The Music Production Show

Hello there,

Hope you're all good. Prepping for winter i hope. It's been a warm November but i am sure that will change. As a certain popular HBO show will tell you 'WINTER IS COMING'. And i suppose to a lesser extent Arnold Schwarzenegger will tell you ' A FREEZE IS COMING' but the less said about that the better.

Last week me and my trusty partner in crime Adam Ever decided to mosey on down to The Music Production Show at Emirates Stadium. It's the first time i had ever attended anything like this, and with me being what can only be described as a "n00b" to all things production, it was quite a lot to take in. But i did enjoy it. Whilst i won't be winning a grammy any time soon, I do know my way around Logic to a certain extent, and can certainly put together a believable demo. I find it is a learning process and i love learning about it as i go along. So going to something like this and absorbing other peoples knowledge and immersing myself in the technology used, new and old, is most definitely the way forward for me.

At times i did feel as though i was in the deep end and the very nice people at the booths where at times perhaps (with a smile) unknowingly trying to sell me things i knew nothing about. A few things did take my fancy though. It was inescapable to notice that almost every booth by every brand had at least 1 of not more iPads powering something or acting as a controller for something. I was quite taken back by the functionality of the Yamaha apps that were powering synthesizers. The usability was astounding and the iPads where taylor made for musicians/producers seeking flexible, reliable, portably controllers in the vain of the popular'Korg Kaoss Pads'. What's more the apps were retailing at between £2-£3 for some of them. Whilst some of the uses still felt a bit gimmicky, as time goes on and the tablets become more powerful and the processors can handle more powerful functions. I really do believe they will become more ubiquitous in making music. Things are already moving so quickly. The first iPad came out in April 2010 and already we are in a situation where i can plug in my guitar and use GarageBand to throw together a complete (albeit rough) demo track. Now cast your mind forward 5 years... It's exciting to think of the possibilities.

Certainly a way forward and i believe it will open the door for so many more people to become involved in making music, which can only be a good thing in my opinion.

The whole experince also gave me a chance to play around on various synths and gadgets i wouldn't usually have an opportunity to play with. I was particularly fond of the Yamaha Tenori-On.



Whilst a hefty 'brand-new' price tag of £873 is quite frankly over-priced. It was a very cool gadget and would be great for improv live performances. YouTube 'Little Boots' live performances for some examples. At a lower price tag i would definitely consider one.

It also helped me build a list of what i need to get my home studio to a better standard and i now have a healthy list that should leave me broke for the next year or two. Pending that inevitable lottery win of course.

I shall end by saying that if you have even a remote interest in home recording, or you are a recording artist that goes to a studio to make their EP's/Demos' etc... I can't recommend something like this enough. It's a great way to learn 'hands-on' about new gear and technology that will inevitably effect the way you make and record music. If you are putting all your trust in a studio engineer to produce your record then thats great! But is not not better to have a little knowledge yourself so you know what is possible and how to achieve the best results? After all it's your sound, not theirs. I am not saying you need to tell him/her how to do their job. But having even a little knowledge will make it more of a collaboration. Which can only be good for the music you are trying to make, no?

Leave comments and thoughts below. Always good to hear other peoples opinions.

As is now tradition, i shall leave you with a song. This week it's from my friends in Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster who's new album 'Exegesis' is imminent. And i look forward to seeing them In London Bridge on 3rd December.