Now I can breathe a little!!!

Been busy working on the lessons and templates. At least at this point, I'm not worried about what to talk about on Saturday. There's finally order hehe

Don't forget to bring your laptops, or any writing materials for Saturday to
take notes!

I'll be throwing shortcuts, tips and tricks all throughout the workshop!

I'm plannin on doing a general rundown, then tips and tricks, then QnA. I feel
that QnA would definitely help and make it worth your while so think of stuff
you've been wondering about regarding music prod using propellerhead software :)

The more I finish here at home working on demo tunes, samples, etc, the more I
get excited about the things to be shared on Saturday! I'm sure it'll be a blast
for everyone!

I'll see you guys!

silverfilter

Overloaded Day

It's one of those days...

I had my day planned out and certain things came up which I had to attend to...

Paid bills and I suddenly got a call that the music I did for a client had to be revised. It wasn't part of the day so I had to squeeze the whole thing in. I was planning on focusing Thursday on preparing for the Props workshop but it had to be done. Lunchtime, my friend paid me a visit coz he was asking for help so it was an added distraction (not that it was a bad thing). 

After the loooong day, I finally found time to get my hands dirty and prepare for the workshop. I must say, I'm only halfway done but I'm getting excited the more demo templates I finish. It's going along smoothly and I guess I'll finish the rest tom. I'm finally getting my head around the whole sequence of lessons and I'm excited to share these with everyone. 

So if you're interested to be part of the workshop, don't forget to be there this Saturday!

I'll be going from basic to some neat tricks in reason and record :)

God bless

Cy

Just a reminder for the Workshop this Saturday!

Just a simply nudge for those who haven't registered or signed up, or simply for those still unaware. 

Our Propellerhead workshop for Record and Reason is this Saturday Dec 19!

find out all the details here

http://www.silverfilter.com/electronicamanilaprops

see ya!

God bless

Cy

Headache

I remember when I had a bad case o' colds a few years back that it was coupled with migraine and all. I had a meeting in Makati and on my way home, my condition was so bad, my consciousness literally tuned out and shut down for a few seconds and I found myself hitting the back of a jeep. Praise God it was during heavy traffic that we hardly felt anything and we didn't even check the damages...

I'm reminded of that fateful night coz last night, I was in a similar situation. I had an important meeting that despite my condition, I had to go. I was really out of it. On the way back, my only prayer was "Lord keep me safe and get me home."

My body felt like collapsing. I felt that I was about to vomit at any moment and I was so cold. My body was shaking lightly the whole time driving back from Makati to the South and that was a good hour 'til I found myself falling onto my bed. 

When I arrived close to our village, I was so ready to just drop on my bed so I literally removed my watch, wallet and everything just so I can just fall and sleep once I get home. But it wasn't as easy when I got home. I was relieved that I was safe at home but sleeping wasn't as easy with my headache. 

When I was a kid, I usually wondered how they came up with the term "splitting headache" and I only realized how it does feel like your head's literally splitting, when I got older. 

I feel much better now. I really had to get some rest and sleep it off. But I've been up since after lunch working. 

Right now I'm just dealing with cough and colds and On my way to recovery in Jesus' name!

Cy

Habits

They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. And I guess I'm pretty glad I went past that in blogging. I really never was a blogger before but I kinda got the hang of it. But you may wonder where I've been the past week... I have not forgotten. I actually remembered to blog daily but it's been a busy week. 

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my cousin passed, so the family was busy. There were reunions and catching up with relatives. It was a great time actually despite the sadness. 

I'm also caught up with some work and meetings and I was sick the past 4 days so as much as I wanted to write anything, I was too weak to. 

But we're back to regular programming. I'm at home still resting coz I still need it but I can sit up and write so it's all good. I've got a lot of stuff I wanna share with everyone in the comin days!

God bless

Cy

An Important Lesson I Usually Forget...

It hit me hard yesterday. I had a really bad headache. 

I was reminded of taking a break and slowing down once in a while.

I have this nagging feeling of being unproductive if I didn't do anything worthwhile throughout the day and I was trying to finish mixing a track yesterday but I really couldn't concentrate. I was thinking of even watching TV but my head hurt so bad I had to sleep it off. 

So yes, Tuesday was unproductive and I think it's OK to rest for a day and give your body time to recuperate from everything.

Make it a point to have your rest day too. And I don't mean like a weekend where you'll also be found outside at the mall or something. Sometimes sleep is what you need.

Cy

See ya guys tonight at Route 196.

I'm on at 9pm :)

Live minimal-techno set

Goodbye Explorer For Now...

I recently tweeted plans to sell my Les Paul Custom and Flying V just to add for my purchase of a Gibson Explorer. The price I was quoted before wasn't valid anymore and the importer decided to add almost 20G more than what I thought. I couldn't go that far especially at this point in time. I guess I'll just wait a while and get it later on. I feel sad about it but I have to be practical. Besides, I still have my guitars here so it's all good. Soon...

