Posts Tagged ‘music’

Drum Samples: Uncompressed or Not?

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Using uncompressed drum samples can be very unappealing to new music producers and beat makers, but anybody who has a real love for audio and an unbridled admiration of music and sounds that are true to their source will venture into the compression-less world sooner or later. Compression is basically the process of increasing the volume of the quiet parts of a song, piece of music or drum sound. It has been around since at least the 60s, possibly earlier.

Compression on drum samples can come into your workflow at two stages. The first is the drum sample selection process. This is where you’ll find the samples that were appropriately compressed by the library manufacturer, and hopefully not overly compressed. If you’re finding that a lot of your samples are ‘banging’ and very loud before even coming into your song, you’re probably dealing with samples that have had all the life sucked out of them already.

The second point at which compression will play apart is the final mixing process. This is where you would electively apply some compression using software or hardware audio compressors on drum samples or slight applications to soft instruments like the piano. The main creative difference here is that you are not subject to the over-compression used by many sound editors. Your decisions from here are truly coming from you.

Nearly every song that plays on the pop radio stations has a great drum pattern, with all drum samples cutting through the mix. This is very important as a lot of car radios still have speakers that aren’t so great at getting all the frequencies across, so a good mix is essential. While over-compression has had a lot of ’stick’ in the audiophile community, creative uses are not scarce. You just need to look to dance music and analyze the ‘ducking effecting to see how popular some creative compression can become in a genre.

If any of the sounds you pick are necessary but overly compressed nonetheless, there are ways of adding some color back onto the canvas, and one of the first steps you could look at is editing the actual wav sample. You should be able to see the spike at the start of the sample if it does not encompass all of it. Then lower the volume of that section but allow it to blend in. What you may want to do is mix this with a similar, uncompressed sample and set the latter to about 30% mix. This will give the sample some extra crispness, and while some of the same frequencies will be boosted, the overall effect will be much more natural.

A popular compression process that many Rock n Roll and Hip Hop producers are huge advocates of is the NY Compression technique. At its most basic level, it’s simply taking the same sample, one version of which has been compressed to the maximum amount and mixing it with itself. So you have a drum sample that is very punchy and cutting, while it still shows signs of the original variance.

If you want to make rap beats, good on you! It can be easy for some, hard for others. An important step when making rap beats is learning rhythm, so if you have that, you’re one step ahead of the pack.

Get More Functionality and Storage Space in Your MP3 Player with the Archos MP3 Player Line Up

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

When it comes to portable media devices these days there is one real undisputed leader in when it comes to market share and unit sales, and that is the Apple iPod. That being said however, doesn’t signify that it is the only iPod on the marketplace that’s worthy. There are a bunch of various alternatives to the Apple name brand which are very similar in not only the features they provide but also in the quality they offer and the price. You can take the latest player from the Gen 5 line up of Archos MP3 players as a prime example of this, as for the price and quality of the device it gets my highest vote. Not too long ago I picked up the 80 GB 605 WiFi model and I am so impressed with it that I am not the least bit depressed that I got rid of my iPod.

There are quite a few assorted things that divide the Archos MP3 players from other brands of players on the marketplace. It of course plays music love all the rest of them, and with the 80 gigs of storage that I have, I’ve been able to put every song that I have onto the 605 WiFi with tons of room left over. Many digital file types are supported, including .mp3, .wav, and .wma (protected or not). Because of the support of multiple files that is provided with the Archos MP3 player, I don’t have to wait for assorted types of conversion software before I download my songs.

The Gen 5 line is much more than a simple music player though. You can very easily navigate through all of the menus in the Archos line of MP3 players with either your finger or the stylus that comes incorporated on an entirely high quality 4.3 inch color touchscreen. Because of the large size of the display on this unit, it makes it perfect for watching movies, TV shows or even streaming videos from YouTube. It yields an amazingly sharp picture that is visibly visible in all kinds of lighting. I’ve seen people trying to watch stuff on their tiny iPod screens, and I just have to shake my head in sympathy. Why put yourself through that when the bigger, better Archos MP3 players are available?

What I love most about Archos MP3 players is the way I can administer all of my content without having to be tied to a PC. Because it has a easy WiFi connection, I can do all of my downloading on the go. To make qualities even better, the Archos player is equipped with the Opera web browser which makes it incredibly simple for me to leaf through the web play games and check my e-mail. Try to do that on many of the other devices out there. With those other brands, you’re basically stuck with whatever content is on the player already, and can’t perform an update until the next time you’re sitting in front of your PC.

If you really think about making the acquisition of a portable media player, don’t just do what everybody else does and purchase one of those high-priced iPods just because of what it is. Instead, I recommend giving Gen 5 Archos MP3 players a try. They are a bunch more technologically advanced than all of their competition and they are cheaper. Receiving the most for your dollars is what being an intelligent purchaser is all about?

If you would like to find killer deals on these Archos MP3 Players, then you must visit videomp3player.net. We not only have listings of these fine products but many more killer listings of video mp3 players for sale.

