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=================================
'One
Minute With Dec'
"My
Emails Are Written With Good Humour And Should Be Read With A Smile"
[-The views of any
contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily the views of Dec
Cluskey-]
"Truth -
Accuracy - with no Flannel....that is our promise here at 'The Serious Writers
Guild'.
But we cannot vouch for the contributions of others...
Please alert us to inaccuracies and help us maintain our high standards."
Clive
Sanderson [legal dept. Serious Writers Guild] clivesanderson@makehits.com
"It's not what you are, it's
what you don't become that hurts"
oscar
levant
"Thanks for the prompt Email
reply yesterday, it really is fantastic to know their is somebody there who can
give such sound advice! Thanks for providing such an amazing service!
Jason Dale"
=================
"That means a lot, and by the way,
things are changing nicely and my confidence is real. Karen. kpublish@ozemail.com.au"
====================
"First off let
me say that this is the most wonderful program I have ever been a part of.
I also would like to say that their isn't anyone I have ever heard of
having as much know-how about this business . Quincy
Ellis"
==============================
A fun record of the phone calls:
Longest call from a Member this week was 28.17
mins. Not long? But, come on - I was recording at the
time....everyone in the studio was looking at me as if I was mad.
Recording and still answering calls? Yep, I must be mad!
An observation on the importance of time spent:
I mentioned that I am finishing off the final three
tracks of an album commissioned by probably the biggest TV advertising Record
Company.
Considering how much I emphasise the importance of
understanding what makes a hit recording and what are the most important
ingredients, I consciously made a note of the amount of time [and therefore
effort] that went into the different elements.
We laid down the basic music on computer. I
am pretty tasty on keyboards and drum programming but I do consider it important
to have outside 'help', in the shape of the best, most current Hip Hop/R&B
musicians around me. Any members who called this week probably got to
speak with them. The logic is that two heads are better than one....or
even four heads are much better than one. Left on my own I would come up
with great musical work....but with outside help, as well, the results are
sensational....and make a lot of money.
Lesson: Never try to be a 'lone' music
maker. Collaboration is where it's at.
Every time the computers get switched on there is a
constant 'improvement' method used. In other words, I am constantly
tidying up and cleaning up. Improving the tightness and musicality of the
pieces.
The guide vocal is put on when there is just about
enough music to sing to.
Then the vocal arrangement. This is the most
time consuming part of the operation. And the part most neglected by
novices. The vocal arrangement will relate to the music already there on
computer and will intertwine with it....and sometimes use the same
notation. I will aim for four/five differing vocal arrangement ideas
working together.
Lesson: Vocal arrangement will almost
certainly be the most 'missing' part of your music making.
All the while I will be listening to, and improving
the drum patterns, sounds and feel. We use the very latest drum samples
and multi sample techniques.
Lesson: That old kik drum sound that
you have used for years is 'nowhere' today. Get yourself some of the
latest available....you will be shocked at the difference.
Next we work on the 'live' instrument stuff.
Guitars, percussion and finally we will check does a 'live' drummer add more
excitement to the occasion. Sadly she rarely does....maybe an odd high hat
figure....but we can more easily just nick the pattern and write it to the
computer.
Lesson: Only use live drums when they
add to the occasion....not because you feel you 'should'.
Finally we concentrate on the lead vocal
performance. This we produce from an excitement and passion point of
view. Yep, we watch the tuning and timing - but it is all about
performance, charm and emotion. As UK guys will know, my brother Con is
probably the best around for these attributes.
Lesson: There is no piece of equipment that
will make a hit performance from an inexperienced
performance.
So: the percentages of time
taken?
Music 15%.......Drums &
samples.......20%.......Live instruments ...... 5%........vocal arrangement
35%.......lead vocal........25%
How does that compare with yours?
Lesson: The vocals performance is the
most important factor in a Hit record [singing record, that is] The next
most important part is the drums...the rest is pure colour - simply the frame
around the picture. And remember, the magic is always in front of the
microphone, not in the control room.
