Wednesday, March 4, 2009
NI releases Maschine
The beauty is that you can smack those pads for crafting the ultimate groove.
Will keep an eye on this one, we already have all the sounds we could possibly need in our recording studio. However, I wouldn't mind adding this drum machine at a later date - 300 kits with the ease of loading sounds ggrrreeeeat. Will sit patient and see what bugs need to be ironed out before deciding.
Well done NI.
Peace
Josef Horhay.
www.acoosticzoo.com
SAE project Questions.
1 – What does your role as a record producer involve?
listening to, experimenting with, and polishing recorded music.
2 – What part does your occupation play in the greater audio industry?
record & mix and produce music ready for mastering.
3 – What is your workload like (do you work full time, long hours etc)?
mostly 12hrs days, 5-6 days a week.
4 – What training or knowledge is required to work in the role of record producer?
People Skills, Positive mindset, Creative Personality, Highly Developed sense of hearing, A strong music background, the ability to meld technical duties with the creative side of music. Determination, Persistence. Being confident and humble at the same time.
5 – Are there any unions or industry organisations that are relevant to your position?
APRA, AMCOS
6 – Are there any opportunities for advancement with your position, and if so what are they?
In regards to Record Production, the Producer contributes to the end product. Record Production takes years to master and the road is long and difficult and not for everyone. It's extremely costly, and doesnt pay well initially (nothing even).
7 – Do you foresee any threats to the industry and in particular your job in the next three years?
The opportunity for success in the music industry has never been easy. In 3 years time, I predict that music will become better and cheaper to produce and purchase. This is just the beginning of a bigger and better evolution of the music industry. The next generation of record producers, mixers and audio engineers have greater excess to high end tools for record production at a fraction of the price. Nevertheless there's no substitute for time spent to gain the required skills and experience.
The threats? Stay current with trends and adapt. Be honest to yourself about your reasons for wanting to be in this industry.
8 – What sort of legal issues do you face in your position as a record producer?
Don't steal and copy/sample things that aren't yours. Be fair and honest and upfront with your intentions. Excersise common sense and you'll be right. You only face legal problems if you steal.
Peace.
Josef
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Taxi's Letters - march 2009
Dear Passengers,
As I continue my journey trying to find and better understand the souls of songwriters and artists, I flashed on something I read on our forum not long ago. A member had gone online to say that he had decided not to renew his TAXI membership.
He had no issues with the company. He found that he just didn't have the time required to write better songs, record demos, or do the work required to pitch his music. Fair enough.
As I reflected, I realized how his lack of time for something he was passionate about was very analogous to my lack of time for golf. I used to play about ten rounds a year, now I'm lucky if I find the time to play two.
The difference is that I wasn't playing golf to learn how to earn my income from it. Maybe I'm being presumptuous, but don't most people join TAXI to make money from doing something they love?
Hit songwriters aren't born great. They might be born with some innate talent, but they have to learn and hone their craft over a period of years. Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was just a little tike.
If you were to dedicate five years to becoming a great songwriter, you'd have to work at it for 38.46 hours per week to log ten thousand hours – in other words, it's a full time job. Not surprising is it?
But who has that much time, what with full-time jobs, kids and a multitude of other responsibilities? Then again, if you spent 12.8 hours per week for fifteen years, by Mr. Gladwell's math, you'd likely become great.
That feels achievable.
Let's say that you spend four hours each day on Saturdays and Sundays, then you'd only need to spend less than one hour per day on the other five days per week. Could you watch one less TV show per day?
Yes, if you're passionate about achieving your goal.
As you progress and become more competent, your passion will grow. As your passion grows, the work feels less like work and more like you're doing something you're passionate about.
Do you have any doubt that I could become a great golfer if I went to the driving range every morning for an hour and played a round every Saturday and Sunday. Somebody alert my wife!
I'll bet you've already got five or ten years under your belt. You might be closer than you realize.
But there's a rub! Have you spent those years working on your song craft, or on musicianship? Practicing guitar doesn't count toward songwriting all that much, unless of course you're learning the chords you'll need to write the songs.
Would I golf more often if I could hit 300 yard drives every time I tee'd off? You bet!
Would you write songs more often if the majority of them sounded like potential hits? You know the answer.
Wouldn't we both get better much more quickly if we used a professional coach?
As I think about the gentleman who didn't renew his membership because he couldn't find the time to become great, I'd like to ask him just one question. Why did you quit using your coach when you might have been 8,972 hours into your 10,000 hours?
I'm staring at the crumpled Post-Its on which I scribbled down my thoughts about this early this morning. As I sit alone in the quiet of my office typing those notes into more complete thoughts, I've realized that I only "sell" two things — neither of which I originally intended to sell in this email — opportunity and education.
Want to see what happens to people who read what I write and occasionally buy what I sell?
