Tech Log - Synths

Instrument/Effect
What is it? (P1) Theremin	How have you been using it? (M1) With both hands, to control the pitch & volume.
What are the limitations? (D1) It only has one tone, it's essentially fretless so you have to make out the notes by ear, unless it displays the notes for you on a screen.	How could you use it effectively in performance? (D1) To use it as a transition either at the start or end of a track/DJ set.
Can you think of any examples of it being used already by other performers? Leon Theremin Lydia Kavina

Instrument/Effect
What is it? (P1) Roland Voice Transformer VT-3	How have you been using it? (M1) Both hands, to control various aspects such as pitch, reverb, etc.
What are the limitations? (D1) It limits your movement and you may need someone else to assist you (i.e. they play an instrument while you mess around) in order to ease the work load.	How could you use it effectively in performance? (D1) It can completely change the mood & setting of the atmosphere, it's just dependent on what kind you want to set.
Can you think of any examples of it being used already by other performers?

Instrument/Effect
What is it? (P1) TC-Helicon VoiceLive Touch	How have you been using it? (M1) Both hands, constantly adjusting & combining the settings i.e. reverb, delay, pitching the octave up/down, looping.
What are the limitations? (D1) It's heavy & because of that you must place it on a microphone stand so you can't move it around with you on stage without having a hard time.	How could you use it effectively in performance? (D1) You can essentially create your own ensemble of singers especially through the looping feature & also because you can mix & match the voice settings so each setting can play a certain role.
Can you think of any examples of it being used already by other performers?

History Of Electronic Music

In the following paragraphs, I will be talking about hip hop from a performance aspect, mainly focusing on break beats & it's role in the early scenes of hip-hop and DJing, as well as focusing on the start of MCing.

Firstly, breakbeats is one of the things that kick started the DJing culture. Initially, DJs would play popular records that got radio time (this occurred around the mid 70s), then DJ Kool Herc entered the scene but would stick out from his habitat by only playing the break beat part of a record rather than the parts everyone would recognize (i.e. chorus).

Breakbeats is the part of the record that emphasizes rhythm and everyone would let loose of themselves and start dancing. However, since the breaks within the records don't last for very long, DJs such as Herc and those that came after him would prolong it for as long as they can so everyone can dance for as long as they can. So essentially, the breakbeat part of a record would practically be known as a "drop" in the modern DJing and dance culture.

Through the hip-hop DJs gave birth to the MCs but they started out hosting the sets rather than rhyming over it. For an MC to even MC during the set, they would need permissions from the DJ who is on the turntables because if someone just goes up to the mic and starts, chances are that they would be kicked out. Ironically, as time flew by, the role of MC started to get more recognition and respect over the next few years whilst simultaneously, the DJs would be getting pushed back and appreciated less. Due to DJs getting less recognition & focus compared to the MC, it really brought the genre to the forefront of modern music in recent times, especially the 90s.

This also forced some DJs to branch out into producing to get more recognition, as well as money seeing as the DJ wasn't the main attraction anymore (examples: DJ Premier, DJ Pete Rock) & without too much surprise, breakbeats were sampled in most hip-hop songs and was heavily predominant during the 80s & 90s. Good examples would be: Public Enemy - Bring The Noise, LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out, Wu-Tang Clan - Bring Da Ruckus, N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton, among many others.

If Kool Herc didn't do what he did, then most of these things wouldn't of happened since we can trace these things back to his DJing approach/attitude in the clubs during his tenure in the 70s. If he didn't take on his abstract approach, we may not even have hip-hop.

Beginners Guide To Synthesis

What is synthesis?

Synthesis is simply creating your own sound from scratch through the use of electrical signals. However, you can further shape the sound through the use of various features & aspects (oscillators, envelops, LFO's, etc) that we'll further look into together.

Frequency & Pitch

Frequency is very important when it comes to music technology, especially designing sounds, which also is heavily linked with pitch. Frequency is the rate of a sound wave moving in and out and this is measured in Hz (Hertz meaning cycles-per-second), so in this case, a sound wave with 10Hz vibrates 10 times per 1 second.

As stated earlier, frequency is interlinked with pitch. To understand the connection in a more simple way: the lower the frequency, the lower the pitch & vice-versa. When an oscillator's (an oscillator is basically what makes the sound) frequency is doubled, the sound's pitch moves up by one octave.

Wave forms

When it comes to wave forms, you firstly have the four basic and most common ones: Sine, Sawtooth, Square & Triangle.

