Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Last Call Free Services Ready To End Act Today



I have posted this before, I must post it again, and to date no one has taken me up on any of the many great free offers. Thus this is the last chance, if you want to get into any of the free stuff I offer, you must act today.

I still see at least 200 reads a month of my music book on recording, it links to this teaching site, so I am speechless as to why no one has taken me up on any of this?

So be it, I have many websites, and writing books, recording my own CD project, I am working 80 plus hours a day on line and off line. This is the last post if no one responds. I will put my efforts else where, sorry.

There is a lot of great information on this site. Update 2015, I am prof reading the posts lol. wow, had no idea some were so bad, and I am sober. 

Lord willing maybe, one day I will have time to post more needed informational messages 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

The Best Synth Workstations Under 700.00 Two Of Them

Hands down the best synth work station is the Yamaha MM6, amazing sound, and a great sequencer; this is the one I recommend as the top cheap  workstation. I will give the descriptions on it and what the specs and things are, as well as a pitcher.

The Yamaha is so good because it has the sound engine of its expensive brother the MOTIF, the same sound set, more limited; it is like a MOTIF lit.

Think you have to lay down tons of cash for a great sounding synthesizer? Think you'll need to take a college level course to understand how to use a sequencer? Think professional keyboards have to weigh a ton? Think again! The Yamaha MM6 is a lightweight, easy to learn performance synthesizer that derives its many voices from the legendary MOTIF workstation. It sounds like a million bucks, but you won't have to win the lotto to get one!

Portability Made For Gigging
Unless you've got an army of dedicated roadies, it's just not convenient to lug a massive workstation keyboard around to gigs. The Yamaha MM6 solves this problem by incorporating hundreds of great MOTIF-derived sounds into a compact, 61-key keyboard that weighs less than twelve pounds. The mod and pitch wheels are positioned above the bass-end keys for a shorter length than even most 61-key synths. To save on weight, the keys themselves are not weighted, but they still feature velocity sensitivity for expressive playing dynamics; the MM6 is a totally pro performance keyboard that won't wreak havoc on your back.

Sound Set Straight From The MOTIF
418 voices and 22 drum kits have been taken directly from the MOTIF and installed in the Yamaha MM6. You get thick synthesizer sounds, fat drum tones, amazing acoustic instruments, and of course, that signature Yamaha digital grand piano sound. The MM6 arranges all these sounds by category, so you can find the one you need quick and easy, even in the middle of a live set. Tweaking those sounds is also easy--and fun--with the Yamaha MM6's real-time control knobs. In addition to the pitch and mod wheels, you get access to parameters like attack, resonance, filter cutoff and release. Just like on the MOTIF and other workstation keyboards, the Yamaha MM6 comes with a big selection of backing rhythmic patterns in styles like hip-hop, jazz, rock and dance, which is great for instant accompaniment or as inspiration for your own grooves. One of the standout features of the MOTIF is its sophisticated arpeggiator, and the MM6 boasts 213 patterns taken directly from its big brother. Arpeggio patterns lock in with your rhythmic pattern to create intricate musical counterpoints, all triggered by playing a simple chord. You'll be able to instantly realize complex musical ideas, even in the middle of a live performance.

Sequencer To Fuel Your Creative Fire
With a built-in, eight track sequencer, the Yamaha MM6 is also a great tool for inspiring your inner producer. The amazing sounds, patterns and arpeggiator on the MM6 are sure to catalyze your creative engines, and the sequencer makes it easy to record all your freshest compositions. Your sequences are stored in the universal MIDI file format, which can easily be transferred to your computer thanks to the inclusion of a USB connection on the back of the keyboards. From there, you can expound on your musical ideas by importing the MIDI files into Cubase LE, the powerful computer audio editing software that just so happens to ship with your new Yamaha MM6 synthesizer. Like everything else on the MM6, the sequencer is simple to learn and operate.

