Music Triper

'The Buzz' is something that happens a lot in a recording studio as one of the syndromes of recording. If you are setting up a recording studio and notice that there is white noise coming from somewhere in your equipment, you will want to make sure that you check some things out, reorganize your options and figure out where the buzz is coming from.



If you don't find the buzz, or white noise, that is taking place in the studio, it can cause problems with the recording. The white noise, like everything else in the studio, will automatically be recorded as part of the sound wave. While some of this can be taken out with a filter during the mixing process, the sound will not be as clear and can cause problems by the time you get to the mastering process.



If you hear a buzz, the first thing to check is the spacing of all the instruments. Often times, the cables or the amps will be too close to each other. The frequencies will begin bouncing off of each other and will cause the buzz to happen. You will want to move the instruments away from each other or will want to turn them in a different direction so that the frequencies don't hit.



Not only can that sound come from the instruments, but can also come from monitors. Your monitors, like the instruments, can create a buzz from the sound frequencies hitting the electrical part of the monitors and bouncing off. You will want to fix this by moving the monitors into a higher area or mounting them against the wall so that this doesn't happen. Crossing the monitors on both sides of the room so that they are far away from each other and give a complete sound will also help to prevent the white noise and will allow for a better sound to be heard.



Another check point for the buzz is with the cables that you are using. If a part of the cable comes loose or has some problems with the wires, it can easily start to create some extra noise. Cables that are crossing each other may also sometimes have this problem. If you want to make sure that you are stopping this type of noise from happening, get three prongs to plug into the amps and sound boards if possible. This is more stable than the single prongs and will prevent extra noises from slipping into the recording.



If you still hear the noise, you might want to check the sound board. Often times, the wrong levels on the mixing board can cause problems as well. If the volume is too high on one, for instance, it will cause feed back to occur in the rest of the room. Checking balances, frequencies, volume levels and trims on the mixing board may lead to preventing the background noises and allow the instrumentation to go into the software needed.



The setup of your studio as well as the way in which you proceed with your equipment should help you to get a handle on any of the extra noise that you hear. By checking all areas and keeping everything ordered in the right way, you should be able to prevent the extra buzzing sound from going into your recording.

The improvement of technology and the capabilities within digital music not only allows for different sounds and formats to be available, but is also creating a space where musicians can record for themselves. If you are ready to record, you can set up a space that works for what you need and start moving towards getting your sounds on CD. Following are some of the must haves in order to get your recording studio up and recording.



Software and a computer. There are a lot of options that are available with software, but you want to make sure that you have it. This is the brain center of your recording studio and will do more for you and your music than anything else. With your computer, also make sure that you have a lot of memory and power that can easily store and keep up with the recordings.



Foam. One of the most important parts of your recording studio is to make sure that it is sound proof. It's easy for your instruments or voices to bounce off the wall, causing an echo when you record. Recording foam will deaden the sound and allow you to record what you need without the bounce back. Keep in mind that, depending on the room size and the acoustics, you may not have to foam the entire room.



Mixer. In order to get the sounds from the instruments into the computer, this is your tool. Make sure that you have enough inputs and outputs to record all of the instruments that you want at once.



Pre-amps. If you really want some good sound, don't just plug your instruments into the mixer. Instead, you should get pre-amps into the mix. This will allow for instruments, such as guitars and basses, to keep their best sound, then go into the mix board. For example, if you want a bass to have a certain resonance, you can set it up on the pre-amp, without it changing the main sound of the guitar, as it would if they were both plugged into the mix board.



Monitors. You will need special speakers for after the recording in order to make sure that you have everything set together right. Monitors will help you to hear both the high and lows of your recording and make sure that it all blends together correctly. Some prefer headphones over monitors; however, if you choose this option, make sure that they are recording head phones, designed in the same way as monitors.



Microphone Equipment. It would be nice if you could just set up a regular microphone for recording, but it doesn't work that easily. You will need to get a recording microphone, which will catch all of the sounds from the voice on every side. Attached to the microphone should be a popper, which will stop the hard consonants from recording and muffling the recording. Compressor. This is an option for recording, but shouldn't be overlooked. This is specifically used for vocals, and allows the waves in the voice to not reach certain peaks. Instead, it is compressed to equal the rest of the waves. You can then adjust the voice to match the other instrumentation as you go.



Starting with this equipment will allow you to have the basic boosts that you need in order to cut your first recordings. Of course, you can always add in extra equipment, or take away other equipment, but with the above, you can get a good start to a basic and complete home recording studio.

With every turn of the knob on a mixer or mastering tool is also a certain application of acoustics with the recording. If you can grasp the acoustics of recording and how it works with the development of your particular sound, you will also have more capabilities in recording and how you are able to portray the audio sounds that you are creating.



Acoustics begins with the vibration of air, or in some instances, an electronic device. With natural acoustics, the air moves through a certain compartment, such as an instrument or the voice. The more the vibration of the air moves, the more sound it is able to create for the instrument. This is what leads to the sound waves, which are more re-creations of the vibration of air that is moving through the space that it is in.



The vibration of air is what causes various acoustics to respond in a given space. It is also the simple concept of air vibration that leads to specific ideals about how to set a recording studio in order to take in the right sounds to record. Understanding how to control acoustics becomes the basis for setting up a recording studio as well as the main concept in controlling sounds as they are recorded.



When a sound is made through an instrument, it has a variety of levels of air that it hits and causes to vibrate. At one level, we hear this as a note that is played through the sound. However, the acoustics can take on different capacities in producing different sounds that are not heard.



The first sound that is produced comes from the environment in which the sound is played. If the room is larger, has further ceilings and is spacious, the sound will bounce against the walls. This will cause the sound to move faster, become louder and to resonate throughout the area. For recording, this is why the walls are deadened and smaller spaces are created. If there is the echo effect in the song, it can begin to sound like the beats are off.



Another way in which acoustics change the sound is through resonance. This is when the vibration of the sound is heard, even when the note is no longer being sung or played. This resonance can continue to move as long as the vibration of air continues to hit the particular area. Most of the time, resonance will be a filtering off of the initial sound as the vibration of air continues to slow down. In recording, this resonance is also muffled through the sound proof rooms in order to create a clearer sound.



The last part of acoustic sounds is the concept of overtones. Even though we only hear one note that is being played or sung, this is not the only note that is in the air. Acoustics create a vibration of sound waves that continue to resonate and vibrate at different levels. These will be pitches that are created above the original pitch, with specific spacings in the pitch. While they are not heard, they still create an effect on the ear with the sound vibration that moves through the air. This also makes a difference in recording, as the overtones can create a different effect and can be recorded as a wave file. This may cause differences in peaks as well as basic sounds that are heard in the piece.



With the understanding of these acoustic ideas is also the ability to control it within the recording studio. Each of these areas are 'sound proofed' at certain levels. This is to allow the audio to move into the recording area as a pure wave file, which will then stop the acoustic sounds from muffling, echoing or changing the sound that is intended to be heard in the recording.



When defining acoustics and recording, there are a variety of perspectives to consider that relate to sound waves and how they work. By understanding these perspectives, you can create a recording area that is more conducive to muffle certain acoustics and to let others resonate through the air.

The digital age has not only led to revolutions in new software and capabilities, but also an entirely new set of sounds for instrumentation. For those who are familiar with music at all, they also know that it is no longer necessary to have live instruments to play everything or to have a person present. The computers have the capacity of substituting for any type of instrumentation you need. However, before deciding to digitalize everything, you should consider the differences between playing live or using a computer.



There are several sounds that are now becoming capable of taking the place for real instruments. MIDI was the first set of sounds that were produced which were the same as real instruments. The packages in MIDI were taken by recording live instruments on every note and turning them into a digital sound wave. As this particular type of package has evolved, so have the sounds and the ability to make the sounds seem more real and less electronic. Most MIDI packages are used only with Mac computers or as added on plug ins to what already exists.



The second type of digital effect is known as VST's, or Virtual Sound Technology. This is a generalized term that includes a wide variety of instrumentations, loops sounds and electronic effects that can be used in almost any software program. Like MIDI, VSTs take live instruments, copy the sounds and reproduce them using digital effects. The result is a wide variety of instruments, sounds and certain measures of general arrangements that can be used almost anywhere.



When you are recording, the question becomes whether to use the electronic capacities that are there or to move into recording live instruments. While the electronics progress, the sounds become better and somewhat capture what is being done. However, there are things to listen for and to familiarize yourself with before moving into using electronics.



