Hip-hop production, mixing, and music industry secrets

Don't shoot the breeze about it....BE ABOUT IT!!!

2012-01-11T22:31:00.001-08:00

In an industry like hip-hop production and urban music, image and reputation is everything. Most people in this industry (or that want to get in it) have a desire to be admired, or looked up to. The main problem with the previous sentence and mentality is that most want it for the wrong reason. It requires legitimate effort to be top-dog and for it to count in peoples minds. Presenting yourself to be something you aren't is a foolish way to gain a following. So many artist mindlessly speak and sing about things simply to "fit in" and its really lame. In my feild of producing most try their best to make themselves seem major when they are minor at best. People can tell real from fake your best bet is to be yourself...work hard and things will come to you. You won't have to front like the rest once you play hard and earn some ground in your endeavors. Don't rush and "want" for things... Work FOR them instead. Truth is, by the time you reach your goals the same people who were fronting and lying to boost their image will still be doing the same routine.....you don't want to taint your success by having history as being a fake. It's not worth it...#Realtalk

Measuring your success

2012-01-05T20:19:00.001-08:00

So far we have discussed methods to achieve success and successful habits. One key ingredient in your pursuits should be periodically stopping and measuring what you have achieved thus far. Measuring your progress is the great equalizer in determining if you are on the right track. It works for universities and training programs around the world, why not your business plan? When I first started making beats I had goals I set for myself and regularly looked at my progress and said "I'm not there yet". Don't get down on your efforts if you have fallen short so far, instead use that information to motivate yourself to do more. Not only is this an effective way to see your progress but it can also let you know when you need to adjust your plan accordingly. When you lay it all out and look over your progress toward your goal, where are you? Be sure to count all accomplishments and goals met. I think once you begin to do this regularly it will help you stay focused and give you indicators that you are either on track, off-track or on the wrong train all together.

--- Joey Cutless

Worry about making great music..not statistics

2011-12-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

Today is alot different than 30 years ago...

Anyone can create industry quality music and pretty much connect with possible millions over the internet. In the past you needed a big studio and some sort of physical distribution system to get heard. This is great but the drawback is over-saturation. There are millions of recording a

rtists now not just a few hundred thousand, all with digital product. How doe you stay relevant? YOU MUST OUT DO EVERYBODY ELSE. Musically break new ground, experiment, try to be as original as possible while not being oblivious to whats hot. There are tons of artists who had major breaks via youtube, myspace and even this site! You can too. Use what's been bestowed upon you as a talented artist and make the world see your vision! Don't worry about the numbers, worry about the music and the rest will follow!

Check out www.Joeycutless.com got the hottest Hip-hop beats & Instrumentals

Keeping Business separate from personal

2011-12-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

This is a tough law of success that took a while for me to really grasp, but you must keep business as just that... business.

Your main allegiance and loyalty is to god and your family. Perhaps this is the reason that some executives are seen as being "shrewd". The truth is no one will look out for your best interest better than you. People are cool with you when they are benefiting but the second something doesn't pan out the way THEY want it to they will begin to give in to paranoia/hearsay and attempt to turn on you. In this game of music and hip-hop beats etc I have encountered my share of shady characters.

Why do you think all the old artists left cash money records? Why do you think Roc-a-fella broke up? Its because the line between friendship and business was blurred. Whenever you are considered more than strictly a business partner but "fam" watch out--- it will backfire and you will feel foolish in the end for not handling your business.

Do you think a major label will let you keep more of the sales profits because they "like" you? Or because you are "fam"? NO. Better yet go apply for a loan and show the loan officer some love be cool with him and see if you get an interest free loan...NOPE. If it doesn't make good business sense for you and your family that you support, don't do it. Read that previous line one more time...soak it in. I'm not suggesting doing anyone unfairly or being unethical in your business dealings...but don't over-extend yourself for anyone based on "oh that's my homie" or "oh he cool people".

I have dealt with all types of shady individuals and have learned to read people very well, study their actions, and decipher their motives, and 9 times outta 10 peoples motives are self serving as far as people in the music industry. The small percentage of good people- keep em close because good allies are hard to find! I have a few associates over the years that are great people and the relationship is MUTUALLY BENIFICIAL.

Now that's good business!!! ---peace

Organization - Your studio, Your workspace

2011-12-09T19:31:00.001-08:00

When It comes to your personal workspace it can really assist or hinder your creativity. You don't have to have a $70k console and an insulated room to get down to business. Work what ever you have to it fullest and be sure its ergonomic and work friendly.

THINGS THAT HAVE NO PLACE IN YOUR WORKSPACE:

1. Documents, bills, school books, magazines etc.
These are distractions. Even if you only have limited space you need to find a dedicated place to place all you administrative items.

2. Media, Movies, "Videos" etc.
I'm refering to physical items and files on your computer. Don't have documents & videos etc. in your FL studio projects folder, or in you sample folder. Keep your music related things together and organized for maximum efficiency.

3. People.
I don't mean artists you are working with, I mean people: non-essential personnel, period. If its not a collaborator you only invite people to hear your work in the form of a listening session. Mixing social activity into your workflow is a great way to get NOTHING accomplished. You only have 24 hours in a day, your studio time is between you and the music.

4. Phone.
Seriously, unless your children/family/mom are somewhere else and you need to keep a phone by in case of emergency, Ditch it. People that want to call you can wait. If this bothers you just check your phone when you take a break.

