Got lyrics, but no beats? Technology, with no productionskills? And most of all...Got Maschine Mikro, but no road map? No matter if you're new to beat making or an experienced producer or musician, there's nothing like a video demonstration and tutorial to boost-up the learning curve. While some may prefer to figure things out for themselves, by trial and error, most users of Maschine Mikro and similar technologyappreciate quality product demonstrations, in order to fully exploit its capabilities.
So in response to questions about how to make beats usingNative Instrument's -- Maschine Mikro, we've searched and found a few good examples of quality video presentations, by users and reviewers, of this essential, dope, and easy-to-use technological groove-box!
But before we get down to the 'nitty-gritty' of actually learning how to create bangin beats, check out hip hop producer, Khrysis...
using Maschine Mikro:
Now that you have an idea of what theMaschine Mikrocan do, get comfortable, maybe even get a pad and writing tool to jot down a few notes, get your headphones (Beats by Dre' if you're a 'Baller', of course), and give a big shout-out toDubSpotandMr. Invisible's - Justin Aswellfor this three [3] part slammin tutorial on >>>>>>>>
a). track composition,
b). finger drumming,
and c). live performance techniques:
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"LeonardfromKosmic Sound takes us through the features of the Maschine Mikro..."
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With practice and dedication to one's craft of composing beats and breaks,whether for hobby or business, anyone can learn to produce and enhance the skills of composing...
"She Said Yes!!!" (what Wiz Khalifa wrote on twitter)
In response to Wiz Khalifa
asking his lover-girl for her hand in marriage, the sexy-sweet Amber Rose wrote, "He has made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!!"
This union, no doubt, comes as no surprise to most hip-hop/rap fans and followers. After a year of kickin'-it, and serious dating, this dynamic and sexy young couple have decided to 'ink' their relationship and plans for creating beautiful children together.
While many celebrity couples encounter tough times and challenges throughout their courtships, Wiz and Amber's 'love-collabo' appears to be genuine, pure, fun, and potentially everlasting.
Like most celebrated couples, although their relationship has been and will be analyzed and critiqued, obviously, based on their individual and collective "star power", the real harmonic flow of their engagement and future marriage will be determined by the private 'juice' they are able to supply and sustain over the long haul.
Big-up to Wiz and Amber as they dare to embrace the challenge and beauty of the unifying love of hip-hop!
...Um, one more thing, Wiz. Don't get mad at a playa' for showing readers some [hot pics] love; another look at Amber before you tie the knot, homie. Just like the big O.G. homie - Ice T, you gotta hot one on your hands, and you already know what it do!
East and West Coast 'ballers', Sean John Combs and Magic Johnson, are among top draft selections for Comcast cable network's channels in 2K13
_______________________________
The last time the East and West Coast (NYC and Cali) dominated the headlines, like they are currently, the news wasn't so positive; it was about 'beef', which ultimately culminated in the deaths of two of the most prolific MC's (2Pac and Biggie) in hip-hop/rap music history.
But in 2013, two business mogul's - Magic and Diddy - with deep business roots in both coast's, will launch channel's reported to be powerfully positive game-changing forces in film, television and music entertainment!
"Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, plans to launch ten
channels in total over eight years to keep a pledge it made in 2010 as
it sought federal approval for its acquisition of a majority stake in NBCUniversal."
It's no surprise these two entertainment and business swagg-masters have been given this opportunity to create jobs and provide quality entertainment, as we all know, Magic and Puff have been checkin' traps for years. But neither of them were awarded their respective contracts just on their names and reputations, alone.
"The channels will be broadly distributed and were chosen from over 100
proposals for concept, talent and financing necessary to give each a
fighting chance in today's brutally competitive landscape."
Magic's channel, Aspire, is committed to producing positive uplifting images of African American's 24/7 - an alternative to BET (Black Entertainment Television).
Sean Combs' - Revolt, on the other hand, "was selected by Comcast to be the first music network to truly
leverage the power of social media, fueling the live music dialogue and
influencing the music culture for the video-centric generation."
We can probably expect to see Diddy's presence on many of Revolt's episodes, but Magic has assured us he won't be appearing on any of Aspire's runs, except for an occasional public service announcement or inspiring message.
All the best to both East and West Coast 'ballers', as they seek to conquer new business and entertainment landscape. And BIG SHOUT to Comcast for showin' some love!
creator and conductor of hit show - 'Soul Train' ___________________________
For millions of, primarily, African American consumers, and hundreds if not thousands of performers, musicians and celebrities who have enjoyed viewing and dancing to weekday afternoon ("Soul Train premiered on WCIU-TV on August 17, 1970, as a live show airing weekday afternoons") and Saturday morning 'get-downs', from 1970 to present date, on the Soul Train, the news of the shows legendary creator, writer, executive producer, and host - Don Cornelius' tragic death, allegedly by suicide according to police detectives, came as a shocking and sad pronouncement.
Although preliminary reports suggest that cause of death leans toward [the] likelihood that Cornelius died due to self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Police Department, along with the L.A. County coroner's office, will conduct and complete a thorough investigation.