Talk to you soon,
Michael
P.S. Make sure to check out all the great new Industry Listings this month. In case you missed the memo, we've got a new Vice President of A&R, Andrea Torchia-Alford. She's kicking butt and taking names.
What type of music do you excel at? Pick the genre you're best at and click the link.
----end of email.
Peace.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wanna get a Great Acoustic Drum Sound?
Drum Dial - Your Drums will be properly tuned.
I originally discovered about drum dial from this post. Thanks.
Peace.
Josef.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Keith David, Acedamy Award wining VO
Peace.
Acoostic Zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Blame Ringo featured on Channel 7 Sunrise
Well played instrumentation with a solid song structure. Each track is unique with cleverly orchestrated parts and well crafted arrangments. Beautiful timeless songs. Great find. Well done to another Brisbane based Band.
Some highlights of their sites are flash enriched snail like bubbles floating upwards towards the ceiling, quite fun to watch whilst listen to their tracks.
A very humourous clip on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKCG3zMEsYs which is a satire owith them crossing a X-Crossing reminiscent of a very famous shot from a very famous band. do check it out.
Best wishes to Blame Ringo for 2009
Peace
Josef Horhay.
Acoostic Zoo Recording Studios.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Taking the risk, the art of learning from mistakes and failures.
The trick in life is to challenge yourself, and learn from your mistakes. If you risk long enough and stumble fast enough, you eventually get to where you wanted to go. It's true that relentless attempts of experimenting and genuine efforts to improve once's self will ensure that any skill can be greatly improved. Off course situational circumstances, timing an a factor of luck, has a lot to play in your end result.
The ability of risk taking has also been linked to our personality traits. And the behaviour of people are closely related genetics and social factors. Even though you're born with less than others doesn't doom you to a life of unhappiness. There is still a personal choice to take what you have and convert into the best you can be. Disregarding the need to negatively compare yourself with others will reduce insecurities. Learn from people that are better than you. It's a blessing that you recognize talent - as this judgement allows you to create role models that you can learn from.
Risk taking is key to experiencing new things, and be honest with yourself ie. don't fool yourself because you want something sooooo much. Learn learn learn. Be kind to others as one day others may be kind to you.
Peace.
Josef from Acoostic Zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
The Mixing Process, Secrets and Techniques.
Stay tuned, this is only the beginning to secrets of mixing. More to come....
Peace
Acoostic Zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Quality or quantity?
$450 for 1 song?
or $450 for 4 songs?
Please leave comments.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Power of 4 Chords! Axist of awesome 4
No One - Alicia Keys
Where is the love - Black eye peas
With or without you
am I not pretty enough
Let it be
Man in the mirror
Waltzing Matilda.
Take on me.
Apologize.
and many more?
all use this chord progression.
Greatness comes from only four chords!
Do check it out, it's killer good
Please leave a comment if you like.
Troll Cave Music: POD Farm supports REAPER...finally
Another Cool Blog related to music and tech. 2009
No Hope - No Fear: I'm back!
Great sense of rhythm. Music creations from an indepent Home Recording Studio
India in 2009.
Memory the gift of life.
by the age of 25, our memories are at its peak able to store 200 bits per second. at 27 yr our memory begins the down hill journey, slowly deteriorating till the day we die.
It's also known that our memories are mealable.
Our hypocampi is the part of our brain that stores everything we do, what we see and what we experience.
Our memories forms us.
By recalling the past, our brain uses the past images to help imagine the future. We rely on the past memories to generate new ideas. This applies to music to. The more we memories different tunes, the larger our musical vocabulary becomes. So the key to be creative comes from absorbing lots of styles of music.
My Wife's favourite Loh Mee, Recipe.
After a long days work in the recording studio, I crave for a yummy bowl of Loh Mee!A crucial step in the recording process.

This entry was created by Josef Horhay from Acoostic Zoo Recording Studios
Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
http://www.deliciousasianfood.com/2007/07/12/loh-mee/
Monday, February 16, 2009
Creative Talent, Instrumental Producer at http://www.zoozither.com/
Cool Site on digital processors, signaltonoize.com
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Myths about digital EQs - KVR audio
another related link
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=241023&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45
URS beginnings and mention in Gearslutz
wow!!
I'm buzzed.
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/15909-unique-recording-studios-r-i-p.html
www.savita.cz really cool vibe recording studio
I was really impressed with the vibe of The Savita Studio
This is the kind of studio that really encourages honesty and expression in music. Great details on construction stages and building of the recording studio.
http://www.savita.cz/index/frameseteng.html
This entry was created by Josef Horhay from Acoostic Zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Express yourself through sounds and rhythms
An inner voice that speaks through musical notes.
An itch inside that keep tingling with musical rhythms and ideas.
A yearning to hear music that allows you to reach a heightened musical.
A deep and unresolved emotion that needs exploration and expression in the form of musical pose.
