Techno Blog

The Techno Blog is my mini-journal about Techno making tips, music marketing, techniques and much more.

It allows you to see when I think some pages deserve a special mention.

I also give rambles, small notes or things that catch my eye on my Internet wonders that you should know about.

The RSS feed is to the left of the screen under the link bar.

The bookmark and social buttons are at the bottom of the screen, just in case you want to tell everyone about it ;)

Hope you enjoy.

Techno music making made easy

Techno music making and you...it really is easy to do.

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Classical Dead?

I can not get the Final Fantasy 7 opening theme off my playlist. It's classical, so not techno...but it is still there. Why? because it is awesome, different and so listenable.

I wrote some time ago about classical music. Most people say its dead. I only say it is dead when you can not invent anything else for it.

I went over to Nobuo Uematsu's (the musician of Final Fantasy) site and found that he is now doing concerts around the US. It was only going to be a one off deal.

However he found that the tickets sold out in 3 days and people were mailing him for more dates. So out appeared these tours.

Doesn't seem like classical is dead, just the orchestras who do not want to move on, try something different and play what people want.

YouTube...TV

YouTube XL is YouTube on your TV. Youtube has already done this to a point with the Wii and PS3...but it was awkward, but it worked.

YouTube XL is a good and a bad idea. You can't comment and you can't have a recommended video- so making that interaction null and void (unsure if you can still rate it). However to view some movies (rights restriction) on a TV screen could work well with friends, groups and clubs. Hopefully the sounds and video quality will increase...but something bothers me.

The Internet is not really TV but someone somewhere is going to connect them together and then we will have tons of channels of even more crap..censored and advertised. That is what I am not looking forward to: the blatant adverts that will be on the movies, in your face and obtrusive.

I hope they don't follow most online videos where they stick on an advert before you see your video, I hate that, and I just close the thing down.

Time will tell to see if this works. I think if they play it right it could, especially if you can build specific channels say for up and coming musicians, artists, and short movie buffs.

But if it is just Youtube on a bigger screen...who cares about that?

Controversial post, but true.

Sometimes music is unfair and effects the wrong people.

Susan Boyle of the talent show fame is in hospital due to anxiety, stress and exhaustion. The public and media are now blaming the TV company for her predicament.

The problem is not really the TV company's fault (even though they could clearly see she wasn't the full ticket and guidelines should have stopped her competing- but she was great TV).

In truth and it is a hard truth for some, she got this way because of the public's obsession with rags-to-riches and stars. We caused the problem she is in, the TV and media just made available what we wanted. Check out her YouTube footage- 63 million views...And now she has to perform all the time with the same quality.

Many stars and many musicians just want to give up because of the public- it gets too intense, too much demand and just too much pressure to deliver every time.

If you want to make it, there will be a point where demand for your quality music will be intense- and you must deliver. Can you do that?

If you do it yourself, that's a bit better because you can release tracks and albums when you want. But if you are with a record company and signed an album deal- they want results. They want the music that made them sign you.

Can you deal with that?

FL Studio tips

There has been many an email asking about music tips for FL Studio. Well I have to admit I have not published any.

Why? Because the manual that comes with the software is a fine example of when a publisher actually thinks of the customer.

Also the website has many free videos to help. So don't buy secrets and tips or anything of that ilk until you check out the free resources available. That is probably the best tip for FL Studio.

A tune that won an Emmy.

Shirley Walker (RIP) was one of only a handful of female composers. She also spoke out about composers conditions.She worked closely with Danny Elfman, and conducted Batman (Tim burton version).

She then worked on cartoons and scored the popular The Adventures of Batman and Robin. A groundbreaking score that was well ahead of its time and gave Shirley an Emmy for her work. If you note the start in the music (0-0.05) it is a question which gets a reply that is moody. The question gets asked again and the answer is more optimistic. This is Batman.

Another great score, which I am personally listening to regularly is the Mask of the Phantasm theme, also done by Shirley:

When do you blank a voice?

