How to Change Your Voice When Your Record Yourself

By Lori Spencer

 

Whether you’re a professional voice-over artist, a video gamer, or just want to spoof your friends with a prank call over VoIP, voice-changing software gets the job done. You can easily change your voice from young to old, male to female, high to low, and create your own game character voices using special effects — the possibilities are endless.

Many voice-changing (or voice-cloaking) software programs are available. Free programs tend to deliver poor sound quality and don’t offer many features. Pro versions $10 to a little more than $100, as of May 2011…

 

Continued at http://www.ehow.com/how_8406270_change-voice-record-yourself.html

How to Blend the Sound of a Guitar and Bass

By Lori Spencer

 

Achieving just the right blend between guitar and bass should be felt by the listener “like a warm hug” according to Manny Marroquin, mixing engineer on multiple platinum hits for John Mayerand other top recording artists. Think of the guitar as one arm and the bass as the other arm. The idea is to wrap both arms around the listener and engulf them, blending the two sources together to sound like one.

Effective microphone placement, the tone, instruments, amplification, style and rapport of the musicians themselves–and not studio wizardry–represent the keys to successfully blending bass and guitar.

Read more: How to Blend the Sound of a Guitar and a Bass | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7339161_blend-sound-guitar-bass.html#ixzz1g8wzWNra

 

Best Tips to Become a Singer

By Lori Spencer

To become a singer requires not only a natural talent but also ongoing vocal training. Singers are constantly striving to improve their range, strengthen their voices, and learn new techniques. Before embarking on any kind of musical career, a singer must first learn to train and protect his or her voice. While other musicians have external instruments to play, requiring only the interaction of the hands, fingers, wrists, or mouth, singers face a more difficult challenge because the vocalist’s instrument is built in. Therefore the entire body must be kept in good shape, not just the throat itself.

The first step to become a singer is…

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What Is a Vintage Saxophone?

By Lori Spencer

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Defining exactly what a vintage saxophone is can be tricky. Collectors and experts agree that there are several other factors to consider besides the instrument’s age. Quality plays a big role; so does playability. The condition of the horn itself can have a bearing on whether it is deemed “vintage.” Another important factor is the history of that particular brand and model. If the instrument was once played or owned by a significant musician, or was only manufactured for a short period of time, that certainly adds both monetary value and vintage credibility. Woodwind restoration and repair experts stresses that there is a vast difference between vintage and just plain old. An instrument’s date of manufacture…

How Do I Find Saxophone Serial Numbers?

By Lori Spencer

Musicians who play, sell, and collect vintage saxophones always pay close attention to the instrument’s serial number. Knowing the serial number can help confirm the brand, model, and the location of the factory where the sax was made. The manufacturer’s original stamp typically will also display the maker’s name and logo. Saxophone serial numbers differ from model numbers in that serial numbers are longer and contain mostly numbers. As an example, an Aristocrat Series II is a model number made by Buescher; the serial number might look like 294125.

Saxophone serial numbers can tell you quite a bit about an instrument. If you wanted to find out when your Beuscher Aristocrat Series II sax was made…

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-find-saxophone-serial-numbers.htm

How to Break Into the Radio Industry

By Lori Spencer

Radio has always been a competitive and challenging industry to break into, even more so in the age of media consolidation. Jobs that pay well are few and far between, often requiring relocation to a city far from home. Computer automation of radio stations means less airtime available for live personalities. The frequent turnover of station management and format changes presents little job security; typically an entire staff is let go when a radio station changes hands. Despite these drawbacks, if you still want to become a radio programmer, there are some time-tested methods for getting your foot in the door.

Although a college degree is not necessarily required to become a radio programmer…

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-become-a-radio-programmer.htm

Different Types of African-American Fiction

By Lori Spencer

African American fiction encompasses many different genres of popular literature. Numerous best-selling mystery novels, Westerns, historical dramas, romances, and short stories have been penned by black authors. Anthologies of classic African American fiction are also consistently strong sellers in the trade books marketplace. Traditionally, American black fiction has been divided into four distinct categories: Colonial Literature (1740s – early 1900s), Harlem Renaissance (1917 – 1940), Post-Harlem Renaissance (1940 – 1980), and Contemporary Fiction (1980 – present).

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-african-american-fiction.htm

How to Find a Vocalist’s Key

By Lori Spencer

Nearly every singer has limits to her vocal range, even the best-trained operatic voices. As such, vocalists are more comfortable singing in certain keys than others. Over time, singers find certain keys they are particularly strong in and learn to avoid keys where they might sound weak. The goal is for the vocalist to hit the notes without straining and find a key that sounds natural. To suit the song to the singer, the key must be changed. This is known as “transposing.”…

Read more: How to Find a Singer’s Key | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8407251_singers-key.html#ixzz1N1LQNjZX

How to Get a Record Deal with DTP Records

By Lori Spencer

Disturbing tha Peace Records (DTP Records) was founded by rap artist Ludacris in 2000. DTP is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and receives major distribution through Island Def Jam Music Group. Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, the label — which also has an artist management arm — boasts an impressive roster of hip-hop and rap talent. Artistsinclude I-20, Lil’ Scrappy, Field Mob, Playaz Circle, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Willy Northpole and Lazyeye, among others. If you think you’ve got what it takes to join names like these, here’s how to effectively pursue a recording contract with DTP Records.

Read more: How to Get a Record Deal With DTP | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8409215_record-deal-dtp.html#ixzz1N1H9VKye

Programming a Country Music Radio Station

By Lori Spencer

Programming a country music radio station is a challenge these days, radio programmers agree. What programmers can’t seem to agree on, however, is a format. While some DJs, program and music directors say this fluidity signals a healthyperiod of growth for country radio, traditionalists warn that playing too many crossover artists dilutes the brand. The good news for country radio today is that programmers have greater freedom in creating and defining their station’s unique sound. Whether playing traditional country or blazing new trails…

Read more: How to Program a Country Music Station? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8419816_program-country-music-station.html#ixzz1N1C2XEhC