The first part of the electronics that is missing from the picture is the idea of resonance. With live instruments, each note carries harmonics over it that can not be heard, as well as resonance from the strings and vibrations. The vibrations come from the strings or air hitting other air and hitting the sound. Because the MIDI and VST packages are digitalized, it will be missing this capacity and won't be able to carry this same vibration. This is one of the largest cons of VSTs. Even with the progressions in copying the sounds, it is impossible to find ones that add in the resonance of a real instrument.



If you have no choice but to use a VST or MIDI package, you will want to consider finding ones that can play as closely to the real instruments as possible. Many of the older versions of electronic sounds carry the electronic sound to them and sound like synthesizers or man made instruments. You won't want to use a package that doesn't have a resemblance to the real thing. Most musicians and listeners can still tell the difference. If you want your sounds to be electronic, than this will work fine. However, if you are trying to portray a real instrument, you want to make sure that it carries a sound that closely resembles the live instrument.



The major way in which you can tell whether the packages are resembling live instruments is in how you hear the instrument. You may want to compare how the packages sound to the real things. For instance, an electronic sound will sound muffled and will be closer sounding to a synthesizer than to an instrument. Unless this is the exact sound you are looking for, you will probably want to check into newer versions or updates that use better technology options.



No matter what you decide with the instrumentation to use for your recording, the most important thing to keep in mind is what you want the end sound to be like. This means that you should keep things in mind such as resonance, resemblance to the real instrument and the electronic equivalent of that instrument. While both can remain just as effective in your arrangement, it is the small differences in sound that make a difference in what is being played.

The entire process of recording a CD is based on one thing; balance. Whether you are recording, mixing, mastering or putting in the final touches, this is always the perspective that you will be using to piece everything together exactly right. By keeping some general concepts in mind every step of the way, balancing your songs can become an easier process during recording and engineering. Following are some tips that you can use as you move through the process.



1.Volume levels. If something seems off with the instrumentation at any stage, check the volume levels first. This will allow you to hear what is really going on and to balance it out correctly. This goes for certain waves that can have volume envelopes as well as instruments and the mix of all of the instruments together.



2.Frequencies. If you are stuck with sounds in your process of recording, check and see if you have checked your frequencies lately. Every wave comes with low, medium and high frequencies. If one of these is distorted or too high, it can through the rest of the instrumentation off.



3.Automated Set-ups. One of the popular ways for engineers to become frustrated with finding balance or not finding balance is what is glanced over. Often times, software allows you to create automatic settings for instrumentation. Make sure that this is turned off if it doesn't fit right so that you can have the right balance.



4.The waves. In the end, everything comes down to the wave files. Balancing will always include where the waves peak, where they are too low and how they can reach a normalized sound. Making sure that your waves stay leveled at every step will keep everything even throughout the recording process. 5.Keeping it simple. One of the mistakes of new recordings that are still experimenting with the tools is to go too far with what is being done. As nice as it is to add in the extra effects, make sure that this doesn't throw off any part of the balance or cause you to loose the right sound with your song.



6.How close is it to the middle? This is along the same lines of frequencies, but has to do with the overall effects. Whether you are working with sound waves or with the entire line of instruments, make sure everything is close to the middle with your sounds.



7.Check the instruments. One of the ways to make sure that the balance is on is to make sure that everything is even with the different instruments. Many times, it will be one instrument that throws the other instruments off and causes the song to sound too high or too low. Using formulas and balances within the individual instruments first will help you to get the right balance later on in the recording process.



In the end, checking your balance within your recording will help you to get the right sound for your instrumentation. At all levels, balance with the wave files applies and helps to make the correct end product. Checking some of the basic parts that are in the recording process will help you to get everything in order and to keep it in the right space with the recording track.

It's finally time to put the voice into sound wave format. Before you start singing your favorite notes, you will want to make sure that everything is set up correctly. The voice is the trickiest part of recording as well as the very last step to getting everything in correctly. Before you begin, know exactly how to approach your notes.



Your first step to recording your voice is to not record your voice. This means that you will want to have everything else exactly like it should be. The rest of your instrumentation should be completed, including everything from the layering of instruments to the mixing. Putting the voice in before you have anything else done will cause slight confusion in the end from all musicians and may cause some parts of the track to be off.



After you have everything set, prepare your recording studio in the correct way for voice. This means that you should have an enclosed space to record, which doesn't cause the voice to bounce off the walls from the resonance. The microphone should be set in place to pick up all sides of the voice, but should be able to muffle the rest of the sounds in the room. The more enclosed and deadened the sound, the easier it will be to capture the voice.



One of the important parts of recording the voice is linked to the peaks in the voice. It is easy for a vocal sound to peak, meaning that the sound wave goes past the maximum and into a 'red zone' of volume. You will want to prevent this from happening and keep the voice condensed in a specific area. Remember, it is always easier to get louder, but it is harder to get softer. For this purpose, compressors have been created. This is set into the microphone and compresses the sound wave before it is recorded into the software. Always check the compression of the voice and the peaks that it has so that you have room to work with the volume.



From this point, it is a matter of putting the right mixes in for the voice. Equalizers, or EQs will help to get the right sounds of the high and low frequencies in and should always be set on the mixer as well as within the software. You will also want to consider things such as noise gates, which stops the sound from resonating before it is recorded. If the voice naturally resonates, the noise gate will have a cut off point where the resonance will stop, making everything clear instead of sounding like it echoes.



After the voice is recorded, you can use it like you would any other instrument. This means that you can normalize the sound waves so that it matches with the other instruments in volume and gain. This also means that you can allow the volume to mix properly.



One of the greatest sets of tools for the voice is being able to manipulate the sound, which can be done after the normalization is complete. Reverb, flanges and other vocal tools can add back into the voice what is taken out for compression. This will depend on the type of voice and the effect that you want to have. For example, if the voice has a slight accent or already has a strong resonance, reverb will make it sound like an echo. A clearer voice; however, will add in a little sparkle to the mix. You will want to analyze the type of voice you are working with before you add in the mix and will want to take some time to experiment with your options.



If you follow this simple sets of rules, recording the voice can move from being the hardest and most complex part of recording to being the simplest step in putting together all of the sounds. Giving yourself room to experiment with the voice and understanding what it needs in order to work right will allow you to get the exact results every time.

Arranging and putting together a recording sometimes takes something a little bit different than getting a band together and mixing in all of the music. There are now more options available for piecing together your songs, making sure that everything is in the right place and keeping the sounds together correctly.



Tip #1: Take advantage of repeats and patterns. Everything musical is built off of a pattern. If you have patterns in your song, don't take the time to keep re-writing them into the music, especially if you are not playing it live. Creating a loop with that specific musical phrasing will be much more effective and will save you time.



Tip #2: Know where to find loops. Most recording packages come with pre-made loops that you can use for general patterns. This is especially effective if you need a rhythm pattern or a general beat. While loops shouldn't be the basis of your song, for the general back ground songs, this is a great thing to use.



Tip #3: Always think in layers. Whether you are using patterns, loops or recording live, the best way to get through the recording process is to think in layers. This should be happening from the arrangement of the song, but should continue to the actual production and mixing.



Tip #4: Know what to put in first. There are logical and effective ways to put down tracks to the different instrumentation. You will always want to start with the rhythm track because of the ability to have a repetitive loop and to keep everything on the right track. You will then stack from lows to highs, starting with the bass sounds, moving to mid range, and then high range.



Tip #5: Vocals are the icing on the cake. Even though the singers are the front of the stage, in recording they keep to the back. Before you bring a vocal person in to record, you will want to have the layers of your instrumentation completed, including the mixing. The voice can then be compressed in and will blend in nicely with the rest of the instrumentation.



Tip #6: Familiarize yourself with more than one program. Most recording studios will have a preference of their favorite programs to use for everything. However, the more versatile you are in your recording software, the more capabilities you will have to find the right sounds, arrangements and capabilities within the software. You will want to ask around to see what software is best at what.



Tip #7: Know the background from the front. One of the largest mistakes made in recording is having the balance and the back arrangements as the foreground. This all comes back to the volume control in your pieces. You will want to research what the standards are for each volume setting before you start recording.



Tip #8: It's easier to get louder in volume than softer. If you are just starting the mix, start low. Typically, you will want to test each instrument or pattern. They should be set around -6.0. From this, you can move up. You never want your volume to get to 0 when recording, especially before the vocals as it will cause the sound to be too loud, to peak with the waves and to be imbalanced.



Tip #9: Testing. When you test each of the sounds you want to look for volume control. Each of the instruments should not max out into a yellow or red zone. The volume should show a nice half way point with all of the instruments. Some can be higher than others for the mix, but if you keep this general rule in mind, it will be easier to keep the instrumentation fitting together with volume.



Tip #10: Know when to pre-set. If you have a certain sound you are going for, know what needs compressed or put together in a certain way, don't hesitate to do it before you begin playing. This is especially effective with the mixing. However, you don't want to experiment unless you are ready to lay the track down several times with different settings.