5. Other peoples Music
This is self explanatory, unless you are listening to music researching or for you own pleasure - NO WAY- BAD IDEA

6. Alcohol + Drugs
Everyone is different but I say work sober at all times. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU - but I been in Grade-A studios with some big names and every one of em, the best of the best I have seen get side-tracked because of blunts and drank, its a waste of time - while on studio time. Most of your favorite artists don't even drink or do drugs period, its simply a facade that's portrayed by many to bolster their image in most cases. Save this stuff for the club or when you aren't working.

7. UNUSED GEAR
I can't stress this enough, that Sp-1200 or MPC 3000 may look cool on your desk but if you don't use it, take a picture then put it in a closet...#REALTALK

- Check out www.Joeycutless.com got the hottest Hip-hop beats & Instrumentals

www.joeycutless.com

How to NEVER get paid for your work...Ever - MUST READ

2011-12-07T08:19:00.001-08:00

If you are pursuing getting placements with major projects there is one to be certain to never earn a dime in royalties... IF YOU ARE NOT SIGNED UP WITH A PRO (Performance royalty organization) LIKE ASCAP, BMI, OR SESAC ETC. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A DIME.

Hold up, did u hear that? Yes its imperative that you are with a PRO as these organizations monitor the usage of your works and these are the guys who CUT THE CHECKS.

If you are simply signed under someone else's publishing and trust they will pay you accurately and fairly, GOOD LUCK! Not only signing up with a PRO but also REGISTERING your works with them. Take your catalog seriously or you could be earning money for someone and not even know it, #REALTALK! You need to register your beats, songs etc...Once someone uses your music and creates a new song, you need to be pro-active and be certain your info (along with you PRO info) is included on whats called a "split sheet". If you don't have this in order I hope you are cool with whatever you were paid upfront for the production because you aren't going to see anymore money, I promise you.

"Which PRO should I join? ASCAP, BMI, SESAC?" Answer// That's completely up to you, I personally am a lifelong ASCAP member & publisher and haven't even considered going elsewhere. I hear good things about BMI & Sesac, but you really need to do your own research. Base on my position I cannot give you a recommendation for liability reasons. One thing is for sure any PRO beats being an unregistered, non-royalty receiving producer, so act fast and get started because no major company will work with you properly until you have this set up! GOOD LUCK

Check out www.Joeycutless.com got the hottest Hip-hop beats & Instrumentals

Success, Wealth, Career goals, and fufilling your dream

2011-12-07T08:14:00.001-08:00

The key to true happiness and success in business and life is very simple. There is an entire market of sellers who would love for you to believe success is complicated, so you can buy their self-help products. Don't fall into those schemes, they are just that...schemes! The people you are buying these e-books from are working hard at being successful in taking your money. Don't get me wrong, its okay to buy learning tools with legitamate information to learn from, but "get rich" ebooks aren't that. So, are you ready for the keys to ultimate success? Here we go: 1. A definite goal 2. Belief in yourself to surpass that goal. 3. Relentless work ethic and drive. 4. Burning desire for success combined with real action. 5. Chase your dream and a better life, NOT MONEY. Now stay tuned for part two where I will elaborate on these principles and go in detail. If you follow these the universe will not hold you back from success! Things will fall into place if your mind is focused. I promise! RG8BEX95228A

Getting your Music Placed in TV & Film-Tips from Joey Cutless

2011-12-06T05:10:00.001-08:00

Placement tips From Joey Cutless:Well the first step is to initially listen to your music versus the film/show you want placement with. Does it fit in that type of show etc. Is the show on network tv? from there you decide if the song needs to be clean or not..Make sure music it TOP NOTCH and not Over compressed they like being able to play with the dynamicsNEXT STEP: get online... most sites like IMDB film database will give you the name of the "music supervisor" for the show you want placement with...then use google and then reach out and touch!!! lol once you get in with anyone its a domino effect and be sure to mention the info to future contacts if there is a conversation and they will more than likely be more inclined to speak with you...the net is powerful and most of these people have facebook/twitter and actually check it...remember these are regular folks, not Kanye or Jimmy Iovine so your chances of initial contact is much greater.once you get info to submit to music supervisor make your presentation spectacular and NEVER email them with mp3's as attachments unless requested by the music supervisor if submitting electronically.Attend any film/tv networking events that you can and meet people in person if you can...you already have researched certain shows as mentioned above..so you know who you are looking for...lol hope this helps

Important: Notice of Copyright On Your music

2011-12-06T05:09:00.001-08:00

The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U. S. law, but you should still give notice whenever possible even f you register your works with the L.O.C . Because prior law did contain such a requirement, however, the use of notice is still relevant to the copyright status of older works.

Under the 1976 Copyright Act, creators of covered works were required to give notice of copyright on the work in question. This requirement was eliminated when the United States signed onto the Berne Convention in March 1989. You should give notice of copyright whenever possible because it puts the public on notice that the work is protected by copyright, identifies the copyright owner, and shows the year of first publication.

Furthermore, in the event that a work is infringed, if a proper notice of copyright appears on the published copy or copies to which a defendant in a copyright infringement suit had access, then the defendant can’t claim innocent infringement as a defense. Innocent infringement occurs when the infringer did not realize that the work was protected. The use of the copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office. Form of Notice for Visually Perceptible Copies The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain all the following three elements:

1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright";

2. The year of first publication of the work. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful article; and

3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized. Here’s an example: © 2002 Jane Doe Position of Notice The copyright notice should be affixed to copies in such a way as to "give reasonable notice of the claim of copyright." The three elements of the notice should ordinarily appear together on the copies or container.

In Closing You work hard to create beats, articles, Whatever, and other items. Make sure you protect them by giving copyright notice.

It's all about your GRIND, NOT YOUR HUSTLE!

