hahaha

Yeah but the problem is its the organized crime that controls most of the pirating.

And that money and going to the poor i guarantee you that.

never seen it that way, could be.. there is some serious money laundring in the black market where most of these cd´s dvd´s are sold, so yeah.. havent seen it like that. I always thought it was some guy with a computer that distributed these cd´s to some familys who walked around town selling them, but yeah you may be right.

It´s more like Jose says..... more like the guy has a buddy with a burner and gives him 50 burned cdr´s , with handwritten cd covers. Not really organized...more like grass roots....

Yeah you are right, this year the piracy industry sold 300 milions of illegal CD's just in Mexico.

Of course this is organized, and saddly all the blank media that pirates use to make this illegal copys are CDr's (from china) that PAYS taxes on our customs, so guess who is involved in this corruption?

Im glad because altough piracy sold 8 of 10 music CDs, this year our industry in Mexico gain a considerable percentage in sales and I red on a very important Newspaper here in Mexico (REFORMA), that this increment in sales was due thanks to the succes of artists like Shakira, RBD, La 5a. estacion, Aleks Syntek, Alejandro Fernandez, Reyli, Moderatto, Belinda, Im so proud because half of the mentioned artist are produced, recorded or mixed by me!!!! 2 or 3 years ago our industry stop producing Gold and Platinum records, and this year I got 14 Platinum, 1 Gold and one Diamond ( in Mexico when you got 5 times platinum they called Diamond!!!).

So it's not bad at all, I mean, Im not Mr. Wittman, Mr. Shipley or Mr. Wagner but is good to live out-of Pop music ( even in Mexico!!!!!!)

By the way, Jose!!! Im a big fan of Sebastian Kris work! I think he is the one that deserved to win this year grammy, and OH!! I almost forget Gustavo Santaolalla he is from Argentina too, he and his partner Anibal Kerper are one of the greatest producers in Latin Music and of course Luis Fernando Ochoa (Shakira's producer) from Colombia, he is a blessed producer and songwriter too, he is so authentic, I learned a lot from him back in 97 when I produced one of my first pop songs with him.
mmm... I love my job man!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best.

Armando Avila

You forgot to mention Cerati. What he did on shakira´s album is just fantastic. My favorite songs by far. I have to buy the english version now.

I think I asked you before in this thread but did you have a chance to work with him ?? I´m such a big fan of his work. As a band, as a solo artists and now as a producer.. imagine a moderating month Armando and Cerati : ) two of the spanish speaking world greatest. If you know these guys or the producers you mentioned above, it would be very cool if they joined gearslutz. I think I told Sebastian about the forum some months ago, he didn´t look to interested : )

I just found this...I am in shock. The last piece of gear I wanted to spend on was a new monitor, but this one might stop working once it dries. I too bow before you, my Gear King and offer my oath of loyalty. I wish you continued success and good fortune.
OMFG I am going to loose my mind.

Well, Cerati is certanly one of my favorite Artist in the world!!! I don't know him, but I admire him a lot, Im a big fan of his work with SodaStereo (altough my favorite SodaStereo's albums are not produced by him).
The closest I was to Cerati was when an A&R from BMG invited me to mix (in 5.1) their last concert ( the river plate one ) but I think Gustavo has his own people and as I saw this month, they've already released the DVD and the album mixed by someone else.

I know most of the producers I mentioned before, but they are not (with the exception of Memo Gil) that much in to the gear, they always get somebody to record or mix their projects.

I think I am one of the few producers in Mexico that arrange, play, record and mix his own projects, and some times if I have time I mix some of my closest friends projects.

Best.

Armando Avila

Am I missing something with my browser...? I can't see the photo of you and Shakira etc...

(All I'm interested in is the Pultecs you mentioned were behind her )

I fixed that.

Armando.

I would suppose it was done by Eduardo Bergallo, he mixed the cd version. Not sure though.

This is what I call the McDonaldisation of music. It's unfortunate but it's the "thing" right now. Music has been degraded from gourmet to fast food status. Everybody 'consumes' it, fast, without thinking and then quickly throws it away and goes for the next thing. Piracy is the perfect fast food chain for all ages (mostly teens and young adults though). When music is degraded then also the respect from the audience goes down. A teen that downloads a song from the net probably never even thinks for a second about the artist and the time/passion that has been put into the production. He/she might not even listen to the song at all or just once and then delete or archive it.

It's sad.. truly. However, to the teenagers defence I can say that the music industry is shooting themselves in the foot and contributing a hell of a lot to the McDonaldisation by trying to earn a quick buck by promoting talentless artists that basically sell more porn than music. In short, you get what you sow and the bad seeds are becoming evident now. Here in Finland the underground scene seems to be working better than ever and earning more respect and hurting less from pirate copies than any of the big record companies. Lately a lot of independet small record labels have had record sales and even hit the top 20 charts. I suspect this is due to the respect they get and deserve from the audience for distributing music that doesn't fit a certain mould.

just some thoughts completely irrelevant to this topic.. sorry 'bout that.

