Small update: I’ve told the company I’m talking about in this video several times that I could not sign this contract because it threatened my independence. The company kept insisting that they needed a signature on this contract because they needed to “justify sending physical products from their factory to the end recipient”, and they’ve also mentioned that the contract was “for legal purposes only in the accounting department to properly divide the sent products”. After some back and forth they were finally able to offer a new, way better contract. However, now that I know of these rules from this particular company, I cannot in good faith make any content about their products, because I don’t want to collaborate with a company that creates the ability to manipulate content, even if it’s not my content. So, I’ve turned down this opportunity and I’m not going to make any content about this particular companies products on my channel.

@DrKaoliN

2 ай бұрын

When a company sais "for legal purposes only" - I see that as a huge red flag. Legal terms are meant to reflect what happens in real life. Otherwise the legal terms are breached. Honest reviews is the reason we're following your channel - at least that's what I'm here for! 🙂

@AMPProf

Ай бұрын

Uhh

@OzricTentaclesRule

Ай бұрын

All they need is a packing slip and a signature that you received it (they are being vague with the truth here)... famous last words of anyone who signed a contract...but they said it was not really that important or a big deal and would never do what the contract says they would do... after its been done... if it was not a big deal then it wouldn't be necessary

@SeemoreDunkan

Ай бұрын

We NEED honesty like this. Thanks!

@knotdone5292

Ай бұрын

Unison must've reached out

Good on you for sharing this stuff and walking away from that crappy contract. Any company that asks a reviewer to sign an endorser contract blurs the line way too much. Independence is essential. Keep up the great work.

Ok. I have been recording/mixing and mastering since 1976. At times, on a very high level. I have been following you for a few years. I found you in your heavy “Snake Oil” days. I know you have grown and moved on from that era, but I want you to know that it was then that I learned to TRUST you. I promise you that I am not alone there. Most of your followers probably started there. As an experienced pro, I found your reviews to be honest and absolutely dead on! So….regarding this video; you absolutely don’t need to convince any of your core base that you are independent in your reviews. Maybe for some newer subscribers, nut not for the rest of us. I follow and interact with many youber music/recording/mastering channels and, given my almost 50,years of experience, I call BULLSHIT when I see it. You are a welcome exception. Please don’t abandon your independence, your honesty, it the formula that brought us to you to start with

@5amJones69

Ай бұрын

+1 for this. Well said! I take this video as a reminder to take a good whiff when watching other audio youtubers to detect any scent of bullshit. It's clear as day when you watch mutliple videos on the same product and you start hearing the same thing but yeah. I definitely trust White Sea to be of an un-altered opinion. Also Dan Worrall is a youtuber I trust thoroughly.

@nikolasb8313

Ай бұрын

Agreed. Not for the OG subs. This is a legendary level of authenticity and transparency from a KZreadr. Always been that way

@KyuminShimMusic

Ай бұрын

Agreed as well. I enjoy watching videos from this channel because I also believe what he says on those videos.

Hearing corruption exposed is like a good revenge film for me. Love it

Love the honesty and transparency, it's greatly appreciated as is your content!

Wow, this is wild. That is the kind of contract that NO ONE should sign. Thank you for staying independent - it's absolutely essential for pro audio to always have strong, independent voices. We've been happy every time you've checked out our products , and value your constructive criticism, as it helps us make better products!

@screendrem

Ай бұрын

Kazrog keeps killing it! On top right now next to Oeksound.

Wow. That's balls. I've only had one company try to get me to sign something similar, but I refused entirely -- and ultimately they still sent me products. It's great to see your integrity stays intact. Well done!

Mate, you are a wonderful human being. I spend my life trying to educate upcoming people in the industry, so they don’t fall foul of the things that I did. These things that you’re selflessly highlighting are so important in terms of real education and also understanding the relevance of information within a sensationalist environment. Huge respect to you brother - this is truly helping people x

Thank you for exposing the dirty side of marketing brainwashing! Honesty is the best policy, and we are thankful for your channel for sticking to its principles!

