Music Xray Good candidate but regretfully it doesn't make the final cut this is what they all say after they take you money beware xray a&r 's are a scam. don't fall for these fake major label so called worker Internet

I HAVE BEEN USING MUSIC XARY .COM SINCE 2013 , I HAVE HAD GARNERED 3 X VH1 SONG WRITING AWARDS OFF THE SITE, NOT SURE IF THEY ARE LIGITAMATE, HOWEVER I DO FIND IT ODD THAT MOST OF THE REPILES ARE "GOOD CANDIDATE BUT DOESNT MAKE THEN FINAL CUT " ! THIS SEEMS THE STANDARD REPLY FROM THE SYSTEM, ONE WOULD IMAGINE THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE A DETAILED REPLY WITH COMMENTS FROM THE MIPS OR THE RICIPIENTS SO ONE CAN UNDERTSAND OR LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES.THIS NEVER HAPPENS, SO WHAT DO YOU GET FOR $10-25 BUCKS A SUBMISSION , BASICALLY NOTHING, & I FIND THIS POOR CONSIDERING THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONALS LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC , SO HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO LEARN FROM ANYTHING WITHOUT ANY ANY FEEDBACK.!

THIS IS A VERY STRANGE SITUATION.

ONLY PAST 2 WEEKS I SUBMITTED TO TOMMY BOY RECORDS & A COMPANY CALLED TABLE TOP RECORDS . 

THE LISTINGS WAS REASONALBLY CHEAP SO I SENT IN MY NEW SONG THAT HAD RECEIVED 4 STARS FROM 5 OFF THE X RAY DIAGNOSIS CHARTS & HAD RECEIVED A US RADIO GO AHEAD WITH THE AVALA DSF REP QUOTING WHAT A GREAT VOICE!

UPON MY REPLIES FROM BOTH THE 2 MIPS TOMMY BOY SAID THE SONG DOES NOT FIT THE RECORD LABEL ITS TOO DOW BEAT FOR THEM , HOWEVER THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED IN THE ADVERT OR LISTINGS THEY ASK " SEEKING POP ALL GENRES" SO I WAS SUPRISED TO HIS STATEMENT UPON EMAILING THE COMPANY ASKING WHY THIS WAS NEVER  SPOKEN ABOUT IN THE ADVERT HE THEN CLAIMED THAT MY VOCALS WERE STRONG ENOUGH BLA BLA & THE PRODUCTION WAS NOT BUSY ENOUGH.THIS IS RUBBISH & I HAD SUBMITTED MY CONVERSTAIONS TO THE X RAY TEAM , ALONG WIT THE AVALA QUOTE & MY 4 STAR RATING, THEY NEVER REPLIED.

TABLE TOP RECORDS REPLIED SAYING THAT THE SONG WAS NOT ALTERNATIVE ENOUGH FOR THEM & I WAS OFF KEY AT 204 INTO THE SONG, & OTHER PARTS, THIS IS ALSO RUBBISH , AS I CLEARED THE SONG AFTER IT WAS PROFESSIONALLY MIXED BY MY B A DEGREE MUSIC HOLDER.I HAD GATHERED MY EVEIDENCE AGAIN & SENT TO THE X RAY TEAM , WITH CONVERSTAIONS DIRECTLY FROM THE COMPANY, ONCE AGAIN NO REPLY.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS VERY DISALOUTIONING TO THE SUBMITTER.

I WILL NO LONGER SEND ANY MATERIAL IN FROM THIS YEAR.

JAY A WHYMAN 

Hi -

This was filed as a separate report, but I thought I'd include it here since we seem kindred on this issue of Music Xray's predatory ways.  This was written to Support and received no substantial response; I was also recently informed that the General Feedback section was discarded 3 years ago. Go figure.

I really don't mean to belabor this point, but this Selection Prediction thing is ambiguous in its mandate that it claims to be 90% accurate at claiming, for instance, that a song rated as being 70% better than others submitted (and has "compelling attributes, so keep on submitting"), has a 10% chance of being selected; this stat coming after encouraging people to submit the song at least 20 times. Doing the math here, let's just say it costs $15 per Opportunity x 20 = $300, which is basically, at your urging, being thrown against the wall given the Selection Prediction software's claims of 90% accuracy. It feels like a slap in the face, after encouraging people to continue submitting, to then roll out this new software.  And then to present the disclaimer stating that there are no guarantees this is a true indicator of anything (since it's essentially software-driven, non-specific statistics) and that this is based upon a "best practices submission strategy", about which you're pitching a book, smells of being another predatory business model with bells and whistles and, of course, disclaimers - that it's up to us artists, ultimately, how we conduct our business.  After all, as you say, if we feel our songs are great and you urge us to keep submitting by patronizingly showing rejection letters of the Beatles, all of these heralded predictive statistics seem beside the point, frankly.  Given there's talent, it's a lottery, plain and simple, and all the generic feedback that says, "Good submission, but not what we need at this time.  Will keep in our files for future consideration", is patronizing and perpetuating false hope.  If someone isn't responding personally to your music, it's likely it ain't going to happen.  No statistics needed for that factoid.  I can't tell you how many 3 stars across the board ratings I have received that feel like so many un-nuanced form letters (ratings?).  By the way, are these ratings used against me if other Opportunities check on my ratings/statistics?   And despite these 3 star ratings, I have heard from probably a half dozen Opportunities, receiving HOLDS or being Selected with no ultimate result.   Yeah, it's all we've got in terms of access at this point - apart from expensive music expos and contests and it's still cheaper than hiring a lawyer - I get it.