2011-12-05T10:26:00.001-08:00

I was reading a article about a family that earned 1 million dollars recycling cans. because of this article, I had an epiphany and had to share it with you: ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR GRIND NOT THE HUSTLE. You can pick any profession or career field and your success strongly depends on how hard you work or "grind". Whether you do music, sell CDs or work from home, YOU CAN BE A SUCCESS STORY. You simply have to have a desire and passion to work hard as if your life depends on it, and indeed it does! There is no relax time when you haven't achieved your goals yet. Live your purpose and use all your time wisely, work SUPER hard a whatever it is you do and you will succeed.

Super Producer Joey Cutless visits youth center Elementz in Cincinnati

2011-08-10T00:29:00.000-07:00

“Amazing talent in Cincinnati!”

That was an exact quote by Joey Cutless on his recent visit to Cincinnati’s youth center Elementz: a place for Hip-Hop and respect.

Everybody’s Media Group (EMG) sponsored this event in collaboration with Indie by Choice and Elementz. EMG’s own Robert Oliver introduced Cutless to the crowd while Mercedes Brown, from Indie by Choice, led the interview at Elementz.

The room, full of young members, was treated to some very useful insights and many helpful tips.

The Super Producer, with more than 1,500 credits from anything of TV reality shows, film and well-known artists, spent time talking about his life and business experiences and advised the youth “to be prepared for the corporate world, protect your craft and look for all opportunities to give your music exposure, including TV, film and even the gaming industry”.

“The industry will continue to change, be creative about making opportunities and use social-media sites, like Indie by Choice, to the fullest,” said Cutless.

“No serious corporation would even consider doing business with you, if you’re not prepared”, he continued, “taking care of things like copyright are basic but very critical,” he said.

Cutless said he would have benefited from a youth center like Elementz, and the protective artist-oriented services that EMG offers, when he was growing up.

“I would’ve been a big as Michael Jackson was,” he jokingly added.

After the interview by Brown, Cutless continued to interact with the members and also created a track to demonstrate some of his methods.

Several members brought their own beats which they were pleased to share. He complimented the youth on their willingness to be critiqued: “it shows their talent, maturity and will-power to move forward in this difficult industry.”

“I’m convinced that with the help from Elementz and EMG, the talent will get the opportunities they deserve,” he said.

In fact, Cutless was so impressed by the young talent in Cincinnati that he’s currently in talks with EMG to discuss several new projects.

“Having the honor and opportunity to work with a super producer like Joey will tremendously help the talent in Cincinnati and create a powerful movement in the artist community,” said EMG’s Founding Member Robert Oliver.

Check out www.Joeycutless.com got the hottest Hip-hop beats & Instrumentals

Go Grind- Success is around the corner

2011-08-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

The secret to success is hard work! REALLY...Stay on your grind and stay focused and success will find you. Meditation helps as well. Go to a quit place alone and focus: meditate on your goals and how to accomplish them. The inner self wants to succeed and will keep you motivated if you stay in touch with yourself. Sometimes we get off-track or on the wrong path and need to just stop, step back and rediscover self. I've been through things that I thought would destroy me but I am still here and more driven than ever. Don't let circumstances control your journey in life, control the circumstances! NOTHING can stop an Idea backed by DETERMINATION. All the people you see like Oprah, Jay-z, Will Smith, these people aren't just lucky they were determined, focused and understood the true secret to success. Anything you conceive in your mind you CAN achieve. SO GET STARTED TODAY! Whats your idea? what are your goals? find the answer then GO GET IT!!!!

-Joey Cutless

KEEP PUSHING!!! You will succeed~!

2011-08-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry its been awhile since I blogged...I been REALLY busy! Between uploading new beats daily, daily business functions with my company and family i have been stretched!
But I want to thank everyone who visits the site and has helped me stay in the top 10 on Soundclick! I appreciate it. I had this to share today, don't ever get comfortable and slack off.
You have to keep pushing and always working towards whatever your true passion in life is... If you start to see success dont think its time to relax...Its time to work even harder. If you
fail to strike while the iron is hot the balance of the universe will shift your treasures to someone more deserving who is working harder than you. STAY HUNGRY! Always keep pushing.
Jay-z, Donald Trump, these guys are worth hundreds of millions yet keep a busy schedule. Jay-z does not have to rap but does so because he is stil driven! Lil Wayne is by far one of the greatest
entertainers out not because he is the best rapper but because he works so hard and is dedicated to his craft. You have to focus your energies on whatever your passions are in life and goals
no matter what they are! I promise if you do this you will be given your just due! Keep a positive mindset and associations or you're toast. Remember: KEEP PUSHING!!!!!

Don't let technology ruin your music!

2011-08-09T05:36:00.000-07:00

Technology can be a great tool in creating music. Never before have independent artist and hobbyist had so many powerful tools in reach. With the advantages of Pc recording etc there are also disadvantages that you should avoid.

1. CUTTING AND PASTING CHORUSES TOO OFTEN-
Just because you can cut and paste a chorus doesn't mean you always should. It can sound very mechanical that each chorus sounds exactly the same. It may sound great but it doesn't work for every song. The subconscious mind can hear the mechanical like perfections and it will make your song boring if you don't know what you are doing.

2. AUTOTUNE/MELODYNE
You already know....These software were intended for pitch correction etc. Not to be used as a vocal effect on every song you record. its cool sometimes but please don't over do it. Its noticeable.

3. NO SWING-
If you compose music you should add some swing to your compositions even if its minor. listen to your ears and see what sounds good. Swing humanizes your digital creations and make them more appealing to the subconscious mind of you listener. WARNINGO NOT OVERDO THIS! You want it to sound natural, not like your drums are drunk.

