Outside Scoop: MIDI 2.0, NAMM Highlights, Essential Music Production Books, and More
Sphero Specdrums: App connected rings that turn colors into music.
Each week, I trudge through the swamp that is the internet, finding the most exciting new music production articles, videos, and podcasts so that you don’t have to. This week, Outside Scoop covers MIDI 2.0, NAMM, music production books, phase distortion synthesis, audio tech from CES, the benefits of learning a new instrument, boosting your musicality, getting gigs, and the long-awaited SL-1200 MK7 turntable from Technics.
MIDI 2.0 Prototyping Has Been Announced
The MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA) and AMEI (the Japanese MIDI association) have just started prototyping the next generation of musical instrument digital interface (MIDI), called MIDI 2.0. Some of the new features include auto-configuration, new DAW/web integrations, extended resolution, increased expressiveness, and tighter timing. Another critical point being stressed is that it will, in fact, be backward compatible with the current generation of MIDI.
Dave Pensado’s NAMM Highlights
This week’s episode of Pensado’s Place features how to handle the overwhelming experience of NAMM, an interview with the lead singer of Megadeth, the songwriters behind Despacito, and Jacquire King who has 30 Grammy nominations. Some of the members of Maroon 5 discuss their come up in the music industry, and Bob Clearmountain and Chris Lord-Alge also make an appearance.
7 Essential Books Every Music Producer Must Read
Black Ghost Audio published a post this week about seven books covering creative techniques, recording, production, mixing, mastering, and music business. With a thorough explanation of each book, this buyer’s guide will help you determine which book is right for you. Many of these books are available as eBooks so you can start reading them right away.
The Fundamentals of Phase Distortion Synthesis
Philip Mantione of the Pro Audio Files shares his experience buying his first digital synth, a Casio CZ101, that used phase distortion to create sounds. As an introduction to his article, he states that “Mark Fukuda was the main engineer behind the idea in which the premise is to scan through a basic sine wave lookup table at an increasing and then decreasing speed while keeping the overall frequency constant as it relates to the pitch or note. The method produces waveforms that are distorted from the original sine wave and can be quasi-triangular or sawtooth forms. (source)” This is a somewhat advanced read, but quite interesting if you can wrap your head around everything.
7 of the Best Pieces of Tech From CES 2019
If you’re unfamiliar with CES, it’s described as “the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies” via their website. MusicTech wrote an interesting article covering seven audio related innovations from CES 2019. The list includes finger pads that turn colors into music, headphones that send an electric current to the motor center of your brain to stimulate learning, a new audio format called Sony 360 Reality Audio, and more.
6 Reasons You Should Learn a New Instrument
Michael Hahn of LANDR discusses how learning an instrument will improve your music theory knowledge, improve your melodies, and encourage you to experiment. This is a rather quick read, but it might be just the type of motivation you need to pick up the guitar that’s been staring at your from the corner of your room for over a year.
Boosting Your Musicality and Developing a Live Performance with Haywyre
Sam Matla of EDMProd managed to interview Haywyre for their 100th podcast. Haywyre is known for having a particularly captivating live set, in which he jams out on his Nord Stage 2. He incorporates his experience with classical music and jazz into his electronic productions, performing beautifully arpeggiated melodies, and captivating riffs.
Get That Gig With These 6 Audition Tips
This week on Bobby Owsinski’s blog, he explains how knowing your material, showing up on time, and your image all play a role in whether or not you get the gig you’re auditioning for. While each point on this list seems relatively straightforward, I find the real value to lay within the details offered up by Owsinski.
Technics Reveals New SL-1200 MK7 Turntable
Eleven years after the release of the SL-1200 MK6 turntable, Technics has finally announced that they’re releasing the SL-1200 MK7 this summer. This new model has a lighter cordless direct drive motor which is meant to eliminate cogging, and an aluminum/glass fiber chassis meant to minimize distortion from vibrations. There are also some other minor improvements, such as selectable light colors, reverse drive, and more.
Charles Hoffman is a Mixing and Mastering Engineer at Black Ghost Audio. After graduating from the University of Manitoba with an English degree, Charles completed his education at Icon Collective in Los Angeles, CA.
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