=================================  

"Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth.

To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest

development of one's potential." Bruce Lee

 

What is the latest thinking in home studios?  [the most cost effective home studio solution]

Can’t return microphones.   [the latest health laws]

CAPRICORN Drinking style [could this be me?  Grin!]

Free Directory Enquiries from Google? [a brilliant service – check it out]

Testimonials

Subscriber's Section [ how to wire up a midi studio... ]

The gags: .....      [ WHY CONDOMS COME IN BOXES OF 3,6, & 12! – from Paul]

 

What is the latest thinking in home studios?  [the most cost effective home studio solution]

It has always worried me that songwriters and music makers seeking to record their own stuff in the home environment can get easily sucked into believing the advertising … “turn your PC into Abbey Road in a box …. get the latest 245 track, 2,567 virtual instrument, 5,000 Gigabyte megastudio, complete with on board DVD editing suite – the size of a lemon … all for $768” …. Size of a lemon?  Probably looks like a lemon … and IS a lemon!

I probably say this seven thousand times a day …. “no professional Hit maker in the world uses a PC” …. But every second Email I get is trying to make a case for using a PC.  Why?????

“No professional in the world uses anything but Protools” …. Well maybe a few use Logic8 …. But every second Email I get is trying to make a case for using Reason, Cubase, Cakewalk.  Why?????

“No professional in the world uses anything but the latest tried and tested reliable, successful equipment” … But every second Email I get is trying to make a case for some crazy bit of new fangled rubbish.  Why?????

So, I have put together the most definitive web-page giving the very latest thinking in the most cost effective and most Alpha return on capital invested in the music business.  Designed to save you your hard earned dosh.  Designed to give you easily sellable equipment when you want to upgrade further.  Designed to put you among the ‘big boys’.

Not a vague vision of what you can achieve, not a blue sky possibility, not a scenario … but the very equipment set up that most of the world’s biggest hit makers will have in their very private, very special and usually very inexpensive studio.

Go to http://www.makehits.co.uk/art029.htm 

"If you spend too much time thinking

about a thing, you'll never get it done." Bruce Lee 

 

Can’t return microphones.   [the latest health laws] 

One of our more detail-rich members, brought to my attention that: 

"Here in California you are NOT allowed to return anything that has been close to or touched a person's mouth ... That includes ALL Microphones".   

So I guess you will have to rely on store reviews, or in store demonstrations to find your favourite microphone. 

I delivered a lecture recently on microphone techniques for executives and such making speeches … my advice was to rest the mic. on the bottom lip and leave it there [that is the optimum place for a novice speaker … gives the sound engineer a fighting chance with a quiet voice] 

A woman piped up from the audience:  “yuuuuuh! How do you know the microphone is clean?” … Sort of killed the moment really.  My reply was that a good sound company will ensure that all mics. are anti-bacteria wiped [in my studio they are]. 

"As you think, so shall you become." Bruce Lee 

CAPRICORN Drinking style [could this be me?  Grin!] 

The feeling I get when I read a Star Sign article is that the Capricorn descriptions are all about me specifically [birthday 24^th December] … Just read this one … it is precisely me [grin!]  The accuracy is like a NASA rocket hitting it’s trajectory to orbit Jupiter.  Exact. 

“Capricorn is usually described as practical, steadfast, money-hungry and status-thirsty -- no wonder they get left off the astrological cocktail-party list.  

But this is the sign of David Bowie and Annie Lennox, not to mention Elvis. Capricorn is the true rock star: independent, powerful and seriously charismatic, not too eager to please.   [absolutely me …Dec] 

And if they make money being themselves, who're you to quibble?  But just like most rock stars, they're either totally on or totally off, and they generally need a little social lubricant to loosen up and enjoy the after party, especially if they can hook up with a cute groupie.” 

Hmmmmmmm! 

"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of." Bruce Lee 

 

Free Directory Enquiries from Google? [a brilliant service – check it out] 

Oh WOW!  You are going to love this one.... 

