Making Dub With Computers Chapters 22 and 23: Concluding MIDI, Talking Software Requirements

MAKING DUB WITH COMPUTERS CHAPTERS 22 AND 23: CONCLUDING MIDI, TALKING SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
STUDIO DUBROOM DOWNLOAD

WWW, September 8 2014 - A Couple of days ago, I published chapter 21 of my Computer Dub Tutorial and today I offer you two new chapters, one of which you can read in it's fullness on this page. We're concluding the MIDI part, the phase wherein we make an instrumental Reggae track because if you don't have that, well, you can't make (a) Dub. We're taking a look at what kind of software you need, and a little bit at hardware too.

Since you are reading this, you're probably visiting one of the Dubroom's blogs or the forum. That could mean you are waiting for chapters to be added. I'm sure you don't mind me writing a few personal notes before I paste chapter 22 and a part of 23 into this post. The fact I receive a lot of positive feedback from producers all over the world lately makes me humble once more, as I realize how much more I should add, and -Jah Willing- shall add chapters. I do take this serious, even though I am aware that the things I know in themselves are in it's turn a fraction of what people like Mad Professor know.

One good thing about this tutorial, is the fact that it is located on the Dubroom website. I only post fragments of chapters because the tutorial really needs to be studied from the pages. As I'm working on new chapters, I equally look at the older ones and I plan to add a lot of extra information as time progresses. I also now have the possibility to record video and audio from my computer screen and sound card, which I am sure will be most helpful when we will finally arrive there, where it's all about: the DUB.

All that said, here's the latest additions to the tutorial:

PART 22: MIDI (12) - THAT'S WHY MIDI

In the previous chapter we added the last instruments to our instrumental Reggae track. A track, we created with the use of the MIDI protocol. En passant we've been taking a close look just how a Reggae rhythm is constructed, how you can find a good bass line with your chords or vice versa, and a whole heap more. We're into the 22nd chapter, and actually all we have been doing is laying a ground work for future Dub projects. All we have been doing is creating an instrumental Reggae track with total disregard of any sound balance, and so the track sounds awful. That's what we're going to be working on in the next few chapters.

When I started to write this tutorial I was dealing with like the first generation Audio cards that needed quite a specific set-up. I remember that I had to physically open my computer and change things so that two sound cards could work on one computer, even. In the same time, the way I made my Dub was totally different in these times. It would take me over 5 minutes to create just one echo. 

When I discovered Propellerhead Reason, my working method completely changed. What did not change was the fact that I made my instrumental Reggae tracks with midi (and a few audio loops). In spite of all the developments, what has not changed in making Dub with (or without) a computer is the fact that you'll need something to Dub and usually that would be an instrumental Reggae track, or a multi track recording of a Reggae track with, let's say, vocals on them. 

So, in a way, it's very good that it took such a long time before we're actually in this part of the tutorial. I don't have to introduce you to a working method that requires more than patience, self control and what have you.

We will still be using the MIDI protocol throughout the entire tutorial. It can't be different, because what we have been doing by creating the music is the very same thing what we will be doing when we're actually in the Dub phase. After all, because of Midi we can give instructions to not just a keyboard, but a mixing board, effect devices and all the things we'll be using. Because of MIDI we can make Dub with computers in the first place.

However, it is time to make some closing remarks about this segment of the tutorial. We have been creating an instrumental Reggae track, even though it's not the next Reggae world hit. You now know why MIDI is a very important part in the creation of music, any music. You know now how to make your own instrumental Reggae track.

We now have to use this track and turn it into a Dub track, something we'll be doing in the next chapters.

PART 23: CREATING A SET UP (1): SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Now that we have our instrumental, you could say that we have a multi-track recording. We have several different instruments all playing their musical part over their own channel on the mixing board. By putting one instrument louder than the other, you create a mix. By adding effects like delay and reverb to the mixing board, you're ready to make a Dub. 

In short, that is.

To create the instrumental track we've programmed in the last chapter, I have been using Reason 3.04. Now, in September 2014, this is a rather dated version of the superb software by Propellerhead. Add to that, there is software called Ableton which I have started to look at in this year as well but about which I know close to nothing. Add to that the countless other titles in music software, and the -often totally irrelevant- question which software to use, and you have a problem when you're writing how to create Dub with computers.

The software.

Let me describe just what I'll be using Reason 3.04 for in the next chapters, in more general terms. This will not just enable you to go along in this tutorial as you make a set up in your favorite software title, it will enable you to obtain the right software in case you are wondering just what to use. Since the version of Reason I use is not the latest, I suspect that there are a lot of titles that will give you the features required for this tutorial. Probably even free titles. When you know of a few, let me know and I'll add them to this tutorial somewhere.

