Matering, a form of audio post-production that is the process of preparing and tranferring recorded audio from the final mix to a data storage.Lately have been debating whether or not to master the next Yezve record myself or pay a lab. Its a $500 decision and one in which I'm asking for your input on the RH side of this blog. Have already said, we are attracted to validating complexity. Above is
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Bondage
Why Aren't You Naked?
The following sketch has become the dramatization of my mantra lately. Without much specific detail its evident that conformity is a hard monkey to shake for many people involved with things artistic. Its probably of no surprise - we've been hard socialized to color in the lines, not cross borders, and extreme things like wear clothes. At the same time, our innate need for sociability as humans
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the Profound Space, pt.1
In March of this year I mentioned the prevalent issue regarding the next Yezve record: Space. The issue at hand was how was I going to squeeze a fully functional studio set-up into a 5.5' x 2.5' space? I know I'm not alone on this issue. Read the description under my avatar - small house, big piece of land. A lot of mental energy has went into trying to figure this out, and I'm happy to say that
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Post #500
I've seriously been considering closing down Reel 2 Real. I would enjoy a compelling reason not to, but the arguments in my mind in favor of not continuing are gaining strength. You ask: What's going on? First, have felt at a severe loss of things to write about this year. Look at the number of posts for 2009 in comparison to previous years. Much of what I have discussed lately feels redundant.
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Executive Problems
"There's an execution problem here!" - my favorite line by Nina Garcia in Project Runway. Its usually the response to a poorly constructed garment despite creative patterns, edgy fabrics, and fresh concept. Patience diminishes when I hear a crisp record with lazy mixing. Endurance is tried when a full ensemble is in the track articulating a half-developed song. Have caught myself frowning when
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Prime Real Estate in the Bargain Bin
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Album:Niña Bonita
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Track:Niña Bonita
Rare, and even valuable occupancies in the bargain bin. A number of these records are now out of print and despite not having lasting hits, their used price tags place them in the elite sector. This is a distinct case where the lot contains very enjoyable records but its also a case where I begin to look like an incredibly moldy fig if you pay attention to the release dates. I've been meaning to
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SlapChop, You Better Work!
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The potency of a good song shouldn't be underestimated. I was reminded of how effective song can be to introduce something previously unfamiliar (and seemingly silly) to an audience who wouldn't otherwise pay attention. At work, some of the college students insisted I check out an info-mercial on YouTube. In fact, it was a remix of an the info-mercial for the kitchen tool known as SlapChop.
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Chromatic Solfege
A significant amount of traffic has been generated from a small handful of posts here at Reel 2 Real. Didn't think much of them when I wrote them, but they apparently are of some use. Solfege, EQ, Pop Music, Circle P, Foto 1000, Melodic Contour. What were you hoping to find when you visitied that little blog titled Reel 2 Real? Initially, when this blog began it was a forum to share the stack of
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Ostensible
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Good artistic criticism is hard to come by yet its difficult to get people to respond to your own music. Such paradox! Fundamentally, reviews are useful because they provide an artist insight to how their music is processed by listeners. Marketing texts exmphasize knowing the audience, often by collecting demographic info on them. Music marketing presents a unique challenge in that listeners can
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Show Me Something
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A number of tracks have often made me wonder if the performer was intentionally mislead by the production team. Stating this doesn't fly well, but very tragic when a producer doesn't deliver what they should to the performer: to make their talent shine. The performer is the picture and producer is the frame. Underneath the glam record-making this concept isn't any less fundamental. Several weeks
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La Rumbera del Sol
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Artist:Nidia Ortiz
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Album:Cosa Bella
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Track:Bailemos Un Poema
There is a tendency perhaps to invoke clichés in describing Nidia Ortíz y Rumba del Sol. A sultry voice backed by smoldering rhythms that invoke sensuality under tropical skies. In fact, Cosa Bella at times has trouble avoiding these realization, but fixation on this wouldn't be fair analysis. While the title track is a spiritual declaration of romance, there's a pervasive sense that the term
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Crazy Now
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Artist:Juniper Sequence
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Album:Gun Show
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Track:Crazy Now
Have mentioned Chaz a number of times in this blog. We've known each other since we were 14 yrs. old and much of my adolescent memories are marked by a shared enthusiasm for music. Always, we were searching for new music and trying to make sense of it. Despite being two very different young men (often people were surprised we were friends), music was what we had in common. Chaz began playing
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CHanging Buzz
The buzz right now is about how music-making and the music industry are changing. And you, Indie Artist, would be well advised to keep up with it! Get the latest technology, join all the social networks, because in the age of information you can't afford to be without these tools! Lamentably, I listened to a preview of a label-backed artist's music and it became clear: state-of-the-art tools do
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Synth Hit, pt.B
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Can anyone suggest other songs to educate us on the art of the Synth Hit? I posed this question in May - here are some additions to the list. Of all the sounds in the keyboard, its the set of Synth Hits that I have been most unclear about using. This is where the fixation stems from; its also forced me to listen outside of my comfort zone even if just to see how one particular element is used.
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Laughing Matters
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The post could have also been titled:Records We Love to Laugh AboutRecords I'm Ashamed to Admit That I Listen ToRecords We Love To Hate But Continue To Gawk About Which Makes Me Think That You Really Like Them Though You Pretend Not To (tell her you love her!)Apart from being laughed at now, all of these records have this in common: They were huge successes when they were released. Further, many
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Acoustics for Indies
Dear Chano,Thank you for contacting Auralex for your acoustic needs! Your inquiry has been forwarded to one of our Application Specialists. They should be contacting you in approximately 5-7 business days to offer some treatment suggestions that would work best for your space. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to visit our website at http://www.auralex.com/ ;or contact
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Panamā
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Album:MCMLXXXIII
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Apart from El General and Daphne Rubin-Vega, I can't think of other artists emanating from Panamá (please comment with some recommendations). Possibly one of unexpected centres to watch that will generate Latin Alternative artists. Given the existing list we can expect more edgy artists to come. Some recent finds emanating from Central America's southernmost country. Llevarte a MarteAnother group
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Estereofónica la Bomba
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Album:Estéreofonico Alta Calidad
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Gracias Twitter for putting me into contact with Bomba Estéreo and their label, Nacional Records. Its always cool finding the latest in Indie music like this. Got this strong feeling that Bomba Estéreo's track Fuego could be the source of strong criticism. Beating you to the punch: the groove is repetitive, lyrics are cliché at times, electronic sounds are very dated, and the usual stuff about
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diy
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Artist:idbs
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Album:La Pieza de Atras
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Track:paralosfantasmas
The following are artists encountered over the last several months with a very do-it-yourself approach to making music. Reel 2 Real began on this premise though much has developed since then. In Febrero 06 I wrote: ... I'm under the firm belief that it is what you do with the tools you have that is more important than the actual tools you have. The featured artists below seem to carry the same
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Re:viewing the Reviewer
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Artist:Ceci Bastida
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Album:front b.c.
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Track:Ya Me Voy
What did you think of my music? A discussion of the reviews posted on iTunes regarding Ceci Bastida's front BC EP. Three groups of ratings out of 38 posts: Five, four, and two stars. All quotes are from actual reviews.5 Stars:A performance on KCRW was apparently impressive; don't know if it was coupled with a performance at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Nontheless, it proved to be fruitful
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