"What is the use of running when
we are on the wrong road"
Support 'One Minute' subscribers?
Hi there everyone, Just wanted to let
you all know of a couple of gigs we have coming up on May 29th. From
11am to 5 pm Karrie and Controversy will be hosting the opening of Nestleton
Park on Hwy 7 East Of Port Perry, Ontario,
Canada.
There will be several local artists
that day soothing our ears with their performances. Karrie Dymond &
Controversy will be closing the day around 3:30 to 5 pm . Now on to the
night of the 29th The band and I will be playing at the Brigadoon. It is
located at the corner of Victoria Park and St Clair Across the Street from No
Frills. We will be performing that night for several record label reps that
are liking what they hear from us. Hope to see you all there
Love
Karrie Dymond &
Controversy
Karrie Lynn Dymond
"Endurance pierces
marble"
ancient proverb
==========================
I love being a star. I feel so
happy....it feels good! Thank you ever so
much. Marcel [Germany]
==========================
With your advice well heeded, all the
band members in the Metal Band I
play in had a 'smashing' first gig in the
new line up, everyone looked
cool, played exceptionally well on a
technical level and the
performance was such [sexy, tight and
professional]. Sold CD's to them
too! And of course, everyone
that said 'great gig' was asked to join
the mailing
list.
Those that really know about the
business AND have been successful -
LIKE YOU - are not negative and need
to brag - because one can see and
smell their
success.
So, a BIG thank you Dec for
everything that you are teaching us, your
support and advice is worth more
than the "Million [s]"
Andie
Cayne
==========================
"Success is not a
destination. It is a continuous journey"
george h denny
Strong words to get you moving?
Hi .... While most of us come up with lots of great ideas for
songs or music, we seldom
act upon them. While many of us read tons
of books and
articles, make notes on the key ideas they offer, and even
plan
on implementing them "when time permits," we rarely get
around to
just doing it!
The super successful music makers that I know are just
the
extreme opposite. Willie Crawford
Good Music Web Sites?
Hi Dec,
I thought I'd just drop you a line about this
website I've come across, on the off chance that you may want to pass on to
other members.
It's run by a friend of a friend of mine (no, really) who has
set up a website for writers / composers to drop their music on to and have it
peer reviewed. www.pimusic.org
Richard Mollett
===========
This quoted portion of 'One Minute With Dec' has been removed at the request of a Music Site owner and the next section has been re-edited. Although no slight was intended the proprietor felt that there was an element of denigration. A suitable, unreserved apology has been sent for any perceived maligning, however unintentional [Henry Collins - editor 'One Minute With Dec']
How to judge the quality of a Music Help web site?
I always worry about a site that has no postal
address, no contact phone number and does not come clean and state they are
'selling' courses....is it hard to find out 'how much does it
cost?' Is the Boss available on the phone? Is there a no quibble,
lifetime, guarantee?
I always advise music guys to check these important
points:
1) Is the real address readily available [not a PO
Box number]
2) Is the real phone number [land line] available
[although mobiles are best in the Music Business there should be a land line
back-up]
3) Can you speak to a real person, preferably the
boss, should there be a problem?
4) What success and Number Ones has the boss had?
[so many Music Organisation bosses have never had an ounce of success and
certainly no Number One's]
5) What 'success' stories are available and are
they genuine?
6) Is there a complete, no quibble, lifetime
guarantee?
You will notice that 'The Serious Writers Guild'
fulfils all of those criteria completely. I don't know any other Internet
Organisation that does. If you do, please let me know?
Charts:
UK
1) 'F.U.R.B' ..... Frankee
2) 'F**K IT' ... (I Don't Want You Back) Eamon <G>
3) 'Irish Blood, English Heart'......Morrissey
1) "Burn" Usher 2) "I Don't Wanna Know" Mario Winans
Featuring Enya & P Diddy
3) "Yeah!" Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
AUSTRALIA
2) "Black Betty" Spiderbait [don't know that one?]
