements into a traditional DAW for manual mixing.

Reaper / GarageBand

  • The Role: Traditional DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations).

  • The Lab Logic: When you are ready to graduate from AI-only mastering. We recommend these for "The Audio Analyst" who wants to manually edit arrangements or layer human instruments on top of AI generations.

Research & Legal

Public Domain Information Project (pdinfo.com)

  • The Role: Copyright Research.

  • The Lab Logic: The foundation of the "Cover Artist" workflow. We use this database to verify that a song is truly in the Public Domain before using AI to reimagine it. This ensures your "cover" is legally safe to monetize.

Asset Valuation (The Exit Strategy)

Royalty Exchange / SongVest

  • The Role: Music Catalog Marketplaces.

  • The Lab Logic: The long-term goal of the Side Hustle is to build an asset. These platforms are where you can eventually sell your income-generating catalog to investors, proving that your digital files have tangible financial value.

Section 3: The Growth Engine

Marketing, Storefronts & Sales Making the music is only 50% of the job. These are the tools we use to execute the "Promotion Engine" and manage the business side of the Lab.

Your Digital Storefronts (The "Retail Space")

Spotify for Artists / Apple Music for Artists

  • The Role: Analytics & Profile Management.

  • The Lab Logic: These aren't just for checking stats; they are your mission control. We use these dashboards to pitch to editorial playlists, update your "Artist Pick," and analyze your "Streams-per-Listener" ratio—the key metric for measuring true fan engagement.

Hypeddit

  • The Role: Pre-Save Campaigns & Fan Gates.

  • The Lab Logic: Don't just drop a song; launch it. We use Hypeddit to build "Pre-Save" campaigns that capture fan emails before release day. This creates the "Day 1 Spike" that wakes up the streaming algorithms.

The Promotion Machine (Driving Traffic)

SubmitHub

  • The Role: Playlist Pitching Marketplace.

  • The Lab Logic: The most efficient way to get your music heard by real curators. Instead of cold-emailing, we use SubmitHub to filter for specific genres (like "Lofi" or "Synthwave") and get guaranteed feedback from playlist owners.

Mailchimp

  • The Role: Email Marketing (The "Owned Audience").

  • The Lab Logic: Social media is "rented land." We use Mailchimp (specifically the free tier for starters) to build an email list. This is your most valuable asset, allowing you to contact fans directly without worrying about algorithm changes.

Monetization (Beyond Streaming)

Pond5 / AudioJungle

  • The Role: Sync Licensing Libraries.

  • The Lab Logic: This is where the "boring" corporate tracks pay off. We upload our functional, mood-based AI tracks here to be licensed for TV, YouTube videos, and commercials—creating a completely separate income stream from Spotify royalties.