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Welcome to the Producer's Corner
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By: Alex Medina One thing that has kept the ministry afloat is knowing that it is about more then music. Setting your self as 'Christian Hip Hop Producer' sets you apart automatically, your mindset should be that of Redemption. Nothing will move unless you first deal with your personal walk with Christ, the music may sound hot at a point and shift ears, but it won't shift hearts. Balance out your time in the Word, studying it, living it, with the time you spend on the MPC, or maybe clicking away in Fruity Loops. Also, know that music ministry is your calling. Personally, Music is not inherent in my family, I still get teased (by my Truce family lol) because I clap off beat, but the conviction of God's call when I searched the scriptures at the age of 17 carries me. I have learned that our walk should dictate our ministry, and not the other way around, our ministry dictating our walk. If producing ends, does your walk with Christ end with it? Love Christ and that will over flow in your production. On the Technical side of things, I use Fruity Loops for most of my production work as my Host of VST plug ins. I chop up sounds and samples in Acid Pro, and record extra sounds on ProTools through an Mbox. I have been producing for about 4 years now and have been able to accumulate a decent amount of sounds. Production work takes time and patience. At times you got it, other times you just don't, do not grow weary!! Or be discourage, trust, knowing that if the Father as called you to this His will will be done in you. Everyday I learn something new. Being open to different styles of music helps out a lot , it expands your musical influences. I recently have been listening to a lot of alternative rock, such as Beautiful Republic, Leeland, Red and a few more. Some recommendations: For your walk I encourage you to get a good bible commentary, Matthew Henry, John MacArthur, and RC Sproul, are some really good authors to get your rolling in knowing the word deeper and having a clearer picture of our Creator. Musically, to start off your good with an Mbox and Protools just because it is a Standard across the board in the music industry. Also build with seasoned Christian Producers who are gonna teach you both sides of ministry, learn, get to know them and their mistakes so you know what not to do and see what works. Stand Firm in Christ! By: Proverb Newsome Proverb01@aol.com http://www.myspace.com/proverbialman www.proverbnewsome.com Production Credits Include: 2007 - A Common Man's Opus- Proverb Songs: The Genesis, Never Quit, The Fishbowl, True Love Song 2004 - Gone Fishin'- RAWSRVNT: "Recognize" Future projects: Midnight Run- 1Way My name is Proverb Newsome. I am one of the members of 1Way. I have been producing since 1995. I have only worked for my crew and extended fam. You may have heard my work on 1Way's project Souljourn or on Rawsrvnt's project Gone Fishin'. I don't presume to know it all. I am still evolving as a producer. But I can tell you this. It involves more that just making a beat! Yea, that is a part of it but you also need to work with the artist to maximize the end result. If the beat is hot and the flow is wack, what does that make the song? As a producer, try to make music that is
timeless, not just current. You want your work to sound as good ten years from
now as when you conceived it. This allows you to have longevity. Stay up on
current sounds, drum kits etc. Be diverse in what you listen to. A good producer
listens and learns from all forms of music. Lastly, experiment till you find your sound. Study the cats you admire, but use what you learn to find your own sound. Ask God for wisdom and to direct you as you compose. This is what works for me. God bless, and Hustle ya' faith! By: KJ52 52academy@gmail.com www.myspace.com/52academy Production Credits include songs on: -KJ52: Behind the Musik -KJ52: The Yearbook -KJ52: KJ52 Remixed -DJ Morphiziz: Best of the Submissions Vol. 1 Quote: "In everything you do.. Be the first one there and the last one to leave.. Make it your goal to work harder than everyone around you" (Rap Fest asked a few questions regarding up and coming producers. Here are KJ52's responses) - what would you tell them? Study. Work hard.. Never quit and go to www.myspace.com/52academy - what would you suggest? Its a grind, u have to be patient, hard working and teachable. - how long did it take for you to find your "groove"? Probably a good 3 -4 years - what's the newest and latest equipment available for the average person? All I use is reason 3.0 and recycle 2.0 .. Its self contained but honestly it's less about ur equipment and more about what u do w/ it. - what inspires you? Life, God, scripture, music.. People By: Elliot "Dr el" Clifton heesable@aol.com www.myspace.com/drell Elliot's work can be found on the following projects:
Truce "Truce"
Truce "Ready For War"
Truce "The Refuge"
Bloody Inc "Thug Epistlez Vol.1"
Raw Decree "Rap Sermons"
Gospel City "Storm Troopers"
Richard Dauphin "Life Support"
Rap Fest "Rap Fest Presents"
These are some of my tips,
1. Tell them to be themselves and not to try to copy someone else's vibe.
Keep things simple and never be afraid to explore and experiment.
2. Read a lot!! Read the word of course but read mix magazine, electronic
musician, anything on the subject. Work with people, don't be afraid to ask
stupid questions, like how did you do that, or how do you get that sound, or
where do you find sound sources.
3. As far as my "groove" In my case I've always has the same groove, it is
just a matter of developing the groove you have inside you. Which is an
ongoing process.
4. There is a ton of new equipment available, but that is really not as
important as what you can do with what you have or can afford. One MPC can do
a lot of damage as well as fruity loops, or reason, digital performer, ASR 10,
Garageband. Anyone with a passion and ability can make one of these mediums
sing in their groove.
5. My biggest inspiration is world music and movie soundtracks as well as
anything I hear or experience anywhere. Anything can inspire you it just
depends on the circumstance and events surrounding the experience.
I hope this helpful. Thanks for including me in this.
Still Standing,
Elliott Dr. el Clifton
Be sure to also check out the Christian Hip Hop Veterans page here. |