With these tips, you can build your pieces more effectively and with less time. Knowing what to use when with your computer, as well as what to set in the right place will help you to get the exact sound that you need.

The New York Voices are a vocal jazz group that have learned from other vocal jazz groups such as Take 6, The Manhattan Transfer, Lionel Hampton and have taken jazz music to higher levels which have earned them Grammy Awards. Their sound is definite jazz sound with classical, pop, Brazilian and R&B immersed in.



In 1987, Peter Eldridge, Darmon Meader, Kim Nazarian, Caprice Fox and Sara Krieger formed the group. Darmon, Peter, Caprice and Kim went to Ithaca College, in upstate New York. They were able to go and tour the European jazz festivals in 1986. In 1989 they were signed to GRP Records and their first album New York Voices was released. In no time at all it seemed they became popular in the jazz music world. Four albums were done with GRP.



The Collection, Hearts of Fire and What's Inside. During this time, some changes were made. Sara left, and they auditioned more than sixty vocalists in the United States before they settled on Lauren Kinhan. When she sang with them, the chemistry was real and she fit in perfectly. Thus, they called themselves the "New" New York Voices. Lauren appears on the third recording. In 1994, Caprice left , and the New York Voices was at the point the same as it is presently.



The New York Voices, has recorded their own albums, guest starred on other albums, and many other performances. Some of those performances are Live at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Brazilian Dreams, a Latin Grammy Award winner with Paquito d' Rivera and Heirs of Jobim. They have also performed with many famous jazz artists such as Annie Ross, Bobby McFerrin, Nancy Wilson, John Hendricks and Diana Krall. They tried something new in 1997, by singing Paul Simon's songs. It was called New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon.



They used many styles to sing his music. Near the end of 2000, after they have completed their sixth album, Sing , Sing, Sing, they took on big band music. They had performed with the Count Basie Orchestra for years, so Darmon arranged the band and vocal parts and Elliot Scheiner who has produced The Manhattan Transfer and Steely Dan, produced a great recording. Other arrangers on the recording were Rob Mounsey and Michael Abene. The result was something complex, with swing, and vocal parts intermingled that was contemporary as well as classic. They did it in a way that did not lessen either style.



In 2006 their was a new recording where they go back to their Brazilian style. The New York Voices have been all around the world astounding audiences with their amazing vocal style, arrangements and classy selections. They have been at numerous jazz festivals, The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and The Montreal Jazz Festival.



The New York Voices also helps high school and college students doing workshops and clinics. They have many projects teaching, writing, solo gigs as well as arranging. They are forever expanding their fan base by experimenting with all types of music.

Bebop-The dance elements gradually faded away into a true art of real music by the musicians Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Clifford Brown, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Stitt, and Ray Brown who wanted to steer away from the commercial type music. These musicians sought to use examples of the Jazz musicians of the past such as Lester young, Coleman Hawkins, Earl Hines and Art Tatum to expand Jazz music to another level.



At this time, Jazz music moved away from the basic melodic element of the piece to produce a more abstract chordal sound of dissonant tones, and chromatic patterns. The dissonant tones in Jazz music can be heard when two tones are played simultaneously in a clashing manner that can either sound strange or terrible depending on how the tones of the chord fit together as melody notes from a particular key. Clashing sounds can also occur from the use of lowered fifths and raised fourths.



The chromatic sound of the music allows the musician to freely play each of the twelve tones of the instruments without restriction. Musicians were able to play substitute chords as well as altered chords that could change the key of the piece in a whim. The change in rhythm became more discreetly energetic in sound which is used predominantly in Jazz music today. For instance, the cymbal was hit in beat of a 1+a 2+ a 3 +a 4 +a while the snare and bass drum are suddenly hit without warning.



Soul Jazz- From the late 1950's, a style of music that derived from gospel and soul using the tenor saxophone, repetition with melodic groove hooks, and less intricate improvisation that occurred over the chordal harmonies. The music from the popular radio artist of the time known as Ramsey Lewis wrote "The In Crowd" a hit in 1965. Souls Jazz music signature was powerful bass lines and changing tempo of the song.



Modal- Bill Evans a pianist of this time made his mark in the making of new jazz music styles by using examples of major and minor medieval church modes which produced altered sounds between two notes. This music broke the rules by allowing the musicians to form new harmonies regardless of the key.



Jazz Fusion- Between the 1960's and 1970's, Jazz music infused with rock to the horror of Jazz lovers. The sound of Jazz fusion is complicated chordal harmonies, and oddly mixed meters with syncopating rhythms. The instruments used is similar to the instruments used in today's bands such as the electronic guitar, electric bass guitar, electric piano and synthesizer. The musicians Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Tony Williams and Frank Zappa and many others performed this music.



Smooth Jazz- From the 1970's and 1980's Jazz became a lighter pop style of fusion which begat muzak an electronic form of popular music on the radio. This music made popular by Kenny G., Najee and Grover Washington Jr. is played in many businesses to entertain customers.

The essence of the appeal of Jazz music has expanded and became reinvented from the use of elements found in African drumming, spiritual and hymn music, bluegrass hillbilly music, blues, impressionist, and classical traits to newer sounds. Jazz music became popular from radio and underground clubs that influenced other parts of the world. For instance, Europe's French Jazz scene created Gypsy Jazz and South America's Brazilian and Afro-Cuban Jazz sounds. Not only did make it's mark on the world, but it also found its way back to its roots through urban contemporary gospel music of percussion as well as brass instruments.



Today the contemporary gospel music uses guitars, keyboard, piano, drums and brass instruments for their sound. One can usually tell during the ballads how Jazz chord harmonies are used in the keyboard and piano. The harmony in Barbershop music like Jazz came from the African American Black gospel church community which use close four part harmony without accompaniment. This particular style of music without accompaniment is known as A capella. The Mills Brothers were popular Jazz musicians who learned how this harmonization in the barbershop owned by their father.



In many Jazz groups such as Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices, Acoustix, Bara Vox, Beach Front, BR6 and more the harmonies are similar to that of barbershop. These harmonies are from the chromatic chordal harmony found in Jazz Music. The group Take 6 has expanded the traditional four part harmonies to six tones. Jazz Music did not stop there , but grew into an array of different styles that produce different aesthetic appeal.



The aesthetic appeal can be found in how each part of the music makes one feel once heard. All the different elements from the lyrical content to the kaleidoscope of colorful harmony to the depth of the mood provides its own ambiance of sound. To give examples:



On the extent to which Jazz has expanded are listed below as new expressions to the music.



Vocalese - From 1952 to 1962 Eddie Jefferson and Jon Hendricks made their mark by using their vocals as a substitute for the music instrument in the exact melody. Meaning, the voice imitated the exact solo of a saxophonist solo. It was not wide accepted until the musicians above made it popular.



Cool Jazz- From the latter 1940's and 1950's a softer more gentle style of Jazz of both bop and swing with arranged harmonies that are present in Jazz ballads today.



Hard Bop-From the middle of 1950's the church's spiritual and gospel roots of African style returned to the Jazz music which assisted in the making of Rhythm and Blues. One example of this music is Davis' work titled "Walkin".



Mainstream- From the 1950's era, Jazz improvisation changed from single line melodic ornamentation to chordal which appeared again as a loose form of Jazz music in the later part of the 1970's and 1980's. This style was influenced by the cool, classical, and hard bop Jazz styles.

Anyone who loves jazz music must know about the amazing vocal group The Manhattan Transfer. What some may not know is that the Manhattan Transfer comes from the Name of Two different groups. The first group made one album, then broke up in 1969, the other group is the one, which is the basis for this article. They began in 1972 and still sing today. The Manhattan Transfer does an exquisite job of blending jazz music, popular music and big band together.



The members of the group are: Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, Laurel Masse and Tim Hauser. Their first album entitled, The Manhattan Transfer brought them a hit single, a gospel song called "Operator". In 1971 an album was made with only one of the members, Tim Hauser. The album Jukin' was really considered to be released by a different group. This vocal group did a spectacular job performing in Europe.



The next two albums, Pastiche and Coming Out had a number of top ten hit singles. "Chanson D'Amour" went to number one in the United Kingdom in 1977, but didn't make the charts in the U.S. After that, the group released The Manhattan Transfer Live Album recorded in the United Kingdom. After that, Laurel was terribly injured in a car accident and Cheryl Bentyne took her place. The group has been the same ever since. They went on to make another hit in the U.S. with "Twilight Zone/Twilight Zone" from the album Extensions. This same album gave The Manhattan Transfer their most recognized sound. "Birdland" written by Jon Hendricks gave them their first Grammy award for the Best Jazz Fusion Performance, Vocal or Instrumental. They also an award for best arrangement for voices.



