MsTrisMusic.Com

Wishing all my fellow “born today- ers” a very safe and Happy Birthday!~

Good morning all!~ It’s 9:30 am EST, and I’m preparing for an early morning session. We usually start around 10:00 am. Yeah I know.. to early to blast some music, and you are feeling for the neighbors. No need to worry…. this is not an ordinary session. I am renting my studio to a hot producer, as well as teaching him how to use software. I don’t charge much, 1/2 price of the average recording session, and it works great for both of us.

There are tons of ways to make money while pressing on to that multi platinum production deal. Although we’d all like to do music just because we love to, I don’t see anything wrong with making a few dollars along the way. Especially when there is equipment to buy and software to upgrade.
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The Akai Mpc series is well known for the” swing” effect on the drum tracks. This technique was made popular by DJ Premier in the early 90’s. Since it’s arrival , adding swing is a must for classic Boom Bap type beats, a staple to East Coast hip hop. Many producers such as Pete Rock, J Dilla, and 9th Wonder continued to keep the swing factor heavy.

The basic theory is based upon a shift in certain elements of the rhythm. Professional drummers may call this a shuffle or stutter pattern. The Mpc has made this easy to do under the timing correct function, allowing the producer to adjust the percentage and amount of swing with a turn of the Data wheel. Fl Studio also has a few preset values to get you started.
For todays tutorial we’ll take a listen to a snippet of 9th Wonder’s production because he uses Fl Studio to achieve the classic swing feel.
Murs and 9th Wonder’s 3:16

There are many options and ways to do this in software. The concept is to “shift” elements of the drums left or right ( earlier or later) of the current time signature value. How much you shift the drums affects the amount of the swing.

I will start with a 4/4 pattern at 96 tempo. I add a kick, hat, and snare then make a basic hip hop pattern.

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What’s up to all my readers, producers, artist… Last week, I am admitting to the act of being a “cell phone ” shopper. I was running in the dollar store to pick up a sketch pad, (yes finally the graphics shall arrive )…. and my cell phone rings. As much as I don’t like folks who hold up lines, or drive slowly because of the cell phone..I was caught by temptation and kept on talking.

I know I’m not talking loud, and I made sure I kept it moving while browsing the aisles. When I arrived in the school supply section, I looked for the pencils first. In the middle of a sentence..(remember I’m still on the phone), I was blown away… A 12 pack of ” Sharpie” permanent markers $1.00 !~ No one could pass up a deal like that. It was my cue that I needed to label some cd’s, and clean up the hard drive soon. I picked up the sharpies, some pencils, and a new sketch pad.
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