You've coveted the lush sounds of the MOTIF from afar for long enough. The Yamaha MM6 puts powerful Yamaha synthesis and sequencing for stage and studio well within the reach of any musician.

Cost 700.00 Zzsound has them for under 450.00 slight blemish , so what , that is an unreal price.

What the MFG says about it next.


Overview Warranties and Docs Yamaha's Description Customer Reviews
Product Description
The Yamaha MM6 Music Synthesizer delivers all that power and more. Drawing on the same sounds of the popular pro-level MOTIF series instruments, the MM6 has a wide variety of dynamic, realistic and just plain powerful Voices to help you create amazing music. The MM6 also gives you total control over your sound, with real-time tweakable knobs, and features special Patterns that provide full backing -- drums, bass and chords -- for your live performance and song creation. And since the MM6 is exceptionally light and portable, you can bring it anywhere and everywhere your music takes you.

Play -- Sounds from the Legendary Motif
That's the first and most important thing you look -- and listen -- for in a synthesizer. Rest assured, this synthesizer delivers. The MM6 has 418 Voices and 22 Drum Kits on board, based on the sounds of the famed pro-level MOTIF series synthesizers. These exceptionally high-quality sounds range from authentic and natural acoustic instruments to wild, unique and in-your-face synth Voices. An extra set of GM Voices (128 Normal, 1 Drum Kit) is built into the instrument as well, giving you all you need to play back songs recorded in that popular format.

So many Voices, so little time... That's why Yamaha also included a convenient Category Search function. Just select the type of instrument you want to play -- organ, guitar, synth lead, strings, whatever -- then select the specific Voice. All your favorite sounds are right at your fingertips.

Tweak -- Your Sounds the Way You Want!
Take control. Twist some knobs and tweak the sound. Make it sing and make it scream. The MM6 puts some serious control in your hands. Change the filter cutoff and resonance settings as well as the EG attack and release with the four knobs - in real time as you play.

Jam -- Patterns to Groove On
The MM6 has a full set of Patterns that give you rhythmic backing in a wide variety of music styles -- including Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, Dance, Ambient, Pop, Rock, Jazz and even World styles. These Patterns are just what you need to shake up the dance floor. All dynamic, all powerful - the MM6 gives you the real thing. Patterns that stay in the groove, but never sound mechanical. Drum loops with a truly human feel that dance and float around the beat, yet remain firmly in the pocket. Riffs and licks that get you inspired, get you moving, and get you creating some serious music.

Arpeggiate Yourself
Generate some excitement. The powerful Arpeggiator feature lets you automatically create repeating rhythmic phrases and note patterns. A full 213 Arpeggiator types are built in, letting you trigger a variety of musically useful and exciting patterns to get the house jumping. Many of these Arpeggiator types use synth lead, piano and guitar Voices to generate melodic and broken chord patterns based on the chords you play with your left hand. Bass arpeggios and Drum Voice rhythm loops are also included, letting you easily set up dynamic riffs and beats to jam over.

Create -- Your Music, Your Way
When you play live, you want to be able to make sound changes quickly -- not just between songs, but in the middle of a song too. The Performance Memory feature is just the tool you need to smoothly switch gears and take things up a notch or two. Each Performance can store combined settings for the Voices you want to use (including special keyboard splits and layers), the Patterns you want as backing tracks, and any other crucial settings for your live work. Then, simply call up each Performance by pressing a single button.

Save and Swap
Share the wealth. With the rear panel USB connection, the MM6 makes it easier than ever before to transfer your valuable data between devices. Plug in a USB thumb drive or memory stick and store the important MIDI songs, Pattern files, Performance settings and all other data you've created, and then bring it to a computer for archiving and organizing. You can also save your recorded songs in the universal SMF (Standard MIDI File) format, then transfer and use those on any another SMF-compatible device, including computers running MIDI music sequencing software.

