Rapper Port

Novations ReMOTE SL COMPACT

2011-07-25T18:54:00.002-04:00

What a great Keyboard! From the day I ordered it online I was like a kid on chrismas. The ReMOTE SL is truly a revolutionary keyboard. From its flawless, intelligent control of all major sequencers and all automatable plug-ins to its 8 customizable trigger pads, this keyboard will not let you down. The seamless syncing to almost any midi enabled software makes the ReMOTE SL a force to be reconed with. Definetely a great buy for an aspiring producer and at an affordable price it won't break the bank. I highly recomend the ReMOTE to anyone looking for a keyboard that can accomplish any of their demands.

Features

Automap- instantly contol sequencers and plug-ins. Automap takes the headache of assigning the midi parameters for the ReMOTE.
144 character lcd screen- takes the need to use the computer screen as much by displaying all pertanent data right on the keyboard
Semi-weighted keys with aftertouch- Makes playing the keyboard as genuine as the real thing
Speed dial and PAC-with a click the speed dial takes over whatever the mouse is focused on.
Huge array of controls- set to the artists needs to make even the most complicated plug-in seam easy.
Programmable drum pads- perfect for samples or sketching a beat, no need for a separate controller.

All Novation products can be found at www.novationmusic.com

GET A CONTRACT

2011-07-25T17:08:00.000-04:00

NO MATTER WHAT any transaction of money that has to do with your career shoud have a signed agrrement to go alng with it. It could be as simple as writing a couple sentences on a piece f paper and having it signed by both parties (yourself and the person you are giving money to). A contract between the two of you will solidify any promises made to you and will garuntee you are not getting the "run around". I dont want to say trust noone ........but trust NOONE when it comes to giving them money for a service. Especially if you are not familiar with them or their work. Besides anyone who has the credentials will probably have this done anyway for legalreasons of their own. Money isn't the only thing you should worry about either your music in general should also have a contract involved when being handed around if you don't have the proper copyrights. Think about this if you had a song that was so good that they just HAD to sign you and you didnt have it copywrited, which would be easier, signing a new artist and paying them or using an artist that they already pay to put that song out.

How to sell beats

2011-07-16T18:39:00.000-04:00

Tired of being so talented and making NO money for your work. Learn how to sell beats in this amazing book that shows you the ins and outs of how to sell beats. You will be a marketing genius by the time you are done reading this and you will thank me later. You can find out more about making money from your beats at make money making beats.

making a song vs a "hot 16"

2011-07-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

Though a lot may beg to differ there is a significant difference between a song and just a quick 16 bars to a beat. When writing a song it takes patience and brainstorming to make sure your concept is well interpreted and delivered. A song should have a message behind it and leave your audience with a piece of you as an artist. There is also a personal aspect to writing a song, it usually has a great deal of attachment to a significant part of your life.

Solicited and Unsolicited material

2011-07-11T18:50:00.000-04:00

If you've ever called a record label directly you have heard the term "we don't accept unsolicited material". Some of you may be asking yourself, "What exactly does that mean?"

Solicited Material

Say you've been making music for quite some time now and you do a show at your local club. Little do you know, a famous record label rep. is in the audience and he is watching YOU. After an amazing set you get off stage towards the back of the club to enjoy yourself and your stopped and asked if you would send your CD to the record label he represents. That's solicited material, because the label asked for it. Another example would be if you had your manager or legal representation contact the label and if they are recognized as a valuable player in the "game" the label will ask for your material as well.

Unsolicited Material

I know you can use a little common sense to figure out that this is just the opposite of solicited material.
ie. Just sending your mixtape or demo to the record label without their consent in any way shape or form.

Note: Some record labels DO accept UNsolicited material, you just have to call and ask yourself, because they change frequently.

A list of industry contacts can be found here.

Counting your bars

2011-07-10T17:39:00.001-04:00

Being a local producer I see alot of the problems novice rappers face. One of the major ones I have noticed is alot of the questions I hear are "did I write enought?" I often hear alot of what I like to call "run-on rap" those verses that never stop at a designated point in the beat but just keep going until there is no beat left. Though there are those select few that can naturally tell where to stop writing just by listening to the beat for when the rythm changes. Others have no clue.

What is a bar?

A bar is another term for a measure (or 4 counts). Every 4th count is a bar ie. 1231, 1232, 1233, 1234, etc.... Not the common misconception that it is every line that you write on your paper.

When writing your verse listen to the beat several times counting the bars to get a feel for the beat and how you are going to write to it to make it flow with the beat. Make sure at the end of your 16 (most common) or 8 bars that you END it and it sounds like the end of a verse, dont make the mistake of taking a way too long verse and just cutting it wherever the vers changes to the chourus. Not only will it not fit, your audience will be able to tell it was "forced" and doesn't have the natural feel of a song that is complete and not rushed.

