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'One Minute With Dec'

The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.

The Archive - '2'

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Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit of help from his friends.

We do not condone any Music Scam on the Net

This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on

23 FEB 05

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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-]

"Success is a word in search of individual definition"

eve jeanette blohm

MENU:

I have so much to tell you

Martin Audio Sound rig presenting the worst mix

The sound rigger who 'hit' me last week

Jim Marshall at The Stables in Milton Keynes

The Albanian Ambassador was there.

Quad 303 amp

My opinion on the ten best ways of making dosh

Help for fellow 'One Minuters'?

Success Stories

Charts

Chart Comment

Subscriber's Section

The Gags

I have so much to tell you

Each week I have to make the terrible choice of what to discuss with you. This week has been a blizzard of happenings and events...all with a story and all with stuff that will 'educate' you. And you know that one of the major secrets to success is:

"The ability to be taught"

Do I tell you about the massive Martin Audio Sound rig presenting the worst mix I have heard in years...proof that it is not the name on the equipment that makes the sound - it is the guy operating it...every time!

Do I tell you of the sound rigger who 'hit' me last week. First time in my entire life that anyone has lifted a finger toward me. Proof that it is impossible to work with 'insecure', 'not secure in their own talent' sound boys. And further proof that 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'. That incident happened when I arrived to play a major concert and asked [politely] for the speaker stacks to be aligned properly to industry standard spec. The rigger went berserk!

Lesson?

Never employ, or be associated with, anyone who tends toward violence. Managements, bookers, promoters will only remember the violence...they will not remember that it was nothing to do with you and that you were the nicest guy in the world.

That guy will certainly not ever be near me, or any of my pals .....ever again!

Do I tell you about the benefit I was invited to by Jim Marshall at The Stables in Milton Keynes....where the show was stolen by Jess Conrad....an ancient rocker [one hit!]. Proof that the 'old timers' can teach the young kids an awful lot....he was stunning! And also that the guy in the great outfit...lookin' good - with the tan and the quiet confidence was the guy asked to stand and do the 'thank-you's'...who? Come on!!!!!!!!! Mois!

Do I tell you that by wearing a Versace suit and Versace Tee Shirt you can really look awesome and get the most attention? Yep, at the 'Norman at Ninety' lunch at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Yes, Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' were there.

Do I tell you that by going to those functions and networking, amazing things can happen?

One of our Members has Albanian connections. Sir Norman is a cult figure in Albania....so the Albanian Ambassador was there and did a little speech telling how huge Norman is in that country. Our Member was able to chat with the Ambassador afterwards. So - who is now involved with the Government of Albania in promoting talent [Eurovision?]. Yep, networking works! And just simply getting yourself about to all these bashes is a real way forward.

The Cluskey Clan...brother Con, Louisa, O)liver, Sandy, meself! and Vicci Esselle We share a joke with my table guest Roy Walker [Catchphrase] an old pal

Do I tell you that my Quad 303 amp, which powers my NS10's in the studio, packed up [only second time since new, all those years ago]. Quad had it back to me in days...with a fabulous phone call and many Emails.

The ancient Quad 303....mighty!

Marilyn, at the company is retiring to a quieter job after 34 years....I Emailed her:

Received....thank you....sounds wonderful.

Still can't figure out how it sounds better than the 1,000 watts amp used as a spare.

Have a good career after you leave!

Regards.... DEC [Cluskey] dec@makehits.co.uk

Marilyn replied:

Dec,

Thank you so much for your kind e-mail - glad the unit sounds good now -

Your comments make it all worthwhile why I chose to be at Quad all this time ! Quad will always be in my bones .....

Take care of yourselves - keep singing and as I said on the 'phone - memories of my late mum playing and singing your records make me smile.

Kindest regards and very best of luck in everything.

Marilyn x

Is that proof that just being a 'nice guy' gets you everywhere...and gets the best service? And I still can't figure out how a Quad [at 40 watts per side] sounds so wonderful!

Do I tell you about Ian Warrener [Serious Writers Guild Member] and his phenomenal success in sound reproduction? He attended to 400 items at his factory the other day....Wow! Ian always runs everything he does past me....the marketing, the adverts. Check out the full page in 'Pro Sound News' this month about Ian

Dec

Receptions at the British Embassy now :-)
Whatever next?
As always, the biggest thanks for everything - especially when you know it isn't going to be what I want to hear
Keep smilin'
Ian www.pa-direct.co.uk

This is what I'll tell you about:

I got so much feedback from my idea to give my opinion on the ten best ways of making dosh while you are struggling to make ends meet - making your music [before the success comes]. I will give one idea per week and thus build up a web page of info for each way.