Cubase LE
The MM6 is all about making music. And since much of today's music is being made on computers, the MM6 is built to fit right into any computer music system. Just connect the USB To Host terminal on the instrument to your computer with a standard USB cable, and you've got the makings of a sophisticated recording setup. And just to make sure you get a head start, Yamaha included a free copy of Cubase LE -- a full-featured music production software that has all you need to record your performance data from the MM6 via MIDI (and even use plug-in synthesizers in the software), edit the data, process the sounds with effects, arrange it in multiple tracks and perform final mix down.

Cubase lite is a good sequencer, but limited, also cubase the full version, will take a while to learn, I am not a fan of this sequencer PC software a tad complicated , but solid software, some may love it, I do not.




The Second Casio, I kid you not this one is simply fantastic 699.00 actually 700.00 the one above is 699.00 hence the post best for under 700.00 true by a penny LOL. So, 700.00 These two have built in sequencers, that is what makes them stand alone workstations. There are a few synths in the 700.00 range that may sound better like Korgs but this and the one above have so much and Casio is hard to believe, this is a must have as my second choice out of all 700.00 workstations, Casio has come a long way, this synth has a totally new sound engine, not the Casios of old. The difference between the two is this, Casio is for the analog sound, I mean heavy bottom end analog.

Sounds of old can be made with the one, the top favorite has a better sequencer and more usable sounds, and not a true analog emulator like the Casio, that is the difference, what sound do you want. For song writers The Yamaha is what you want, for a retro sound, Casio and more limited sequencer.

Casio has one around the same price range that is for DJ style music and wow, it is what it claims, if that is what your looking for and into, the Casio like the one shown is all about live, and  DJ usage, it also records fantastic.

Product Description
The Casio XW-P1 is a 61 key performance synthesizer with Casio's exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source. Providing screaming virtual analog monophonic leads and basses, draw-bar organs, complex layers, stereo pianos, drums and more, the XW-P1 has the sounds and real-time control the performing musician needs.

Features:
- 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
- HexLayer - A single sound made up of 6 components for gig ready splits and layers
- Drawbar Organ Mode with 9 sliders, adjustable rotary speaker, key click, vibrato and percussion
- 400 fully editable PCM based sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, guitars, drums and more.
- Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
- 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
- Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
- Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
- 4 real-time controller knobs
- Pitch and Modulation Wheels
- 1/4 in. Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
- Stereo 1/8 in. line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
- USB and MIDI ports
- 1/4" Line Output
- Included Power Supply
- Can operate on 6 D batteries

