Making an EDM track: the Basics

EDM, or electronic dance music, is a genre of music I really enjoy. Recently I've discovered a mobile app called Music Maker Jam that allows you to use stock sounds and beats to create your own unique track, for virtually any genre of music. It is very addicting and I've taken to it right away.

For those that don't know, most EDM tracks follow a standard sequence. I listen to this genre quite frequently and this mobile app is a great medium to construct decent original  EDM tracks.

First, you want to start off with a simple beat or sound. Play it on a loop a couple times, adding different elements each sequence, drawing the listeners in.

Add different percussive beats, with a unique musical sound as a recurring underlying basis for your track. As the song progresses, you can feel free to edit and experiment with different variations in the sound, to eliminate extraneous redundancies.

The next addition should be something that is commonly referred to as "the drop". The drop is simply where there is a transition where isolated musical sounds are joined together at once with the percussive elements. Genres like Dubstep, trap, EDM, techno, and even some hip hop all feature drops, more than once in the same track. It keeps things fluid and interesting, building up to a wonderful climax that listeners always enjoy.

I can't share my created tracks on here for some reason, but if you're that curious, download the app, create an account or simply link to Facebook: then follow me, Scott Stanley, and listen to my track Tiger Trapt to get an idea of a generic drop. You'll know the drop when you hear it, it's impossible to miss.

These are just the essentials in creating an EDM track. Feel free to experiment in any way you want. It's all about originality. Try simplifying the ending of the track, digressing back to the first opening sequences. At least, that's what many DJs do with their tracks.

If you end up downloading the app and giving me a follow, listen to Attraction and Escape, my two personal self made EDM tracks.



https://api.jam-community.com/song/detail/ceef94fb-242b-11e6-bd70-0661aaff07f9


https://api.jam-community.com/song/detail/02c195b0-23fb-11e6-bd70-0661aaff07f9

Robot

The absence of emotion,

Coupled with Nothing's bittersweet Sting,

Embrace me.

They wrap their arms around me, with near 

Inaudible whispers.

You are one of Us now....

My blank hallowed mind takes their words

With lackadaisical indifference.

I am a 3-Dimensional being, slowly being eroded

by The coarse, calloused hands of Time,

Into a 1-Dimensional Robot.

Views From the 6

Being the music man that I am, I enjoy listening to anything and everything out there (with the only exception being hardcore screamo). Among other things, I thoroughly enjoy rap and hip hop. When Drake's new album, Views From the 6, dropped on April 25 of this year, I had to give it a listen.

By itself, I would give his new album a 7. He has some really good tracks that feature fresh bars only Drizzy can produce. The more I listen to it the more I appreciate his lines and original mixes. My personal favourites from his new album are 9, Grammy, and Controlla (which is probably the most popular single on the album).

Now, when you compare it to his counterparts: YG, Kcamp, and Kanye West, all of whom released a new album of their own this year, there is no comparison. Views gets a solid 10/10 in this no-contest. People want tracks they can feel, get into, and sing along with. No other new album gives a listener this like Drake's new album. I am actually a fan of YG, and I was pretty disappointed with his new album. A lot of his tracks are just reminiscent of his old hits, and frankly, just doesn't cut it this time. People want new, fresh beats with fresh sounds, and Views does this beautifully. With that being said, it is IMPERATIVE to include tracks that can be compared to an artist's older stuff. After all, its the older stuff that brought you up to where you stand today. In spite of that fact, it is a 50/50 shot to put only new, different stuff in your album in the hopes that you start a new trend or different kind of feel in the hip hop industry.

Take J. Cole's new mixtape that released this year. J. Cole is my favourite hip hop artist. I was very disappointed in his new album. It seems he just got the short end of the stick with this one. He took that 50/50 shot and failed miserably. It's clearly evident he is just trying to hard to produce new, trendy tracks, that sound nothing like J. Cole's traditional stuff. I can't name even one track that I really enjoy listening to from his new album, and it is very sad.

I regress though.

Drake's new album is another great success to add to his already impressive career in the hip hop world. I highly recommend giving it a listen if you enjoy that sort of music.

Broken

My heart, reduced to shreds like wet paper.

My hands, calloused and scarred from my vain efforts.

My eyes, turned stone cold from the icy reality besetting me.

My legs....

I can't feel my legs.


My skin, a living organ one with the earthy ground,

Trampled upon, bruised senselessly, without

question or remorse.


