February 2012
1 post
4 tags
Using SoundCloud To Promote Your Music
Soundcloud has become the leading community for sharing music on the web. Whether you’re a music creator or music lover, taking advantage of features such as sets, free downloads, sharing your music and connecting with others are all a very important part of promoting your music on soundcloud. I personally have been using soundcloud for a few years now and I can say without a doubt that it has...
January 2012
1 post
3 tags
Mixing at Low Levels
So you make dance music, its music that’s meant to be played at insanely loud volume levels at clubs and festivals around the world. So why not crank it up while you’re making it? One big mistake newbie (and in some cases experienced) engineers and producers make is they feel they have to pound the heck out of the speakers all day to get a loud mix. Wrong! This is not true, in fact, mixing at...
December 2011
1 post
3 tags
Tyler Hampton - Spoken For (JDS Remix) Now...
Did this remix for DBR Recordings. I really liked the grooving bassline and overall funky vibe of the original mix so I decided to put my own touch of deeper, tech house influences to the track. Been getting great feedback so far. The track is now out on beatport!
Check out Tyler Hampton - Spoken For (JDS Remix) on beatport
October 2011
1 post
August 2011
2 posts
4 tags
July Update
July has been a very busy month at SLM and what better way to spend a summer then producing a bunch of fresh projects. Here’s a short recap of some of the projects I’ve been working on over the last month.
Toronto Pop/Electro artist Thane came back into the sub level studios this month to record his follow up single to last summer’s smash “London Town”. We’re currently working on his second...
July 2011
2 posts
“THE psychologist Gregory Feist found that many of the most creative people in a...”
– http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26shyness.html?pagewanted=3&_r=3&ref=opinion
“Mixing isn’t something that can be learned by overnight. I’ve been...”
– Couple Of Guidelines On Mixing Electronic Music
June 2011
3 posts
Jerry Brito: Top ten myths about introverts →
jerrybrito:
Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk. This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
Myth #2 – Introverts are shy. Shyness has nothing to…
4 tags
Sub Level Music Beat Productions →
Sub Level Music provides recording artists and the music industry with a catalog of pre-made “radio ready” beat productions. Our styles range all over the map from Hip Hop to Dance, Pop, Electro, House, Dubstep and more.
Some artists prefer pre-made beats to write songs to while others tend to come up with lyrics and melodies before any music is conceived. In this case we also offer...
3 tags
Creating a club track: 10 mix and arrangement tips
For many of us, the dream is not to get our tracks on the radio, but played in the clubs. However, if you want DJs to pick up your tunes, you need to ensure that they’re dancefloor friendly.
If you’re struggling to create tracks that can get a crowd going, check out these ten mix and arrangement tips.
1. Dance tunes generally progress in 16-bar sections. Within each of these...
May 2011
2 posts
How To Quantize Audio
One of the features included in Ableton Live is the ability to quantize audio. This means if you record a guitar riff that’s slightly out of time, you can fix it up and get everything in sync – just like magic!
Well, not quite… there’s a bit of work involved, but thanks to Live’s transient detection and warping engine, it’s not too much of a mission. If your audio is badly out of time,...
3 tags
Preparing Your Files for Sub Level Music Mixing...
When preparing your files for a “mix down” there are a few steps you need to take to clean up your session before sending your files off to Sub Level Music.
Files
Only provide us with the files that you intend on using. Any scrap or “maybe” takes and/or audio that is muted or not being used in the session can be thrown away before rendering your session for mixing.
...
March 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Parallel Compression in Ableton Live
Parallel compression AKA New York compression is a technique used by many engineers in mixing. Parallel compression is achieved by duplicating the same audio source and having one of sources uncompressed (dry) or lightly compressed and the other source heavily compressed. This way you are still able to blend the two sources (dry and compressed) together but still keep the original dynamics of a...
6 tags
LNR - Work It To The Bone (JDS Remix) Free...
Having been a DJ for the past 15 years, I have always had a true passion for the early House sounds of Chicago.
I woke up and started humming a pretty basic house groove in my head and for some bizarre reason, the vocals from LNR – “work it to the bone” seemed to work. Then I said, “I think I’m going to go down to my studio and make a remix of this”.
Fortunately I have the original 12 inch...
4 tags
Mixing V.S. Mastering
People tend to get these two aspects of the production process confused in fact, more often then not I get inquires about mastering, only to download a 700mb folder full of audio files. That only means one thing, what the client really wanted was mixing. So I thought it would be helpful to clear up any confusion about the two.
Mixing is the process that happens after a song has been completely...
February 2011
1 post
3 tags
Some Good Sample Clearance and Copyright Resources
Found this great site for anyone looking for sample clearance services.
http://www.sampleclearance.com/
While your at it feel free to check out a few resourses with regards to copyright and public domain.
http://www.life123.com/career-money/business-law/copyright/when-does-music-become-public-domain.shtml
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/When_does_a_song_becomes_a_public_domain
...
