Zero V's weblog

DJ Samples – Learn How To Make Music At Home On Your PC!

zerov — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:57:22 +0000

Making music has never been easier because you no longer need to know how to play an instrument, and you do not need band members to create beats or songs. You can learn how to make music at home on your PC which you can later burn to a CD, add to a video, or just have fun with.

Technology has changed the way music is created, even professionals rely on computer software programs to make or tweak their music. Learning how to create music on a computer is easy because some music making software is designed for beginners, and others are more complex and created with advanced users in mind.

A few terms you become familiar with are MIDI sequencer, VST plug-ins, tracks, EQ, and distortion; to name a few. Music programs are easy to install, and set up to match your computer components. You will need a quality sound card, and either speakers or a headset. If you will be recording vocals then you will also need a microphone.

A track in music making software is a horizontal time line. Tracks are used for separate instruments. Each bar in a track represents a whole note, so if you use quarter notes you will have four beats per bar, and half notes would be two beats, etc.

For example, if you have four tracks you might use one for the kick drum, beneath that track might be a track for snares, then some high-hats, and bass. Each track is independent so you can adjust the volume, add effects, pan left or right, and do much more. Keep in mind that the drums are usually dominate in beats and songs because they carry the rest of the instruments and sounds.

The layout/structure of a song
A basic structure of music will consist of common parts such as, a 2-4 bar intro, a 16 bar verse, the chorus or hook (in rap and hip hop) which is 8 bars, a 20-32 bar bridge, and an Outro of 16 or more bars. These parts are mixed to make a complete song or beat. You may have the intro, a verse, chorus/hook, verse, chorus/hook, bridge, verse, chorus/hook, verse, chorus/hook, verse, outro; but there is no hard rule to the layout.

Beats per minute and tempo vary, 75-105 bpm is slow, 105-120 bpm is moderate, and 120-150 fast. Understanding these basics will help you prepare to make some music.

Software synthesizers and VST plug-ins allow you to add cool effects. Also, there is software to create MIDI instrument tracks using only your computer keyboard and mouse. Or an electronic keyboard can be plugged into the computer, and used with music making software to create tracks.

Once you learn how to make music at home on your PC you’ll know why it is so popular. It is easy, effective, and the future of music making. Create samples, backtracks, beats, and songs like a pro, all from the comfort of your own home studio.

By: Mark Spacey

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mark is a passionate DJ who likes to remix and make tracks with various electro loops and DJ samples. Mark works for dance midi samples in the UK who sell various royalty free DJ MIDI Sample packs. Click for more information on the DMS site, download MIDI files.

Swimming Horses

zerov — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:15:13 +0000

I’ve decided to start another side project; Swimming Horses. This one will be open for collaborations with other musicians and performers. I’m aiming at a sound that is minimalistic, avant garde and a combination of electronics with acoustics.

So if you would like to join me on this new adventure, sent me an e-mail: leave your name, instrument(s) you play and what kind of role you prefer, and we’ll find a way to work together. Or you can use the form below (in the message body you can tell me which instrument(s) you play and what kind of role you prefer:

[contact-form]

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Notorious Twins – Electro Works vol.2 [onmp141]

zerov — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:58:31 +0000

Notorious Twins – Electro Works vol.2

Release: [onmp141]
Release date: February 7, 2010

Download

mp3, 12:34 min., 17Mb

Download at Internet Archive

Downloat at Mininova

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0

Selling Your Music Without Selling Out

zerov — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:21:11 +0000

In this day and age, we all recognize the weakened economy is taking a severe impact on our budgets and even the arts. Due to the amount of time and work required by music, it is often one of the first things to get left behind as the budget crunch hits and we are forced to go on to pursue higher paying ventures, also known as jobs.

When we put down our guitars to pick up spatulas, we know we have lost a piece of our souls but, sometimes, our obligations leave us with very few realistic options. We have to eat and, for some reason, family members insist we keep a roof over our heads.

Playing music may be important to us but, usually, there is a sane person waiting to tell us the same thing they told George Thorogood, “Get a job.”

If you want to avoid the fate of becoming the sell out musician turned fry cook playing air guitar in a fast food kitchen, you need to learn how to make money with your music. I know you’re reading this and saying, “Yeah, man, that’s what I need to know… but do you have any answers?” Actually, yes. There are several ways you can sell your music without selling out.

As a musician, you have a valuable gift that many people would love; The ability to play music. If you find yourself in need of a little regular income, why not take on a student or two? As John Cougar Mellencamp taught us, the only way to get the girl is learn how to play guitar. That musical advice has made sure that skilled guitarists for the last two decades have always had a steady stream of young students holding out handfuls of cash in exchange for learning the secrets of rock ‘n’ roll guitar riffs.

