Posts Tagged ‘about’

Independent Artist Website – Sound Decisions About Studio Recording

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Now that you have had a general introduction to recording, specifically for tracking a live show, this Independent Artist Website will give you an overview of studio recording, from the usual rent-a-pro approach to setting up your own project studio.

First things first: You have to decide who is going to be the producer, even before deciding on the engineer. None of the later decisions about tracking instruments, recording vocals, doing overdubs, processing signals, or getting a final mix will mean Bo Diddley, to coin a phrase, if your bands three or five or eight members are arguing all the time about who sounds the loudest and what so-and-so’s girlfriend is doing in the vocal booth. Someone has to run the show.

This is even true for a solo act in independent artist, since in a studio leadership vacuum most seasoned (or semi-seasoned, or even just salty) engineers will step right up and make the decisions for you. If the band does not present a united front behind its leader, the whole process will be at risk. So, before anything else, decide

•    Who will be the producer?
•    What arrangements of what songs will be recorded?
•    How much debate and democracy will be involved in the process,
•    When the various deadlines are going to be set, and
•    Why things are going to be run them way they are.

Now is the time for clarity, group cohesion, and common goals. Larger-than-life egos and delusional daydreams have to be left at the door (better yet, down the street) so that a workable, affordable, efficient, and effective plan can be developed — and pursued to a successful conclusion. Everybody needs to get on the same page (or play the same tune, or whatever metaphor you prefer). Now you are as ready as you are going to be, so what is next?

Well, as usual, it is about money, mostly, and time, too. What is the working budget? Can you afford (and do you want to afford) to go into a project-level studio at $30 an hour with engineer included? A pro studio at $50-100 an hour with engineer maybe included? To make these calculations, you need to have your songs down pat, know how you are going to record them (rhythm section together or dubbed) and how long all of it will take. If you are doing a three-song played that is one thing; if you are doing your debut CD with 11 tracks that is a whole other thing. For simplicity is sake, and to keep consistent examples from here forward, let’s go with your demo for now.

The whole decision process can take a U-turn if one of the band members, or a good (really good) friend, has a decent project studio set up — meaning pro and semi-pro equipment, a decent recording room, good microphones (and cables!), and so on. So, this is the second big decision, after choosing the producer, but it is not one that the newly christened producer should make alone. Once again, unanimity is vital.

Wherever you do the sonic deeds, if you are recording your drummer and bassist (and maybe a guitar or keyboard too) as a unit, which imparts an organic feel to the tunes, then you will need baffles, sound deflectors, etc., to minimize bleed. You will have to have headphones for everyone, good mics that are properly placed, quality cabling to minimize hum and pops, and so forth. If this is all starting to sound awfully complicated, opt for the best mid-level project studio in town, the one with good equipment and a decent studio, if not state-of-the-art. We were doing your demo, remember? Not your platinum-worthy debut.

Most likely, the studio will have a computer-based recording system, with a Mac or PC running one of the major Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software applications — Apple’s Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer (Mac only), Sonar (PC only), or some other. You probably don’t want to do your demo with entry-level programs like Apple Garage band or Cakewalk’s Home Studio unless you have to; they are competent in the tracking arena, but fall way short in terms of plug-ins and quality of effects (like reverb) that are essential to the project.

If you do not see a number of different kinds of microphones, you will at least want to see the trusty Shure SM-57s and 58s for miking guitar amps (and using as drum overheads) and at least one good condenser mic for vocals. There should be a decent outboard mixer available, if not always used with the DAW, a sufficient number of cans (headphones) for everyone, Monster or other quality cables, perhaps a piece or two of vintage rack gear, and pro-level monitors (for Pete sake, no living room stereo speakers). If the producer is not a gearhead or audio pro, well, he or she will need to study up on the subject, or find a good (low-paid) consultant.

If you have your plan together; if your parts are practiced and tight; if your excitement level stays high despite the ups and downs of getting your demo project together — well, you are in about the best shape you can be, considering the importance of what you are doing. You will need the help of a good, flexible, communicative engineer, so do not make a hasty decision about where to do your demo recording. Talk to different people, get referrals, interview studio owners, ask tough questions, and keep your priorities straight. If you get too off into the equipment and the process, well, maybe you should be in the recording music business, and that is okay, too. But never lose sight of what is really important, and the reason you got into all this in the first place: the music.