Warm, red blood, oozing out of every orifice of

my body, over the dried blood already scabbing.

Blood, filled with my pain, weaknesses, flaws...


Regrets.


And yet Broken I stand, and Broken I will heal.

Superpowers

If you could have one superpower what would it be?

For me there is not a second's thought required. I would want the power of teleportation, to be able to envision a place I have once been, or can see on a computer screen or paper, and teleport there simply by thinking about it.

Jumper is one of my favourite movies. It focuses on a "Jumper", or teleporter, who is on the run from an organisation determined to vanish people who "don't deserve power that should only belong to the gods". The protagonist shares the same abilities as mentioned previously and also possesses the ability to teleport people and objects of great magnitude with him, simply by touch; I encourage anyone who hasn't already seen the film to check it out. It really made the idea of teleportation that much more cool and fascinating to me.

To be able to be present at will, at any location that can be seen or imagined, is extraordinary to say the least, and far more fun to me than flying or reading minds, as most commonly mentioned by people who would want powers. 

Scientists have already managed to teleport a photon (a microscopic particle of light) across a distance in excess of 20 kilometres. Take a quick look at the link below:

http://www.iflscience.com/physics/physicists-achieve-quantum-teleportation-photon-over-25-kilometers

I am keeping my fingers crossed that divine intervention will intercede and make human teleportation a reality.

What about you? Comment the superpower you would wish to have and why :)

Dream Destination

Chances are we've all been asked this question or something somewhat like it: If given the opportunity and the financial resources needed, where in the world would you travel to and why?

This question is a good one to ask when getting to know a person because it can tell a lot about him/her. For me, my dream paradise is in isolation from the rest of the world, just me and my wife (maybe kids eventually). I really want to live in a chalet in the Swiss alps, close to mother nature. I want to smell the cool fresh air, look at the gorgeous mountain peaks silhouetted against a amber coloured sunset--No politics, no corrupt government, no society present to sway you one way or the other, no external force of any kind save for the gorgeous scenery and peaceful atmosphere.


Where would you go? Feel free to comment below :)
http://www.idesignarch.com/luxury-ski-chalet-with-stupendous-view-of-the-matterhorn/

My generation

I was born Novemeber 27, 1994. I am a '90s baby. I do enjoy the stuff my generation does. With that being said, I think I would have been better fitting with the generation from the roaring '20s.

I resonate with music of that generation specifically. While I have eclectic music tastes,  I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr., and Chet Baker. When it comes to entertainment however, no one outshines Ol' Blue Eyes (Sinatra).

I love singing his stuff when I find myself bored, alone, or in the shower. I can't give a suitable explanation for why I enjoy his music so much, I only know that I wish I could have lived when he did, to see him in his prime, at a live show.

The music of my generation has taken a turn for the worse, in my honest opinion. Strictly referring to the entertainment aspect of it, there is no comparison between today's era of music and the music 90 years ago. Lyrics today are  rampant with drugs, sex, money, and delusions of grandeur. While to an extent I do enjoy this music (much more for its instrumental bits and nice rhythmic beats than the words), whenever I want to hear music that soothes me, puts me at ease, and pulls at my heartstrings, I tune into the past, enjoying some Chopin, some Rachmaninoff, or Frank Sinatra.

At some point in my life I want to compose a piece of music for ever genre known to man: my passion for music and its role it plays in our lives is one of the few things I pride myself in, and I am thankful that the Lord has gifted me with an objective mind and open ears.

