Ame one Loves You

If you have read previously, you would have seen that I was mulling over whether to upgrade from Logic Pro 7 to Logic Studio or upgrade Kontakt 1.5 to Kontakt 3. Well in the end Kontakt won out over Logic. It was a hard decision but over the past few weeks I began to realize that going with the kontakt purchase was a better idea.

I realized as I was working in Logic, ProTools LE and Cubase SX 2 recently that I’m constantly using different samplers. I was using Kontakt 1.5 for Cubase. Unfortunately that version does not work on my macbook. So I ended up using EXS24 in logic and for ProTools I tried the Structure Free.

The EXS24 is a cool and efficient sampler that integrates well in to logic, but I just don’t like the way samples are loaded up in it. It didn’t really fit in my workflow. To import a sample you have to open the EXS editor and then create zones, then import the sample and after all that you have to save your instrument. It really reminded me of using Mesa when I had an Akai S2000. I didn’t like that thing that much. The EXS24 is a great sampler and pretty powerful, but there was just too many extra windows and clicks that seemed to slow down the workflow for me.

Digidesign’s Structure sampler seems pretty powerful, however I only got to experience the free version. The reason I downloaded it in the fist place was so that I would have some sort of sampler available in ProTools sessions. Since I don’t really use ProTools for production, I figured the free version would suit my needs. I thought it would be useful for whenever I need to do some last minute additions or small changes when I am doing mixdowns. The lack of being able to edit sample maps was the deal breaker. It’s really just a sample player. I only tried it a couple of times, and it seems decent, but it just doesn’t fit my work style.

The main reason I decided to go with Kontakt was that I realized it would help if I had a universal sampler that I can use in any of the sequencers that I have. Structure can only be used in ProTools and EXS24 can only be used in Logic. Although both can import quit a bit of sample types, I just feel like I will end up converting a sample in 3 different formats, one for each sampler.

I can’t really say I am happy with Kontakt 3 yet. I have barely used it. So far I just used it to tweak some samples and create a multi instrument for a remix I have to do. Usually I can’t wait to open and play with my new toys, but this time I was not really excited. Truthfully I was pretty happy with version 1.5. It did everything I wanted and was not full of extra things. Some things appear a bit more complicated now like the whole mixer section and routing. I do miss the simple routing options of 1.5. However this is something that can be taken care of if I setup the program to be a certain way when it loads. Although the program is more complex and I need to learn some of the new features, it still fits my work flow style. When I write I like to try different samples all the time. Especially with drums. Keep the part playing and just load up different samples to hear if I like it. This is the problem I had with the EXS24 I couldn’t do this unless I premade instruments. At this point in time I don’t feel like spending a great deal of time turning all whatever amount of gigs of samples I have into EXS instruments. Truthfully I don’t know how many gigs of samples I have. All I know is I have a hard drive that has only samples and a cd case full of cd’s that are either sample cd’s or just backups of sample packs I downloaded. I prefer to have a file browser available and to be able to drag and drop samples.

One last note on samplers. I just downloaded the free DiscoDSP High Life sampler. Although it’s only a Windows program it has a feature that I am interested in. It is supposed to be able to auto-sample from vsti’s. This seems pretty useful. I can sample patches from my favorite windows only vst instruments and use them in logic. Also if there is a cool patch on some demo I can easy sample it. I will report more on this sampler later.

These days I been listening to quite a bit of new music by underground artists. Usually I check music on myspace. Today I been coming across alot of dnb guys just posting up clips of their tracks. I understand why they are doing it. In fact there is a whole thread in the grid on dogsonacid.com about it.

I have to say it’s kind of irritating to hear just clips. I’m listening and starting to get into it when it ends. I admit I did post up clips of my ep recently. However I change my mind. Due to a couple of reasons. First of all they are already signed. I also have unsigned stuff available here at ameone.com and on myspace.com. Another reason is that due to idea that, I came away with after reading an interview with Trent Reznor, music is essentially free these days. Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can get it. You don’t have to be a super computer savvy to do it.

If you subscribe to the theory that all music will eventually be pirated, I feel that I would rather be more in control of what I make available. I’m not going to just write music and just send it out to labels and wait until I am signed to let the world hear it. Technically from a marketing standpoint that seems like a bad idea. Posting up clips of tracks is one way of keeping control over what is out there, but at the same time it kind of alienates people. I also think that a negative aspect of it is, “How is the rest of the song?” I think anyone can make a great 2 min clip of music, but what about the full song? Does it just get really repetitive and boring? Does it take a turn for the worse somewhere in it? I think by using a clip it doesn’t really showcase your skills to the fullest extent.