- bManic

mmm. you are right, but when I said that this year Mexican record industry gain a considerable percentage in sales compared to the last 5 years even with this illegal cancer is because maybe someone is making a good job, (not necesary a Mc'donalds thing) don't you think.

Altough I always believe that some times people likes or needs some "Mcdonalds music", when we don't have them for a while, the first band that return with the concept, ALWAYS is a big Hit.

So, I insist, Im Blessed!!!!!

Armando Avila
www.cosmosproducciones.com

Hit´s are very hard to do. If people think that the so called ¨mcdonalds¨music is easy to make, then well.. i dare everyone who thinks so to make a hit song.

Most of the ¨mcdonald¨ pissers cant do a good hamburger at home, even less a hit.

Unfortunately, this is a global problem, not just Mexico, and latin countries. You can walk down 5th avenue in NYC and see the same thing. It's been this way for years. The pirating of movies, music, video games, software, etc. is everywhere, and has been for years. You never know what you'll get, either, it's kinda like buying (illegal, yeah right) drugs. You could get a copy of some guy with his buddies all laughing with a hand held video camera in the movie theater, or you could get a copy of the real deal. So, obviously, the QC on this product is questionable. But, hey you get what you pay for - much of the time, you may be lucky. Scanned and cheaply printed covers, etc. Of course, the quality of the pirated stuff is gettting better and better. Now, HIGH QUALITY movies, music & software that haven't even been released yet have become regularly available on the street, or through people, in NYC.

It's crazy.

I think that why this is still so rampant in that the policing authorities just think of it as a CD... something that costs very little, is physically very small, doesn´t contain any electronics...or gems..or anything pricey......BUT ..... if you add up all the costs to produce a CD...... all the time of the musicians , the tracking, mixing and mastering engineers, then it could be considered that one CD could cost $ 50,000 !!! (that´s how much the first one would cost if you only sold one , hypothetically speaking!! ) So, I think there needs to be a change in mentality on part of the police as to the value of a pirated cd...it´s not just stealing 12 dollars...... it´s stealing a whole musical production !!!!

As for the internet..... I don´t understand how an ISP can´t be held responsible for illegal MP3´s that are passed through it´s servers. If I had a private road that I gave permission to thieves to use for their heists, I´d be held an accessory to a crime.... so why aren´t ISP´s held accountable. Mann...let´s just all go back to vinyl records ....but then again.... we can´t win... they´d just burn them to mp3´s too , right ? hahahaha
-

come on ... don't let the floods scare ya bro ...

just kidding ... glad to see you're ok, I'd buy that pre but I just bought a car so I'm broke again

I'm pretty sure this is a sign that you guys are making some very promising music! Good to hear.

With the McDonaldisation I mainly meant all those "pop star" and "idols" shows and similar quick bucks (like trying to turn lingerie models into pop stars etc.)

Cheers!
bManic

OK, I got it, but we must admit that even behind those "popstars" and "idols" some times there are people with talent that make sing even those Big macs!!!!!

Best.

Armando Avila

I disagree..pop idol and x factor sucks...
no joy and no creativity is to be found there..




http://www.jamielidell.com/video/rfh.html

I said some times, but I respect your opinion.

BTW who are that impresive star on the video of your link?

Peace.

Armando Avila
www.cosmosproducciones.com

Well..I am sure the studio guys are all very creative...as you say.

The guy in the clip is new for me too...but it is good to see..don't you think!

Best wishes

Scruffy

I disagree..pop idol and x factor sucks...
no joy and no creativity is to be found there..


I agree... remember when groups took a long time to make their music.... Boston, Journey, Steve Miller Band, Styx, Fleetwood Mac, .......Now...this was music .... creative, and original.... call me an old fart... but this was good **** !
Nowadays... when selling records depends on what you look like, aka Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, etc...etc..... and songs created in 2 days with Reason......(or worse...prot tools.. hahaahha) this is bull****...I long for the old days !!! Where have all the musicians gone ??
There is one guy who breaks this mold in the latin market.... Eros Rammisoti...not sure if I spelled that one correct....but .. he´s pretty creative... reminds me of Sting of the latin world.... with Lionel Ritchie´s nasaly sound.... great stuff !!!

The artist in the clip is Jamie Lidell (Warp).
Check out his latest masterpiece Multiply now.
Think Otis, Sam, Stevie, Marvin etc.. with 2005 modern programming style, live cutting, chopping and vocal mutilation.
He's amazing

http://www.jamielidell.com/

There's some really good artists out there today, but I agree that much of the music today seems to be "song-less". I think it wont be long before people get tired of drum loops, re-makes, and 6th grade rap music. Now there IS lots of good rap, including Kanye who I think is really talented, but lots of it seems to have been written by the artists' genitalia, and believe me, no ones going to be calling it GOOD MUSIC 20 yrs from now.