4. Have fun!
don't get caught up in the software race....do what you do best...Create!

Hater-izm

2011-08-09T05:34:00.000-07:00

Negativity. Never worry about people being negative towards you in any aspect of your life. You can tell "criticism" from pure negativity, it has a different energy behind it. This universe we live in contains real energies that permiate constantly and can overtake you if you allow it. why would someone willfully send negative energy your way? 9 times out of 10 its something inside them that is insufficient or insecure. They need to tear your down because it make them feel good. It sounds cliche but its true. A hater feels a sense of accomplishment by hating on you. They feel as if they are more informative than those they are hating on you with. The truth is the negative energy sent your way can be harnessed and used for your benefit. Use negativity as fuel to energize your goals and pursuits and you will achieve them faster. You no longer are running off your OWN energy alone, but now you have the power of the haters BEHIND YOU...Its a fantastic concept if you "over-stand" the logic behind universal laws and the law of attraction. Stay focused, Visualize success, then visualize yourself amongst it and you will succeed. There will always be "haters". The truth is we have all hated on someone at some point in life, use that past perspective to nail-down the inner-workings of a "hater", and it will make sense. Confront negativity sent your way with positive reaction! Avoid Negative people like the plague. Their energy, which may not be directed towards you, will bring you down. You need space, prayer/meditation to send your positive vibes into the ether to form the universe around you to fit your goals. Stay tuned for part 2 and 3!

Keep Business, Business

2011-08-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

This is a tough law of success that took a while for me to really grasp, but you must keep business as just that... business. Your main allegiance and loyalty is to god and your family. Perhaps this is the reason that some executives are seen as being "shrewd". The truth is no one will look out for your best interest better than you. People are cool with you when they are benefiting but the second something doesn't pan out the way THEY want it to they will begin to give in to paranoia/hearsay and attempt to turn on you. Why do you think all the old artists left cash money records? Why do you think Roc-a-fella broke up? Its because the line between friendship and business was blurred. Whenever you are considered more than strictly a business partner but "fam" watch out--- it will backfire and you will feel foolish in the end for not handling your business. Do you think a major label will let you keep more of the sales profits because they "like" you? Or because you are "fam"? NO. Better yet go apply for a loan and show the loan officer some love be cool with him and see if you get an interest free loan...NOPE. If it doesn't make good business sense for you and your family that you support, don't do it. Read that previous line one more time...soak it in. I'm not suggesting doing anyone unfairly or being unethical in your business dealings...but don't over-extend yourself for anyone based on "oh that's my homie" or "oh he cool people". I have dealt with all types of shady individuals and have learned to read people very well, study their actions, and decipher their motives, and 9 times outta 10 peoples motives are self serving as far as people in the music industry. The small percentage of good people- keep em close because good allies are hard to find! I have a few associates over the years that are great people and the relationship is MUTUALLY BENIFICIAL.
Now that's good business!!! ---peace

Music Contracts the easy way!

2010-11-29T09:50:00.001-08:00

Were you aware that you don't have to be a lawyer to write or create your own music business contracts? As a musician, it is understandable that you may not fully understand the business side of the music industry and that is all right. Even if you are starting your own record label, this is not at all uncommon. Luckily, there are solutions for those people who cannot afford hundreds, even thousands of dollars, just to have lawyers write all of their recording contracts. This is in addition to solutions for people who have no idea how to write music contracts.

Whether you own a record label or are working on getting signed to one, you have come to the right place. Legal fees are entirely too expensive, especially if you are just starting out. I mean, you can always write your lawyer an I.O.U. or have your lawyer recover their fees when you start generating profits. But who wants to do this? It is like giving away your money! And giving it away just to have some music contracts written for hundreds of dollars, when you could go about this using a much cheaper method. It doesn't make sense.

Using the services of a lawyer when handling music business contracts could amount to thousands of dollars. Do you have the money to deal with that? Most people starting out in the music business do not. You now have the option of purchasing hundreds of pre-written music contracts and recording contracts online. This is a fantastic route to take because it will save you a ton of money in the long run.

The types of music contracts that you may need are for your Record Company, Management Team, Recording Artist, Agents, Producers, Songwriters and Publishers, just to name a few. Purchasing iron-clad, industry standard pre-written music contracts and recording contracts is the best way to go if you want to save money but protect your company or your career at the same time.

You are in complete control of your career or business in the music industry. Stay that way! Don't throw away thousands of dollars on lawyer's fees for something that you can take care of yourself. By purchasing a wide variety of standard music business contracts, you will be on your way to saving money on legal fees and handling your business the way you want it handled. Don't pass up the opportunity to save hard-earned money and put it to better use.

how to make real money as a producer.

2010-11-22T23:15:00.000-08:00

lets face it...Landing that platinum track is a crap shoot. Even when you do (and I have) you have to ACTUALLY get paid. Record labels have tons of ways to delay your initial advance. I'm not saying don't pursue the big hit, I'm just using the old adage "don't put your eggs in one basket." You can make a good living off of film, TV, multimedia and various other formats. You have to stay persistent and investigate all opportunities and you will find the means to and end. As you get older you will realize there is no point living on the wire for the next big hit. You need to be willing to step outside of the box and approach your music career as a business. Have you ever heard of the 80/20 principle? Its a formula used in many business scenarios. Let me break it down. Your production endeavors should be 80 percent business and 20 percent artistry and raw talent. Work smarter not harder. How can your music provide a product or service useful to the market you want to target? earn revenue from multiple angles and you can can easily put yourself in a better position to make more of your production endeavors! Email or call me if you need help my contact info is a www.joeycutless.com

Self Discipline Is The Route To Becoming The Best

2010-11-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

Winning is for those that have self discipline to toil deep into the night while others are asleep. Be positive and put in extra effort ...