This is gold , I have been saying this on my channel for the longest. The whole Idea for YT reviews are user opinion based not cooperation sponsored in this case they are not even sponsoring

Saying NO to people or just walking away from a deal, is always the best card in your deck when you are uncomfortable with an agreement.

That contract sounds like absolute hot garbage. Thank you for shining some light on the grimy behind the scenes of the audio equipment business.

Thx man, this is the only way the whole utube theater makes sense

This is Antelope Audio, I have seen these contracts more than once, . If you still trust that company for some reason and have missed all the terrible practices, then this video is your wake up call.

@CreativeMindsAudio

Ай бұрын

Not sure if it is them, but i get super sketched out by them for so many reasons! They seem to make decent products, but they’re not insanely better than other companies i that have more stable products and treat people better.

@Animetrix-WAV

Ай бұрын

the name fits perfectly into the black box. Sometimes u can see parts of the p. Putting this in photoshop and matching the font size should make that clear.

@angelorasmijn7306

Ай бұрын

⁠@@CreativeMindsAudio somehow me too. Something fishy about them.

@CLaw-tb5gg

Ай бұрын

Thank you. I shall be sure to never buy any of their products now.

@ReeWebster

Ай бұрын

@@Animetrix-WAV first thing I noticed too

Awesome video! I love that you shared one of those contracts. Of course I envisioned these contracts to be something like that, but some things I didn't expect and it's always better to know than to think to know.

Thanks for this info. And much appreciate your honesty.

Really respect this video. Thank you for posting. Stay strong!

' never sign anything ! ' steve albini

Appreciate your openness and honesty, keep up the amazing work

Keep doing what you do! We respect your integrity and your mission to deliver transparency in your work. Thanks! 😎

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of those videos where the KZreadr goes "Video sponsored by company that sent me this product but everything I say are all my own opinions" are actually in fact, not their opinions and instead just company-approved garbage.

Such a good video on this topic. I think people have VERY skewed views on what "sponsorships", "endorsements", "NFRs", etc is. Very stoked to see people like you and Matt Weiss being transparent about the back end dealings of making content for / in collaboration with companies. I can't even tell you how many sponsorships, free items, endorsement deals, etc because I don't love the company, I don't feel comfortable recommending it, I don't like how forceful they are, how specific they want the content around it, etc.

Integrity is everything🙌🏾 and I have a lot of respect for you , for sticking by your principles and for also shining a light amidst all the darkness. Thank you👍🏾

Right on! I‘m so with you on this. Thanks for your honesty and strength! D

Transparency is what we need! Thank You for this!

Thanks for the full on honesty here. This is a rare thing online.

Man we need more of this from every KZreadr. Imagine how much better this place would be. KUDOS!!

thank you for all you do!!

You are the only "KZreadr" that I follow for everything and anything to do with sound production, product reviews while at the same time, keeping abreast to all things new. Keep up the good work......your Canadian community member.

Thanks for this insightful look behind the scenes.

It’s why we like your work 👍 Thanks for your integrity, we need more professional thinking like you🤘🤘🤘

'I talked to my therapist about this..." 😂 Yes, it is disturbing.

WOW! This is very revealing, thank you for sharing. We, as consumers, should carefully think about which influencers are really just puppets of corporate puppet-masters.

Thank you for your transparency

This is a GREAT video Wytse! Thank you for taking the time to explain what many don't realize i going on behind the scenes.

you are the most honest youtuber that I watch. I appreciate that and when I want buy something it willl be through your links. ThNK YOU for what you do.

you are doing it just right my man! keep it up

Thank you for the transparency and kudos for your integrity at distancing yourself from a company with such contracts 👏

Very important video! I'll share it! Thank you.

Thanks for revealing these ‘methodes’. Very much appreciated!

Thank you for sharing this information with us. I appreciate the fact that you are very concerned with the honesty and integrity of your videos. Keep pushing and again thank you

I'm glad you chose to talk about this. There are so many people that act genuine about a product and are pushing it because a company is paying them or endorsing them and they are not admitting it. These other KZreadrs are also a part of the problem and it has turned me off to a lot of KZread content as a result.

