Introduce Yourself

[jeharris]

Thank you for your comments, Vic. I just feel that it's a great deal easier to say what you mean and not pretent and to admit when you're wrong when you are and I'VE DONE SO IN THIS FORUM.

I just feel that technology is giving individuals chances that they've never had before and that the younger generation has no idea of how difficult things were before. Although that was the case, there are also some very beneficial advantages to starting out in what I like to call the days of old.

Back then, it seemed that there were more people who paid attention to the younder individuals and mentored them to some extent. I basically had to train myself to be comfortable with rap so that I could work with my nephew and his friend, whom I may say, are as good as many of the artists that I hear on the radio or see on video shows.

I feel that it is important to work with the young because someday, they will have to carry the tourch. I remember when I was 18 and was helped a great deal by an older individual whom I still keep in touch with today, as he has moved into the digital domain.

In closing, it is such a shame and a waste when I think of what happened to your friend. He was born the same year as I, so he would have been the same age as I am in August, (I was born in May). One of the things that I do not understand about many artists today (particularly in rap), is all of the unecessary violence. There is no place for that in music, or anywhere else, in my opinion.

Just keep being creative, being supportive of other musicians and keep believing in your dreams! In a world of competition, I have learned that my helping others, you actually help yourself more!

[DeityStudios]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to complain, I thank you so much for your insight. I am most definatly thankful for my setup, and it never ceases to amaze me (and my parents ) how much technology has advanced to allow people as young as me to record material that sounds this good. I'm glad I can come to a place where people can give me advice from their own experiences (and speak the same tech language that baffles my friends). Thanks again, ~Matt

p.s. ~ I am also worried about the amount of violence in music today. A student was stabbed in my school this last semester. When I got home from that day I hear lyrics to music from certain "artists" that seem to advocate what just took place. It never ceases to worry me that it might happen again.

[jeharris]

Unfortunately, it WILL happen again. I'm at a loss with young people today (excluding you). I would think that success would allow poeple to be more creative instead of trying to be pushy. I hate this whole idea behind ganta rap, where you have all of these foolish people getting rich, and not leaving their past behind. I grew up in the urban city, in the projects and I educated myself and that's not something that I subscribe to. think of the things that I've read over the years and the fools who are too stupid to "grow up". The Tupaks and Biggie Smalls of the worlds, etc. I would think that if you went through this hard life, and you came up with a way to make some money and be successful, that you would try to encourage the youth of today NOT to make the same mistakes.

Unfortounately, we have someone out there like 50 cents, talking and bragging about how many times he's been shot and radio eating it up. Since I grew up in an extremely poor environment, I listen to this crap and wonder how anyone in their right mind can call it talent.

For example: The biggest hit of the year thus far is "In Da Club". So, how does it go: Meet me in da club/ body full of bud"...Give me a break!! total push for drugs and trying to glorify it. Then there's his new song: P.I.M.P. As far as I'm concerned, it's discusting. It takes no talent to talk ignorant and spew profanity.

[jeharris]

And, finishing up, I think you have a fine head on your shoulders. Try not to worry so much about what goes on around you. Do the best that you can to changes things, if you can. But realize that there will be many things that you will not be able to change.

Main thought: Concentrate on what it is that you want to achieve. It will not be easy, and there may be times that you will need to be selfish and there's nothing wrong with that. Other people in your life always seem to think that they know what's best for you. But if you are not killing anyone and you're doing your own thing, then stick with it, no mather who may or may not be against it.

It's been my experience that those who do not want to do the difficult footwork, are the ones who have the talent to try to stop you from persuing your dreams. Because if they can break you, they can always say: Well, he could not get it done. Let them stay home, and lay on their bottoms and watch talk shows and soaps. Learn not to tell them about your success. This will come with age.

I wish you all the best and if you need some advice, just hit me on this thread. I've been around awhile, but I do not have an answer to everthing. I will do the best that I can to help you, but if I do not have the answers, you will be the first to know, as well as everyone else who visits this forum. And anyone who's ever read any of my posts will agree that if I'm wrong, I have no problem admitting it and in some cases, if I've unwittingly hurt someone's feelings, I'm the first to say I'm sorry and crack my own self on the head. Rememer: No matter how old you are, you're always learning.

Best of luck, kid.

[DeityStudios]

I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way becuase I am faced with the same crap at school everyday. People walking around with rap blasting on the headphones, promoting drugs and illicit sex and violence. All I can say is that not all young people are like that. There are many kids who despise that as much as adults do, and that we honestly are trying to stop that sterotype.
Thank you for your words, I will definatly seek your advice when I need it. ~Matt

[jeharris]

You're a pretty cool kid, Matt. Give as much as you can to your dream. From what you've described insofar as your DAW is concerned, you should be able to do everything that you want to with what you have in place.

One of the great things about radio is that everything grows old, and that will include this crap that we speak of. Afte all: Only a year and a half ago, all you heard were the Backstreet Boys, Insync, etc. Where are they now?

[jeharris]

Vic:

I could not agree more. The bottom line is to do what you love and give it all that you have to give. You and I are from a generation where in many cases, songs did make you think.

People today think that this kind of music cannot sell, but look at what's happened to Nora Jones? She's sold over seven million records with "Come Away With Me", which is a sparcely recorded, but brilliently produced record. It walked away with all of the major grammies and it deserved every one of them (beating "The Emenim Show" along the way).

Ido not think that all rap is bad, but I have a problem with people screaming about how hard their lives were and spewing hate a violence. Hey, I grew up in the projects, I was very poor and my mother raised seven kids on public aid. It's what I call the "poor little me" syndrum.

