Thursday 29 November 2012

Inspirational - and why I'm still remixing...

One read of this and it sums it all up for me.

OPPORTUNITY STORIES

Artists, craftsmen, people studying any subject get knock backs all the time - but it's how you react to them, and also how you react to praise that counts for or against you.

For me, YOU have to love what you've created. If you do, then the chances are that there will be someone out there who will hear what you do, and if you're really lucky, it will be someone who makes some big decisions in your favour. This might be that they collaborate with you, or that you win a big contest - but ultimately you have to enjoy what you're creating or it's very likely it will not do what it should.

Friday 16 November 2012

Skale Tracker

While I'm here, I'd like to make everyone aware (or more aware) of the wonderful piece of FREE software I've been using since my re-introduction to the world of PC-based composition and remixing some 3 years ago, Skale Tracker.

I know trackers are not everyone's cup of tea, but it seems they're all over the web and so far this is without doubt, my favourite.
I have many reasons for this - apart from me being very familiar with it, as you would be after 3 years of experience with it.

1. I find the layout very easy to follow.
2. It is pleasing/calming to the eye.
3. It can use up to around 70 different channels, not including effects and plugins - which is more than enough for me as I rarely go beyond 15-20 at the time of writing this - though I'm sure this will increase.
4. You can copy/paste entire tracks/patterns with a simple 'shift-F4' or a 'CTRL-F4', followed by another simple 'shift-F5' or 'CTRL-F5'. You get the idea. :)
5. It's free.
6. It's FREE.
7. When used in conjunction with a fully updated Audacity, there are not many things you can't achieve with this lovely pair. I'm also getting the hang of creating new samples within FL Studio and importing them for use in SKALE, where for now I feel more in control of the music in front of me.

I think with any new package, it's important to familiarise yourself with it, but whilst FL Studio is amazing in so many ways, SKALE provides me with a very solid base to work from. For now at least, that will continue with FL allowing me occasional bursts of flair to add extra colour to previously 'unfinished' sounding mixes.

I just feel Skale Tracker has given me so much, I needed to thank its developers by giving it a tribute page that was somehow previously lacking - despite there being so many youtube tutorials out there, and fans of other trackers.

Anyway, if this post struck a chord with you, like the page and share your comments, ideas and experiences!


NEW SKALE TRACKER FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Christina Aguilera Contest

Yup! Three remixes finished in around 2 months. That's more like it!

Saturday 10 November 2012

Papa Roach contest

Feast your ears on this! Lots of tinkering went into the latter stages of this - it's true what they say about post production being the difficult part!

Friday 9 November 2012

It's been a while... ♫ ♪

After a long break and then a house move and all the chaos that surrounds it, I've settled and almost finished a 2nd remix in the space of 2 months - which is definitely more like it :)

The composition projects have not been shelved, but are definitely on the back burner for a little while. What matters more is that the ideas are flowing again - and even more that the ideas are turning into music :D

The Paloma Faith remix is already submitted and avaialble for your ears on Indaba Music and the Papa Roach mix is very hot on its heels. Is there time to remix Ms. Aguilera as well? I'm not too sure.

In the meantime, here's the one mentioned above...