It is about the music, folks. If you need reminding, put a big sign on the refrigerator.

Greg Joes – We provide marketing and promotional services to clients seeking exposure in the music business. We provide Independent Artist and labels with the means to service their records to industry insiders and potential new fans.

About CD Mastering Engineers

Friday, January 1st, 2010

If a recording artist or inspiring musician has
any hopes of having their songs played on the
radio, they’ll need to have their rough mix
mastered very well.  The best way to do this, is
to hire a CD mastering engineer.

Professional mastering engineers can make a
decent audio mix sound great and a good mix
sound completely amazing.  There are many different
things that CD mastering engineers can do.  They
will work with the artist to decide what order
the songs appear on the CD, and also equalize
the volume of the different instruments in each
song and across the entire CD.

They can also help to add more definition and
clarity to the instruments in a song.  Then,
they will adjust the introductions and ends of
the songs, choosing the length of time between
the songs and adding crossfades or other nice
effects if they need to.

The order in which the songs on a CD appear
can greatly affect the way the CD progresses
when it’s played.  If similar sounding songs
are placed side by side on a CD, it can lead
listeners into thinking the artist has a very
limited range.  It’s ultimately up to the
CD mastering engineer to work with the recording
artist and choose the order of songs on the CD.

It’s very important that the instruments in a
song and the songs on the CD be at an appropriate
volume level.  Within a song, the different
elements must be mixed appropriately in order
for the song to sound like it should.

The CD engineer can also give clarity and
definition to the different instruments in a
song.  The engineer will also have the task of
assuring that the volume levels across all
of the songs are the same, in order to help
the CD sound more cohesive while still leaving
room for dynamics.

The CD mastering engineer will also determine
how much time there should be between the songs
on the CD.  They will also fade and crossfasde
the intros and endings of the songs to make
them have a better flow.

For an interesting career, CD mastering engineers
is a great choice.  They make excellent money,
get to work with top artists, and enjoy what
they do. If you like music, this career may be
what you’ve always wanted.  For those who are
already in the profession – it’s a job unlike
any other out there in the world.

nirvana about a girl cover

Friday, January 1st, 2010


no proper audio recording equipment used. left handed gear played with the strings upside down.

Know All About Electronic Music Gear

Friday, January 1st, 2010

All the equipments, which are necessary for music, are called music gear. Music gear again can be of two types. Some of them are acoustic and some of them are electronic. In this article, we will talk about the electronic music gear.


Electronic music gears are the ones that work electrically. All the electronic instruments, like, electric guitars, synthesizers, octo pads are kind of electronic music gears. But they are not all. Amplifiers, microphones, tools that are used in sound studios also fall in this category.


Here is a small description of different electronic music gears:


Electric guitar

It is a very important music gear. This instrument has a pick up. Once you plug in the instrument with the amplifier, you will get a perfect sound, actually electric guitar do not have any unplugged sound like the acoustic guitar. It has got a completely different sound. It has a sound, which is metallic. But you can make an acoustic tone in an electric guitar with the help of a processor. You need the pick up and the amplifier to produce its sound.


Synthesizer

Synthesizer is a complete electronic gear. It does not have any acoustic version. You need the electricity to run this instrument. Synthesizer does not have any sound of its own. It only copies the sound of other instruments and delivers that particular sound.


Octopads

Octopads are the electrical version of drums. They are small, easy to handle and are able to change its tone. The best thing about them is that as they are small and the player does not need to take along many percussion instruments with him. Many of those effects are available in the instrument.


Amplifiers

These are very important electronic music gear, without which not a single professional music show can be staged. Amplifiers are the one, which deliver the sound of all instruments and vocal and make the sound reach to audience in every corner.


Microphones

Microphones and amplifiers are very much interrelated. Microphones are a special kind of gear that enhance the sound and tone of the vocalists and instruments. Actually, microphone captures the sound and sends that to the audience. This is almost like the amplifiers. But the amplifier cannot capture the sound directly. It comes from the microphone. It just delivers the sound.


