Music Production Podcast

Francis Preve is a synthesist, journalist, and educator, amongst other things. He is one of the industry's most in-demand sound designers. In fact, it seems like every time I investigate the names behind some of my favorite synths, apps, and plug-ins, I find Francis Preve. His writing can be found in popular magazines such as Keyboard, Computer Music (UK), Future Music, EQ, and Music & Computers. Francis is a college professor in Austin, Texas. He also creates some of the finest sound packs on the market for Ableton Live via his company SympleSound. I've admired and learned quite a lot from Francis' work over the years. He's even been kind enough to allow me to use some of his samples to build Ableton Live Packs. It was a real pleasure talking with him. His depth of understanding of sound design is incredibly impressive and a joy to explore. As this conversation will show, it is all fueled by an undying curiosity and love for sound and music. Enjoy! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Official Web Page Scapes - Synthesized recreations of natural environments SympleSound - Preve's sound design creations for Ableton Live (use the code AFRODJMAC2017 by Nov. 30, 2017 to save 25%!) Francis' Apple News Channel Facebook Twitter Revisiting FM - Keyboard Magazine article on FM synthesis The Friendly Sine Wave - Another great example of Francis Preve's synthesis tutorials The Haunting Scape - Write up and video about Francis' The Haunting Scape  The Haunting - 1963 movie Adam Neely on 432Hz "Arrow Through Me" by Wings Moog Minitaur Madness - Free Ableton Live Pack made with samples of Francis' Moog Minitaur    

Francois Benner producers music as the artist Roisner. He recently released his latest album Rhombes Timber 25000 BC. For this project, Roisner sampled hundreds of instruments that date all the way back to prehistory. He then reached out to me to create Ableton Live Instruments so he could use them and his samples to create his newest album. In this episode, Roisner and I discuss the production of his latest album. We talk about our collaboration on the Ableton Live Pack, ANCIENT, which we've been working on over the last year and a half. It was a great talk about finding new avenues to realize an artistic vision. Enjoy! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Roisner Rhombes Timber 25000 BC Guy Thevenon Roisner on Facebook and Instagram ANCIENT Ableton Live Pack ANCIENT Ableton Live Pack ANCIENT is a collection of 104 Ableton Live Instrument and Drum Racks all made from samples of instruments that date back to prehistoric times. Journey back to the roots of human music-making with the instruments and sounds of ANCIENT.  Buy Now *ANCIENT is the October 2017 download for the AfroDJMac Music Production Club* Requires Ableton Live Standard 9.7 and Above

Chris "MAYDAY" Rucks doesn't want you to make the same mistakes he made. He wants to save you time and prepare you for the journey. Most producers make the same mistakes as producers before them. To help combat this, Chris Rucks has written Don't Make Beats Like Me - 24 Powerful Laws to Guide You Towards Success As a Music Producer. The book breaks down a host of challenges most producers will face and explains how to handle them. It's a bit like a warning sign, a shoulder to cry on, and a slap in the face all at the same time. Chris dishes the sometimes harsh realities of what it really means to be a successful music producer. I had a great chat with Chris. He is full of deep insights and wisdom, as well as some obvious truths that are easy to underestimate. I've been able to preview a few chapters of his book and it left me feeling inspired and prepared. The issues he raises can be enough to stop producers in their tracks, but Chris has a way of making you feel as if you can make it through the journey, without ever sugar-coating it or pulling his punches.  Enjoy this talk and be sure to pick up his book! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Don't Make Beats - Chris's Website Don't Make Beats Like Me - Hard copy of the book via Amazon Don't Make Beats Like Me - iTunes digital copy The Blog - Words of wisdom from Chris's Blog Instagram - A steady dose of visual inspiration Be Focused Pro - Focus Timer Essential recommended reading by Chris Rucks: The Way of the Superior Man The Alchemist The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck An Enemy Called Average

Cooper Anderson is a mixing engineer and producer with a pretty impressive resume. Undoubtedly, you've heard some of his work. Cooper's credits include work for artists like Fun, Kanye West, Ghost Killah, and John Legend. Cooper and I had a chance to speak about his work and experience. I found Cooper to have some nice insights into what it takes to find success in the music industry. Enjoy!  An afterthought from Cooper: "I’ve been thinking about the desert island golden piece of gear….I said Antelope cause that’s what I was thinking about at the time, but now I’m thinking maybe my monitors….Adam A7x. That would probably be my one indispensable item."  Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Cooper's Website Cooper's work

Mark Towers is a fellow Ableton Certified Trainer from the UK. He is the creator of the Arcade Series, a collection of retro video game inspired Max for Live sequencers. Mark teaches music technology at Leicester College.  I've been a huge fan of Mark's work for quite some time. Being a fan of old school video games, the Arcade Series is one of my favorite collections for Max for Live. In this episode, we talk about the creation of the Arcade Series, finding ways to fill gaps in our own abilities, and the importance of doing work that is meaningful to oneself. Mark was a pleasure to talk to, and he left me inspired to make more music! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Mark's Website The Arcade Series - Retro Video Game inspired sequences for Max for Live Isotonik Studios - One of the best places to get all things Max for Live and Ableton Live Creative Sound Technology - The program Mark leads at Leicester De Montford University Soulsby Atmegatron - Arduino-based digital 8-bit synthesizer

