Building a studio computer

with industry Pro, Nick Batzdorf

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nomiyah
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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nomiyah » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:08 pm

PS. the sounds included with Pro Tools is pretty extensive. There's Reason, Sample Tank, Bomb Factory, etc. There's tons of Plug-Ins. Some are full versions, other partial demo-type versions.

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by davewalton » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:19 am

Quote:PS. the sounds included with Pro Tools is pretty extensive. There's Reason, Sample Tank, Bomb Factory, etc. There's tons of Plug-Ins. Some are full versions, other partial demo-type versions.OK, so you've gotten new software instruments and stuff in addition to getting new recording gear? Got it. Duh, on my part. Yes, with those things you mentioned above, you'll be in great shape. Just replacing the current sounds on Time It Takes with something from one of those new packages will make it a whole new song even though it's the same song. "We don't have any problems that money won't solve". Dave

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by johnnydean1 » Sun Aug 06, 2006 4:37 am

Quote:Quote:PS. the sounds included with Pro Tools is pretty extensive. There's Reason, Sample Tank, Bomb Factory, etc. There's tons of Plug-Ins. Some are full versions, other partial demo-type versions.OK, so you've gotten new software instruments and stuff in addition to getting new recording gear? Got it. Duh, on my part. Yes, with those things you mentioned above, you'll be in great shape. Just replacing the current sounds on Time It Takes with something from one of those new packages will make it a whole new song even though it's the same song. "We don't have any problems that money won't solve". DaveWhen you re-do Time It Takes,leave out those awful Drum Fill's that are totally inappropriate for that track.BTW I like your acapella nod in the direction of Pachelbel's Canon.

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nickbatzdorf » Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:21 am

Thanks Nomi.

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nomiyah » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:16 am

Quote:[When you re-do Time It Takes,leave out those awful Drum Fill's that are totally inappropriate for that track.BTW I like your acapella nod in the direction of Pachelbel's Canon.I can't please everyone. But you got the Pachelbel part right. The story behind the composition was that I was writing lyrics about repeating mistakes. To echo this in the music, I combined inspiration from two songs. One was Pachelbel's Canon, historically considered the first pop song. This was in part because of the way it was repetitious, an unusual arrangement at that time. The other was Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds", the one reggae song most people can sing. It has only one verse and a chorus that repeats over and over. The reggae/classical/pop feel is intentional, which is too strange to work for everyone, but it works for me.

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nomiyah » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:30 am

On the subject, I've submitted Time It Takes twice and neither screener mentioned sound quality as an issue. I got rated on 7 for Production and 8 for Engineering. If you're interested, here's some of what they said:It’s fantastic that you played all these parts and recorded this all yourself. You have all the potential in the world to come up with some great electronic pop songs and tracks, pursuing the style I hear you delving into here. Repeating the same verse twice like this supports your lyric idea about repeating the same mistakes, etc. In reference to your structure, you define each section clearly and I like how you use dynamic and contrast. Keep up the good light and catchy melodies. Solid eclectic yet commercial sounding pop melodic ideas. Good light hearted mood. You have good different ideas. Lots of lyrical potential.Good music in verses. Memorable "hook". You've got a catchy chorus. Could use a bridge. consider breaking both verse and chorus sections in half. Use 1/2 of your verse for the Verse 1 and go straight to your chorus. After a 4-line chorus go to the 2nd half of your verse. After your next 4-line chorus, how about trying something new for the bridge to keep the listener's interest going. This is a very fresh, appeal;ing lyric. I think I see what the theme is -it's difficult to remember what you learned from past mistakes when you're in the middle of a new situation. . I like the title. It's just unusual enough that it makes me notice it and want to hear the song! There's a lot to like here. The vocals are warm and beautiful and make me want to hear more! I have the feeling that if you broke up the chorus and verse section into shorter pieces, you could give this song even more appeal. It might create more energy and momentum. I don't think you need to change much just rearrange what you've got. Give it a try and see how it feels to you. The song might have more momentum and impact if the repetitive chorus and long verse were rearranged. (Obviously the first screener got the musical concept while the second missed it and stuck with traditional songwriting advice.)

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by johnnydean1 » Sun Aug 06, 2006 6:34 am

Quote:Quote:[When you re-do Time It Takes,leave out those awful Drum Fill's that are totally inappropriate for that track.BTW I like your acapella nod in the direction of Pachelbel's Canon.I can't please everyone. But you got the Pachelbel part right. The story behind the composition was that I was writing lyrics about repeating mistakes. To echo this in the music, I combined inspiration from two songs. One was Pachelbel's Canon, historically considered the first pop song. This was in part because of the way it was repetitious, an unusual arrangement at that time. The other was Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds", the one reggae song most people can sing. It has only one verse and a chorus that repeats over and over. The reggae/classical/pop feel is intentional, which is too strange to work for everyone, but it works for me.It's a great track and I love the "feel" it's just that in some places the drums dominate and it detracts from the great vocal.J

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nomiyah » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:01 pm

That could be something about the mix too. Thanks for your input.Nomi

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nomiyah » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:17 pm

Quote:"I don't believe in keeping separate computers for non-musical applications. It's a pain in the ass and it's hasn't been necessary for several years. In the worst case you could set a separate startup drive or partition (harder to do with Windows, but dual-boot partitions are still possible). Nick,To be honest, I had no idea what a dual-boot partition was when you posted this. But now with some guidance from tech support at Pro Tools, I have set up a dual-boot partition. When I boot up, it stops at a window where I have to choose Pro Tools or Default.What happens with background programs like Virus protection? They are currently disabled. But now that I have the partition, if I choose Default to go online, do I have to enable and disable these programs every time? Or can I leave them on in the default profile and off in the Pro Tools profile?Thanks.Nomi

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Re: Building a studio computer

Post by nickbatzdorf » Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:47 pm

I don't know, Nomi, and that's precisely why I say it's a pain in the ass. Why did Digidesign's tech support suggest that? Were you having problems?

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