Another great idea is taking matters into your own hands. If you can’t find a recording label to sign your band, become an indie label and produce the music on your own. Yes, it does take a little money to do this but, if you already own the equipment, that is easy to earn. Simply sign up a few local bands for private recording sessions at a modest fee. Spend an hour or two a week recording local talent and you can make enough money to support your own musical habits. If you have a knack for marketing and a bit of ambition, you might even be able to sign these bands to your own indie label and turn your dream of making money doing something you love into reality while helping others attain their dream as well.

You don’t have to sell out to survive in the real world. You just have to be able to think outside the box and come up with new solutions. As a musician, you have the gift of creativity on your side. Put it to good use and you can save yourself the indignity of having to get a haircut and get a real job.

By: Music Bizcenter

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

You don’t have to “Sell Your Soul” to be successful in the music industry! Visit this site to learn how to start a record label the right way

You can also contact me personally at zerov@zerov.eu. I’m the founder of ON-Mix Media and I’m an expert at helping others starting their own business.

Pruritus and the Scratch Reflex #2

Breuk – Kapot [onmp140]

zerov — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:28:32 +0000

Breuk – Kapot

Release: [onmp140]
Release date: February 1, 2010

Download

mp3, 20:00 min., 28Mb

Download at Internet Archive

Download at Mininova

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0

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Woopekken on Babbochjas – Thoughts 4 a Foodprocessor [onmp139]

zerov — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:07:13 +0000

Woopekken on Babbochjas – Thoughts 4 a Foodprocessor

Release: [onmp139]
Release date: January 24, 2010

Download

mp3, 22:00 min., 27Mb

Download at Internet Archive

Download at Mininova

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0

Various Artists – Past & Present vol.4 [onmp138]

zerov — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:35:45 +0000

Various Artists – Past & Present vol.4

Release: [onmp138]
Release date: January 17, 2009

Download

mp3, 143:21 min., 198Mb

Download at Internet Archive

Download at Mininova

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0

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Free Ringtones

zerov — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:53:58 +0000

I have been creating some minimal loops, with the idea to turn them into ringtones for my iPhone. I did some surfing on the Net and found that it’s quite easy to transform them into ringtones for the iPhone. Below you’ll find the individual ringtones (.m4r and .mp3), the .m4r are for the iPhone. Place those in a directory and startup iTunes.

In iTunes you’ll have a item, in the library on the left-side, called ‘ringtones’ (I’m guessing, I have a Dutch version of iTunes which says ‘beltonen’), it has an icon that looks like a bell!

Click on this item and then choose ‘File’ and ‘Import’, then go to the directory where you’ve put the .m4r files, select all and ‘Open’. If it all went well, you’ll see 10 new ringtones (the ones below…). Next time you sync your iPhone make sure, the new ringtones are also copied to your iPhone. I have tried it and it works like a charm

So if you here the ringtone Industrial Waltz, it’s probably me

For those that don’t have an iPhone, I have also placed the .mp3 versions on this page.

Enjoy these Free ringtones.

Ringtones	M4R	MP3	Listen
Miami Drum Machine			Download audio file (Miami Drum Machine.mp3)
Aural Aphex			Download audio file (Aural Aphex.mp3)
Abracadabra			Download audio file (Abracadabra.mp3)
Eerie Dub			Download audio file (Eerie Dub.mp3)
Terradome			Download audio file (Terradome.mp3)
Minimal Funk			Download audio file (Minimal Funk.mp3)
Born Sloppy			Download audio file (Born Sloppy.mp3)
Digital Love			Download audio file (Digital Love.mp3)
Groovin Noise			Download audio file (Groovin Noise.mp3)
Industrial Waltz			Download audio file (Industrial Waltz.mp3)
Complete Package (rar file)

To save a file: Right click on a icon, and Save As…

I’ll be making more in the future.

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Block Party

zerov — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:39:01 +0000

For volume 2 of the Electro Works by the Notorious Twins, we have decided to do some remixing as well. First track for this EP is ready and is called Block Party. Originally it was Block Lands, but one of my daughters thought that Block Party sounded better.

Enjoy the track:

Download audio file (01_Notorious_Twins_-_Block_Party.mp3)

P.S.

Thanks for the great feedback on Volume 1 of the Electro Works.

Notorious Twins – Electro Works vol.1 [onmp137]

zerov — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:22:55 +0000

Notorious Twins – Electro Works vol.1

Release: [onmp137]
Release date: January 3, 2010

Download EP

mp3, 16:08 min., 23Mb

Download at Internet Archive

Download at Mininova (torrent)

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0