As a VTuber, you might be thinking about new ways to surprise your fans and keep your content fresh and exciting. If you’re looking to take your creative output to the next level, why not consider commissioning an original song? In this blog, we’ll dive into the advantages of creating your very own original track and share some helpful tips on getting started.
Original Songs: A Popular and Powerful Content Choice for VTubers
For many VTubers, cover songs (or in Japanese, utattemita douga) are a content staple: they’re a great chance for VTubers to show off their singing abilities and to share songs they love with their fans. But in recent years, more and more VTubers have been creating and performing original songs as well.
These songs, often referred to collectively as “VTuber music,” have grown into a genre of their own. Today, there are even annual events where fans vote for their favorite tracks, and the scene is thriving with creativity and fan engagement. Without a doubt, VTuber music has become one of the hottest content categories in the virtual entertainment space, especially in Japan.
Why Should VTubers Create Original Songs?
So what makes original songs such a great idea for VTubers? Here are four key benefits:
1. Celebrate Milestones and Create Lasting Memories
Releasing an original song is a fantastic way to mark a major milestone, be it an anniversary, subscriber count achievement, or another special moment. Many VTubers choose to unveil their original songs during these occasions, turning them into unforgettable celebrations.
It’s also a heartfelt way to thank your fans for their support. Sharing a new song can bring your community closer, allowing everyone to celebrate together.
2. Reach New Audiences and Boost Your Visibility
An original song can shine a spotlight on your channel. With platforms like TikTok supporting short-form content, making your song available for use in these videos can lead to viral moments and increased exposure.
Beyond pleasing your current fans, an original track can help you attract new followers and grow your presence across social media.
3. Express Yourself with a Song Made Just for You
Unlike cover songs, original tracks can be tailor-made to suit your vocal style, personality, and aesthetic. Whether it’s the key, mood, or lyrics, everything can be customized to reflect who you are.
This makes it easier to showcase your strengths and unique charm, letting your fans experience a whole new side of you.
4. Use Your Song Freely in Streams and Videos
Cover songs often come with restrictions due to copyright, limiting when and where you can use them. But with an original song, you have much more creative freedom.
You can feature it in livestreams, use it as background music in your videos, or include it in promotional content, all without worrying about licensing issues. It’s your song, your way!
How VTubers Can Commission an Original Song: A Step-by-Step Guide
Thinking about creating your own original track but not sure where to start? Here’s a simple breakdown of the process for commissioning a song as a VTuber.
1. Find a Creator and Request the Song
There are two main ways to commission a song:
- Hiring an individual creator (through social media, email, or skills marketplaces)
- Working with a production company
Each option has a different process, so let’s take a look at both:
Commissioning an Individual Creator
Reach out directly via platforms like Twitter, email, or services like Skeb or Fiverr.
Creators often showcase their portfolios on YouTube or personal websites, so be sure to check out their past work before contacting them, to see if their style matches yours!
Using a Crowdsourcing Platform
Post your project on a crowdsourcing platform for creators to reach out to you.
To attract the right talent, provide detailed info: the style you want, references, budget, etc.
Working with a Production Company
If you prefer a more structured process, you can contact a music production company.
Send them an inquiry or request a quote through their website’s contact form to get started.
2. Discuss Your Vision and Set the Basics
Once you’ve chosen a creator or company, the next step is a planning meeting or consultation. Here’s what you’ll want to prepare:
- The vibe or concept of the song (include reference tracks if you have any)
- Special requests (e.g., copyright usage, intended platforms)
- Desired deadline
- Budget
Having this information ready will make the process smooth and efficient!
3. Composition and Lyrics
After the planning phase, the actual creation begins.
- First comes the song’s structure: chord progression, melody, and general flow.
- Then the lyrics are written to match the melody and theme.
At this stage, it’s crucial to review any drafts or demos and give feedback to ensure the final direction aligns with your vision.
Fixing issues later can be difficult, so don’t be afraid, and speak up early!
Tip: While most creators start with the instrumental first, if you’re writing your own lyrics, the process may begin the other way around.
4. Arrangement
Now it’s time to build out the sound of the song: adding instruments, rhythm, and atmosphere.
If live instruments will be recorded, keep in mind that once something is recorded, it’s harder to change. Be sure to discuss any possible revisions before the recording session.
5. Recording
Once the arrangement is ready, it’s time to record vocals (unless you’re only commissioning the instrumental).
Recording usually takes place in a studio, but if you’re a VTuber who doesn’t like for others to know your face, ask in advance if home-recording is an option. Many producers are flexible and can accommodate this.