Processor

This particular gadget is mainly used with the guitar. Processor is a box where different tones and effects are stored. If you attach it with the guitar, then the guitarist will be able to choose those tones and effects from the processor and can play it in his guitar.


Electronic music gear is very sensitive. They need to be taken care of properly. And as they are expensive, their insurance is surely needed. These gears have a complicated handling process. Before using them, one should understand all the handling properly. For this the manuals should be read.


Indeed electric gears are very interesting. By using them, you can change the whole approach of the music. If you are a music lover, then you will not be able to stop yourself from getting fond of electronic music gears.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for music gear, speakers, and microphones. You can find the best marketplace for music gear, speakers, and microphones at these 3 sites: electronic music gear, amplifiers, speakers, and microphones.

Get the Facts About Localization and Going Global With Your Product

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Localization is all about making a buyer feel like they are buying a quality product that speaks to them in not only their language, but to their culture and ethics.
 

Understanding your audience is essential. If you don’t know who you are selling to than how will you know if your product is speaking to them? With a localization tool like investing in a language translation company, your product will be fully translated by someone either was born in the country of the language they are translating into and speaks the language or is residing there and also speaks the language and of course- yours too! The intelligent people who are translators for a living know the responsibility that is expected and crucial to the success off your product in other countries.

 
Localization Topics to Think About For Your Product

Software localization- not every country’s computers work the same. The software needs to be localized so that your product, if it’s a software product can be understood- not a ton of poor coding.
Language translation- obviously your product needs to be in the native language of where you are selling it to.
Spelling too- Just because a country speaks English doesn’t mean we all spell words the same way, or use the same form of grammar.
Audio- If your product is going to have spoken language in it, the translator needs to be of course fluent and the subject needs to be culturally, politically and ethnically sensitive.
Graphical representation- A product sold to Saudi Arabia shouldn’t have snow covered Bavarian towns as graphics and the same for all other countries. It isn’t to say people should be blatant and stereotype but common sense should be used as well as sensitivity.
Numbers, weights and measures- As necessary as language and graphics, currency, weights and measures all need to be converted and written correctly.

 

Your name, your brand and your product only get one chance to make a first impression. Once you have created your own product successfully and have found the right translation company to perfectly localize your product, you can feel confident knowing you have covered your bases and sell with confidence.

About the author : Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity . For more information about localization , go to www.multiling.com.

Everything You Should Know About Digital Music Gear

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Music gear is a very important component of every genre of music. Music gear are of different types. There are acoustic music gear, electronic music gear, digital music gear, etc. Acoustic music gear is that which do not need any external electrical support. Digital music gear is the newest edition in the family of music gear. This kind of gear is effective, smart looking and trendy.


Digital music gear has a lot of variety. To know about this gear properly, we need to have a clear idea about the varieties. The most basic common feature is that they work digitally.


Digital Rack Tuner


This gazette works in a number system. This system is generated electronically.


Amplifiers


Amplifiers are needed to enhance the sound of the instruments and the vocals. Amplifiers are a kind of digital music gear that are mainly used on stages and in recording studios. Actually the instruments and the vocals are not originally very much loud so that all the audience in a stage show cannot hear it. To solve this problem, amplifiers are being used. It also enhances the tonal quality of the sound.


While playing an electrical instrument like electric guitar, amplifiers are necessary. Electric guitars cannot produce any sound without external electrical help. It has got a pick up. This system helps the guitar to generate a particular tone. And the amplifier then makes that sound audible to everybody.


Processor


This is another important digital music gear. Processors are basically being used with electric guitars. Processor is a tiny gear that consists of a lot of tone and effects. Actually electric guitars do not have any added tone or effect. What it has got is just a clean tone. But you find a guitarist playing in a varied range of tones in a concert. All these tones come from the processor.


The guitar just needs to be connected with the processor. And then it will be equipped with brilliant tones and effects. The best thing about the processor is that you can mix several given tones and make something of your own. Once you make a new tone, you can store that in the processor and can play that whenever you want.


Microphones


Microphones are very much connected with amplifiers. Without microphone, professional music is impossible. Microphone also enhances the sound like amplifiers. But it happens in a different manner.


