D&D Music Productions

January 21, 2007

Computer Music Magazine - PAAX 3 CM

Another good thing about CM106 Novermber '06 issue is the free software sampler that comes on the DVD. It is PAAX 3 CM, a very powerful instrument that comes with a 1GB sample sound library and it can even load regular wav files.Though I do suggest that you get all of your sound files nice and organized and neat before creating your own PAAX 3 sound banks. It just makes it a lot easier when you want to recall the banks and setting to use them again, which you most certainly will. It has various controls and filters so you can tweak the sounds 'til your hearts content. You must have a DAW or software sequencer that accepts VSTi's. So get your fingers ready and start playing. Very well done indeed CM.

Later,

Dubb

Posted at 02:15 PM in Instruments, Music, Music Magazines, music software | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 19, 2007

Get Your Sequence On!!!

As of today, the most recent Computer Music Magazine that I have is CM106, the November '06 issue. One of the main reasons that I bought this issue is because of the "How to sound like..." article. The featured artists this issue is Justin Timberlake and, of course, Timbaland. They show you how to replicate one of their recent hit songs "Sexy Back". It basically breaks it down on how the record was put together, how the drums and melodies are sequenced, and even how to record and track the vocals. It gives you a pretty good idea on how a hit record is produced and recorded. Now I am not a huge fan of Justin Timberlake but this latest album sounds really good, mainly because of Timbaland (one of my all time favorite producers). Timbo's style is very cutting edge and distinctive. Now, if you follow the tutoral and recreate the sequences and patterns to produce your own version of the song, the results will greatly depend on your hardware and software, but it will teach you how to do it. But it will sound pretty much like the original. So fire up your sequencer and software instruments and get "your sexy on". Very well done CM.

Later,

Dubb

Posted at 10:10 PM in Music Magazines | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

January 18, 2007

Computer Music Magazine

Consider this my formal introduction to my new site. One of the many things I will be reviewing is one of my absolute favorite magazines, Computer Music Magazine. This is an excellent resource for just about anything you need to know about computer music production. All of the editors and journalists are highly skilled musicians and technicians. The base for the magazine is in the UK but the advise and tips that they give span the globe musically. On the whole, the mag is targeted towards the production of dance music (house, techno, trance, etc.), and digital recording. But once in a while they will have articles on hip hop and R&B (my forte), rock, pop music, and even classical. Each month they have regular articles and sections such as "How to sound like...", which they pick a popular commercial artist and gives tips and techniques on how to basically replicate one of their songs. They review numerous pieces of equipment and software each month and tell you how to use them. Probably my favorite part of the mag is the DVD disk that comes with each and every issue. This disk is packed with tutorals, audio examples from the articles, loads of royalty free samples, free and demo software, and even patches for popular software instruments that readers can submit. Now I don't buy every issue, mainly because of the price (about 15 American dollars). But in my opinion, the DVD alone is worth the price. So, I will be posting regular comments about each issue that I buy or hear about. I hope you enjoy and learn some valuable lessons from this excellent magazine.

Posted at 08:51 PM in Music Magazines | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)