Hydrosonics-JH “Home Bass”
March 17, 2008
Name: JH
Age: 22
Representing: Virginia
Side hustle until first placement:Network Administrator
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/jhaudio
Key Tracks: “Take Me Home,” “Father Forgive Me”
When did you first start producing and with what equipment?
I started when I was around 14 or 15 with this computer program called Hammerhead Rhythm Station. It was like an emulation of a Roland 909.
How would you describe your sound?
My sound has been described as organic soul. I would definitely say it’s organic. I usually build the drum tracks ‘inside the box’ and then my guitar player, Chris Conner, will typically lay down a live bass and guitar tack. If I add synths, I try to use things that are as realistic sounding as possible just to keep the raw vibe to it. I listen to a wide range of music so when I sit down to make a beat I don’t go in with the intention to make any certain genre. All I want to do is make music that I can enjoy myself and if other people happen to like it, that’s just an added bonus.
What was the last piece of equipment you acquired? Are you more software, hardware or instruments?The last thing I bought was an M-Audio Keystation, recommended by my friend QDIII back when I was trying to move away from using samples. The setup we use pretty much incorporates software, hardware, and live instruments. I do most of the drum programming with software. The live instruments are recorded through a hardware setup. I use several VSTi’s for strings, pianos, trumpets, etc. In the end, everything is sequenced using software. Nothing is really off limits as long as it sounds good.
What mistakes have you made in recording that you’ve learned from?
Trying to over process and clean live guitar and bass tracks. I’ve found its best to leave the little blemishes rather than to process the recording 500 times, because in the end you lose the feeling and soul of it all. I’ts best to be close to the sound you want before recording, rather than trying to achieve it after the fact.
What artist would you like to make a beat for the most and why?
I would love to do a track for Obie Trice. I think he is one of the most talented artists out there today. I don’t think he gets the respect he deserves though.
Who are you currently making beats for/current projects?
Currently, I’m working on some new music with Spot. After we did the song ‘Take Me Home’ it was obvious to both of us I think how well our sounds meshed. His song writing abilities are crazy. He’s definitely an artist to check up on if you haven’t already. I’ve also got something in the works with Rich Hil. He’s extremely talented and the style of music he’s doing really can’t be defined, it’s just great music. That’s what I love most about his stuff though.
Think you got heat? Email an MP3 of your best beat to hydrosonics@nodfactor.com
Note: Submission will automatically add you to Nodfactor.com’s mailing list.
Off The Books:Producer Wendell Hanes makes “30 Grand in 30 Seconds”
March 17, 2008
Record industry in a slump? There is more than one way to skin a beat. At least that is what award winning producer and composer Wendell Hanes says in his up-coming book, The 30-30 Career:Making 30 Grand in 30 Seconds-Producing Music for Commercials!
Hanes has made a living scoring over 500 commercials, promos and show themes in his decade long career, including the well-known “Birth of The Scratch” spot for Heineken. He has worked with every major advertising client you can imagine, from McDonald’s and Pepsi to Mercedes Benz and Nike.
His new company VOLITION SOUND BRANDING creates sound for film and television, and is extending its brand with the book. The two volume set is the most up to date “how to” resource in music composition for the advertising industry, featuring commentary from some of the top names in the game.
“Don’t just wait on the record industry to make money with your music,” advises Hanes.
“Get some of this advertising money and in the process, turn yourself and your company into a brand. The 30 30 Series will show you how.”
The 30-30 Career: Making 30 Grand in 30 Seconds-Producing Music For Commercials will be available April 29th on AuthorHouse Publishing .
Tempted to Touch: Fondle your iPod with Mixmeister Scratch
March 14, 2008
Cumberland, R.I
– Now DJs can rub one out on the go. MixMeister, the world’s leading developer of software products for the DJ market, announces MixMeister Scratch – the first DJ scratch tool for Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone.
Unlike ordinary iPod song play back, MixMiester Scratch let’s users perform a scratch anywhere, anytime – even right on top of any song in their iPod Touch or iPhone.
Users can easily choose from a list of included vinyl scratch sounds and start scratching. Users can scratch on top of their favorite tracks by selecting music to play from their iPod or iPhone. Then they can load MixMeister Scratch while the music plays and can scratch on top of the music and adjust volume of the music in real-time using the touch interface.