All of this ranting, from an artist's POV, can be both summed up and justified by this gem of Music Xray hypocrisy and bad faith:

"We hope no one makes more submissions than necessary to achieve their goals on the site while at the same time we hope no one gives up too soon when success might be just around the corner."

Oh well. . .

By the way, as I can't seem to find any platform for this sentiment, where I can post this as a not so grateful and praising member?
Perhaps it will motivate others to chime in with their POV's.  

Yes , ill vouch for you , i have spent way over a 1000 AUD on fake listings , always reciving the same reply GOOD CANDIDATE 

DOESNT MAKE THE FINAL CUT . so i ask myself who are these FINAL cut people ? & if im agood canddate why wouldnt they ask me to do some develpment and come back at them or receive a conatct of some sought.

No one has also ever left any comments like how to improve or develop in the tracks ? which i think is strsnge like they send a standard reply ..one would expect a a 2 or 3 sentences on your submisions rejection...so we can lear from it.

I met 2 or 3 people posing from X Ray A n R saying they work for Island def jam , when i googled the companies board his name wasnt even on the published list.

Then i met about 5 Atlantic records executives saying they are all A&R for the company.I mean come on we all know theres only 1 person who calls the shots not 5 all claimig the same title.

I won 3 awards from a ligit contest . songoftheyear.com usa ..however had no one reply saying oh good Jay , thats will help you with the submissions ..ect

Thi only other feedback i have had , is the chorus comes in too late ..or its not broadcast good enough.

If anyone like the tarck , they can make adjustmnts at their end.

I was also chosen from a company back in 2013 with 3 tracks..after i never heard from anyone after 3 weeks i called and sent emails as to what was happening , then they cutt me off the listing.I mean WHAT ! does tha make anysense ?

The owner of the muisc is asking about his own music ...? then they do that ?

Jay Whyman

Yep Mike you got a legit company there! I got accespted,, Yay!

Can't wait for my return investment!  "Wait, hold on there, we can't do buisness like that. We have to make some changes."said one of your clients. Emails go back and forth, then nothing? But hey I still get an email from Music xray saying "We just reminded an industry professional that they have your music on hold"

  Your kidding right? Seriously? The guy won't respond to my emails why would he have it on hold?

I am not going to explain what he meant by we can't do buisness like that. But it was not very professional on his part.

So yea it's legit and also a ripoff!

Ps I googled Music "xray music ripoff" and I come to this site. So tell me Jeff how did you come to this site? Did you google the same or did Mike CEO send you here?

Hi, I have started my own report but wanted to add to this one as I believe it will help :)

Listen up people! I'm a musician who has been dealing with Music X-Ray for a year or so now and I'd like to bring something rather interesting to this table, the table being; that 'Music X-Ray' are, con artists.

So, let's lay out all our cards on the table shall we? I think I may just have the ace of spades ;)

At present I am seeking legal advice and support. I have been in correspondence with Music X-Ray and Mike McCready the CEO which has now seemed to abruptly come to an end. Therefore, I am pursuing the matter further and have decided to file a report here firstly.  Im looking for other Music X-Ray artists (or insiders) who may have some proofs to lay on this table. The proofs I have are recordings of my transcripts via email between myself and Music X-Ray, cached versions of fraudulent adverts on the site, print screen shots of a slip up message that Music X-Ray recently did (in my favour) which proves that they are allowing fraudsters to use the names of big labels! Whoops! Amongst one or two other print screens of other matters pertaining to fraudulent and deceptive activity.

They instantly took down the advert, but I have it stored, cached and Google will allow the content to be released in legal proceedings. I say that because Music X-Ray will probably request removal of the cache of this particular url for the deceptive ad they fraudulently allowed ;)

There are more proofs that I have uncovered regarding the fraudulent and deceptive workings of this company but I would be writing a long time and want to get on with the rest of the OP. The above list is simply the best of what I have, for the moment.

On searching and scouring the Internet recently for Music X-Ray issues with artists etc.. I came across this site and a few others. I'll be looking forward to hearing if anyone is interested in getting on board with this one so I'm looking for other artist's stories, whether they can be proven or not and I am looking for legal advice also.

Due to the nature of this situation and the present timing of this post, I am unable for security and legal reasons to reveal my proofs here for all to see. However, that may change once I have received a number of responses from certain people, companies and authorities and depending on their answers to me regarding my situation.

I look forward to any responses to my report but please keep things simple and to the point as I may have a lot to read through and record on file for my possible ensuing legal case. This legal case if it happens is to get justice done for atrists who have been conned out of the little money they already have by a company who wilfully allows false and fraudulent 'music industry professionals' on their site on a regular basis. Music X-Ray then take a commission out of this scams. It is my belief that Music X-Ray are in fact in collusion with a number of low key and bogus people (sometimes even anonymous) who claim to be industry professionals that can get you and your music in front of the people that matter. Which makes basically lures you in to spend your money and keep spending, and spending while not only the wallet is getting messed about with, but also the heart and mind.

Mike McCready always has an answer to these scam accusations but if you research the success stories that he illustrates to people, they are not what I would call success stories. All you have to do is a little digging to find that out.

My name is available for display and in my own report.

Best regards, peace and unity! (without greed & corruption)

MusicXray does a great job at taking your money.  After spending hundreds of dollars to get placed in 'tv and movies', I've been selected once.  Once selected, this guy wants me to sign the rights over to my song for three years then tells me he cannot guarantee my song will be placed.  Does that make any sense? No.  Especially if I had to pay you $29 for consideration.

Another flaw in MusicXray is the fact that most of these 'A&R's are just there to take your money.  You pay someone $20, $30 so they can give you one of those genereic responses as to why your track wasn't selected.  Furthermore, when it isn't selected, the 'music supervisor' can give you a short 10 word phrase as to why your music didn't get selected.  It would make more sense if MusicXray gave a minimum as to how much you can write in a review if the song is not selected.