January 2011
1 post
5 tags
Benefits of a Remix
Many times when I’m working on a project with an artist I am asked to also provide them with a remix. I thought I would write up a short description about why the remix can add massive value to an artist’s music career.
Remixing is talking the original songs separate multi track parts or “stems” and adding a completely new composition and musical style to its original recorded version. Providing...
December 2010
5 posts
4 tags
Why Artists Need a Producer
If your an artist looking to get the attention of the record labels, it isnt enough to just hand over a dodgy rough produced demo and say “hey check out my demo and if you like it, maybe you can sign me and develop my music”
Reality is labels are no longer investing time and money in artist development. They want to see you have already done the leg work and by leg work I mean pretty...
4 tags
2010 What a Year!
Overall 2010 was a very busy year for me in the studio and I can’t help but feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with some of music’s greatest up and coming talent! As the projects continue to role in, I anticipate an even better 2011 for artist projects and hope some of you reading this will consider taking your first steps to achieving the hit sound and musical success you deserve.
...
The Remixer's Bible
The book is a bit old now but was a great read. Many of the essential tricks and tips to remixing dance music are in this book.
http://www.amazon.com/Remixers-Bible-Build-Better-Beats/dp/0879308818
4 tags
Ableton Live 8 - Adding Swing To Beats
One thing that Ableton Live was missing before Live 8 was its ability to swing elements of your track individually. With older versions of Live, there was the “global groove” feature (located at the top left hand corner). What this allowed you to do is apply swing to your entire track adding a more human feel to the music. Personally I found this to be a bit limited so my work around when...
4 tags
How to Produce a Successful Dance Track
I have been receiving a lot of inquires from independent artist and labels over the past few weeks. Many have been requesting to have dance tracks produced or remixed for their upcoming singles and albums. I thought I would share some tips to help you understand how I produce a club banger.
1. Building the Groove
First and for most, a dance track has to move you, people need to be able to feel...
November 2010
3 posts
4 tags
Chopping Sound the Fun and Easy Way!
I love this plugin! When I feel a loop needs that extra spark there’s nothing that achieves this better than Effectrix. Also my weapon of choice for glitching and chopping up vocals when remixing tracks.
Have a listen to a recent Snoop Dogg Remix I produced that demonstrates the power of this plug on various elements of the...
4 tags
London Town Now Supported by DJ's Around The...
“London Town”, now on iTunes, has been making ripples in the dance music scene with the potential to make huge waves! Here is some early feedback through Total Release Promo by top electronic music industry… “London Town (Joe De Simone Club Mix)” “Will Try” Markus Schulz (Global Dj Broadcast) “Good Vocal Release!” DJ Denis A (DAR) Rating 9/10 ...
3 tags
The Difference Between Exclusive and Non Exclusive...
Here is something every independent recording artist needs to know when deciding to buy beats from a producer.
Non Exclusive Rights:
If you decide to purchase a beat from us non-exclusively (“lease”) we Sub Level Music still hold all copyright and ownership to the beat and can lease out that same beat several times to different artists.
Your rights are that you can use the beat for any profitable...
September 2010
1 post
4 tags
Akai APC 40 Ableton Controller
I recently added the Akai APC 40 dedicated Ableton controller to my studio set up and even though some might say it is only used for DJ’ing or live use I must say this machine has really enhanced my work flow. The device not only allows me to launch clips on the fly when composing initial ideas for beats but also enables me to get better hands control both when tracking an artist and when mixing...
July 2010
1 post
Discovering Electronic Music - An educational film...
I came across a great video about the basics of synthesis and how sound is generated. Really cool to watch!
http://synth.tk/
May 2010
1 post
4 tags
Snoop Dogg Feat Kid Cudi - That Tree (Joe De...
Indaba Music always has great Remix Contests from some amazing artists but this was one contest I couldn’t pass on. With a combination of jacking beats and a wobble style electro bass line. This mix is sure to get the floor shakin!
Download Snoop Dogg Feat. Kid Cudi - That Tree (Joe De Simone Remix)
April 2010
2 posts
Great Article for Independent Artists
I found this amazing article about why Independent Artists need to take marketing more serious in order to succeed.
by gregrollett
http://www.genyrockstars.com/2009/12/2010-indie-music-marketing.html
3 tags
What I love About Ableton Live 8
After bouncing back and forth over the last year between Live 7 and 8 I finally made the leap to version 8 and have to say, I am loving many of the new features. This version has really enhanced my Music Production Process. Live 8 is now my daily work horse and Sampler on roids when I’m working in the studio. Here are a list of a few new features I can’t live without in Ableton Live 8.
1.The new...
January 2010
2 posts
6 tags
Timbaland - Morning After Dark (Sub Level Remix)...
I had an itch to scracth and decided to get busy in the studio and Produce a Remix of Timbaland’s Hit Single “Morning After Dark” This mix is a Electro/Club Banger and has been getting some serious spins!
Download Timbaland - Morning After Dark (Sub Level Remix)
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