Jan Munoz is a music producer, song arranger, and recording artist based in Paris, France. He also run his YouTube channel where he plays rock cover songs.
This year's Lollapalooza will be held in Hippodrome de Longchamp in Paris, France on July 22 & 23, 2017. For a complete list of line-up, see the awesome poster below:
Headlining the event are Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lana Del Rey, Imagine Dragons, DJ Snake, The Weekend, plus other top acts from France and the rest of European music scene today.
For more information and ticket sales, please visit their official website:
The 90's was truly the golden age of music in the alternative, grunge, metal, rock, and pop music scene. I realized that most of my musical influences are female or bands that have female members. It wasn't that much of a big deal but to me, it is something I truly celebrate as a musician who started out learning to play music in the 90s.
They ruled the radio, MTV, and the charts. Most of them even kicked ass than their male counterparts. More music made by women made more sense, and with lyrics or themes that are beyond testosterone or being macho. These women proved the world that gender doesn't matter when it comes to music, because each of us have our own musical tastes.
I admired and love the women of music, I am greatly influenced by them - singers, vocalists, bassists, drummers, artists, and live performers.
My latest upload on my YouTube channel is a cover song from A Perfect Circle. It's none other than their hit tune "3 Libras" from the Mer de Noms album.
I always wanted to play this song in the past 7 years as a solo musician, but I lacked the time and the resources to do so.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link below:
I am tempted to cover "Judith" in the future, because it is the strongest single in the Mer De Noms album.
For now, I am ready to transcribe and record my next song. Back to my workstation!
Roland came up with an exciting recording device designed for portable recording using your mobile phone (Android or iOS). It's the Roland G:Mixer.
It's a pam-sized mixer/audio interface for connecting microphones, guitars, or other line-level instruments for your mobile devices and tablets. You can also use it on your laptop or desktop computer via USB.
A while ago, I was scrolling and checking out my Facebook newsfeed when suddenly, one of my friends posted an article about leaked images of the upcoming MPC hardware from Akai Professional, the Akai MPCX and the MPC Live. I got intrigued by the news because I've been waiting for a new drum machine/groovebox that's standalone and doesn't require a computer tethered.
As hours passes by, it seems that Akai finally revealed about their upcoming new products for NAMM 2017. And it is confirmed!
This is their new flagship model, the Akai MPCX. it is a standalone MPC that has 16 gigabytes of internal storage, it has a 10-inch screen, 8 CV/Gate output for external analog gear/synths, and more...
8
configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear,
such as classic synths - See more at:
http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpc-x#features
8
configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear,
such as classic synths - See more at:
http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpc-x#features
8
configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear,
such as classic synths - See more at:
http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpc-x#features
8
configurable CV/Gate outputs for the analog control of modular gear,
such as classic synths - See more at:
http://www.akaipro.com/product/mpc-x#features
The portable version is the Akai MPC Live, looks like an MPC Touch but it is also standalone, and it is has rechargeable battery. You can use it anywhere without the need for a power adapter. It has a 7-inch touch screen but not much knobs. It looks thicker compared to the MPC Touch. It has also a 16 gigabyte internal storage.
Check out the video below to see what the fuzz is all about:
Both machines are capable as a software controller when hooked up to a computer via USB ports. Both models have SD card slots as well.
The MPCX will be sold at a suggested price of $2,999.00 while the portable MPC Live is priced at $1,999.00
I am really looking forward to see these real soon. I would love to try them out at a nearby music store/showroom. This is a perfect machine for live performance.
For more information and further details, check out the entire specs from the Akai Professional website:
Last week, I was compelled to upgrade my system from Mac OS X Mavericks to MacOS Sierra because most of my new hardware and software no longer supports older operating system. It was also my opportunity to tidy things up on my computer, a fresh install would make my laptop faster and like new.
After I finished installing and running MacOS Sierra, I immediately installed Propellerhead Reason 8, Ableton Live Lite, and Native Instruments Maschine with Komplete Selection.
I also checked right away if my new audio interface, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd gen) will be detected and easily configured on the audio input/output settings of my DAW. It turns out that I have to put up an aggregate audio device so that the record/line input form my soundcard can be used on Reason 8 and Ableton Live. I had difficulty recording guitar tracks and bass parts using real music instruments. I also noticed latency problems and the operating system hogs a lot of my RAM and CPU.
So, I decided to do another reformat. I installed Mac OS X Yosemite instead of Mavericks, the newer system meets the minimum system requirements of my music applications.
I might upgrade to a newer operating system in the future if my laptop will be upgraded with SSD hard drive and additional memory modules. MacOS Sierra seems to run flawlessly on faster laptops or newer machines. For now, I'll stick to what works best for me.
I just made an unboxing video of my recently purchased recording device, the Focusrite Scarlett Solo. It's a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface suited for recording instruments analog signal like guitars, bass, keyboards, or vocals.
I also gave it a dry run and testing with a guitar running in Propellerhead Reason.
Watch the video below:
The reason I decided to buy the Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) is because I've read a lot of good reviews and feedback from users. It is recommended for musicians and producers who need an interface for recording guitar parts, and it is very affordable. I like the built of the device, the case is made up of aluminum that makes it sturdy and tough.
I bought it at Woodbrass music store in Paris (http://www.woodbrass.com) which is just a few blocks away from home. I've already recorded a couple of tracks with the Scarlett Solo.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an affordable USB audio interface for recording at home or outdoors because it is USB bus-powered and has low latency. Works great on my late 2011 Macbook Pro (stock RAM and hard drive).
