Working With Drum Tracks

By Lori Spencer

 

A drum track is the portion of any sound recording devoted exclusively to the drums. In multitrack recording, what is called the “drum track” in fact usually will comprise several different tracks. Each part of the drum kit is be recorded with a separate microphone, and each microphone assigned a track on the mixing board. For example, one track may be just the snare drum, another may be the crash cymbal, and an overhead microphone captures ambient sound in the room. Mixed together, all of these various elements represent the drum tracks.

Many songwriters will use a drum track to help them create songs. Instead of programming a drum machine for a demo or trying to draw inspiration from prerecorded drum loops, songwriters often find …

(story continues at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-drum-track.htm)

 

Self-Producing Your Album: A Guide for Musicians

By Lori Spencer

 

Making a record is the first step on every musical artist’s path to success. Here’s how to save time and money in the studio by doing it yourself.

 

Read the rest of the story at

http://www.suite101.com/content/self-producing-your-own-cd-a-guide-for-musicians-a382500

Writing Heavy Metal Songs

By Lori Spencer

 

When it comes to writing heavy metal songs, it’s more about the attitude and riff than following any given format. While the basic rules of songwriting still apply, there are times to burn the rulebook and forget everything you’ve been taught in school. Don’t get too caught up in technique–rock and roll is rebellion, above all else.

Read more: How to Write Good Metal Music | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7335893_write-good-metal-music.html#ixzz1g8ybRfSw

Renewal Options in Recording Contracts

By Lori Spencer

 

A record contract is a written agreement that binds a record company to an artist or band for a specified number of albums. These agreements are typically exclusive, meaning that the artist may not perform recording services for any other label or organization for the duration of the contract. Every recording contract will contain renewal “options,” generally after each album. The option to renew the contract is at the record company’s sole option, not the artist’s.

Read more: How to Write a Non-Renewal Music Agreement | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8508259_write-nonrenewal-music-agreement.html#ixzz1O77iNiZO

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 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

Choosing the Best Professional Microphone

By Lori Spencer

Choosing the best professional microphone is a matter of both personal preference and matching the mic’s characteristics to the type of sound you want to capture. Certain types of microphones are better suited for recording vocals than instruments, for example. Others are more appropriate for live sound than studio recording. Regardless of the frequency response or cartridge type you choose, selecting the right microphone ultimately means finding whichever is the best microphone for you.

Continued at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-professional-microphone.htm

Starting an Independent Record Company

By Lori Spencer

Starting your own independent record label is the dream of many musicians, songwriters and music business entrepreneurs. Being the boss puts you in control of how the music is recorded, packaged and marketed.

The task may seem daunting at first, but creating your own label isn’t as difficult as you might think. As with starting any small business, however, there are some important steps you must take to ensure your company is set up properly and legally.

Read more at Suite101: Starting An Independent Record Company | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/starting-an-independent-record-company-a370309#ixzz1M3KslN9q

Singing Professionally: What It Takes

By Lori Spencer

Do you have the right stuff to make it as a singer? Tips on how to prepare for a career in music.

Anyone who dreams about becoming a professional singer eventually comes to realize that the road to success also involves a lot of hard work. When interviewed, many top recording artists agree that getting to the top is a matter of timing and luck as much as it is of talent.

Industry connections play an important part, too; a gifted vocalist may never be heard outside of his or her local market without the services of a manager or agent. An artist’s support team is essential in securing recording contracts, live performance engagements, and publicity, as well as lucrative publishing and marketing deals for their clients.

To become a singer, a pleasant vocal tone and affinity for music are important fundamentals in many cases. This natural talent can be developed and refined through working with a voice coach and taking singing lessons, but unless the student has an inborn ability, it’s unlikely any amount of practice will make him or her into a great singer.

Read more at Suite101: Singing Professionally: What It Takes | Suite101.com http://www.suite101.com/content/singing-professionally-what-it-takes-a370168#ixzz1M3JmQSCo

How to Audition for Major Record Companies

How to Audition for Major Record Companies | eHow.com.

By Lori Spencer