Now this area in particular just goes to show MusicXray is looking out for these con artists instead of the people putting the little they have left to try and make something of their life.  This is what's wrong with America today.  These people's ethics are way outta whack and they need to focus on helping the ones putting their blood, sweat, and tears into the music and in exchange we will bring them more clients and more revenue.  Until MusicXray's people realize we, the artists, are their greatest assets, I cannot recommend anyone who is out to take money like everyone else in the industry.

The only thing they are good for is the radio submissions, and your music still has to be on point though.

hi

This is aimed at the owner of music xray, it concerns me to think that for a fee, a company will listen to every submission sent to them. let us face it, there are. a lot of so called artists out there who really think they have a shot because of companies like yours. but in reality they have no chance because their music is terrible  and they have no talent but do not realise it. it is like the idiots on xfactor who embarress themselves in front of a live audience, but at least they only get to do it once, where i believe a company like yours would continue to encourage these hacks to keep submitting. secondly how do you have credability with the publishers and record companies etc if you allow sub standard material like this and why would they ever want to  listen? would it not be a good idea to have an additional filter system when accepting sumissions? you could charge $1.00 per song and hire just regular music fans to vet the submissions for a small fee, and if any songs get past the first selection process you could notify the artist that the song passed the first test and at this point the artist has to pay the remainding fee to submit it to the producer or record company etc etc. ok its not perfect but if a song really sucks, the average music fan would know, afterall, these are the music buying public. 

I agree with the typification of Music XRay as more of a lottery than a legit song-placement platform.  Even the tactics they use are akin to what casinos do to get gamblers hooked...I receive periodic e-mails offering "free" submissions..however what they do is CREDIT your account after you make a purchase of another submission...(I guess you could justify it by calling it a two-fer offer).  I think their hope is that you will get addicted to the rush of submitting your material and keep submitting endlessly...but either way, they get your money.

The standard model for the music industry is if there is an opportunity and an agency gets you a placement, then they take a commission.  This paying upfront for a "chance" to be heard is exactly that...a chance.  In the business world, they have "headhunters" who get paid a commission once the person is places in a job.  There is NO reason that music should work any differently. 

Music XRay argues that you are paying to be heard by professionals and deemed qualified or not...I can't think of ANY other job where you go for an interview and wind up having to pay the interviewer to consider hiring you.  That would be ABSURD, right??   Well, in essence that is what Music XRAY (and similar companies...Taxi, Sonicbids etc) are doing. 

There shouldn't be a fee for going after your dream, especially while some rip off artist is living off yours.

I tried out that site you said demoexxpress.com. Im at the same spot your in I got accepted and everything. But I just wanted to know if you got anything back yet and how long did it take?

MARCUS.

So just recently I had some extra money, and I decided to truely test the waters Mike. I spent over ($10$20,$30,$40) for a submission. I took my time and really created a great song or a definite contender for a artist and in my next post I will provide you with a Url link to prove to you, I'm not blowing smoke. I submitted the same song to DEMOEXXPRESS.com. I Spent $25.00 only, I have already recieved an email saying my song was accepted and sent to the (Innerscope, Jive, Columbia, Alantic, Universal) A & R staff and I should recive a conformation from them very shortly. Nothing from Musicxray- all I have is a paypal acct# receipt.

I cant even look at my submission that I sent just to reassure myself that I sent it, the song probably will get rejected anyway:) does not matter this person does not work for any of those labels so really..It doesn't matter. So I will soon let you judge the quality of my music so you can decide for your self give you a shot at being Berry Gordy, everyone loves a shot at being Berry Gordy. In the meanwile, Mike I suggest, you make a  requirement that the industry people earning money MUST have at minimum, ONE success story a year in order to stay accepting any money. I still don't even feel that's right but, it's a start. I'll be back soon...as my old friends the temptations say....GET READY... Oh great point Brian! That's a break down.

Before proceeding any further, let's define 'ripoff'.

rip-off

n. Slang

1. A product or service that is overpriced or of poor quality.
2. Something, such as a film or story, that is clearly imitative of or based on something else.
3. A theft.
4. An act of exploitation.

Not only does the definition apply to 'theft' (as in stealing something from you), it is also defined as exploitation. A company that rips someone off is someone who takes your money and provides you with nothing in return. Now, let's apply this definition to Music X-Ray. Music X-Ray 'allows' you to 'enter' a musical work to an 'opportunity' of which will be chosen a very small fraction entered based on random criteria. If your song is not accepted, you get nothing out of the deal. Not only have you given your music to some random company and an 'industry person' that you now have no idea how it may be used, you've also given them plain hard cash in return for a 'chance' for your work to be 'heard' or 'accepted'. The word 'chance' being the key word here.

Chance is usually a word that applies to gambling establishments such as a Casino, Lottery or Sweepstakes as in, 'enter for a chance to win'. Music X-Ray clearly uses 'chance' to its own favor in its business model. In other words, many will enter, few will win (and Music X-Ray collects the proceeds for its own purposes). Let's understand this more. Music X-Ray opens up an 'opportunity' that might say something like 'Britney Spears is looking for upbeat tracks'. So, you as an artist go and write a song that fits the criteria. You then pay the $15 submission fee and 'enter' your work to the 'opportunity'.

Let's look at this a bit closer. The advertisement 'entices' unknown artists to enter for a 'chance'. If you've made it in the industry, you don't need to enter here. So, these opportunities clearly only matter to artists looking to 'make it'. Many of these artists are looking for any way (i.e., desperate) to get their music heard.  However, taking chances is clearly gambling which is a form of exploitation.  That is, Music X-Ray is exploiting the fact that many artists are desperate to be heard, so the artists are willing to pay this fee in 'hopes' that their music will be chosen.

