Yeah, I read Mr. Mark Allen's blogs. I guess the main point is to just go out and make it happen but it can be hard to actually start doing it. You're right, being persistent is important.

How did you learn how to use studio equipment?

Katie X: About stark reality, I think everyone has a calling. Picking something that you're OK at--you can become good. Picking something you're good at and then you can become great.

I've been into music writing songs for over 13 years. It's something that always in my life so, I'm like married to it. I can play guitar and bass pretty well, can dabble with the drums, keyboards, turntables, recorder, but no wind instruments.

Musicnote: I use to play around with a four-track cassette recorder. But, I think once the computer came around, it changed the game. I've been using the software for like 5 years now, i'm not proficient but can wrap my head around it and make songs. I use Logic and learnt mostly by watching others and also from a great engineer Dan F (www.disuye.com)

Everything starts with a first step...

Thanx alot for e reply!
Learn alot of knowledge here!

Mixing and mastering? mixing is mixing the singer's voice w music, arrangements beats etc?
how about mastering? Not sure about this...

Oh! And about yr name! y did yr frens first call u ghost? *curious*

Claudia

"Picking something that you're OK at--you can become good. Picking something you're good at and then you can become great" - very true.

Wow that's quite a bit of instruments. Music must come easy to you now. Especially 13 years of experience. That's ALMOST my whole life! But of course, we will always be learning new things and how to improve for the rest of our life.

Question about music-making:
How do composers//lyricists//producers present a song they wrote, to a singer? Does the composer//lyricist//producer sing the song to the singer and then the singers have to pick it up? Or...?

Thanks ghost style for always replying to our questions!

Which program is the industry standard to use? (If there is one..)

it's all good u guys to ask questions, hope the answers are helpful too u.

Claudia: Mastering is the final stage in music production. It's definitely an artform. Check out this interview:

http://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/TUTORS.9.0.html?act_session=167

It's of a mastering engineer named "tony Dawsey". Peace

Katie X:

There's lots of ways to get your song to an artist. One way is through a publisher/publishing company. Basically, they collect songs from everywhere and present to the artist/record company. Then, if they like the song they will use it (give you a placement). Or you can go through the artist managment, lawyers etc. These people who represent the artist.

Musicnote: Well, most studios will have Pro-Tools, DP (digital performer) and Logic. Those are the industry standards at the moment.

Peace y'all!!

Yehh really really appreciate the answers dude They are really helpful. Thanks!

oOo cool. So how do singers sing the song? As in, when they're in the recording studio about to sing a new song, how would they know how to sing it or how the song goes. The composer sings it to them or...? If I'm making sense =\

Katie: You into singing? Well, if the singer doesn't write their own songs or own lyrics then, there's a song set for them to sing. Some singers know how to read music so would follow the notes. But, nowadays, the song demo will have a vocal guide that they follow. Easy as long as you have a voice.

What is the role of an artist manager? If the artist's manager doesn't work for the record company that the artist is signed to, does the artist "belong" to the artist management company or record company? Who has the ultimate say in decisions? Or are most artist managers from outside companies rather than within a record company?

oOo I see. Interesting stuff. Feel like I've learned so much just from you in this thread alone, coz I have!
Well... I don't like to admitt it but, yepp I do. Which probably explains my consistent contributions in this thread and all the questions of mine. You're definitely a great person to ask these questions to though

musicnote: The saying that the music industry is tough is true. There are alot of competitive and nasty players in the game. That's why artist should take care, because they usually end up the pawns, bait, victims at the end. So, an artist's manager/management is important. An artist manager is someone who you can trust and does all the PR work for you. Usually they get a cut of the artist income like 10-15%. The more jobs they bring in for you the more they make. Artist managers should be independent from the record company, so that they can negotiate deals for you. Who makes the decisions? Depends upon your relationship with the artist manager. Artist should try to be boss but at the same time develop teamwork with manager.

At the end of the day, the entertainment/music business has a set of rules that everyone breaks to get in the game. If you got talent and songs for the world go and make them. However, also be aware of the game.