Sine:
By looking at the wave form, you can describe it as a river with continuous flow because it has a simple movement of going up & down rather than moving in an obscure pattern. By listening to it, you could easily separate it from the other three because it has less characteristics & it's less complex. For example, you would mainly describe it as "pure", "hollow", maybe even compare to air.

Sawtooth:
Unlike the Sine wave form, the Sawtooth has a jagged pattern when you inspect the wave form, hence the name, however it sounds similar to the Square wave form. It's perhaps the most aggressive sounding wave form that has a buzz to it, which may also sound very harsh.

Square:
The Square wave has a series of rectangles above & below the middle line, consisting of the same shape. It has more body and a distinctive sound compared to Sine, however it sounds much more natural and less harsh compared to Sawtooth. You may recognize this wave form from various Nintendo games.

Triangle:
The triangle wave appears to look like a mixture of a sine & square wave when looking at the wave form, as it looks like a graph chart showing a rise, peak and decline then back to rise. A triangle wave form sounds high and thin in tone.

Common Editing Features

Oscillators:
Oscillators create sound by generating a repeating signal, you'll also find that oscillators are very common in modern synthesis. An output of an oscillator normally consists of: frequency, amplitude & tone.

LFO:
Stands for "Low Frequency Oscillator", it is an electrical signal that plays the same role as an oscillator but at a much lower frequencies (namely 0-20 Hz) which also gives you the advantage of choosing specific frequencies. By modulating the pitch, you'll simulate a vibrato effect, however if you modulate the amplitude, you'll get a tremolo effect.

Envelopes:
Envelopes mainly contain four parameters: Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release. These are very important in regards to designing sound.

The attack controls how fast the sound reaches full amplitude so the faster the attack, the more specific the impact would be in terms of when you activated the sound (hit the button, key, etc). The slower you set the attack, the more the sound will fade in.
The decay correlates with the sustain, so the decay determines how quickly/slowly the sound reaches maximum amplitude and fade down to the set sustain level. The sustain parameter dictates how long the sound will go on for. The release will effect how long the sound will fade to silence after you release the note.

Filters:
Filters help you achieve a certain sound you're looking for and there are various filters available in DAW's today, but we'll just look at the most common ones:

Low-Pass Filter:
Imagine a line (in this case it's the "limit"). Everything above that line becomes irrelevant and you only hear what is below it, this is how a low-pass filter works and is commonly used to enhance sounds that play role of bass.

High-Pass Filter:
A high-pass filter works exactly the same as a low-pass filter, just in the opposite manner. Instead of ignoring what's above the line, everything above the line becomes relevant and the main focus. You can use a high-pass filter to bring out the brightness of some sounds.

Band-Pass Filter:
A combination of both the low-pass and high-pass filter, you can describe a band-pass filter as a more flexible and specific filter as it allows you to choose exactly what parts do you want to cut off and what parts you want to focus on.

Types Of Synthesis:

Additive Synthesis - Combines the tones, usually harmonics of varying amplitude.
Subtractive Synthesis - Filters sounds to shape harmonics.
Frequency Modulation Synthesis - To modulate a carrier wave through the use of a modulator. (In other words, using an oscillator to control the output of another oscillator).
Sampling - Using recorded sounds as a foundation so that you will then modify the sound of the recordings.

Project Plan

Introduction:

My alias in music is Mantramind (however you can shorten it to Mantra). I personally feel that there isn't too much I can say about myself as an artist because I'm still quite young and have a lot of developing to do, both as an artist & human. However, I can say that I want to create a "developing picture" with everything I make (i.e. progression in my songs that can either be represented through my production or lyrics).

My goals are quite simplistic & ambitious: I want to at least create music that makes me feel good whilst at the same time provide a roof over my head because I want a place I can call "home" & mentally fill it with various compositions, productions, lyrics & so on.

My current main genre (hip-hop) is in a weird phase right now but I think that's because it's very unfamiliar with the phase it's currently in. Trap, a genre which has branched from hip-hop, turned the tables on hip-hop as far the mainstream market is concerned. However, at the same time a lot of other people are making hip-hop but putting a twist on it with an experimental approach as well as others trying to be "one" with the genre. So to answer the question: I don't know where I fit into genre, I just intend on bringing myself to the table.