On the back end, some random 'industry' (ahem) professional pulls a random entry from all of the entries and selects it as the winner (or not). Oh, it can be argued that the judges are providing a judging service, but not if no one gets any feedback.  Also, judging as a service is questionable anyway.  After watching X-Factor, American Idol and other such shows, we know that personal tastes come into play in the 'selection process'. Even the judges themselves can be divided on the talent standing right before them. The reality is, the selection is all random pull based entirely on random criteria and random tastes. In effect, it's no better than someone pulling blindly from a hat. Regardless of how the music has been selected, the entire entry process smacks of a lottery.  Let's define 'lottery':

lot·ter·y

n. pl. lot·ter·ies

1. A contest in which tokens are distributed or sold, the winning token or tokens being secretly predetermined or ultimately selected in a random drawing.
2. A selection made by lot from a number of applicants or competitors: The state uses a lottery to assign spaces in the campground.
3. An activity or event regarded as having an outcome depending on fate: They considered combat duty a lottery.

Now, again, let's apply this to Music X-Ray. Due to the way the entry process is designed, random numbers of people pay a certain sum of money to enter works to the opportunity.  Each work being your token.  If your song is selected, your token has 'won'.  Because chance is involved and because you have paid for your 'token', this is technically considered a lottery. I won't get into the legalities of lotteries because that's for each state to define. Suffice it to say that lotteries are illegal in most U.S. states.

The way the opportunities (i.e., lotteries) are structured are, therefore, both exploitative and theft (for those who do not win and get nothing in return and no feedback). That is, artists are exploited because people who structure these 'opportunities' know that many artists are desperate for any way to get exposure and won't understand that this is a lottery (at least not until they've lost, which is too late). Additionally, these 'opportunities' make you think that real industry executives 'sanctioned' the opportunity on the site. In fact, there is no proof of that at all. You're just taking the word of the site like Music X-Ray to be truthful and honest. Yet, they've given you nothing to prove that trust (i.e., real testimonials from real bands thanking Music X-Ray for finding their next hit track, proof of tracks actually having been placed or other real testimonials that are credible and can be proven).

What I'm saying is that for a company that's trying to prove itself as legitimate, it's using highly questionable money making practices to prove that point. There are plenty of ways that Music X-Ray and other 'submission' sites can help artists make it and connect them with industry professionals with real valuable services.  But, the money for submission method is not the way to do it. For example, if you paid $15 a month and got 3 submissions a month along with a web site, a way to host your music, a way to establish yourself on the site and promotion vehicles, then that's a service that's worth the money.  On the other hand, having artists simply giving money away on a 'chance' to 'win' is not a service. It's a lottery, plain and simple. 

Let's understand what's really going on here. Artists are exploited because people who structure these 'lotteries' know that most new artists are desperate for any way to get exposure and won't understand that it is a lottery (at least not until they've lost). So, when you lose, you get limited or no feedback. Note that providing something of value in return for your money is not a ripoff. However, entering a lottery, not winning and then getting nothing in return for your money is the absolute definition of the word rip-off.

To correct a few things . . .

Believe it or not; I'm not disgruntled.  I didn't expect much, ... and that's what I got -- not much.  As an old-timer, I was curious about Music Xray because your business model is based upon a concept that has always been considered unethical in the music business -- charging the aspiring for access to what may or may not be an opportunity.  I wondered if anybody thought Music Xray was a ripoff, so I googled "Music Xray" along with "ripoff" and found this site.  I would never have initiated this thread, but only responded because the first vociferous defense overlooked the obvious profiteering problem. Sdot's experience provides evidence that the problem does indeed exist; it looks like some opportunity providers are "accepting" submissions -- perhaps to satisfy your anti-profiteering guidelines -- with no real reward.

Regarding some of your analogies; I've never seen a job opportunity with an application fee attached. Yes, there are application fees for schools, but schools are also required to make very specific disclosure reports about application and acceptance details, and schools have been in trouble in the past for fudging them (typically inflating average SATs of applicants.) The fact that you never answered my question, and that you're resistant to true transparency makes me think that disclosure would not shed a very positive light on Music Xray.  On the other hand, it seems clear that you've at least thought deeply about these issues and have struggled with them yourself.

This is probably my very last . . . last post!

Jack & Sdot,

Perhaps I should have started by saying I do hear where you're coming from.  I do understand how and why the process of placing songs and/or getting a deal is frustrating. I don't think Music Xray is perfect. There is a lot of room for improvement. We're a team who wakes up every day with nothing else on our minds other than how can we improve Music Xray and the overall music business in general. That's all we do.

In order to do that, we have to think about things each day from the perspective of the artists. But, it's not the artists' job to think about things from our perspective and how one might go about building a site and service like ours. That's ok. We shouldn't expect that. But if someone is going to go lambaste us on Ripoff Report, I think they should have really thought things through from the perspective of the other party. What are Music Xray's alternatives? How can Music Xray keep the industry professionals engaged while still providing a fair, level playing field for musicians? It's a tough balancing act and there's a reason no one has perfected it yet.

But to your point, when you go to apply for a job, you don't know how many people are applying. Even when you have to pay application fees to get into a school (for example), you don't know if you'll be accepted or who you are competing against. Knowing that information isn't even helpful because as Jeff said, on Music Xray, if none of the songs that get submitted are useful none will be chosen no matter how few or how many are submitted. It's not a lottery or a game of chance where a certain number of songs are drawn from a hat. If your music is great, your chances are pretty good.  If it's not, perhaps that's part of what you learn through the process. I can tell you that when we started this business, our investors wanted us to fail fast if failure is inevitable anyway. The faster (and the cheaper) we fail, the quicker we can learn, make adjustments and try again. Businesses are always looking for ways to fail fast. I realize that's counter-intuitive but when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Musicians should do the same if the goal is to make money. Fail fast. Learn. Make adjustments and try again. Repeat until you succeed.