The group broke their record in 1981 by winning a Grammy in a pop and jazz category that year. Jazz music was taking a new and enjoyable turn. "Boy From New York City" made it into the top ten, and won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. "Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)" was for Best Jazz Performance Duo or group. Both singles were on their fifth album Mecca for Modems.



By the time their album Bodies and Souls was released in 1983, they took a new turn in jazz music again, their songs becoming more contemporary and urban. "Mystery", "Spice of Life" were hit singles. "Mystery" is one of the best Manhattan Transfer songs. Anita Baker covered it on her Rapture album. With their next album Vocalese, they were going for complexities and were very successful. That album got not one, but 12 Grammy nominations. It was number two to Michael Jackson's Thriller album. They won for two Grammys. One for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group and Best Arrangement for Voices.



Lately, the group has released An Acapella Christmas in Japan, 2005. Last year they have released The Symphony Sessions, which is a greatest hits collection. The songs were re-done for pop orchestras and symphonies. Late last year, they released a DVD called The Christmas Concert, which was on the PBS network. The Manhattan Transfer also did an original song for a film, called "Trail of the Screaming Forehead".



The Manhattan Transfer has really changed and expanded the style of jazz music. Each of the members has appeared on other artist's albums as guest. To date they have recorded twenty-four albums, and each have done solo albums. Janis's solo career being the most popular.

One of the most beautiful interpreters of song are Jazz singers. The abilities of the human voice is phenomenal in the fact that one could imitate another person or instrument, or sing several octaves on the piano. The human voice can also interpret emotion in a way only a human can. Jazz instruments can express emotion, but the natural gift from within the human voice is conveyed in a variety of ways.



For example, each singer has his or her own style they were born with. Some of them may not be the best singers that Simon Cowell would compliment. However, there are many Jazz legends and people like them who have their own unique style. The je ne sias quoi x factor of a voice that is unusual, yet pleasing to the ears. The Jazz singers who have this quality have been heard in many clubs, and recordings in the past.



These Jazz Legends have helped make Jazz music popular especially with the use of the voice. There are four different types of Jazz singers that made it in the world of Jazz music. One style is the well-known crooner sound from singers such as Ivie Anderson, Harry Connick Jr., Mel Torme` Michael Buble`, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Mildred Bailey, Michael Kaczurak, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Johnny Hartman, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole. The signature element of the crooner sound is a voice with a smooth and sophisticated resonance made for the microphone as clear as a radio announcers speaking voice.



Another style of Vocal Jazz Singers is the soulful bluesy sound with Singers such as Diane Schuur, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith, Etta James, Della Reese, and more. The soulful sound of voice is the skill of ornamentation of the voice running up and down the scale with ease. Bluesy and soulful is also a depth in the range of the voice that sound as if it comes direction from the soul. There are Jazz music Virtuoso's who have the ability to do anything from vocalese to scat to ballad to fast and complex in perfection. The Jazz singers of this category are Ella Fitzgerald, Phoebe Snow, Eva Cassidy, Ernestine Anderson, Betty Carter, Cab Calloway, Sammy Davis Jr., Eddie Jefferson, Bobby McFerrin Jr., Jon Hendricks, Slim Gaillard, Rachelle Ferrell, Annie Ross, Etta Jones, Dame Cleo Laine, Sarah Vaughn, Carmen Mercedes McRae, Mabel Mercer, Nikoletta Szoke, and Nancy Wilson.



The Virtuoso can croon a ballad and articulate it in a unique way. The virtuoso Jazz singer can also be strong and sassy and scat in great complexity with ease. There is no doubt that the virtuoso Jazz singer is the total embodiment of what Jazz is all about. The last type of vocalist has an ethereal appeal that seems to come out of another place with uniqueness in sound, and suitable to the world of Jazz.



The unique style of Jazz singers is a sound that one doesn't usually hear. For example, the uniqueness can come from the sound quality of the voice or by doing something that sets the Jazz singer on a different plane than the others. Singers of this category are Amos Leon Thomas, Billy Holiday, Lee Wiley, Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horne, Rita Reys, Eartha Kitt, Anita O'Day, Ray Reach, Ethel Waters, Monica Zetterlund, Jimmy Rushing, Louis Armstrong, Cassandra Wilson, Al Jarreau, and Dennis Rowland. Each one has a particular sound of raspy, lush, high pitched, yodeling, vibrato, or gift of humor.



There are also the average Jazz singers who deserve to be in the spotlight also for having what it takes to make it successfully in Jazz.

Jazz music made its mark in the hearts of Americans ever since the 20th century when people embraced the musicians of the time. However, when the singers came on the scene strong with skills in the art of scatting that is a vocal form of Jazz improvisation, the ability to articulate music expressively, and have that pizzazz to swing to the rhythms effectively makes a Jazz virtuoso. Jazz music bore another gift on the American public to spread to the world during the 1940's when singers came together to form groups. The sound of acapella harmony of many voices like in a church choir using a juxtaposition of Jazz harmony is ethereal and divine.



In fact, due to the success of such groups as the Mills Brothers, Boswell Sisters, Andrews sisters, and Modernaires during the 1930's 1940's made Jazz fans of vocal Jazz music seek more. As a result, record stores stocked up on the music of vocal Jazz music, and it became a tremendous success that made quartets like Manhattan Transfer a household name today.



In addition, America has the largest selection of vocal Jazz music even though there are vocal Jazz ensembles all over the world. These new vocal Jazz groups do not all sing a capella style music that is common to barber shop. Vocal Jazz groups commonly use a Jazz band to accompany them as they perform. Jazz music may not be as strict as classical music, but it is in a class all it's own. It takes great skill to sing Vocal Jazz as it does with Classical, and many other styles of music. Meaning, everyone cannot be a good jazz soloist, but it doesn't mean that they cannot sing in the vocal jazz ensemble. Each singer must match in volume, resonance, and key in order to be a worthy member in the vocal Jazz ensemble. Ever singer must be able to sing their parts, and be heard as well as blended into the group. There are times when different people in the vocal Jazz group will be asked to scat to the music, and take the challenges that some complex Jazz music holds with great skill.



All the beauty that Vocal Jazz possessed in the past did not always keep it in popularity. For instance, there was a time in the 60's when Jazz music no longer had mass appeal due to the American interest in Rock music. Imagine the record companies who supply music to the radios, and the nightclubs who allowed popular acts to perform live suddenly locking Jazz musicians out. Yet, Jazz never lost its following despite the ever-changing interests of the public. Vocal Jazz singers attempted to begin again in the 70's, but the public did not show much interest in a style that was considered passe.



Fortunately, those who loved the music and dedicated themselves to the music caused people to take notice from the latter part of the 80's to the millennium where Jazz singers came prepared to recreate Jazz again. Vocal Jazz singers went along with the times to keep the traditional Jazz and add new elements that the public would like to hear.

The abilities to record may seem to be more recent, especially with the capabilities of technology and the understanding of how sounds are used within a recording studio. However, there is a longer time frame of recording that has been used in order to document audio areas and to put music on track. By understanding the progression of recording, you can also find ways to implement similar characteristics and routines within your own studio.



The beginning of recording dates back to the 1890s. During this time, most of the recording was done through acoustic means. Recording equipment consisted of a tape that would allow for the audio to be documented into the tape. This would then go through a horn which would record the sound frequencies that were being played. This would then be documented by putting grooves into the recording through the waves and how they were translated.



This type of recording also included limitations on the sound rooms and how the sound was recorded. Upper scale recording studios consisted only of a sound proof wall so that the audio noise would not bounce. The ability to mix, master and edit the audio information; however, was not available. Those who were interested in recording would also take the records outside of the studios to do things such as field recordings, where natural sounds would be placed onto audio. This became a second popular means of creating recordings to share with the public.



By the 1930s, different options and equipment began to be popular for recording. This started with amplifiers and microphones that were added to record more sound frequencies. This was followed by a mixing board and by loud speakers so that the sounds could be manipulated and changed while recording. This caused for most of the acoustic recording that was done in the past to be replaced by the new technology so that more accurate recordings could be done.



Up until the 1970s, these combined methods were the popular way of recording musicians and artists in the studio. The acoustic rooms were combined with the microphones and were recorded live through the mixing board and straight into the disc or recording tape. This left little room to re-record or edit. Most of the recording that was done would be done with complete bands, orchestras or groups that would place everything onto the disc at one time.



The change that occurred during this time combined the ability to monitor the sounds more effectively and to move into editing. It was during the late 1960s and 1970s that analog recording moved into the field, allowing for more complex machinery to be at the forefront of recording. The analog recording consisted of a magnetic tape that would carry the sound waves and read them back through the recording. This could then be written over and revised according to what was recorded.



