Success in the music industry is not just about great music; it's about working smarter and knowing the business. Drawing on their many years of experience in the high-tech, rapidly changing music industry, authors A. J. Grant and Lo Rene give aspiring musicians, songwriters, and managers the practical information and expert advice they need to make it big in music.

Musicians, songwriters, and co-owners of an entertainment company, Grant and Lo Rene offer a realistic, insider view of the industry and show you how to develop and sell your "whole package," including talent, image, communication skills, and business know-how. Recommended assignments and projects help you build self-esteem, set achievable goals, network effectively, endure the pressures of a highly competitive business, and perfect the kind of stage presence that impresses an audience (and any key music executives who might be in it).

Whether you're looking to land a recording agreement, a publishing deal, or just some more lucrative gigs, you will find this resource invaluable for building a rewarding and lasting career in music.

""With the practical and easily approachable teachings of this book, the new artist will place themselves in a direct position for faster progress and possibly even greater success."" --Germaine "Kingdomchild" Moody, CEO, Moodtyme Entertainment and Corporate

The Def Jam legend shares his secrets. Under the leadership of Kevin Liles - the highest ranking and youngest African-American executive in the record industry - Def Jam Music grew from a fledgling million-dollar boutique label into a multi-million-dollar brand that transcends demographics and is recognized around the glove. Liles has worked with the biggest names in hip-hop, including Jay-Z, Diddy, Method Man, and Ja Rule. And now he's sharing the wealth, the wealth of knowledge and expertise he's gleaned from fifteen years in business. Full of eye-opening real-world anecdotes from Lile's life, the "Ten Rules" plan advises readers on: how to find something that you want badly enough to make you work harder than you ever imagined possible; how to strategize and look ahead; how to embrace the hard-knock life and learn from failure, and more.

Producing Hit Records takes a behind the scenes look with today's top record producers at what it takes to sit in the big chair. Producers talk about how they got into the field, how they continue to get work, how they motivate artists to come up with that great take and what it's like to work in an industry that's constantly changing.

Obsessed or possessed? Tara C. Dance-House chanteuse spins a tale of music, sex, violence and intrigue. Check it On the road to success, it's ride or die and in Honey's world you have to make your own moves Striving to create a thriving music career as an unsigned artist tackling inner demons while maintaining control for inner peace struggling to stay focused amidst every thing that seems to be working against you while laying the foundation for stardom and that hit record. This is Walk Honey's odyssey of debauchery, lust and mayhem. The truth keeps you reeling as she name drops on celebs, rappers, singers and talents of the 'Whose Who in the entertainment industry. You know it aint a lie, cos any one in 'The Biz will have to recognize the obsessed, the driven or the so many others that come into their world to play at the price of use and abuse. No matter the outcome it's ineffable. It's Murder in Music Land Every artiste has a story. This is Honey's. This contains adult content and extremely sensitive material.

King lays out the steps one must take to learn the art and craft of hip-hop production. He begins with a brief history of the genre, explains the roles of a producer and beat-maker, how to build a studio, assemble a production team, and promote the music. He also reveals invaluable information about how advance-against-royalty deals work.

Playback is the first book to place the fascinating history of sound reproduction within its larger social, economic, and cultural context-and includes appearances by everyone from Thomas Edison to Enrico Caruso to Dick Clark to Grandmaster Flash to Napster CEO Shawn Fanning. In a narrative that begins with Edison's cylinder and ends with digital music, the ubiquitous iPod, and the file-sharing wars, this is a history we have all experienced in one way or another. From the Victrola, the 78, the 45, and the 33 1/3 to the 8-track, cassette, compact disc, DAT, and MP3, the story of Playback is also the story of music, and the music business in the twentieth century and beyond.

This highly entertaining book is packed with insights from the most successful music producers and full of revealing anecdotes about the business and the stars. (Music)

The prices of recording equipment continue to drop dramatically, giving musicians and sound engineers increasing opportunities to make quality-level recordings. The Ultimate Guide to Music Recording takes a unique approach to this growing market, giving readers two books in one: a concise, tutorial audio engineering text in Part One, and then a 'cut to the chase', how to record any instrument fast guide in Part Two. By carefully cross-referencing these sections, industry vet Shea has created the ultimate recording resource: a textbook where you can see immediately how basic principles are utilized in the studio, and a "how-to" guide that comes complete with all the background technical material one could need -- particularly when things don't turn out as planned. Covering the basics of studio recording technology, recording techniques for every major class of instrument, and a masterclass on mixing, this is the most complete guide to music recording ever written.

