Dj-Performance Scratch Task

I chose Mix Master Mike as the DJ I will be researching as he seemed to enjoy the sound of scratching from young and he interests me.

Background Information

Mix Master Mikes real name is Michael Schwartz. He first got an urge to scratch whilst listening to his uncles’ extensive record collection in San Francisco where he grew up. A few years later he came across Grandmixer D.ST. alongside Herbie Hancock this probably played the most influential part to making Mike want to become a DJ and ultimately become a DJ who uses scratching in his performances. Michael was born on the 4^th of April 1970. He won the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc. DJ Battle for World Supremacy in New York City, becoming the first West Coast DJ to win the award. In the same year he won the DMC World DJ Championships using his steady rock turntable style.

Favoured Music Style

Michael mostly played Hip-Hop, Rap and Rock followed by Turntablism. Turntablism refers to DJs who perform by utilizing the records, stylus and mixer to create music. Turntablism describes how he scratches the record to create his unique style.

Favoured Music Equipment

·      The software Michael preferred to use was Protools HD 10, Mashcine on a 15” loaded MacBook Pro

·      The audio interface Michael preferred was Alesis iO Dock and Propeller Head Balance

·      The controller Michael preferred was Akai MPK mini keyboard which is a multi purpose device used to control reason

That was all that was stated on his website and other reliable sources.

How Michael Uses Equipment To Make An Exciting Performance

Mix Master Mike uses the Tweak Scratch, which involves moving the record back and forth while the platter motor is stopped performs the scratch. The inactivity of the platter causes the sounds to slow and drop in pitch in an unusual manner. He is also recognised for the unorthodox technique of using a wah-wah pedal, a skill most guitarists are common with and use, with his turntables.

Although Michael tends to focus on the above genres I have embedded a video of dubstep fused with hip-hop being mixed by Mike.

Task to review an album from 1969 - Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes

Hot Buttered Soul by Isaac Hayes

Background

Hot Buttered Soul is the second album released by the American soul musician Isaac Hayes who was mostly known for song writing and arranging for Stax Records born on the 20^th of August 1942. The album was released on the 23^rd of September 1969, and is recognized world wide as being a key aspect in soul music. The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis and was produced by Al Bell, Marvin Thomas and Allen Jones.

“Walk On By”

The opening track “Walk On By” which is unusually long for a song, (however not the longest on the album) was composed by Burt Bacharach and the lyrics were written by Hal David. The songs original artist was Dionne Warwick and Isaac was the second out of eleven artists to cover the song. In addition Isaac was the only one out of the eleven to stretch the song to 12 minutes 2 seconds, but upon single release was shortened down to less than 5 minutes. The track reached No. 30 on the U.S. charts. Similar to all tracks in this album there’s a huge lack of lyrics in this track as Isaac must like to focus on the instrumental in his songs as it is very soothing.

“Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic”

“Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” the second track on the albums name is known for being so long due to Isaac Hayes and Stax Records making fun of people who use long words unnecessarily, so the name its self is almost a mockery. Further more the name for this song is often spelt wrong (as you could probably guess).

“One Woman”

“One Woman” is the shortest track in the album at 5 minutes 8 seconds yet manages to feel like it has the most vocals in the track. There’s not much information online about this track however I like how this track starts off with a calm slow piano which plays into the rhythm and stays on the track through out a bit quieter than the vocals but high enough in pitch and volume that you can enjoy it.

By The Time I Get To Phoenix

“By The Time I Get To Phoenix” is the longest track in the album at 18 minutes 42 seconds, this is mainly because more than half the song is Isaac Hayes telling the story and 8:40 minutes into the song the bass changes and the song truly begins. I’m sure Isaac enjoys the sound of the bass guitar as he keeps that going throughout the song from start to finish, although the song really only starts at 8:40, which I think is an interesting thing to do on such a long track. In addition the song was written my Jimmy Webb and originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, and Isaac compliments the song writer at the beginning of the song and goes on to say how he will express how he portrays the power of love through this song.

Dj Case study task Carl Cox

Skills Audit

Skills Audit

Music skills

I think I have a good ear for music and have been told in the past by my teachers.

I didn't take Music as a a GCSE but as a Btec so I am confident with music industry however writing and reading music is not my strong point.

I have used logic for the past three years and have the software at home so I am confident on how to use logic.

During my Btec music course I did a series of recording therefore I have a fair knowledge on the equipment used in a recording studio, however we rarely used amps so I'm not so sure how to use them. Also although I have set up recording studios several times I am still a bit uneasy on wrapping the cables around the microphone stands when recording vocals.

As stated above I didn't take GCSE Music so we were not required to have any knowledge about composition so I'm not to confident about the composition side of music.

I have a fair knowledge of genres although there have been genres said in class which I am completely clueless about.

During school we touched how to DJ so I'm not to confident on my knowledge on how to DJ.

I've worked with vocals many times and I'm very confident with recording vocals and putting them into an audio track, I have no issues with recording vocals other than wrapping the XLR lead around the microphone stand, although I am uneasy about this I can do it fairly well but not time efficiently. 

I used to play guitar years ago but suddenly dropped it so if i was to learn to play guitar it would be like starting from scratch, also I don't play any instruments but I do have knowledge on how to record instruments such as drums, guitar (both acoustic and electric), Bass, the trumpet and the piano.

In school music industry was apart of our course so i am fairly confident with music industry although I think we will be going into more depth during this course which will expand my knowledge.

Life Skills

I have a clear understanding on punctuality and attendance and although I was late once or twice during my first week, I think I was just adapting to the trains and it wont be a regular occurrence. 

 

I have a lot of motivation for this course, as this course dictates my future, I play to get the best grades I can achieve. I am also very independent so making sure my work is finished by the deadline is certain.

I work well in teams so making sure all members of the group put an equal amount of effort into the work is the main thing to ensure we get the best quality work our team can produce, in addition since we are a team and we are likely to be assigned our own tasks to make sure we get the work done, it would be a good idea to do regular checks.


I always listen to what someone is telling me so I completely understand what I'm being told, if I don't understand I'm not afraid to ask them to clarify. In addition I believe I explain whatever it is I'm trying to explain better through speaking rather than writing and is something I will be trying to change.


I generally know what I'm doing when it comes to keeping organized I have a note book which I check as soon as I get home in case I have written homework down which I need to do, and I have a time table in my room which I check to make sure I know what I'm doing for the day.


I was known in school for eating well as I would bring in carrot sticks, celery, peppers, apples and pineapples in as snacks. I'm not a fan of most drinks so I generally stick with water. Most of the time I tend to be in bed by 10pm to make sure I'm getting at least 7 hours sleep, whether I'm on my phone then or watching TV I will be winding down from the day.


I'm looking forward this year to producing different styles of music than my normal taste, this will mean trying out a lot of instruments and sounds I've never bothered with.       

1st Music Production Task