Changing The Game - Latest Comments

Re: Episode 9 – Production techniques (Chopped Sample and Rearrangement)

Patrick Scientific — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 17:08:03 -0000

MrKay7: He was the first to do the chop sample with a musical riff
included on a record. The sampling laws weren't as developed as they
are now. Marley Marl might have been the first to do the chop style
in general but I'd have to research that more. I had to make sure I
worded that piece very carefully not to step on any toes. I also had
to throw Marley's name in there too since he was a major producer back
then.

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Re: Episode 9 – Production techniques (Chopped Sample and Rearrangement)

Mrkay7 — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:23:40 -0000

nice piece of info..i didn't know that ced gee was the father of the chop style..he definetly is underrated

Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

Lynchaudio — Mon, 02 May 2011 14:00:35 -0000

Hey Man,

I'm enjoying the blog! I'd like to add that producers like the RZA and DJ Shadow were definitely championing the use of MIDI pretty early on (late 90's), and thereby the use of computers in the production of hiphop. I also remember Chad Hugo of the Neptunes writing about how critical non-destructive midi editing was to their workflow back in 2001. What's interesting to me is that 9th Wonder was probably one of the first to be so transparent about what he uses and how he uses it, which I think is the model of the future. I'm a big believer in giving away everything you know! IMHO.

Keep up the good work, and I'm looking forward to more posts!

-Matt

Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

marlon — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:56:29 -0000

very dope and true blog rite here. I liked it an prefer this to everyone into music. hit me up if you have another one coming out

Re: Episode 6 – DJ Competitions

DJ Fredro — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:23:46 -0000

What's really amazing is how technology has found a way to mimick the artistry set forth by pioneer DJs and turntablists. Hip hop DeeJaying is a direct result of poverty and music programs being taken out of the schools throughout the '80s. Young urban kids in droves began picking up microphone or turntables or tape decks (pause button mixes), instead of bass guitars, saxaphones, and drum sets of the 70's. Now technology has taken the art out of the artistry of DeeJaying. Competitions like DMC are relevant to keep the hands-on aspect of DeeJaying alive. It does, in a sense, prove that you are the best!

DJ Fredro

Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

Jon Manness — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:28:55 -0000

Very informative. It'd be great to have sources with these posts in case we want to read more about the background of Hip Hop software production. I agree for the most part about the double edged sword that comes with software music production, but I don't think it's fair to say that "not everyone should be trying to make music" because the technology's cheaper. Everyone has different reasons and intentions for making music, and some are just starting out and are looking for feedback. We are lucky that it's easier than ever to share music, and I hope that those with the potential to be great producers use the web to grow and learn, and not just hope to get "famous."

Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

King David — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:48:55 -0000

I completely agree with DXProject. I teach thousands of students music production, songwriting and Audio Engineering around the world. Many of them have never known anything but computer based music production. And let's not even talk about Analogue production. Still, year after year, we are delivered some amazing productions no matter what tool is used.

Personally, I endorse knowing how to use them all. After all, they (The Hardware, Software and Analogue recorders) are just tools. So who's to say what fork you must eat your spaghetti with? Just as long as the spaghetti ends up in your mouth.

The Science of Audio Engineering however, will never change.You still must adjust the 3k up a few DBs to get clearer vocals, and you still still must adjust 250Hz up a few DBs(approximate of course) on that Kick drum to get it to cut through the mix.

Audio engineers seem to be safe for now. As for the switch to software based production, I think you still have to be a great ARTIST to create great ART(Music) no matter what tool you use.

You can checkout my online schools at http://www.Beatclass.com and http://www.Gwardyak.com

King David
David & Goliath Music

Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

Patrick Scientific — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:58:45 -0000

That young kid is talented. Great video! Thanks for your response

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Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

Bigctv18 — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:44:19 -0000

very interesting post I think you should have a featured producer one every week be a nice addition.

Re: Episode 4 – Software Based Production

DXProject — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 07:39:40 -0000

I teach Music Technology in London and it appears that there is a new generation of young Hip Hip and dance music producers to whom hardware sampling is an alien concept. We have an MPC 2000XL and access to an MPC 1000 at the college, but to the youth editing on a 2-3 inch screen and not having access to the multitude of sounds available in software programs such as Logic, FL Studio, Cubase and Reason seem a nice novelty but ultimately time consuming and pointless.

I agree with Kil that touching the MPC pads is far more intuitive and musical than mouse clicks, but with the new range of controllers available you can have the touch with the bonus of software editing and arranging. Not to mention the fraction of the expense incurred for the young. There is always the "you just can't get that feel" or "you can't get that sound" argument, which is often right, however you can't do anything if you cant afford the gear! There are so many talented young musicians who now have access to software enabling them to make excellent music rather than the expensive hardware necessary in the past. Their taste in music and approach to production is perhaps not as puritan as the producers of the past and present, however they are the future of music production and will be the big names in times to come. As a teacher, I find it exciting to hear such good music coming from people so young.

Check out this video of some of my (now ex) students and a talented young man called Pepstar working in the studio using Logic and an Akai MPD controller to produce a track on the fly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

Patrick Scientific — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:15:16 -0000

I remember "Yo! MTV Raps." You are correct. Music videos and MTV were
other ways to get your music to the masses. At one time it was only
radio but with these new mediums more artists could shine on a
nationwide platform without needing or getting radio airplay. This
aided in "Hip Hop artists not needing radio to sell units!" MTV gets
some credit in this. Good post DJ Mr-Doc.