Everything you need to know to make it big and take it all the way to the top, from the Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, musician, record exec, and American Idol judge.
So you wanna be a superstar? You want the fans? The glitz? The glamour? The money? The bling? American Idol judge Randy Jackson has been the man behind the star-making machine for the past 25 years, producing, recording, managing and performing with the biggest names in the music industry, including *NSYNC, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Destiny's Child, Bon Jovi and Journey, among many others. If anybody knows the music biz, it's Randy.
Now for the first time, Randy reveals his secrets--and those of the industry's top experts--to making it big in the music industry. With his cool, hip, straightforward style, he's going to break it all down for you in layman's terms. He's going to help you find your musical style and how it can mean the difference between scoring a record deal--or going nowhere. He'll give you the 411 on how to land gigs, network with the industry's power players, make a blazing hot demo and snag the all-important record deal--all while staying true to yourself.
So if you think you have what it takes to be the next Beyonce, Justin Timberlake or 50 Cent, or even the next American Idol, read What's Up, Dawg and let's see if you got What's up

Wired for Sound is the first anthology to address the role of sound engineering technologies in the shaping of contemporary global music. Wired sound is at the basis of digital audio editing, multi-track recording, and other studio practices that have powerfully impacted the world's music. Distinctions between musicians and engineers increasingly blur, making it possible for people around the globe to imagine new sounds and construct new musical aesthetics. This collection of 11 essays employs primarily ethnographical, but also historical and psychological, approaches to examine a range of new, technology-intensive musics and musical practices such as: fusions of Indian film-song rhythms, heavy metal, and gamelan in Jakarta; urban Nepali pop which juxtaposes heavy metal, Tibetan Buddhist ritual chant, rap, and Himalayan folksongs; collaborations between Australian aboriginals and sound engineers; the production of "heaviness" in heavy metal music; and the production of the "Austin sound." This anthology is must reading for anyone interested in the global character of contemporary music technology.
CONTRIBUTORS: Harris M. Berger, Beverley Diamond, Cornelia Fales, Ingemar Grandin, Louise Meintjes, Frederick J. Moehn, Karl Neunfeldt, Timothy D. Taylor, Jeremy Wallach.

From gopher to gold records. This book is your complete reference for technical careers in the recording studio. Whether you're still in high school, enrolled in a college of music or recording program, or about to embark on your first studio internship, you'll refer to this manual again and again. You'll find real-world advice every aspiring recording engineer / producer needs to land a studio gig and keep it. First-hand stories and advice from the top engineers and studio managers in the United States. Descriptions of the various technical jobs that are available in the recording industry. Hefty resource section packed with essential information...everything from a comprehensive list of educational facilities to resume and cover letter tips.

(Book). You may not have heard of them, but you have certainly heard their songs From the lo-fidelity origins of early pioneers to today's dazzling technocrats, the role of the music producer is as murkily undefined as it is wholly essential. Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings is an exploration of the influence of the often colorful, idiosyncratic and visionary music producers through popular music and the fascinatingly crucial role they have played in shaping the way we hear pop music today. Sonic Alchemy is nothing short of the secret history of the music producer.

TASCAM: 30 Years of Recording Evolution is an informative, archival book devoted to the company's groundbreaking product line and the people who created it. Recalling the company's perennial leadership role in the music and pro audio industries ("firsts" include the 1/2-inch 8-track recorder, the Portastudio and the digital DA-88) with a glimpse towards the future, this book warmly portrays key past and present employees by re-visiting the landmark products they've built together since 1974. Quotes from respected musicians and producers who have trusted TASCAM gear for seminal recordings - including Bo Diddley, Jim Keltner and Alan Parsons - are sprinkled throughout this timeline-based book. Learn how TASCAM products changed the way musicians captured their ideas and empowered a new generation of songwriters and engineers. "Wow! The first classic piece of TASCAM gear I had was the first 4-track Portastudio. That thing allowed me to put so many classic P-Funk song ideas down that I can't even count 'em." - Bootsy Collins, Bassist/Songwriter