So what happened, DC? If you did take yourself out the game, why, bro? If your life was taken against your will, however, then who did it?
These are obvious big "if" questions that no one but Mr. Cornelius can truthfully answer, but unfortunately he can't communicate an answer to us -- fans, admirers, friends, associates and loved ones. Once the official police investigation and coroner's cause of death is determined and made public, rumors surrounding foul play or suicide can and should be put to rest - hopefully.
Aside from wondering "why", "how" and "when" - fans and celebrities have continued to voice their fond memories and well wishes to the iconic legacy of Don Cornelius, and his family.
As mentioned earlier, noted for his historic hit show - 'Soul Train',
the production holds the record for years on television, and "will continue to hold the honor of the longest, continuously running
first-run syndicated program in television history until at least 2016".
Long before talent and showcase entertainment programs like MTV, America's Got Talent, The X Factor, American Idol and others captured the imagination of pop culture -- 'Don C' envisioned what would years later become this televised genre's original blue-print! "In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared." Of the multitude of guest entertainers who have performed on America's original 'band stand' -- it was incredible talents like Marvin Gaye, and many others, who benefited from Cornelius' hit show.
So in celebration of the life, times, and going-forward of former back-up disc jockey (DJ), news reader, sports reporter, touring (MC) emcee, promoter, producer, show host, writer, and television executive with O.G. swagg status - Don Cornelius; here's to you and the train of souls who, in your memory, continue to claim the boogie, want the funk, show the love...and pass the peace!
World Famous
'Soul Train'
Line_________________________________
and the
"He quit his day job to take a three-month broadcasting course in 1966 despite being married with two sons and only $400 in his bank account."
Check DC's 'funky-fly' wardrobe: tight sun-shaped afro, pinky rings (yes, two of them), fat silk tie, and crush velvet jacket -- big swagg 'Soul Train' conductor gettin' it in!
'The Don' even showed love to local youngsters who possessed new, innovative and unusual talents, like 'locking', rapping, and similar artistic forms of expression, which paved the way for future generations.
And without the vision, daring hustle, and business acumen of Don Cornelius, we would not be enjoying annual televised showcased talent, on the'Soul Train Music Awards',
which recognizes and honors outstanding achievements in Black music and entertainment.
"Past hosts for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, Cedric The Entertainer, Gladys Knight" and countless others. The show gives out many awards to worthy recipients, but none have overshadowed the accomplishments, and more importantly, contributions of the award show's pioneering architect. Among many well deserved acknowledgements, 'The Don' has been nominated and honored by the industry he served with velvet flava.
In 1974, Cornelius was nominated for the 'Daytime Emmy' award, for best writing for a talk, service or variety program. Trumping his nomination in 1974, he won the 'Pop Culture' award for his hit show - 'Soul Train' in 2005. And to top it off, in 1997, O.G. - 'Don C' received, for the category of television, a star on the 'Walk of Fame' in Hollywood, California, located at 7060 Hollywood Blvd.
No question, the king of hustle has made his legendary mark on American pop culture, music and entertainment. Thanks for the ride, 'DC'!
Rest in Peace (RIP):
Donald Cortez "Don" Cornelius
(September 27, 1936 – February 1, 2012)
"Bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" ~Don Cornelius
Fans and celebrities react to death of Don Cornelius - TV's 'Black King of Hustle':
"Don Cornelius was a pioneer & a trailblazer. He was the first
African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his
own show." — Earvin "Magic" Johnson
"God bless him for the solid good and wholesome foundation he provided
for young adults worldwide, and the unity and brotherhood he
single handedly brought about with his most memorable creation of 'Soul
Train.'" — Aretha Franklin
"We all have a great debt. His work in the 60s and 70s helped us to see,
again, that human beings, we're more alike than we were unalike and the
music and the people he showed allowed us to see. Showed us how the
music, the gifts of the African American, to this country and to the
world were great gifts and belonged to everybody all the time." — Maya
Angelou
"I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend,
colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius. Don was a visionary
pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was 'Soul Train,'
that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. His contributions to
television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched. My
heart goes out to Don's family and loved ones." — Quincy Jones
"The Soul Train legacy will show you how great this man was. And Soul
Train became such a great icon, not only did black people want to be on
Soul Train, but you had Elton John, you had The Bee Gees, you had ever
white artists wanting to be on. Soul Train became the thing to do. Don
Cornelius didn't do pop artists the way that a lot of the shows did
black artists; he included everybody on his show." — songwriter Kenny
Gamble
"I have known him since I was19-years-old and James Brown had me speak
on 'Soul Train.' He brought soul music and dance to the world in a way
that it had never been shown and he was a cultural game changer on a
global level." — The Rev. Al Sharpton
"So sad! A great guy & happy memories from Solid Gold & StarSearch: (hash)RIP" — Robin Leach
"Sad to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius of Soul Train fame.
Grateful to him that he turned me on to so much great music."
— musician
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
"Sad to hear of passing of Don Cornelius, creator of Soul Train. He was a
super nice man. Had many nice talks w/ him at the golf range. RIP"
—
comedian Jon Lovitz
"RIP don cornelius. A legend, a pioneer, a genius. In your immortal
words "love peace & soul" make God boogie & Jesus do the Robot."
