Kamis, 30 April 2009

How To Create Lo-Fi / Bitcrushed Sounds For Trance Tracks...

In trance music, the rythmic sounds are playing a prominent part in any tracks. Producers are always looking to innove with new sounds which could really make their track stand out. During the last years we have seen a strong trend for lo-fi sounds, also refered as bitcrushed sounds. 

There are two ways of achieving this effect. The first one is simply to get samples that are already processed, and already sounds bitcrushed. While very simple, you will not really be able to modify / adjust the sounds as you want, and it can become a problem for the originality of your track. 

There is simply no better than to "do it yourself"! There are many very good freewares out there that do bitcrushing. 

If you produce with Ableton Live you are lucky because there is very good bitcrusher effect integrated by default with the soft. You can find it in the Browser, under Live Devices > Audio Effects > Redux. 

If you don't work with Live and if your sequencer doesn't come with a bitcrusher by default, you can simply add one as a vst plugin. The one I would recommend is CMT Bitcrusher. It's a very simple freeware developped by students from a Finnnish university; it can be downloaded from http://cmt.siba.fi/studies/Courses/2001-2002/VST/plugins/CMT_Bitcrusher/_code/CMT_Bitcrusher.zip. There are 3 settings to play with: Drive, Bit-depth and Down Sampling – this last one being the one you want to experiment with. 

To conclude I would say that bitcrushers are damn easy to use, and are a great tool to experiment with sounds; to create your "own" sound... On the other hand, it’s just a tool and should not be used for everything in my opinion. We hear too much of these bitcrushed sounds everywhere lately! So use it smartly in a balanced manner, avoid the "too much"... 

This article is just a snippet of a more comprehensive series of articles about to be released, if you want to find out more about trance production, check regularly our blog at Frozenforce: http://www.frozenforce.fr/blog 
And if you are looking for free trance mp3, don't forget to check our main website - Frozenforce is beforehand a record label!

Write Music That Appeals To Peoples Emotions

Whether you write music first or lyrics first, please remember this one thing. Melody is king! 

I want to explain why I believe that statement to be true. 

I know when it comes to songwriting all of the elements must fit together just so. There has to be a perfect marriage of lyric, melody, structure and feel. That is the hallmark of a great song. 

But I have heard too many songs that seem to focus primarily on the lyrics. The writer has poured out his or her soul to create a truly touching and beautiful story. Then those wonderful lyrics are paired with a mediocre, or even (gasp!) boring melody. 

The result? A mediocre, boring song! 

Those lyrics might work wonderfully on their own. But a monotonous unimaginative melody drags them down. 

Appeal To The Emotions 

As a songwriter, writing melody that appeals to the emotions of your listeners should be your top priority. 

Why? 

Because it's the melody that our brains latch onto first. A melody on it's own can make you cry, laugh and everything in between. It truly can be a direct communication to the soul. An interesting mood-evoking melody commands our attention. It makes us sit up and take notice. 

Only then do we start to pay attention to the storyline. To the lyrics. And if those lyrics are top-notch: Bingo! You've hit the jackpot. 

Write Lyrics As Good As Your Melody 

Now, this scenario can also be looked at from the opposite side: 

You write music that is truly inspiring. You then settle for the first lyrics that pop into your head. You don't bother rewriting those lyrics. You figure that since they fit the melody and tell the story they are good enough. 

I did this for years! And I was always secretly embarrassed by my lyrics. 

As songwriters, we must strive for that perfect balance. And it takes time and effort to master. (I'm still working on completing my apprenticeship!) 

Work On Your Weakest Skill 

If you only want to write music or you only want to write lyrics, that's okay. Collaborating with writers who excel at what you do not is a great way to write songs. If you love to write melody, find yourself a great lyricist. Or vice-versa. 

Most of us are better at one aspect of songwriting than we are at others. 

For me, it's always been writing melody that seems to come naturally. As a lead guitarist I usually opted for the slow, melodic, soulful lead over the fast shred. Through the years I've written quite a few instrumentals that I am proud of. 

Lyrics have always been a struggle for me. That's why I tend to spend a lot more time working on the words to my new songs than I do the melody. 

But I spend quite a bit of time on writing melody too! Because I understand how important a great melody is. 

Listen To Your Melodies 

Listen to the melodies you are writing. Are they as strong as your lyrics? Perhaps more importantly, can they stand on their own? 

A melody should be able to stand on it's own. It should be moving, interesting, somewhat predictable and a little surprising at the same time. 

I say somewhat predictable because we all need familiarity. If every line goes off in a completely different direction you will lose most of your listeners. 

People must have something that they can grasp immediately. Especially in the chorus. 