I just finished re-installing MacOS Sierra on my computer. Did a clean install. I am already in the phase of installing all of my music software and virtual instruments.
I am considering installing Ableton Live Lite (version 9) and see if I will be able to produce, arrange, sequence, and mix and entire song using the Lite version.
Ableton Live Lite has a limit of 8 tracks (audio and midi combined), and 8 scenes per project. It will be very limiting if you are producing electronic music tracks or other genres. But for producing a rock or metal song, it seems that the Lite version will get the job done.
I'm bidding farwell to 2016 with my latest cover song from The Smashing Pumpkins called "Mayonaise"...I finished editing and uploaded it last New Year's eve on my YouTube channel.
I recorded my cover song using a combination of twelve (12) guitar tracks. A mix of guitars in both standard and altered tuning, plus the guitar solos.
The red Epiphone SG Special electric guitar I used in the video is from my son. He let me borrow it.
I'm looking forward to cover some Smashing Pumpkins tunes in the future, or in the coming months.
My second video I uploaded on my YouTube channel is my own cover of Rage Against The Machine's "No Shelter". I remember back in the day when I first heard this song on the Godzilla soundtrack.
Please watch my video below:
I still haven't had a bass guitar at that time I recorded the song arrangement and the video shoot so I used a synth bass with a virtual instrument electric bass guitar. I had fun using the wah pedal of my trusted Korg AX1500G guitar multi-effects pedal.
I don’t know about other people but I do have memories of my early childhood...as early as 3 years old. I watched a lot of Sesame Streeton television, so I guess that was my first encounter with music: the alphabet songs, musicals numbers with Muppets, and animated videos especially the “Pinball Number Count” song...it was groovy and funky for a children’s song, not to mention the animation is psychedelic.
Me at age 4:My dad listens to a lot of Pink Floyd, Nazareth, Scorpions, Bad Company, Eagles, CCR, and Beatles on cassette tapes on our gigantic stereo system. No, he doesn’t listen to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” or Tom Jones’ “Delilah” (thank goodness!). I started to appreciate classic rock by getting exposed to these types of music and bands.At age 7: I got hooked on my dad’s cassette tapes of Billy Idol and Duran Duran. Both of their music is what I considered to be my personal favorites among my dad’s music collection and became a fan of these 2 music icons.
Choice tracks:
Flesh for Fantasy (Billy Idol)
The Reflex (Duran Duran)
Hot In The City (Billy Idol)
Eyes Without A Face (Billy Idol)
Wild Boys (Duran Duran)
New Moon on Monday (Duran Duran)
Rebel Yell (Billy Idol)
I was in the 1st grade at that time. I got tired listening to nursery rhymes and children’s song at that age, felt that the lyrics have outgrown me already.
At age 8:I stumbled upon a radio station playing new wave and rock music while I was “surfing” for radio frequency signals on my walkman. Back then I got a this habit of listening to weird noises and strange signals on radio especially on short wave band (SW1 & SW2) sometimes I picked up radio signals from Taiwan, Japan, Russia, and other stations outside our area. The radio station what played rock and new wave was NU 107. My favorite back then was New Order’s version of “Love Vigilantes”and other chart topping hits of that era. Since then, I got hooked to that radio station although I can only receive a very weak signal from our place. I grew up in a small town in Sta. Rita, Minalin, Pampanga in the Philippines...which seemed to be very far from the city of Manila.
High school days: I started listening toSkid Row, Metallica, Guns n’ Roses, Megadeth, EMF, Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, all the famous acts of late 80’s and early 90’s rock, alternative, and metal. I got hooked up to Metallica the most. I collected most of their albums/cassette tapes, my room filled with Metallica posters, I wore Metallica t-shirts. I began to learn to play the guitar using the chord charts of local music magazines we called “Song Hits”...I started to like and enjoy listening to LA 105 as well. This is the time where local band scene grew and flourished.I feel nostalgic until this day everytime I listen to Sandwich’s song “Betamax”...If you belong to the Generation X like me, you will somehow relate to the song, if you grew up in the Philippines as a Gen X kid.I started to join a local band in our town that plays covers, more like a garage band named “Mother Toix”. I started as a bassist. Our lead guitarist Lewie Aguilar taught me how to properly use electric guitars, amps, stompboxes, and reading tabs.The rest was history...my musical tastes and perspective have broadened. Years have passed I’ve been involved in various amateur bands and music groups. Late 90’s I become a big fan of Deftones, Korn,and Smashing Pumpkins. I discovered other amazing artists and bands.
How I got hooked in electronic music and music production is another story.
If you’re a parent, I suggest you should observe the kind of music that your child listen’s to... Or you think twice on what your child hears on the radio, even the music that you play in your homes. It might affect them on how they might get influenced. Your child looks up on you as a role model and a major influencer, not just in music, even in other aspects as well.
Side note: My dad really wanted me to be a civil engineer because he believed that I could make a living and have a bright future as an engineer when I grow up. Me, my childhood dream was to become an astronaut, not an engineer or a musician.
I am very excited for the new year. 2016 has become a very challenging year for as well as a turning point for me. I planned for the past three (3) months to start my YouTube music channel for 2017.
I made a lot of effort to prepare and get things started, so, instead of launching it in January 2017, I decided to start my channel in 10th of December 2016 to kick things off. Now, I already uploaded 3 videos before we hit 2017.
My channel is kinda young and I just started out. I play cover songs that I loved and pay tribute versions of my favorite bands and their music. I usually upload 1 to 2 videos per week.
You can check out my channel and watch a couple of my videos on this link:
