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Monthly Archives: December 2012

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UniqueSquared

UniqueSquared
December 30, 2012

Grimes Opens Up About Fears

Is it every musician’s aspiration to make it to the top? Or will some artist simply be happy with minor success and a small underground fan base?  Much like an actor or movie star, there is a decent level of popularity that needs to be had in order to be successful.  The odds in this case are not on your favor as only a few out of the millions will ever be known as anything more than a bedroom producer who knows how to use a DAW.  Still, there is a line that is eventually crossed when one does make it slightly up from where they are now, and their hobby becomes more than just an obsession – it becomes a job.

Thanks to social outlets like tumblr and wordpress artist are now able to speak to their fans in a more personal setting.  It goes beyond the simple …

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UniqueSquared

UniqueSquared
December 30, 2012

Samplr, Borderlands & Korg iPolySix On Sonic Touch

I have only one complaint when it comes to demo videos and people showing off their new apps or new hardware.  They talk too damn much.  There’s always this ten minute interlude where they explain how the app actually works before they even touch it – meanwhile anyone trying to listen to the experts explaining have a hard time understanding anything until it is actually shown.  On the plus side, this demo video of Samplr runs about twenty five minutes long so they actually take time to give an in-depth review of the product.

It should be pretty obvious after the review the direction where iPad apps and the iOS is headed.  Basically, they have moved way past the pocket toys we used to play when sitting on the toilet in the bathroom.  Developers are actually investing a good amount of time in these apps, so don’t let the fact …

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UniqueSquared

UniqueSquared
December 30, 2012

Run Windows VST’s In Your Mac DAW

When the debate about Windows and Mac operating systems rears its ugly head again, there is no clear winner.  There are only whiners on each side and the head of whichever monster you choose to obey will not be slayed any time soon.  Truthfully speaking, there are few functions that one OS can do, that another cannot.  The real difference is in performance, or how well Mac runs program x versus program y.  I believe that most modern computer users will at some point, have experience using either OS (not saying that they’ll like it) and will be able to form their own coherent opinions as to why one is better than the other.

For producers using full blown DAWs, the choice to use a Mac or a Windows machine really dictates what type of programs they can use.  Some can only run on windows and some are only …

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UniqueSquared

UniqueSquared
December 30, 2012

An Interactive MIDI Arpeggiator

Some producers will create music using only whatever tools he or she has available to them.  It could be nothing more than a laptop computer (and there’s nothing wrong with that).  Take an artist like skrillex, who created an award willing album using nothing but a computer and no peripherals.  Aside from using a singular DAW to create music, you also have the option of using aftermarket tools (hardware or software) to add effects to your music that would otherwise be more difficult to do from a purely software approach.  And even when you begin using external physical devices with your system you aren’t limited to simple pieces of hardware either.

Take harmonization for example.  A guitarist would likely use a hardware stomp box to add harmony effects to his guitar.  It makes the most sense because it integrates directly into his system without having to add much more than …

NEWS
UniqueSquared

UniqueSquared
December 30, 2012

Free Orchestral Strings One Enhanced Version

When producers are looking to make tracks that sound epic, it’s hard to ignore some of the more contemporary instruments, such as stringed classical instruments.  Unlike EDM and music that is created with purely digital based noises, classic music is something that everybody has heard in their lifetimes, and it seems like the violin can induce emotions that other instruments cannot.  There is also the problem of creating the violin sound digitally.  The human ear is a clever tool and is good at differentiating organic sounds and digitally created sounds – in this case, the digital orchestra sound is very hard to disguise.

Regardless, there are plenty of tools out there to help you create epic orchestral pieces when the task is required of you.  Like all production software, some is better than others – and some can literally cost you the price of hiring few classical musicians for …