Specs


Overview Specs Warranties and Docs Customer Reviews
Specifications
- Number of Keys: 61
- Controllers:
-- Pitch Wheel
-- Modulation Wheel
- Assignable Controllers: Controllers; 4 Knobs
- Assignable Functions: MIDI Messages (CC, RPN, NRPN, Mono After touch, Poly After touch, Pitch, Tempo)
- Editing Controllers: 9 Sliders
- Display: LCD; 72x31 Dot Matrix + Patterns, with Back light and Contrast
- Tone Generator: Overview; Sound Generator Type; HPSS(Hybrid Processing Sound Source)
- Polyphony: 64
- Number of Parts: 16
- Total Number of Tones (Preset/User) : 620/310
- PCM, Melody, PCM Drum, Drawbar Organ, Hex Layer, Solo Synthesizer
- GM Compatible: Level 1
- Mixer: Yes
- Tuning: A4=415.5Hz - 440.0Hz - 465.9Hz (0.1Hz-Step)
- PCM Tones: Preset/User Tones; 400/100
- Tri-Element Stereo Piano: Yes
- Tones with User Wave: N/A
- Drum Kits (Preset/User) : 20/10
- Hex Layer: Number of Tones (Preset/User); 50/50
- Drawbar Organ: Number of Tones (Preset/User); 50/50
- Solo Synthesizer: Preset/User Tones; 100/100
- Maximum Polyphony: 1
- Oscillator Blocks: 6 (Synth 1/2, PCM1/2, Ext Input, Noise)
- Portamento: Yes
- Legato: Yes
- PWM: Yes
- External Input: Yes
- Pitch Shifter: Yes
- Noise Generator: Yes
- Non-Resonant Filter: Yes (6)
- Resonant Filter: Yes (1)
- Amplifier: Yes
- Oscillator Mixer: Yes
- LFO: Yes (2)
- Envelope Generators: Pitch, Amp, Filter, LFO
- Assignable Virtual Controllers: 8
- Effects: System Reverb; Preset Types; 10
- System Chorus: Preset Types; 5
- Limitations: System Chorus, DSP and Solo Synthesizer are mutually exclusive
- Master Effect: EQ; Editable 4 Band EQ
- DSP: Number of DSP Sets (Preset/User); 100/100
- PCM Tone Effect Categories: Compressor, Distortion, Enhancer, Wah, Auto Pan, Tremolo, Rotary, Phaser, Chorus, Reflection, Tempo Sync Delay , Ring Modulator, LoFi, 2-Module Multi
- Solo Synth DSP: Tempo Sync Delay, Distortion, Ring Modulator, Chorus, Flanger, Pan
- Algorithm Types: 46(Normal Tone DSP) 6(Solo Synthesizer DSP)
- DSP Lines: 1
- Audio Player: Storage Type; SD Card
- Number of Songs: 999
- Audio File Format: 42kHz Stereo
- Limitation: Audio Playing, Musical Playing(SMF, Step Sequencer) are mutually exclusive.
- Step Sequencer: Number of Tracks; Mono x 8, Poly x 1, Control x 4
- Number of Patterns / Step Sequence: 8
- Number of Step Sequencers (Preset/User) : 100/100
- Number of Chains (user) : 100
- Maximum Number of Steps: 16
- Key Play: Yes
- Other: Note Gate, Note Swing per Track
- Phrase Sequencer: Number of Phrases; 100/100
- Number of Tracks: 1
- Play Mode: Loop, Hold, Key Play
- Capacity: 8KBytes/Pgrase, 128KBytes/100 User Phrases
- Recordable Events: Note On/Off, Controller Operations
- Arpeggiator: Other; Phrase measure and note quantize, overdub
- Number of Patterns (Preset/User) : 100/100
- Data Types: Variation, Step
- Editing Function: Variation ; Parameter Edit
- Step: 16-Step Edit, Parameter Edit
- Performance: Number of Memories (Preset/User); 100/100
- Parameter Categories: Tone, Effect, Mixer, Controller, Sequence, Phrase, Arpeggio, MIDI
- Recall Parameter Filter: Yes
- Number of Keyboard Zones: 4
- Multifunction Key: Yes
- Transpose: Range; +/- 12
- Octave Shift: Range; +/- 3
- Tempo: Range; 30-255BPM
- Tap Tempo: Button/LED; Yes
- MIDI Clock: Transmit/Receive; Yes
- Storage: SDHC Card; Capacity; 2GB-32GB

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Shipping Weight: 19 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 40 x 18 x 6 in 


I found this Keyboards to be very, very fun to play, a  lot of user things to tweak and play with it is a blast to tweak if you like that.
 

What else could you ask for in a workstation, esp at 700.00. The sound of the Yamaha I like best, and it is why it is the best for the price, I have read everywhere and all agree this is the number one musician reviewed workstation for the money, I agree with the rest. When I first heard it I loved the sound, amazing, the Casio's features and sound are right up there, so these are the two I recommend as your low cost, go to, gigging pro home studio keyboards that sound great and do it all.

These will allow you to make pro recordings for pennies on the dollar.

Monday, January 13, 2014

I Wanted To Give A Fuller Explanation Of The Free Song Evaluation Service And Why You Should Consider IT, What It Is, And What It Is Not



The free service is for the purpose of letting a pro listen to your song. Bogus places like Taxi and others, charge a fee for this, and what they say is short and harsh.