Here is a typical Email from a guy who is going places but has financial problems:

Hi Dec,

Just read grade 4 (Hard Music Facts & Teaching Material) - excellent!!!! People in the studio are starting to notice how much fuller my vocal sound has become - Thanks for that.

I have recently started piano lessons - Grade 1. ( I wish I didn't give up when I was 13)

I am getting slightly frustrated because I feel that I don't have enough time in the day to spend on my music. One of my friends "S*****" (well known uk GARAGE producer) said to me that if I'm going to make this music thing work I have to do this full time and give up work.

At the moment I am only left with £300 after paying off bills and existing debts (£28k). I know too many musicians who have been dedicated to their music over the last 10 years and haven't achieved anything and are in their late 30's and broke. However I know that I will never be f *inancially independent working for an employer.

So what I am tempted to do is to look at other avenues to make money outside work. I have started implementing the 'Pay yourself first' system but I was going to ask you if it would make more sense to use the 10% to clear debts first.

Kind Regards....J******* *****

My reply:

J*******

<<<<<<<<I am getting slightly frustrated because I feel that I don't have enough time in the day to spend on my music. One of my friends "******" (well known uk GARAGE producer) said to me that if I'm going to make this music thing work I have to do this full time and give up work.

I'll be honest with you at the moment I am only left with £300 after paying off bills and existing debts(£28k).>>>>>>>>>

I have heard your story so many times. So much so that I am putting together a list of the top 10 ways of making money whilst allowing more time to concentrate on music 'properly'. This is the first and best.

I was in the same boat. I was at school when I started [age 12 years]... So I suppose my Mum supported my 'music'. But then, we had a family small business where I could make dosh when I wanted, in the evenings [my father and mother knew the only way to make serious dosh is to have a business of your own and not work for others].

But when I moved from Ireland to the UK for a five week tour I hit a brick wall. At the end of the five weeks...nothing...stranded in Manchester, no money and no prospects.....But..........

It is interesting that the top way of making money is, without a doubt, 'live performing'. That is the way I did it. And the more I research that avenue the more I see that it is the crystal clear way forward for any artist. www.liveperforming.com . I went from sleeping on Railway Station benches to renting an apartment and living reasonably comfortably in 6 weeks [at least I was indoors out of the rain and snow].

The point is that the first two questions that any record company, production company, publisher will ask when they are excited about your Hit demo are:

1) Any more material like this [meaning they want to get involved to see how you write and record]

2) Where can we see you live next week? [meaning with 'sold out' signs and queues down the street, merchandising out of control, and database of 37,000]

It is so obvious that the 'live' bit is going to swing the deal.....think Usher, Outkast, Black Eyed Peas, Joss Stone. You don't get that sophistication of performing talent without the 'learning' and 'study'...then actually actioning all that learning and study and physically doing it!

The curious thing is that apart from the initial few shows, where you almost invariably have to perform for zilch, everything else you get dosh for! The better you become on stage the bigger the audience, therefore the bigger the fee. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that the bigger the audience the more merchandising you do, therefore the bigger the take in record sales, posters, 10" X 8" pics, tour brochures - whilst collecting database by the hundred.

So live performing is where it's at. Puts lots of money in your pocket and hones your skills on stage. Lot's like the prostitute gag: "You got it, you sell it, you still got it!" Talent is precisely like that...and you get better at it every time you 'sell' it.

Two things to remember:

1) You actually never know when you get the phone call to ask are you free for Top Of The Pops TV show on Friday where they want a new, fresh talent to give exposure to. [would you be ready?]

2) Most of the great classic Hits were written on the tour bus, or in a grotty hotel room whilst on tour.

And also remember that one of our Members went from being stranded in New Zealand, smashed broke, cards maxed out, to being out of the dreaded d*bt [I can't even say the word!], in two years with us....he told me on the phone recently that in 2 weeks he made £38,000 UK pounds. He never stops thanking me!

The website is: www.liveperforming.com and the secure purchase page is: https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/artofsecure.htm . Easy card phone line is UK 01323.728005 [from overseas +44.1323.728005]

<<<<<<<However I know that I will never be f *nancially independent working for an employer.>>>>>>>>>

Absolutely correct!

<<<<<<<<<<When I'm earning a steady income that matches my 9-5 income,>>>>>>>>>

Show Biz. Is about the only Industry where you can actually do this....work odd nights playing in wine bars at weekends, gradually work more nights, play bigger and better venues until your are making so much, the 'record' side of your business becomes almost a side issue [that is what happened to me]

<<<<<<<<<I have started implementing the 'Pay yourself first' system but I was going to ask you if it would make more sense to use the 10% to clear debts first.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes and No.