I Am sure you are reading this article because you search for self discipline since you know it is the key to success. It is an African proverb that says 'lean on a mountain or be one'. Definitely you have the chance and ability to be great but in practice many people lose out on becoming successful. This is mainly because they intentionally or unintentionally opt to be lazy, weak and to be the last in every race.

It is upon you as an individual to make a deliberate choice to have self discipline. Break the York of failure and walk in purpose and determination so as to light up your life.

If you combine hard work with determination, commitment and self discipline, you leave yourself no choice but to be the best. Keeping your level of self control and sacrifice higher than that of everyone else will definitely make you a winner. If you really put in your best effort and be positive while when everybody around you is idling, you will win stand out to be counted.

Competition of the limited resource is high thus you must be tough and put more effort in whatever you do in order to become the best. Winning is for those that have self discipline to toil deep into the night while others are asleep. Be positive and put in extra effort whenever and wherever you can. It makes all the difference.

The sole aim of living should be to bring out our maximum potential and be useful to society. This way, our lives will have a purpose and direction. We will have made an impact in this world and in the lives of many. Take charge now and led the way, remember there are people looking up to you for direction, hence show them the way. All you need is to find within you the will power and self discipline to become.

Check out www.Joeycutless.com got the hottest Hip-hop beats & Instrumentals

Audio Mastering: An Introduction

2010-11-17T03:54:00.000-08:00

The process of mastering a CD includes several steps. The first step is putting the songs, called tracks at this point, in order. Next, the volume is leveled for all of the songs. The length of time between songs is also adjusted, and any editing on the intros and ends of the songs (such as fades and crossfades, etc.). Also, any unlisted, secret songs, usually known as hidden tracks, are added at this point.

There are several ways to master a CD. First, the mix can be sent to a professional CD mastering engineer, which is what professional musicians with major recording contracts usually do. These mastering engineers often work in their own mastering facilities, which are different from standard recording studios, in that they have much less gear and are designed for the best playback of the mix as possible in order to fix any slight discrepancies.

Aside from professional CD mastering engineers, CDs can be mastered at home using computer software. This option is usually more realistic for unsigned artists or musicians who are just starting out. Depending on the quality of the software and the skill of the person doing the mastering, the CD may sound great or it may sound muddy and unprofessional.

Online CD mastering is another option. CDs mastered online can be a great time-time, in that, instead of sending a mix to a mastering engineer, the mix is sent over the Internet. This option requires a high-speed Internet connection.

Free CD mastering is obviously the cheapest way to master a CD. Artists may want to use free mastering programs on demos or other early recordings that artists use to send to record labels to generate interest. Many CD burning programs included on many computers can be used to do basic but necessary mastering functions.

The difference between a professional sounding CD and an amateurish recording is often found in the mastering. All of the songs played on the radio are extensively mastered in order to sound slicker and more listenable.

New Michael Jackson Music "Hold my hand" & "Breaking News"

2010-11-16T01:42:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL Jackson's "first" single since his death was released yesterday - to the dismay of Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.Am who worked with Jackson in his final years, Members of the Jackson Family, and myself. The duet with Akon "Hold my hand" is great and silenced my reservations to the idea of a compiled posthumous release.

"Hold my hand" is a up-tempo ballad and equally features Akon on vocals in addition to his production role, so it has a little less MJ than some fans would like. Regardless, "Hold my hand" is in fact a great song. Perfect Composition thats very uplifting and about two Instruments away from being over-produced. Its a massive ensemble of lush orchestral instrumentation over a Caribbean style pop beat. The depth of the production by Akon is amazing. It's got everything you would expect from a modern top-40 hit record, Plus the king of pop.

Then there is the other single..."Breaking News"....Where to begin? First off it's not All Michael Jackson, I SAID IT. It's definitely an authentic track for the most part but I know what he sounds like and the person singing background vocals has an entirely different timbre and tone and should be listed as "Featuring" whomever is singing to qualm the conspiracy talk and accusations against Sony of hiring an impersonator performing this song.. MJ is definitely in the song, but thats not the point. This single is being passed off as a Michael Jackson song, Not a single by a someone else featuring Michael Jackson.

I'm confused regarding the justification of using this particular background singer's vocal takes, but by all means I'm sure the Folks at Sony will clear this up and that the full album will be a must-have. If "Hold my hand" is any indicator expect this album, simply titled "MICHAEL" to give The King of Pop another chart topper. After a few listens, even "Breaking News" is infectious and pretty good compared to the current meaningless music that's popular in the current market. Maybe this holiday release will give a much needed boost to the music industry as a whole?

Fingers-Crossed!

Magic, Alchemy, and music production

2009-09-22T03:56:00.000-07:00

Magic...Its a word often used by not really intimately understood by the general population. Magic is the process of making amazing things happen strictly based on the will and spirit of man. Magic exists...really. Forget david blaine and Copperfield, I mean magic in life and specifically in any craft of artistry. The Mona lisa, the great pyramids and other monoliths are all examples of magic. Magic is an idea, a creative idea externalized in a tangible format for all to experience. An up and coming producer once asked me to mentor him and asked "why is it that your music is felt by so many and so real?" I replied, "magick!". The look on his face was incomprehensible before he walked away dumbfounded. A great composition or song not only contains the heart and soul of an idea and its creator but also skill techniques that cannot be learned precisely, but felt. I consider composition and engineering and my techniques a form of alchemy. Strategically manipulating sounds to cause reactions in ones mind and soul simply from sound, it's "magic"! Music has been proven in laboratory settings to affect brain activity, increase dopamines or decrease them and even affect heart rate! Church service and prayer has been proven to do the same. With mastery of the alchemy of music production comes great responsibility! You externalizations affect others as your music is an extension of you. You ever notice some music fits the mood of what you are doing or what mindstate you are in? Its not an accident, its done deliberately. Some music fosters lawlessness, some order and humility. Would you listen to gospel music while leaving the club at 2am after a night of mischevious fun? Probably not. That music would vibe with your souls direction at that moment, Jay-z or Young jeezy would be more fitting. I love music and creating it. I can't imagine not being an artists. Read, study, and do some research you will discover a strong connection between music, alchemy, magic, etc. Do your own research, don't take my word for it, after all....I'm just a magician...