Community sites, websites, books and emails all share one flaw...us.

Sometimes someone has a lot to say or they want to comment, so they write. Unfortunately it is full of mistakes. So that reduces that view's effectiveness.

I had an email today from someone wanting to unsubscribe from the Techno Battle Bunker. Even wanting to call the cops if I didn't do it. Bit extreme I thought, but why didn't they use the unsubscribe button as clearly indicated? Now did that lessen their emails power?

If you post a music piece and it has flaws, is it likely that you will be taken seriously especially when there are loads of artists out there? Even if there are glitches, out of sync loops...it all adds up to a piece that is attached to your name.

Unfortunately it occurs. I stopped the "submit a unsigned track" section because most were so rubbish that it just wasted time. Now I am not perfect, but if you want to get far, you should be making something that is 100% perfect and not just a free link back to your music.

A techno track...and how to make one.

In a really simple way, how do you make a techno track?

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New Song

Hi. I have just created a new song.

It can be heard through the link below which will open into a new window asking if you want to play it.

It is slightly different from my other tracks because there isn't that much rave in it...which is such a shame. Why have I gone down this route?

Because it is a collaboration track. I have created the ground work...so the track seems "empty" in some places...then my friends will add their own thing to it....then I will post that one as well.

It is a little harsh to the ears...

Oh, and if you want to know how it is done, I will make up a quick page today (I am listening to the Actraiser music at the minute) that gives you the main outlines.

Click for more info

When Does A Remix Not Become A Remix?

When it is played with some style:

This is not really a remix in my view but an updating of a classic tune- Wizball. It was how the original musician, Martin Galway, intended it to be. You can hear the emotion and you can see it on the musicians face that he likes the music he is playing.

Also note that there is no drums or "in your face" vocals.

Now if this musician released this version onto the C64 remix websites out there he would allow his music to work for him- to collect visitors to his site and thus allow people to listen to his original tunes and probably sell a few in time.

Unfortunately there is no link on the video page to a site and visitors can not really be too bothered to check out the "about me page" to hunt through text for a link.

Wolfram Alpha...What is the point?

It is slightly off topic, but could be internet changing down the line. Wolfram Alpha could be the new search engine. It gives you answers from questions you pose...very basically.

I see a few flaws.

1- Ask.com. Is useless.2- How will they rank sites. They need to be ranked some how. Because of so many a computer needs to do them first, and then a human double checks3- Are search engines that broke that another needs to come out providing a servicce that someone might want?4- How are they going to make money on this (they are not doing it for their health, they want money for something).

Unless it is really revolutionary...like something we haven't seen before I do not see the point of it. More Facebook and Technorati integration might possibly help- social media is the way.

Google solved a problem- quick, simple and very accurate search results. Will there be Wolfram SEO? What is Wolfram really solving?

What Is Podcasting...Who Are You Gonna Ask?

If you really want to know...ask a Ninja.

Now the YouTube special symphony has attracted between 300-900K of visitors, depending on which movie you like.

Now "Ask A Ninja" has got over 4 million views. Why? Because:

1- Its funny2- Its short3- He is not trying to promote anything in your face4- Its completely different5- There is little budget.

This makes it completely viral. I have already sent it to my friends and now I am posting it on here.

The cool thing is, the Ninja has been around since 2006, so the video should actually reduce in views, but it is not...it is snowballing and gathering momentum.

This is the Ninja explaining Podcasting :)

Increase downloads now.

By testing different ways to listen to music, there are three simple ways to increase downloads of your music.

I made the mistake of putting up a "listen to it" button...but that just lets people listen to my music right? Youtube is the same...just listen. Doesn't do a thing.

So put 3 links under your music titles.

1- Listen to this track2- Download my music3- Pass it onto a friend (an email form)

If someone has to install something, you lose them.

If someone has to go to another screen and jumps away from your main page, you lose them.

Obvious but in reality if it was we would be hearing good unsigned acts instead of poor record labeled ones.