Production companies often have in-house studios, so they may offer a studio session as part of the package.
6. Mixing and Mastering
This is where your vocals are edited, balanced with the instrumentals (mixing), and polished for final output (mastering).
The result is a professional-sounding track that’s ready to share with the world.
7. Final Delivery
Once everything sounds just right and you’ve given the green light, the finished song will be delivered.
And with that, your very own original track is complete!
How Much Does It Cost to Commission an Original Song?
If you’re thinking about creating an original vocal track (an utamono), you’re probably wondering: how much will it cost?
The total cost typically includes fees for the creatives involved, such as the composer, lyricist, and any instrumentalists if you’re using live music, as well as studio and equipment fees if you’re recording.
That said, if you’re writing the lyrics yourself or not planning to record vocals, you can often keep costs down.
| Commission Route | Rough Cost |
|---|---|
| Individual Creator | JPY 10,000 + |
| Crowdsourcing Platforms | JPY 10,000 + |
| Music Production Company | JPY 100,000 + |
Working with individual creators or through crowdsourcing platforms can be more affordable, but keep in mind that you’ll likely need to take on more responsibility, like handling communication and possibly writing your own lyrics.
While some creators in Japan offer budget-friendly rates starting around JPY 10,000, working with a well-known or in-demand artist could cost just as much as hiring a professional production company.
Also, if you’re commissioning through a company and want full ownership of the song, there may be an additional fee for transferring the rights (copyright).
How to Choose the Right Partner for Your Original Song
There are several ways to commission a song, and choosing the right partner depends on your goals, budget, and how hands-on you want to be. Here’s a quick comparison:
Pros and Cons of Hiring an Individual Creator
Pros
- Generally more affordable
- Easier to communicate directly and frequently
- Great for creators on a tight budget
Cons
- Quality depends heavily on the individual
- Riskier for commercial projects if not handled carefully
- You’ll need to clearly define rights and usage in advance
Tip: Always discuss things like where the song can and cannot be used (YouTube, Spotify, etc.) before finalizing the deal.
Pros and Cons of Working with a Music Production Company
Pros
- Professional setup ensures high-quality results
- Companies often have their own studios and can handle recording
- More reliable with contracts, rights management, and project flow
Cons
- Higher cost compared to freelancers
- May not be the best option if you’re working with a limited budget
Key Tips for Commissioning an Original Song as a VTuber
When you’re commissioning an original song, it’s important to stay aligned with your vision and avoid potential hiccups.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and satisfying creative process:
Be Clear About the Kind of Song You Want
Before anything else, define your vision as clearly as possible.
Think about things like:
- Song mood or vibe (happy, cool, emotional, etc.)
- Song length (full version, short version for intro, etc.)
- Instruments or sounds you’d like to include
The more specific your input, the better your chances of getting exactly what you imagined. It’s especially helpful to prepare reference tracks that show the style you’re aiming for.
Discuss Copyright and Rights Up Front
If you’re creating the song entirely yourself, the rights belong to you. But when you commission a composer or lyricist, the copyright usually stays with them, unless otherwise agreed upon.
That means even if it’s “your” original song, there may be limits to how and where you can use it.
If you want full control over the song to use it freely in streams or videos, make sure to discuss copyright transfer or usage rights early in the conversation. It’s essential to get this in writing.
Leave Room in Your Timeline
Sometimes a song hits the mark on the first try. But more often, it takes a few rounds of tweaks to get it just right. Add to that time for mixing, mastering, and possibly re-recording, and the full production timeline can grow quickly.
So, if you’re planning to unveil your original song for a special event like a debut anniversary or subscriber milestone, be sure to start the process well in advance. Especially if this is your first time commissioning a song, give yourself extra buffer time to account for learning curves or unexpected delays.
Conclusion
In this blog, we explored the benefits and key points of commissioning original music as a VTuber.
Original songs offer a unique opportunity to express your individuality: something that’s often hard to capture with cover tracks alone.
If you have the budget, and you’re looking to ensure professional quality and avoid potential issues, working with a production company is a smart move.
For VTubers who are ready to dive deeper into music activities, why not go beyond cover songs and try creating your very own original track?
At G-angle, we not only produce original songs tailored for VTubers, but also create custom music videos and illustrations to match your song’s vibe.
Whether you’re dreaming of a fully-produced music video or need help bringing your musical vision to life, G-angle’s experienced team is here to support your next creative step.
Just shoot us a message for a free consultation, or to dive into your own songwriting journey!