The Man

     The man swings open the glass door with one fluid motion and steps inside, glancing around the room. For a brief, virtually imperceptible period of time, the whole rooms seems to freeze in place, the man's presence encapsulating the entire attention of the shop. Had it been any other place, the man's spot-on bad boy image, from his worn, black steel-toed boots to his frayed leather jacket, shoulder length silky black hair and 5 o'clock stubble, people might have been frightened, to say the least--but this was Vegas. No one questioned anyone's appearance in Sin City.
     After spanning his coal-coloured eyes across the room, the man ran his calloused right hand through his black hair and slowly made his way over the counter. One of the baristas working behind the counter, a young pretty brunette of about 17 was startled when her eyes suddenly met his. She blushed beet red, smiled at him and then quickly went back to frothing the cappucino she had been working on.
     The man made his way to the counter, which, with his long bulging legs and 6'5 frame, took him about two steps. He walked behind the sole person in line, a rather short, balding man of about 43, who took an instinctual, unsubtle step forward. The man paid him no mind, gazing at the menu behind the counter, one muscly arm clutched around his black tinted biker's helmet, his right hand scratching at his stubbly chin, deep in thought. "Venti Mocha Cappucino for Stewart?!" the brunnette called out from behind the register. The balding man quickly paid, grabbed his drink, and made his way rather quickly out the door, glancing timidly back at in the man's general direction, shaking his head indistinctly, and then subsequently hurrying away. The man remained stationary, still gazing at the selections, shaking his head, his right hand still scratching at his chin. The brunette stood their patiently, opened her mouth to speak, closed it again, opened it once more and mumbled, "Next please". The man jolted out of his trance, embarrassed, stepping quickly up to the counter, not hiding his perfect white teeth as he smiled shyly, glancing at the brunette and then quickly at the ground, now scratching his head. "Hey" he said softly. The barista smiled shyly, blushing. "That's quite alright. What would you like?" She was briefly taken aback by how soothing, how inviting his voice was, how warm his smile was, directly juxtaposing his rough biker look. She tried looking away but her eyes remain fixed on his, paying close attention to the man's every movement, her lips slightly parted. "Umm..hmmm... you see, I don't really come to coffee shops often, ermmm..." She giggled, covering her mouth, her eyes still glued to him. He chuckled as well, clearly out of his comfort zone. "Umm..what's your strongest thing? I've been riding now for about 3 hours, been making my way to Nashville. I really just need something dark and strong to fuel me up." The brunette averted her gaze from the man's face, staring at his bulging pectorals, then at his massive arms, thinking to herself, 'Yes, I bet you would like something dark and strong,' giggling at her own girlish fantasies. "A double Macchiato normally has 2 shots of espresso, but I'll add an extra couple just for you because it seems like you could really use it. The man flashed his pearly whites again, running his right hand through his black mane once again, chuckling in relief. "Thank you, Jenna, that sounds wonderful." The girl was briefly started, quickly looking down at her own nametag which read "J-E-N-N-A", seeming to forget her own name for a brief moment. "That...that'll be 4.95 sir", she mumbles, her face red. The man takes out his wallet from his jacket pocket and hands her a 10. He hands it to her, smiling warmly. "Keep the change for yourself, Jenna. You're working hard and doing a fine job." Completely taken aback, she reaches for it slowly. "Wait...are you sure?" she mutters softly. Grinning back at her he says, "Absolutely". She cups her hands over eyes, trying in vain to hide her delighted surprise. "Thank you sooo much! I'll have the coffee ready for you in a couple minutes". She hurries over to another barista, a tall lanky blonde girl of about 19, speaking quickly to her, giggling. She points over at the man, pointing to the 10 in her hand. The blonde giggles with her, trying to hide her jealousy. The man walks over to the confectionary section, now eyeing the pastries, his left arm still clutching his helmet as he scratches his scruffy chin with his right hand. "Double Macchiato!" the brunette chirps happily the blonde now closer to her, pretending to be working at something else, but clearly just their to gaze upon this mysterious masculine specimen. The man walks up,taking the coffee from the girls outstretched hand, his index finger just touching hers. "Thank you so much, Jenna. Have a wonderful day." Gasping quietly, she rushes off somewhere else, covering her mouth, trying to hold back more unnecessary giggles.
     The man makes his way to the exit and starts putting his helmet on, but suddenly stops. He spots a young woman sipping on a latte, her long black hair dangling over the book she has open, The Tempest, her eyes glued to its pages. The man hesitates, looks out the window at his jet black Ducati, then down at his analog wrist watch that barely fits around his large, veiny wrist. He cautiously makes his way over to the woman. *Coughs* towards the vacant seat next to her. "Is..umm...that seat taken?" He says, staring at the ground, blushing. The woman jumps from her book, almost dropping her latte, startled. "Umm....erm..." She gazes at the mans protruding chest, then slowly up into his eyes of coal. "No, not at all." She smiles up at him, flashing her own pearly whites. The mans return the warm smile with one of his own and takes the seat adjacent to her. People sitting about the coffee shop began whispering to her, exchanging glances with each other, motioning to the man and woman. The two baristas, now with no customers, are huddled over the counter, heads resting on their hands, the young girls both staring transfixed at the man now talking to the woman in the corner. The dialogue between the man and the woman is inaudible, but you see the man point is finger at the cover of the woman's book, smiling. The woman nods quickly, smiling, easily matching the man's strange enthusiasm for a book so old yet timeless.They talk for what seems like hours, laughing now and again, neither one breaking each other's gaze or warm smile. The coffee shop has been emptying out slowly, now with only an elderly couple in the back, reading the day's newspaper, oblivious to their surroundings. The man then takes out his phone, looking over at the setting sun and back to his watch. He says something, hands the woman his phone. She grins widely and nods, taking out her own phone, handing it to him. He takes back his phone, staring at the screen---"Stacy". He thanks the woman multiple times, her shrugging and smiling back at him, staring deep into his eyes. He gets up, clutches her delicate left hand softly in his two strong hands, thanking her once more. The woman stares down at his two hands holding her own, her lips parted, her blushing face impossible to miss through her porcelain skin. The man then gets up, puts on his helmet, thanks the two baristas and staff once more while disposing of his empty coffee cup. He waves to the young woman as he exits the shop, making his way over to his bike, The biker starts up his machine, the engine roaring to life. After revving the engine a couple times, the biker speeds off into the distance, the two baristas and the young woman both staring longingly after him. As the two baristas then reluctantly start adding up tips and wiping down the coffee counters, the young woman stares at her own phone. On the contact page there is no name, only a phone number and a quote. She gasps, clutching her mouth, looking quickly back out of the window after the man, who has since disappeared into the sunset.

