LETTER OF THE MONTH
Jul 1, 2007 12:00 PM
WE'RE ALL GROWN UP!
I remember back when I saw one of the first volumes/issues of Remix. The cover included a picture of Ritchie Hawtin. I believe I still have the copy I picked up from Record Time in Detroit. Anyone remember the Disco D interview and record shopping at this location?
Anyway, the May issue was great — from deephouse jet-setter Miguel Migs and Timbaland's self-confidence to Tracey Thorn (EBTG) and “Hyper Drives” [“Phantom Power”] maintenance. I am an aspiring DJ/remixer and love to read the large variety of topics and genres covered in what Remix has grown to be, since the first issue I picked up many years ago. Thanks, Remix, and the magazine's included artists, for all the inspiration.
Jeff Buettner (Solsun)
Huntington Beach, Calif.
For sending in this month's winning letter, Jeff Buettner wins his own Frontier Design Group TranzPort (MSRP $249) wireless DAW control. If you send in the most inspired correspondence next month — or simply the letter we like best — you'll win the Frontier Design Group TranzPort. All you have to do is send an e-mail to remixeditorial@remixmag.com. Please include your full mailing address.
HOT HOTEL LOVE
Remix Hotel NYC is one on my favorite events of the year, this most recent one being my third trip. I always look forward to the next one because I never know who I might meet and strike up a casual conversation with. It has been a real joy to be around so many approachable artists, producers, product reps and just plain ol' folk — all there at the Remix Hotel NYC to learn new skills, demo new equipment and possibly make new friends. It's a real blast, and for those of you who never been to one, you need to get there. You won't regret it. So whatever you do, don't take my name off the e-mail list. I look forward to my reminder notice.
LeRoy K. Saxon
Bronx, N.Y.
HOT HOTEL LOVE 2
I want you, Kylee, to know that I appreciate what you and your company do for aspiring artists, DJs, producers and engineers — all of whom are musicians in my eyes. To see the work that you guys put into Remix Hotel NYC…. I think you provide a great avenue for people to learn, as well as connect with other people. Most other conferences want to charge an arm and a leg for what you provide for free. I am honored to know people like you and Hank [Shocklee], who do things from their heart. I am a big fan of yours; keep up the good work!
Yaseen “Supreme” Allah
Valley Cottage, N.Y.
Q&A
I have a question: Does the Edirol UR-80 work with Apple GarageBand? I love GarageBand and use these files for my gigs.
Buddy Paris
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Buddy: You can use the UR-80 as an audio interface for GarageBand, but unfortunately, its MIDI controls will be useless. GarageBand supports MIDI only for using a MIDI keyboard with pitch bend and modulation controls. The only control surface so far for GarageBand is M-Audio iControl, which I've used, and it works very well. It actually doesn't use MIDI, but rather a proprietary message system. Here's the link: www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/iControl-main.html. — Markkus Rovito
Q&A, REDUX
I'm hoping you can help direct me in the purchase of a new mic. I have a studio (Apple G5, Digidesign ProTools LE, Focusrite Penta preamp, Blue Sky monitors, Focusrite Liquid Mix, etc.), and I'm in need of a great vocal mic on a limited budget. I have the opportunity to purchase a Neumann TLM 103 for around $500, but I've also been highly interested in the M-Audio Sputnik for the same price. I've researched both for about a week and have become overwhelmed with all the info and opinions with no side-by-side comparisons. I'm primarily recording hip-hop and rock acts with the occasional voice-over, Christian or folk act. I was previously using a Shure KSM32 and decided that I needed to step up my game. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Steven Thiem, Shipwreck Studios
Warren, Mich.
Steven — Have you seen our Sputnik review? You can find it here: http://remixmag.com/recording_hardware /remix_maudio_sputnik/index.html.
The author compares it to some high-end mics, including some Neumanns. The gist of the comparison is that the Sputnik compares very well when you consider the lower price. However, if you have a chance to get the TLM 103 for the same price as a Sputnik, the Neumann would likely be considered the better deal. Plus, whether justified or not, the Neumann will still have a bit more cachet than the M-Audio mic, if you are concerned with trying to impress your clients with your gear. Good luck! — Markkus Rovito
URGE FOR REGGAETON
I have been producing reggaeton since the underground beginnings of the genre. I have yet to see a reggaeton producer in Remix who explains techniques on how to build the perfect reggaeton beat, as well as discusses the software used in the production of this fast-growing genre.
After more than 25 productions and over 15 years of involvement with the development of reggaeton, I'll volunteer some info here. I use Logic Pro 7 Rewired with Reason and pretty much every plug-in that you can think of. So if you have a Logic Pro tutorial in mind, great; same with Reason.
Reggaeton is a growing phenomenon, and it opens up a big opportunity for software companies to sell their products to these kids. Give us the respect!
Nico Canada
Honolulu, Hawaii
NO SATISFACTION
I've been a subscriber of Remix for more than two years. Within those two years I've read many articles, and honestly, the so-called tutorials are more like discussions rather than a learning experience. I originally purchased a subscription hoping to learn something about remixing, and within these two years, I haven't learned a single thing. I hoped that there would be some articles that would show me how to apply different techniques. What I did find is advertising, equipment reviews, shopping with a DJ and a cover article on some artist. There was one article on how to use Ableton Live, but I'm not a user of Ableton Live. I wish you had tutorials similar to Computer Music magazine, based in the UK. At least the publications from Europe actually show how things are done.
John Piraino
Via e-mail
While Remix covers all areas of music production, if you want advice specific to remixing, we hope you didn't miss our “Up in the Club” tutorial in the April 2007 issue. You can find it at remixmag.com. We also have a “State of the Remix” feature coming up in a month or two that you'll want to see. — Remix staff
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