MixMeister Scratch - the original DJ machine for iPhone and iPod Touch.
MixMeister Scratch will be a free download available in Q2-2008. Additional information is available from http://www.mixmeister.com/scratch
Does this get the thumbs up or the finger? Let us know in the comments section.
Nike, Rane and Serato make exclusive Air Force 1
March 10, 2008
As part of the Air Force 1’s silver anniversary, Nike collaborated with cutting-edge partners Rane and Serato to create a special edition AF1 and White Scratch LIVE package. The only problem? You can’t buy it!
For the past 25 years the Air Force 1 has made a journey from an innovative performance product to a hip-hop icon. In recognition of this, Rane and Serato have worked with Nike to produce the truly innovative Scratch LIVE package for the digital-age hip-hop DJ.
Popular Japanese company Head-Porter was approached to create a custom-made bag for transporting a laptop, the Scratch LIVE units and accessories. Constructed from white ballistic nylon, the bag features the Nike pivot logo which references the iconic sole detail of the AF1. To complete the pack, the commemorative White/White AF1 shoe sports the Scratch LIVE logo and incorporates the same white ballistic nylon used for the bag.
A limited number of Air Force 1 and Scratch LIVE packages were created for leading DJs around the globe. Unfortunately, none of these packages are available for purchase. Anybody seen it on Ebay?
King Me
March 7, 2008
In my former life as Editor of Scratch magazine I picked an up-and-coming producer out of a box of hundreds that I thought was illmatic. His name was King Karnov. It’s taken about three years and a lot of politics but my man has his first official joint for Freddie Foxx, “Dream Catcher,” being spun by DJ PRemier on Sirius Satellite radio. “You opened the door for me and I appreciate it, I definitely learned a lot, ” says Karnov. “If I had to do it again I would do it the same way. I learned a lot about the business. It’s a lot more than doing a beat and sending it out. You gotta track out everything, separate the drums…there’s a lot more to it.”
Karnov is also working on Aftermath Artist Bishop Lamont’s debut CD, a track called “You Ain’t Fresh.” “I have one version where I replayed all the instruments, but I think he’s gonna use the sample version. Once I get the paperwork done I’ll tell you which sample.”
Think you’ve got heat? Email an MP3 of your best beat to hydrosonics@nodfactor.com
Made You Look: Blind DJ Uses Serato
March 5, 2008
In an up-coming issue of GIANT magazine, Philly’s DJ Touchtone explains how he uses Serato, the popular mixing software, to rock parties even though he is blind.
“We put all the folders together in alphabetical order and I create crates inside Serato,” he tells the mag. “For example, I have a radio crate and a dirty south crate. I hit Tab-R on the keyboard for “radio” or Tab-D for “dirty south” and just scroll up and down inside those crates. That’s the uniqueness of it all. It’s based on memory and me knowing my way around the keyboard and my crates.”
The popular radio and club DJ has been a staple on Philadelphia radio for over a decade and plans to add producing to his repertoire. “I may not have 20/20 vision but I have 20/20 hearing,” he says confidently.
Web heads can tune in to hear him on Philly’s 100.3 The Beat (www.1003thebeatphilly.com) Monday thru Friday from 6 to 10pm with the Goodfellas and by himself on Saturday’s from 6pm to 9pm. However, if you want to hear Tone live, check him in Philly on Tuesday nights at Transit and Friday night at Palmers.
The Away Team will eat your food…
March 5, 2008
Producer Khrysis and MC Sean Boog, collectively known as The Away Team, dropped their sophomore album, Training Day. The first single and video “Greedy” is already spreading like a dirty rumor across the web, so I got them on the phone to re-introduce themselves to my people and talk a little bit about twisting knobs until they squeal just right.
5000 Whats???: AKAI’s Latest MPC
March 5, 2008
Six years after dropping the MPC 4000 and months after the portable MPC 500, AKAI Professional has unleashed a new beast. Featuring a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator and a new larger (240 x 128 display) the MPC 5000 is the most advanced of the legendary MPC production tools.
In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory - expandable up to 192MB. The display is twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000 so waveforms appear crystal-clear. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. The MPC5000 is also the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. A turntable preamp is also included.