When music is played, then some tool is necessary that can spread the sound to every corner of the auditorium. Microphone does this job. Microphones have different categories: button microphone, throat microphone, liquid microphone, shot gun microphone, and so on.


Speaker


Speaker is a digital music gear that gives the sound a realistic touch. Speakers are placed in different places in the room or the auditorium. Conventional speakers are not that much popular nowadays. More improvised versions of speakers are there in the market. And they are called surround sound speakers. It gives you a feeling that the sound is coming from every direction.


These are the most important kinds of digital music gear. Apart from these, there are recording equipment, DJ equipment, etc. They also are a part of this type of music gear.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for music gear, speakers, and microphones. You can find the best marketplace for music gear, speakers, and microphones at these 3 sites: digital music gear,, speakers, subwoofers, and microphones.

Know About Simple Steps of Product Creation

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Some people get hung up on article marketing and limit their ability to make money online because of it. In reality if you can talk you can create audio products and make money selling them online. In this article let’s take a look at 5 ways to come up with quality audio products so you can make more money selling them online. It is important that you pick topics that allow you to make a profit just like you would do in article marketing. If you concentrate on creating audios that people can listen to that solves their problems, you stand an excellent chance of making sales on those. Before you actually sit down to create your audio product you need to do some extensive research. There are many places that you can research information online and off of it or go to www.create-video-product.com These include looking at competitor’s websites, experts within a niche, discussion forums, or even going to the local library can provide content ideas.

Your goal is to come up with quality information that will be helpful to your listener. Next when you are creating your audio product you want to create an outline that you can follow. This can be something as simple as listing all the highlighted points that you want to cover and getting those in the proper order so they make sense to your listener. Your goal is to create an outline that allows you to get your content recorded in an organized manner. When you sit down to make your recording you want to stay focused and not let any outside disturbances get in the way of what you are trying to say or visit www.explosive-product-launches.com it is important that you speak clearly; you use proper grammar, and use proper voice inflections when trying to get your point across.

You will also want to use transitional phrases as you go from one highlighted point to the next. Once your recording is made you will need to do some editing. Before you actually make them available to put on the Internet you want to listen to them several times. It is important that you’re audio comes across as clear and easy to understand, and that you have no long pauses in the content itself. you concentrate on creating audios that people can listen to that solves their problems, you stand an excellent chance of making sales on those. Before you actually sit down to create your audio product you need to do some extensive research. To ensure that you are giving the listener the value they demand you want your audio product to be very professionally done. By eliminating background noises that make it sound like was recorded by an amateur your recording will be more professionally sounding. These are 5 things to keep in mind when you are creating audio products to sell on the Internet. This is a great way to offer something different than those people doing article marketing, and may be just what you need to make money providing information.

The 5 Most Common Questions About Music Mastering

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Music mastering is an essential part of every hit record. Yet, few new (and even some “established”) musicians have a good understanding of what mastering is and why they need it.


This often leads to many selecting the wrong mastering studio… and making many unnecessary mistakes in the recording and music mixing phases (which affects the mastering later on).


This is why below are the 5 most frequently asked questions about music mastering:



What exactly is music mastering?

Mastering is the final phase before your CDs, Vinyls, DVDs or MP3 files are produced. It’s the last chance to get the sound right… and for errors to be fixed.


Mastering transforms your music from a “raw” sound into a professional, “radio-ready” sound. It gives your tracks punch, loudness, clarity, and completes your final vision.



Why is it so important and do I really need it?

All major labels have their artists’ records mastered before they’re released. But, often many independent artists/labels wonder if they should go-ahead and get it done.


The answer is a big YES! If you want to make the right impression, then at a minimum you need to get your demo professionally mastered.


Because just think about when your demo hits the A & R managers’ desk, what’s going to stand-out… the professionally mastered demos (yours) or the poor quality ones?


By having your music mastered, then you’re going to increase your chances of getting signed and creating loyal fans.


Moreover, the single biggest advantage professional mastering offers are the “fresh” skilled and independent ears put to your music.


Because after working on your music for long hours in the studio, you often become too close to your work. And, as a result, your ears can’t help but get used to mistakes.