What a professional international selling artist does to sell his music

Did anyone see the Digg video with Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails (NIN) front man? Check out the link, to see it.

Here are the main pointers (what we have been talking about on this site for what seems like years):

He states that he is off record lables and going solo. So that makes everything that they do is NIN property- it comes under them to do what they like.

He states that giving away music has made more people turn up to his concerts or buy merchandise.

Some record companies will not sign you up- so what do you do? Do it yourself.

Their research finds that if posed, 18% of people will buy your music. It might not sound great but if you are unknown they will and the band that he mentions is not the best known band, so try to over look that. However they still made more money than if they were labeled.

Different price points are a way to go, with adding value is a great asset.

Labels are dead.

Click for more info

Gigging electronically.

I had a great email from a Beginners Bible user. "For the laptop musician I would think gigging is hard, how do you go about it"

When people gig they do it many ways. There isn't really a one step process. Here are the fave ways to gig:

1- Record everything, play them at a gig. Have some softsynths set up and do some interludes.

2- Record just certain parts and fire them off when you need them.

3- Get Ableton Live, throw in your MP3s at home so they link with each other. Also throw in MP3s on the fly while the music is playing (this needs a certain amount of skill and is a DJ fave, majority of the times they have their files already set up though).

Those are the main ways. Because we do not play with live instruments and we depend upon electronics you need the laptop, so laptop musicians usually have a boring gig.

This is an occupational hazard, some musicians try to do something about it- like having dancers, their music linked to lights or pictures, live "special guest acts". If you look at the DJ market a lot of what they do is behind a deck- this is sometimes what people want to see, them doing something even if it is tweaking non-plugged in decks. Check out Tiesto on Youtube "Elements Of Life". He just jumps up and down and fiddles with thedecks- but he is not creating the music there and then.

What usually is a problem is that things go down- equipment failures, slow down, stalling etc. So making music on the go is a problem especially when some softsynths need the power of NASA to run- so some live shows are not really 100% live.

Usually it is a test to see which one you are comfortable with- some artists will create remixes just for gigs.

Test before you try.

Beats and Selling

I had an email today that made me think...a little bit more. Not really on how to do it but what people think.

The email went something like this: "I want to sell hip hops beats, where do I find international artists"

Now I am assuming they are thinking of stars rather than someone in Australia or Tibet.

My answer was quite simple, but I was thinking, do people really believe that an international star will pick up their music?

The problem comes is that no-one will touch an unknown. You have to be known to be further known...

Its like these true statements: money makes money, you will not get a top promotion or job unless you have proven yourself.

It is exactly the same in the music world. To get remixing jobs or to sell beats etc you need to have a proven track record that people will get similar success if they bought from you or hired you.

If you go on Clickbank you find loads of people selling beats. But they have no credentials so unsurprisingly they don't have a rocketing success- even though they have cool samples.

The Neptunes were selling their samples for thousands of dollars each. Because people wanted them, they wanted the Neptunes success.

It is the only reason.

Get yourself producing and get yourself known. Do collaborations with other artists. Release, release and release some more. Get people to want you and to find you.

It happens again

The blue screen of death hit me again. this time it was terminal. The hard drive was up the creak.

So I had to buy a new computer which was pain and now I have to learn Vista with its "are you sure you want to run this program" and "are you sure that you pressed yes to run the program"

argghhh!!!

So I have to download and install everything again. At least the computer is quicker, cheaper and bigger than the last one :)

Where to find Sony's free MP3 stash

Mainly computer game music, but hey, have you heard the new StreetFighter tunes- especially the remixed ones? Go on over to Youtube to review them.

Apart from Streetfighter, you can also grab Mirrors Edge, Linger In Shadows and quite a few more.

So where can you get them...for free?

Speed on over to the Playstation Store and you will find your MP3s there.

The guitar tips article base

Database of guitar tips and tricks articles.

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Do you want to be better than most musicians?