(Book). Offering tips and tricks on everything from recording and editing to mixing and mastering, this easy-to-use reference unlocks the secrets of Pro Tools, one of the most powerful computer-based digital audio production systems available. Providing step-by-step instruction, this fully illustrated guide covers getting up to speed, configuring and connecting equipment, and explains beginning and advanced techniques that will enable you to record, edit, reformat and reorganize music to match your own creative vision. Includes a CD-ROM with sample projects and exercises. "I have been waiting for a book like this for five years it's now a permanent part of my rack." Ed Cherney, Engineer/Producer (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, CSN&Y, Hootie & the Blowfish)

The Encyclopedia of Boss DR-5 Chord Patterns teachers beginner, intermediate, and advanced musicians an inexpensive, five-step method of composing and recording great full-band song demos, accompaniment tracks, and more with the amazing Boss DR-5 Doctor Rythym Section.

Digital compression technologies such as MP3 and Napster are having an explosive impact on the way music is distributed. Every day, hundreds of thousands of music files are searched for, shared, recorded, and listened to by computer and Web users-all free of charge. It's a boon for consumers and a disaster for record companies, and the end result can be nothing less than a cultural and economic transformation. Sonic Boom is a fascinating narrative of the controversy that's sending shock waves through the music industry. It's the story of musicians such as the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy, who are reaching fans without record company support; entrepreneurs who are distributing MP3 files without licensing agreements; and record-industry executives who are fighting for their business at every turn. It reveals how, even as the star-maker machinery of record companies remains in the hands of the old guard, innovators are finding ways to outsmart it. Peopled with a sensational cast of characters that includes rock stars, music moguls, teenagers, and Internet entrepreneurs, Sonic Boom exposes the recording industry's plight as a fascinating microcosm of the vast cultural, ethical, and legal issues that all industries face in the information age.

Whether you're in a band, a business entrepreneur or just interested in the music business, Label Launch will let you take your fantasies of holding the reigns at your own record label into reality. In fun, easy-to-understand language Veronika Kalmar takes you step-by-step through the intricate process of running a label from the moment you think about entering the biz until your first CD, vinyl single, or demo tape rolls off the press. Topics covered include:

Funding your label
Maneuvering through the legal maze
Selling your product online and off
Picking and signing bands
Promotion and touring
Avoiding the most common pitfalls of a new label

And even tells you when it's time to sell out to "the man."

Kalmer has culled information from the best in the independent record business interviewing heads of labels who have made a great success and those that almost didn't make it.

Arduino, Teensy, and related microcontrollers provide a virtually limitless range of creative opportunities for musicians and hobbyists who are interested in exploring "do it yourself" technologies. Given the relative ease of use and low cost of the Arduino platform, electronic musicians can now envision new ways of synthesizing sounds and interacting with music-making software. In Arduino for Musicians, author and veteran music instructor Brent Edstrom opens the door to exciting and expressive instruments and control systems that respond to light, touch, pressure, breath, and other forms of real-time control. He provides a comprehensive guide to the underlying technologies enabling electronic musicians and technologists to tap into the vast creative potential of the platform. Arduino for Musicians presents relevant concepts, including basic circuitry and programming, in a building-block format that is accessible to musicians and other individuals who enjoy using music technology. In addition to comprehensive coverage of music-related concepts including direct digital synthesis, audio input and output, and the Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), the book concludes with four projects that build on the concepts presented throughout the book. The projects, which will be of interest to many electronic musicians, include a MIDI breath controller with pitch and modulation joystick, "retro" step sequencer, custom digital/analog synthesizer, and an expressive MIDI hand drum. Throughout Arduino for Musicians, Edstrom emphasizes the convenience and accessibility of the equipment as well as the extensive variety of instruments it can inspire. While circuit design and programming are in themselves formidable topics, Edstrom introduces their core concepts in a practical and straightforward manner that any reader with a background or interest in electronic music can utilize. Musicians and hobbyists at many levels, from those interested in creating new electronic music devices, to those with experience in synthesis or processing software, will welcome Arduino for Musicians.