This time period not only allowed for advancement within recording, but also created experimentation with new equipment, sounds and effects that became popular for individual recording studios, now considered to be signatures of various recording industries. Those who were working within the industry found not only new technologies for recording, but also developed sounds that were unique because of the ability to process the mixing and mastering in a different way.



It was the movement into analog recording that changed recording into an electronic and digital set of capabilities as well as industry standards that are now accepted as the normal setting among all recording studios. Because of this experimentation and new technology, those working within the industry came to certain conclusions about what worked better with recording and how the production could be effective.



This progression shows how recording has become a mainstream through innovations, creativity and experimentation. By the recording industry creating the effects of recording, it has allowed for new arenas of development in recording music to be explored.

In the turn of the century around 1920, many artists made their mark by playing in the discreet underground nightclubs known as "Speakeasies" which are high class , "Blind pig" lower class or "Smokeasy" for smokers. The United States once prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages and smoking tobacco in clubs as a constitutional amendment. One could usually find an underground nightclub by the doors without a sign to indicate that there was such as establishment inside. Those dives also had a secret door that lead out to a passageway or alley in case the police came to investigate. The police had the power to arrest everyone in the place due to the fact that they were broke the law by being there.



However, thing were beginning to look up for Jazz Music once the invention of the record player or phonograph was made to play jazz albums. In addition, radio stations helped promote Jazz music, and made it popular among the public. Jazz Music became a music of class that earned the era a nick name known as the "Jazz age". The band leaders who became famous as Jazz musicians were Paul Whiteman, Ted Lewis, Harry Reser, Leo Reisman, Abe Lyman, Nat Shilkret, Earl Burnett, Ben Bernie, George Olson, Bob Haring, Vincent Lopez, Ben Salvin and many more. Paul Whiteman claimed to be the king of Jazz music due to his popularity. He earned the title when he hired some white Jazz musicians with Bix Beiderbecke included to combine jazz with larger orchestrations.



In fact George Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue' was commissioned by Whiteman as his debut for the orchestra.



Ten years after Jazz music became popular it was reinvented into a style that would be suitable for radio and dancing. This style was known as "Swing" which allowed musicians to improvise their own interpretation of the melody or theme that was sometimes difficult to do. In the Swing era Jazz bands grew into a larger size which was often referred to as "Big Band" music that would always feature a soloist.



The band leaders and music arrangers for Jazz music who became famous for this style of music was Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Fletcher Henderson, Walter Page, Benny Goodman, Don Redman, Chick Webb, Jimmie Lunceford, and Jay McShann. During this time there were racial issues of segregation between black and white people, but it slowly died down enough for the white band leaders to find black musicians to perform with them. In the middle of the 1930's Benny Goodman invited Teddy Wilson(pianist), Lionel Hampton (vibraphonist), and Charlie Christian (guitarist) to be a part of a group. Each musician learned from the style of other musicians in order to form their own. For example, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie(trumpeter), Bing Crosby (vocalist) were influenced by the improvising of Louis Armstrong. Later, the vocalists Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Vaughn joined the scene with Jazz Improvisation known as the scat. To Scat is to vocally imitate musical instruments using such non verbal language as doot 'n doo bee yah bah loo bey doo ee ya boy lay bah doo doot 'n doo yah doo doy.



In the beginning of the 1940's Jazz music evolved yet again into a new style known as "Jump Music" which was upbeat music using blues chords performed by small music groups. These small music groups are the forms many bands make today. Later, another style of Jazz music came using the music of the 1930's as an inspiration called "Boogie-Woogie" where the usual 4 beat bar section expanded into an eight beat bar section in the rhythm which Big Joe Turner took the lead in the 1940's.



In the 1950's, music reinvented again when turner turned to "Rock and Roll music". As for the Swing era music it was reborn in the use of the modern dance trends. Kansas City made memorial for Charlie Parker in their American Jazz Museum that displays the history of the music and the people who made Jazz music what it has become.

The essence of Jazz music is the ethereal atmosphere of the dimensional harmony created by kaleidoscope of chromatic tones. It is the pulsating back beat of syncopating African rhythms through the rumble of the drums, or soft sound of the brush to the snare.



The music is an expression of melody from the depth of the soul conveyed as a gospel in many unique ways. These elements combined with the free impressionistic ambiance of instrumental tones in orchestration as a foundational juxtaposition of 7th, 9th,13th chordal harmony makes this style truly unique. The essence of Jazz music is music that is upbeat, full of pizzazz ,yet laid back with style. One would never guess that this free style of music has a foundation that began with Baroque elements found in Classical music.



Classical music comes from the basic structure of homophony when two or more musical lines are played vertically in the same direction as sacred music. In fact, Jazz music is created with homophony in terms of the movement of chords to support the melodic improvisation. However, when it comes to playing intervals and chordal harmonies, Jazz is free from the restriction of classical form. For example, if a song is written in the key of C or a minor there are no sharps or flats written on the staffs. Many times in Jazz music Accidentals are put in the music to cause a tonal effect found in chromatic tones. Tonal effects can occur when one or more notes are altered by raising or lowering a pitch by one half step. Sharps are symbols in the shape of a number sign or tic tac toe board (#). Flats are symbols in the shape of a lower case B(b), yet shaped differently like half a heart.



In some Jazz pieces, both the sharp and flat can occur simultaneously in a chord. The result of such musical experimentation can be Dissonant chords unresolved for the purpose of producing a certain sound. Depending on what tones are used the sound is either full of color, or full of tension. On the other hand, Consonance is a stable balance of harmonic tones without tension. One example of the essence of Jazz Music is the song "Route 66" with cluster of chords with dissonant tones that move from major to minor to diminished to create tonal color.



The Tones in Jazz music is always about the speech rhythm and the chordal harmony full of color as influenced by music in the impressionism period. The essence of Jazz music serves as a personal interpretation of the picture the performer wants us to thinks about. The icing to the cake are the vocalists and instrumentalists who performs how they feel from the soul as the music beckons them to reply to it's statement. As the soloist plays or sings, the beauty of strong kaleidoscope tones in the harmony encourages one to soar especially in ballads.



All of this can occur when the harmony plays in the right position above the correct bass tones found in all Jazz masterpieces. The true essence of Jazz music is present in its ability to shape the music through tones, the syncopation of speech rhythm, the chromatic harmony, improvisational solos, and constant motion of the bass. It is the free structure made from a balanced structure, and a music expressed from the soul.

Even though it seems like we only learn about the actual recording of instruments, then see the result through the CD, there is an entire process that is hidden behind the curtains in order to get the sound of the CD exactly right. This includes a variety of steps that are linked to engineering a CD and producing the right sounds after the instrumentation is complete.



The first step of the process after the recording is the pre-mixing. This is the point in which the instruments will become neutral and even. The main part of this particular step is to determine the sound waves and what their peak points of loud and soft is. This can be automatically set up through a normalization tool, which will average out the sound frequencies for the individual instruments. You can also find mathematical formulas if you want to customize the normalization tool to build the top and bottom peaks of the recording.



Within this part is also the ability to make the instrumentation sound just a little bit better. You can add in the extra sounds as well as the effects that you want with additional instruments. This will take the deadened sound that was created from the recording and move it into a live sounding performance as well as a space which is more effective in defining what is being played.



After this point, you will move into the mixing stage. This will focus on the individual instruments and what they need in order to be completely enhanced. The first part of this is to move through each of the individual instruments and create envelopes for them. These are areas in which they will have lows or highs as an individual instrument. You can add in dynamic effects during this point in time as well as things such as compression, which will help to normalize the peak points of the piece even more. During this time, you want to make sure that everything is even and sounds right when picked out individually.



This will then move you into the pre-mastering stage. During this point, you will move from working with individual instruments and into the arrangement of all of the instruments. You will want to make sure that the low and high frequencies of all of the instruments are balanced at the same level. This should move not only into the peak points of the sound waves, but also into the volume control.



The pre-mastering stage will include industry standards as well as individual preferences for balancing out. Many software packages will come with analysis components so that you can look at the amount of low frequencies to high frequencies and adjust it to balance out. This will depend on the software that you use, as well as the preferences that you have for the blending of the instruments. As long as you keep in mind that the most important part of this is blending together all of the instruments with high and low sounds, you will easily be able to maneuver with the pre-mastering stage.