It is correct to force yourself to live on 90% of what you earn. However it doesn't make sense to have that 10% making a small percentage interest in the bank whilst paying hefty interest on the borrowed money. My advice?

Pay the debt off as quick as you can. Scrimp and save and pay it off quickly - every spare £5....pay it against the loan.

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
dec@makehits.co.uk

"Don't expect the unexpected, but when it happens, don't be surprised."

gary l collins

Support fellow subscribers and members?

"SOUTH LYON, MICHIGAN--Detroit Women with Motor City Express--eight of Detroit's hottest divas, backed by a powerhouse band--perform at the South Lyon Theatre in South Lyon on Saturday, February 26th. The show begins at
9 p.m.

Show with Dinner - $25.00
Show Only - $10.00
Reservations can be made at 248-437-9000.
Tickets are selling quickly

The South Lyon Theatre and Bistro are located in the center of town at 127 E. Lake Street (10 Mile Rd) and setting the tone in downtown South Lyon with first class dining and entertainment.

Detroit Women are Ping Spells, Elena Papillo, Rhonda Bantsimba, Terrie Lea, Lady T, Stacia Petrie, Valerie Barrymore, Aja Sardis, Kate Hart and Kathi McDonald. They are backed by the renowned Motor City Express band. The members have appeared and toured with such notables as Meatloaf, Kenny Loggins, Delbert McClinton, Bob Seger, Roy Orbison and Hall and Oates."

Success Stories and Thank-You's [I only mention one!]:

"As usual, a GREAT Ezine! As always, Full of stuff to get your teeth into.

Going back to the importance of performance...

Performance, performance, performance. It's all in the performance isn't it? Thanks again Dec for all your hard work. You're a true wonder. You know that?

Regards Bob Daulby"

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

Oh - Okay then....I couldn't resist this:

"Dec - you're the man!! It was four years ago that I came across your website - and what a rollercoaster of a ride it's been ever since! Nothing had prepared me for what you had in store! With your advice and continual support you have helped me build a business which is currently going ballistic! I've pulled in £38,000... in the last two weeks alone!! I think it's time I planned another trip down to Eastbourne... can we go back to that yummy pasta joint?

Thanks for everything... you're a true pal :o) - Alex H."
=====================

Charts:

USA [my thanks to Charles in the USA for supplying this]

(1) Let Me Love You, Mario

(2) Candy Shop, 50 Cent Featuring Olivia

(3) Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Green Day

1)  JENNIFER LOPEZ - 'GET RIGHT'
2)   ELVIS PRESLEY - 'SURRENDER'
3)   LL COOL J ft 7 AURELIUS - 'HUSH'

UK Download Chart [now the most important chart in the UK]

(1) 'Galvanize' - Chemical Brothers

(2) 'Over and Over' - Nelly feat. Tim McGraw

(3) 'Wires' - Athlete

Chart Comment:

I won't even mention E**** this week! Sad really!

LL Cool J ... well there is a guy I quote a lot. "When I realised that this was a business and not an art form, then the success really started". He had the hits but didn't see any money...then the penny dropped....everyone else was making the money and he just had the 'credibility'. He soon changed that.

Jennifer Lopez' 'Get Right' having first hit the online stores back in January. It benefits from being her first new material in quite some time and becomes what is surprisingly only her second ever Number One single, her biggest hit since 'Love Don't Cost A Thing' topped the charts back in 2001. Since then she has had no less than 8 other Top 5 singles but none which advanced past the Number 2 position.

Wow, what a change in the USA chart....amazing.

" Life is a school and none of us graduate till they shut the box"
nomi whalen

Subscriber's Section:

An age old problem solved here....which microphone, for what application?

Hi Dec

I hope you are well and life is good. Quickie - turning my focus onto my theatre - musical project, I've decided to
record the whole 2.5 hours via my home recording setup, so I have something tangible to work with as a demo including all
acting/singing parts. I have the gear, but no mics yet.

(1) You mentioned previously the Shure mic for live performance - would you also recommend this mic for recording vocal, or should I get something else?

(2) My home studio is situated upstairs in a detached house. I intend having a 'window' put into the separating wall between
main bedroom (control room) and box room (live room for vocals). Would you recommend I spend cash on soundproofing my
box room - or will a single-directional mic do the trick to reduce extraneous noise getting onto tape? I live in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Many thanks.
G*****

My Reply:

G*****

As with most guys you misunderstand the way that mics. react and take in sound.

The sound is not created by the microphone...the microphone only takes in what 'it hears'. So, provided a microphone is full frequency, then it will take in, accurately, the sound presented to it.