KatieX: If you like singing, find a band and jam a couple of songs with them. Or find a producer that can put you on the right direction. Or even Karoke--record yourself! Ok--peace

okie, my Q is not going to be much bout music...but i'll just ask cause curious.


where do you see graphic design stand in music industry?

how far can graphic goes and how important it is in music industry (in general)?



more will come when i get around...haha!

Hi Yulien, good to see you at the forum! Yeh, nice discussion:
In my opinion, graphic design definitely plays an important part in the music and the industry. I mean if you didn't have the CD artwork/ photography/ visual presentation, then you probably couldn't sell the music. Nowadays all music must have a visual package. So, graphic design and music go hand in hand. If you had good music but poor graphics, it will just be ok. You got good music and good graphics to go with...well...

Visual media and music are becoming inseparatable. Like music has a role in many artshows now. Also, with multi-media, MVs, Film--I mean it's endless creativity going on. I'm also, learning more about graphic design, hope to do some stuff in the near future. Peace!

Hey GS thanks the advice. I'll try my best. Haha well I've got one karaoke clip (on my blog). I think I'll be doing more from now on, I'll be seeking singing lessons too soon, hopefully. Peace out x

haha i'm here all the time...just hiding, and reading. i only speak when i'm ready!

anyway,

what if EVERYTHING for music become just digital (as in downloading from site, eg iTunes)? the only graphic i see is in the album cover. the navigation design does not even come with the album. it's iTunes default.

i myself kinda like downloading music recently cause i don't have to deal with the CD after i import all the songs to my library. And it's cheaper than getting a CD. but i do know a CD is expensive cause of the 'package'.

thus

it would be a complete different story for vinyl. i love vinyl in its original form. let's just say i love the WHOLE TURNTABLE sets in it's most basic original form the best. i don't think technology can make it better. it only destroy (BIG TIME) the aesthetic of having a turntable and working on it. it's the ability to master all these buttons/functions at the same time tht makes DJ-ing BEAUTIFUL. having these CD insert turntable or any iTunes DJ session is just BS (bullshit).

anyway, i kinda get out of the topic. hahaha... *sweat*

back to graphic.

would you say graphic can represent a musician? from the t-shirt graphic, to color choices, or style (minimal, hip hop, rastafarian)? and how can i take it further?


(does my question make sense???)


alright....hahah! don't wanna 'bug' you too much!!!




peace

Thanks Ghost Style for always taking the time to answer.
Who are the most important people around the artist?

Supeople! Good questions. Just got to say that I'm not on a major label so most of my knowledge comes from observing other artists and their feedback to my questions. Everything i've done so far has been independent. So, saying that...

Yulien: I think graphic design will evolve wherever the graphic designers take it. Artist/musicians definitely need an image so, graphics is important. How can you take it further? Keep doing better album covers, logos, etc. Not sure, if I answered your question...holla!

Musicnote: I guess the artist manager is the most important person in the artist's entourage (in the business sense). But, the most important person in an artist life is his muse. peace

Claudia, "ghost boy" the literal translation for "gwei jai" is what Chinese people call Caucasian people. Now, more and more overseas raised Chinese people are called "gwei jai" (or "gwai moi" for girls) because they are much more Western inside.

i get ya GS! my question is too generic to be answer specific!!! LOL!!!

see why i say myself is pretty random and foolish??? then come the idea, 'foo/s around' which literally means fooling around, but here is the interesting part! (fuk i'm kissing my own ass here...is tht possible??) foo/s around also stand for foo's around, which mean, i'm around! my last name is foo...hahaha!!!

tht's the fun part i like bout words and hyphens...basically i like everything tht i can twist and turn to mean something. a good one i got from my FAVORITE professor, ME can be WE when it's being reflected. interesting right??



so...i'll ask when i have question agian!!! for now, going to your next forum topic!

Another question: I don't really know how to put this so you know what I mean, but I'll try my best to make sense.

Ok, so you know when a song is produced, does the music get altered according to the singers voice? i.e. singers with deeper voices or lighter voices etc. Or for example, would the music to a song, be different if it were a male or female singer? Hope I'm speaking English =\