The last step in putting together the mix for recording is the mastering. This will take the songs that have been made over all of the tracks and make sure that they balance out evenly. Like pre-mastering, this can be done by checking all of the levels and making sure that all of the songs balance out and are even in their volume levels as well as high and low frequencies. You can check your volume levels not only by the mathematical formulas, but also by comparing your volume levels on CD players. The sounds should reach the industry standard volumes, unless you have an alternative preference for your blend of songs and instruments.



Once you know the major concepts for each step of placing a CD together, you can find the best way to blend and change everything that is needed within the CD and songs that you are producing. If you are looking beyond recording, you want to look into the engineering of a CD and how you can effectively put together the instruments, every step of the way.

Humans discovered a long time ago that music could be made from vibrating strings. A string musical instrument such as the lute or mandolin was the means by which traveling minstrels would entertain the crowd. Even today, there is interest in these early forms. Rock star Sting has recently released an album of 16th century lute music and American band REM has often featured a mandolin. The Rod Stewart hit, Maggie May also featured the distinctive sound of the mandolin.



Every culture has produced their forerunner of the modern guitar. Africa and Asia have several versions of string musical instrument, often with only three strings. In America, the banjo became popular in country and folk music. The guitar was used for jazz and blues before becoming the backbone of rock and roll. Western rock music has also incorporated the Sitar, an instrument used in Indian music, first heard in a pop song performed by The Beatles with Norwegian Wood.



Many of the greatest pieces of classical music have been written for a string orchestra or string quartet. The violin, viola and cello are wonderful for solo string musical instrument compositions and to blend together. These are the bowed instruments; the violin is sometimes plucked with a technique called pizzicato. The double bass is very versatile and can be found in jazz bands, orchestras and for rockabilly groups. The violin too is versatile and often used in rock and folk music. The fiddle is a staple of Irish, jigs and reels. Jazz violinists such as Darryl Way and Jean Luc Ponty are very accomplished performers. Jimmy Page, flamboyant guitarist from Led Zeppelin, even took a bow to his electric guitar to produce an experimental sound. Most string instruments can be fitted with electric pickups to amplify the sound, to fit in with any genre.



Technically speaking, keyboard instruments such as the piano, clavichord and harpsichord are categorized as a string musical instrument as they have strings, which are struck by hammers. The piano however, is sometimes classed as a percussion instrument.



Whatever genre all these instruments are employed in, they bring a range of sound that is unequalled. A fiddle can make you want to get up and dance and a cello solo can make you reach for the tissues. Music is very often programmed these days with instruments being simulated through a computer, but there is nothing to equal the sound of a live violin in an echoing hall.

Once you get into the recording studio, there are several options for software that you can use in order to get your sound exactly right. Knowing what your options are for software and finding those that best fit what you need can help you to produce the CD that you want and get your sound waves in the right order. Following are options that you can use when deciding what the best software is for your recording.



1. MIDI. This is a basic software application that is used for recording needs as well as for sound fonts. It comes with the sounds and orchestration patches for the recording with a digital audio area that is built into the system. Because this is lower budgeting, it has some inabilities for editing and for the stereo sounds that you might need.



2.Adobe Audition. This is a basic application that can be used for the entire process of recording. While this specific software option also has some limitations, it is accessible with it's ease of use and can provide accurate results for professional mixing and mastering.



3.Band in a Box. This is a Macintosh application that is known to work well for beginners or for those who are limited in what is being recorded. This is because it has the capability of creating immediate tracks once a certain chord or set of chords is entered. This allows those who have not put together arrangements to use these basic structures before progressing to the next part of the recording.



4.Cakewalk. This specific type of software was created for Macintosh, then evolved into a separate application for Windows. This is known to have the basics for mixing and mastering as well, and carries it's audio options through MIDI.



5.Fruity Loops. If you are into DJ tracks, loops and patterns, this is the specific program to use. While this has some recording capabilities, it works better as a loop mixing area for the musical pieces you are putting together.



6.Vegas. This program is similar to Adobe Audition in the way that it pieces together separate tracks as well as the capabilities for mixing and mastering. The tracks in this program are easy to pre-mix and mix, especially with individual track options and configurations that you can use for the program.



7.Cubase. The large benefit of this particular program is the ability to have unlimited numbers of VSTs, or orchestration patches. It also offers more tracks than the programs such as Cakewalk. One of the other benefits of this program is the ability to add on other programs in order to make it more conducive to your particular music.



8.Studio Vision. This is another Macintosh program and is known to be one of the high end options in software. It's capabilities include a variety of writing for music and allow you to control every part of your musical pieces.



9.Reason. This is another program that is built around finding rhythms, loops and specific tracks. While it offers a wide range of capabilities in placing together pieces of music, it has become more popular among Djs and those who are looking for defined back beats.



10.Pro Tools. This particular choice is one that is known among most professionals as the best software out there. It contains a wide variety of VST options as well as the ability to completely control and manipulate the music that is being worked on. If you move into Pro Tools, you can expect to go through a longer learning curve as there are a wider variety of details and choices for recording.



It can be seen that each of these options carries choices in terms of how much you control the music you are making, strengths and weaknesses, sound options and tools that work the best. By knowing the applications, you can easily begin to use the software in a way that best fits your production.

Having the right equipment for a recording studio isn't enough in order to get the right sounds for your CD. If you want to make sure that everything is in the right place, you will also want to think about the way in which things are spaced out and how you can work with that in your recording studio.



The first thing you will want to consider with setting up a recording studio is how much room you will need in order for everyone to be comfortable. This means that you will need to have plenty of room to fit an average of five to ten people. If you want more people to come in, space out how much room each one will need in order to feel comfortable within your space. The size of the room as far as feet will not change the way that anything sounds, so if you think bigger space, it is probably better.



The second part to this is dividing the space between the engineering and the playing. While this is not as important as it used to be, it helps for monitoring as well as mixing the sounds while others are playing. Typically, you will see one room that is divided in two. One space is for the musicians while the other is for the sound board, mixing and mastering while those who are working are playing. This creates a better sound proof area for your recording.



With the engineering area, it is expected that everything will be in a range where you can quickly get to it and change the sounds as it is going. Having everything within your arms reach, such as the mix board and the software, will help you to be more consistent and effective while recording other instrumentation.



The area in which the musicians are will then need to be built in a specific way. It is best to have very thin carpeting or wood floors, as this causes the sound to not be absorbed. Lower ceilings will also help to keep the sound compacted. If you have wood flooring or no carpet, you will want to consider buffering the ceiling or placing an area rug around the space which the musicians are working. This will help to keep the sound from bouncing. On the side of the walls should be foam in order to keep the sound deadened as well. You will only want to foam certain sides, depending on the shape of the room, it's size and how it is built. If the noise becomes to deadened, it will be harder to get the right mix when recording.



Another part that should be kept in mind with the musicians area is with the voices. If you are planning on putting vocals on any CD, you will need to have a separate area for the microphones, again, depending on the size of the room. Often times, vocal boxes will be used in order to trap all of the sound. For home recorders with a minimum budget, things such as closets will work in order to keep the sound in the right space.



Of course, each recording studio will differ according to the best way that you work, the type of instrumentation that you have, who you plan on recording and what your needs are at the time. Before you start with your recording studio, it is best to plan out the most legitimate way to organize your equipment and your needs so that everything can be effective once it is set up.



No matter what your budget, needs or playing capacities, having a recording studio that allows you to produce professional CDs is an important factor in creating the right sounds and mixes. The more you plan out for your studio, and the more capacities that you have with dividing the spaces correctly and with having the right equipment, the easier it will be to create the right sounds.

Rap songs have a very big presence in our culture today. Many people find this type of music to be speaking about real issues that people have to deal with. They also enjoy the way in which it is presented. Even if you aren't really fond of rap music, there are some songs out there that have become so big everyone has heard of them. They may be decades old but still identifiable when they are played on the radio.



There have been very few female rap stars to come our way. One of top rap songs is from a duo called Salt N Pepa. They are considered to be a one hit wonder from the 80's. There song called Push It really attracted the attention of the music industry though. For many people, it was the first exposure they had of rap music. From there they went on to explore many other artists.



Rap artist Ice T has been well known for his controversial songs. Cop Killa released in 1992 is one that didn't sit well with many people. In fact, police departments all of the country rallied to get people to ban buying the album. For many though the fact that it was so controversial just fueled the flame to go out and get it.



It seems as if the songs for rap music have taken on a life of their own. They are often critiqued for the lyrics they contain though instead of the music they offer. You will find not all rap songs are about having sex, doing drugs, gangs, or killing the police. Some of them are just plain fun. Others are religious in nature as these artists have found that is their calling but they love the sound of rap music.



There are plenty of radio stations dedicated to playing only rap music. You can listen to them in your car or on your computer. With the popularity of iPods these days you can also download your favorite rap songs and take them with you. Some radio stations won't play various rap songs though due to the controversial lyrics. There are often two versions of such songs though that you can access.