Sometimes we can always follow what everyone else says. Unfortunately buying all the latest gear or subscribing to the latest social site is not really going to get you anywhere.

That is where most musicians fail. They buy the latest kit and find out it is just not for them, then they can't afford something else.

So just released are the Music Newsletters.

The Music Marketing Round TableEverything you need to know about attracting fans and then getting them to buy your music. Not a weekly newsletter...just when something good comes up.

and then there is the

Techno Music Making Battle Bunker.Techno music making can be as easy or as hard or cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. But with guidance will your music become cool.

Check out the link for free signups and free ebooks.

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A rough week that can affect you

There comes a point in a mans life when you wish that computers were never invented.

Last week I had the blue screen of death, luckily Windows sorted it out, then I backed up my stuff...2 days later windows and everything wouldn't load up. Dell in their wisdom didn't supply installation discs and I dont have a 3.5 drive (microsoft website help became useless then). After 2 very long days I have finally got the thing to work- after buying XP...

However, some programs like Outlook have reset and bought programs don't recognize the sale.

So as a musician the first thing I would advise you to do is back up everything. Find install discs, find those little exe files and save them. Find out user names & passwords and save them.

As you start overworking the computer, installing and uninstalling files, using the net...the computer will freak out in time.

If you search the net this is a common problem (btw scan disk does nothing and don't get me started on recovery console, a reinstall of windows is the only way).

Save your work, regularly.

Apologies to people who have emailed, I am getting round to you :)

When Does A Game Tune Not Become A Game Tune?

When it is very different, when it has some good hooks, doesn't have to be complicated, and is really relistenable.

We have already talked about Bionic Commando Reworked becoming a great downloading success. Next:

Portal: Still Alive. The end music from (Orange Box) Portals. Now on Rockband.

Listen to the lyrics (written by Jonathan Coulton and sung by Ellen McLain). They are taunting the player:

"we do what we must because we can for the good of all of us except for the ones who are dead"

"I've experiments to run, there is research to be done on the people who are still alive"

"I feel FANTASTIC and I'm still alive While you are dying I'll be still alive and when you're dead I'll be still alive"

Awesome!

Here they come

It took their time, but eventually the marketers have released "recession proof money making ideas".

Now I dont know about you but I think this is hitting people when they are down. Giving you the impression that money making can be made over night with a website and someone elses product.

This is gross simplification by people who have left out key points. Like, knowing the writer of a certain book so they get a substantial discount on the resell- if there was ever one in the first place.

Dont be lured into these sites without finding out about the product. Dont forget affiliate links are littered in most "review" sites...funnily they always give the product a "highly recommended" or a "9/10"- gotta make it believable :)

Music selling is not too bad because for some reason people still have a disposable income at the present time, more so the teens to the twenties area. However they will become more selective and more choosy with their money. So keep on making good tracks to start with, then dont just give them a single/ album. Give them a package for the same price...overdeliver and you will beat everyone everytime.

How To Create A Facebook Event

If you want to interact with your newly found Facebook friends, creating an event is the way to go.

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Where does Tiesto get his influence from?

The easy and non complicated answer is from his friend and fellow DJ Ferry Corsten.

Tiesto follows and takes hints and tips from other DJs who are leading the way.

For example Ferry has recently started to use a bass line or a synth line that just follws a kick or is just before it...not in the middle like it has been in the past. Tiesto then has started to try the same sort of experiment.

Always try to use influences from people who are leading the crowd in the genre that you pick...BUT...always incorporate that into your own style...never ever ever copy the same music.

Social Update

It seems like there is alot going on in the social arena today.

First up we have Twitter, who are maybe thinking of charging about $1 per friend. So if you want to follow a friend or someone in particular you may have to pay for the privilege. This could be very niche and people will pay, or it is good bye Twitter...time will tell.

This occurs with many free services. They initially start being free...everyone jumps on, then the company realises it needs to make money. Search engines are a prime example. Then they look to moniterising the site...should really be the other way round. You should always know how you are going to pay for things.

