Sunday, May 27, 2012

A Look At Music Composition Software

By Somoda Sotua


Try to imagine writing an entire orchestra score in just a matter of minutes, and about the only way you could conceive of it being possible was if you had music composition software. Instead, you quickly push a few buttons to assign instruments to sections and pick a rhythm, add the notes and your done with the work.

After you're done, you starting thinking about one of the parts and wonder what would happen if you changed the key signature for just a short part of the performance. It's easy to reload the file and start pushing some buttons, and with a mouse click you hear the results. No rubber trees gave up their spirits for an erasure to make those changes.

Switching tempo from one measure to another can be difficult enough when you don't have a computer. Making a change from four-four time to three-quarter time is easier using an editing program, than starting over from scratch with pencil and paper.

Creativity doesn't know a schedule, and it suddenly appears with an idea about changing a whole section to a different type of note. With the advent of computer programming it is possible to place a couple of marks and then change that long rift to staccato. In seconds you hear the results.

Violins and cellos are usually the core of the string section, and you want their magic to work on a different level. In a blink of the eye, you can change them to notes that are an octave higher. It easy to make them play counter-point while you are at it. Trombones could be a nice addition, here.

Some people have a bit trouble with four part harmony, but there is little reason to spend that much time when you can push a button and have it done automatically. Then you can change any or all of the notes to achieve the exact mix, and electronics made it possible through music composition software.




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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Why Musicians Might Make Fantastic Voice-Over Artists

By Vecio Orev


The voice-over industry draws interest from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Some people are just looking for a new career, while others are attracted by the chance to work from home; be their own bosses.

Most professional voice actors will tell you that they never stop learning voice-over technique. While voice-over artists continue to develop their niche and hone their skills throughout their lifetimes, there are several transferable skills that musicians have that would give them a leg up on the competition before they even get started.

Musicians tend to make great voice-over actors for many reasons. Most musicians who are serious about performing have studied music and understand the components of technique, such as pitch, attitude, volume and energy. These techniques are certainly applied differently in music than in voice-overs, but the consideration that goes into deciding how to play or read something is exactly the same. Professional voice-over artists in training sometimes have a hard time hearing the difference in techniques, whereas the musician's ear is more finely tuned. It can be difficult for even the pros to master the techniques and vary them up in a short, 15-second spot.

Musicians often also have experience with technical equipment and are used to trouble shooting acoustics and sound proofing. If a voice actor can't capture a clean recording that's free of echoes and outside noises, the recording will be useless to a voice-over client. Many musicians have had some exposure to audio recording and editing programs, such as Pro Tools, which is the industry standard for the professional audio world. If a voice actor has an amazing voice but can't competently edit an audio file, then the voice actor will probably not be able to find much work. Furthermore, any skills that a musician learns to enhance their voice-over career will surely benefit their music career as well.

Musicians aren't risking anything by getting voice-over technique training. Getting into voice-overs is an easy way to supplement an income, and the best part is that most musicians wouldn't be required to buy extra equipment that they don't already have!




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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Record Epic Tunes With Music Maker Software

By Stacadam Joamoz


Music maker software has been introduced to the music production world and many people are taking full advantage. There are many great perks that come along with this type of software that many people are simply unaware of. Take the time to look below and find out how this software is going to work out.

Within minutes of downloading, the software will be ready to use. Users can easily learn what they need to do simply by looking through the different features. Do not choose software that is too complex, otherwise it is going to be hard to make the right music and sound that you are aiming for.

It might also be a good idea to look at the different instrument features that come with the software. Music maker software will add different music instruments that people can use even if they do not own that sound. Be sure to use different versions and find out about which ones are going to work out the very best. Look into the special features for vocals as well and start singing.

Once you have taken the time to record some great music, take the time to make some CDs. It is possible with the right software to burn all of the songs onto a cd or two. Pass these tunes out to different people and find out what they like about it. This might even be a great way to get the record deal that you have had your eye on.

This software can easily be downloaded right to the computer. Make sure that the computer is up to date and new enough to handle this new software. Once the system has been updated it will be easy to take care of the download in just a few short minutes.

Music maker software is incredibly effective and well worth every single penny. Anyone who wants to increase their music talents will need to start right now. Get the right versions and see how easy everything is going to be in the long run.




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Saturday, May 19, 2012

Have Some Free Music Mixing Software

By Sorgen Cartonter


If a computer monitor could be used for fulling dreams, perhaps yours would be displaying free music mixing software. Some LED lit windows for showing the numerical values of frequencies, and reveal the results of pitch values you have chosen. Maybe dreams do come true in the world of electronics technology.

A numeric keypad could come in handy for entering the exact numbers you want displayed in the above two windows. They could also be used to select other parts of creating a finished work, and selecting which recording track to write your changes and improvements to.

With a couple more windows to display lists of songs, or sounds, could be useful in retrieving what is needed, and allowing the results to be keep in storage. This could create unlimited combinations of possible entertainment, and result in productions that make you stand out above all others at your craft.

There is surely good reasons for having a waveform where other things can be examined or monitor the rest of the equipment that is connected. There might be clouds of fog needed for effects, strings and rows of flashing lights all set to perform at that precise frequency, and moment, to make the gig complete.

A couple of groups of control knobs are needed for other settings and each of the measurements can be new parameters you were dreaming of, while permanently establishing the ratio of volume to all other sounds. These controls could apply to many other combinations for creating excellent entertainment.

It might not be just a dream to have all of this on your computer screen. If you had free music mixing software you could create flashing lights and volume control levels, along with monitoring frequencies and other cool graphics that can be used in abstract form to control and provide your talented work.