The MPC5000’s virtual analog synth eliminates need for external analog synth modules or buggy software based synthesizers. The new 8-track direct to disk recorder lets you produce your whole song in the MPC and then mix it down with the internal sequenced programs and any input thru material. Add the optional CD/DVD drive and you can then burn an audio or data CD or your mix. Over 650MB of premium-quality sounds from Loopmasters are included to get you up and running with pro-quality production in seconds.
For more info visit http://www.akaipro.com
Smirnoff gets “Criminal Minded” with DJ Premier and KRS-One
March 5, 2008
NEW YORK, In February the makers of Smirnoff vodka launched an exciting new Smirnoff Signature Mix Series, a campaign pairing three acclaimed rappers with contemporary beat- maestros to create new versions of iconic hip-hop songs. Nationally renowned artists Common, Q-Tip, and KRS-One are joining musical forces with Just Blaze, Cool & Dre, and DJ Premier to remix Common’s “The Light,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight,” and Boogie Down Productions’ seminal “Criminal Minded.”
Each artist/producer pairing represents a Smirnoff mixed drink made by blending one of the best-selling Smirnoff flavored vodka products with a popular mixer. “The Southside,” made with Smirnoff Green Apple flavored vodka and cranberry juice, is the inspiration for Common and Just Blaze’s collaboration. “The Blueberry Abstract,” made with Smirnoff Blueberry flavored vodka and lemonade, is linked to the partnership between Q-Tip and Cool & Dre. “The Cypha,” an exciting blend of Smirnoff Raspberry flavored vodka and pineapple juice, represents the collaboration between KRS-One and DJ Premier.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to revisit one of my signature songs and give it a breath of fresh air,” said KRS-One. “I’m grateful to Smirnoff for providing the opportunity to work with such great talent on such a ground- breaking idea and recreate hip-hop songs.”
Things Fall Together: The Roots preview new album, Rising Down
March 5, 2008
Last week ?uest Love and Black Thought packed a few lucky reporters into a room at Battery Studios in NYC to hear The Roots new CD, Rising Down.
Talib Kweli, DJ J.Period and Tracey Moore of the Jazzyfatnastees (looking fine as haail) stopped by and seemed as anxious to hear the music as anyone else. An always affable host, ?uest provided “quiff” notes (perves, stand down) for the class to follow along. Anyone familiar with The Roots knows about their famous liner notes (why don’t more groups do that?) so believe the ones for RD will be extensive.
As for the music, I liken it to having ‘88 swagger with ‘08 bling; it’s a diamond rope chain, but not gaudy. Full, imposing, yet polished. The fifteen or so tracks are bookended by throwback audio of the groups days at Geffen and it sets a dark, confrontational tone. Cameos abound with Mos Def, Styles P, Common, Talib, Saigon and several others sparring with Thought and company.
Chrisette Michelle lends her crystalline vocals to the bright and percussive “Rising Up,” my overall favorite. Immediately following it however is my least favorite song, and of course the first official single, “Birthday Girl.” Why don’t I like it? It sounds like “The Seed 2.5″and I while that is probably their biggest single to date in terms of sales, I did…not…like…that…song…at…all…I remember standing in a crowd at either the Knitting Factory or Irving Plaza, arms folded, ice grilling the stage until that song was over…ugh. Anyway, the title track, “Get Busy” (which is a brawl in a bottle, break in case of emergency) and “The Show” more than make up for my lack of open-mindedness.
In short, this feels like Things Fall Apart’s cousin that came out of jail with a Masters Degree; A positive outcome of unnecessary struggles. Make sure to go out and cop Rising Down on April 29th!
Tracklisting:
1. The Pow Wow
2. Rising Down -featuring Mos Def and Styles P
3. Get Busy -featuring Dice Raw and Scratches by DJ Jazzy Jeff
4.@15
5. 75 Bars(Blacks Reconstruction)
6. (Up There)
7. Criminal-f Truck North
8. I Will Not Apologize- featuring Porn and Dice Raw
9. I Can’t Help It-featuring Malik B.
10. Singing Man-featuring Porn and Truck North
11. (Up There…Unwritten)
12. Lost Desire-featuring Talib Kweli
13.The Show-featuring Common
14. Rising Up-featuring WALE and Chrisette Michelle
15. Birthday Girl-featuring Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy