House of Love Records - i Magazine

Follow me, as I journey into music production in the Electronic Music Production Program @ Dubspot. www.dubspot.com

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5/2/09

I read through the course materials and I am caught up with my reading. I have to practice and build a remix as homework. I want to create a DJ set with remixes of 3 songs and mix them together. I also want to create a mash-up and a new song. I’ll see if I make my goal by the end of the course.

Our next assignment is to record using an external MIDI source. I realized that I have MIDI cables but they connect to a desktop PC through a MIDI port and not to a USB port. I’ll have to buy new ones to work from my laptop and record a vocal or instrument sound.

5/4/09

I wasn’t in the mood to work on my other project tonight and started playing with Ableton. I practiced for 3 hours until 2am and started making notes and figuring out which three songs to mix for class. I think I’ll mix Some Kinda Rush with That Big Track and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. I found a part to isolate for transitions, and to overlap, as I mix between songs. I played with the volume settings for each column, as I mixed, and faded the levels to bring up the vocal, or another part, in the mix. I found things in one clip that I want to remove using the envelope feature. I will keep playing and create a beat for each track that compliments the vocal and the arrangement. I want them to sound different but closely related. I heard tonight how it could sound. I was also aware of how to place the clips so that I can trigger them at the same time, and to group related clips in the same vicinity, so that I can trigger them easily. I need to make some clips that loop and others that just play once. I realized that I could move the end song marker to the end of the loop to get it to play once and end, and I played with the settings to trigger some clips with quicker launch times and so that I can get them to restart each time I touch the clip to trigger it. I may even play with some MIDI loops to see if I can create the beats that I want. I’ll have to play with the devices and some sample creations tomorrow. I wish that I had the full library to see what it’s potential was. When I buy it, I will have to listen carefully to familiarize myself with the clips that I like and find ways to alter them to create something unique.

5/5/09

I looked up the MIDI USB cable and may order it from Amazon.com. I’ll see if I can get the flash drive there too.

I looked and found a cable for $6.95 online. I ordered two, one for my drum kit, and one for my keyboard. I spent about an hour reading reviews on a flash drive and finally settled on one that fit what I was looking for. I really wanted a silver one and I found one that got good reviews. I’m an artist. It’s my thing. I have color schemes for my projects. I don’t usually read reviews, unless I’m undecided about something. If I have a question, then I read the worst reviews first. If the problems are ones that I can live with, or fall in a realm outside of my intended use, then I make the purchase. The main complaint in this instance was reliability of file saving and slowness. Both were unacceptable, but consistently, people who hated this product returned to a prior model and I bought that one.

I spent about 4 hours creating loops and isolating beats for a remix DJ set. I got the parts that I wanted for the 2 nd song and started isolating the verses of the 1 st song. It’s 4am and I’ve finished the pieces of one song. I just need to rework the clips to create a new beat for it. I started with a set of clips that I like and will build on them. I need new ones for the other two songs.

I worked on the remix project for 4 hours and created clips with the samples that I wanted for the remix. I got to create loops for 2 of the 3 songs that I want to use. I will start building new beats for each of the three. I really like the parts that I got and I got through one of them completely. I can trigger the chorus, verses and snippets. I have only the verses left on the other one and then I’ll take on the 3 rd song. I’m pleased with what I got. I hope that my beats are as satisfying and that they create a unique mix. I didn’t do much warping, but it didn’t require it. I used full bar loops and managed to get all of the parts that I needed. It’s 4am and I’m heading to bed. I will create more tomorrow.

5/6/09 – Class #7

I went to class and Mike showed me an external recording interface that had a USB soundcard as an option, by Pre Sonus. It would provide good sound, better than the laptop, and allow connection of all of my equipment. He has one that he uses. He said that Apogee (in the vicinity of $2,000) and RME (not far behind) provide the best sound. I will look into it. I would like to get as close to a studio sound as I can.

Today’s class was great. We learned about filters and using the arrange view. It helps a lot to learn some of the audio effects and see how to create the sounds that I need. I realized that my clips need some altering to remove some of the low-end notes. I only want the vocals in most cases or the mid-range instrument notes. I need to remove the kick drum from a lot of them so that it doesn’t clash with the new rhythm.

We learned how to record segments in arrange and started to record our remixes. He said that next Wednesday we will present them to the class. I hope that mine turns out well. I did not find a lot of other rhythms to use as the underlying beat for the other two tracks.

He mentioned a mixing and mastering class that he said is helping him. I’ll look into it after I’ve created 5 original tracks and have something to mix and master.

5/7/09

My demo version expired and I had to get another one. It took up most of my time reinstalling it. I listened to clips in the library to see what would compliment my mix and tested ideas. I found a break in the first remix that I like. I’ll see about the others.

I was reading through the book, The Art of Producing, and chapter 3 has how to look at the space of a song. It will help me with arranging and building the layers in the mix. The Art of Mixing is a bit more detailed and has information in chapter 4 that will help me understand the uses of studio equipment and charts on instruments and the ranges that they would fall into in Hz. I will wait until after tomorrow’s class, which covers delays, to start reading it.