Success, Wealth, Career goals, and fufilling your dreams!

2009-09-22T02:15:00.000-07:00

The key to true happiness and success in business and life is very simple. There is an entire market of sellers who would love for you to believe success is complicated, so you can.buy their self-help products. Don't fall into those schemes, they are just that...schemes! The people you are buying these e-books from are working hard at being successful in taking your money. Don't get me wrong, its okay to buy learning tools with legitamate information to learn from, but "get rich" ebooks aren't that. So, are you ready for the keys to ultimate success? Here we go:

1. A definite goal

2. Belief in yourself to surpass that goal.

3. Relentless work ethic and drive.
4. Burning desire for success combined with real action.

5. Chase your dream and a better life, NOT MONEY.

Now stay tuned for part two where I will elaborate on these principles and go in detail. If you follow these the universe will not hold you back from success! Things will fall into place if your mind is focused. I promise!

Important: Notice of Copyright On Your music

2009-06-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

he use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U. S. law, but you should still give notice whenever possible. Because prior law did contain such a requirement, however, the use of notice is still relevant to the copyright status of older works.

Under the 1976 Copyright Act, creators of covered works were required to give notice of copyright on the work in question. This requirement was eliminated when the United States signed onto the Berne Convention in March 1989.

You should give notice of copyright whenever possible because it puts the public on notice that the work is protected by copyright, identifies the copyright owner, and shows the year of first publication. Furthermore, in the event that a work is infringed, if a proper notice of copyright appears on the published copy or copies to which a defendant in a copyright infringement suit had access, then the defendant can’t claim innocent infringement as a defense. Innocent infringement occurs when the infringer did not realize that the work was protected.

The use of the copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office.

Form of Notice for Visually Perceptible Copies

The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain all the following three elements:

1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright";

2. The year of first publication of the work. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful article; and

3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized.

Position of Notice

The copyright notice should be affixed to copies in such a way as to "give reasonable notice of the claim of copyright." The three elements of the notice should ordinarily appear together on the copies or container.

In Closing

You work hard to create books, articles, music and other items. Make sure you protect them by giving copyright notice.

"3 kings" Tip, Bun B & Slimm Thug produced by Joey Cutless

2009-06-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

5 Bad attitudes That will hold you back professionally

2009-06-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

Q. At different times in my life, I've been told that I have a bad attitude. I've never seen what people have meant so I just blew it off. Now I've received the same feedback on my job performance review. They couldn't tell me much of anything specific, only that I can be arrogant and selfish in my dealings with other artists, co-workers, etc.. Can you help me understand what they mean, what a bad attitude is, if I have one and what to do about it?

A. Checking our attitude on a regular basis is not a bad idea. If certain attitudes are not checked, noticed and altered, they become our philosophy, which can be dangerous.

Let's examine some common attitudes that might be getting in your way.

1) Arrogance is very prevalent and a lousy attitude

It's an inflated view of yourself and your abilities. It amuses me to see a football player doing some silly, arrogant dance over just doing his job.

Arrogance also can make you deaf to other people's ideas, to feedback about you, to the feelings of others. I believe that when we are arrogant, we are really trying to achieve something we feel we lack - genuine confidence. Genuine confidence draws people to you; arrogance pushes people away.

Checking our attitude on a regular basis is not a bad idea. If certain attitudes are not checked, noticed and altered, they become our philosophy, which can be dangerous.

Solution: Develop three significant approaches to your God-given gifts: appreciation, humility and confidence. They can take you far.

2) EOE - Instant Expert On Everything

This person knows the only correct answer to everything and is quite willing to tell you at length. Some call this person a know-it-all.

IEOEs can be both unteachable and untrainable. Any relationship with a person with this attitude, whether coworker, friend or spouse, is difficult at best. Being one is a great way to get people to ignore you.

Solution:Develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world and how it works. Be strong enough to say "I don't know" and then seek answers.

3) Refusal to take responsibility for your own actions

It seems as if many folks have taken up the notion of fault-free living: Whatever happens, it's not my fault, or who can I blame, perhaps even sue?

There are many moral and ethical problems that come with refusing to take responsibility for your own actions. What often gets missed is that when we don't take responsibility, we give up whatever power we may have to change things. Always blaming others puts the power to change with them and eliminates any problem-solving abilities you may have.

Solution: When you have a problem, ask these three problem-solving questions: What can I do? What can I read or find out? Who can I ask for expertise?

4) AAMS - the All-About-Me Syndrome

This is simply a serious sense of selfishness. There is a big difference between self-care, which is being wise enough to take good care of yourself, and selfish, which is me first and heck with everyone else.

This kind of self-centered behavior is to be expected in children because it is developmentally appropriate. Part of the growing-up process is understanding that we are not the center of the universe.

Solution: Aim toward a balance between taking care of yourself and taking notice of the lives and emotions of others.

