Sunday, November 21, 2010

Not So Good Things I Noticed About The Music Industry

I would consider myself a part of the music industry...loosely. I make beats but it's not the way I make a living. For those of you who are trying and haven't quite made it yet, I want to share some things I've experienced and some things to be prepared for. First, you must develop thick skin. You are going to have bad days when people say your music sucks. You are going to have days when you want to quit. If you put your heart and soul into your product and you stand behind it 100%, keep pushing. The music industry is saturated with artists, producers, and managers so you have to do whatever it takes to stand out. Don't be afraid to stick out like a sore thumb. The whole landscape of music has changed and most of the shot callers are in it for themselves. They want to make as much money off you as they possibly can so you should develop the same mentality. They don't put alot of money behind your music. Don't expect follow-up conversations. If you get a meeting with a label, company, etc, don't leave that meeting without signing some type of deal, agreement, contract, or something that guarantees some type of business transaction will happen. If you have a bonafide hot record, work it in the streets yourself. Take it to the strip clubs. Take it to the regular clubs. Most radio stations now play unsigned artists on a regular basis. Do your homework. Pass it out at music conferences. Get the point? Make the record execs seek you out. You will have more barganing power that way. Reverend Run said your network determines your net worth. That is so true in the music industry. If you are not a part of the right circle of people, you will not be presented with the same opportunities as someone one who is. Friends give work to friends. So don't expect alot from people. But be ready when opportunities arise and be prepared to create your own.

Sunday, November 07, 2010

Make music on your iPhone and iPod Touch




Transform your iPhone into a music production studio.

The SynthStation25 transforms iPhone or iPod touch into a portable music production studio for mobile music creation. This MIDI keyboard controller gives your handheld device a two-octave set of piano keys and professional audio outputs, and it works with the Akai Professional SynthStation app. The SynthStation25 is powerful enough for professional musicians, yet virtually anyone can use is to easily create music.

This 25-key synth keyboard features a built-in dock for iPhone or iPod touch. The SynthStation25 gives you two octaves of velocity-sensitive, synth-action keys, pitch and modulation wheels, and octave up and down and sound-bank buttons. The SynthStation25 has a stereo pair of RCA line outputs and a headphone output for connection to recording and sound reinforcement systems.

You can use the SynthStation25 with Akai's SynthStation Studio app as well as virtually any MIDI music software on your computer or with MIDI hardware devices such as sound modules, samplers, and MPCs using its USB/MIDI output. Available exclusively through the Apple App Store, SynthStation gives you three powerful synthesizers for creating and modifying sonic textures used for melodies, chords, and bass lines. Built around Akai Professional’s history in synthesis and drawing on the newest MINIAK synth, the SynthStation Studio app sounds great and offers wide-ranging sonic flexibility with its virtual analog synthesis.

The SynthStation25 transforms iPhone and iPod touch into a professional musical instrument. Craft your musical ideas wherever you are.


iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

(Article taken from http://www.akaipro.com/)