How Methods Of Music Storage Have Evolved

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

The music industry is one of the world’s biggest industries. It has been this way for many decades and it doesn’t appear to be deteriorating. Recently people are more and more able to download music for free illegally on the Internet which is creating problems in terms of the amount of money that can be made by musical artists.

Physical hardware such as vinyl record and record tape used to be the only way in which you were able to acquire music. The first changes came about with the first CD that was produced.

The first medium to store music digitally so that it can be stored as a file and then put onto a computer and played was of course the CD. This was then the very first steps of the birth of the mp3.

From that, music storage adapted to the point where it was completely unrecognisable to the way it was stored in say, the 60s. In around 20 years the way we listen to music went from having to have access to a record player, which were by no means small, and your desired record, to simply having to have a device no bigger than the palm of your hand to which you can add or remove songs as and when you feel like it.

Being able to listen to music has become so much easier over the years and it has also become a considerable amount cheaper. From many different websites music can now be brought and downloaded; this is usually done in an mp3 format. This process is a lot cheaper than going to the shops and buying a CD. This is causing people to favour the downloading of the mp3 more and more and this is causing the need to create CD less and less. This also means that companies’ costs are less so they do not need to charge as much to cover them.

For more information about music click on free music mp3 downloads

Picking Out The Right Song To Sing On Stage

Sunday, October 11th, 2009

The largest determination that anyone has to make for karaoke is what song they should undertake on stage. There are literally hundred of thousands of tracks accessible with most karaoke sets, so it can be discouraging looking through the great book of songs, but if you keep in mind a few points it will make your night simpler, and render as much enjoyment as possible.

First, make sure that you choose a karaoke track that accommodates your articulation. Whether it is your 1st time or 101st time, you have to make sure that you can reach at least majority of the musical notes you need. If you have a low voice, there is no point of opting music stars like Celine Dion or Whitney Houston, and the same goes for high-pitch voices; Barry White should be out of the question. Rather choose karaoke tracks that fit within your range, and that way instead of concerning about if you can hit that powerful note coming up, you will be able to unwind and just enjoy the song.

Choosing the correct karaoke track also depends on what you are getting up stage for. If you are with acquaintances, and looking at getting up as a group for a bit of fun, it is wise to choose an up-tempo song that accommodates your mood instead of a dull ballad. If you are a regular, and want to take something a bit more serious, there is nothing wrong in picking out a slower song if you can address it.

If you’re celebrating an adult / older folks birthday with a karaoke party. You want to understand what songs to opt. Do your homework. You don’t want to select any old karaoke song; you require to select karaoke music that stirs a feel of nostalgia. Identify what songs were modern when the party honoree grew up. Your easiest bet is to identify the top 10 songs of each year or decade and construct your play list round those songs.

But a minute point to think about most karaoke bars is that most individuals are out to have a good time, so selecting a slow and depressing song that does not truly fit the ambiance of the room can have drastic impressions.

Ultimately, when selecting your karaoke song it is better to find a song with a melodic line and words that you are at least intimate with. You do not have to recognise every song you get up stage for off by heart (thats why the karaoke screens are there to aid you) but selecting a karaoke song that you have heard more than once or twice will give you a bit more confidence in singing on stage.

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A Close Look At The Karaoke SuperStar DVD Pack - Review

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Everyone has some shape of singing power. Whether your vocalization can handle a defined mode or artist, you have the chameleon prowess to copy a range of musicians; everyone has some variety of vocal ability musically. This is why karaoke has become so fashionable, due to the fact that it gives the normal individual the fortune to show off their talents and have the appreciation of the audience in the room.

However how do you condition and discipline your vocalisation to become greater at karaoke singing? What is the best way to utilise your voice and discipline it so you can perform to the best of your abilities?

The answer is the Karaoke SuperStar DVD box, as with its universal range of karaoke music song choice and simple set-up it opens you the fortune to practice and train your voice to the best it can be.

The secret in performing great at any karaoke party is to practice, practice and then rehearse some more. This is how conventional artists and musicians become so gifted, and even a large number of karaoke singer practise at home so that they can sing better during karaoke nights

By buying the Karaoke SuperStar DVD package, it grants you the best opportunity to rehearse at home because it does not take long to set-up and get singing. With the Karaoke DVD set, there are over 800 karaoke music songs ready for selection, so whatsoever style or genre your voice is more suited to, it would be hard to not find one song that is suited to your tastes.

The best thing about have such a wide range of song selection is the fact that as you are conditioning and extending your singing powers, you can acquire the track that will accommodate you perfectly at any stage, and will build your self-confidence to take on anything when you make it onto the stage. This DVD software package is a great choice as well as it works with any normal system, from the progressive karaoke machines to DVD players.

Simply pop in the disc, connect the microphones and you are underway. With such a quick and easy set-up time it implies there is no excuse to take utterly every opportunity to practice and enlarge your singing range. The best part about the Karaoke SuperStar DVD box is with its huge range of karaoke songs, you will constantly locate what you are looking for and never have to pay expensive prices for any other karaoke CDs or Dvd / Cdg Discs ever again.