I see artists spending years and a lot of money trying to get the feedback they can get from Music Xray quickly and cheaply. Learning that your music isn't competitive enough yet to get the deals you're seeking might not be welcome information. But, it's the information you were seeking. People don't give credit to (or blame) the pregnancy test. If the test works properly, it did its job. I honestly don't know how to predict with greater accuracy someone's chances of getting a deal in the music industry than to submit the music and find out directly from the horse's mouth. One, two, or ten rejections might not be a high enough sample size to draw a conclusion but at some point you have to draw a conclusion about the music.

I do not know if we've landed people in the top of the charts. Probably not yet. I know we've had a part in major label signings with big advances. I know we've helped get a lot of music into major motion pictures and TV shows. I know we've had major artists record songs that were selected on Music Xray. I don't know how much artists are making from all the deals that are done via the site because we don't take a cut of those deals so we don't need to track them.

The only thing we get paid for is getting your music to the ears of those you target. That's it. That's all we say we do. We believe that a more efficient or cheaper way to do it doesn't exist. We do our best to weed out the posers, the scammers, the people who might be in it for the submission fees.... We take complaints against specific professionals seriously and follow up every complaint we get in that regard. Occasionally, we've had to kick a professional off the site. When that has happened, we've refunded every artist who ever submitted a song to them.

In the end, all we have to stand upon is our reputation. We strive to provide excellent customer service. We encourage community policing of any bad apples. We put in a lot of effort and we do our best. The thing I've learned from this experience is that our best efforts aren't yet good enough to insure disgruntled users don't go write about us on Ripoff Report.

Ironically, we're in a bit of the same boat.

Let me back up a bit, because I haven't been as clear as I could have been and my first response to you was a bit knee-jerk.  My original "profit-center" quote was intended to be about those providing opportunities, not Music Xray itself.  From their perspective, "Hey, the music business sucks right now, but we're able to make money providing opportunities to aspiring songwriters, whether there's really an opportunity or not."  THAT would be a rip-off.  If providing opportunities is a _profit center_ (as opposed to filling a real business need) then that becomes a conflict of interest and a ripoff.  I noticed after posting that opinion that your company claims to try to prevent unfair profiting in this way, which is why I published your rebuttal link myself.  (Look up the thread.  I didn't have to do that.)

You claim that the "site is completely transparent", but that's not really true, and I think that if it were true that it would go a long way to ease people's fears about being taken advantage of.  For instance, when there is an opportunity, why not publish how many people submitted entries to the opportunity?  As a songwriter, am I competing with 5, 50, 500, . . . 50,000?  And how many "winners" were there, and what sort of royalty did they receive?  Every opportunity should be completely transparent; that way songwriters have a history that can help determine whether an opportunity is worth submitting to.  It isn't enough to publish success stories.  Hey, at a carnival, somebody might be walking around with the big stuffed animal; that doesn't mean the game isn't rigged.


You say it's hard to take me seriously.  I think it will help the success of your business if you take this concern seriously.


regards,


Jack

 Jack.... I'm with you..... Wow. ???   

"If you aren't successful on it (while so many others are), you can't blame us.  These folks seem pretty happy: http://www.musicxray.com/success-stories and so do" 

Also I love this one  "If a deal is in the cards for you, you'll get one. If not.. Please Please post this exact wording on your website next to those big name opportunity's.

Decision makers??? That's big talk, can you back that up?? Give me one placement that has landed with
any of the 200 artist on billboard.......And again, I was accepted more than once and......nothing... 
but three email addresses who never responded to me even to this day. I also sent a song to get accepted for a BET Music Matters Tour..... My song got accepted and nothing....... (light wind,grass blowing) 

I'm sorry I don't see one success story with a relevant name like some of the big artists I see in the Opportunity's or on billboard top 100. Sorry and yes we are writing on Rip-off because people need to know EVEN the talented (as you say- 1% of us ) should know.

Bottom line is, you hit it Jack, Music Xray is taking advantage of aspiring musicians, by charging them for their aspirations. We see the big names and we as song writers get excited and we'll spend even though most of these people on the other side may be looking for a way in themselves. HERE IS A THOUGHT: I think the site would be better if you take the big name opportunity's off. Then new songwriters and artist  can pay to have their music judged if thats what they want. As for me THAT IS the LAST thing I would ever want- If the Opp: says Trey Songz, it needs to go to Trey's A & R, Manager or Trey. Some of these people are producers????? ah ...wow can't wait to see that split..... me 2% -them %92..... Not only that these people who had a hit years ago are only trying to get back in good grace with labels they have NO pull on getting a song placed what so ever.
- Paying to have a song judged is risky because you are assuming that that person knows what they are talking about, and 9 times out of 10, your better off finding a real DJ........ at least they hear everything all types of music.....  but some momo sitting at home trying to make a quick buck- if they have time to judge you, that means they are not working at all.....get it. I got a song place, money was involved but only in paying for a well versed singer to demo my song- Yes, music (songwriting) can cost but Ladies and Gents don't go this route. People are making hits on Fruity Loops. Please.... and no one knows whats gonna hit. Again Hip-hop/R&B/POP producers!!! go to Istandard producers. They have some serious A & R's checking stuff out- yes a one time fee but man.... they got movement. There is another site where the A&R views your music live online- and it's an  A&R who really works for a Jive,Def Jam etc... not a production company.

