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Herb,
A very educational and well thought out response!
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I agree. New gear is fun, but it's not the answer to the problem. That money and time should be spent on learning more about writing and making industry contacts.....
Back to the music..... I'd like to hear the stuff you are currently writing and producing. That way, the cards are on the table so to speak. Advice could be offered at that point.
I mentioned TAXI.... their forum is free. Many of their other educational stuff is free too. Submitting songs requires the membership.
One word of advice (well maybe a few)... if you take offense to advice and criticism on your music, don't post on the TAXI site to ask for reviews and comments. They are all about songwriting and some crits can be "harsh". However, if you can't take criticism, you're in the wrong business if you're trying to place music.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 01/13/14 07:41 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
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Winner of the Golden Advice award!
Instead of focusing on “getting signed”, focus on playing music.
+1
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Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2011
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... 24 track Digital Studio from another friend of mine. ... It has everything that you could ever need. This is never true.
So, if I get this I can get everything sounding to professional as the next guys.
This is rarely true. I've met guys can make your typical Tascam or Fostex 4-track recording sound like is was recorded in a multi-million dollar studio... But, they technical and musical mega-chops (maybe even terra-chops). These are the same dudes who can take a laminate Fender acoustic, play the plastic off the fretboard, and make it sound like a pre-war Martin. I have also met folks that have recorded in a multi-million dollar studio with $5000+ dollar guitars and don't sound any better than me (and that's pretty bad [but I have fun]). The latter would have been far better off spending their gold pieces on solid musical instruction and a recording course at the local community college. Doing that, they would still have the dough for the Tascam 4-track and they would know how to make the best of both their equipment and their talent. YMMV
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Herb completely nailed it. I've been there and done that but not lately. Nothing has changed except for the fact that years ago it was merely hundreds of thousands of wannabe's trying this now it's millions and like he said the quality of the writing and music production is much better.
How is this possible you ask? Because of all the indulgent parents who spent mega thousands sending their kids to top flight music universities all over the world where they learned all about these things and then they got to finalize their projects in the university's million dollar studio with the professors who all have years of experience in the industry teaching them exactly how to do it including using the very best mics and other equipment.
About 15 years ago the band I was in was invited to play in the UCLA film school studio as test dummies. We played three songs and the students recorded and shot everything on video and we got a copy of the tape. That studio was amazing. I asked how many students went through there every semester and the answer was a couple of hundred.
Every semester for the last who knows how many years.
Multiply that by every high level music school in the world for say 20 years and you get some idea of how many grads there are. And that's just university grads, how about everybody else with some experience and talent but never went to school with it?
The odds of getting something significant done are truly at the Lotto level.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
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Herb completely nailed it. I've been there and done that but not lately. Nothing has changed except for the fact that years ago it was merely hundreds of thousands of wannabe's trying this now it's millions and like he said the quality of the writing and music production is much better.
How is this possible you ask? Because of all the indulgent parents who spent mega thousands sending their kids to top flight music universities all over the world where they learned all about these things and then they got to finalize their projects in the university's million dollar studio with the professors who all have years of experience in the industry teaching them exactly how to do it including using the very best mics and other equipment.
About 15 years ago the band I was in was invited to play in the UCLA film school studio as test dummies. We played three songs and the students recorded and shot everything on video and we got a copy of the tape. That studio was amazing. I asked how many students went through there every semester and the answer was a couple of hundred.
Every semester for the last who knows how many years.
Multiply that by every high level music school in the world for say 20 years and you get some idea of how many grads there are. And that's just university grads, how about everybody else with some experience and talent but never went to school with it?
The odds of getting something significant done are truly at the Lotto level.
Bob I agree with Bob that there's way more competition now, but I don't think there are many kids getting their demos recorded/mastered at the local university, but there are a whole bunch of kids and adults with a half-decent recording setup at home just like us - that's what has blossomed hugely over the past 20 years. Price of entry to making a really nice sounding demo has dropped precipitously over the past 20 years. The very existence of software like BIAB/RB has promulgated the abundance of usable demos. Same thing with photography when digital and photo editing software became only a couple hundred bucks of investment. Technology has made it possible, not rich parents.
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I want the one where I get to be on the Ed Sullivan Show multiple times and a dressing room with only red jelly beans and hotel rooms where I can tear out the walls! Oh and lots of money and fame!
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if you take offense to advice and criticism on your music, don't post on the TAXI site to ask for reviews and comments. They are all about songwriting and some crits can be "harsh". However, if you can't take criticism, you're in the wrong business if you're trying to place music. I'm satisfied with my own song writing over the years but I have no illusions about my place in the music world. Admittedly, I'm older and somewhat jaded. But, if I were to do a 'Taxi' thing or anything of that nature the above is exactly what I would want to hear about anything I would submit. One needs to have the skin of a snow tire. Thin skin and/or frail egos have no place in the music industry. IMO....most are not interested in the candid evaluations/criticisms of their songs. Plus, that flies in the face of the old adage 'if you can't say something nice, don't say it'. But, I have been wrong in the past.  I sincerely wish all the best of luck in their musical pursuits. That's my take on it. Carry on....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 01/16/14 08:44 AM.
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Journeyman
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High!
I really liked your post and thank you for posting here sir. There was something that caught my eye when I looked at your profile. I noticed that you where in the "Marine Corps" from 65 to 69? Well, I wanted to take the time out to thank you and any Vet on this website that protected my freedoms that I now enjoy. If you had not done that who knows what would have happened to our freedoms that we enjoy. So, I would like to take the time out to say thank-you for that my friend. This country is the greatest country in the world and our freedom proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
thanks to every veteran that sacrificed to protect my freedom and country...
Last edited by trapper456; 01/16/14 12:11 AM. Reason: Coreect a few typos
Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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High! I really liked your post and thank you for posting here sir. There was something that caught my eye when I looked at your profile. I noticed that you where in the "Marine Corps" from 65 to 69? Well, I wanted to take the time out to thank you and any Vet on this website that protected my freedoms that I now enjoy. If you had not done that who knows what would have happened to our freedoms that we enjoy. So, I would like to take the time out to say thank-you for that my friend. This country is the greatest country in the world and our freedom proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
thanks to every veteran that sacrificed to protect my freedom and country... High trapper456...:) Correct on your observations above and I share your other comments regarding all that had the courage to serve....they are the true 1%ers. I'm sincerely honored by your kind words. I somehow survived a picnic in a land far, far away and returned with all my limbs. I finally did make a DVD documentary about my 'picnic' before I forget everything or wax totally daft. There's pics, music(some original), narration so it took me 2+ years to finish....whew! If your were the one that gave a listen to some of my creative drivel....thanks again. My song 'Just Do It' is a brief reflection of my VN experiences and included on said DVD. Best to you with your music endeavors. Back to topic luminaries. Carry on...
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 01/16/14 10:21 AM.
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Sorry...double posted somehow....I need more coffee.
I don't know how to completely lose this post.
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 01/16/14 09:57 AM.
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I just posted a similar topic. This thread was very informative.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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