So go and write music that moves you. If it moves you, you can be pretty sure it will move others too. 

Happy melody writing!

Integrating Technology in Learning Through Music Teachers Software

Are you a dedicated and an inspired music teacher? Do you want to always be loved and remembered by your students? Have you ever dreamed of having complete attendance in each and every session? Have you considered any music teachers software not just to improve your teaching strategies but also to lessen your burdens and hassles on paper works and other related tasks of a music teacher? Well, this page may be just right for you. In here, you will learn the various techniques on how you can spend much time in modifying your teaching techniques as well as maximizing your precious time through these great innovations – music teachers software and website. 

Generally, all academic institutions specializing in various crafts including the curriculum developers, the administrators and the educators themselves are strongly encouraged to integrate technology in their curricula, teaching methods and in the learning process itself. Over the years, it has been proven that when one has integrated technology in education, it has correspondingly increased the levels of interest and motivation of the learners. 

Likewise, in teaching music, students tend to get more interested in learning music holistically; they become more focused and participative in each classroom activity. Since they do researching online, recording and uploading their own music piece or video, listening live or downloadable audio-visual musical pieces, or spending more time on broadening their knowledge via world wide web, internet and other means of technology have become one of the motivating factors on the part of the learners. 

However, the music teacher must bear in mind that each inclusion of technology has a corresponding responsibility; you have to be more aware and vigilant on what they do, access or get into each learning experience. Some music teachers websites may relatively seem unnecessary and not essential. Make sure that each website caters only to the needs of your students in music as well as the activity itself. 

On the other light, they say that teaching is indeed a noble profession and a rewarding experience. Yet, I know that many teachers in various areas and crafts will agree with me when I say that this job also requires much of your supposed-to-be free time at home. In other words, teachers helplessly bring home loads of work to do and accomplish. As this reality strikes everywhere around the globe, they simply need something to help them work it out. 

Music teachers need such software or website to assist them in planning, organizing, managing and supervising their music classes and studios. In a wide variety, this software or website may them in handling their bills and finances, scheduling lessons and communicating reports. Such innovation gives you immediate relief on headaches and other hassles that this profession may bring. Music teachers software can make you save not just money but most importantly, time and energy. Now, that is truly amazingly great, isn’t it? 

With all these great packages of convenience and ease, I am so certain that every music teacher around the globe can surely enjoy each music teaching experience as he inspires and motivates every learner to love music now and forever.

Record Your Audio With Digital Recorder

The stereo digital recorder is the most highly modern personal audio recorder, which one can easily use in host of conditions. Now sports a 4GB card, stereo recorder is perfect for the musicians and artists who would like to experience precise audio reproduction of their rehearsals and live music. For the songwriters, during their moments of inspirations, this personal audio recording equipment ensures that you can instantly record that novel idea. For soundmen, broadcasters, podcastres and journalists the digital recorder allows you to test audio for the world to hear at once, wherever you are, every time. 

Digital recorder main features include: 

24-bit 96kHz PCM linear high-resolution and low sound recording  

Lately developed (IARC) Isolated Adaptive Recording Circuit 

High sensitivity, high grade stereo in built condenser microphone 

Records to SDHC or SD memory card 

Hand held and compact body for simple portable use  

Wide viewing ability on big Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display  

Preview in built speaker 

Included wireless remote control 

Quick and uninterruptible file transfer by USB 2.0 link to PC 

Included easy pyro Audio Creator LE wave editing software 

Experience clear-cut audio reproduction as well as clearness by a wider vibrant range while using the sample rates and higher bit rates, which digital recorder provides. Digital recorder supports about 24 bit 96 kHz PCM linear recording that has extra audio digital resolution than an ordinary audio CD. IARC is a recently developed and dedicated circuit analog that is optimized to record along the digital onboard recorder A/D converter. The electrolytic capacitors offer reliable, stable power with a self-sufficient power source used for analog circuitry in addition to an added power source used for digital board circuit, thereby eliminating the DC interference among the components in the digital recorder.  

The IARC also greatly contributes to low noise high quality MP3 recording by digital recorder. Little enough to adjust in the shirt pocket, it include a novel tactile feel, which is simple to grip. Plus, it also constitutes a user friendly display of graphic for ultra simple operation. The great 1.5 OLED display gives wide viewing ability, peak indicators, at-a-glance level meters, and additional recording information on the screen. 

With the included wireless remote controller, transport functions such as recording start/playback start, fast forward, rewind, volume control, and input level control can be accessed from a distance away. This allows the digital recorder to be placed in exactly the right position for recording, and allows for quick and easy touch-less operation.

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