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Lightweight Headphone - How To Choose The Best Lightweight Headphones

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

It can be quite tough to find the best lightweight headphone with a high-class sound quality. There are so many models on the market. A decade ago, it was a lot easier, but the best headphones were heavy and bulky. Today, you can easily find quality head phones that are light and ergonomic.

Improvements in materials and technology have made a really good set of headphones extremely light yet very durable and higher quality. The kinds of headphones being discussed here are not the ones that are passed out on an airline flight. Rather, the types of headphones that deliver pure and unadulterated sound come from a number of renowned manufacturers.

So, what should a person be searching for when it’s finally time to get a pair of lightweight headphone? Well, the first consideration for most non-audiophile types will be cost. Most folks don’t want to pay several hundred bucks, though there are people out there who wouldn’t bat an eyelash at the thought. For the most part, the best location to go for such information is, as always, the web. For purposes of general information, it is always good to look at what type of technology is used in the lightweight headphone s being contemplated for purchase.

Surprisingly, some head phones that are lighter in weight will have a wire running from the phones to the audio output source. Many individuals naturally assume that wireless devices would be lighter but they might also be mistaken. Batteries add supplementary weight to wireless units, and also bulk that regular wired head phones don’t have.

As with most electronic gear that needs to be light, the more money something costs, the lighter it can be. This is because expensive headphones will take advantage of higher quality and lighter weight materials and superior technology that delivers excellent sound quality without taking up too much space or increasing bulk by an appreciable amount.

One thing to remember is that the lightest head phones are oftentimes fairly cheap and poorly-made. And they fail to deliver on sound quality promises, for the most part. In this regard, make every effort to find a set of head phones that combine reduced weight and bulk with excellent sound at a nice price. If sound quality is of ultimate importance expect to pay a good price to achieve such quality. For the true audio enthusiast or expert, this will hardly be a consideration at all.

Normally, when it comes to items like lightweight headphone, it is most often the case that individual preference becomes the prime driver. Because of that, take just a small amount of time to find out what’s needed in a set of head phones and why they’re needed before putting out some cash for them. In the end, happily enough, good quality can be had without breaking the bank.

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The Introduction Of I-Pods And The Relative Redundancy Of Cd’s

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

The I-pod has been the invention of the decade as it has changed the way billions of people listen to music. Together, the I-pod and the mp3 music download are slowly pushing the CD (which by comparison could be called old-fashioned) to one side.

Though Cd’s are still selling in the millions every week, for the most part they will be used once (to put the contents onto ones I-pod) and then will spend the rest of its life as a drinks coaster or simply a redundant disk cluttering up space.

Before the I-pod yes there were mp3 players, but they were nowhere near as popular with music fans, who make up a vast percentage of the entire worlds population.

It could be argued that this is because the I-pod offers a far more aesthetically pleasing user interface than the early mp3 players. Personally, I would say that this would be a reasonable point to make.

The previous mp3 players, if they had a display screen at all, only had a tiny one which could not hold a great deal of information. However, the I-pod has a comparatively huge display screen allowing it to display ample information, viewable with a quick glance.

The I-pod also had a touch pad which was something that not too many people had used before, and so that made it exciting and almost futuristic to use and to have.

Another selling point for the I-pod is its versatility. Not only does it play music, but also videos, pictures and even games on the newer versions.

The I-pod is therefore the perfect accessory for times of boredom. Theres a whole range of things features to keep you entertained with the all in one, gadget of the decade, the I-pod.

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Mp3 Radio Player Explained

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Do you miss the good ole days when the music pulsing in your ears was coming from your local radio station? Many people do, especially those who remember the time when that was cutting edge technology, or who are just not computer savvy and want to listen to music on the go.

mp3 radio player is here to keep the time! For about $20 on Amazon, you be able to obtain a small unfussy mp3 radio player that does not acquire the missile scientist to understand. One such player is the Coby 1 GB mp3 radio player.

Features High contrast LCD screen with backlight so you be able to pick your radio station or music in the dark. 1 GB of storage Supports mp3 and WMA format Saves 16- 32 hours of music depending on format

Pros

This is a simple mp3 radio player that people of all ages can enjoy. If your young child has been yammering on for a portable mp3 player you can indulge them at this price.

No particular software to download onto your computer, with working systems as XP it is a matter of plug and play, then drag and let fall. Uncomplicated to utilize keys and a user welcoming interface causes this mp3 radio player ideal for the theoretically tested, or those easily frustrated by difficult directions.

Cons

Battery life is a common complaint among mp3 radio players, the well feature on this one is the battery is a AAA and is extremely expendable. Do yourself a goodwill and provide in a well series of ear buds or headphones. Buttons be able to be simply broken so the user needs to utilize various care not to squash them.

Customer Ratings

Customers report that the unit is so easy to use that it is a dream in the mp3 radio player world. Even with the issues listed above more than half, the customers that rated the unit were happy with it, and the value.

Overall

This is a perfect starter mp3 radio player. Small size and easy to use interface make it a cinch for anyone to use.

You may want to check out my other guide on Samsung MP3 Player and Sansa MP3.

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