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Some Ideas About Music Composition

By Vitalia Keeoa


Music composition can be used by college students, as well as people who are naturally talented and need a means of getting their work into the computer. It certainly makes things easier if that software could handle the things you don't know very well, but need them to be correct.

A score is needed for people who need to follow along with the notes for other instruments and voices, and is time consuming to do by hand. Many talented artists haven't a clue about standard notation, but would love the advantages of WYSIWYG software to get those notes down on paper.

Singing harmony is difficult enough for those who can do it, and trying to play a different note while putting something else in could be even more complicated. With a 'virtual note sheet' it could be much easier to get all four voices on a single staff, and then communicate it with the singers.

Using the computer keyboard and mouse to enter the notes is a great idea and makes things go more quickly, but being able to connect the computer with your MIDI keyboard would make things so much better. You might be able to get more songs entered into the machine with such a feature as that.

The electronic synthesizer changed everything in the entertainment industry by providing use with sounds that were humanly impossible to make. Now, we need a means of getting them inside the laptop computer so they can be printed out on paper. Enter the integrated sequencer features you need to handle weird sounds.

After entering everything you wanted from that set, you need to be able to save it for future use or printouts. Importing and exporting MusicXML and standard MIDI files would mean being able to pass files to others, and make changes to your work. Then distribute the files of your music composition to the band.




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Friday, May 18, 2012

The Reasons Why Joining A Drumming Circle Is A Good Idea

By Ruth Williams


A tradition that has been around for thousands of years, drum circles are a way for many people to celebrate, mourn, heal or meditate. Over the past few years, we've been seeing people gathering in drum circles at festivals and for other celebrations. Drum circles are also often held as workshops where people of all ages can join in with different drums and percussion and learn what it is like to connect with the rhythm.

Anthropological evidence suggests that early native populations gathered and made music together, as a means of storytelling and celebration. Additionally, drumming was a method of communication between communities. Indigenous people around the globe maintain their drumming practice to this day.

Drum circles are a tranquil activity in which to take part, and players commonly enter a state of deep contemplation. The heartbeat of the base tones' vibrations can actually cause your body to relax and unwind, if you allow it. The activity level of drumming is dependent on the style of music that is being played. All kinds of people can participate in drum circles, and a lot of gatherings are oriented specifically around the elderly and kids. These circles allow them to not only make music, but also enjoy the therapeutic side of the activity and the enjoyment of community. Someone who doesn't find a drum compelling or who can't manage playing can still do percussion using things such as shakers or claves.

Drum circles can also be used to promote healing. Drumming can be used as physical therapy or even as a means of expression for those who may not be able to communicate with words, for example children with speech difficulties or even conditions like autism. Everyone is equal and has a voice when drumming.

Another way to build community is to hold drum circles. Because of who they are, they assemble people together, dancing, singing, playing and sharing. When the drums are played well, it is like they are having a conversation with each other and saying lots of different things. This low toned recurring pulse conjures feelings of security and stability while accents of high tones add contrast.

When you drum with a group, you will also become a better percussionist. Working together in a group, it's easy to overlook the need to listen. There are those who just thump on their instruments without listening for the others who are playing with them. Be sure to listen for changes in order to adjust your playing to keep with the evolving feel that occurs in a drum circle. With practice, you may also find yourself leading and directing the movement of the drum circle, changing the tempo and the rhythm.




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American Idol 2010 And Seasons 6 Through 9

By Dennis Duncan




As tons already know, American Idol is a cultural phenomenon. I know this first hand because I worked on the show during seasons 6-9.

What I am desiring to do is give you insight on how American Idol works. More than anything, I am sharing with you first hand enlightenment of how a portion of the American Idol machine functions that very few people are aware of.

My employment on American Idol was working directly with the contestants producing, engineering and recording their vocals for the full length downloads. I was also responsible for producing, recording, editing and uploading the Idol performance show ring tones to the Fox/AT&T servers for seasons 6-9 that many of you probably purchased. It's hard to imagine, but during any given week of Idol I played an integral role in about ten Billboard & Itune hits every week and picked every ringtone download weekly for every contestant for 4 seasons straight.

Now, you won't discover my name associated with many of the top ten hits or ringtones nor will you find my name when they roll the credits from the show. In TV, film and music, there is what they call "above the line" and "below the line". The big name producers are "above the line" and guys like me fell "below the line". Many others received credit for my individual professional endeavors. Not a big deal as that is just the way the industry operates and I am okay with that. I was happy to be part of the cultural phenomenon of this TV show called American Idol. I'll get in to the details more about Idol in later blogs but for this blog I want to share with you my route that lead me to Idol because it was from this path and the experiences as a major label recording artist & subsequent producer that hedged me to work with the contestants. At the cornerstone of my experiences, my path to success isn't much different from many of the contestants that audition for Idol.

Have I sold millions of records as an artist or a producer? No. Do you know my name? Probably not. But what I do have that many of the people involved with Idol do not have is that I was a major label singer/artist, songwriter, and am a music producer, among other ventures. And, probably the most considerable part of this whole experience is that I've spent time on "the other side of the glass". What that means is that I have been in the recording studio vocal booth recording vocals for many years. I have felt what it feels like to labor in the studio singing. I know. I sucked when I experienced my first recording sessions. It's very tough. I also know what it is like to excel in the studio as, the more I sang on songs in the studio and recorded, the better I got. For the most part, artists are either a good live singer or a decent studio singer. Not many are both. I was one of the rare few that was good at both.

So, my experience is through the trenches learning. I know what it takes to write a song, record a song, sing the song in the studio, perform that song live, tour, promote, do phoner's, videos and interviews, etc. These are the reasons that I related so much to the contestants and why many of them could relate to me. With the exception of being on a TV show, almost everything they were experiencing or about to experience, I had experienced already.




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