I WANT ONE OF THESE!!!

This really is a want more of a need. But I guess it's more 50/50? :)

VRM technology has been around quite a while but only appeared with Focusrite's higher end interfaces. Now, they just released JUST the VRM tech and housed it into a small box. 

I am sometimes called out to produce music outside the studio and since I cannot bring the whole studio with me with monitors and all, the VRM box can help because it simulates various listening environments as if you were listening through different studio monitors with models from Genelec, KRK, Auratone, and the famous Yamaha NS10! It also has other more speakers so you can cross reference your mixes among them. I am excited to try this and for a lot of musicians who cannot afford to get a lot of monitoring systems, this one can help a lot for sure. I for one will find use for it as it will "help" my mixing to an extent by having different speakers to listen to from time to time. It is also accompanied by its own software for the VRM setup.

Of course, make sure you get some decent monitoring headphones so the sound can be represented as close as possible :)

It's priced at $99 so it's really cheap I guess given the money you save if you bought the actual speakers!!!

I have to mention though, that it is not totally recommended to mix on headphones alone. I plan to get this as an additional set of pseudo speakers for my mixing and not to replace my current setup. 

Cy

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Join us at Electronica Manila! Everybody's Welcome! :)

Hello Everyone!

If you're into electronic music or simply want to support our local electronic acts, then we need you!!! :)

I'm asking for everyone's help as a group to join in and follow, like, add, and whatever you wanna do with our social networks! :)

 

Our Facebook fanpage

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Electronica-Manila-Records/196536320376532 - please like our page and be a fan. once we get 30 users on it, our name can be just http://www.facebook.com/electronicamanilarecords but until then, we'll have to go with the long url :)

 

Our Facebook group for EM Records

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_153470178042629&ap=1

 

Our Facebook group for EM

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65570006833

 

Our Soundcloud

http://soundcloud.com/user4762890 - I guess since it's a new account, ganito pa. it should be http://soundcloud.com/electronicamanilarecords kasi. Follow the account nalang. I'm guessing it will enable the username in the url once there's a track uploaded? I dunno.

 

Our Twitter Account

http://twitter.com/emanilarecords - please follow and share to your friends on your list :)

Thanks!!! Let's continue moving!!!

 

God bless!!

Cy- silverfilter

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Calling All Remixers!

As part of my upcoming release, I'd like to let you in on things so I've made the hooks and loops available for download for everyone so you're free to do your remixes!!! A number of Electronica Manila artists have committed to remixing and so why not add more right?

After you're done, upload your tracks to your soundcloud account and drop it into my dropbox! Don't forget to enable free download so I can compile everything! If you don't have a soundcloud account, please upload it into your mediafire account and send it to me so I can save it onto my account!

http://soundcloud.com/silverfilter

All the remixes will be part of the online release of the album as a free download to everyone :)

Thanks for being part of this musical journey! I'm excited to hear what you come up with!!!

GET THE FILES HERE!

http://www.mediafire.com/?9rfe0je28wvig

There are a few more songs in the process of uploading so check back also in a week for the rest of the tune stems!

God bless!

Enjoy!!!

Cy

 

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Groovebox Much?

I got into playing live electronic music via the venerable "groovebox" and I must say It's been one of the best things that's happened to me. 

I started with a Roland MC307. I learned a lot (and played a lot) with it. Unfortunately, it doesn't see any action these days because of dirty contacts which akes the buttons hard to push. I need to get it fixed I guess unless I feel like I can open it up (gulp). 

Later on, I got my hands on a full set of Electribe MK1's. The ER, EA, the ES, and the EM1. Those rocked. It added a whole new sound for my setup with the Roland and struck a balance between the 2 brands since they have their own distinctive sound. Unfortunately, I had to let go of all of them. 

I then started dabbling in using software with hardware controllers but not too long after that, I got my hands on a pair of the newer Electribes: the ESX and the EMX. They were awesome machines but with the ease of software and the computer, I felt like I worked quicker on it and could get the sounds I want rather than with the electribes. Don't get me wrong, the tribes can deliever. You can even load your own sounds into the ESX. But with all the things I do, music is my job so I don't have the luxury to be loading stuff into the sampler from time to time so I had to let them go. 

Fast forward to today and I'm surprised at what's out there. hardware may have taken a step back but there's a lot to look forward to. 

These days, I use a modern day groovebox powered by the computer called the Maschine by Native Instruments. It's an awesome machine and it's really worth it if you're into the same thing. 

But beyond what I've tried out, I of course can't deny that there are a lot more I want to try. 

There's the latest Arturia Spark which is more drum machine centered and looks like one of those old roland grooveboxes in a way. I won't mention the features since there are a lot to be found by doing a google search but I just want to mention things that have grabbed my attention. 