Rap music has a style all of its own and it is very popular with the younger generations. This type of music is often very fast paced and it often involves words to music that are spoken rather than sang. Rap songs usually have a rhythm to them that makes them fun as well as allows them to flow well. There is often plenty of controversy out there about the lyrics involved in rap music though.



If you pay attention to the many of the songs they are about live on the streets. They often include derogatory language against women, society, and even parents. They have been blamed for gang violence and problem behavior in youth. The rap artists most well known are commonly included in acts of violence including shootings, theft, and gang activities. All of this seems to further fuel the bad boy image of rap music though.



This seems to be one area of music that women haven't broken into well. All of the big stars in this area are men. Of course we should be prepared for that to change as women generally end up taking up the cause for just about anything offered in our society. You can be sure some production company will want to promote the first female rap star to the fullest as well.



Yet not all rap music is like this. You will find plenty of it that is appealing due to the flow of the music. It is artistically created in a manner that allows people to jam out to it as well as to dance to the beat. For some people rap music moves to fast to follow along and to understand the lyrics. Listening to the words of the song closely though can influence their decision to like it or not.



In recent years even some Christian rap music as emerged. These artists are able to offer the musical style that people like. At the same time though they are delivering wholesome messages that no parent would want to ban their children from listening to. All sorts of rap music are on the charts these days though as well as the internet. This is a genre of music that doesn't seem to be losing any popularity along the way.

The higher up the charts that a rap song ranks the more popular it is in the world. These statistics are calculated by all types of criteria including record sales and radio station requests. You will find rap music charts for individual songs as well as for albums. Some of the various songs end up on the charts for a short period of time while others are on there for weeks.



They may hang on to that top spot week after week until they are slowly moving down the ladder. Most rap music charts list the top forty songs or albums. They also have information on the number of weeks they have been on the chart and the position they were in the week before. These various rap music charts are very important as they get the artists recognized for their efforts.



There are several different compilations of rap music charts out there. This is why a particular song or artist can be ranked differently on them. Some online sites allow the visitors to vote on them so it is based on their personal opinions and input.



You will often find that those rap artists hanging in the top spots on the music charts end up going on tour in the near future. Their promoters are going to get them out there while they are still hot. They will also start to promote them on various late night shows to perform. Their songs also find their way into sporting events and for commercials as well.



For example the song Who Let the Dogs Out is very popular in the rap world. It has been on the charts for a very long time. While it has slipped down from the top spots it is still in the top 25. This is a song most of us are very familiar with even if rap music isn't our taste to listen to.



It is often those that have been on the rap music charts that get nominated for the various music award shows out there as well. This offers the rap artists even more exposure for their work. Millions of people tune into these music award shows to find out who wins. They also want to see what their favorite rap artists will be wearing and saying throughout the evening.

If you enjoy rap songs you may be find yourself stumped from time to time with the lyrics. They can be very fast paced and then you aren't sure what you just heard. You can easily find the lyrics to rap songs on the jacket of the CD's though. You can also find them online just by typing in the name of the song. If you listen to the song with the lyrics in front of you it often falls into place much easier.



Many parents are concerned about the music their children are listening to. Scanning the lyrics that are part of what they have access to is a good way to find out. You may decide you don't like the messages that are being offered in these types of songs. Most retailers have labels on rap music that contains controversial materials. This is a way to notify parents of the issue as well.



Rap music has long been a controversial source of entertainment though due to the types of lyrics. Most of the songs contain information that can be viewed as very slamming, demeaning, and even threatening. You will hear lyrics that have to do with drug use, abuse, family problems, breaking the law, killing cops, murder, money, and greed. While the artists say this is all for entertainment purposes the majority of them engage in lifestyles that reflect in their musical lyrics.



Yet many of them will tell you the shock factor is part of what makes this type of music sell. They are forced by the industry to continue writing material that pushes the issue to the limits. In fact, the more controversial that rap music lyrics are the more attention they get. This often results in volumes of sales from rebellious individuals as well as those that are simply curious to find out what it is all about.



Not all rap artists are heading down this road though so you can't lump them all together. There are plenty of rap artists that take pride in offering quality music without resorting to such tactics. They simply want to express their talents through this particular form of music.

The world of rap music has been going strong since the early 1980's. The direction of the music continues to move in various directions and the faces of those at the top of the charges change as well. There have been many rap artists that have pushed the limits of the music industry though and really made it something for themselves. Many consumers love a new sound when it emerges in the area of pop music so they are happy to go out and buy it.



Eminem is one that appeals to people of all ages it seems. Taking his lyrical content from his real life issues of a mother that was into drugs and prostitution is something that people are really interested in. He has also written songs about the mother of his child that don't view here in a very promising light. One of the intriguing things about Eminem though is that he is white. Almost all good rap artists are black by nature it seems and this was unusual. He also didn't have the appearance of a traditional rap artist. The fact that he was able to emerge on the scene at such an early age was appealing too.



Kid Rock is the other well known white rap artist. He is also well known for his wild boy antics. He is portrayed as a nice guy but then you always see him in the news involved in various fist fights and problems with people. Some fans feel let down by Rock as he has shifted his musical content over the past several years. He is often classified as more rock and roll on his recent albums.



Some rap artists continue to carry out a legacy even after their death. 2Pac was killed at a Las Vegas casino in 1996 during a drive by shooting. Many say his rival rap artist Biggie Smalls was responsible for the act but this has never been proven. His music continues to be sold in very high amounts. This shows how much of a credit he has for establishing the foundation of rap music in our society. To many, 2Pac is what Elvis is to the era of rock and roll.

It has been a life long dream of mine to visit Radio City Music Hall. I recently started to pursue this dream on the Internet. After spending a little time browsing around, I came to the conclusion that I could have planned an evening at Radio City Music Hall earlier. This icon of entertainment is a real hot spot but it isn't quite as difficult to get in as you may think.



I immediately thought that Radio City Music Hall would be completely sold out all year around. However, you can get tickets to your favorite events if you do a little shopping on your personal computer. The process is pretty simple and there is a lot of information available at your fingertips.



Many know that this famous spot for live entertainment is well sought-after but few realize that just about anyone can find the right event for the right price at Radio City Music Hall. And there has never been a better time to visit this music hall than now.



Radio City Music Hall has recently had a facelift. The lovely structure has been transformed into a staggering vision of magnificent beauty. I found that merely feasting my eyes on the renovated space was enough entertainment for me. I had no idea that this breathtaking sight would hold such a great experience.



The 1999 renovation did cost a pretty penny. Investors added about 70 million dollars in the restoration project. This investment has preserved Radio City Music Hall and it has given the building its original condition and charm. Once you enter the building you know that you are in for an experience of a lifetime.



Imagine being one of the lucky individuals who entered Radio City Music Hall on its first opening day just two days after Christmas in 1932. I used to dream of the wonder that people felt as they entered this building for the first time. Now that I have visited the music hall in person, I've come to the realization that I am among the luck ones in today's society.



Radio City Music Hall is one of the most magnificent structures that you will ever see. However, this is just the icing on the cake. This organization offers the highest quality entertainment around today. Its lofty standards make for presentations that the audiences cherish for the rest of their days. This is a must-stop for anyone who loves live entertainment.

There's always something happening in New York City. When you decide to take a vacation there you really need to pick and choose where you"ll spend your days. It would take weeks to see everything so it's a good idea to plan an itinerary early. You"ll also want to consider buying tickets to any shows or bus tours before you leave home. Ticket prices are higher at the actual venue and so planning ahead can save a small fortune. This same philosophy holds true whether you are seeing a Broadway play or taking in a show at Radio City Music Hall.



The hub of the city is arguably the midtown area. This is where the world famous Times Square is located. Broadway is nearby as is Rockefeller Center. Home to the tallest Christmas tree in the world, people flock from everywhere to see it lit up in late November and December. This is also the time of year that the Rockettes grace the stage at Radio City Music Hall in the Christmas spectacular. If you are fortunate enough to spend the holidays in the city, this is truly a must see.



Buying tickets to anything online can be a bit of a hit and miss proposition. Going directly to the venue's website will often yield the best prices. That's now always the case though. If you are considering seeing a show at Radio City Music Hall while in New York check out a few ticket vendors in addition to the theater's official site. You may be surprised by the discount you can find.



All hope isn't necessarily lost if you arrive in New York and then decide you have to see a show at this venue that is located on the Avenue of the Americas. You can always check the box office at Radio City Music Hall to see what tickets are still available and their prices. Another good alternative is to look for a last minute ticket website. The nice thing about these is that you can sometimes find a very low price because the vendor wants to sell the tickets so they don't sustain a loss. They can be printed out right after purchase, and most hotels in the city offer printing services at the front desk. The concierge may even be able to suggest a website or two that offer low ticket prices.