-1 2 3 4 5 6-

	Follow me, as I journey into music production in the Electronic Music Production Program @ Dubspot. www.dubspot.com -1 2 3 4 5 6- 5/2/09 I read through the course materials and I am caught up with my reading. I have to practice and build a remix as homework. I want to create a DJ set with remixes of 3 songs and mix them together. I also want to create a mash-up and a new song. I’ll see if I make my goal by the end of the course. Our next assignment is to record using an external MIDI source. I realized that I have MIDI cables but they connect to a desktop PC through a MIDI port and not to a USB port. I’ll have to buy new ones to work from my laptop and record a vocal or instrument sound. 5/4/09 I wasn’t in the mood to work on my other project tonight and started playing with Ableton. I practiced for 3 hours until 2am and started making notes and figuring out which three songs to mix for class. I think I’ll mix Some Kinda Rush with That Big Track and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. I found a part to isolate for transitions, and to overlap, as I mix between songs. I played with the volume settings for each column, as I mixed, and faded the levels to bring up the vocal, or another part, in the mix. I found things in one clip that I want to remove using the envelope feature. I will keep playing and create a beat for each track that compliments the vocal and the arrangement. I want them to sound different but closely related. I heard tonight how it could sound. I was also aware of how to place the clips so that I can trigger them at the same time, and to group related clips in the same vicinity, so that I can trigger them easily. I need to make some clips that loop and others that just play once. I realized that I could move the end song marker to the end of the loop to get it to play once and end, and I played with the settings to trigger some clips with quicker launch times and so that I can get them to restart each time I touch the clip to trigger it. I may even play with some MIDI loops to see if I can create the beats that I want. I’ll have to play with the devices and some sample creations tomorrow. I wish that I had the full library to see what it’s potential was. When I buy it, I will have to listen carefully to familiarize myself with the clips that I like and find ways to alter them to create something unique. 5/5/09 I looked up the MIDI USB cable and may order it from Amazon.com. I’ll see if I can get the flash drive there too. I looked and found a cable for $6.95 online. I ordered two, one for my drum kit, and one for my keyboard. I spent about an hour reading reviews on a flash drive and finally settled on one that fit what I was looking for. I really wanted a silver one and I found one that got good reviews. I’m an artist. It’s my thing. I have color schemes for my projects. I don’t usually read reviews, unless I’m undecided about something. If I have a question, then I read the worst reviews first. If the problems are ones that I can live with, or fall in a realm outside of my intended use, then I make the purchase. The main complaint in this instance was reliability of file saving and slowness. Both were unacceptable, but consistently, people who hated this product returned to a prior model and I bought that one. I spent about 4 hours creating loops and isolating beats for a remix DJ set. I got the parts that I wanted for the 2 nd song and started isolating the verses of the 1 st song. It’s 4am and I’ve finished the pieces of one song. I just need to rework the clips to create a new beat for it. I started with a set of clips that I like and will build on them. I need new ones for the other two songs. I worked on the remix project for 4 hours and created clips with the samples that I wanted for the remix. I got to create loops for 2 of the 3 songs that I want to use. I will start building new beats for each of the three. I really like the parts that I got and I got through one of them completely. I can trigger the chorus, verses and snippets. I have only the verses left on the other one and then I’ll take on the 3 rd song. I’m pleased with what I got. I hope that my beats are as satisfying and that they create a unique mix. I didn’t do much warping, but it didn’t require it. I used full bar loops and managed to get all of the parts that I needed. It’s 4am and I’m heading to bed. I will create more tomorrow. 5/6/09 – Class #7 I went to class and Mike showed me an external recording interface that had a USB soundcard as an option, by Pre Sonus. It would provide good sound, better than the laptop, and allow connection of all of my equipment. He has one that he uses. He said that Apogee (in the vicinity of $2,000) and RME (not far behind) provide the best sound. I will look into it. I would like to get as close to a studio sound as I can. Today’s class was great. We learned about filters and using the arrange view. It helps a lot to learn some of the audio effects and see how to create the sounds that I need. I realized that my clips need some altering to remove some of the low-end notes. I only want the vocals in most cases or the mid-range instrument notes. I need to remove the kick drum from a lot of them so that it doesn’t clash with the new rhythm. We learned how to record segments in arrange and started to record our remixes. He said that next Wednesday we will present them to the class. I hope that mine turns out well. I did not find a lot of other rhythms to use as the underlying beat for the other two tracks. He mentioned a mixing and mastering class that he said is helping him. I’ll look into it after I’ve created 5 original tracks and have something to mix and master. 5/7/09 My demo version expired and I had to get another one. It took up most of my time reinstalling it. I listened to clips in the library to see what would compliment my mix and tested ideas. I found a break in the first remix that I like. I’ll see about the others. I was reading through the book, The Art of Producing, and chapter 3 has how to look at the space of a song. It will help me with arranging and building the layers in the mix. The Art of Mixing is a bit more detailed and has information in chapter 4 that will help me understand the uses of studio equipment and charts on instruments and the ranges that they would fall into in Hz. I will wait until after tomorrow’s class, which covers delays, to start reading it. -1 2 3 4 5 6-		Available online and in stores now www.kyranbooks.com
Articles March 2009 - Issue 1, vol. 1 The Business of News The Other Woman State vs. Private College Where Have All The Newsmen Gone? OMG…I’m the Grasshopper Hype and the Improper Brand Who's Pulling The Strings? Voyeurism and the Modern World The Thinker The State of Broadway Available online and in stores now www.designsbykyran.com
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	Follow my journey into music production in the Electronic Music Production Program @ Dubspot. www.dubspot.com	Do you need some real world advice? Write with your questions to webmaster@houseofloverecords.com