Mixtape?? ERRRRR!!!

In order for most hip-hop artist to make it these days one must adjust to the mixtape life. Artist  now are either so eager to put out music (or to follow the trend to success) that they aren't waiting on labels or budgeting for proper albums. With all the politics and business loop holes that comes along with dealing with labels and the people within them, I don't blame rappes for going that route. It's no different than big name classical composers back in the day composing small ensemble, chamber, and solo works outside of having to do the big large scale commissioned symphonies and orchestral works. I do, however, have issues with some rappers going this route. My problem with this is...

1. The track listings are not complete.

2. They seem like cheap albums the entertainer would drop off to the Dollar General or the Gas Station.

3. The albums  read to the fans like masturbation would read to a husband/wife. A quick, thoughtless  fix to get you through until his/her partner can get in the mood or can work out their intimacy issues.

For me, if a rapper is going to do a mixtape, let it be an inspired work. The whole point of claiming to be an "artist" is that one strives to put forth artwork...no different than Dali, Picasso, or McQueen for that matter. Most Entertainers these days (especially rapers) claim the term 'artist' so readily, when really they haven't done any artwork. Many of them should just go ahead and call them selves canvases . If i'm going to pay attention to a mixtape, it needs to be something far removed from what an album should be, but something worthy of it's own distinction. The reason people are escaping to indie music and to underground rappers is that their lyrics, music, voices, and intent seems more inspired...more artistic. They always have interesting things to say...they are always thinking of the approach of the music...and are never mindful about the "bang for the buck", or about trying to make the music do business. Mixtapes were always a hip-hop hustle, but now it's like an industry hustle, something I've never been completely with. If you're gonna hustle it, do something interesting with it. Overall, Mixtapes are great ideas, but if it's just gonna be some random songs, random words, and random feelings on a stick...the entertainers can keep that for their own self-stimulation.

Home Based Digital Recording

    More recently than ever, recording artist have taken the power away from the major recording studios and into their own precisely created digital worlds. This new refined era in technology allows for one to create complete masterpieces in the comfort of their own homes.  Digital recording is becoming more affordable and a preferred method to many musical enthusiasts. In fact, one would surprised to find out just how many major artist create their chart-topping hits in their home based recording studios, then send the pro-tools session off to these multi-million dollar studios for the real magic that happens during the mixing and mastering session.

   So if you are considering setting up your own recording studio in your home, with limited funds, let me offer some guidance. 

 First and most importantly you must consider your budget. Lets say you have $2500, which is a fairly small budget but is very manageable, and we are going to….. guitar-center! Now for this example, we are assuming that you already have a computer, a pc. What I would first suggest is to purchase your recording software. Now the industry standard is pro-tools so we are going start there. When purchasing pro-tools you would want to buy one of the m-box bundle packages that include the recording interface which will run you about $500.

 So now you are at $2000.  Next you need a microphone, which is an essential part of your recordings sound quality.  We are going to go with the Neumann TLM 102 Condenser mic, which will run you about $650. The Neumann brand is very good, and they have a good reputation for delivery a good industry sound. 

Now with $1350 left, we need monitors. For a whole lot of speaker at small price, you want to go with the Yamaha HS50M. These monitors reasonably priced at $450, will give you an honest mix and are the preferred choice for industry professionals. 

With $950, left you next want to purchase 2 sets of headphones. With the proposed budget, this component will be based on mere preference to the individual but you should not consider spending no more than $150 dollars for both pairs, which now leaves you at $800. 

With the major components of your recording studio complete, you are now able to freely spend the remaining funds as you please. Some of you may be producers and may consider investing in a midi controller or sound-bank samples. Others of you may be interested in engineering and may choose to invest in good mixing plug-ins. Hopefully this has been beneficial to your home-based recording studio needs.