3) "Left Outside Alone" ....
Anastacia
A chart observation:
 Let's just gloss over the most
public break-up argument in history and bask in wonder at the stunning return of
80s indie god Morrissey, with his highest placed solo single ever. His previous
best was back in 1988, when his first single 'Suedehead' hit No 5. In fact, even
when he was with the mighty Smiths he only charted above No 10 once, when 'This
Charming Man' went to No 8. So 'Irish Blood, English Heart' is officially
Morrissey's highest charting effort ever. Although, given the slump in singles
sales since the 80s, it may not be his best selling.
Over in the albums charts Keane
make a smash debut with 'Hopes and Fears' going straight in at the top. And The
Streets' second long player does well too, taking the second spot, and ushering
its predecessor back into the charts on its coat tails.
Music/Show Biz News:
 Britney Spears: Most of the news about
the recording star is about her sexy image, not the singer who tries to help
children at her Camp for the Performing Arts that is run by the Britney Spears
Foundation. This item is for the kids. Bidding is already underway at the Onyx
Hotel internet site for "The Ultimate Britney Experience," a package of goodies
that includes the chance for a lucky twosome to meet the performer at her June
23rd concert in June. But that's not the only prize going to the lucky bidder.
The "Experience" package includes airline tickets to Boston, concert tickets,
limo service, backstage access, Spears CDs, and lodging in the Britney Spears
Foundation Room located on a top floor at The Onyx Hotel. Spears' mother, Lynne
Spears, is in charge of decorating the room to make sure that it resembles her
daughter's bedroom at home in Louisiana. If you can pony up the $5,000 minimum
bid, visit the Onyx Hotel site before the auction ends on June 1. Proceeds will
benefit The Britney Spears
Foundation.
Subscribers Section:
Currently one of the hottest producers in
Germany.....Serious Writers Guild member wrote:
What are your thoughts on
monitor levels, as I've been asked to produce at
a studio where I noticed
they monitor extremely loudly.
It is such a pity that most
studios [including mine] do not have the ubiquitous Aurotone
cubes
I**
My Reply:
Hi I**....
I've seen every combination of monitor
level......and I have to say that most 'pro' engineers will ask the
client/producer if they are comfortable with the level.
I tend to monitor at a 'comfortable' level
for me...which I set and is marked with chinograph. The input levels on my DAT
and CDR are also set and chinographed, as are the output fader of the main and
sub mixers. The aim being to have everything operating at 0DB throughout the
system.
This will always give a 'hot' mix - as
everything is at 0DB or in the 'orange' and slightly hitting the
'red'.
This, can be dangerous, as I am always
bordering on distortion, which, in the digital domain, can be nasty. But the
results speak for themselves. My stuff always sounds 'hot'. When I mastered the
TWO Interactive Audio CD's for the 'One Minute With Dec - The First
Annual', the comments from the mastering engineer confirmed that. He hardly
had to boost at all. And he didn't re-EQ anything...a great compliment. 177
minutes with no alteration! That is what all good producers try to
achieve.
I**, your stuff, similarly, sounds 'hot'...I don't
know whether that is the mastering or the plain mix.
My worst experience of 'monitor' level was
with a guy who constantly turned the main faders up and down...I could never
figure out why he did it...he just did! Probably a nervous thing.
Some of my best major work was done with an
engineer at Polydor who recorded at normal level and mixed at very low level.
Then stood back and issued the immortal words: "Now let's listen
back in glorious Technicolor" and whacked up the main
monitor fader to 'blood dripping from the ears' level. That
worked!
It must be understood that your ears will
naturally open up or close down to accommodate any 'smooth' level...this
phenomenon you will see at any major concert...they use what is called a
'strident' level...the professional technique is this:
When the punters are walking in,
the background music is at low level. then from ten minutes before the 'off'
the FOH engineer will gradually lift the volume until, before the first entry
of the star, the level will be ear splitting...then, provided it is a good
mix, the audience will be enthralled by the 'visuals' of the show and their
ears will adjust to the 'strident' level of the
show.
