RECORDING EQUIPMENT BASICS

                                                  RECORDING EQUIPMENT BASICS




How to create a home studio for the low and get the best results, on Pre-Production.
which will cut cost by a good amount when you take your music to the studio to mix and mastering.

These are 7 basic pieces of equipment you need to create your studio 

1. A MICROPHONE 
2. AN AUDIO INTERFACE
3. DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION ( DAW ) 
4. DIGITAL KEYBOARD
5. STUDIO MONITER
6. HEADPHONES 
7. CABLES 

I did not include computer assuming you already have one, if you don't have a computer then I advise that you get one, you don't have to spend thousands ( around $600) will cover it. 

Your computer must be fast, a CORE- I OR CORE 2 PROCESSOR should be good enough.

I advise to buy your computer new, and you can buy the equipment second hand. and save even more. 

1. MICROPHONE : The cheapest affordable mic can go for $70 this is a USB MIC called                                                    SNOWBALL  if you can spend around $100 to $150 then these mics are the best                                  choices. STUDIO PROJECTS B1  , AKG C2000B OR THE MXL 990   

2. AUDIO INTERFACE : The AUDIO INTERFACE connects your mic's instruments etc to your                                                  computer. ( this is the simple explanation) for $150 to $200 the 

                                           APOGEE INTERFACE could be purchased on a used market and works                                                well to clean up sound between the instruments, mics and your computer.

                                           FOCUSRITE SAFFIRE 6  The cost is around $200.00 . 

NOW COMES THE SOFTWARE 

3. DAW- DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION: PROTOOLS, CUBASE, are all examples of this                                                                                     software. On a MAC GARAGEBAND will be the                                                                                   cheapest option to mixing. SEQUEL is a step up, and                                                                             still easy to use at $80 but if you want a little cheaper                                                                             the REAPER is a good option for WINDOWS users.

                                                                            at only $60. If you want free software and of course                                                                                 who doesn't here are a few, ADOUR for MAC, or                                                                                   LMMS. 

4. KEYBOARD :    If your creating live music you do not need this. If your creating music that                                           has synthesized sounds then you need to invest into this. A 49 key keyboard will                                   work and you can find a good one for for just under $100 like the
                                M-AUDIO KEYSTATION-49. You can also get bigger one or a small one to                                         travel with that only has 32 keys.If you are going for cheap we advise you go for                                   a new one instead of used, to at least have a good quality cheap keyboard.

5. STUDIO MONITERS;  AKA SPEAKERS.  This is the only piece of equipment you should not go cheap with sound is clearly everything. With around $300 you can get a real good pair I actually recommend the SAMSON RESOLV A6 .

6. HEADPHONES :  See our post on headphones for the low here, also these headphones are good                                       for home studios. SENNHEISER'S HD-555'S or HD25'S.

7. CABLE:                 These are self explanatory, you need cables to be hook up your mic's and                                               monitors in the  right way. You need XLR CABLES for your microphones.
                                    and 1/4 TS CABLES to hook up the Studio Monitors. The better the cables                                          does make the different in the sound and output. 

For around $1,500 you can create a nice studio if will cost around $2,000 if you need to purchase a computer. 

HOW TO INVADE FOREIGN MARKETS- HIPHOP MUSIC IN 10 COUNTRIES

        HOW TO INVADE FOREIGN MARKETS- MUSIC

A lot of artist look at foreign markets and make them seem well how else to say it but foreign. 

Yes a few of the countries that we will present on this list do speak different languages, some have a slight different culture then the free flowing American culture we are so use to but they all appreciate real HIPHOP. 

Music in general is the only international language that all understand just by listening, even tho you may not be able to translate the words or know the meaning you will also know the feeling of a good song. 

WHICH COUNTRIES SUPPORT HIPHOP THE MOST OUTSIDE OF THE USA? These are in no official order but these are the countries that are embracing the USA CULTURE AND VERSION of HIPHOP the most.