Your ears begin to hear mistakes as normal. It´s the same effect as when you are living near a heavy-traffic street – after living their for a few weeks, you will not wake-up anymore at night because your ears get used to those sounds and blends them out.


With the mastering engineer’s help, you make sure you don’t have any major errors in your music and gain advice (from an experienced professional) in what needs to be done to help get the perfect sound!



How much should I pay?

Mastering studios charge a wide range of fees. You can pay anywhere from $5 a track or up to hundreds of dollars per hour for the most well-known engineers.


The reason there’s such a large amount of fees is that there are many “budget studios” that have arisen online. These studios are often a single person who does all his or her work on the home computer.


Since these people usually don’t have much experience, they often miss important problems and don’t know what to look for (every track has its own unique problems). Additionally, they don’t have tools a professional mastering studio offers to do it right.


This is compared to the more expensive engineers who have years of experience and know-how in creating a “hit” sound.



How important is the mastering equipment?

Professional mastering studios spend thousands of dollars on their equipment. The equipment gives them full flexibility in making a wide-range of adjustments.


However, when looking at the equipment a studio has, you should not focus too much on it. Instead, and more important, you want to look for an engineer who also has experience with it.


It takes years for an engineer to feel fully comfortable with all of the equipment and the adjustment it allows. This is especially true when learning how to adjust for different genres of music.


For example, the equipment is often used differently for Rock music than Classical.



Should I use an online or offline mastering studio?

Online mastering is a recent phenomenon. It has only been in the last few years that it has really begun to take off.


There are now hundreds of different people offering mastering services via the internet. Many of these people are amateurs (and can actually make you music sound worse). While, at the same time, some of the most famous and well-known engineers have now moved online.


Online mastering offers many advantages over offline studios. These include the speed at which you can transfer your music and communicate with the engineer. You aren’t stuck with the time-limitations a booked session in a offline mastering studio has.


Additionally, you also don’t have to deal with weeks of waiting to go back and forth with the engineer using “snail mail” or booking several times in the studio for revisions. You can also get access to the engineer anytime using email.


In an offline studio when working via snail mail, it may often be hard to get a hold of the engineer to share your ideas.


Moreover, an online mastering engineer has experience with more international music. In offline studios, the engineer often only works with a certain type of music that’s popular in the area.

Musicians! Get the edge by giving your tracks the “Big label” sound with professional mastering! Get the full scoop on what mastering is, why you need it, and where to get it without getting ripped off by visiting: http://www.MasteringCentral.com right now!

About Car Audio Brands – I

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Alpine has a strong reputation for offering high quality audio performance, from input to output, and offers you a distinguished acoustic performance and balance. Alpine boasts an extensive range of Audio, Navigation and Multi Media products including the much talked about PLAY LOUD ‘Bass Engine’ stereos, V amplifiers and ‘DVD Car Navi’ GPS Navigation systems. Other products include CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Changers & Packages.

Alpine Car Audio are famous worldwide for their CD changer range that are without doubt the best aftermarket CD changers available anywhere. They are built to last! From the stylish robust casing to the high quality electronic components used inside they give skip-free, superb quality sound playback from CD, MP3 or, CD-R/RW (copied) discs. Their classic CHM-S630 ‘6 disc’ changer is fully compatible with many Factory Fitted radios with the aid of a CD interface.

Autoleads are leaders for in-car audio accessories. Autoleads manufacture unique installation accessory products that are highly regarded within the motor industry, that offer the motorist greater flexibility when choosing and installing car audio equipment. Their product range includes Harness Adaptors, Fascia Adaptors, Steering Wheel Remote Control Adaptors and Telephone Mute Leads.

Becker is an industry leader at producing in-car Navigation systems, CD players and CD changers using pioneering technology. If you are attending important business meetings or looking forward to driving to your holiday destination, then Becker Car Audio has the product for you. A fascinating combination of a navigation system, CD player and RDS Tuner, in one unit, offering the latest information technology, which guides you to your destination anywhere in 18 European countries. As fitted by Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Land Rover, BMW, Ford, VW and Ferrari.

