So you want to be a music producer and make beats? You are probably starting from scratch. That’s not a problem.

The first things you need to figure out is whether you are going to buy hardware, such as the Akai MPC 300, or you are going to use your Windows or Apple PC. For many home-based producers, using the PC you have in your home is one of the easiest ways to get started. While die-hard Apple computer users will tell you that a Mac is the best platform to record on, you can have equal results/success using your Windows-based PC as well. Fortunately, software such as Pro Tools made the leap from Apple to Windows platform a few years back.

Providing your computer is modern (3 years or less), you most likely have the minimum specifications to run a music production software or digital audio workstation (DAW). But there are a few things you should be aware of. As a producer, sound quality is going to be a constant struggle with using your computer. Look at it this way, your computer’s sound card is probably not magnetically shielded. This means if you plug in a microphone to the back of your computer, there is a good potential for line interference. This means your recordings can come out distorted or have a mechanical hum or hiss.

The first thing you will want to look for is a pro audio sound card. If you are familiar with how to upgrade computers, you can look for an internal sound card that can be installed into your PC’s motherboard. If that sounds like a foreign language to you, fortunately, there are many external sound cards that only require a Fire Wire or USB connection. Aside from better signal quality for your recordings, many pro audio sound cards have multiple inputs. For example, a stock sound card only has one mono input for a microphone. A high-end sound card will have two or more channels of audio and accept connections like XLR (standard connections for Professional Microphones) and 1/4 inch (standard connection for most instruments).

Having multiple inputs means multiple recording sources simultaneously. This is called multi-tracking. Many DAW’s will allow for you to record each microphone/instrument on it’s own channel. This means you can adjust levels and add effects to the sounds independently. Learning how to record using your sound card and DAW is a major stepping stone on the road to becoming the next super music producer.

Article Source: http://www.platinumsoundsets.com

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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Music business jargon got you down? Trying to make a name for yourself in the music industry but just not sure what the heck everyone is talking about? Don’t know your tech specs from your elbow? Fear not! Stop trying to bluff your way through and start learning your music biz vocab – you’ll be impressing your friends in no time!

Talking the Industry Talk

If you’re trying to get started in the music business, it can sound like everyone is speaking a different language, with all of their demos, promos, one sheets and whozits and whatzits. Don’t know the lingo? Don’t sweat it! These basic music industry terms will give you all of the vocab you need to talk like an old hat music biz pro.

Agent – Someone who liaises with promoters and venues to book gigs for bands. (Sometimes people use the term “agent” when they really mean “manager” – careful!)

Big Four Record Labels – Major record labels.

Demo – A sample recording of a band’s music. Often rough recordings or early versions of “songs in progress.”

Digital Distribution – Distribution of music online, i.e., downloads.

Digipack – A type of CD case that looks like a book instead of a plastic case.

The outside is made of paper and the CD sits in a tray inside that is attached to the paper.

Door Split – A type of payment deal for a live performance, in which the band and promoter agree to split the proceeds for the show, after the promoter has recouped their costs.

Gatefold Sleeve – Vinyl album sleeve that folds out in three sections. Usually used for double LPs or for special artwork. Sometimes the gatefold format is used in smaller format for digipack CD cases.

Indie Labels – Self funded labels not tied to any major label/Big Four label.

Jewel Case – Traditional plastic CD case, also sometimes called a jewel box.

Longbox – The cardboard boxes that manufacturers and distributors send out CDs in – 25 to each longbox.

Manager – Essentially the business manager of a band. Duties vary wildly depending on the level of the band, but generally managers try to seek out new opportunities for the band while being the contact person for all other people (agents, promoters, labels, etc) dealing with the band.

Mechanical Royalties – Royalties paid to the songwriter per album pressed (or sold, depending on the deal). Also sometimes called “mechanicals.”

One Sheet – The info sheet for a release – can contain info about the band, the recording or anything else significant about the release. Also gives the release date. One sheets are used by labels and distributors to sell a new release. They get their name from the fact that they are (or at least they should be) one page long.

P.D.s – Also PDs. Short for “per diems,” which means “per days.” This refers to the stipend paid daily to band members and crew on a tour (or sometimes when out of town for recording) for their personal expenses, such as food and drinks.

PR – Technically means “press relations” but is also used in a slang way to refer to a person who works in press relations. PR is also known as “publicity.” PR companies/PR people are usually hired to work on a campaign basis to promote a new album, single or tour. Some PR people only promote to print media, some only to websites, some only to TV and some to a combination of mediums. Some PR people also work in radio plugging, but often radio is treated as a separate entity.

Performing Rights Royalties – Royalties paid to a songwriter when a song they have written is performed.

Playlist – The list of songs played by a radio station. For some radio stations, the playlist is up to the DJ. Other radio stations have set playlists of songs that have to be played. Often these radio stations have tiered playlists, such as A list, B list and so on, that dictate how many times a day a song has to be played.

Promo – A promotional copy of a recording, different from a demo in that it is usually a finished version of the recording. Promos can be complete copies of an album complete with artwork or they can be CDs in cardboard or plastic sleeves.

Promo Package – A package used to promote music, including a promo CD and any appropriate press releases, one sheets, photos and other information. Also known as press kit or press pack.

Promoter – Someone who promotes live performances for bands. (Sometimes people refer to PR companies and publicists as promoters – careful!)

Publishing – Essentially another level of copyright control for songs, publishing deals simply put a person in charge of making sure the appropriate amount of royalties are collected for a song, in exchange for a portion of those royalties and some rights to the song. Most publishers go further than that and actively try to place songs in revenue generating positions, like advertisements or with other artists for cover version, etc.

Radio Plugger – Also sometimes simply known as a plugger, radio pluggers promote releases to radio. Pluggers usually work with specific singles and go around to radio station playlist meetings, playing the singles they are representing and trying to get them placed on a playlist. In some cases, pluggers may work with full albums, letting the stations themselves decide what the single is.

Session Musician – A musician who contributes to a recording or a live performance but is not actually a full time member of the band.

Sound Engineer – Generally, the person in charge of making the sound for a show work. There can be many different specific roles for a sound engineer.

Tech Spec – Short for “technical specifications.” A venue or promoter usually asks for a tech spec so they can set up the stage properly for a band and ensure all of the bands technical needs can be met.

Tour Manager – Tour managers take charge of the details of a tour. They travel with the band and do all of the jobs like checking into hotels, liaising with promoters, and generally trying to make things go as smoothly as possible. Also sometimes called a road manager.

Tour Support – Money paid out to cover the costs of a tour, usually by a record label.

Tray – The plastic part of a jewel case or digipack that the CD sits in – the part with the teeth.

Tray Card – The part of the album artwork that sits behind the tray and is seen when you look at the back of the CD case.

Article Source: http://musicians.about.com, Written by Heather McDonald

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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