In short, what you need is a title that enables you to simulate everything you would do when you would have a physical studio with hardware. You want to have a mixing board with instruments and effects devices attached, at least four aux-outputs, and you want to be able to change any setting on any device at anytime. This is called "automation".

Here's a check-list:

CLICK HERE TO READ, WATCH AND LISTEN FURTHER TO CHAPTER 23

 

Making Dub With Computers Chapter 21: Reggae Percussion, Clavinet and the Pucking Guitar

MAKING DUB WITH COMPUTERS CHAPTER 21: PERCUSSION, CLAVINET AND PUCKING GUITAR
STUDIO DUBROOM DOWNLOAD

WWW, September 2014 - Slowly but steadily, we're progressing with the unfinished tutorial on making Dub with computers. In chapter 21, we'll take an in-depth look at Reggae percussion, and the clavinet and the pucking guitar. This is the final chapter about midi instruments, by the way.

Chapter 21 is huge. Huge, in the sense of long and in-depth. It has several download links, a You tube video, screenshots and audio examples as we dive in especially Reggae percussion. It's a chapter where the function of the hand drum and other percussion instruments are explained while principals are revealed as well. We're also adding a final touch to the music by taking a look at the clavinet and the pucking guitar. This is a chapter for the serious scholar, not for ones seeking to click their own supermix in a quarter of an hour. 

CLICK HERE TO READ, WATCH AND LISTEN TO CHAPTER 21

 

Dubroom Reggae Percussion 2014 (Studio Dubroom Download)

DUBROOM REGGAE PERCUSSION 2014 PART ONE
STUDIO DUBROOM DOWNLOAD

WWW, July 2014 - Presented in both WAV and Dr. Rex Format, this Dubroom Reggae Percussion Pack comes with 16 loops from an afuche, cowbell, tambourine and a woodblock. The tempo is 140 BPM (straight) and you should be able to insert them right at the start of your drum loop.

Reggae percussion is hard to find. Especially when you're looking for free and legal variants. This pack is a humble contribution from the Dubroom to the online massive. You should be able to spice up your Reggae track just a little bit with these dry loops. They are released under Creative Commons which means, go ahead do what you want with them and please give the Dubroom a little credit. That's all.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOWNLOAD PAGE

 

SITES FOR YOUR MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS PART TWO

SITES FOR YOUR MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS PART TWO
MESSIAN DREAD REPORTS FOR STUDIO DUBROOM

WWW, September 2014 - In Part two, Messian Dread continues to report on his experiences with uploading his music to a number of Online Music Distributors (OMD's). This time he revisited MYSPACE.com, LAST.fm, ICOMPOSITIONS.com and talks about creating an artist page at AMAZON.com. And, oh yes, a small website called "You Tube".

The memory hole. It's an absolute hole and it can give you quite a bit of surprises. This is what I got when I tried to upload my music to the revamped My Space website. I know, I know, it's obsolete and for many years I just did not pay any attention to my account. In the mean time, I had forgotten to pay my bill for dubroom.com (about 40 dollars or so) which I used for my email and the folks at NXS Amsterdam decided to sell it to another company which is now trying to sell it for about 2400 dollars last time I checked. Good to know Dubroom.org survived NXS. They shouldn't be in business anyway.

MYSPACE.com

It looks good, especially when you consider that My Space has been bought by the good folks at Fox, known for their love for humanity and truth in general. I thought it would be nice to just revamp my account at that revamped My Space website but to my chagrin I discovered I could not log in due to the fact that I no longer had access to my old email account. 

Problems.

Apparently, I am not the only one with this problem because My Space has this standard link that you can click when you lost access to your old myspace account. I filled in the form, and wrote the proof that I am who I am. That's pretty easy when you are Messian Dread at the Dubroom. Still it was really complicated for the person at My Space who was assigned to my case. He, she, it, did not understand what I meant so I wrote back that I would love a human reply. I got it and I got access. It took several days.

When you have a fast computer running Windows 8 or something like that, my Space is nice but it's not that nice. The reasons are obvious. "Everyone" knows, My Space is a ghost town. There simply is nobody. I have zero plays. Zero.

https://myspace.com/messiandread/music/songs

LAST.fm

I had a page at LAST.fm but because of the nature of my recent productions I wanted to change things a bit more. After all, my new productions are definitely not just about me and I want to title my productions the way I title them. That's not possible at LAST.fm without creating a new artist, or in this case, label. 

So I did. 

I started to upload my new production and I got a notice. I had uploaded my Dennis Alcapone tracks and the system had recognized that name as being known. My account was blocked until it was reviewed by LAST.fm staff. Perhaps you think I was annoyed, but that was not the case. I thought this was a very, very good thing because it doesn't just give credit to the LAST.fm website but also to the artists and producers who upload their tunes. 