1. UK

England and the whole UK which actually consist of Wales & Ireland included. Are very accepting to the whole HIPHOP / RAP Movement and all its culture. UK has a drawing to alll types of USA HIPHOP especially the new stuff, so artist creting different and more futuristic sounds can start poking into this market fairly quickly, also take a listen to the Grime sound or ENGLAND which is a techno/dance/hiphop hybrid that has some major artist in the UK gaining global attention. Sample some of that sound infuse it with your American raps and boom you could be on your way to being the next big thing in the UK.
 THESE ARE SOME HIPHOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN THE UK WHEN VISITING
                        http://www.timeout.com/london/clubs/hip-hop-clubs-in-london

2. FRANCE

The french love the LATE 90's TO MID 2000'S  hiphop, yes they are in the middle of a new culture wave that is more accepting to the sounds of TRAP ETC. but they live for and go to shows by the thousands when it comes to what we now call oldskool hiphop, anything that sounds like
MOBB-DEEP, DMX, ETC. is right up the french hiphop heads alley. they study the culture and can actually give you a run for your money on hiphop music history. Don't let the language barrier fool you, as most french hiphoppers know more English then you think, and also if you ever heard FRENCH RAP you may want to learn French yourself, as it sound like one of the only languages outside of English that goes so well with the beat.
THESE ARE SOME HIPHOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN FRANCE WHEN VISITING

Bus Palladium 
6, rue Fontaine 75009 · 
01 53 21 07 33 

SanZ SanS 
49, rue du Fbg-St-Antoine 75011 
01 44 75 78 78

3. CANADA

The land right above the USA is a easy market to cross over to as they are more accepting to U.S RAPPERS then most places, they are also pretty easy to drive to especially if your a Eastcoast artist you can hit up Montreal, Quebec and Toronto in a 3-4 day trip or tour. Remember your passport tho, as people are no longer able to just cross into Canada with just an ID or license. Once you arrive you will find that the clud scene in Montreal is amazing. also Toronto is a cleaner version of NYC. This country is worth you making a trip and trying to grow your brand, do your research first on google or look up some Canadian artist and possibly work out collaboration opts while on your trip.
THESE ARE SOME HIPHOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN CANADA WHEN VISITING
https://www.yelp.ca/search?find_desc=hip+hop+clubs&find_loc=Montr%C3%A9al%2C+QC

4. JAPAN 
A little further then some of the other markets we have suggested so far but well worth the trip if you can foot the bill of $2,500 or so for flight hotel etc. Before you dive into booking the trip consider the time you will be flying into your planning, as you will need a day or two extra to recover from flights to and from this country. Check out the local hiphop scene via websites to discover some of the emerging artist theyhave in the scene, they as in the Japan love American or Enlgish Hiphop even tho most of the artist in Japan do rap in Japanese you will find them very welcoming.
THESE ARE SOME HIPHOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN JAPAN WHEN VISITING
                            http://www.travelience.com/blog/nightclub-in-tokyo-japan/

5. AFRICA

Yes a good amount of people consider this land the birthplace of all African American music, because of it's heavy bass and rythem influence on the the world, so naturally Africa is a heavy hiphop supporter. Don't expect to get rich touring Africa but you can start making a impact discover an amazing country and visit some amazing once in a lifetime places. South Africa is the biggest known for the hiphop scene, but don't sleep on places like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana and of course Nigeria.
THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN AFRICA WHEN VISITING
http://urbanafricaclub.com/

6. AUSTRALIA

The land down under, has more to offer then you can imagine, not only do the people speak english and embrace hip hop Sydney of course is the major area for hiphop clubs and parties, but Melbourne and Adelaide and even Perth have some locales that you can visit and also intergrate with the artist that make the continent home.
THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN AUSTRALIA WHEN VISITING
https://www.yelp.com.au/search?find_desc=hip+hop+night+clubs&find_loc=Sydney+New+South+Wales

7. DENMARK 

Copenhagen and HipHop just seem like it was destined to be together. For European cities this city or should I say the country has a lot to offer embraces all elements of hip-hop and is hip and up to date on the culture.
THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN DENMARK WHEN VISITING
http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/gastronomy/top-10-nightclubs

8. AMSTERDAM

Off course the land of legal Cannabis smoke is also a great little place to expose fans to your music so when you take a break to hit the coffee shops make sure you also bring your music and let the people know about your work, most would appreciate to help discover and promote a new emerging U.S artist.
THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN AMSTERDAM WHEN VISITING
http://blog.partywithalocal.com/2013/05/03/top-5-clubs-in-amsterdam/