DiViNCi is a producer, composer, and educator from Orlando, FL. He is known for his high energy, mind-blowing finger drumming skills, his group Solillaquists of Sound, and his work for Lauryn Hill. He travels the world performing and giving music production workshops.  I had a chance to attend one of DiViNCi's workshops at the Ableton User Group in Brooklyn at The Brooklyn Home of Music. Just as dazzling as his performance was his philosophical view point on creating music and finding balance in one's life. DiViNCi's teachings are immediately applicable to making music, but that's just the surface of what he does. The real power is in how he connects his views on life and self-awareness to everything a person does.  DiViNCi and I had a great conversation about finding flow, trusting your intuition, and how his experience in the martial arts has shaped the way he approaches life and music. There are a lot of valuable lessons in here, so get a pen and paper and be ready to take some notes! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: DiViNCi's Website Studio Sensei - Private lessons and wisdom from DiViNCi Second Subject - The collective of artists DiViNCi is a part of in Orlando, FL Solillaquists of Sound - DiViNCi's hip hop quartet Music - DiViNCi's music on Soundcloud Brooklyn Home of Music - a super cozy and inviting place to learn about making music Here's a nice introduction to what DiViNCi does:

I just released my newest EP, Country Punkin. It's a collection of 4 to-the-point no-nonsense rock songs, inspired lyrically by country music and musically by punk rock. There are no intros, outros, interludes, solos, or instrumentals. Every song begins right away with only the core meat-and-potatoes parts of the song. Recorded entirely on the Teenage Engineering OP-1's four track, using a Shure SM57 plugged straight into it. Instrumentation is Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocals.  This was the studio for "Country Punkin" In this episode, I talk about the creation of the EP. We go over it's philosophy, the goals, inspiration, process, recording, instrumentation, lyrics, and themes. I play you some isolated tracks, as well as each song. I hope it inspires you to finish your next project! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Country Punkin is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and wherever else you stream your music!

LoopLabs is a cloud based music studio that allows you to compose music using its huge selection of loops. Everything gets tempo and key matched, so it always sounds good. It's a great place for beginners or for experimenting with ideas.  Craig and I sat down for a nice conversation about his vision for Looplabs, the music industry, and the role future generations will play in music making.  Definitely check out Looplabs.com. I'm very excited about how this could open the door to music production for a whole new generation of people. I've even contributed some loops to the library of loops available to use. Maybe sit down with your younger sibling, nephew, or child and have fun making music without worrying about theory or technicalities. It's a great way to share the joy of making music. Regardless of your experience, Looplabs could be a perfect introduction to music creation or a springboard for your next composition. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: LoopLabs.com - The web-based DAW Medium - Looplabs' producer showcase Spotify Needs to Face the Music - We talked about the viability and profitability of streaming services. I admit some of the stuff that came out of my mouth was only partially informed speculation. Here's an article with an oh-so-clever headline that will do a better job at shedding some light on the topic. No Music Theory Ableton Live Rack - Make music without understanding music theory Here's a video I made, using Looplabs and some of the loops I provided to the collection:

It is a wonderful day and age in which we can create, write, and record music all by ourselves. We have the technology to do every step of the process on our own. While this can afford us plenty of freedom and releases us from the struggle of coordinating schedules and ideals with others, if we never work with other people, we are really missing out.  Collaboration is one of the best ways to learn, grow, develop, and discover new ideas. I personally believe that a good collaboration can bring you wisdom that could take you years to develop on your own and new ideas that you might not ever discover otherwise.  This show is about the power of collaboration. I discuss how collaboration has benefitted me and highlight my recent experience creating the Ableton Live Whistle Pack with pATCHES. I then go on to create a piece of music using some of those sounds.  You Have Homework! Need an excuse to make music or some direction to help get you going? Well I have a homework assignment for you! Collaborate with someone else to make some music. How you collaborate is entirely up to you. Do it in person or over the internet. Find a musician to play a part or ask someone for an idea or direction. Sample someone singing, talking, washing the dishes... Send someone a half-finished track to work on. It really doesn't matter.  Post your results on the Music Production Podcast Facebook Page. Maybe even find someone on that page to collaborate with! Just create some music with the help of another person.  Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: The Ableton Live Whistle Pack - My collaboration with pATCHES and You to create 20 free Ableton Live Whistling Instruments. Podcast with pATCHES - I had a great conversation with pATCHES on this podcast. Give it a listen! pATCHES - Tutorials, sample packs, wisdom...

We all strive for the best gear, highest quality samples... but lets not forget that you can make beautiful music from unexpected places. This episode is all about challenging yourself to create music from sources you wouldn't normally think you could.  You have a homework assignment! Create some music from a source or sound that you wouldn't normally use. Maybe it's a terrible preset, an old toy, a piece of wood that vibrates in a funny way... it doesn't matter. Just challenge yourself to make music from an unusual sound source. Post your results at the Music Production Podcast Facebook page. My piece is there too.  I hope you enjoy this talk and it gives you inspiration to make music in new ways! Listen on iTunes or Stitcher or Google Play Support the Podcast on Patreon Show Notes: Music Production Podcast Facebook Page - Give it a like and post your homework assignment!  Americanas Vinyl Synth Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from samples of old vinyl records of the music of North and South America. Pacific Vinyl Synths Ableton Live Pack - Ableton Live Instrument Racks made from samples of old vinyl records of music from the Pacific Islands. AfroDJMac Music Production Club - Get a new Ableton Live Download every month, as well as a bunch of other goodies when you join. Free Ableton Live Pack #44: Justin Bieber Super Fun Pack - A Justin Bieber toy guitar actually turned into some cool sounding instruments. Free Ableton Live Pack #41: Steel Water Bottle Synth - A non musical object turned into a music making synth.