Another one that I can only "dream of" is the latest called Rhizome from French company Feeltune. If this isn't enough to make you drool, I don't know what will hehe

It seems to be a computer slash groovebox. The unit itself IS the groovebox and the computer! It has some nice color displays, 102 controllers, has its onboard VSTs, and can even load up external VSTs!!! It looks sweet and with a price of 3000 Euros, it should be!

More at feeltune.com

For now, I'm happy with my current setup which I should just learn and dive into a bit more...

Cy

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Electronica Manila Records (for members only)

Hello Everyone!

 

In line with the vision of EM pushing electronic music forward locally, I found it in myself to take things to the next level by establishing EM Records. This is so I can help local artists further not just through the list with the discussions but to actually get their music out there. The purpose of the label is so we can have a centralized label for the artists that when people think of the Electronic Music in the Philippines, they can easily connect EM Records to it. I wish to help anyone who has always wanted to release something at least take that first step in at least approaching someone they know and are at home with. We are practically family here... that's where EM Records as a label comes in.  :) 

The label also coincides with the physical release of the Electronica Manila CD out this summer :) This was the one planned years ago hehe By then, we'll both release the CD and the digital version to make the launch big. If all goes to plan we're aiming for a big launch as well as an Electronic Festival so that we can make a mark. 

I believe a lot of us are tired of letting all our tunes sleep inside our machines and our hard drives without knowing if we'll ever get them out. I wish to end that and make that change for everybody who wants to be part of it.

This will be global distribution to all the major digital stores from Itunes to Beatport! (but I must mention that some stores "filter" submissions if it fits their store so better that I mention it this early).

 

Now as a little guide...

DETAILS FOR SUBMISSION:

- Prepare your tunes well.

- Aim for an EP as a first release to make an impact. Better if it's an album. I encourage you to go for these than a single track so people can have a grasp on what you sound like. 

- If you have a soundcloud account, you can drop it in my dropbox. If you don't have one, open an account there. I will also require this anyway to all the artists under the label for your promotions.

- Please prepare a NICE artist photo complete with artist write up. Please please make a decent one. I'm sure we all have photographer friends who are willing to help us with even one good photo. Ask someone to write your profile if you don't know what to do. There's also a good resource on google "write band profile" and you'll find a lot of links there.

- Please mix and master the tracks nicely if possible. If you don't know how to, there are a lot of tutorials for "basic" mixing and mastering. If you'd rather have someone do it for you, you can contact me since I offer it as a service or you can also go with all the other mixing and mastering services out there.  

- Submission and compiling of all the materials per artist will be end of 3rd week of March

- We launch everything in May

- Feel free to contact me for any question :)

If you're interested, please feel free to drop tunes to the EM Records dropbox

http://soundcloud.com/user4762890

 

At this point, I'm cooking everything still. Please be patient as it takes time to get things this big together. In the meantime, just make those tunes!

 

THIS IS IT!

 

God bless!

 

 

Best, 

Cyril - silverfilter

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Mallows

I set aside my tech ramblings as I need to write this down because my emotions cannot handle what's happening...

I love dogs. And I'm sure a lot of the people who really know me know that. So it's saddening that one dog that I love is very very sick. 

Mallows is the dog of Bernice's sister but of course it's collectively their family dog and I am saddened with her condition. Her mom says she's suffering from Parvo and upon further research via google, it seems she is :( I can't honestly take looking at her in her condition when she was that one dog that reminds me of that time I was courting Bernice because she's the dog inside their house and it took some time for her to get to know me but we became very close. More than four years down the line, I'm married to Bernice and she made it. But it is with a heavy heart that I write this because it looks bad and coupled with her old age, I'm afraid of what may happen. I tried looking at her but I find myself holding back the tears because of who she is to my wife and how much love that dog had shared with their family and to me as well over the years. They're not bringing her anymore to the vet in her condition as she is critical already and at this point, they're now concerned with protecting the remaining 2 dogs from the virus. It's sad that they're feeling hopeless at this point and all I can do now is pray. 

Should the time come, I'd like to believe there is a dog heaven and I'm sure my sister swings by that part of heaven once in a while since she loves dogs as well. I'd tell her to wait for Mallows and adopt her to take home to the mansion God gave her, and give Mallows a nice little dog house with 2 cement columns because Mallows loves that.

:(

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My Headphones

My first professional pair of headphones was a pair of Pioneer HDJ500s. I loved those but over the years and constant use, the foam and body wore out and it's not comfortable to wear or even look at anymore.

I then upgraded to a pair of HDJ1000s. I don't know if it's just me but I liked the sound of the 500s more. they say coz those are made in Japan. I don't know the real reason. And mine broke when I accidentally packed it quickly after a show. I still use it to this day and I just superglued it. I actually have a backup pair, which I got as a gift from my girlfriend then (wife today).

My other headphones now are a pair of Rolands that I got free from buying my electric drums and a pair of Samsons which I got for the recording room for use of singers. 