But I really want that explorer...

Cy

Adobe Air Installation Problems...

I'll be doing a tip today for Mac users.

I recently encountered a problem installing .air applications from adobe. I was updating my Tweetdeck application but once update starts, instead of Adobe opening the update file, waveburner kept on opening. 

2 options I've read...

make a text file and rename to .air then just change the default application that opens .air files since it currently is Waveburner if it keeps on opening waveburner instead of adobe.

the other option which worked for me was drag the waveburner app icon to trash then install update. Then just drag back the icon later on to the applications folder

Hope that helps you!

Cy

On a More Serious Note...

People say it's better to have experience in everything but if there's one thing I'd rather not experience is losing a loved one. 

I was right there when my sister flatlined in the ER, and I was there when my grandfather died. I remember calling him and letting him know that I was there when I heard him having a hard time breathing. I didn't know those were his last. After I felt that he heard me, I went to my room and I then heard my mom call out to me and that was it. 

All this comes back to mind because I lost my cousin this afternoon. She fought hard against Cancer for more than two years and she finally found peace today.

I rushed to the hospital after reading my aunts text that her vitals were dropping. I was 30 minutes too late. When I got there, I saw my aunt outside their room and I waved. She stood up and walked towards me as I read her lips saying "wala na sya" (she's gone). I then went up to hug her and she started crying. I stood there comforting her as I tried to take in the news and the reality that one of my closest cousins has finally bid goodbye. 

I am saddened by the fact that she's gone. I am telling you, the world has lost one of the funniest women it ever had. It's proof that she is indeed my cousin. Even in stage 4, I fought the fight of faith with her and prayed and believed for healing even when a lot of the people around her saw it the other way. But when I read the text that she was already failing, God gave me the comfort telling me that it finally is time. I am happy in a way now that her sufferings are finally over. It really made my stomach turn seeing her in pain every time I visited her. 

It's just hard to take it all in when the "ate" I looked up to after my sister passed, also had to leave me. It's a really hard thing to swallow really. It's one thing I will just leave to God to reveal for me. 

One thing I won't forget about her is how she always thought of others. She was supposed to be Lovecore and silverfilter's manager. We already had our first meeting with the band and then she found out that Cancer had her again. When I visited her at the hospital, all weak and in pain, all she said was "sorry... sorry I couldn't take care of the band. Tell the boys, sorry." I think that really speaks of how she really was as a person. 

Since my sister passed in 97, I became more aware of how precious life is and made me more in tune with how I relate to the people I love and always remember to treasure and cherish every moment I have with them. It truly is an eye-opener and it does make moments matter every time you're with them. Now, I always make it a point not only to spend time with the people I love but to do things now and not wait for anything thinking there'll always be a next time. 

I shall miss you ate Rous. I love you. Say hi to ate She for me and tell her I'm doing good here and she'll be so proud of of where I am today.

Cy

So Little Time...

I'd like to do a lot of things... Don't we all? I guess we can say half of us in this world and the other half would rather just relax... I know some who do hehe

Thing is, like a lot of us, I feel that I don't have enough hours in a day to do what I want and get into. Time management? I don't know. But then, I'm only one person and I have tons of "personalities" I'd like to spend time on and develop. And no, I'm no schizo...

- I want to write a book. Yes. But I haven't gotten around to it yet. 

- I want to get back into drumming full time and rock out with another band but I hardly have time for my silverfilter project!

- I want to practice guitar everyday and immerse (I'd rather) drown myself in playing the blues.

- I want to develop my skills more as a bass player. Particularly slapping.

- I want to develop my fingers more for keyboard playing since I want to play the keyboards nicely. I lack the coordination and the proper flow... though I can do great piano "sequencing" haha

- I want to FINALLY get into photography... which I'm afraid I won't get into sooner.

- I'd list more but I don't have time to list 'em already haha Loko lang...

I'm sure I'm not alone in this and there are a ton of us who "dream" of actually "doing" those things listed in our "to do one day" lists and I hope and pray that all of us will slowly find our way into them. 

What measures have you taken to slowly get yourself doing some of what's on your list?

Cy

My Band Lovecore Needs A Manager

Please let me know if you're interested. We're shaking things up and taking everything up a notch in the band and we need someone willing to help is realize our dreams for the band :) it's a group effort and we'll definitely pull our load.

Please let me know. We just need someone who believes in our music coz if you like us, it'll b easier for you to represent us :)

Cy

www.silverfilter.com
myspace.com/silverfilter
silverfilter.multiply.com
twitter.com/silverfilter
facebook.com/silverfilter

New Remix Download for Free - Good for 1st 100 downloads only

Sharing one of my works with you lovely people :)

It's a nu-skool breaks tune remix :)

http://www.yousendit.com/download/MVNkcHBKMGtubHdLSkE9PQ

Enjoy!