@Chaos-Dynamics

Ай бұрын

That’s why I like small channels and the very few independent ones. Mostly the ones that sell nothing, no plugins no sample packs and no courses 😊

It's great to see someone on KZread with this kind of *integrity*. Thank you!

Good content. Thank you ... Yeah there's definitely some crazy unethical marketing pushes for equipment on KZread.... Usually involving free merchandise.

This gives you a strong character in my book. Good on you and much better value for your watchers. Keep up the good work!

I really appreciate your integrity and transparency Wytse, it’s very refreshing in a sea of ‘'influencers’ repeating the companies marketing spiel every time a new product gets launched. I trust your videos and will continue too. Thank you.

Thanks for elucidating- stay healthy and strong, best wishes ❤❤❤

This stuff is important for people to know, maybe even more important than any average audio related tutorial. There are comapnies behind the products & company gonna gompany... Personally I've never had this kind of contract on my desk but anyone who values their integrity will deny these kinds contracts. Glad to see so much transparency from you!

I really appreciate your opinion on this and especially sharing some of the contract verbiage. It would be excellent if other audio channels would do something similar.

Glad to see you stood your ground 👏

Thanks for your openness and honesty about this subject. As the former Technology Editor for a prominent music magazine for 7 years, I can definitely relate to this topic! During my tenure, I made a point of avoiding working with companies who followed these kinds of practices. I'm glad I did, as it enabled both myself and the magazine to maintain our integrity in the industry, and among our readers. Keep up the good work! 👍

I appreciate this video and the transparency. You'll never regret sticking to your standard.

All the power to you. You got my respect. Thank You

In addition to your knowledge, your attitude and the frankness of your opinions are the reasons why I watch your videos. Congratulations on your work! I wish you all the best!

Thanks for this video! I really dig you man!...

Respect! You are putting yourself in a position where you may lose money in the short term because your values speak higher. We need more of this everywhere.

I continue so watch your channel because of the objective reviews and analysis. Thanks a ton for staying true to the audience with videos like these

Stay Real Man! Thank you for staying strong! 🙏

Well said, and thanks for making people aware of the behind the scenes manipulating that goes on. There are a lot of chancers on KZread whose aim is to try to monetise their videos while pretending to be offering advice and opinions. A lot of what passes as 'reviews' are just promotional claptrap often done by people who have little idea what they are talking about. Thank goodness for the few, like yourself, that we can trust to have an honest opinion. A well known website has been doing this for years, offering reviews and tutorials, while obscuring that they are promotional paid-for articles, which I find very misleading and dishonest, so i am glad if the subject is brought up to make people realise what they are reading/watching and why.

I follow your videos since 3 years ago, you are my imaginary friend 😂😍 just keep it up, we know and trust you in audio industry. You and this channel is honest and special that’s why I’m here everytime you publish a video

And this is why i follow you. I don't always like or agree with your opinions but i respect your integrity and that's the most important thing for me

Thank you for this. We can see that you are an honest reviewer

Appreciate your honesty and independence! 💪🏻👏🏻

I've watched a bunch of your videos and liked them a lot. This video really cemented my opinion of you and your channel. I am now a subscriber. Thank you. Keep doing what you are doing!

You and Dan are pretty much the only reviewers I trust here. This just confirms that it isn't misplaced. Thanks for giving honest reviews and staying independent.

Appreciate your transparency! Glad this is becoming more of a trend in the audio youtube world! I saw Fluff go over this a bit in a recent video. It’s important! I’ve seen some really sketchy behavior from companies.

I bought a few products after some of your video and wasn't disappointed !👍

Thank you, thank you very much. I am very glad that someone with such a strong and powerful voice like yours is letting the software companies know that we are fed up with them sticking their fingers up our asses with their software garbage.

I love the transparency. This is why I trust your opinion on products 1000%.

Thank you!

Everything you've said is why I'm subscribed to your channel. Keep going, you're doing everything right.