Here is something you will want to have and use!  Do you still remember when the telephone company charged $1.50 to get a phone number from information?   My compliments to Google!  Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this.   Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. (1-800-466-4411)    

This is an awesome service from Google, and it's free-- great when you are on the road. Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialling the number.  

I am driving along in my car and I need to call a Restaurant, Doctor, Appointment or whatever and I don't know the number.   I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed.  The voice at the other end says, "City."   I say, " **Garland** , **Texas** ."   He says, "Business, Name or Type of Service." I say, Firewheel Golf Course."   He says,"Connecting" and Firewheel answers the phone.   How great is that?  

This is nationwide and it is absolutely free! 

Click on the link below and check out the free demo from Google! 

http://www.google.ca/goog411/index.html   

"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It

will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only

plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee

Testimonials 

“Hi Dec,

I completed "How to make a $Million From Your Music" and “The Art of Live Performing” from you + “Demo Consultation Service” + I bought “So You’re Thinking of Recording Guitar”.

My PIN is $100NET1046040W.

 My first album is being released on 7/14/09.

Reviews (professional music critics) are coming in and are mostly very positive.

I implemented a lot of your ideas in my work and it is received very well.

Sophistication of sound is obviously the way to go + guitar skills + compositional skills.

Only one critic out of five thought that album should be with mostly guitar and no other sounds.

That’s like saying that Mona Lisa would be better off as a drawing.

I keep recommending your courses to other people.  I don't know if they will follow through.

If they are serious, they will - Serious Writers Guild.

There are many things happening with this album and I'll keep you updated with significant developments.

My music continues improving - my playing and compositions.

Big thanks to you.

I'll keep you posted, Zel [New York]”

"Continue when others have stopped, finish when others sleep" Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Subscriber's Section [ how to wire up a midi studio...]

Hi Dec 

I would appreciate some help on how best to wire this stuff up! I have experimented. 

HDD to work as the master

Roland JV-1010 sound module with IN/OUT/THRU.

Alesis SR-16 drum machine with IN/OUT/THRU.

Boss GT-8 guitar effects floor controller with IN/OUT.

Keyboard 

All through a PC. 

M***** 

My Reply:    

Our rules are "one short reply to ONE question on music FOR NON-MEMBERS, Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' have unlimited personal access to Dec by direct telephone, Fax and Email, apply at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm ".     

[Any advice given here shall not be deemed as financial or legal advice under any existing or future laws of any country] 

M***** 

I used virtually the same set up for years, very successfully, for commercial release recording.  It was about the best available in the early days of sequencing. 

You don't mention the sequencing package you will use? 

In the early days we used Atari running either Cubase or Creator [I used Creator, only because that is what I was introduced to].  The recording medium was Otari 24 track tape [industry standard].  When reliable Hard Disc recording came along we switched to that ... I favoured the Roland series ... the on board affects were simply stunning... especially the Roland RSS choruses and echoes ... they became quite the Industry Standard for Soul, R&B and Hip Hop multi vocals [I still use them but from an outboard FX unit] 

My set up [from memory] was: 

Mother Keyboard into Atari  [cost me all of £25!]

Midi out from Atari to a Nexus Plus two in, eight out, Midi distributor [this is the secret, as the Midi signal can degrade through daisy chaining ... out of one midi through and into the next midi in] 

As I used [and still use] a mighty amount of midi sound modules/keyboards/drum modules/samplers I have found that it is essential to use powered midi splitters [Midiman and Philip Rees are good] 

A Midi Merge unit became essential when the likes of Novation sound modules came along ... the filter sweeping required a parallel Midi Signal and had to be sent via a Midi Merge Unit ... [MidiMan] 

Effects units and sound modules can also be adjusted and the info stored via SysEx ... a chore when you finish a session ... the info has usually got to be fired directly at the computer sequencing programme via the Midi Out of the unit.  But well worth it! 