Smiling, she slowly collects her things, giggling intermittently. Still staring transfixed at her phone screen, she thanks the staff kindly and walks out the glass door.


“O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!” 
― William Shakespeare, The Tempest

Running in Place

My arms pumping, lungs heaving,

Feet pounding the ground,

Trying to escape my worries and

Fears.

But I'm stuck in place, merely

Running in place, with nothing

but save for my tears.


My heart on overdrive,

Red hot blood coursing through

My veins. My body is preparing to

Jolt forward.

But like a stallion being restrained

By its reigns,

My attempts are in vain.


I falter repeatedly,

Like a broken vinyl whose

Soothing notes can no longer be

Enjoyed,

I've become one with this corrupt

Place.

I am the south end of the magnet,

Always being forced back to my

Point of origin.


Chaos...

Spontaneous Sequels

Sometimes the movie industry likes to surprise us with a spontaneous follow up film--after a hardly brief hiatus. However, I would say the general consensus is that a long break can be well suited for a one or two film story.

Let's take a look at the award winning Toy Story trilogy. The first film first moved to the big screens in 1994, the year I was born l. Obviously the movie was a major success so it's only appropriate that people expected a sequel to follow--I'm sure no one anticipated they'd be waiting a near decade until there hopes were affirmed. Toy Story 2, which aired in 2001, was another big success, delivering everything the first film did and (debatably) then some. The final instalment wasn't released until a a decade and a year had passed. Toy Story 3 caught the majority of the world by surprise. Not nearly as many believed that Pixar would attempt another chapter to the beloved Toy Story series. Just a few quick looks at past series will tell you why (Rocky 1,2,3,4,5, Rocky Balboa, and In 2016, Creed. Or take for a better example,  the Star Wars prequels, aka episodes 1,2,3) More recently was the Jason Bourne film, Bourne Legacy. I am a huge fan of the Bourne movies and books. Matt Damon, as Jason Bourne himself, is quintessential for a Bourne film. To even attempt a fourth instalment without him is simply money down the drain if you ask a film buff like me.

That being said, when I heard a fifth movie was confirmed, with Matt Damon back as Bourne....I admit, I giggled like a little girl. And Bourne 5 is only one of several anticipated sequels that are to be released soon. Viewers also have films like Finding Dory, Bad Boys 3, Fast 8, and even the award winning series Prison break will be coming out with a new season this year--7 years after its last one finished.

Sometimes the best thing to do when planning  a successful hit sequel is taking a few good years to work on it, Being too hasty, as clearly observed in past occasions, can be a recipe for disaster.

As a little aside, I am very upset that my favourite movie never released a sequel: the Iron Giant 2. While the ending did give the film closure, if only because I liked it so much, I would very much enjoy seeing a modern day sequel, or even a new remake with real people. But discussing my favourite movie is another blog post. I encourage any person of any age to watch the Iron Giant if you have not already. It is a fantastic film.

Driftwood

I move not of my own volition

or Consciousness.

The current that carries me along is apathetic of

my Presence.

My body and mind coexist without being

aware of each other.

My reality is wedded to my solipsist mind, my world

existing in thought alone.

