Is it worth the effort? How many hours do you spend at your computer selling, promoting, and offering your music?
Sometimes it's better to sit down and do the math. What hourly wage are you earning?

With presets, it's usually the case that the manufacturer splits 50/50, so half and half. Website and online shop operators also have costs for the server, etc.! Large companies sometimes earn €1 per preset, so with 200 presets, that's €200 for one week's work.

I would rather look for a side job that pays better. The minimum wage in Germany is currently €12.82 per hour.

 

o course gum road is not bypassed. Partner fee goes there

 

The best way to market your presets and samples is to do it yourself, or have a donation button on your website. Good websites usually cost €2 or more per month (it was €2 ten years ago, then €4). That's at least €84 per year. As someone else already mentioned, live performances are probably the best way. Or you could write a number one hit to pay off your bank loans for equipment. You just need a rental car to get to your destination.

I don't think a 50/50 split is amazing; after all, they handle the marketing. But sometimes they say they'll create 200 presets. That's very time-consuming, and once you start and commit to it, you have to see it through. I'd rather do everything for free as a sound designer; I can do what I want, manage my own time, and have no deadlines. Sometimes I even get a synthesizer or another one as a gift from the manufacturer if I've created presets for it.

Sometimes there's also an NFR (Not for Sale) version. I live on basic income support, so I always have to declare my income. I'm allowed to earn an additional €100, and anything over €100 is deducted. That's why all the sound sets are free. Sometimes, like with Yamaha, you can keep the device or choose €1 per preset (2000 presets are the minimum). I chose the synthesizer, which I later sold used.

Cameron from Venus Theory says he works 5 hours a day. The man is highly gifted and can make a living from it.
https://venustheory.com/home Not everyone can deliver that kind of work performance; I suppose it depends on age. As you can see, sound design, presets, and video production only seem like a dream job.

 

Last edited: Dec 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM

I got sick of the PayPal bullshit and won't use it anymore even to support people like Chris at Airwindows because it supports the freak at the top. There has to be a better way than paying a monopoly that cuts you off if it doesn't like your world view.

 

The best way is to send the manufacturer a classic letter (or by carrier pigeon) to their private address
and simply put some cash (wrapped in aluminum foil) with a thank you note in the envelope.