Second we have MySpace looking towards a MySpace email program. Some people will ask why...and so will I. Gmail is just Hotmail pimped...nothing new, nothing that could separate the two, so if MySpace wants to go down that area it needs something to be different rather than a Gmail clone which is initself a Hotmail clone.

YouTube Muting Music

For those of you who have music attached to videos you might find a small problem with them today. Lovely Youtube is muting some videos.

Again in another step to "why do we think piracy is rapent" YouTube is muting videos which have copyrighted material attached to them.

Is it because of copyright, or is it because of Rumblefish being attached to YouTube and they want all the cash by giving you tracks for use?

This is one main thought because YouTube still hasn't taken down the vast number of copyrighted videos that it houses.

So check those videos.

Why do I get no responses from my emails?

I sometimes have the question: when I email my audience, I get nothing back...why?

Well an email that I had today might help. It was a "forward this email to your friends" type of email...it was from a person that put everyones address into the "send to" section...so now everyone knows each others adress...also it was an email stating how much money I would get if I pass it on. It was also the only email I have received from this person.

Now if this same emailer did it again would I open the email? No, I wouldn't...it would be deleated, even if it had the lottery numbers inside.

Sending out crap, or what your audience is not expecting when they initially joined is the one of the main reasons why emails don't get opened in the future. Stop sending out affiliate links as well...especially if they are disguised as Tiny url...If you "highly recommend" something, then show a demo of you using it.

Oh, and have a great subject that wants me to open the email as well. Having a Re: or a Hi! won't win any favors either.

Getting Vocals From And For Tracks

I had a great email asking how this was done, especially if you are not a singer. Here are 6 ways that producers do it.

1- Hire a vocalist. If you want certain words sung in a particular key then this is the only real route and they can usually be found in classified sections of music magazines. A usually unknown singer will do a session for top producers and sing phrases for that song and for other future songs so that their time is not wasted.

2- They rip them from tracks. This is very common, however also particularly hard because there is always something in the way, so you tend to find that they use 1970s and earlier to rip from as the sounds are usually panned to the left or right. So you would in effect mute the side which doesn't have the vocals on. If you go to here:

http://www.make-your-own-dance-and-techno-songs.com/free-dj-software.html

Download the ebook (its free) then hunt out the section for how to remove vocals.

The problem comes as well into copyright, so never sell anything unless you have permission to use the sounds.

3- They have access to the hard copies- so they have access to the vocals, drums, synths- all separate, because they have asked for permission or have been commissioned to do a remix.

4- They hunt around online for acapellas- just the vocals...there are plenty of sites that have them, fom commercial tracks to unknowns.

5- They hunt around for sound on TV, radio and record from there.

6- They hunt around on the Internet for vocal samples- just make sure that the vocal is actually saying what it is supposed to be saying.

How We Can Ruin Social Media

Most social media sites out there are run on one simple basis- the more people who click on your link the higher you will go in the chart.

This then gives people a dilemma, do you increase the amount of stories or do you increase the amount of clicks on your link.

Most people do not want to increase the amount of stories or music. This is a fact, they see crap getting onto front pages so why should they bother giving out good content...they feel robbed. Also people are time concious- anything quicker and easier will win. So they increase the traffic to the link.

With this in mind, if you have good traffic strategies, then you will beat most people to the frontpage. This is what is happening now, especially with Digg, and Power Diggs. However in time most people will resort to powering their way to the frontpage and then Digg will become a marketing frontpage with get rich quick ads everywhere. People then will go for something else.

I have noticed this with MySpace especially with the rush to grab as many friends as possible- it just doesn't add to the community anymore. "Hi, click on my link" just drives me nuts.

So do you stop using the community sites? No, not just yet, have those little links at the bottom of each of your pages but ultimately...KEEP IT REAL! Get a relationship with your fans treat them like fans rather than gold mines- taking but not putting anything back. Then nothing will beat you.