I'm not going to be boxed in so that I'm just making hip-hop simply because I listen to various types of music & therefore, I'm very open to making various types of music as long as I have the musical ability to translate what's in my head & bring it to the real world. However, I must admit that currently, my main focus is on making hip-hop.

I don't know what role I'll be playing in the music industry & whether it'll be an important one or not, however, all I know is that I'll be making/writing music regardless of what position I assume.

Content:

The content of my product will be using hip-hop as the foundation but I intend to apply elements of other genres, for example, have a bog-standard hip-hop song but with a funk bass line, minimal drum kit, a RnB/Motown influenced chord progression on keys & maybe some strings that sounds like it came straight from a 50s record (reference track: Patti Page - Old Cape Cod). But that's only a thought.

I've chosen to go with this approach because I want to truly reflect the range of music that I listen to & also, as I mentioned earlier, hip-hop is in a unfamiliar phase & a lot of people are expanding the genre, so as long as I don't deliberately copy anyone's style/approach, then why can't I experiment a bit and try bring something new to table?

For now, I'll plan to have around 3-4 tracks of me rapping, 2-3 tracks of my own production & at least one live recording where I work with other musicians.

Collaboration/Studio Roles:

I plan on working with people from the Music Performance class, preferably I want a drummer & bass player first, maybe a pianist & guitarist to add more dimensions in the relevant song & maybe work with one other person on the mixing/mastering because two pair of ears are better than one sometimes.

What will they bring to the project? something I can't: live music through the use of instruments. They'll also bring a jam session to the project because sometimes, there's nothing better than a bunch of musicians coming together & jamming, so I want that "feel good" feeling in my project.

How are we going to work together? first of all, I don't want to give them a "script" trying to make them do specific things because I feel that I would be already limiting their capabilities as a musician, so I'd much rather let them express themselves as much as they want to get the best out of them. If anything, I'll just tell them simple stuff like "hip-hop is the basis, so 4/4 rhythm, etc", give them an indication of what to do & make sure that everyone agrees with it, then go with the flow and see what the outcome is.

Equipment List (better to explain in person):

One dynamic & one condenser microphone to record my vocals (when it comes to the live jam sessions, I'll think of what relevant mics I'll need at the time but for now, I'm unsure as to what instruments will be present)

Future Plans:

I can easily use it as a portfolio in case I'm spreading my music to other people whom are interested, whether they're an A&R from a label or a friend from around the corner of my street. If anything, I'll push it out in the public & hope it captures the right pair of ears.

Also, & most importantly, it will be a free project so I can get my name & music out there much more easier rather than charging people to hear music from someone they may never knew existed.

Defining Events

Defining Events

Chosen "gig at large venue" because I got a better all-round experience compared small gigs, club nights, etc. Reference point: O2 Academy.

Sound:
Large venues would logically have a large sound system in relation to the size of the venue & how far the sound has to travel around the venue, as well as the audience understanding the performer's music. Also, you must consider the acoustics of the room in question when it comes to the positioning of the sound systems. (Reverb, Royal Albert Hall, big bubble hanging from ceiling to help sound travel rather than echo)

Audience:
This is completely dependent on the act that is playing on the night. Long story short, if you want to try and profile the kind of audience that will fill up the venue, then you must consider looking into the genre of music the headlining act specializes in, as well as taking note of how long they've been in the industry (bigger reputation, bigger crowds) and seeing how "in demand" they are, on top of many other things. (Gigi Allin, leads into next point (staff) about security).

Staffing:
The staff are there to keep the show running and to ensure the performer's & audience's safety during the show. This varies from the people who grants you access to witness the performers you paid to say, to the security line that separates you from the very same act. (Security/water)

Stage:
Would be very spacious for things such as performer's equipment/instruments, wiring, as well some of the sound system, etc. (O2 show, people jumped over)

Performers:
Truthfully, the performer(s) is main attraction & in return, they attract the money. The performer is needed for the show otherwise what's the point of going through all the preparation?

My Personal Statement (draft)

My Personal Statement

Why I have chosen this course:

Music has been ever present in my life ever since I was a child in the forms of artists such as Marvin Gaye & Jaco Pastorius, amongst others. My passion to improve is what makes me want to take my next step in both progressing as a musician, as well as an artist & achieving the ambitions that I want to fulfill.


What have I done to demonstrate my passionate interest in the course subject:

I go see live music, I produce music at home away from my lessons, I collaborate with friends who also produce, send my own work to other performers & songwriters, as well as writing my own lyrics.