Here’s the reason why I am now posting full songs online. First is if people are going to steal it, I prefer to be a little in control. Even though you post a clip, people can still be resourceful and find ways to use it. So how do I have control over this? I post up the clips myself so people can get it from me and not some site that is selling my music without my knowledge or other sources. Why don’t you get it from a reliable source like me. Also I am not exactly posting up the greatest sounding stuff. Most of the mp3’s are 96k or 128k. The sound quality is that of what would be at the bottom of acceptable. In addition these songs are not mastered unless you want to count my quick mastering system I wrote about previously.

My solution is, post songs that have a decent sound quality. Where ever they are posted have some kind of pointer saying that if you would like a better version then go here and buy it. If you buy it, you will get the cover art and maybe something else special.

I recently came across an old friend from high school on myspace. It turns out her husband is an MC out in Cleveland, Ohio. I got a copy of his album and really liked it. I liked it so much I decided to write about it.

Social commentary and the way life is for the struggling musician is the main themes of Raystar’s album “Raystar Volume 1.” His lyrics are something that we can all relate to. Everyone can understand his criticism of society, because what he is saying is so easy to see. In addition to that, the struggling musician theme can transcend to all walks  of life to everyone who is struggling to get by and achieve their dreams. In a way he kind of reminds of KRS-One with the lyrical content of his songs.

As for the  beats, they are cool. There is a lot of use of organic samples. Many of the songs utilize a jazz kind of sound. The album is really organic sounding. I think this is a good thing. It doesn’t sound over processed or overly electronic. This is something that you can just throw on and listen to and relax. It can also supply a good source of conversation through the commentary that is provided in the lyrics. 

Overall I think this is a great album. I highly recommend you pick it up. You will enjoy it. If you are tired of what mainstream rap offers with its misogyny, gangsterisms and the flashy image it represents then you will enjoy the more intelligent serving of Raystar.

http://www.myspace.com/raystarhiphop

Here’s tip for quick mastering. This is for when you want to get your track hot and nothing really else. Here’s a couple of examples as to why you would want to use this technique; You want to show it off at a party, radio, djing, etc.

1. Import your stereo mixdown into your favorite wave editor/ sequencer.

2. Normalize your track to 0dB. I know there are a lot of people out these who don’t recommend normalization. It has a purpose though. We just want it to get as hot as possible before we add an effects chain.

3. Next add a compressor to the channel/ main bus. Set the threshold to -30 to -36. Adjust the ratio 1.14:1. Add about 6dB of gain. Now adjust the attack and release to taste.

4. Put a parametric eq in the chain. Roll of the high end as much as possible so it doesn’t effect the highs. Roll the bottom off at about 30Hz. Do any fine tuning of eq here if you want.

5. Now put a limiter on the chain. Set the level to -0.3 and pull the threshold down to about -4 or -6.

6. At this point we are going to go back the parametric eq and make some adjustments. The limiter will bring out the mid-highs and highs. You will probably need to make a cut in this range. If you want to be fancy you can add a multiband compressor in the chain to tighten up any frequency ranges that you want.

7. Finally we export it out to 16 bit/44,100kHz. Be sure dither if your track is higher than 16 bit.

That’s it. Now you have your quick mastered track. If you want to hear an example you can go listen to my EP preview of AMe one and the Depressed Robot in the music section or go to http://ameone.imeem.com or http://www.myspace.com/ameone. Unfortunately all these tracks are 96kbit mp3s.

Remember this is just a quick mastering job. For those times when you need it hot. I recommend doing it properly or getting someone else to master your tracks.

First off happy new year to everyone. May 2008 be a better year than 2007.

Today I had the pleasure of reading an interview with Trent Reznor on wired magazine’s website. It made me realize that I’m kind of out of touch with the music world. Mostly the business part of it. So maybe I’m the last one to get on the train that music these days is free whether we like it or not. I think some of the points that he touched on were pretty good. Especially about how the way the big labels work. I really should say thanks to Mr. Reznor for opening my eyes. You should read the article, it’s great just a little boring in the viral marketing campaign section. I can not do it justice through a summarization, check the link below.