Blog 4: Working EQ

The Pentagon:
1) Something positive that has resulted of what I have completed so far is that I now have learned to use the program Ableton. Before I did not know how to even use Ableton at all since it is a complicated program to understand alone. I have learned the basics of constructing a basic build up but have yet to learn to create my own "style" and create a successful drop.

2) So far the a certain piece of research has resulted beneficial for me more than anything else. The piece of research that has helped me out a lot is that of an article that talks about whether or not a MIDI keyboard is required to produce EDM. This has been useful since I was unsure if i truly needed a keyboard or not and that piece of article cleared my mind since an external MIDI keyboard is not really required.

3) So far all the research I have acquired has been really useful since it has taught me so many new things that I did not learn over the summer and why certain things are useful in creating EDM. Some of those are using reverbs and the parameters that exist in each program.

4) So far finding a new mentor has been difficult since it is hard to contact people in the EDM industry and since most producers are constantly traveling or live far away.

5)

• What is the most effective way to become known in the EDM industry?
• My end goal of the year is to successfully create multiple songs and demos to send out to record labels and get signed to one, as well as have a song releases on a record label.
• I would like to talk to an EDM producer that has already had songs released in a label. 

Problem Statement

1) Producing EDM (Electronic Dance Music) 2) A problem in my topic is trying to become well known in this music industry. Once I have solved this problem I plan to take the steps needed in order to thrive in the industry. 3) Another problem is if you need multiple external equipment to produce "good" songs? Once i have solved this issue I plan to consider wether or not I should invest in multiple external plugins, buy minimal external plugins, or not get any at all.

Blog 3: Interview Preparation

1) For my interview I plan to interview the mentor that i had during the summer, Allen Mata. I plan to interview this person because He helped me out tremendously during the summer and made me realize that producing EDM or music in general is not as easy as it looks like. He also know more and has more experience that I hope to acquire as time progresses. He also went step by step with all the basic information that I needed to learn prior to do anything else and was explained in detail and very well.

2) What are the beginning hardships that you must endure when first producing?
 What are some ways to become known in the EDM world?

Blog 2: Topic Choice

1) The topic that I chose is that of producing EDM (Electronic Dance Music). I chose this because I am a huge fan of this type of music and I have always had the curiosity of wanting to know how to create this type of music as well as wanting to create my own EDM songs. I also want other people to enjoy and experience EDM and what I feel when listening to it.

 2) iPoly Citizen: I plan to produce EDM in order to make others enjoy and respect this type of music. I hope to in turn change the view of EDM that people have while making them enjoy everything that I create and hope to inspire others to try and create EDM as well.
Effective Communicator: I plan to work hand in hand with other producers of the same genre in order to create new songs that other people will enjoy. I plan to not only work with producers of the same genre but also with singers to add vocals into a song that will and should always have a meaning. I will become an effective communicator since ideas will clash and in the end I must work hand in hand with other putting ideas together in order to create a new song.
Effective Learner: I plan to create songs in my head and effectively use all my knowledge to make these songs a reality. I will start with nothing and then slowly but surely be able to create a finished product. This will make me an effective learner because it will help me use all my knowledge to successfully create a finished song.
Effective User of Technology: I plan to use all the elements and programs needed to create EDM. Such programs would include Ableton but also being able to us third party applications like Native Instruments Massive. This will make me an effective user of technology since I will have the ability to create EDM songs that people will enjoy.

Blog 1 Summer Mentorship Component

Assignment

  Literal (Know):

• 10 Hour Mentorship Log (With Contact Info.)

  Literal (Need to Know):

• How do you create voice samples in order to manipulate throughout your song ?

• How big of an impact is it to create and define you own style?

• What are the odds of becoming a successful EDM producer?

• What is the best way to properly assemble your multiple audio clips to complete a finished song?

• What are some of the best external plugins that will help create better EDM synths and in turn create better song?

  Interpretive:

• The experience of working hand in hand with a local EDM producer has made me realize that creating Electronic Dance Music is not as easy as it seems. Many dedicated hours must be put into creating an EDM song. In turn I have learned how to manage my time better in order to fit in producing EDM into my everyday life. I have also learned the different components needed in order to produce different genres that exist in EDM. Such that of the different BPM (beats per minute) that exist within different genres, the breaks withing a song, different buildups for every song, the drop that truly defines the genres, and the build down that is just as important as everything else. I have learned the basics in producing EDM song but still have more to learn.

  Applied:

• From what I experienced in my service learning hours, I now know that this topic will not be easy to accomplish or research. This is a challenge that I am willing to take and I am willing to give all my effort since this is a topic that really interests me and drives me. It was amazing learning that you start with just a blank audio and midi clip that is then transformed into an EDM song after various work. I really enjoy to experiment with new sounds, which in turn has helped me further define my own style. I had always been interested in creating EDM since when I was introduced to this type of music.