Differing mics. have ever so slightly different response in the varying frequencies. Usually, a good mic. will have a frequency graph with it so that you can see which frequencies it exaggerates and which it diminishes...thus each mic. will give a 'unique' sonar pattern. The high grade condenser mics. are generally total flat in response through the frequencies and the frequency capabilities stretch right up to say 20,000HZ...thus they have an indefinable 'transparency' in their response.

Condenser mics. also are 'powerful', in that they will pick up from a much greater distance without degrading the sound. Dynamic and ribbon mics. sound great close in [proximity factor] but quickly lose that quality in the first six inches away. Or even half inch to the side! So they are useful when you don't want extraneous sounds and noises on the recording or live performance [useful for live gigging, TV and a studio with other musicians present.]

I don't want to get into detail here..and that is enough about the mics.

What you need to concentrate your brain on is the fact that the mic. will pick up the 'reflections' in the room. That is called the 'ambience'. So a brick walled room will have a hard edgy sound to it. The vocal will be affected by this as the voice will reflect off the walls and add the reflections to the sound recorded...you cannot get rid of those reflections.

A glass or mirrored room, or marble floored room will give a brittle sound to everything [are you old enough to remember the Phil Collins drum sound?].

So, what you need is:

Get rid of the reflections by (a) totally sound deadening all the surfaces (b) ensuring that there are no 'parallel' surfaces (c) ensuring there are no right angle corners. This is easily achieved, at tiny cost, by just thinking about it in a logical manner.

Using the mic. as close to the sound source [with vocals, the mouth] as possible....get yourself the best pop shield you can afford ['Popper Stoppers' from Studiospares are Industry Standard]

Ensure the vocalist remains in a constant position in relation to the mic.

Record all vocals at the highest possible DB level on the meters without distortion [this uses the maximum number of 'bits' in digital recording]
SM58 [standard or Beta for extended frequency range] - the reasonably priced AKG D880, are the best dynamic mics. and are workhorses that will take care of almost any close miking situation.

The Stagg MC7 condenser mic. is my favourite high quality mic. for those stunning vocals, acoustic guitar and percussion tracks. But you need a mixer or recorder that will give 'phantom power' for this mic. Mic. available from Guitar Amp and Keyboard Centre...talk to Sanjiv and mention my name...details in 'Uncle Dec's Lil' Instruction Book'. www.makehits.co.uk/qabook.htm

You will find that for most applications a separate recording room is a nuisance [I don't use one]. It is much cosier [and quicker] to adopt a 'singing in the control room' situation...but then you have to follow all my detail on making sure of no hums etc. in the control room.

So there you have it.

There is a mountain of this information, in detail, in 'One Minute With Dec - The Annual' plus the TWO Interactive audio CD's. www.makehits.co.uk/annual.htm

Regards
DEC dec@makehits.co.uk

" Some people make things happen

Some people watch things happen

Some people wonder what happened"

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

web: www.makehits.com or call +44 (0)1323.728005

Finish===========

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

The gags: [Fellas...you won't like this!]

Men are like

Men are like .......Laxatives ...... They irritate the sh*t out of you.

Men are like ........ Bananas ...... The older they get, the less firm they are.

Men are like ........ Vacations ...... They never seem to be long enough.

Men are like ........ Weather ...... Nothing can be done to change them.

Men are like ........ Blenders ...... You need One, but you're not quite sure why.

Men are like ........ Chocolate Bars ...... Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.

Men are like ........ Commercials ...... You can't believe a word they say.

Men are like ........ Department Stores ...... Their clothes are always 1/2 off.

Men are like ........ Government Bonds ...... They take soooooooo long to mature.

Men are like ........ Mascara ...... They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

Men are like ........ Popcorn...... They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

Men are like ..... Snowstorms ..... You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.

Men are like ........ Lava Lamps ...... Fun to look at, but not very bright.

Men are like ........ Parking Spots ........ All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

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

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

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To pay by any other method please check out the payment methods on the secure page. Any queries re payment just contact me directly. I'll get back in touch with you within hours: dec@makehits.com

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Dec Cluskey
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Email: dec@makehits.com

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'One Minute With Dec'

Latest Music News Quality Information Techniques Cutting Edge Advice for Today

"As usual, a GREAT Ezine! As always, Full of stuff to get your teeth into.

Going back to the importance of *performance*...

Performance, performance, performance. It's all in the performance isn't it? Thanks again Dec for all your hard work. You're a true wonder. You know that?

Regards Bob Daulby"

Back to the list page for Archive 'One Minute With Dec's'? Click HERE.

Going back to the importance of performance...