5) Minimizing the seriousness of your effect on others

If we are not careful, it becomes much too easy to not notice the wake we leave as we go through life. If you are part of a family, a business or especially a marriage, what you do dramatically affects those around you. In fact, not only what you do, but also what you believe.

Solution: Pay attention. Reflect on times in your life when the actions of others greatly influenced you. Then reflect on times when you may have left quite a wake behind you without realizing how you had affected others.

I believe that when we are arrogant, we are really trying to achieve something we feel we lack - genuine confidence. Genuine confidence draws people to you; arrogance pushes people away. The solution is to develop three significant approaches to your God-given gifts:

appreciation, humility and confidence.

They can take you far.

Why You need a dedicated Mastering Engineer

2009-06-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

If a recording artist has any hopes of their songs being played on the radio, it is vital that their rough mix is mastered well. Often the best way to do this is to hire a professional mastering engineer. Professional CD mastering engineers can make a decent mix sound good and a good mix sound amazing. There are several things that CD mastering engineers do. Engineers work with the artist to decide what order the songs will appear on the CD, and they equalize the volume of the different instruments in each song and across the whole CD. CD mastering engineers can also add more definition and clarity to the instruments on a song. They then adjust the intros and ends of songs, choosing length of time between songs and adding crossfades or other effects if need be.

The order in which songs appear on a CD can greatly affect the way the CD progresses when played. If similar sounding songs are placed consecutively on a CD it can suggest shortcomings in the songwriting or make listeners believe the artist has a limited range. Also, some CDs can tell a narrative if sequenced correctly. Ultimately, it is up to the CD mastering engineers to work with the recording artists and choose the song order on the CD.

It is important that the instruments within a song and the songs on the CD are at an appropriate volume level. Within a particular song, the different elements must be mixed appropriately in order for the song to sound good. The mastering engineer can give clarity and definition to the different instruments in a song. The engineer also has the task of assuring that volume levels across all of the songs are similar, to help the CD sound more cohesive while still leaving room for dynamics.

CD mastering engineers also determine how much time there should be between songs on the CD. They fade and crossfade the intros and endings of songs to make them flow better.

CD mastering engineers have the task of making a rough mix of a CD ready for public consumption by adjusting audio levels and pacing the tracks in a way that brings out the best in the material.

Understanding Musical Form, Playing Piano!

2009-06-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of a song or a musical compostition. Like a house has rooms, so a song has rooms or sections.

Chord progressions come in sections, like one room in a house. You can put several different rooms together to make a big house, or you can live in a one room house. Just like people. In most 3rd world countries people live in one room houses -- which means, of course, that much of the world lives in one-room houses.

Those of us who live in the West generally live in multi-room houses.

But there are also musical houses -- we call them songs -- that are built out of several different rooms -- several different chord progressions. Some of them, like mansions and castles, go on and on and get quite involved.

But most songs are like many modest houses -- they have 2 or 3 rooms, sometimes 4 -- built using 2 or 3 or 4 different chord progressions.

Each "room" in a musical house is called a theme, or a "motif". The first theme is always called "A". The next theme is called "B", the next theme is called "C", and so on. Most songs only have 2 or 3 themes, but these themes often repeat.

For example, let's say we have a chord progression that goes like this:

C Am7 Dm7 G7

...and then it repeats those same 4 chords...

and then we have another chord progression that goes like this: Gm7 C7 F Fm7 Bb7 Eb G7

...and then the first chord progression is used again as the song ends.

This song would have a musical form of A, A, B, A -- main theme, repeat of main theme, contrasting theme, main theme.

If a song went like this:

Theme contrast theme

…it would be known as ABA musical form

If a song went like this:

Theme, theme, contrast, theme

….then the song would be in AABA musical form

The "B" section of a song is sometimes called the "bridge", or the "release", or the "chorus". These terms usually mean the same thing -- depending upon the form used.

Can you guess what this might be called?

Theme - contrast - theme - contrast - theme - contrast - theme - contrast

Right you are! A B A B form.

This is also known as "verse-chorus" form.

Most popular songs fall into one of these forms:

A B A

A A B A

A B A C A

A B A B

Why should you care?

Because if you know songs are constructed this way, you can look at songs with smart eyes -- you know what to look for, and once you determine the form, you have a "mental map" of the song -- you're not just wandering from chord to chord anymore.

In addition, most songs are proportional. That is -- 4 bars of section A, then 4 bars of section B, then another 4 bars of section A, and so on. You will find TONS and TONS of popular songs that are 32 bars long in A A B A form -- 8 bars of theme A, 8 bars of theme A repeated, then a bridge of 8 bars, finishing with 8 bars of theme A.

Does that give you an advantage knowing that?

It gives you a HUGE advantage because you know what to look for, and you know that if you learn theme A you have automatically learned 75% of the song! All that remains is to learn the 8 bars of the bridge, and you've got it!

And that's why you need to learn about form.

The Benefits of CD Mastering Software

2009-06-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

There are several editions of CD mastering software on the market today. Don't be fooled: it takes a trained ear and lots of trail and error to master your own music, which is why most artist leave it to the pros. However, Many of the programs available are a good purchase for recording artists who adhere to the “do it yourself” philosophy. CD mastering software is also well-suited for novice recording artists who have a limited budget. Software programs are available for most major platforms, including Microsoft, Apple, and Linux. These software programs range in price from around $75 to over two thousand dollars for packs of high-end software. The more expensive programs have many more features, but they are also very complicated and may confuse users.

Many programs that are included with most computers, such as Real Player and MusicMatch offer some types of mastering services. Both of these programs allow users to burn CDs and choose the order of the songs. There are add-ons to these programs that let people equalize the volume of the tracks on the CD and even add a delay between the songs as needed. I consider these "entry-level" programs.