TRUST ist the most important thing you can achieve as Influencer - "Social Media" is too often on the "dark side of the power" with fake news and polarization. Nobel Prize winner Maria Resa: "Without facts, you can't have truth. Without truth, you can't have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy". Best wishes for your future as Indipendent : )

I respect you for this. Its the main reason why I subscribed.

Very interesting. You're honest and clever, go on!

I respect your honesty bro bro, It makes a difference

This is the exact reason I love your videos and subscribe! It's because you speak the truth and it's not influenced by money or gear. Excellent.

Real Talk!! Again!!! ❤ I do watch at least one channel which is ALL about sponsorship and endorsed content but I allow it because it's so blatant, he's doing his thing and it works for him, it's not very mature content. Never stop thinking about music and politics!!! I'll add my voice of appreciation for speaking up. 🙏

Its very simple... once you sign that you are being used for your (previously thought to be) or percieved authenticity , however ironically when these are signed it is no longer authentic it is deceptive... this is why we call it "shilling" or "being a sellout" ... in my world lying is lying even if you omit the truth... thanks for sharing, I hope the first contract you signed does not open you up to legal issues for mentioning the second contract...

Thank you 🙏 This kind of integrity is why I always listen to your opinions. Even if I don’t always agree with everything every time, your channel brings a lot of value to the table. Rock on 🤘

Thanks for this, I was aware of one company doing this kind of thing and have been called out for it by several KZreadrs & media but I thought they were the exception. Knowing that this is becoming a thing is worrying as I do use KZread as one of the main deciding factors.

Thank you.

As always, Thanks for your honesty, keep up doing things your way, everyone here appreciate your opinion and comments 🤓👍🏻

Very revealing to know what many of us suspected - that many KZreadrs intentionally act as marketers rather than reviewers and are handcuffed by audio companies. Thank you for this video.

This is great. Brings me more confidence in your reviews, will definitely help me make better purchase decisions in the future :)

Thanks for yout insights!👍

Hi Wytse, I think that, to you, it is very important that your integrity is beyond question. I would like to reassure you that, from what I see on YT, from other channels, is that you are very well respected. I can't say that I have ever specifically bought a product which you have been positive about but, I can assure you that I have never bought a product that you had a negative reaction to. Your transparency and integrity are the qualities which made me subscribe to your channel.

Absolutely awesome video. Much respect!

i really dont comment a lot on youtube but: thank you for doing it YOUR way and keeping it real! Appreciate that lots!

You're one of the few reviewers that I watch these days. I understand people need to make a living but things have gone too far IMO. The landscape has dramatically shifted over the last 10 years and it's very hard to trust what anybody tells us now. Kudos to you for maintaining integrity and being very transparent 😀

@serhii-ratz

Ай бұрын

Funny thing that sad reality about music industry: it became worse. I was in a MusicShop yesterday to look for a new violin for my daughter. I checked in parallel some keyboards and surprisingly the quality of keyboards quality is overall lower then my 20 year old KAWAI MP4. Kawai looks like a thing. They look like toys. And happens a lot during the last time. I ask myself: am I getting older? Or do I just remember products of a certain quality level, and the new cheap stuff doesn't inspire me?

I feel grateful for watching your videos - i guess - from almost your very beginning. Just keep pushing

I love all your work!

i always felt your videos were honest. thanks for explaining this 🤘

Thanks

Keep pushing!

Beautiful work

gj! love your honest position

Thank you for this video! It reminds us all to take very positive opinions of influencers always with a grain of salt. It would be great if every KZreadr had to state that his opinion was influenced or content was changed by a manufacturer or contract. Many just say that they did not get paid by a company, but knowing about such contracts, this isn’t the point.

When serious audio technicians and producers actually make something unique, I am excited to try it. This channel is the reason I deleted 99% of my plugins. I am thankful for the work you do on this channel.

@PurpleMusicProductions

Ай бұрын

Same here. I too do not have many plugins.

Honest reviews is the reason we're following your channel !

I wish all KZread creators felt like you do ❤