Of course everything was easily cleared. This was a very pleasant experience.

The website itself gives you the possibility to upload your music and make it available for free download. Nice thing, right? Even nicer is the fact that they let you deeplink to your uploaded MP3 files, just like I do on the music download page at my website. There's no limitation like with Sound Cloud, so there is another reason why it is a mystery to me why Sound Cloud is that popular.

http://www.last.fm/label/Dubroom+Productions

ICOMPOSITIONS.com

When you're looking for plays and feedback, you should definitely try out ICOMPOSITIONS.com. This website is clearly aimed at musicians and can serve as intermediary vehicle for collaborations. You need to really look, as it is assumed people know their way with computers a little bit more than, let's say, My Space. And they do. I have zero plays at My Space, now look at what I got at I Compositions (click to enlarge):

CLICK HERE TO READ FURTHER

Video Release: Dennis Alcapone - Got To Be Conscious (Discomix)

DENNIS ALCAPONE - GOT TO BE CONSCIOUS (DISCOMIX)
DUBROOM NET LABEL VIDEO RELEASE

WWW, August 24 2014 - Another recent Dubroom production hits the airwaves at YouTube via this video. Dennis Alcapone chanting, Dubwise mixing, and just a little bit further when it comes to handling the video editor in this 7th official Dubroom Video release. 

Creative Commons and other free to use material for non-commercial productions fortunately is readily available on the Internet. Perfect to use as visual companion to the free audio releases. At least, that's the way the Dubroom videos are produced. Watch the end-notes at the video for more info.

This video is an official Dubroom release. Feel free to embed on your site, blog or phasebook. 

Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 4: Rub A Dub, Let It Play!

RUB A DUB, LET IT PLAY
RADIO DUBROOM EXTRA CHAPTER 4

WWW, August 2014 - Today, the music in this non-stop show would be labeled "Roots Reggae". This has not always been so: Jamaican music developed from the early to mid 1980's into a style called "Rub a Dub". Early digital technology entered the studio's, gradually replacing the old tape echo's and providing a fatter sound. Rub a Dub style, let it play!

Actually, this was the time when your selector became conscious and a lover of (DUB) Reggae Music and heard several tracks featured in this show when they first came out. Starting with the first one: a fat Dub of which a vocal track will come later in the mix ("Groove with Me"). Another Dub follows in classic Rub a Dub sound, after which Sister Carol opens with yet another fat Rub a Dub riddim that will definitely shake up the place.

And that's just the introduction.

Charlie Chaplin is next, riding a riddim while Don Carlos sings along until the Dub part. More Don Carlos, a full lyrical track of which the Dub was played at the start of the show and a classic from that era, in Discomix style. Johnny Osbourne and a Dub by Scientist, another favorite of the selector. Papa Tullo in Discomix style, with a little bit of vinyl trouble that's hardly noticeable.

Josey Wales' "Guiding Star", a favorite of Iriginal Jah Roots band drummer Imro Fedor precedes two Yellowman tracks of which the one with the long name was a hit back in the days, a success for Yellowman as well as the Volcano label that was so strong in these days. The same goes for the Frankie Paul track that's there too, War Is In The Dance or Worries in the Dance. 

Junior Murvin, Cultural Roots, John Holt, Triston Palma: they all had new releases back in the time to join the Rub a Dub sound. A sound that is often underestimated by folks who think that Reggae's His Story stopped at 1979.

To conclude, so that we'll not forget it: a classic duet by Fathead and Yellowman that gave the title to this show.

Let it Play!

PLAYLIST

01. Prince Jammy - Jah Is With You
02. Scientist - Scientist Rock
03. Sister Carol - Potential
04. Charlie Chaplin - Unity Is Strength (Discomix)
05. Don Carlos - Just Groove With Me
06. Don Carlos - Plantation (Discomix)
07. Johnny Osbourne - Love Is Universal
08. Scientist - Dubwise
09. Papa Tullo - Church And Slate (Discomix)
10. Papa Tullo - Righteous Rock (Discomix)
11. Josey Wales - Guiding Star
12. Yellowman - Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt
13. Yellowman - Zunguzunguzunguzeng (Discomix)
14. Frankie Paul - War Is In The Dance (Discomix)
15. Frankie Paul - South Africa (Discomix)
16. Junior Murvin - Badman Posse (Discomix)
17. Cultural Roots - Hell A Go Pop (Discomix)
18. Triston Palma - I Am Ready
19. Triston Palma - Dubwise
20. John Holt - Police In Helicopter
21. John Holt - Dubwise
22. Yellowman and Fathead - Rub A Dub Let It Play (Discomix)

 

