8 things that separate pros from amateurs - Page 3

evilpeezy · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tnevz

Being better at your craft and knowing more, constantly learning, generally gives you more opportunities in any field. No?

yes being better at your craft and knowing more is of course better, but we are talking about the statement you said unquantizing will bring more opportunities. unquantizing does not relate to being better, learning more or knowing more.

illacov · 8th February 2012

A dude playing chicka bow wow on guitar is not quantized, neither is a live drummer, the chick playing tambourine or for that matter the rapper.

I'm not saying its superior to quantized, I'm just saying that unquantized abounds but we just don't recognize it as such.

The human mind is powerful and as long as the measures resolve in a way thats not too off beat, we can "get" the patterns.

I talked about this before with the tempos issue. We are not clapping out a perfect tempo but we can rap to that. HELLO!

Peace
Illumination

Storyville · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopularDemand

Left turn to mindset.

The biggest factor I find between pros and amateurs is the appreciation of the next man's accomplishments even when it's not something you do.

The guy who constantly calls a platinum producer or artist "garbage" usually puts a big "A" for amateur over his head in a studio lounge or event.

ABSO-FRIKIN-LUTELY!!

Storyville · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisfdr

not sure if this is what you meant, but do you guys ever find that the artists vocal creates a groove in the track thru his or hers own sense of rhythm and cadence during the performance. there are artists that i feel do this very well, and its hard to say if its the perfrmance, the track, or a combo that creates the groove on those tracks.

100%. Actually %150. Especially in Hip Hop.

KT1 · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storyville

100%. Actually %150. Especially in Hip Hop.

can i up 150% - haha!

Ezionjd · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8tracks

Care to go in depth of your process?

Hit my inbox. I'll let ya know :-) Ain't that difficult.

B.A.S.E · 8th February 2012

As far as mixing goes... the attention to details... more specifically automating instruments is really something that set people apart. It's more about being less lazy, more focused rather than mere talent but it shows.

When the mixing evolves throughout the song making it more alive... you know there is someone who had taste who touched the record. Well, if it is well done.

Because otherwise, mixing is pretty much an art but there are just some stuff that depends on the mixer's psychology. Going upward of that last mile, or for instance, starting a mix from scratch for the tenth time (it happens sometimes, although really not regularly)

That's something I try to impress onto the artists I develop.

Then again... unquantizing quantized drums is that kind of attention to details for instance... Good is not great enough.

muzika · 8th February 2012

I feel like all/most of this stuff comes in time as long as you try to improve.

But I do strongly agree that its the little things in the track that make it unique and special. You pick up and make up your own tricks along the way.

I'm pretty sure a lot of you guys do this, but when I listen to a song I generally like pick it apart and dissect it with my ears. I try to pick up all the little things that are going on. I'd listen to certain parts over and over just to study a certain part lol. But of course I do also listen and enjoy the song, after I identify all/most of the blocks.

muzika · 8th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopularDemand

Left turn to mindset.

The biggest factor I find between pros and amateurs is the appreciation of the next man's accomplishments even when it's not something you do.

The guy who constantly calls a platinum producer or artist "garbage" usually puts a big "A" for amateur over his head in a studio lounge or event.

True, if one wants to be a professional, one must act professional. This goes for any field.

touch · 9th February 2012

Good points, OP.

As an engineer/mixer/producer who works on a lot of hip hop, there was one point I'd like to add to those who create instrumentals:

The majority of my clients bring in their beats as 2-channel stereo mixes (as in no splits/stems). One thing I constantly find my self having to do is notch out some upper midrange to make room for the vocals (with EQ).
...LEAVE ROOM FOR THE VOCAL!

Now, one can argue that the reason an artist chose the beat is because of that 'punch', but it usually is a detriment to the final product. If mixed right, your track can be dense and highly intricate, and still leave a 'donut' for the vocal. I find this especially true with heavy synthesizer beats.

8th February 2012	#62
illacov Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 3,791	A dude playing chicka bow wow on guitar is not quantized, neither is a live drummer, the chick playing tambourine or for that matter the rapper. I'm not saying its superior to quantized, I'm just saying that unquantized abounds but we just don't recognize it as such. The human mind is powerful and as long as the measures resolve in a way thats not too off beat, we can "get" the patterns. I talked about this before with the tempos issue. We are not clapping out a perfect tempo but we can rap to that. HELLO! Peace Illumination __________________ Langston Masingale Sales and Customer Support @ JJ Audio Mics, USA JJ Audio Custom Mics and Mods!! JJ Audio Mics Email (Langston/Sales and Customer Support) Artists recently recorded with JJ Audio Mics: Ronnie Spector, Baby Bash, Paula DeAnda, Z-Ro, Slim Thug and the list continues to grow... http://soundcloud.com/illacov/jj-cd-vo-demo

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8th February 2012	#67
B.A.S.E Gear addict Joined: Mar 2009 Location: London Posts: 332	As far as mixing goes... the attention to details... more specifically automating instruments is really something that set people apart. It's more about being less lazy, more focused rather than mere talent but it shows. When the mixing evolves throughout the song making it more alive... you know there is someone who had taste who touched the record. Well, if it is well done. Because otherwise, mixing is pretty much an art but there are just some stuff that depends on the mixer's psychology. Going upward of that last mile, or for instance, starting a mix from scratch for the tenth time (it happens sometimes, although really not regularly) That's something I try to impress onto the artists I develop. Then again... unquantizing quantized drums is that kind of attention to details for instance... Good is not great enough.

8th February 2012	#68
muzika Gear addict Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 327	I feel like all/most of this stuff comes in time as long as you try to improve. But I do strongly agree that its the little things in the track that make it unique and special. You pick up and make up your own tricks along the way. I'm pretty sure a lot of you guys do this, but when I listen to a song I generally like pick it apart and dissect it with my ears. I try to pick up all the little things that are going on. I'd listen to certain parts over and over just to study a certain part lol. But of course I do also listen and enjoy the song, after I identify all/most of the blocks.

9th February 2012	#70
touch Gear Head Joined: Feb 2012 Location: Bpt, CT Posts: 46	Good points, OP. As an engineer/mixer/producer who works on a lot of hip hop, there was one point I'd like to add to those who create instrumentals: The majority of my clients bring in their beats as 2-channel stereo mixes (as in no splits/stems). One thing I constantly find my self having to do is notch out some upper midrange to make room for the vocals (with EQ). ...LEAVE ROOM FOR THE VOCAL! Now, one can argue that the reason an artist chose the beat is because of that 'punch', but it usually is a detriment to the final product. If mixed right, your track can be dense and highly intricate, and still leave a 'donut' for the vocal. I find this especially true with heavy synthesizer beats.