(Book). In this prime collection of first-hand interviews, 37 of the world's top record producers share their creative secrets and hit-making techniques from the practical to the artistic. George Martin reveals the technical and musical challenges of working with The Beatles, while Phil Ramone, producer for such artists as Billy Joel, discusses studio wall treatments. Offering real-world advice on everything from mics to mixing to coaching a nervous singer, producers interviewed include Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin), Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Alan Parsons (Pink Floyd) and more.

A comprehensive reference guide to the history of recording, this book combines the technical history of the recording process and the industry that grew up to support it, with the history of the musical, vocal and spoken repertoire that developed in parallel with recording. Starting with the simultaneous inventions of Charles Cros and Thomas Edison, the book charts the story of the phonograph from the earliest recordings by figures such as Brahms and Tennyson to the development of the modern gramophone. The complex patent and copyright history of early inventions is set out, as is the commercial climate in which the first record companies emerged. The late-19th-century musical legacy and its performance practice implications are discussed, leading to the pioneering work of, for example, Henry Wood and Thomas Beecham. Popular music history is also examined, on an international basis, with Argentine and Uruguayan tango records discussed alongside American ragtime and jazz and European operetta. The book also analyzes the recording boom before the Depression, the pre-war reconstruction of the industry, the emergence of recording entrepreneurs, disc jockeys and crooners, the emergence of rebetika in Europe, the Caribbean record industry, and the first libraries. In the post-war period, the book covers the breathtaking speed of technical development from EP to LP to cassette to CD, and the enormous explosion of popular music. The final chapters examine new technical innovations such as DAT and minidisc, and record-derived music techniques such as scratch, karaoke, dup and rap.

Practical Audio Amplifier Circuit Projects builds on the introduction to electronic circuits provided in Singmin's innovative and successful first book, Beginning Electronics Through Projects. Both books draw on the author's many years of experience as electronics professional and as hobbyist. As a result, his project descriptions are lively, practical, and very clear.

With this new volume, the reader can build relatively simple systems and achieve useable results quickly. The projects included here allow a hobbyist to build amplifier circuits, test them, and then put them into a system. Progress through a graduated series of learning activities culminates in unique devices that are nevertheless easy to build. Learn the basic building blocks of audio amplifier circuit design and then apply your knowledge to your own audio inventions.

Targets the intermediate to advanced reader with challenging projects that teach important circuit theories and principles
Provides a ready source of audio circuits to professional audio engineers
Includes an electric guitar pacer project that lets you "jam" with your favorite band

In the history of sound recording, the years from 1896 to 1926 mark the transformation of a carnival toy into a serious means of musical reproduction. This work documents for the first time an index of this transformation: the expansion of the repertoire from the marches and potpourris of the 1890s to the symphonic recordings of the late acoustical period. The data assembled bring together and organize materials that have lain scattered in archives, private collections, catalogues, trade journals, and in the research of more than three dozen discographers to provide as complete a survey of classical and light classical orchestral music recorded acoustically on cylinders and discs as sources allow. In this work, band records are excluded (except in the case of works originally written for winds). Where it is known and where it is pertinent to the recordings, biographical information about conductors and historical information about orchestras are added, as are all available discographic data, including reissues. The work is fully indexed. Of interest to historians and students, private collectors, archivists, and discographers.

(Book). Electric guitar players can choose from a library full of guitar books, but comparatively little has been written about the other 50% of the electric guitar: the amplifier. This book takes a giant step toward redressing the balance, providing the first overall view of amp-dom, including: how amps work, profiles of the major manufacturers, 'transistor dinosaurs' and their place in amp history, reissues vs. vintage amps, and troubleshooting. Terms are defined in the margin as they are introduced, and plenty of photos and diagrams illuminate the text.

This is a new edition, in paperback, of Ken Pohlmann's classic survey of the compact disc world, The Compact Disc: A Handbook of Theory and Use, and celebrates the tenth birthday of possibly the most successful consumer electronics product ever introduced. The phenomenal success of the compact disc - currently over a billion copies are sold each year - has encouraged rapid development of compact disc technology and spawned entirely new applications for it. The text of this new edition has been thoroughly overhauled to take note of all these developments; in addition there is more information on the laboratory origins of the compact disc and the principles underlying the format. It remains a comprehensive and authoritative handbook by an acknowledged expert on digital audio and related topics.