A yearning to be heard, to be appreciated for your ideas.
Thai Green Curry.
chilli basil
green curry paste
coconut milk,
kaffire lime leaves,
Chicken.
Oil.
simple ingredients, though you'd get different taste from different cooks.
So too, many studios have great gear and people and people so talented its unhuman like. Not everything that appears the same is equal.
To be truly creative, you need to experiment, and let yourself experience something new. Let your inner voice guide you.
This entry was created by Josef Horhay
Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
For more info on recording check out acoostic zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
Embrace DA Muzak. (Embrace the Music)
Imagine a world where you are in charge of a kingdom feeled with limitless ideas. Reach out and place your claim on them. Share from within and turn your musical soul into physical sonic reality.
Remeber to always be true to yourself. Free your mind from prejudice and intelorance. Become one with your needs and strengths. Strengthen your weaknessness. be humble and always learn from your mistakes. Experience the beauty of little things as from little things big things grow.
Education is the key to freedom and many more opportunities. Push yourself to experience, don't stay too much in your comfort zone. If you do the same things, don't expect different results.
X Crazy for DANCE music.
Dance music isn't just about repetitive beats and boring melodic ideas... if done properly, it can evoke feelings of heightened awareness as well as freeing your mind. Good music tastes time to develop and many hours of experimentation until it becomes complete and complete. Thousands of hours go into developing a sound in the recording studio. If is this passion for a musical high that keeps listener coming back for more.
What you do isn't important if you don't have a passion for it. If you're struck by boundaries that society imposes that you need to write a peace that explores these emotions. Music takes time and without the hundreds of failures, you can't achieve a true work of art. The analogy is a great painting or drawing is made through many strokes of the pen/brush. When you take away one stroke (hypothetically) the painting/drawing is not complete. So the key to making music and works of art is not to be limited by anything. To create that musical heightened state of mind, you will be prepared to carve a sound, go with a your gut instinct and spend ages experimenting.
This entry was created by Josef Horhay from Acoostic Zoo
Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
check us out For more info on recording with acoostic zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
Recording Studios and Interesting Topics on Gearslutz
Here you can find lots of interesting construction pictures off actual professional studios.
A Cappella Studio Construction Thread
This is a recording studio facility located in Evanston, IL. A very thorough log and detailed pictures on the construction process.
Lionshare Recording Studios
This is a recording studio facility has recorded the likes of Rod Stewart, Chicago, Peter Ceterea, Richard Marx. There are links here to the history of this amazing studio, well worth checking out.
Steve's New Recording Studio
I love this post, it's really long though and heaps of great pictures. Great documentation of the construction of steve's recording studios. It's really interesting. Well worth chekcing out.
Post by Blacky about His VOXBOX which also www.acoosticzoo.com uses in Brisbane Australia. The question posses is wether their is a "secret" to great sounds. Maybe you'd like to contribute and give Blacky more tips.
This entry was created by Josef Horhay
Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
For more info on recording with acoostic zoo - Recording Studios Brisbane
Good Quotes collected and compiled by Acoosticzoo - Recording Studios Brisbane. www.acoosticzoo.com
If you do the same things don't expect to get the different results. feb 2009
Sell yourself before you can begin to sell the value of your product. feb 2009
You're welcome to leave your own favourite quotes in the comments and have a nice day.
This entry was created by Josef Horhay from
Acoostic Zoo,Hi-End Mixing, Recording, Voice Over and Collaborations.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Acoostic Zoo BLOGG
The Journey for being a recording engineer seems like a great idea at the begin. The aspirations of working in a recording studios makes it an amazing dream job. Working with stars and celebrities may seem prestigious and a enticing goal to achieve.
The application of audio engineering principles in a recording studios makes for a lifetime of learning and making mistakes. I like to draw the analogy of a great chef with respect to an recording engineer. We instinctively know what taste good. we're not forced to like certain foods. However, it's a career requirement of a chef to balance the flavour so more they grow they clientel. Likewise, the recording/mixing engineer knows what instinctively sounds good. The skills and art is in applying the tools of mixing and recording to replicate the sound in your mind's eye.
Many mixing and recording engineers that work in the worlds best studios (link to record production/video tours of the best world recording studios.) all use basically very similar tools. The different sounds comes mainly from inside the mind of the engineer. Their techniques although well guarded secrets can be revealed through intensive experimentation and documentation of past results. Presets in a DAW are a great way to get a great sound quickly by providing a starting point that's closer to the desired result.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Acoosticzoo - Recording Studios has official updated for 2009
Collaborations and Songwriting. The joy of composition music.
Music can effect our moods and create a emotive sound bed for film and TV. Now music is accessible to be millions from the internet. Sometimes the same four chords are great for writing many excellent songs.
Mix engineer by Josef Horhay.
colloborations and acoustic magic and Fun!
Look forward to having a great 2009.