So I drift, like a meaningless substance devoid

of Life.



My mind once belonged to me....

Noise

The absence of my noise bombards your deaf ears,

The entire essence of my being trembles with soundless cries and shouts,

How foolish am I to persist...

Your peircing eyes cut through my heart like an ice-tipped sword.

Your eyes.

They are covered by dirty, misconstrued lenses that you refuse to take off, if only to save face.

But your ears. They function like normal, and yet...you've become deaf to my words,

Deaf to my vain attempts to reel you in like an exotic fish of the sea.

But I am the bait that no can longer attract your presence.

My hook is dull and jaded.

The refuge I have sustained for you for so long is insufficient.

I rest lifeless upon my worn, rusty hook, in the abyss left in your wake.

The I can feel the ice-tipped sword  penetrating the deepest realms of my soul.

But I am now merely


The background noise


in your life's song.

The Power of Labels

I find it curious and amusing that a product's quality tends to be overlooked if it has a trendy brand name or logo. Everywhere you turn big names like Dre's Beats, Mac, Ralph Polo Lauren, Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana bombard billboards and shop corners. Odds are you have purchases more than one of their products or from brands of similar popularity. Most often you might just assume since the thing cost you an arm and a leg that the quality is paralleled. From personal experience and observation I can say confidently that this is not always the case.

First let's discuss what gives the Logo's inherent value. The first step, obviously, is advertising. Take Dr. Dre for instance, or Michael Jordan. Both are very weathy; Dre is worth approximately 830 million dollars, MJ is worth nearly 10 figures. They have a deep pocket to put up some deep and far reaching adverts. An appealing, trendy advert places the product on a proverbial pedestal, makes it look desirable to the public.

In addition to adverts, an original and eye-catching design can be just as effective in distinguishing desirable products from lesser ones. Take for instance, the Beats Pill. The Pill was revolutionary, transforming portable audio into an aesthetically pleasing and profitable item in the electronics department. The sleek design, overhyped logo, and easily accessible size made the pill an instant trend. Note that I haven't even mentioned what the device actually sounds like when in use, or the quality of sound it provides. In spite of that, the pill was desired, popular, introducing new standards to the world or portable audio.

I have experimented with several portable audio systems and I will not hesitate to admit that the pill is a premium product. It does produce quality sound. Granted, it may not be the "best bang for the buck", if you catch my drift.

I own a small portable speaker from Altec Lansing (What the hell is that?) Mini H2o. Odds are you have probably never heard of this brand before. Admittedly, before I saw it on display at a local Target, I hadn't either. It is rather rather small, fitting nicely into the palm of your hand, complete with a cute little carabiner you can clip to something if circumstances permit. The speaker is also waterproof, floats on water, and can be tossed and chucked with little to no damage. It has a 6 hour battery life, like its Pill equivalent. It costs only 40 USD, which sounds questionable when considering the Pill costs at its cheapest in the 75-120 USD range. The catch? The audio the H2o delivers is admittedly subpar compared to the pill. With that being said, with its smaller size and friendliness with mother nature, it redefines the word "portable". You can take it rock climbing, white water rafting, wind surfing, you name it. I am an outdoorsy, adventurous person so its subpar audio can be overlooked. Moreover, they have several bigger sizes as well. The next two sizes up are also waterproof and can easily compete with Beats or even Bose audio (which are never waterproof) while being 20-30 USD cheaper.

Consider the fact that you have never even heard of the company Altec Lansing before I mentioned it. I hope I have at least triggered some curiosity about the brand and what it has to offer. This is just one prime example of what poor advertising and hasty designing can do for your products. At any rate, I own an Altec Lansing product and not a Beats product--and I have no regrets.

New Haircuts and good vibes

There's just something about a new haircut that makes you feel reborn again. You get the feeling that at least temporarily, you problems have spontaneously ceased to exist and that you are capable of accomplishing anything. Negative thoughts are replaced with a surplus of confidence and the drive to do something new and adventurous.

But why does a new haircut (the assumption being that you enjoy the way it looks) so easily channel positive vibes? Seeing the sun when you awake, the sign of another new day to learn and grow: shouldn't this be sufficient enough for us to grow in confidence and positive energy? Another day to live, regardless of your beliefs, is never promised and should always be "carpe-ed" (aka seized).

The next time you get a new haircut and you start experiencing sudden positive energy, remember this--every day you get up to breathe again should be more than enough to give you motivation to be the best you, and simply, to enjoy life.