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 4: Rub A Dub, Let It Play! by Radio Dubroom on Mixcloud

Radio Dubroom Extra features music which cannot be played on the Radio Dubroom podcast for legal copyright reasons. The shows cannot be downloaded. All tracks in this show (C) by artists and labels. This show (C) by Dubroom. The actual mix is hosted on www.mixcloud.com/dubroom and should be completely legal. For copyright issues visit http://support.mixcloud.com/customer/portal/topics/70420-listening/articles

Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection (CD Edition)

MESSIAN DREAD PRESENTS A HEAVYWEIGHT DUBWISE SELECTION WITHOUT OBJECTION (CD EDITION)
DUBROOM CD ALBUM RELEASE

WWW, August 27 2014 - About a week after the release of the Net Album, here came the CD edition of Messian Dread Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection. No less than 16 tracks, a special license for all DJ's and full high quality cover art: it most certainly transcends it's online version. On top of that, obtaining this physical product will show that you are not just serious in your support for (DUB) Reggae Music, but about your own record collection as well. After all, this is a selection of very special tracks featuring legendary names like U Roy, Prince Jazzbo and Dillinger.

Of course, when you're just interested in the music and satisfied with burning your own CD you can simply jump to the Net Album download page and get the CD Quality wave files from there. No problem. This is not a release to make money, this is not even a promotional tool for Messian Dread and/or Dubroom Productions, while most of the vocalists featured on the album absolutely need no promotion either. This is simply an opportunity to get your hands on a physical presentation of the 2014 developments in the Dubroom studio and the reasons to want that can vary.

The reasons for the creation and eventual release of this album didn't vary. It's a selection without objection, after all. A selection documenting the enormous improvement in sound and other quality when compared to pre 2014 Dubroom productions. One reason. A selection that deserves to be presented with the special designed cover art because it tells a story. Another reason. A very special way of saying thank you to all those who have been supportive in one way or another. More reason. A physical quality product that more than justifies the price because it is a valuable addition to any Reggae record collection. Nuff reason.

This is a high quality product like any audio CD. The full color cover art (including on the disc itself) is printed in superior quality and the tracks are exact duplicates of the CD Quality Master Tapes (16 Bit, 44.100 Khz). The album itself was created in a special process at AMAZON.com called Create Space. The musical works, the cover art, getting a UPC number: it took several days of working, tweaking, and reviewing both at the side of the Dubroom and at Amazon's. The process was concluded when the physical review copy was sent to the Dubroom via very snail mail and subsequently approved before it went live at Amazon. In fact, Amazon is the only place where you can actually get the album. 

The price is set at $12.50, which is quite reasonable for 70 minutes of pure heavyweight Dubwise and since Amazon has all these special shipping offers, it's even possible to have it shipped to your doorstep for close to no costs. The CD and cover art are printed on demand exactly like the copy that was physically reviewed and approved at the Dubroom, so you'll have the sign of approval from the Dubroom. Since Amazon is responsible for creating and shipping the exact high quality duplicate of the approved copy, you will have all the Amazon guarantees when it comes to the quality of the physical product itself. In short: The Dubroom approves the album, Amazon certifies you'll get what we approved. 

A labor of love for (DUB) Reggae and the many vocalists present on the album. Purchasing it is an equal "labor" of love for the very same. 

Nuff said.

TRACKS:
01. Dennis Alcapone - Dub the Dub you Dubwise (4:15)
02. Dan Man - Blaze the Dubwise (3:41)
03. Dillinger - Dwell in Love and Dubwise (3:45)
04. Trinity - Light of this Dubwise (3:55)
05. Kojak - Prevailment of Dubwise (3:43)
06. Messian Dread - Loving Dubwise (3:46)
07. Prince Jazzbo - Rastafari Dubwise (3:29)
08. Seamus Ikonya - Babylon Dubwise (5:15)
09. U Roy - Mash Down Satan Dubwise (4:00)
10. Horseman and Dan Man - Robber Dubwise (3:39)
11. Messian Dread - Crazy but Dubwise (3:43)
12. Lone Ranger - Rock and Come in Dubwise (3:48)

BONUS TRACKS:
13. Messian Dread - His Imperial Dubwise (4:03)
14. Dennis Alcapone - Dub to be Conscious (3:54)
15. Horseman and Dillinger - Dangerous and Dubwise (4:16)
16. Dillinger - Dwell in Love and Dubwise (Extended Dub) (5:26)

 

COVER ART (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Booklet Front

 
Booklet Back

Booklet Inside

Tray Outside

Tray Inside

The Disc

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF THE ALBUM:

Radio Dubroom Extra Chapter 4: MD Presents A Heavyweight Dubwise Selection Without Objection (CD) by Radio Dubroom on Mixcloud