9.GERMANY

Since the fall of the great wall Germany has been so fascinted with American culutre and this does include the very underground and early 2000's sounds of hiphop real lyrics , lyrical MC'S with complex rhyme schemes and wordplay are most appreciated in the German cities and amoung the hip-hop culture of Berlin and surrounding areas. So if you do make the trip make sure you are rhyme ready it will also be good to collaborate with a german artist when in the country as you both can benefit from cross promotion ( the German market is giant)
THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN GERMANY WHEN VISITING
http://www.10best.com/destinations/germany/frankfurt/nightlife/dance-clubs/

10.BRAZIL 

You got to love the beaches the independence and freedom of Brazil, they love hip-hop and show it in clothes and fashion, and also heavily at the clubs they perfer the older school but embrace all forms of hip-hop in general check out the night clubs for the best party you can find on the southern tip of the map.

THESE ARE SOME HIP HOP CLUBS TO CHECK OUT IN BRAZIL WHEN VISITING

http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/tag/hip-hop-in-rio/

$2DOLLAHOLLA PROMO $8DOLLAHOLLA BY THENXTSTAR.COM

            $2DOLLAHOLLA $8DOLLAHOLLA

 SOCIAL MEDIA MUSIC ARTIST PROMO 

         http://www.thenxtstar.com/#!promoservices/c21ck

HOW CAN WE AFFORD TO DO THIS, BY VOLUME, WE HAVE OVER 100 ARTIST PRODUCERS OR LABELS PER DAY REACHING OUT TO US TO GET PROMOTED IN SOME MANNER. WE ALSO PROMOTE COMPANIES BLOGS BRANDS ETC. ANYONE LOOKING TO REACH THE URBAN MUSIC / INDEPENDENT MUSIC MARKET AND FANS. 

WE ARE A 100% USA COMPANY ( NO SLAVE LABOR) BUT WE WORK WITH ARTIST FROM ACROSS THE WORLD.  LITERALLY WE HAVE WORKED WITH ARTIST FROM IRELAND TO AFRICA & CANADA TO NEW ZEALAND. 

WE PROMOTE TO OVER 2.6 MILLION REAL FANS DAILY ( and growing daily) .
OUR 27 SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ON TWITTER HAVE BEEN BUILT UP THE REAL WAY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND WE HAVE BEEN A PAYPAL VERIFIED BUSINESS FOR MORE THEN 5 YEARS. REAL PROMO TEN POST PER DAY OR MORE. DEPENDING ON THE PROMO PLAN YOU PURCHASE

MOST ARTIST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR $2DOLLAHOLLA AND $8DOLLAHOLLA THE MOST, AND WE DO NOT PUSH YOU OR TRY TO UP SALE.  

WE BELIEVE IF YOU LIKE THE PRODUCT YOU WILL COME BACK. 

97% OF CUSTOMERS HAVE RETURNED. WE WANT YOU TO GET THE BEST PROMO POSSIBLE TO REAL PEOPLE ( NO EGG FACE ACCOUNTS) SIGN UP NOW AND GET YOUR ADS GOING WITHIN 24 HOURS. 

THENXTSTAR.COM  http://www.thenxtstar.com/#!promoservices/c21ck 

                            

            WE REP UR ARTIST UR MUSIC UR CITIES. 

6 QUICK ADVANTAGES OF HOME STUDIO

                                                ADVANTAGES OF HOME STUDIO'S




Here are some advantages of having a home studio.


1. Recording access any time you feel inspired

2. Touch up track capabilities without restrictions or time limits

3. Option to dabble in production which could lead to you owning more of your music rights

4. Collaboration opportunities, you can record other artist network and possible increase networth $$

5. Tax deductible - if you register your music company as a legit company you can deduct a good           amount of legit costs.

6. save money on prerecording albums and Mixtapes.



With these 6 reasons on why you should get or create a home studio, if you have the room at least a space that is is 20 x 20 then you can see why it could be cost effective to build a studio at home even if you only use it for Prerecording then take your work to a mastering studio with a better engineer and equipment you could cut major cost and lost time paid for.



for more tips low cost promo or to check out independent music artist go to www.thenxtstar.com

4 PRODUCERS PER ARTIST.

                             4 PRODUCERS PER ARTIST

After a long discussion in the office by our small but very talented staff at THENXTSTAR 

(shameless plug) lol. 

