XPRTNovice

Unfortunately I can only bitch. I've been working too many hours to bother working out most days, and I've actually ended up getting sick on average once every two weeks since November. I'm attributing it mostly to stress. But hopefully soon I'll be makign a transition that will cut my work time and I can get back into the swing of it. I still parkour every Sunday though!

Guys, I've started trying to transition out of my day job and into a fully independent entrepreneur career. I've mostly been working from 7AM until 9PM every single day and haven't had the time I need to work on this. I'm going to try and free up some time to update, but I wanted to let you know where I stand.

I give you the emu.

Let me get you a real birthday cake, Ecto.

[M-M-M-M-M-M-M-OOOOD REVVIIIEEEWWW] Okay, so, if you know me at all, you know that this totally reaches me from a musical perspective. I'm a jazzer, and having more jazz on this site really excites me. It also means I'm listening really hard I think the bass might be a bit too out in front (I know you made changes to it earlier, though the problem is inconsistent. I'll talk a bit later about the stereo-wideness of the rest of it. Part of the problem COULD be that the bass is the only thing in the mix that's close to dead center. Perhaps a TOUCH of compression to even it out might be nice; it seems when the bass gets enthusiastic, it squashes the piano, but otherwise it fits decently. The guitar that comes in at 1:20ish is good, though I'm not sure if I agree stylistically with the double hard panning of the track. I can't say I'd ding you for it, but I'm not sure it fits the club/combo setting you're going for here. Take a listen to some similar tracks of live groups and really listen to the stereo field. You don't HAVE to mimic what's already been done, obviously, but it's a suggestion If I were doing it, I'd put it in its own very distinct space, and I might even move the piano around a bit so it wasn't so much in both ears. As it is, the piano and guitar feel like they're either competing, or combining in a way that makes them sound like a totally different instrument. That works in some settings - here I think it's a bit confusing. I want to hear both keys and guitar distinctly. The vibe solo is quite nicely done. On listening to it a second time I picked up what I think might be some clipping starting at 2:29 when you get those really big piano hits. I'm not 100% sure it's in there, but go back and look at your levels during that build. I feel like I might hear some more around 3:56. It's VERY slight, but therefore easily corrected. Musically, this piece is on point and I love it. My biggest complaint is definitely the position the piano and guitar have in the mix in relation to each other. It makes the bass feel like it's right in the middle of my forehead among other effects. Aside from that, I might actually consider putting in some drums, but that's a style choice that is entirely up to you. Nice ending! [/MOD REVIEW]

Hey there. First, sorry it took me so long to get to this. I'd make excuses, but I'd rather just get to my thoughts. I actually kind of enjoyed the synth pad at the beginning, and how it built up over time. I was ready for everything to come in right when it did. The boom-a-chuck-a with the piano solo in the beginning is nice. I might automate the volume on the countermelody synth that starts at 1:29, as when it reaches certain parts of its cycle it gets a bit overbearing, and then it sort of fades away. I like the effect, but maybe it could be less dramatic. When it reaches the loudest part of its cycle, it's REALLY loud. The drums that come in at 1:56 are really cool, but the volume of that synth gets wonky again around the same time. Like I said, I like the effect of it going in and out, but it's a bit intense as it is right now, in my opinion. You should absolutely finish this. And I'm not sure you should call it techno But that's subjective. Other than what I've said above, I don't hear any big problems in the arrangement or in the mixing. I'm curious see where you're going with it. I know where I would take it, but I'm not telling

I GIVE YOU ALL the HAPPIES

happies!!!!

I, on the other hand, have entered a new era of working 16 hours a day. I put in a request from my day job to go part time, but that may not occur for a while...right now, I'm getting sick just about every other week because my body can't handle the stress. Hopefully this will get resolved soon I had hoped to really hit the ground running but life has proven determined to interfere.

Celebrations and congratulations and yaay!

I've used Lenntek earbuds for years and I love them. They're awesome for working out, great sound, and they stay in my ears. They're also really tough to tangle, and when one of the ears went out 3 years after I bought them, Lenntek sent me a brand new pair for free. It's been long enough, though, that I don't remember the model exactly. sorry! EDIT: This was assuming a non-studio application. For studio application, specifically mixing, I recommend Beyerdynamic DT880s.

Yay Vig! congrats.

Here's what I did to solve the problem: From the receiver, I plugged in a stereo splitter (single 1/4" mono went to 2x1/4"). Then I plugged in the reverse, so that it went back down to a single mono out. Then I plugged a 1/4 adapter onto the headphones and plugged them in. It's convoluted as shit, but it works. Thanks for all the suggestions.

It's a high quality observation system for students of clinical psychology. It's a favor for a friend (this isn't my field). I need a way to wirelessly output high-quality audio to an observer not in the same room, and I need it to be portable and small. So in one room you have a session going on (consented by the patient to be recorded/observed) and in another room somewhere close by you have a student listening wirelessly.

Happy Birthday!

I definitely already have one of these hooked up to the headphones, as the receiver outputs at 1/4" and the headphones are 3.5mm. Is it possible I am using the wrong type of adapter to do this?

Hey guys, I'm having an issue with a sound system I am trying to set up. I am using the H2N zoom mic (via line out) that goes to the WMS40 wireless transmitter/receiver. When I plug headphones into the back of the receiver, sound only comes out my left ear. I know the receiver is the issue because I've tested several configurations with different inputs and headphones, and when the WMS40 gets involved all of a sudden I only get output on the left ear. I called AKG support and they said that the WMS only outputs in mono. That's fine, I don't care about the L/R balance in this instance. I just want sound to come out of both ears of my headphones. Is there an adapter that will take the signal and duplicate L/R so that I get the mono, but I get it in both of my freaking ears? Barring that, is there a wireless system that WILL allow me to do this? I'm tearing out my hair, here.

Point-and-click heaven on Gog.com!

happy birthdays!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone! And I want that cake.

Have a happy!

Hit me up. At the very least I can give you a cut or two and if you don't like it, don't use it. It only takes a few minutes to lay down. But, just out of curiosity: Is it the only thing you -can- do or the only thing you're -willing- to do? I don't know you as a musician, but when you say you'll be selling it worldwide, you make it seem like you stand to make a good amount of money off the album because you have an established following. In which case...why "can't" you? But if you're selling the album for .99 and you don't expect more than 10 people to buy it (but they happen to be worldwide) I can understand that. I've done plenty of free tracks for commercial albums, and if the album takes off the artist always ends up tossing me some money out of appreciation for donating my time, which is nice.

Why waste your time practicing on scripts? Go to Elance or one voices.com or voice123.com and submit auditions. Practice that way - at least you might make some money. If you're looking for scripts for demo reels though, just google demo scripts.

Tommy Tallarico commented on this at a panel at MAG - he runs a site where, if you join, you can get contract templates for nearly every audio project. I can't access it from the computer I am on right now but let me know if it's helpful.

Yeah, unfortunately, like any business, your ability to network and interact without people wanting to kill you is important. Most clients, though, are very, very responsive and generally don't waste my time. 5 star feedback isn't from ass kissing or client pandering, though, it's from a quick turnaround and a good product. Most of the time I barely communicate with clients. They give me direction, I give them the files, and that's that. If there are edits, they are typically minor. It's also impossible for them not to pay because of the escrow system, which is nice. I've had a couple of clients disappear without releasing payment after they got their files, and the voices.com team releases the funds for me when I present my case. Regarding a place to do low budget stuff, try Elance.com. It's filled with people trying to get $500 voiceover work for $10.50 and a sandwich.