General - Music Production

[daffsongwriter]

I have been writing songs for ages now, only a few have I developed a tune for with my guitar - I have since gotten back into full swing with the keyboard also (had trailed off for some years and became a tad rusty), so am starting to try and include that. I wrote a really silly song about the election just to use as a dummy with the keyboard and I actually wrote a sweet little tune for it.I play some peices on the keyboard, and guitar that I have been recording onto my Boss BR 900 multitracker (8 track), while I have mastered recording onto it a treat now, I just find as soon as I record myself, keyboard or guitar I mess up somewhere along the line. Yet, take the earphones off me and unplug the Boss, I play without a hitch, its annoying. I really do try to relax and not think about the recording and there isnt any distractions in the room other than myself (yeah ok thats a bad enough distraction in itself lol).I cannot help thinking though a lot of this lack of self confidence with this area stems from my childhood. You see I was brought up by my grandparents as equally as my mum and dad, it was a strict upbringing where kids were to be seen and not heard, so when ever I sang, I was told to be quiet. When I went to school I did music but the practical music classes stopped cause I was the only one interested and the school didnt push drama. So my mum got me into private piano lessons which was great, then later I played trumped in the salvation army band for 3 years. Throughout my years though, my mum, Nana have always said "oh no your not singing again are you", or "ohhhh its awful" kind of a joke way. I spoke to my mum about this as I think it has a lot to blame in the way of me not projecting my vocals, my keyboard tutuor now (I have had a few refreshers) thinks my voice is improving, he is the only one who has given me that inspiration.Do you people out there think that maybe this could have a lot to do with me being a bit shy with my voice, i.e. assuming that people will think its awful so I dare not sing outwardly properly. I sing along to my own playing and play and sing November Rain really well and thats a difficult peice. My mum did say to me that her mum and dad (my nana and late grandad) used to be like that with her, used to stop her doing anything good as they assumed she wouldnt be good enough.I do also know that I have to believe in myself but when things like recording doesnt go as perfectly as I would like something inside me says maybe you just cannot do it. I wont give up mind.Also when it comes to producing your music, to produce an album on cd what are the steps you have to take? Do you have to register somewhere or get a company to do it, or can you literally make your own albums and sell them in a local music shop or take them somewhere. I am thinking maybe the local radio station for a start but I am a bit green in the actual production side of it, playing ok but the next step, I just want to make sure I get it right when the time comes. Also I would like to upload some of my stuff onto myspace and possibly here on Taxi.Sorry this is long and I know its a sad story, I havent spilled this till now but I have had such nice and helpful responses to other posts I thought I would just let it all out.Thanks everyone and I hope your all well.Lv Daff xx

[arkjack]

Hi DaffYou can find my stuff on Broadjam and Myspace. I use the Boss equipment as well. If you listen close, you'll hear some messed up guitar licks, pitch falling on the vocals, and an array of engineering factors in my use of EQ, compression, and reverb that some more experienced recordists here would probably get a good laugh from. I have a wife like your parents.... if I really start rocking and getting into it, she comes down and tells me to "turn it down".... just doesn't unnerstan.... loud is part of the groove...The one mistake you may have made... you put it down for awhile.... now you have to catch up to your best level ever, then improve. (used to happen to me every tax season)... I find the way I get fund out of the Boss recordings... is play takes over and over until they hardly need a punch. that seems to result in the best recordings because the feel runs all the way through.... The other suggestion... since you are using the BR900 and it is total portable.... take it out on the porch or the deck where the neighbors can see you work and play.... I do this at Sudio B all the time and it gives me some adrenaline to be playing in front of the neighbors.... (they like my playing.... supposedly).... You'll find you vocal projection will improve instantly, as well as your delivery, because you are going to be singing to a person 500 feet down the road,... and you want them to hear you loud, clear and singing your best..... As far as the keyboards.... the 61 key Casio special works fine for making worktracks and demos... if you need the more polished sound.... go back to your secluded studio.... As far as the broadcast quality issues and whether the production is up to a level of CD pressing.... matter of personal taste.... I have yet to commit to pressing a CD with my current recordings.... I guess I feel that its not all there (its part of a psychological disorder called the Taxi Screener Rejection Complex..... result of no forwards after massive regular submissions), but when the time comes, I have some engineers lined up to clean up my tracks, and Diskmakers will do a post production mastering for a reasonable price, and pressing a little 100 CD sampler is about $300 bucks..... Hope those ideas help.... alot of it works for me...ArkJack

[jeffe]

I was married to a person that had an awesome voice and a bad childhood. They were quite reluctant to try and make money out of their talent.I think you should get a couple of bits up onto myspace and then try them out on the members here.You are likely to receive positive and negative comments. I'm guessing that the constructive comments are the ones you are probably looking for.To be as reluctant as you are, means you probably feel that your stuff is not really up to scratch. Well, there's only one way to find out where you are at the moment.You can either do that at some point in the future. Or now.I'd recommend now

[sgs4u]

Quote:I play some pieces on the keyboard, and guitar that I have been recording onto my Boss BR 900 multitracker (8 track), while I have mastered recording onto it a treat now, I just find as soon as I record myself, keyboard or guitar I mess up somewhere along the line. (yeah ok thats a bad enough distraction in itself lol)This is the same distraction we all face. Everything that says you're not good enough, or distracted, is detrimental to your growth and progress. You just have to learn not to play old movies from your life in your head. That can take a lot of practice. Some people find it easy to notice when they are shooting themselves in the foot. Quote:I cannot help thinking though a lot of this lack of self confidence with this area stems from my childhood. Ok if you're past 20 years old, I have no sympathy. If you're still a kid, then I have a little more empathy. You are, however, old enough to post here. Everyone has a story, it's part of the human experience. We all persevere against whatever odds or cards that life deals us. You can handle the adversity, but not if you constantly relive the feelings of inadequacy you've experienced. Do only what makes you happy, avoid what doesn't. Quote:You see I was brought up by my grandparents as equally as my mum and dad, it was a strict upbringing where kids were to be seen and not heard, so when ever I sang, I was told to be quiet. When I went to school I did music but the practical music classes stopped cause I was the only one interested and the school didn't push drama. So my mum got me into private piano lessons which was great, then later I played trumped in the salvation army band for 3 years. Throughout my years though, my mum, Nana have always said "oh no your not singing again are you", or "ohhhh its awful" kind of a joke way. I spoke to my mum about this as I think it has a lot to blame in the way of me not projecting my vocals, my keyboard tutor now (I have had a few refreshers) thinks my voice is improving, he is the only one who has given me that inspiration.Blah blah blah, your grandparents probably had very controlling parents themselves. Sounds like your mother was a giant leap forward. You can be that for, either your kids, or the people staring out in music that you meet. Or best yet - learn from and do what your mother did, for YOURSELF. Quote:Do you people out there think that maybe this could have a lot to do with me being a bit shy with my voice, i.e. assuming that people will think its awful so I dare not sing outwardly properly. You have your own special path to follow. It has already begun. If your goal is to be able to not feel shy, force yourself to become accustomed to the challenge of breaking through feeling shy.Check out any one of Hummingbird's posts, sites, and especially her progression, as an artist. She has shared a lot of information about being shy. Quote:I do also know that I have to believe in myself but when things like recording doesn't go as perfectly as I would like something inside me says maybe you just cannot do it. We all face the same thing, some quit. What will you choose?Quote:Also when it comes to producing your music, to produce an album on cd what are the steps you have to take? Snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper. What you are asking, can be as complex as building a bridge to France. Listen to music often, define what you like, make friends and ask questions. You will enjoy your journey.Quote:Do you have to register somewhere or get a company to do it, or can you literally make your own albums and sell them in a local music shop or take them somewhere. I can produce your record for mere peanuts, only $1,000,000. I hope that made you laugh. There are as many stories of how success is achieved or measured, as there are artists in the world. You still have to define your personal, musical and business goals. No one can do that for you. Quote:I am thinking maybe the local radio station for a start but I am a bit green in the actual production side of it, playing ok but the next step, I just want to make sure I get it right when the time comes. Also I would like to upload some of my stuff onto myspace and possibly here on Taxi.There are many books you can learn from, many of them Taxi is happy to inform you of. By asking one question at a time on this forum, you will learn a wealth of collected knowledge. Start by reading every thread here you can, that has anything to do with making and selling recordings. It's all up to you. Quote:Sorry this is long and I know its a sad story, I haven't spilled this till now but I have had such nice and helpful responses to other posts I thought I would just let it all out.There are much sadder things on this earth than your story. Be alive, and do what brings you joy. Don't be surprised if one of the things you have to learn first is not using your computer to vent. We've all done it. steveI live on a very slippery soapbox

[mazz]

I can emphathize with your story. If we've managed to live through our childhoods, we can all relate stories about experiences that shaped who we are today. That's life on the planet! Thank god (or whatever you call him/her/it) you have music as a way to express your feelings.I can't tell you how many takes of a keyboard part or whatever part I do before I sign off on the performance. Tons and Tons and Tons. One person's mistake is another's "what a cool note". It has to feel "right" to you.I wish I could give you the magic formula for success in the music business but it doesn't exist. There are, however, many many resources out there that will tell you everything you want to know about the nuts and bolts of every aspect of the business. You have to study those materials as intensely as you study songwriting, recording and production. Everyone who is having success in the business has done this to some extent or another. There are a lot of helpful, generous, people willing to share their knowledge but they ain't gonna do the work for you or write you a magic prescription.Your past is who you were to get you to who you are today. I want to know who you are today.Mazz

[mikehelms]

You see... These are Beautiful People.... Trying to help you express your own beauty... That which resides in all... Here it's expressed through Word and Song and Verse... The trick to it...I think... At Whatever Level... Is to remember that were all just.. Trying.... Laters, Peace Michael

[daffsongwriter]

Hi there, thank you all - like I said in the post I always seem to get good feedback here.Can I just say though, I wasnt asking for anyone to do my work for me or a prescription for a miracle, and I do realise we are all in the same boat. I dont presume I am alone.This thread was to share my thoughts and get feedback which I have, your all great. I apologise to Steve for this thread if it sounded to him like I was looking for sympathy votes, Im not (the blar blar blar) gave it away ha ha, I get the message, Ill shut up in future , I should be used to that it was drummed into me as a kid lol. Seriously though, it was quite a big thing for me to actually put all that and especially mentioning the family in it and I know I should forget the past but you dont, it does come back, I find if I think I sound flat in my voice, I picture my Nana saying "ahhh you cant sing". Then I think maybe their right, but at the same time I am very competitive and want to bite back big time so this is why I wont give in.I am over 20 so Steve you will have no sympthy for me , I wasnt looking for sympathy just trying to explain so you all get an idea about me. I am married to someone who has no interest in practical music but is happy for me to do what I am doing but doesnt always understand that as I work full time I need the weekends to spend a lot of quality time with my music to feel I have made headway.Thanks again all of you for all your feedback its great and again, sorry if it was long and drawn out. I thought I was brave though as I dont know any of you.Hugs xx

[Casey H]

Quote:I was married to a person that had an awesome voice and a bad childhood. Hmmmm..... I am married to a person who had an awesome childhood and has a bad voice...

[daffsongwriter]

Quote:Quote:I was married to a person that had an awesome voice and a bad childhood. Hmmmm..... I am married to a person who had an awesome childhood and has a bad voice... Ha ha I like that hurowitz . I didnt have a bad childhood as such, I was told to be quiet all the time when talking about music, or singing, "seen and not heard" situation. I dont have kids so wont be passing on any musical influence, only to myself and other muso's.I guess it wouldnt be good for us all to be the same eh, however old we are, I always think age should not be an issue which was why I didnt quote my age in my first post. We're all different (thank god).Hey thanks again for all your feedback - I meant to say in my 1st post, that I do and have in the past taken negative feedback as professionally as positive as I strongly believe one can learn from that and I do know that in music there are bad and good, you have to take it - didnt want you all assuming I am weak in that sense Have a great weekend and take care.xx

[kouly]

I suffered from the same environment. My mother flat out told me I was terrible. I just chose not to believe it. I still sufferwith not projecting my vocals as this is the last area I have worked on. We all face detractors, hecklers and tormentors. It is how we deal with them that counts. Overcoming is a trait that is needed to be a successful musician and human being. I would concentrate on learning as much as you can about modern production techniques. I spent the last two years one of them FULL TIME learning production and still feel as if I am just leaving rookie status. In those two years I did not write one song, I practiced on copy tunes since I did not want to be distracted from the production aspect. Now I am learning to writethe best music I can and then find ways to make it better. I would not worry too much about trying to get on the radio or selling CDs. When you are ready, it will happen. I may nevermake a living off my music but that is not why I do it. I do it because I need to. It is like a therapy. If one day I make money because of this, it will be icing. You must do it because it is in you, a part of you that will not go away. If you are doing it just to get on the radio or sell CDs, i.e. be rich and famous. You are probably going to be dissapointed.