Another indication of the lack of good song writing is the number of re-makes going on today. Right now there are at least 4 re-makes on the top 40. Not a good sign.

However, you can't say that John Mayer isn't a major talent and someone who pretty much writes SONGS. Also I think theres quite a few groups including Maroon 5, Nickleback, Linkin Park, and even Green Day who continue to write some pretty strong stuff that would stand up on its own with just a vocal and acoustic guitar. Country music has almost always been about songs, tunes that you can hum in your car without accompaniment, and still make sense. I even think Britney and some of the dozens of sex-kitten women out there have made some pretty strong pop stuff. Ive never seen so many sultry young female pop artists around in all my life! Many of them are one hit wonders, though.

I remember my parents whining about the Beatles and Bob Dylan having no melodies or songs. In hind sight, this seems out of bounds, doesnt it? I think many things that we are exposed to in our teens always tends to be our favorites and evoke strong sentiments of good times. Im quite sure that a few people will listen to some of the current (2006) drivily crap out there in a few years, and say how good it was compared to what will (then) be played commercially. Now I may not be one of them, but its important to listen to commercial broadcasts to keep your mind open, and to develop appreciation of modern trends and techniques... especially if you are in the recording business.

Just for some fun, I want to post a new site with a tribute to the Beatles. Dont forget to click on other Beatles and scroll around the studio pics. You will need APPLE QUICKTIME to view pics. It's a free install, but I suggest you don't set it as your default video, or audio playback software on the page where it asks. Uncheck those little boxes on that page.

Merry XMAS everyone and a Happy New Year!

www.panormania.com/clients/beatles/paul.html

First Salma Hayek and now this!!!

Mexico 2, World 0 heh

I am mcu hmore impressed with your success with Latin artists than I am with endless racks of gear. Don't get me wrong, I love gear, I am a card carrying member of Gearlutz, I love new gear and, most of all, I am at this site looking at this post so that says something but... the success with Latin artists means more.

Anyone with moneyh can buy gear. Donald Trump can bu endless racks of Neves and giant SSL consoles or a wall of gear three times the above, but he still can't make a lick of music and still has bad hair.

On the other hand, the poster above has beeen successful in the music biz which means that he is using the gear and using it well. It means that he does not simply buy to have more and more flashing lightsl and bouncing VUs in his studio and, most of all, he is in pursuit of great sound, not necessarily more gear.

This is how all gearslutz should be however, once we establish this we are then free to be completely slutty and spend our daughter's college money on the latest and greatest. tutt dfegad

I have read this thread and signed up for this forum, so this is my first post.


What I was wondering is that Mr. Avila is formiliar with Brüel & Kjaer microphones?
I have used them in combination with PT and millenia, and I must admit, they are very wonderfull for youre environmentally overhead room micing. (4006)

btw, nice studio. I think there are some good engineers here in this forum. At least I hope so


Cheers, and a peacefull christmas.

M. Blom

HI, im not familiar with 4006, Maybe I should try it, It may apear because of the amount of equipment or the size of my studio that I may have everything but the true is that Im still growing, I have a long road to walk, My wish list next year is:

1 Original Vintage U47 (Telefunken or Neumann)
2 Pulteqs EQP1 A3
1 Divided by 13 head and cabinet
1 Moog Voyager
1 Great River
1 Chandler TG Comp
1 Great river MP-2NV
1 Korby Mic with 4 capsules
1 wunder audio Mic Pre
1 Racked pair of AMS 1084
1 60's Gibson ES 355 (Im looking for one of these in good shape and at good price)
1 60's Stratocaster
1 Gibson Les Paul 59 Reissue
1 Hofner (60's vintage)
1 ATR 1/2
Im a Gearslut or what!!!

My only concern is Custom Taxes and all the crap that Mexico make to dificult everything, I mean most of the mentioned equipment above don't have a dealer in Mexico, I have to buy mostly in USA or web sites ( Mercenary, VintageKing, Sonic circus, MusicToyz, etc,) but Im having problems with FEDEX because they make anything to make your life more dificult, with UPS is better.
Im gonna buy all this next year. ( Hope so!! )

I have 8 albums confirmed to produce next year ( THANKS GOD!!), 2 with Sony-BMG, 2 with Univision music group, 1 with Universal, 1 with EMI, and 1 indep
endent at the same time Im gonna get married (in March) and I have to delay my Honeymoon until May because of the work.

So Im insist... Im blessed and...


















































I must admit, Im a Gearslut!!!
Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Armando Avila
www.cosmosproducciones.com

I've heard that Shakira is, well um, how do I put this; she has an oral fetish. I guess that sort of makes her a gear slut? At least I won't confuss her chest for mountains. Just being bad, sorry. Great studio, it looks like Christmas in there! Feliz Navidad!!!

bcgood