It goes like this: All of this s*** happend to me, so I'm angry at the world and that's why I do this and that, etc. Nobody gets a free ticket, although it may seem that way but this includes those born into money. Life is tough on all of us. I prefer to fight it like a man and move on. I've also learned that life is a big, wonderful experience that in most cases, is NOT going to be the way that you want it to be. But this is what makes life great. I'm always looking forward to the next day, if I have one so that I can see what will happen.

Instead of blaming the world for my problems, I went out and educated myself and worked hard. No one promised that life would be easy and it's not easy now. Anyone who has a problem with it should just dig a hole, jump into it, and have someone cover them up.

Arrested Development's Speech was a wonderful rapper and as I may add, Arrested Development is the only rap band to win the Best New Artist Grammy. These young gansta rappers could learn a great deal from them. Even Emenim, although he can be vulger from time to time, does think and has done some thoughtful compositions, so it can be done in this gendre and sell. After all, Emenim is outselling all of them right now anyway.

In closing, do what you like, work as hard as ever at it, and never give up. Whatever happens, happens. At least you'll know that you've tried and no one will be able to take those experiences from you. Now, let's Jam and move on. Although we are speaking about musical things, I do not think that this thread is a opinion forum and although I do not care what anyone thinks, I do believe that we're begining to sound a bit melodramatic.

Let's get back to the music and back it up with what we have to give, FROM A MUSICAL STANDPOINT. WE'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES AND WE'RE NOT AFRAID!!!

[cmchamp]

Hey Phil:
I'm a mac guy, go figure from my signature!
I use MOTU stuff exclusively, not because there's not something better, but because it's not time for me to upgrade yet. After 10 years of public school music teaching, and a bit at a university, I got tired, not only of the administration, but also of the shoebox wintel world.
I use DP3.1, upgrading soon, and Mosaic 4.something. Haven't used any 'VI's' since "Studio Session" from the late 80's. Still have the software, but I don't have a Mac it will run on!
C.

[philcastillo]

Hi Cory

I too use MOTU products pretty extensively but I am also a Logic fan. After Steinberg came to show off Nuendo 2, I'm pretty convinced that you can't go wrong with any DAW!

[smileywiley]

Hi,
I've got a question for ya. I'm trying to decide what audio production software to buy and I wanted some input. So far I like PT the best because it's geared more towards audio than MIDI (which I have no interest in right now). I've tried Sonar and didn't like it. Cubase SX just locks up when I click on practically anything. I recintly tried a cheap (non major brand) software called "multitrackstudio" ( www.multitrackstudio.com ) and I like it a lot. The Pro version supports 24/96 and both VST and DX plugins and also ASIO drivers. It only costs 99 bucks! Anyway, are any more of the programs geared more toward audio, or atleast laid out more like PT?

thanks,
Nick

[WARRENPEACE]

Hello everyone....

Thanks for the great forums.


Introduce Yourself


>What type of studio do you have?
a 4-track 'professional' model tape machine. not a 'porta-studio'.

>What type of work do you do?
I work for a newspaper here in Everett, Wa. The 'Everett Herald'.

>How long have you been working in the Industry?
I have been playing music in bands since 1979. I started in a band called "S.H.A.R.P." . Then came "Ground Zero", "S.H.A.R.P. ll", "Anderson Council", "Life 101", "Daves Rope Swing" and now....

"Warren Peace"

Did you mean my 'job'? Ive been at the Herald for 8 years.

>Do you work in the Industry full time?

'The Industry?' lol.... only in my heart....


Marquew/ac/wp

[RTaylor]

Living room studio {whole living room. {to a few folks chagrin.}}

In the arts since '77 or so. {first design job in '78 or so... I've done stuff on and off since then.} I edit video and do design professionally... try to sell paintings and so forth.

In digital arts {constantly... obsessively} since... ummm... '9o-91? Professionally since '94 or so.

I'm no musician... yet. :} I did make it to advanced band in gradeschool. {sax} I'm trying to do a sort of sound/video/noise/collage sort of thing that seems to constantly get sidetracked by the need to make a living. Eventually {when I feel it's ready} I'll put the whole shebang on DVD.

...No instruments {Tho' my wife {in about 7 hours} plays violin and is a damned good singer.} I do have a half dozen computers that make various noises. ...Tons of registered software. Mostly, right now, I'm experimenting in linux. Linux is still getting started as a multimedia platform... there are some excellent apps and a lot of stuff has real potential and I like the artsy, "no procedure is formula" feel of the whole thing.

[jbuckman]

I'm John Buckman, and I run www.magnatune.com, and Internet-based record label.

I use Pro Tools 6.1 on 17" powerbook, with the digi002 board, and an extra 8 audio inputs via the ADAT interface.

I'm using studio projects mics, some C3s and C4s.

I'm mostly using this rig for recording other musicians, mostly world music and early classical. I'm an old cubase user, but I've always had stability and complexity problems with it, and so am moving over to Pro Tools.

-john

[TACurtis]

Howdy. I've got a minimal home recording rig. I'm using a Macintosh G4 Cube OS9.1 running Cubase VST Score 5.0, and recording via Tascam US428 DAW. Small stuff to be sure, but cost-effective.

Some of my music is up at http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/...=3274&alid=-1.

[Kennai]

Hey there, my name is Kenneth, and I`m not new to these forums, they always help me out, and for that I am greatful! I`m a PT user, G4, digi002.
Did any of you hear that the new PT LE 6.1.1 upgrade will allow PT users to use digidesign products to access "other known" software?
Sorry about the question embedded in the introduction. I`m living in Japan, and have aspirations of recording "turning japaneso" in Japanese! LOL!
cheers,
Kenneth