Don't forget to have your picture taken in front of the building and also pick up a souvenir inside. Radio City Music Hall is one of the most recognized landmarks in New York City and you"ll want to take a little piece of it home with you to always remember your trip to this remarkable place.

There are many reasons why you may be looking for online sheet music. What you want to find is probably closer than you think, and you don't have to go through an extensive search for this stuff when it can be rather hard to find. You may find sheet music in your local music store, but you are going to find the selection there to be very limited. Today, you can find almost any song you want no matter who the artist might be, or even how obscure the song might be. This is for those in bands of all types, and even for professional music instructors.



You may find some free online sheet music if you look around, but your selection will be limited. Some of this stuff will be accurate, but you have to watch out for parts that may not sound right. Some that put this online have the best of intentions, but they may have tried to transcribe it on their own, and there can be mistakes. Usually these mistakes on online sheet music are minor, but can make a huge difference in the music. Luckily, most people can find and fix the mistakes on their own.



Other online sheet music is going to come with a price tag, but when you buy this way, you are usually getting sheet music that is very accurate, and you know it have come from a legal source. If you aren't sure if the online sheet music you have is legal, search around for the copyright. Remember that even when you buy a set, you may have to pay money to make copies of it. When you are getting online sheet music for use in a band, at a school for example, you have to pay attention to the specifics of what you can do with it and what you cannot.



You may also find online sheet music in a different form. This can be program that can help you get your own sheet music for stuff you wrote on your own, or a song you are trying to figure out so you can play it. You can add your own notes and such to the program and it will attempt to print out the proper sheet music for you. This is exceptionally useful if you write your own music, and you want to write out parts for the rest of your band.

Recording is moving above and beyond the old fashioned tapes and the need to perform everything live. The recording industry as well as technology individuals are beginning to produce new capabilities within the industry that are creating opportunities, not only in the sound technology, but also in the abilities to record.



Overall, recording capacities are moving into better and simpler characteristics. Before, having a recording studio would take thousands of dollars worth of equipment, each which was specialized and would not offer all of the capabilities. Today, recording equipment is moving into condensed capabilities with sharper abilities to use equipment in an effective way that captures sound.



One of the innovations that is at the forefront of recording is digital capabilities. This includes the ability to record everything through a digital sound, typically produced from the mixing board. The concept of digital sound is one that captures the sound waves at a faster rate. The result is that it creates a clearer sound and allows for more to be picked up with the sounds that are being captured in the area.



With the digital capacities are also new mixing boards that are being used. This is effective for those who are building home recording studios and need compact options. Some of the mixing boards contain capabilities to record, mix and master without the software or computer. This allows for remote capabilities in recording and the possibility to have a simpler process in the recording process.



Not only are these options growing in recording, but so are the electronic capacities of instrumentation and instrumental sounds. As more is found out about the way in which recording works, newer options for capturing the right types of sounds that sound either electronic or digital are also coming into place. There are continuously newer options to get the correct sound, grow with the right capacities and have more options for putting together an arrangement.



Along these lines of improvement are the new capacities for equipment. Microphones, amplifiers, pre-amps and the equipment that stabilizes the sounds, both in the recording studio and to capture the sounds, are now coming in more condensed packages as well. You can now find all in one amps or microphones, all which are built specifically to record and to capture the right sounds without the problems of playing live.



The way in which the equipment is being built is becoming divided into two categories. This is either for the studio or for performance. This is occurring because of the acoustics that apply to both. In a studio, you want to dampen and deaden all of the extra sound vibrations that occur. With performance; however, you want to capture the smaller sounds and allow for resonance. This, as well as capacities among electronic instruments with easy to use options are quickly moving into the market.



If you are building a recording studio, keeping the newer options in mind and how they can affect your recording process will help you to build the right type of studio with the best capacities. You will then be able to create more options in capturing the correct sounds, putting together the right mix and saving on time with the CDs that you are able to put together.

Nashville is a town in Tennessee that gets plenty of attention due to it being the center of country music. People come from all over the world to visit what is known as Music City USA. It isn't just country music artists that come here to record and perform though. Many rock and roll artists also love the musical influence that is found there. This is also home for many Christian music artists. Yet it is the country music genre that gets the majority of the publicity here.



Nashville is a huge place though and the second largest city in all of Tennessee. There are plenty of recording studios to be found as well as record companies. People from all over come to Nashville with big hopes and dreams. They think they can make it big if they can just get discovered in Nashville. Yet so many people have the same idea so it can be harder than it seems. Record companies get hundreds of demos daily and they just don't have the time to listen to all of them.



Tourists will find there is plenty to see and do on a visit to Nashville. The most popular of them all is the Grand Ole Opry. It is a good idea to try to get tickets well in advance though. This way you won't be disappointed when you arrive and can't get in. There are different artists invited to perform there all the time so you have a good chance of seeing one of your favorites.



The Country Music Hall of Fame is also located in Nashville. For those that really enjoy country music, this is a place to make sure you dedicate a full day of time to. Since 1961 it has served as a place to honor those that have dedicated so much to the world of country music. This includes performers, writers, and producers. There are new members inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame each year during a wonderful ceremony.



One of the biggest country music events of the year takes place there each summer. Fan Fair draws more than 200,000 people each year. This event lasts for four days and there are plenty of top artists to perform. There are also autograph sessions and fans will wait in line all day long to meet their favorite country music stars.

I warned my husband at least thirty times. He didn't listen and I lost an entire day of work because of it. He knew that the music sharing program we had on our computer was not safe, but he thought he would luck out. He is in a band, and sometimes he downloads a song just long enough to learn it, then he deletes it. I know that most of the files you get from such a program are usually either full of viruses or adware. He thought that he was safe, but I knew better. Sure enough, last week, he downloaded me a lovely virus that brought my day to a standstill.



The music sharing program itself is safe, but when you download something from someone else's computer, you are opening yourself up to get just about anything. You aren't getting just the song in most cases, because some of the songs have nasty little surprises in them. We got a pretty nasty virus that started planting programs around my computer, and it also stopped my antivirus program from uploading. I knew it has to have come from the music sharing program, even though my husband swore he wasn't using it any longer.



I had had a headache, and I laid down for a few hours. During this time he reloaded the music sharing program, got a few songs, and then uninstalled it, hoping I wouldn't find out. When I got on the computer I noticed that my user account said that new software had been installed but I couldn't find anything. I looked in our recycle bin on the computer and saw the music sharing program sitting there. He wasn't covering his tracks very well.



I had to get a new antivirus program to clean my computer, and when the list of viruses came up, all but one of them were known to be passed along via a music sharing program. He didn't even argue with me when I got upset with him, and he said that would be the last time he tried it. I guess some people have to get the bad virus before they get smart about a music sharing program. When you download from them, you are giving someone free access to your computer. That's never a wise decision. We got off lucky with just a few viruses actually, as it could have been a lot worse.

I have been playing with music production software ever since I downloaded a trial version of Cool Edit way back in high school. It was kind of clunky, but I absolutely adored it. I suddenly had a powerful program in my hands the could do all kinds of musical things that I had never imagined possible. I could synthesize my own tones, give them different ambiences and effects, layer multiple tracks on top of each other, play things backwards – you name it. By the standards of today's best music production software, It wasn't very powerful, but at the time it absolutely blew me away.



Producing music was a dream of mine at the time. I even contemplated going to college to start a music industry career. One of my brothers was heavily involved in the music industry as a local performer in LA. Although he wasn't really making a career out of it, he did have a nice tidy supplementary income from his shows. I did not have the skills to be a musician, but I did have an ear for music. I could take a good track and make it better – a skill that all music producers need.



I decided to invest in some serious music production software about the time I left high school. I was a realist. Although the technology wasn't quite up to what it is today, I still knew that music production programs were the wave of the future. Buying racks and racks of studio equipment was prohibitively expensive – particularly for an amateur sound recording engineer like myself. The software for music production cost several hundred dollars, but this was nothing compared to the prices of goods sound recording equipment.



What I didn't realize at the time was how many different varieties of music production software there are, and how different the results were between them. A typical music production program could run anywhere from 50 dollars to 500, I know to have the same features. Some were basically music recording and mixing programs, designed to do multiple tracks and clean up the sound quality. Others were designed for electronic music recording artists. They had music sampling, advanced effects, and MIDI capabilities. I slowly realized that if you wanted to be a recording engineer, you needed to have one of everything and be able to do it all. You could not very well have someone come into your studio and not able to access the equipment he needed. I decided to learn it all.