How on earth did they get signed?

2011-07-10T13:27:00.004-04:00

Now I won't be naming any names (though there are a few I could) this just isn't that type of blog, but there are always those rappers you see on t.v. that you just KNOW you could do better. Why is it that they are signed, rich and famous, but your still struggling to even pay your rent. Well it all boils down to that old saying its not what you know its who you know. Networking is key when trying to get your name out. The more of a following you have the more likely it is to get noticed.

Social Networking

Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, familiar to everyone who uses the internet. Probably one of the top ways to connect with people within your demographic. With all the time wasted on the internet playing pointless games and watching videos, it could be used to connect with those people, get heard, and start gaining an online fan base. There are also a number of social networks online dedicated strictly to your genre of music where you can connect with others like yourself and grow as an artist with the support of the community environment.

Word of Mouth

Spread the word! A record label will definitely take notice if yo can get your home town to support you. Talk to anyone who will listen about your music. Make up business cards to give to local club owners and Dj's. Pass out your first cd for free, they have to like you before they buy anything from you.

Promotion services

There is a vast resource of promotion services online. Taxi.com is one I highly recommended. These services promote your material to record label a&r's and executives for a subscription fee of course.

Lyrical Workout

2011-07-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

Is your lyrical game a little weak? Looks like you need to exercise that "muscle." Just like anything else it takes practice to make perfect. One of the best ways to improve this skill is to freestyle by yourself, to yourself, for this you can use generic free beats from sites like soundclick. Another way to practice your lyrical ability is to write, and i mean WRITE, your vocabulary will increase dramatically from this practice. If you wish to make what you are doing a recording you need original, royalty free beats.

Try practicing different techniques and attitudes in your freestyles and writing. Try things like using words your not familiar with in your lyrics, also try increasing the amount of syllables you use than you are used to. Another good practice is to vary your speed from slow to fast. If you practice these things at least 3-4 times a week, trust me you will gain an ability you never dreamed of having, but its all about the dedication/passion you put forth in your work.

For All The Producers Out There

2011-07-03T14:36:00.001-04:00

Just a word of advice to any aspiring music producers out there. When recording others DO NOT hesitate to let them know if their music is sounding any good. Not only will you be helping them develop a better product, you wont feel uneasy about putting your name on a song that you don't like. There is nothing wrong with being honest when your job description included making the music sound the best you possibly can. Music producers can make or break an artists career its up to all of the producers out there to help the music artist get the best quality music possible out of your studio.

The Benefits

1. The exposure of a good quality song speaks a lot for the studio it was made in so in turn it will bring you more business.

2. You will build a stronger support base among the artists you record and represent, making the all around atmosphere in the studio better.

3. The artists will return to your studio more than once, knowing you will give your best work

All around it helps everyone, the producer, the artist, and even the fans. Producers play a big role in the development of an artist. Don't be afraid to speak your mind, remember: they are paying you because they trust your expertise, so it is your "duty" to make their time there worth the money spent.

DBDWPZBVCPAU

Image Is Key

2011-07-03T14:22:00.001-04:00

So you wanna be a superstar? Have you really taken the time to know what this takes? Well first and foremost to reach superstar status you have to know yourself as a rap artist or even as a producer (yes producers need an image as well). Ask yourself, "how do i want to be remembered?" Many rap artists will put out out just about anything and call it "diversity". Not exactly a bad thing, but too much of it can cause confusion with your audience and can potentially lose you fans in the long run. The key is to find an area where your style and a little diversity can combine and find a balance.

Who Are You?

Not only who are you as a rapper, you really do have to know who you are all around. Making music is a way of opening up in a way you couldn't anywhere else (if you don't know what I'm talking about this probably isn't the blog for you). The image you portray makes or breaks your music career in the long run. You have to always remember, your fans will want to know more about you so keep it 100% real from day one and your fans will stay loyal for the entirety of your music career, fill your music with stories and you will discredit your future work. i.e. if you live in the suburbs, stray away from saying your from the "hood" or your a killer and if you work at McDonald's don't lie about the money you don't have. You have to really consider what you can offer as an artist and how you want to be viewed during the course of your career. Be creative, take chances, the next big thing is always created by the person who did what everyone else was scared to do and what no one thought would work.

Being cocky isn't always bad

Don't get me wrong, don't become arrogant. Just add some "edge" to your music attitude makes all the difference. The only way to truly become the best is to actually believe you are, point blank. Confidence shows and it commands attention, nobody got anywhere second guessing themselves. If you don't like something you wrote.....trash it!....you have to be hard on your self. Don't let a song your not sure about come close to any material you promote, bring your "A" game.

Something to remember: This is a business of selling yourself, it's not enough to make good music you have to make the people WANT to hear you.