Opened up my ears. When I say that, I mean I've had a much more open and free approach to music by deciding to listen to different types of music rather than staying in a box of a few genres because you never know what you'd like as there are endless amounts of music to be heard. For example, if someone asked me what kind of music I listen to, I'd simply say "anything I can get my hands on".


How does my chosen BTEC course relate to my chosen university course:

My chosen course for university is also music production. My current course relates to my ideal one because I'm going to learn most of the things I'm currently learning but at an in-depth level and more "advanced" perspective. Essentially, my current course is simply a stepping stone for gaining knowledge & my goals.


What I have learnt from my interest & activities that is relevant to my chosen course:

I've learnt that you can never hit a peak in music & that you can only stop your own progress in many ways such as losing focus, exchanging passion for money, etc. Other than that, you can keep growing & growing.

I've only been to 2 gigs this year which were held at large venues: Flying Lotus at the O2 Brixton & the Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Children Of Bodom concert at the SSE Arena. Naturally, both of them were completely different in terms of music & performance simply because they specialize in different scenes & genres. However, the one thing I realized from both gigs is that I had a great time, spoke to amazing people I ran into during the concert and this helps me further pursue music because it gives me the thought of "I can be the source/reason for a good night, I can help bring people together & create new relationships, I can possibly inspire someone at one of my shows by playing the role of the soil so they can plant their seeds & grow".


What personal experience or ambition can I link to my chosen course:

My priorities are simple. I simply want to make good quality music that people actually want to listen to & leave my mark in music. However, through that ambition, I want to provide myself with food, water, a roof over my head and to lead a happy life.

Album Reviews

Album Reviews

Eminem - The Slim Shady LP

Hip Hop is the initial genre I dived into when I was focusing on music as an art form, but I never touched an Eminem project up until this very month (September). As soon as I focused on this album, I wasn't let down at all.

This album is simply Eminem introducing himself to the world on a mainstream scale (with added help from veteran Dr Dre) and by this album alone, he proves that he not only is he a skilled rapper, he's also very different to just about every other rapper at the time. Not only confident, but comfortable with talking about obscure and "eyebrow raising" content (reference to "Brain Damage" & "As The World Turns") which I personally find all of it rather funny, then talk about something that can be very thought provoking, depending on how focused you are on the song (refer to "If I Had").

One thing that I really like about this album is how there's only 5 people who worked on the production of the whole album (Eminem himself, Dr Dre, Mel-Man & Bass Brothers) and I like this because it means those on production all have a similar image of what the album should sound like rather than having album with production by a list of producers because a lot of people are attempting this recently and it makes it sound more like a compilation of songs rather than an album, however (to my knowledge) only one album with 10 tracks has over 5 producers and got away with it like day light robbery: Nas' debut album "Illmatic".

Couple things I've noticed. I'm glad I left it till later to listen to Eminem because I can hear him in a lot of other rappers whether it's flow, the rhyme scheme, content selection, etc. That also made me realize just how much his style had an influence on the majority of rappers today. Another thing is that if I decided to listen to his stuff when I wasn't as "open minded" to music in general, then I wouldn't of appreciated Eminem as much as I would right now.

Aphex Twin - Syro

In my opinion, I think music is going to become very different in comparison to the 50 years that just passed because we're evolving at such a crazy rate (with big help from electricity) that we're simply going to get bored of what we already have and just craft new ideas out of nothing. We're living in a day and age where people with a computer can call themselves a musician, however a lot of those people aren't able to display what's in their mind and translate it perfectly to the computer. Aphex Twin is not one of those people.

Aphex Twin is one of those guys who's pushing the limit as to what we can call "music" these days. I still can't label this album with an already existing genre because Aphex Twin is simply experimenting with what he can do. The first track is very house-like (minipops 67) and the last track is such a laid back piece of music that you can get sucked into your seat on a sunday (aisatsana) and then everything else in the middle is something you can discover yourself. One thing I do like about Aphex is that all his projects have a different distinct sound so he always surprises his core fans who expected Syro to sound like songs such as "Windowlicker" and songs from his last album "Drukqs" (released in 2001).

I personally think that the music Aphex Twin is making, along with countless other people who're making music you can label under the same category, can be considered as today's jazz music. Initially, the public won't understand it because it doesn't sound like "music" to their ears, much like how jazz sounded like someone hitting random notes back in the 30s/40s. It's simply "musicians music".

(Sadly, the Syro album is available on youtube but only as a playlist and not one video.)