Cy

The Little Things That Make My Music-Making Life Worth Continuing...

I recently got this in my facebook and thought it would be nice to share with you all. 

"Hi, i tried to play ur devotion cd for my patient with dementia here in USA last night, it's so therapeutic, It changed her mood.. Thanks to you..." 

It's nice to hear little stories like that at how my music affects or even helps people. 

I've heard a few stories but the one above really makes a difference. 

Other uses I've heard from the CD...

- used to put their babies to sleep

- used for an AVP

- played in the morning

- for relaxation

It's nice to know that the music isn't just something to be listened to but something experienced.

Thanks a lot for the support. It means a lot!

Cy

Silly for Billy

Hey guys! Here's the link for that Billy Sheehan clinic I promised. Enjoy!

RT@ctctweets: Cityzen Cyril Sorongon @silverfilter shares to us his Billy Sheehan bass clinic experience. http://bit.ly/4pEhO1

Cyril Sorongon has shared: silverfilter

Haven't checked out my tunes yet? Here's an overload of tons of 'em :) Free downloads included!
silverfilter Source: silverfilter.com
Cyril Sorongon sent this using ShareThis.

My Social Networks Signal Flow

I was thinking of sharing this... if I've shared this, forgive me. I sometimes blog when I'm half asleep already...

I'm hoping this would also help you with your own social media networks as to how you can easily automate everything if you still maintain a lot of accounts.

Here's how I do it. 

The blog you're reading now, regardless if you're reading from ygroups, Multiply, Facebook, Tumblr, Blogspot, or linked from Twitter, all came from one email. The photos, well, I attach. 

I now always send an email to my ygroup list so that's not the topic here. I send an email to the email blog post feature to blogspot, which then is sucked in by multiply via the atom feed, then I automated multiply to automatically post to facebook, and the RSS feed from multiply is sucked in by Tumblr, and at this point, I already forgot how it ends up on twitter. I think I set Tumblr up to post to Twitter...

email

Blogspot

multiply to facebook

multiply to Tumblr

Tumblr to Twitter

and for those who wonder how I'm always online posting on Facebook stat updates, I'm not. I text my stat updates to Twitter which posts directly to FB so I can do it anywhere. 

Hope that sparks ideas on how you can manage your accounts easily :)

Geek mode off....

Cy

Irony...

My post yesterday was that of not winning but being a runner up in a remix contest. 

here's the thing, that particular track I did was not as strong as I expected it to be... and that contest was just something I joined in but NEVER expected anything.

But this post isn't about that.

I joined something else initially and it's in that particular contest I really felt that my entry had a chance. I've been waiting for the results for a month and they finally released the winners a few hours ago.

I lost. 

I was quite saddened upon learning that the very contest, which I looked forward to having a chance at winning, didn't pan out the way I imagined it to be. Good thing this came after learning about that previous contest I posted yesterday. 

Don't worry, I am stronger now compared to months ago where I immediately stopped all my other remixes just because I lost with my very first entry. I'll be pushing forth 'til I make it. 

I'm waiting for another contest. The last I joined this year so let's see how it goes. 

Oh yah, they finally posted something for the Rogue Element contest so I uploaded a  photo from their facebook site where there was a tiny little mention of a few of us made it as a runner up hehe :) something to make me smile after learning I lost just now hehe

Cy

Just Pics... of Me and Billy Sheehan! HAH!

Here's my prized blurred photo with the man himself and a nice little shot of my bass right after he signed it. 

Cy

ps. I'm sure my sister Cheryl will be so damn proud :)

A Glimmer of Hope...

I recently joined a remix contest for The Rogue Element in the UK, and even if I didn't win first prize, I'm still thankful for the little things... I was emailed and was told, 

"you will be an official runner up with an honourable mention on our mailshot, website

etc  Congratulations for this and thank you for entering !"

That alone for me is reason enough to be thankful. Best of all, here's what the original artist had to say. 

"This is easily one of the best produced mixes on offer here, melodically

the new elements are strong as well - one criticism would be that it
feels a tiny bit long and could do with a minute or two shaved off, It's
not really the sort of thing I'd play out these days but in terms of
technical standards it is definitely up there..."

That really made my day. 

I mean, I didn't win but I was able to get feedback from my work. I lost heart before when I first lost at a remix contest and didn't finish the other remixes I was working on and God pushed me to have a go at it again and I'm very happy about this tiny speck of hope that I should just keep doing what I'm doing and I will get there. 

Same goes for everyone. If you fail, just get back there and keep at it. Eventually you'll succeed. Just keep your passion alive and you will achieve the impossible.

Life goes on... the keyword is "Life."

Cy