Jack, I want to thank you for a song idea. "I've got bills to pay; I can't keep throwing my money away." is a great idea for a song. Lots of songs talk about this subject but I do not know of one that uses those two lines in the way you did. Do you have any other ideas for songs? A book I have has a story in it about co-writing. This one story has done so much for my songwriting.

In short, the co-writing room is a "NO" free zone. Their is no such thing as something you say "NO" to because you think it is dumb or not helpful. It is part of the process. I say something dumb, you say something dumber that triggers something in me then you ... until we have a great idea or line or verse or chorus. If you are lucky you end up with something great. You are lucky simply because you have something on paper that may help later.

Back to Music Xray
I do not work for Music Xray. I am a user that uses their service and knows it is valuable to me and the other artist I have brought to the site. I am much more blunt than Mike is because it is not my company and I do not care what you think about me. I do care about people spreading misinformation about any organization I like and support.

What service does Music Xray offer the musical artist (whatever form)? Simply to get their music heard by music industry people you choose. That is it, period, end of service. What service(s) does each person on the site offer? That varies by person. If you do not like their service do not use it, Music Xray's or the people' on it. You make this choice many times every single day.

If you do not like Micky D's do not eat there. If you do eat there they are not suddenly a ripoff because you think their product sucks. Their product is food and their service is to give it to you when you pay them for it. Music Xray is no different than any other business, be sure you are comfortable with the terms and consider whether the deal makes sense for you.

If you just so happen to live in a city full of music people that deal with your type of music go walk into the office of your choice and ask to simply be heard. You will not get past the secretary. What did that just cost you? Gas, time and maybe parking money at the vary least. Is that worth $20 of your money to be thrown out of the office without a listen?

If you are not lucky enough to live in that place what do you pay? Airfare, hotel, food, rental car, gas and a lot more of your time at a minimum. Is it worth $300-$700 of your time to be tossed out without even a listen?

I do not live in Nashville and have traveled there before. It is not cheap for me. I can spend $15 and I get into the offices of the very people I dream of getting to see. Do I always get great feedback, no. Have I received invaluable feedback from some, heck yes! They were not even feedback submissions.

I learned that I made it into the room that picks songs. They may not even pick a song if none are good enough for them. I learned why my song made it there AND why it was not choosen. I cannot put a price on that. They loved my writing style, form, structure and idea, even the hook but the hook was not commercial enough in the "single" market that is country music right now.

What have I done with that information? I stopped a scheduled demo for a new song I love. It would have been $700-$900 of wasted money! I have spent my time getting feedback on my song, tweaking my chorus and making other little changes that make sense to me. My song is so much stronger because of it and I thought it was strong enough before.

I'll share my secret to being selected for some paying opportunities and getting helpful feedback when it is not even a feedback submission. I use the message box to start a conversation. I introduce myself, let them know a little about me AND ask specific questions that I think they can answer and show I am serious about my music career.

Best of luck to you. I hope succeed however you choose to try and advance your career.

Did you?

And by the way, it certainly used to be considered unethical to take money from artists to "hear" their music.  I used to buy those annual Songwriter Market books, and they all said that: "Never pay money to have your music heard."  I guess times have changed.

Jack,

There are two types of musicians on Music Xray. Those who get deals and those who don't (or haven't yet). The ONLY variables are the music and the submission strategy. Both variables are controlled by the artists. The site is completely transparent.

Music Xray has enabled you to reach the ears of far more industry professionals than you ever would have reached for the same amount of money. Try reaching the same number of industry professionals in the real world for less money. Be sure to count the cost of your meals and your rent while you get it done. Be sure to count the cost of not doing the other things you might want to be doing with your life while you're getting it done. Music Xray has already saved you a ton of time and money. For $100 you have learned that you can't sell your music for less than you're willing to pay to get it done. On the other hand, if your music can't earn more than it costs you to sell it you don't have much of a business. That's not Music Xray's fault. We got you to the table with the decision makers and you're on Ripoff Report blasting us for it?

Every company with a product spends as much or more money selling their products as they do making them. Your music is no different. If your music and your submission strategy (or a combination of both) isn't up to snuff you'll simply be out-competed for the deals.

Music Xray levels the playing field. If you aren't successful on it (while so many others are), you can't blame us.  These folks seem pretty happy: http://www.musicxray.com/success-stories and so do these: http://blog.musicxray.com/musician-endorsements-music-xray/

Jack,

There are two types of musicians on Music Xray. Those who get deals and those who don't (or haven't yet). The ONLY variables are the music and the submission strategy. Both variables are controlled by the artists. The site is completely transparent.

Music Xray has enabled you to reach the ears of far more industry professionals than you ever would have reached for the same amount of money. Try reaching the same number of industry professionals in the real world for less money. Be sure to count the cost of your meals and your rent while you get it done. Be sure to count the cost of not doing the other things you might want to be doing with your life while you're getting it done. Music Xray has already saved you a ton of time and money. For $100 you have learned that you can't sell your music for less than you're willing to pay to get it done. On the other hand, if your music can't earn more than it costs you to sell it you don't have much of a business. That's not Music Xray's fault. We got you to the table with the decision makers and you're on Ripoff Report blasting us for it?

Every company with a product spends as much or more money selling their products as they do making them. Your music is no different. If your music and your submission strategy (or a combination of both) isn't up to snuff you'll simply be out-competed for the deals.

Music Xray levels the playing field. If you aren't successful on it (while so many others are), you can't blame us.  These folks seem pretty happy: http://www.musicxray.com/success-stories and so do these: http://blog.musicxray.com/musician-endorsements-music-xray/

"So in your opinion companies that make a profit are ripping off their customers? It's hard to give that opinion serious consideration."