My favorite though are my Sennheiser HD25-1 II headphones. I got it coz of the great reviews it was getting. I read that not only is it a great pair of cans for DJing but it's awesome for the studio as well. It's a bit expensive from your typical pair of headphones but it's worth it. I've been using it for a while already and the reviews are true ladies and gentlemen. I love it for mixing tunes! It's a great pair for reference monitoring and a great alternative for your studio monitor speakers. The sound is very detailed and the good thing with headphones is that you can really hear the smallest details and that's where I feel that my purchase has been worth it. Another thing i noticed is even with prolonged use, it doesn't hurt on the ears unlike my Pioneers which hurts the ears after a while. 

If you're into great sound, I'd highly recommend the Senn's. Please don't tell me about Beats. It's overhyped and I don't plan on getting a pair. I love my Sennheisers. If I had the money to get Beats, I'd just get another pair of the HD25s!

Oh yeah, and I got it coz Richie Hawtin uses it hahaha

Cy

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From Foreign Record Labels to My Record Label...

I woke up to bad news today unrelated to my music but it was one of the biggest blows I've had so far... so it's interesting to see how things get reversed in other ways.

As followers of my accounts either from Twitter or facebook, know that I've sent out my tunes to labels abroad. I also wrote a short tutorial a few days ago. You may want to check that out if you plan to send your music out.

Anyway, it's been more than a week since I've blasted out my tunes to rest of the world and I'm glad that I got some replies. I think it's been 4-5 so far from the 50 labels I sent out to. I'm just glad someone cared to listen, much more to write back even if it was a "not interested" reply. Nobody replied that don't worry. Don't be scared as well if you do send out your stuff. I think from the 4, I got 3 declines which was written differently like "it's not the sound we're after", "we're not signing anyone right now", and simply "thanks for sending your tunes!" It may be not as direct turning me down but they've been kind enough to also comment on how they enjoyed my tune/submission. Label owners who care to write back are good folks so I enjoyed reading their replies even if it wasn't positive.

One label however said yes and decided to sign one of the tracks I sent. It took me a day to think about it because I was weighing out if I should wait for the other lables to get back to me regarding their word on my submissions. I am happy to say I decided to say yes and began correspondence with them. 

This whole sending out music activity of mine led me to think about why not put up my own label. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I just thought of it now. Duh! I actually thought of it yeaaars back but never followed through. Years back, it was more costly and difficult so i guess it's also just timing. I figured, I've got tons of music resting in my computer and I think it's time they get released properly. So now I'm working on sorting out my releases as well as putting up the label. It's initially a dance label but I'm thinking of expanding later on. I'm currently in communication with the distirbutor which will make the tunes available worldwide as well as fixing the website for it. I just got the GO signal today from the distributor that I was eligible to become one of their labels. And of course, i'd be looking for artists to fill the roster eventually so let's see where this goes.

Now while reading the entry, didn't the mood shift as well from something negative to positive?

That was my day. 

Cy

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The Power of a Dot (.) For Your Gmail Account

Perhaps some of you may be aware of this but I'm pretty sure more aren't so I'm sure you'll enjoy this entry and will prove useful...

 

Did you know that you can use a dot in your email account, put it anywhere, and still get it in your inbox?

So for example you have the address originally as prettylady@gmail.com, then you can use pretty.lady@gmail.com or p.r.e.t.t.y.lady@gmail.com or wherever you want to put the dot, and still end up receiving all emails to those addresses into your original account. 

You may be thinking, why the heck would I want to do that?

Well, this is where the fun starts...

Say for example you join a particular site and for this example, I'll use twitter. 

If I want to have 3 accounts for twitter like one for my personal life, another related to work, and the other related to promoting my band, I can use 3 variations of the same email using the dots to apply for those 3 accounts and get updated for everything all in one email add! It simply just makes things easier for getting updated on activities on our particular accounts because it doesn't matter how many we make, we can monitor all of them via a central hub which is the original email address :)

So there, I hope that helped you out sort your other social networks. I know how hard it is to log off then log on between email addresses just because we used a different email add for another network and this solves that issue :)

Enjoy the freedom!

Cy

 

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Adding More To The Blog

Hi guys and gals! 

 

just wanted to share that I'm adding more to my blog by doing more posts on music/tech related stuff, tutorials, etc so if you feel like subscribing, please do so :)

 

And to avoid people having to sign up for anything, I'm making it easier by having my posts appear on almost all of the networks so you can feel free to choose where you want to read it :)

 

http://silverfilter.posterous.com - my main blog 

http://silverfilter.blogspot.com/ - blogspot/blogger accounts

http://silverfilter.multiply.com/ - Multiply (is anybody still here?)

http://www.facebook.com/silverfilterofficial - Facebook (of course)

http://www.twitter.com/silverfilter - twitter

 

I do hope you enjoy my posts and learn from it! If you feel like replying or posting back, feel free to do so. It won't hurt to show your appreciation to us writers especially since we don't earn from it hehehe we need it once in a while so we know we're actually reaching someone haha :)

 

God bless!

 

silverfilter

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