PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

This is an article that is intended to help out musicians, solo artists and bands save time and money whenever they step into the recording studio. It is part of a series. The topic of this article is similar to a previous article in this series on Recording Studios and Mastering Studios. The previous article was about the importance of microphone selection. Another important part of the recording process is the selection of the microphone pre-amplifier. First we should talk about what a microphone pre-amp is. A mic pre-amp is a device that boosts the signal from a microphone because the original signal is too far to low to record and get enough volume out of.

Typically noways there are pre-amplifiers in most audio interfaces or sound cards used to input audio into digital audio workstations. Historically they were included in large studio recording consoles. Nowadays there are also stand-alone mic pre-amps that are usually between $500-$1000 that can be purchased. Now why would you want to spend so much money on a single microphone pre-amplifier? This is because these types of pre-amps are “character pre-amps.” These colour and add character to the sound being recorded in a way that is very pleasing to the ear.

While theses can be important to the recording process, the reality is that the quality of the pre-amplifiers included on most audio interfaces or soundcards are very high and can sound great. These interfaces are fairly inexpensive and still give you a professional sound quality. This is all a product of the last 10 years and a relatively new phenomenon. So in a nutshell the microphone pre-amp selection is very important. Also, the combination used between the microphone and the pre-amp is important and can effect the final recording.

One question that you may be asking is, by using a pre-amp that comes bundled with an audio interface (not a “character pre-amp”) do you lose some of the quality and colour in your recording? From the source, yes you are. But since you are likely making a digital recording you can use a number of digital plugins that emulate high-level character pre-amplifiers after the recording has already been completed. These plugins are also often times much less expensive than the hardware versions used during the recording process. So yes it is an important part of the music making process but there is some room for flexibility.

With so many different genres of music and so many bands and musicians competing within each genre, it can be tough to get your music heard.

If we think about the diversity of music; you’ve got rock, punk, singer songwriter, metal, soul – the list is endless and there are so many sub genres within these main categories too.

The promotional strategy will vary within each different style of music but the fundamental basics will always be the same. You need to target people who are interested in your genre first and foremost. There is no point in a metal band targeting an audience who are going to be listening to chart music. Of course, many people have a varied taste in music so there may be individuals who listen to this music that will be interested in yours, but generally people sway more towards one genre than another.

Start with your friends. There is a good chance they are into the same music as you. Ask them to spread the word and ensure that they come along to any gigs that you perform. Word of mouth is a great way of promoting your band.

Use the internet. The internet connects people regardless of geographic location. If you can find people with a common interest, connect with them. Use social networking, online communities and forums. These are great ways of making people more aware of the music you create.

Post videos on YouTube and other video sites. If you perform covers of popular songs, these are likely to be picked up by fans of the song in question. Performing live music online can be a great form of promotion. If they like what they hear, there is a good chance they will listen to your own material you have uploaded and hopefully visit your website or other social media profiles. This can be a great way of attracting an audience.

Communicate with music bloggers and make a personal connection. If you can do this, they may promote your website on their blog and post a review of any material you release. Music blogs receive a great number of visitors and along with this, receive a lot of requests. Make sure any correspondence you send their way is personal and genuine. Offer to return favours if you are asking for them as it can’t just be a one-way street.

The completion of an album, whether your first or tenth, is an amazing accomplishment. You have put an enormous amount of time and effort into making the music just perfect. You have practiced over and over and recorded it numerous times. The producer and background artists have played their magic and it is done. It deserves a great launch!

An album release party is a special time to tell your story. The story about the band, the inspiration, the ideas, how you came up with the theme, who helped you plan and produce it, what it means to you… you get it. The party is meant to establish a personal and emotional connection with the audience and to do that they need to know you and your group and the meaning the album holds for all of you. One key element of an album release party is the venue. You have to pick just the right place.

Venues vary in a number of ways. Some have the feeling of a Walmart; you know, overhead florescent lights, plain colors, no texture. Others have small rooms or rooms broken up by lots of pillars that interfere with seeing the stage. Still others have a much more vibrant feel.

Match the Music! The venue also should match the type of music or at least not clash. A heavy metal album is poorly served by having the party in the community room of a church! Of course, some venues can be made to match virtually any genre, but that may cost lots in term of decorating and lighting costs. So, if the venue is a plain Jane type place, plan for appropriate decorations, but do not over do it!

Parking: The venue needs to have plenty of free parking, easy to get to and did I say free parking? Nothing is a bigger turn off to potential attendees than having to drive around a block numerous times. Make sure the parking is close by, free and in abundant supply… and did I say free?

Lighting is a key element to any party and an album release party is no different. Dis the overhead lights for up-lights, pin spots and floods. Use color! Consider using lights that beat with the music. Have someone really plan out the layout of the lights. If lights are available at the venue, you can save a bunch of money on rental fees!

DJ mixing and beatmatching can be really challenging for the beginner disc jockeys. It can be tough to get your beats matched every time. Indeed hundreds of new DJs struggle to get mixing and a majority of them end up with giving up with beatmatching and mixing. Indeed a big majority of the new DJs never learn how to mix and beatmatch and give up without ever playing a gig.

Indeed it is possible to learn methodologies, techniques, and practices of mixing and beatmatching within weeks like a pro by attending the top record labels and DJ schools in the world.

Disc jockeys earn a lot of money for gigs. Usually when a record label finds the music producer who makes the songs in a studio, the record label makes money by getting that producer to tour as a DJ. Because the record labels take a percentage from what the DJ or the producer earns for each gig. This is why the record labels are very eager to get the producer mixing professionally; they earn tons of money from their mixing skills.

There are 6 important things that a new DJ must understand in order to learn how to mix professionally within a few weeks. Otherwise the chances of becoming a successful DJ will be hurt.

1. The art of DJing is like building a skyscraper: You need to learn the basics of beatmatching, cueing, throwing, pitch riding and other fundamental skills down before moving on to the advanced DJing skills.
2. The best DJ Tricks are the easiest ones: The Djing tricks that impress people the most are also the easiest to do. Do not fooled by using super complex effects to impress people.
3. The importance of volume in pro sounding mixes: Misjudging the volume of the song will bring in the song too loud which cause overpowering or too quiet which kills the energy of the mix.
4. Mix without touching the platter: the skill of pitch riding separates the flawless DJs that get the big gigs and the intermediate DJs that can mix but make mistakes.
5. The importance of trainspotting: spending hours watching other DJs is a great way to learn the best mixes and tricks.
6. Learn DJing from a pro: learning from a pro to mentor you is the fastest and most fun way to learn how to mix. Watch him as he mix, ask questions and want him to show you his DJ tricks.