So in your opinion, there's no such thing as a ripoff?  When "customers" pay money and get nothing in return, . . . yes, I call that a ripoff.

Quick analysis.  I see no advertising on the site, so the entire business operation is being supported by fees paid by aspiring musicians.  The providers of opportunities get paid.  Listeners (fans) get paid (10 cents per song, minimum 30 second listen).  Music Xray gets paid.  Every employee of Music Xray gets paid.  So that's a lot of people getting paid on the backs of aspiring singer/songwriter/musicians.

HOW MUCH DO MUSICIANS GET PAID BACK, Mr McCready?  How many cents do the winners get paid back for every dollar that musicians spend on your site?  I'm curious.  I'm guessing pennies.  (You may not even know yourself.)

I've continued to submit at your site (with eyes open.)  I've spent maybe $90 or $100 in total and received next to nothing in return.  My songs have received decent grades in diagnostics.  The site tells me "similar songs were selected after 14 selections."  So the message?  Just spend a few hundred more dollars; you still may end up with squat, but that glittery, shining reward is hanging out there for you!  d**n.  I've got bills to pay; I can't keep throwing my money away.

The climate for musicians is as bad as it's ever been, in my opinion.  All of my musician friends are struggling.  And the listed opportunities are indeed very enticing!  But it sucks, quite frankly.  That should be obvious to anybody.

Profit center, then ripoff?

So in your opinion companies that make a profit are ripping off their customers? It's hard to give that opinion serious consideration.

I'm the Co-founder & CEO of Music Xray.

Musicians pay Music Xray to guarantee their music is heard and responded to by the industry professionals listed on the site. What happens after that is probably what would have happened if you had gotten the music that far yourself. If a deal is in the cards for you, you'll get one. If not, it would have cost you a lot more in terms of both time and money to find the opportunity, network your way in, get someone to listen, follow up, get a response, etc.

As for whether real professionals are on the site, there are numerous success stories every day. There's a link to them right at the top of the Music Xray site.

When people misunderstand what Music Xray is and what we do, I direct them here: http://blog.musicxray.com/songwriters-musicians-pay-music-xray/

I'm the Co-founder & CEO of Music Xray.

Musicians pay Music Xray to guarantee their music is heard and responded to by the industry professionals listed on the site. What happens after that is probably what would have happened if you had gotten the music that far yourself. If a deal is in the cards for you, you'll get one. If not, it would have cost you a lot more in terms of both time and money to find the opportunity, network your way in, get someone to listen, follow up, get a response, etc.

As for whether real professionals are on the site, there are numerous success stories every day. There's a link to them right at the top of the Music Xray site.

When people misunderstand what Music Xray is and what we do, I direct them here: http://blog.musicxray.com/songwriters-musicians-pay-music-xray/

I was,  a member of Music Xray, with 70% percent of my submissions were accepted. I heard nothing
from any of the executives  who accepted my work. I maybe got an email address in which none of them ever responded back to me. I wrote in to Music Xray.... and the CEO or an employee wrote back to me, said that I should give them more time (note: It's now been two years)  Then they had thee audacity to tell me I should be happy that I was accepted, not many get accepted. The CEO sounded just like (Music Xray is Legit) They are very good with defending their company online.....After that I got smart and quit them. So let's get started:

Success Stories. I've seen lots of big names; Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, J-LO, Pit bull, Cira, Brandy, Drake Justin Bieber etc..... NO one has gotten any placements with any of them and can you imagine how
many submissions there are for them. Fact is, I finally got a song placed and it was because I had a friend
who knew a friend. And now that I'm in the Loop- I'm here to tell you NO ONE who has the pull to get a song placed (with a big name) is on here taking money. I'm willing say- go  http://istandardproducers.com/ ........way more

legit- I mean they even have music conferences where you meet the A&R's.  One time fee- GREAT SUCCESS STORIES DIDDY- USHER ETC.......

As far as people's music not being good enough.....BS. IT'S WHO YOU KNOW. Now days there are Krewshawn-Gangem style....... Have you heard Beyonce's new single?? Bow Down?? If I sent that in, that S**T I know would get kick back to me. SO PRODUCERS STAY ENCOURAGED YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
This music Xray response is real robotic, 99%........phaha!!  fact is no one knows whats really good, know that your sending your music to third rate middle people who don't even know themselves what Drake is truly looking for in his heart, get it.... Don't do this.... " the bar is high"OMG....WOW this is so so so sad, how they are making so much money off starving artist. Watch out most of these responses will come from Music Xray staff- who say they are clients..... they speak so perfect, we are not buying it. Youtube your stuff!!! you may be sitting on something that some third rate person was having a bad day. The worst thing that can ever happen to you or music is for someone wack to say your music is wack. 

BTW...There are many aspects at work in the original report. If you do not use Music Xray you may not see them...... sounds like a Comercial :( 

I'll let others be the judge as to how successfully . . .

http://blog.musicxray.com/submission-fees-music-xrays-greatest-weakness-greatest-strength/

Your argument is that people aren't as good as they think they are, therefore what?  They aren't being ripped-off, even when they're paying money and have zero chance of getting anything in return?  d**n, that's the definition of ripoff!  

"So, Why do they charge money? 999 out of a 1,000 are not good."

So you're saying they aren't ripping off everybody; just 99.9%?  See the problem?  Music Xray is taking advantage of aspiring musicians, by charging them for their aspirations.  When they take the money from the submission, don't they book it as revenue?  They and their partners make money by dangling a bright, shiny opportunity, which may or may not even be real, and in your own words ISN'T real for 999 out of 1,000.  Even if they pay that one musician who is "good" $1,000 to license the song, that means they made $9,000 for providing the opportunity.  Hey, maybe I should go into the "opportunity providing" business!  (not.)