What do I do? I listen to your song first for any technical issues, mixing issues, mic placement, mastering, things of a producer-recording Engineer, and Mastering Engineer prospective.

I give details concerning this.

Is the song radio ready, meaning is it a good mix and master.

I do not give any critique on your style, your method, your sound, or what you did as an artists. Hat off to you for even getting a finished song recorded. I give encouragement in that area. I do not bash your song; I am an advocate for Independent Music Artist’s.

When I did A&R work, as most, I would listen to, and hope to find, a hit song, a great new talent. Most A&R execs. listen to 15 seconds of your song I kid you not, I always listened to the whole song. I still do. I can tell you if it would be considered a song you would want as a song that is a top song, not a B' side song, or a CD filler song. Some songs are great, others are good, and others are filler B' side songs.

It is rare to have a CD by any artist have all hit songs on any given project, so I tell you where I would place the song, if the song should be promoted, and if it is ready to be sold, posted, put on I-tunes, CD baby other places.

I give very, very, long and detailed emails. You will see. On the consultation service, FREE, I give long, long emails concerning your question as well.

When I was in the Seattle area and had Digital Goatee Productions, a full fledged production CO, and recording studio in my home, I would help many independent artists with giving fast answers to their questions. One man a person who owned a studio owner and not an artist, said to me, 'I no longer Google, I Dan”, I love that one, and it is true. I do the work, and give detailed answers to your questions. The first two consultations are free, after that they are low cost. It is a real need for many and something else you should consider.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

A Great Free Sampler From Proteus WOW! Review And Link A Must Have.


Recently I found this free download, I did not expect much, but wow, I was blown away.

Like the keyboard or module- Proteus, this is not a synth you can not program the sounds, they are super high quality samples of useful instruments. I tried them all, it works on a low end PC, and the sounds are as good as Sample Tank. I can not believe it’s free. Listen to it and be amazed I give it 5 stars, a must have. Pianos are stunning, all instruments sound stunning, some of the pads, a tad weak, but use this is if you want or need, realistic regular instrument sounds. As a song writer I do.



I love synths, the free Crystal (I posted on that, made by green oaks, I want to just plug, play, create. I love samplers, and sampled loops. Back in my day I used the old work horse, the Korg DW 8000, still a great synth with a powerful bottom end, it was the first , or one of the very first analog, digital hybrids, I would make sounds and patches from scratch and wow. Love making sounds from scratch, and I mean scratch.



I do a lot of composing and song writing, so my days of repairing, working with synth programming, are over. The free instrument can be up graded, and well worth the upgrade to access many more sounds and features. As it is, as it sounds, with plenty of sounds in it, as said, it is a must have. PC recording gets better every day, as does FREE software and amazing 30 day trials that have every feature unlocked.



I have a new neighbor, not many around me where I live in the barren high desert of the Mojave , I am right at the foot of the Calico Mountains, what a view in a one pony town called Yermo CA, 15 min outside Barstow , off the I-15 the way towards Vegas or L.A.



So this guy my age moves in, we met , I came across the street for a visit, this man has all old analog gear, reel to reels, many, many synths, analog and drum machines, an old mixer and reel to reel, the same set up I use to use in the mastering of an audio project, a bass, electric guitars, amps, P.A. and the man has no idea what to do with it, so I am teaching him, and have access to all the old gear, what a blast, he even gave me a old Roland Hp 800 digital, hammer action 88 key electric piano, only weighs 1,000 pounds lol. wow love it, so down load this new free VSTi, and have a blast.



The pics are not that good, but I posted what I found.



I wanted to pass that along.



Still hoping some people take up my offer for free consultation , teachings by email, song evaluation, Use it or lose it, it's all free, what, are you crazy man, use me, everyone else does LOL.


Keep on making music as the world gets crazier everyday.