Some CD mastering software gives users almost as many options as the professional CD mastering facilities. A major advantage of CD mastering software is its easy incorporation with home recording software like Pro Tools and other similar programs. Most CD mastering software programs support music 16-, 24- and 32- bit music files.

These CD mastering software programs can perform countless functions. Many are designed to have the same “drag and drop” operation as Pro Tools and other recording and editing software. Aside from traditional mastering functions like song sequencing, fades, and setting time between songs, some software allows users to add effects such as reverb and echo. Most programs have features that can remove excess noise from tracks as well. Many high-end software programs can produce masters that sound as good as those made in expensive facilities.

CD mastering software programs can provide a great cost-effective way to master a CD. Many programs have recording features that go along with the mastering programs. CD mastering software is perfect for independent recording artists and artists who want to have control over all aspects of the production.

Michael Jackson was the Greatest

2009-06-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson is the world's greatest entertainer. One of the most explosive performances I've ever witnessed was Jackson sliding across the stage at the Motown twenty-fifth anniversary show. Just watching that made us all know: That's what greatness is, and anything that doesn't measure up to that is beneath greatness. Before him there were the Beatles and Elvis and Frank Sinatra; Michael Jackson takes his place right alongside those greats.

"Billie Jean" is the most important record he's made, not only because of its commercial success but because of the musical depth of the record. It has more hooks in it than anything I've ever heard. Everything in that song was catchy, and every instrument was playing a different hook. You could separate it into twelve different musical pieces and I think you'd have twelve different hits. Every day, I look for that kind of song.

Michael has influenced so many artists, some of whom are picking up on the grandeur and showmanship of his live performances. You can see his influence in his sister Janet, in Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney Spears, and in Jennifer Lopez and Mariah Carey. You can see his influence in the dance moves -- the syncopated choreography -- that a lot of young artists use. And a lot of them have picked up his work ethic. When you look at a Britney Spears production or a Justin Timberlake production, or if you look at an Usher production, you really see that they took a page out of Michael's book; they went to rehearsal, and they must've worked eight hours a day, because their shows are flawless, as Michael's shows were flawless.

There are many, many people who think of Michael as a spectacle, and it's sad. All of it has taken away from our ability to see him for the artist he really is. A world without Michael Jackson would be a very, very different world. And I think we should all feel very blessed that an artist of that caliber came into our lives, because he has enriched our lives.

SECRET TOOLS FOR SUCCESS pt.1: Using the Internet and Software to your advantage in music production

2009-06-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

As a young, aspiring hip-hop producer, I remember saving every paycheck from my after school job to buy the new Akai MPC and the Korg Trinity. The thought of saving over 2 grand to build my dream studio seemed like pure fantasy. Once I attained this dream studio, who was going to teach me how to utilize it all? I wish then I had the options available today! The old days of getting the latest music equipment catalog and salivating over a piece of gear are no more. The new generations of hip-hop producers have a serious advantage today…. SOFTWARE + THE INTERNET!

You can do anything you can imagine with Fl studio or Reason. These apps, in combination with online tutorials, can produce sonic marvels once reserved only for hit-makers with thousands of dollars worth of hardware, and years of study. Use Google.com to your advantage: need a new set of drum samples? Need to learn how to chop samples? "Google" it! There are literally thousands of resources to teach you skills to advance your craft. Youtube.com for instance has a plethora of tutorials to help you step your game up in every aspect. From basic pointers, composition techniques, to advanced mixing and engineering, it's all online and free.

What about the software? Bite the bullet and get your main program, I recommend FL studio or Reason. I suggest FL studio for the best bang for the buck and functionality. FL studio allows you to integrate 3^rd party VST/DX instruments and tools inside it, and it's the least expensive and most expansive of the two. Reason is a full-featured workstation, yet is limited due to being totally self-contained. To put it simply, what you get in Reason, is all you get with Reason. You can integrate more tools and instruments by different companies in FL studio. Another bonus is that you are not limited to the internal effects in FL studio. You can theoretically integrate a $2000 Waves Diamond plug-in package with lil' old Frooty loops! Incorporating synth workstations such as Ik Multimedia's sonic synth, Steinberg's Hypersonic or Sampletank XL can produce amazing results. The Edison in FL studio is an awesome editor for chopping up your samples. Enough said.

Don't get me wrong; Reason is very powerful, fully loaded with lush instruments and samples. You can make stellar productions with it, no question. The only problem is expandability as far as 3^rd party plug-ins. There will be a point where you will want to add more instruments from different sources. If you prefer an all-in one approach however, go for it! There is always the option of playing with Combinators and reason's proprietary expansion format called "refills" to get more variety in Reason. There are tons of refills out there. I have fully mixed and mastered tracks in FL studio for an elite level of hip-hop projects. Fl studio with a host of freeware plug-ins can create a formidable arsenal to rival any top-flight producer, regardless of their equipment list.

Yellow tools' Independence 2.0 is a great, free plug-in synth workstation that has over 1 gig of free sounds. Do a Google search for free VST and DX plug-ins; you will be amazed at the high quality of free stuff you'll find. Search youtube.com and Google.com's video section like a demon for tutorials! Don't go at it alone, letting others (with more experience) give you pointers can save you lots of time and up the ante for you in the skills department. Join producer communities to interact with other producers as well, futureproducer.com is highly recommended. These are some keys to success that I've discovered along the way and they will take you to a new level. Visit Joeycutless.com for articles, tutorials, and hip-hop samples. The world (wide web) is yours!