We came up with a format and actual number to the mystery of how many producers should a recording artist have on one project. 

We took all our answers from 5 different staff members and 4 others that happen to be in the office, we questioned each answer on why that number would be the best fit and after doing all this a few hours and beers later we came up with         4.

Here is why we chose 4 producers per artist album. 

As a recording artist you need your 1 go to producer,  look at it like this ( DRAKE HAS 40) and every real artist has one producer who just gets it and can give your thousands of tracks that fit your style.  This producer should be your in house producer. 

IN HOUSE PRODUCERS: 

This producer is your go to producer, so your contracts should reflect this, your in house producer is the key most important part to your music, besides marketing.  Negotiate with your in house producers on percentages of sales. 

Creatively Royalties 

are usually broken down 50/50 this means 50 towards production and then 50 towards artist label etc. This percentage can go up and down, but remember that this is the producer that will be creating your whole sound and also powering your career with fresh beats so treat them with respect and don't try to be to cheap on the percentage margin. 

Anything lower then 25% of the royalties for an in house producers who creates more then 40% of your album is disrespect. 

2nd Producer 

This producer should be just as good as your go to producer, and here is why. 

 If your in house producer happens to get big headed LOL and leaves you, 

you may loose your signature sound completely. The 2nd producer keeps a safety                         net for you can also compliment your sound and would give you the same quality                         beats at a lower rate or smaller percentage of the royalties if you create a hit single                       with this producer. Also it will create a small studio rivalry as both producers will be up to challenge each other on making your new hit sound. The 2nd producer can be offered some royalty interest on album sales but you should never offer more then 20%. unless the 2nd producer has actually produced more of the album then your in house producer 

( this sometimes happens when then the in house producer is your go to producer for singles, 

1-3 tracks. but the 2nd producer is the one who makes the more solid tracks to fill an album) 

3rd Producer

The 3rd producer should be the one who pushes the envelope tests your limits on musical boundaries the producer that makes those slightly experimental tracks that will make you go outside of your safety zone. This producer should only be offered royalties on singles. 

If they are going to contribute to your album then negotiate a buy out per track. 

This producer should not have more then 2 tracks on your album unless your looking to transfer your sound and move this producer up your production line. Pay them off first. or negotiate a pay back per track once albums start selling etc. but not a royalties agreement. 

4th producer

The 4th producer is technically the youngest or rawest in your group, this person has budding talent, and keeps a fresh spin added to the production circle. This producer could work wonders on mixtapes  and free tracks to give away. The 4th producer is good to flood the underground market. If your paying for these tracks only do cash or per track contracts, never do royalties for this one, unless this producer has made you a single. 

In the event of making  a HIT SINGLE with an outside producer, other then your go to 4 producers, negotiate a contract for royalties only on that single. If your going to add that single to your album, then create a buy out clause, unless your willing to give this outside producer a chunk of royalties for one song on your 12-15 track album produced by your groupd of producers. A buy out is an amount you will pay this producer to own track outright with no royalties involved remember the 50/50% break down and with 4 producers already in your camp you can only split that 50% up so much before you start dipping into your own 50% portion. Also remember that if signed to a major label your portion is more like 25% the label has to eat. 

GOOD LUCK FINDING YOUR TOP 4 PRODUCERS, ONCE YOU DO THIS A SOUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR YOUR MUSIC AND CAREER SO CHOOSE WISELY. 

for more info on music tips , independent artist or to be featured promoted etc. thenxtstar.com

THENXTSTAR - ARTIST FORUM - COMMUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT HIPHOP ARTIST

                       THENXTSTAR - ARTIST FORUM - 

     COMMUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT HIPHOP ARTIST 

IF YOU LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO NETWORK WITH OTHER ARTIST, DISCOVER OTHER ARTIST AND WORK AND RECORD WITH ARTIST FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THEN THE ARTIST FORUM ON THENXTSTAR.COM IS FOR YOU. 

WE ARE LOOKING TO CONNECT PRODUCERS WITH ARTIST. 

ARTIST WITH PRODUCERS

MANAGERS CAN FIND NEW ARTIST. 

INDEPENDENT LABELS CAN FIND NEW ARTIST 

ALSO MAJOR LABELS CAN SEE WHICH ARTIST ARE DROPPING NEW PROJECTS ETC. 