Wednesday, January 8, 2014

So You Want To Be A Producer Pt 2



Pt 1, is down a little, take a read of that if you have not, before reading this post OK. This part is mostly ideas on how to make money while you pursue your Producing Service

In part one I wrote on what the industry job is for a producer, I talked about the bedroom producer, or home producer. In this message I will give more insight and detail on how to go about being a great music producer. I will share some ideas and things I have done to make money in music.

You will need to know about recording engineer principles, as I teach free. You need to know location sound re-reinforcement, where to look for people to produce, and have the ability to know your way around the gear you use, and what gear you need, and do not need. Music gadgets will not make you a great producer, you may have a room full of stuff, or you may be using a PC and a basic set up, it maters not. You must know what you are doing, how to get certain sounds, and many tricks and things on how to get around problems that arise.

No one will learn every system, sequencer, it is not possible, find one you like and learn it 100%. Today to get a job as a Jr. Recording Engineer in a quality studio, YOU MUST have mastered the use of Pro Tools.

You must know about choosing the right mic, mic pre-amp's and mic placement.

Mic placement is everything to making a quality recording. Isolation of sound with baffles, or acoustic panels, and where to place them.


Many now days do what is called, 'location recording' and often just with a lap top. It is my love, it is a thing that is a big challenge, hint, if you have a quality lap top, some decent mics, an excellent sound card, you can make a better living doing live demos, and later master them, produce recordings for the band , or artists. Location recording is a big market and many want a recording of their live gig. Think on this, it is a way to keep food on the table while you are pursuing your own recording career and learning to produce.

Band, artists management, this is another way to make a living as the artists manager. You get 10-20% for all places you find your band-artist to play, get a few acts and it adds up. Start a small production Co-Record label, and sign acts, sale the Mp3's on the web and you get a cut, this income helps while your sales may be down. It is all about making a living as a starving dreaming artist.

I used to do a lot of location recording, recording in my home studio, and charged 25-30.00 an hour, that is the going rate, not hard. I live in the desert now, in southern California, I do not do location recording, band management anymore, because in the crash of 08, I lost everything in my production CO, outside Seattle Wa.

I have committed myself to teaching you reader what I did, and what worked.

Hit classified, craigslist, free ads, flyers, business cards and go out, or listen to people on sites, like sound click and others that need your service.

If you live in a large or medium size city,  take a look at craigslist, you will see many people offering, in home recordings, there is a lot of competition, but you, as a producer will be doing, and offering a lot more than an in-house recording studio, this is but one thing, one way.

Word of mouth is what it is all about, if you are skilled the word will get out, mark my words.

On-line, I used to look for talent and I had no problem finding them.

I looked at craigslist to see under jobs for arts-film openings etc., what independent movie studios were looking for, stand ins, help, etc. Email them, contact them, ask if they need music, guess what they all do. This is your foot in the door to making music for movies.

Jingles, do not laugh huge need for this.

Have a site where you make 30sec to one min. loops for web sites, you sale them for your set price 10-30 dollars each, these loops you make will sale, and used in commercials even. So, many things are out there, think out of the box, try everything, and you will find your work needed, even in a bad economy, people still love entertainment, esp. live. People will always want to be entertained, or if in ministry no lack of places to play if your a solid band or soloist.

You need to learn.

The top reads on this site are when I post a message  a review of best mics and instruments, why? We are gear freaks, and we want to know what the best mics and equipment are.

I only give low priced gear reviews, as I am all about making pro recordings for pennies on the dollar.

I understand money is no issue to some, I could give very high end examples and reviews on very high priced pro equipment, I am a spec freak, and know about everything that is out on the market, well almost LOL.

You do not need a lot of things, less than you may think, esp. if you use a PC and in my opinion you should. It is the way to achieve a true radio ready pro sound. Table tops simply can not do it fact.

Producer, dreamer, stop dreaming, get a plan, take action, educate yourself, but do something. Try some of the things I said, and see what happens.

Let me know what you did, and what works for you.