Blaupunkt known worldwide also as Blue Dot or Blue Spot are real innovators in the car audio field. In 1932 they produced the first ever car radio, and were also the first to introduce the stereo car radio, the car CD player and RDS car radio. More recently they have produced the Radio Phone and Dynamic Navigation Systems. Blaupunkt Car Audio have an excellent range of in-car products including CD, MP3, MD, Cassette players, and Navigation Systems. Their robust CDC-A03 CD Changer is compatible with many Factory Fitted Blaupunkt car radios.

Clarion have recently had great success with their award-winning in-car navigation systems and their DAB (Digital Audio broadcasting) system that are becoming more popular each month as more and more quality radio stations are launched. Clarion Car Audio also produce an excellent range of high quality Car Audio products including CD, MP3, MD and cassette players with the very popular Clarion DC628 CD Changer being directly compatible with many Factory Fitted car radios.

Connects 2 are a respected worldwide manufacturer and supplier of car audio installation and multi-media accessories. Their Connects 2 range boasts the very popular and unique range of CD, MD & MP3 changer interfaces that enable Factory Fitted radios to operate and control CD, MD & MP3 changers, offering you an alternative to expensive dealer CD changers.

Also in the range you will find radio harness, fascia and steering remote control adaptors that allow fast and seamless installation. New products in the range include multimedia interfaces and iPOD icelinks that connect Apple’s iPOD to your factory radio giving you your very portable CD changer from MP3.

Grundig manufacture the MCD-46 CD changer, the choice of Fiat, Seat and Skoda that has a great reputation for its robust stylish design, compact size and ease of installation into any available space in your boot, under a seat or in your glove box.

The Grundig MCD-46 compact CD changer is recommended and fitted as standard by Fiat and is directly compatible with factory fitted radios as found in Fiat Brava, Bravo, Marea and Tipo models. It is also directly compatible with some SEAT and Skoda models with Grundig radios fitted as standard.

The Grundig MCD-46 is equipped with a high vibration resistance and is resistant to road impacts and vibrations.

JBL Whether you are looking to upgrade a factory sound system, or looking to build a world-class competition system, JBL car audio has got you covered. Amplifiers, subwoofers and loudspeakers. JBL speakers can be found in many US sporting arenas and restaurants such as Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood and are used on tour by many top music artists.

JVC continues the tradition of offering seamless mobile entertainment, with many variations in style and function for mobile entertainment. JVC Car Audio has the products to meet your lifestyle and is the Manufacturer of the much talked about EL CHAMELEON range of car radios. Their range of car audio is topped by their claim to make the smallest 12 Disc CD & MP3 Changers available in the world.

Kenwood along with Sony are probably the UK’s most popular brands of car audio and in-car entertainment products due to their comprehensive range, superb quality, excellent styling and competitive pricing. Creator of the world famous ‘MASK’ system, (now with removable security fascia) that has won high acclaim as an anti-theft system.

Kenwood Car Audio recently released radios that have variable colour illumination to co-ordinate with any dashboard lighting that you care to install it with. Kenwood have an excellent range of products including CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Packages, CD Changers, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Speakers, AV/DVD, plus many more.


Ben is a successful technical consultant on design of iPod systems and writes regularly for http://ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk


Learning About Producing Music

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Learning how to produce music is something that is fun and allows you to be creative, it’s frees the mind, body and soul and allows your emotions to come out in the creation of music. Producing music is always a challenge to someone who hasn’t produced music before but don’t feel pushed back because your friends can already make hot music, you can too and I have some information that will get you making music as soon as you want.

I find the best way of learning something is by watching someone else do it so if you had a mentor, or someone to guide you through problems of how to work with the music software things would move a lot smoother. I have found a website that does just that and truly, the results are amazing. Learning how to produce music within a few weeks and possibly finding a career in it in the near future is a lot of new producers dreams and is now possible.

Start today producing music today – Fruity Loops is the most used music production software, it is very user friendly and allows you to add many Plugin’s to it like advanced music programs, it allows you to mix your music and export them at industry standard. Truly a great tool to sound just as good as the big producers out there and a great way to enter the music industry, this is the beginning and hopefully I will see you reach the stars.

Succeed in your dreams

For more information visit http://www.musicproducerpro.net

J Baileyy

I am a music producer