— Marlon Wayans
"RIP Don Cornelius. LOVE PEACE AND SOOOOUUULLLL 4eva"
— Snoop Dogg
"Don Cornelius was a pioneer & a trailblazer. He was the first
African-American to create, produce, host and more importantly OWN his
own show." — Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Big swagg in the house, Mr. E-40 - the Yay Area's (ghetto) multilingual, and one of rap's most prolific MC's - kicks game, under the Radar withHip-Hop Official,about how to handle 'biz' and ensure longevity and prosperity in the rap industry. If you ball and go hard all day every day, that's on you, but the "life" does come with [huge] financial costs and consequences. The more you have, the more you consume, and the more you owe. Painting pictures that ain't real and, literally, paying for it on credit is one of the game's traps. When we borrow from the store (money for high-tech productions and exotic car rentals), we exercise the attitude of instant gratification. It's never what you have, or appear to have, but what you actually keep and grow over time; cause once you get it, then what?
While most [new] rappers starve for the game so tough they neglect crossing 'T''s and dotting 'I''s, on contracts and written agreements with middle-men, legendary rap-vets like E-40 endure due to high business savvy IQ, creative ability and "true-to-the-game"swagg-appeal.
Though the game is full of tight MC's and rappers, who flex and spit-it real on the mic, far too many fall as quickly out of the game as they once entered.
Whatever is not already owned by an artist, and she or he requests it from the record label, if granted, it becomes a loan or advance to be later subtracted from future artist(s) earnings, revenue or royalties..."a gift to be taxed". No matter how many claim to know this golden-rule, in spite of common sense, they sign without regard to consequence.
In the tradition of Yay Area/West Coast get-down, E-40 also realizes what his fellow soldiers, Too Short, Ice T, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Russell Simmons, and others put down years before; "success is gained by cooperation, but sustained and furthered by independent ingenuity." ~author,T.F. Hodge
"They somefunky
'turf-head' babies. Can I get a lil' mo' of that, playa?"
that there is Earl Stevens aka:E-40
"In 2012, E-40 will release three solo albums: The Block Brochure series 1, 2, and 3, as well as a collaboration album withToo Short."[Source: wikipedia]
Studio Albums
Federal (1993) In a Major Way (1995) Tha Hall of Game (1996) The Element of Surprise (1998) Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self-Made Millionaire (1999) Loyalty & Betrayal (2000) Grit & Grind (2002) Breakin' News (2003) My Ghetto Report Card (2006) The Ball Street Journal (2008) Revenue Retrievin': Day Shift (2010) Revenue Retrievin': Night Shift (2010) Revenue Retrievin': Overtime Shift (2011) Revenue Retrievin': Graveyard Shift (2011) The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1 (March 27, 2012) The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 2 (March 27, 2012) The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 3(March 27, 2012)
Years ago,when word first hit the streets that Jay-Z and Beyonce were hookin'-up, they were obviously rounding second base by the time word was bond about their romance. The next thing we [all] knew they were writing, recording and performing hits together...and then - married! They were Mr. & Mrs. Carter and hip-hop's most famous couple. At first, the reaction was lukewarm and a bit surprising; some ignorantly judged their relationship based on who looked better, or who was worth more, financially. But through it all, and as crazy as it seemed at times, popular culture and fans the world over have continued to support and express big love for hip-hop's flavor of Bonnie and Clyde. Now that there's a new life to care for and a new mouth to feed, quite naturally, they'll be some changes to how Jay and B approach the game of parenting, while balancing life as a couple and as individual performers.
No doubt we've all heard the good news about Hov and wife, Beyonce's new addition to the (hip-hop) royal family - congrats, Carter family! Already, their little star - Blue Ivy is shining brighter than mom and dad did when they were her age. The newborn star "enters R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 74 with a song
called "Glory", where her rapper daddy proudly professes his love to
her while she's cooing and crying. The song has got 1.7 million audience
impressions on 54 radio stations, according to Nielsen BDS."
To date, baby Blue Ivy is the youngest person in history to ever appear on a Billboard chart. Like any proud father, Jigga is just as passionate and committed to giving his daughter and family the best, including strength to ignore all the hateful comments about the name, Blue Ivy, and how she looks, for instance. After visiting a host of sites to view comments about Jay and B's new family addition, most of them were positive - as they should be. But as always, haters were represented among web-heads. Not surprisingly, these are probably the same haters who diss everything about Beyonce and young Hov.
Before you even think of asking: Swagg won't bother to quote any of those insulting disses, by the way; "we don't get-down like that". Though we live in a superficial, materialistic, fake society - we do not have to eat of its ills. Hip-hop is, and should be, about unity, expression, cooperation, beautiful struggles, truth, integrity, and most importantly...love. For the Carter's, their extended family, friends, and loyal fans - Blue Ivy is the rebirth and extension of hip-hop's love, for which there is no sustainable power of disapproval.
bangin'-ass, ballerific beats...