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Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

DJ Mr-Doc — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:43:59 -0000

Yes that is correct they did not get any radio play, but most hip hop did not get radio play. There was not one rap or hiphop song in the top 100 billboard chart for that year (1988). The thing that people do forget was that was also the year that Yo! Mtv Raps premiered and NWA was front and center. I mean they even had an episode out in compton which, if I remember correctly, was when they were recording the straight out of compton video. From that they got really popular, and also because it was a whole new trend, from the east coast party rappers, or the native tongue, heres a whole new dynamic....gangstas.

Re: Episode 6 – DJ Competitions

Patrick Scientific — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 07:45:10 -0000

I have a lot of the VHS Tapes myself. What those DJs do is crazy? I
can't even imagine preparing for a battle with people from all over
the globe. I might have a clue what the guy across the street is going
to do but I'd be wondering what the guys from Russia, England, Spain,
France and Switzerland are going to do! Thanks for your comment.

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Re: Episode 6 – DJ Competitions

Ronnie Don — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:53:39 -0000

Pat I totally agree. I have watch a few of the battle U.S. and World Wide. Having to battle another dj from the otherside of the planet aint like the dude from accross the street. Im sure watching past battles and studying styles to win this was not something to pass by. So yea beating the best of the best and the best worldwide you should get that title if you pull it off.

Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

Patrick Scientific — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:47:23 -0000

This is also true. Good point!

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Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

DJ Ykcor — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:53:25 -0000

Oh and let's also not forget there is a bunch of Artist ON the Radio and still NOT Selling... Yea, they booking a lot of shows but ain't selling no records...

Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

Patrick Scientific — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:04:03 -0000

You have a point. The Internet and Internet Radio (as opposed to FM
Radio which was the medium that the post was talking about) is another
tool used to sell records today. In todays times, people have been
signed by hype from MySpace and Facebook. They are virtual gold
(500000 listeners without selling a song) already without radio. The
next step would be just selling music and touring. The radio play
they get can help with tours and selling even more music. This works
well for indy artists. N.W.A. were indy artists at one time. Think
about it. Very good post Ykcor!

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Re: Episode 7 – Gold without radio play

DJ Ykcor — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:34:40 -0000

These days the Internet is bigger then Radio but at the same time, Radio still remains important! But you gotta start someone and Radio don't support indy's like they use to so that why the Internet is just as important if not more because you have to get your buzz up in order to sell and Radio will only keep that alive AFTER you have done it on the Internet and in the Streets.

Re: Episode 1 – Technology advancements

Patrick Scientific — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:24:01 -0000

MrKay7: I feel you on that. It is always good to go to an all vinyl
event when they happen. Some of the new DJs are left out but that is
where they get to see where things came from and then they can respect
and possibly understand the old school DJs when they talk about what
they did back in the day! They might even understand why old school
DJs call it cheating. Technology doesn't go backwards but every once
in a while it is good to see where DJing came from to appreciate where
it is now. Great post.

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Re: Episode 2 – Sampleing Laws

Mrkay7 — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:18:08 -0000

i remember the biz case..that took alot of steam out of his career and helped to bring the downfall of cold chillin' records being distributed by warner bros..alot of the artists that were being sampled didn't think that rap was going to be around for a long time and didn't know how much you could make from samples..they charged small fees back then..now people charge thousands and want publishing.(most of the old artists don't own their publishing)..i know for a fact that dudes like prince wanted 50% of the publishing..this forced cats to stop sampling and learn to play keyboard ..producers that don't sample see bigger publishing checks

Re: Episode 1 – Technology advancements

Mrkay7 — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:02:52 -0000

i'm not really liking this new fangled stuff..it's like cheating to me..i miss seeing the dj dig in the crates to find a record.i like hearing the pops in the record and seeing where the groove was worn out from the cutting and scratching..i understand the economics of it and the advancement but i love the old school..some of these cats use bpm counters to do blends ..no bueno

Re: Episode 5 – End of 1st Generation Of Hip Hop

Patrick Scientific — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:15:05 -0000

I hear you Kinny. However you can't blame the youth for not knowing. You can only explain to them that what they are doing was done 25 years ago... LOL! They are not even trying to be retro. If they don't listen then you can blame them but we have to show them though. *GRIN* Thanks for the post!

Re: Episode 5 – End of 1st Generation Of Hip Hop

Kinny Mack — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:13:19 -0000

I agree that this was a defining moment in Hip-Hop. I think it's important that this type of history be explained to the youth, because the elementary style that some of these rappers use right now are similar to those used the "old school" artists. It's important to know this history or it's like to repeat like it's doing now.

Re: Episode 1 – Technology advancements

Patrick Scientific — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:48:24 -0000

Type your reply...I can say that if you decide to make a commitment to seriously trying to learn to be a DJ then your equipment can't be cheap. No disrespect intended but I've never heard any DJ using ION equipment. It is not a cheap start up cost. Good turntables help your skills get better. You can get a cheaper mixer if necessary. Once this is done then you can go about finding someone to help you develop as a DJ. There are some instructional DVDs out there. DJ Shortee has one out there and it seems pretty good. Watching DMC contests (I have about 15 on VHS) are also a way to see everything you can possibly do with turntables and CDJs. If you feel like you don't want to continue then you can sell good equipment but I'm unsure if you can even give away cheap equipment. Consider Vinyl emulation software also... Its everywhere and many people us it. Good luck.

Re: Episode 1 – Technology advancements

Gerard Miller — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:27:03 -0000

Speaking as a young cat, I've always wanted to DJ, but felt like I needed an apprenticeship or mentorship from a real master. I'm a live musician, dancer and poet, and I carry that idea of stewardship into most of the work I get involved in. i love music, i LIVE music, but this is a whole other beast. i have a pair of cheap ION tables and a mixer i picked up at FYE and i've been trying my hand, but I feel like an idiot because i have no training. is there some Real DJ 101 thing, or is someone in the Bmore area willing to show me the ropes? pls hit me on FB, skype: yellowfeather17