Sound Design 101: Synthesizer Basics – Part 1
Having once been the exclusive province of those with the money to afford the latest greatest technological tools of the day, synthesizers are arguably experiencing a golden age of ubiquity. Most DAWs, if not based completely around their included virtual instruments, at the very least include some kind of sampler or subtractive synthesizer plugin. Similarly, thanks to the cost effective evolution of modeling technology, hardware is also plentiful these days. Somehow, despite all this, a lot of electronic musicians seem to be perpetually integrating some new grail plug in into their studio or shopping for the next one when they should be recording. What’s going on here?
Something about the immediacy of the modern DAW has really lent itself to the preset users of the world. It is, in fact, quite easy to confidently saunter through a three chord house music trick with a wobble bass preset and some blistering… Read the rest
NI Traktor Kontrol S4 Trick: Cue Point Beat Juggling
I wanted to take a second out of my shoot schedule today to clarify what exactly was going on when I was tapping away at those buttons on the S4. First off, this is a trick that can be done on any controller that can drop multiple cue points and revert back to them on the fly. For this trick to work really well you are going to want to have a familiarity with your tracks and some serious at home practice time because nothing is more embarrassing then being out live wanting to try a new trick and epically failing.
Before I did the demo I went through the track to find a part that was full of syncopated rhythms and an easily recognizable theme. I then hit one of my cue points right before the theme starts on the downbeat. For all of you DJ… Read the rest
Ryan Noise and the APC40
Before I begin please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zack Røcket Timms or just Røcket for short and I work on the video production team as a producer, editor and all around media production specialist. I have been editing films for over a decade now and recently crossed the line from hobbyist to working DJ here in Atlanta. I’ve been with Unique Squared for about three months now behind the camera editing and shooting and am going to take a more public role with the company so look forward to more blog posts and video appearances from me in the near future.
Ryan Noise is the only guy I know using Ableton and the APC40 in this way. It’s amazing watching how he pipes in live video to be mixed down and edited during shows . It demonstrates the APC40′s potential to do whatever you want, through… Read the rest
I Wanna Be A DJ, How Do I Get Started? Part 2
Do you remember the first time you heard a DJ mix? Can you recall that perfect blend of two songs that stayed right on beat, transitioned beautifully, and kept the energy going? When was the first time you saw a DJ mix live or in person? For some of you these occurrences were witnessed all in the same moment. For others they may have happened at different times at different places. Either way, it probably inspired you to become or want to become a DJ. So you bought some music, DJ equipment, and you practiced day and night to perfection until BOOM! You are a DJ. You even have a DJ name, too. DJ SOMETHING COOL. Now it’s time to make a mix, record it, upload it, take pictures, promote yourself, get gigs, rock the house, drink champagne, do a remix, go on tour and get paid, right? Maybe so… Read the rest
I Wanna Be A DJ, How Do I Get Started? Part 1
I get asked all the time “How do I become a DJ?” I love having this conversation because I love being one. Sometimes it happens when I’m in between mixes in a loud environment, and sometimes it happens on this blog or on our You Tube Channel. Either way the answer is quite simple. “Become What You Already Are”. You are already a DJ to some degree. It might sound Zen-like or Utopian but it is true. You probably have a favorite song or you’ve compiled a play list to listen to or even to share with a friend. If you have ever made a mix tape for a special occasion or for a significant other or for yourself then you’re already closer to being a DJ than you think. Here are the first things to consider when your journey begins.
MUSIC
Decide what you want to play and start… Read the rest