As regards the HDD becoming the master ... this is what I did. 

The HDD has got to be set up to receive a master tempo track from the sequencer ... this is achieved easily in the Roland via the System Preferences page.  It is set up to receive and record a Master Tempo Track [in the usual formats, SMPTE or Midi Click/Midi Clock etc. ] from the Sequencer ... when ready you simply press replay on the sequencer and the Roland will automatically record the tempo track with any slow downs, speed ups etc.  Any mistakes can be easily corrected by repeating the procedure ... it will ask you 'do you wish to overwrite?'. 

The Midi Out from the sequencer goes to the Midi In of the HDD in order to record the track. 

At the start of a recording session I would normally input the initial basic Midi tracks [ rough drums, probably pad, bass ] on the sequencer until I was definite of the tempo and any slow downs, tempo changes etc. 

When recorded, you reverse the Midi lead so the signal comes from the HDD to the Sequencer.  Once the sequencer is set to receive the Tempo Midi code [there will be a facility in the programme] thereafter the HDD is the Master ... you may need to set 'Midi Thru' as a facility on the Sequencing programme. 

Although, nowadays, I use a full blown ProTools8 and Leopard dual core Mac ... I still have a soft spot for your way of recording.  I still prefer to run the Midi equipment live when mixing ... the ProTools is reserved for all the 'live' recorded stuff, vocals, guitars, maybe acoustic piano, bass.  The results are more than stunning. 

If you are serious about your music .. that is, career wise, I would treat your experimentation as just that ... experimentation ... aim to go fully ProTools and Apple Mac ... although many on the periphery of the professional sector will argue otherwise, the whole of the commercial recording industry is 95% ProTools equipped. 

Regards and good luck! 

PS: The GT8 would normally be used as a live Effects unit for guitar and the guitar recorded straight to HDD.  I am looking at one now in my studio ... it never gets used!  I bought it to use when touring overseas ... a disaster!  All things 'guitar' have got to be Marshall ... there is simply no alternative ... I use Marshall JMP1 module for all my guitar work ... quite amazing! 

Regards

Dec [Cluskey]  dec@makehits.com <mailto:dec@makehits.com>  

2 Gold discs in 2008!  Decca have relaunched their ‘World Of’ series on the back of those hits.  Readers Digest are now promoting a triple album set …. Do you think I can help your music career succeed?  

Check out 'How to Make A £Million From your Music' at http://www.makehits.co.uk.  Secure purchase at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm or fast cred*it card line: +44 1323.728005 or UK 01323.728005 

 

 “How to Make A $Million From Your Music”. To see the course go to http://makehits.com/products090707/million.html   fast cred*it card line: +44 1323.728005 or UK 01323.728005 

To purchase go direct to: https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm 

“3 Minutes on the Radio with Dec” …. Available immediately at http://www.myspace.com/makehits 

=================================  

The gags: .....      [ WHY CONDOMS COME IN BOXES OF 3,6, & 12! – from Paul] 

A man walks into a drug store with his 8-year old son. They happen to walk by the condom display, and the boy asks, "What are these, Dad?" 

To which the man matter-of-factly replies, "Those are called condoms, son. Men use them to have safe sex." 

Oh, I see," replied the boy pensively. "I've heard of that in health class at school." 

He looks over the display and picks up a package of 3 and asks, Why are there 3 in this package?" 

The dad replies, "Those are for high school boys, one for Friday, one for Saturday, and one for Sunday." 

"Cool" says the boy. He notices a 6 pack and asks, "Then, who are these for?  "Those are for college men," the dad answers. "TWO for Friday, TWO

for Saturday, and TWO for Sunday." 

"WOW!" exclaimed the boy, "Then, who uses THESE?" he asks, picking up a 12-pack. 

With a sigh and a tear in his eye, the dad replied, "Those are for married men. One for January, one for February, one for March......."

===================================

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