A quiet level at a show will kill the excitement. I
have seen this at so many venues that have sound level meters with a DB power
cut off. Some local councils insist on these....we never allow our
engineers to plug into that circuit. Highly dangerous for a big system....wrecks
speakers. We can insist on this with managements because of 'who we are'.
[that's not meant to be 'flash' - it's just fact]
I have particularly seen a great act 'die'
because the management insisted on the sound being below 87DB. This meant the
guy had to work with just monitors and no FOH.
The most important element in studio
monitor level is to ensure you listen on good clean monitors [NS-10M STUDIO is
the world standard] when recording and then listen on as many differing systems
as are available when mixing down. I use NS10s for the final mix at my
normal fixed level. Then I check for any distortion by listening at very low
level...then I turn on the 'big stuff' [which goes down to 30Hz] to listen in
'full glorious Technicolor']
As a final check, I alternate between the
three sets of monitors and go outside the studio whilst leaving the door open
...this is a real 'pro' trick, it will ensure that the vocals are sitting
correctly...and that is the most important point in a 'today' hit. Of course
that must take into account that track must 'jump'. Amazingly, most of the jump
will come from great hit vocals.
The final check I do is to have the two main systems working
together....the big speakers are behind, by the way. so, I get a kind of quad V5
sound....awesome...and very impressive when playing a track to a client
etc.
It is sad that so few studios [including mine] do not have the
ubiquitous Aurotone cubes, those tiny speakers which simulated TV speakers so
well.
Nigel Hopkins [wrote loads and loads of TV stuff] talks at
length about this subject on the 'One Minute' annual audio CD's. End of
lecture!
Regards
"What is the use
of running when we are on the wrong road"
proverb
Regards
Dec
You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own
publications...we simply require you to add:
Start ============
'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey. Dec's
advice?
Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com
Finish===========
============================================
The gags [A Special for the
UK?]
"Be very proud to be British because...
Only in Britain... can you get a pizza to your
house faster than an ambulance.
Only in Britain... do supermarkets make sick people walk all the
way to the back of the shop to get their prescriptions while people can buy
cigarettes at the front.
Only in Britain... do people order double cheeseburgers, large
fries, and a DIET coke.
Only in Britain... do banks leave both doors open and chain the
pens to the counters.
Only in Britain... do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on
the drive and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage.
Only in Britain... are there disabled parking places in front of a
skating rink.
NOT TO MENTION...
3 Brits die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their
tongue.
58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of
screwdrivers.
31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree
while the fairy lights were plugged in.
British Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker
pulling accidents.
18 Brits had serious burns in 2003 trying on a new jumper with a
lit cigarette in their mouth.
And finally.........
In 2003, eight Brits cracked their skulls whilst throwing up into
the toilet.
============================================
How to set up a Demo consultation
with Dec?
The Professional
service the Professionals use. Even available for voice and
guitar!
Simply get in touch by Email - click this link:
demo@makehits.co.uk and tell me that you want to send your material
for a full critique and appraisal. We will then send you a unique PIN number to put on your letter or Jiffy Bag. This will ensure you get
immediate attention. This is also for security reasons. We do not open
unsolicited Jiffy Bags.
For full details click on this
link: www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm
Heard enough, want to apply
to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten
month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
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buy in your local shop"
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details will never be given to ANYONE]
To pay by any other method please check out the payment
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page. Any queries re payment just contact me directly.
I'll get back in touch with you within hours: dec@makehits.com
For your further protection, we are recognised by British
Actors Equity.
Dec Cluskey
The Serious Writers Guild,
Stanton Prior,
Darley Road,
Meads,
Eastbourne BN20 7UH in the UK
Email: dec@makehits.com
Fax.: +44 (0)1323.729318
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Copyright ©2004 MakeHits.com, Dec
Cluskey. All rights reserved.
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