You do have a point that this conversation is happening at ripoff report; that's because I wondered if anybody thought Music Xray was a ripoff.  More than anything else, I responded to your defense because it was clear that you were overlooking the obvious problem.

"Music is a business."

Unfortunately, ripping off musicians is also a business.

(By the way, I don't make a living playing music, but I have released four albums of original music on three different labels.  The labels paid me; they didn't charge me for the opportunity.)

I have been to music conferences/seminars and met real live music professionals, label VPs, indie label owners, publishers, producers, songwriters and more that use Music Xray. Music Xray screens the professionals on the site. They are legit and the offers are real. Your 1,000 users X $10 IDEA does not make them a ripoff. These people are too busy.

Every single person using Music Xray thinks they are a great singer, songwriter, composer, band whatever. They would not be there if they didn't. Just watch the early shows of X-Factor, American's Got Talent or Idol and you will see countless people up there because their friends and/or family told them they are good.

Has anyone EVER come right out and said "That is really bad", "You need to work on that song", "That song is aweful"? If not, they are lying to you. Everyone makes bad music, writes bad songs or has a bad performance. The real question is if you have good enough friends and family to tell you the truth. I am not saying you can't write or whatever you do. I am just pointing out that EVERYONE thinks they are really good and MOST are not.

So, Why do they charge money? 999 out of a 1000 are not good. The higher the price the fewer people that will submit because they do not want to invest or do not think they are that good. Music is a business. You are the CEO of your business, "I Am A Songwriter". If you opened a carwash, store, restaurant, widget factory or whatever would you have to invest in your business? Sure you would.

Music is the same. You have to invest. How have you invested in your music business outside of Music Xray? Vocal lessons? If you are a singer and lose your voice what do you have? Songwriter seminars or conventions? Cowriting sessions with other people? Does your song sound good stripped down and accoustic? If not it more than likely is not good. Music lessons? Everyone needs to continue their music education. Conferences to learn about the music business and how each piece works? What impacts how picky a publisher is? What impacts if a label can sign a new act and how picky they must be because of those limits?

Most people have invested nothing more than a pen, paper, mic, amp, instrument and the things that go along with those things. That is nothing. Have you submitted to a song critique? Not a demo but just the lyrics? The answer for 999 is no. When you were turned down did you submit to one that could help you findout why? Most submissions do not come with feedback. If that is what you want submit to one that says it does. Get critiques before making a demo. Give yourself a better chance.

The fact that this conversation is happening on Ripoff Report rather than in the Music Xray help forum says a lot! The people at Music Xray are serious legit people that want to help artists. Have a productive conversation with them. Productive conversations do not begin with "You are a scam" or "You suck!" Reach out to them and see how helpful they can be. 999 of the 1000 people don't; they just start ranting and raving instead of trying to figure out how they can improve. No matter if you are the 999 or the 1 Music Xray is still a good helpful company with honest professionals on it. Be that one and you have a chance.

The money that songwriters pay to submit songs is going somewhere.  Is this money becoming a profit center for somebody?  If so, then it's at least a bit of a scam, isn't it?  I don't know how many songwriters submit for opportunities, but if 1,000 songwriters submit $10 in order to be considered for an opportunity, that's $10,000 that goes to the owner of the opportunity (and $4,000 to Xray).  With that kind of dig involved, it would difficult for these people not to "invent" opportunities.

I was curious about Music Xray.  I'm a new member, and have submitted to two opportunities.  The first I got a single sentence response: "Not what we're looking for."  The second, I heard nothing back at all.  I feel like I'm a decent writer and I'd like for decision makers to hear my music.  But how can I know if there really is an opportunity?  Maybe some music company just likes an additional source of revenue.   It's a tough one.

It seems like there must be a way to pair songwriters with opportunities without charging the aspiring.  That kind of sucks, to say the least.  I probably won't submit any more of my music, though I remain tempted when I see the e-mails from Xray listing (supposed) opportunities.

I saw this report and just had to respond. I am a Music Xray member and have been for going on 2 years now. I have submitted to many opportunities via Music Xray. There are many aspects at work in the original report. If you do not use Music Xray you may not see them.

First, every artist (band, singer, songwriter, musician or ...) is at a different developmental stage. Yet 99% think they are fully developed and their work is beyond reproach, after all, their family and friends tell them they are great! Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Second, the original report is based on ONE of a few drop down list responses the music professionals can CHOOSE to use. They MAY also write extended feedback to the artist. Artists submit their works to THEIR OWN choice of professional(s) and THEIR OWN choice of offers. The offers state what type of feedback is part of each offer.

The offers are not always, or even most of the time, clear about what exactly they are looking for. This can be expected in an artistic endeavor. How many people knew they were looking for a Picaso, Motzart, Thoreau, Spielberg, C.S. Lewis or Frank Lloyd Wright before they saw, heard or read their works? Why would this be any different?

Part of what Music Xray offers is help in every aspect of music. The artist must seek the offers that provide the help. There is a saying that goes like this: When you think it is everyone else it is probably you. When your submissions are being turned down the correct question is what do I need to work on? Submit to the offers that answer that question!

Third, when you see countless "multi-platinum music producers", "Grammy Award Winning Producers", "vocal coach of Grammy winners", "Billboard Hot 100 #1 HIt Songwriters", "multi-platinum mixing engineer" and "60 million record sales worldwide, 3 Brit awards, 18 Grammys and 2 Ivor Novello awards since 2001" it is hard to take "beware xray a&r 's are a scam" with more than a grain of salt. All of the professionals do not rise to this level but that does not mean they are a scam. You must be REALLY good to be selected on Music Xray because the bar is high not because it is a scam.