Day 149: How NOT to make a phat bassline

Imagine my joy when I saw a tutorial with the title "How to make a massive synth Bass sound"

Then imagine my disappointment when it turns out to be the worst tutorial ever. To add insult to injury, the final resulting bass line is just pathetic too. It was so bad in fact I decided I had to share it, so comical is it's awfulness.

In short it goes something like "Open this virtual synth you probably don't have, choose a bass sound, eq it a bit to make no noticeable effect, et voila..."

In case you want to read the whole miserable thing, or just skip to the end to see what they laughably think is a 'monster' bass line link is here.

Now I know that's left you feeling pretty sour... so to cheer you up a bit have a ganders at this. It's some rare footage from the first ever DMC championships way back in 1897

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 148: Summer vibes.

As 30 degrees becomes the norm, and the smell of suncream permeates the air, it's amazing how quickly music follows suit.

I've been back in blighty for a week, and it's like since being away I missed the memo about summer tunes. Dark grimey wobble bass lines make the way for punchy optimistic major chord happy tunes. I do like it when music follows the seasons.

Enjoy these two over a sangria down by the waterfront:

Dre Skull - Gone Too Far feat. Sizzla (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)

Bounce camp - Good beat

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 147: The joy of buying music.

Old timers will remember me posting about this before, but for those Johnny come latlies I'll say it again. Buy more music...

Seriously, do. It's rewarding on many levels.

I'm no puritan, I've downloaded the odd track or two in my time. However I do still buy music, even when I don't need to, and it's not just because I think it's the right thing to do.

Let's get this clear, I am talking about independent music here. Not that you shouldn't buy commercial music either, just that this is more relevant to smaller artists, and, well that's what the blog is about.

The first reason to buy music is because it's cheap, almost silly cheap really. When you take away the retailers cut, the artist can't be left with much anyway.

The second reason is, because it's really easy. I mean, seriously it is... while you're searching Soul Seek or Hypem for the right version, in ok quality of a remix, I've found it, paid for it, and got it on the download at full band width.

Reason 3, if it's not obvious, is because it's the right thing to do. Let's not preach here, we all know the score, but imagine you make or sell something. Isn't the most rewarding thing, money aside, seeing people support what you do? Imagine making some killer tracks, but not selling any. You might well give up mightn't you.

Fourthly, quality. Lots of it. Buy the original and be all smug that you've got the real deal. Not some 128kb promo, or a snippet from a live set. Ok maybe you can't tell the difference on your home hifi, but playing out your audience will thank you.

Last of all... good old fashioned respect. Tunes I've nabbed from blogs,p2p, where-ever are almost seen as, as disposable... tunes I buy are assets. Much more likely to be a tune I love, and more likely to be listened to over and over, played out etc. Hey, crazy idea... but isn't that how it should be.

Discover on the internet, but always pay for something you love, it really is that simple.

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 146: Big Piano Riffage.

OK, so last of the short, transient blogs this week. I'm away from home so blogging time is at a premium, hence the "hello, here's a tutorial" type posts.

So... here's a tutorial, this time about making that classic BIG piano House sound. I love a bit of a piano tune, and secretly think it's coming back this summer, so keep your ears peeled.
How to make a big house piano sound...

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 145:Command Line techno

This is a video of techno created on the command line. In many ways I guess this is the spiritual home of techno production. "A GUI for techno, pfffft". That's probably what all German bedroom producers have been thinking for years (sorry Germans).

I have some friends who might think this is a lot cooler than it really is, interesting watch though.

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 144: Vocoded

As I speak to you in a roboty voice (you have to work with me on this one) it gives me great pleasure to present to you a lovely free software vocoder.

Go on, give it a go, and get all those Cher moments out of your system!

Get it here.

2/365

p&&l

bang!

Day 143: Dull Minimal, that's actually ok!

I've made my feelings on minimal clear a few times before, and those still hold true. However one way to make anything instantly better in my opinion is to sprinkle it with a little bit of Mad Decent magic.

So it gives me great pleasure to present this Mad Decent "Dull Summer Minimal Mix" (their words not mine). Tho actually, for minimal, it's less dull than normal, hence the joke I assume. Nice and summery, with out the poncey beardyness that usually comes with it.

Nice.

Get it here.

2/365

p&&l

bang!