LETTER OF THE MONTH
Sep 1, 2007 12:00 PM
NO JUNK IN THE TRUNK
I began reading Remix in 2005 (I know, I'm a late bloomer). I grew up in NYC and never went to a conference. I moved to Miami, and I went to a recent Remix Hotel (which was money well spent). It takes me probably a week to read your magazine cover to cover, and then I stock it in a pile with other Remix magazines, which my wife refers to as “junk.” She doesn't know I keep them because I find myself referring back to them kind of like a reference guide. I take the issues to my friend's studio, so we can check out the articles on gear and plug-ins that we've never used. I try to use the info as much as possible.
I really enjoyed myself at the Remix Hotel in Miami because I was among DJs, producers, etc.…but nobody was ego trippin'! I'm an MC and a producer. I've been to conferences where the bulk of the artists are MCs, and I gotta say, we're too damn egotistical. But at Remix Hotel, everybody complimented each other even though some artists are competitors. I'm trying to make it to the conference in Los Angeles later this year [Nov. 8-10] since I couldn't make it to the NYC one (financial reasons). But next year I will be at the NYC event, too. Your magazine is by far one of the best — if not the best — out there because it covers all different types of music and makers, but most importantly, it covers people who love music. When I'm firmly generating some money from what I love to do, my wife won't ever ask again, “Why do you keep collecting this junk?” She might just be the person buying me the subscription as a gift.
Link Ruiz
Florida City, Fla.
For sending in this month's winning letter, Link Ruiz wins his own Numark DJ iO USB audio interface (MSRP: $199). If you send in the most inspired correspondence next month — or simply the letter we like best — you'll win the Numark DJ iO USB audio interface. All you have to do is send a letter to remixeditorial@remixmag.com. Please include your full mailing address.
NETWORKIN' IT
This is in response to the Editor's Note (May 2007, “To Party or Not to Party”). Four years ago, I was producing new tracks and wondering if I had what it takes to make hits and to make people move. I had gotten positive feedback from online music communities and friends, but I needed to really know. That's when I found out about the WMC. It was a big deal for me, because I had never been to a conference that specialized in music and never away from the hometown. So I worked on a solid house demo, only to find out that my so-called engineer destroyed the master. I was still determined to go, with a neo-soul demo, in the hopes of networking with some big contacts. I went to the event by myself and played my demo in front of hundreds in the listening booth. I got a warm reception, a round of applause, invites to some exclusive parties and some great contacts through networking. Since then, I have made it my goal to network and meet new people who can help me get to where I need to be.
This past year, I had a great time meeting and networking with forward-thinking people at Remix Hotel Miami. I got to meet Byron Stingily and Will “Reel Soul” Rodriguez. So I am proof that, yeah, there are a lot of people partying and showing off skin (isn't that what South Beach is about?), but there are still some who use the WMC and Remix Hotel as a networking heaven. The events at South Beach are a great place to advance my skills as a producer. I figure I can party after I make it big.
DJ Deepbleuzue
Brownsville, Pa.
WHERE'S WALDO?
I might be overlooking something, but I cannot find the article archives on your Website. I am specifically interested in the article that shows how to use Ableton Live as a DJ tool.
DeeJay.El
Delaware
Hey DeeJay.El: These are the links you're looking for: http://remixmag.com/performance/dj_tips_techniques/remix_chance_meeting and http://remixmag.com/performance/dj_tips_techniques/remix_easy_2. Please note that we are working on establishing alphabetical tabs for all the pages on remixmag.com, so you can easily find what you're looking for. In fact, by the time you read this, we'll already have the alphabet tabs implemented. How's that for quick service? — The Editors
ADS, SHMADS
I'm writing this letter in response to the “Go Respect Yourself” letter by Anonymous in the August issue of Remix. This magazine is not a Sesame Street periodical; it's a music magazine for all the folks who want to be motivated, informed, guided and inspired in this tough music world. I don't think anyone would expect to open an issue of Remix and not see any ads. How would the music industry let us know about the new products? Yes, Remix gives us reviews, but those are Remix's views on what the products actually do during testing, not the company's info on what the product is promised to do.
So, with that said, there will always be ads. Clearly, the ads are the responsibility of the companies selling the product. They're the ones that choose what to use for their product image. If a company uses an image that is noticeably dangerous in message and content, then yes, the media outlets need to make it a proper social responsibility to not run the ad and/or let the company know that they would like to run their product ad without the inappropriate image.
There is a line between what is acceptable and what is not, and it isn't gray. Illegal drugs, alcohol (abused) and cigarettes are dangerous. Nude or explicit material evidently is a no-no (unless it has to do with the naked truth of a product; just kidding). A sexy ad (not explicit) can be relevant, but of course, it depends on the product. Wouldn't you want a beautiful woman or man dancing to your music in his or her bathing suit? Music is sexy. So sexy can be relevant and not offensive.
So, I say skip the ads that visually make no sense and just read the meat of what Remix magazine is all about — motivation, information, guidance and inspiration. If anything, a bad ad is not necessarily a tasteless ad — it is just that, a bad ad. Remix has much more to offer. Get in contact with the company with the questionable ad. I believe Remix is not disrespecting us by running some sexually explicit ads in the magazine.
Thank you, Remix, for continuing to listen to your readers and showing us unconditional love. And to the companies with new products to showcase: Make the visual of the ad relevant to the product, and do it in good taste.
Jorge Garcia
Miami, Fla.
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