THINK OF IT AS A WAY TO CONNECT ALL ON ONE SITE AT NO COST TO YOU. 

JOIN THE FORUM NOW FREE AND POST YOUR QUESTIONS, YOUR THOUGHTS OR WHO OR WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR.

ALSO POST NEW WORK AND YOUR UPCOMING SHOW DATES ETC..

SIGN UP 100% FREE DO IT NOW, AND CHECK ON THE FORUM DAILY FOR NEW INFO, ARTIST , PRODUCERS ETC. 

http://www.thenxtstar.com/#!muut-forum/cmg5




#MUSICDISTRIBUTIONSYSTEM GET YOUR MUSIC ADDED TO OVER 120 STREAMING NETWORKS AND ONLINE STATIONS FOR ONLY $89.99 ONE TIME FEE AND START COLLECTING ROYALTIES WITH OUT HAVING TO PAY THENXTSTAR.COM ANY %PERCENTAGE OF SALES http://cubadarapfans.blogspot.com/2016/05/thenxtstar-music-distribution-system.html

RECORDING EQUIPMENT BASICS

                                                  RECORDING EQUIPMENT BASICS




How to create a home studio for the low and get the best results, on Pre-Production.
which will cut cost by a good amount when you take your music to the studio to mix and mastering.

These are 7 basic pieces of equipment you need to create your studio 

1. A MICROPHONE 
2. AN AUDIO INTERFACE
3. DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION ( DAW ) 
4. DIGITAL KEYBOARD
5. STUDIO MONITER
6. HEADPHONES 
7. CABLES 

I did not include computer assuming you already have one, if you don't have a computer then I advise that you get one, you don't have to spend thousands ( around $600) will cover it. 

Your computer must be fast, a CORE- I OR CORE 2 PROCESSOR should be good enough.

I advise to buy your computer new, and you can buy the equipment second hand. and save even more. 

1. MICROPHONE : The cheapest affordable mic can go for $70 this is a USB MIC called                                                    SNOWBALL  if you can spend around $100 to $150 then these mics are the best                                  choices. STUDIO PROJECTS B1  , AKG C2000B OR THE MXL 990   

2. AUDIO INTERFACE : The AUDIO INTERFACE connects your mic's instruments etc to your                                                  computer. ( this is the simple explanation) for $150 to $200 the 

                                           APOGEE INTERFACE could be purchased on a used market and works                                                well to clean up sound between the instruments, mics and your computer.

                                           FOCUSRITE SAFFIRE 6  The cost is around $200.00 . 

NOW COMES THE SOFTWARE 

3. DAW- DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION: PROTOOLS, CUBASE, are all examples of this                                                                                     software. On a MAC GARAGEBAND will be the                                                                                   cheapest option to mixing. SEQUEL is a step up, and                                                                             still easy to use at $80 but if you want a little cheaper                                                                             the REAPER is a good option for WINDOWS users.

                                                                            at only $60. If you want free software and of course                                                                                 who doesn't here are a few, ADOUR for MAC, or                                                                                   LMMS. 

4. KEYBOARD :    If your creating live music you do not need this. If your creating music that                                           has synthesized sounds then you need to invest into this. A 49 key keyboard will                                   work and you can find a good one for for just under $100 like the
                                M-AUDIO KEYSTATION-49. You can also get bigger one or a small one to                                         travel with that only has 32 keys.If you are going for cheap we advise you go for                                   a new one instead of used, to at least have a good quality cheap keyboard.

5. STUDIO MONITERS;  AKA SPEAKERS.  This is the only piece of equipment you should not go cheap with sound is clearly everything. With around $300 you can get a real good pair I actually recommend the SAMSON RESOLV A6 .

6. HEADPHONES :  See our post on headphones for the low here, also these headphones are good                                       for home studios. SENNHEISER'S HD-555'S or HD25'S.

7. CABLE:                 These are self explanatory, you need cables to be hook up your mic's and                                               monitors in the  right way. You need XLR CABLES for your microphones.
                                    and 1/4 TS CABLES to hook up the Studio Monitors. The better the cables                                          does make the different in the sound and output. 

For around $1,500 you can create a nice studio if will cost around $2,000 if you need to purchase a computer.