Thank you for your musings. I have recently "revived" my music channel, posting old and new recordings. I appreciate your reminders of the truthful "mementos".
Great topic! Artists can only do what they're capable of doing. Having a great team can make a big difference but the spark needs to be there. My tunes have been well received. I'm glad my messages are getting out.
It's only a matter of time before I get to hear Tony's feedback on something I've done. I can feel it. We all appreciate what you're doing with these videos. I know I do. Thanks, Tony.
I got a publishing deal from meeting a publisher whilst working at a CD shop in the late 90s. He said send me your stuff so I spent the next few weeks madly writing and recording a a few demo songs. We had a meeting and when he heard a Trip Hop song a wrote called Nova Daze he said he knew someone looking for songs in that style. I sent the song to the next publisher, had another meeting and got offered a publishing deal :-) Opportunities can come even when you are working a day job or music industry related job!
One of my neighbours has been driving around blasting my tunes on the crazy system in his truck. He's a couple decades older than me and I would not have expected him to be a fan. This gave me a lot of inspiration and reminded me that you never know where you'll find a listener who connects with what you do. I try and learn from the positive and the negative feedback but, ultimately, I'm gona keep doing what resonates with me. I know I prefer music that sounds like it's being made from a personal place and not contrived with an audience in mind.
This is my entire view. It doesn't matter what other ppl think about it, on my level. I want to contribute. It'll do what it do. I strive to get better, because I WANT to get better. The total reward is the process itself. This stuff is expensive. I feel super fortunate to be able to participate. Nothing more than what organically happens needs to happen, for me.
I feel like probably the worst reaction art can get is that it makes the listener feel nothing at all. I would prefer people absolutely love it, or hate it. I am not making it for the reactions though. I'm making it because it's what I hear in my head, and I gotta get it out, or because it's what I want to hear, or because I'm excited about it, and for other reasons too.
I appreciate this video more than I thought I would when I first started watching. I am very much a live in the moment person, to the point that I don't plan long term. I enjoy making Music! That's my life! Thank you for your time and insight.
This happened to me in a weird way. An artist that I consider one of the best (certainly one of my favorites) in the last 20 years gave me some incredibly positive feedback (this was like 2009-ish); supposedly she played my stuff for her bandmates, and an associated act contacted me and was really trying to push me to keep making more like it, and to send it to so-and-so, etc, and soon it turned into a real opportunity. And honestly I had no idea how to handle it; didn't know how to make the next move after making the pitch, like you said. Maybe I just wanted to see how close I could get to working with artists that I am inspired by, but never wanted to actually BE the artist. So while extremely validating on one hand, it was humbling because I learned that I was NOT that guy, and instead started focusing on the more technical, behind-the-scenes part of the industry -- a MUCH better fit. During that same time, I've had many more people tell me that the same material was TRASH...so I wonder, who did I ultimately believe? Depends on the day I guess 😅
on the last point--song structure always intimidated the hell out of me until one day i just started "transcribing" the arrangements of songs i loved (or that just seemed interesting) on graph paper. i can't say exactly how many songs it took before i felt more confident, but it was a lot fewer than i'd worried. there's no big dramatic conclusion for me, just getting familiar with music from a new perspective. even if you're used to seeing your own stuff visually in a DAW, i feel there's something about concentrating and considering every bar + manually noting what elements are playing. and yes it's an act of basic self-respect to think of your songs as songs. at least some of the time. you can just say the word and its not going to be pretentious or corny or twee or whatever.
If someone told me my music was trash, which, by the way, is sometimes a telling sign if no one listens, likes, or shares it, your right. I'd do research, reflect on my direction and how I use the tools I have, and try to improve, but It won't change how it reflects from me. On the other hand, if I was told my music was amazing, it would likely build my confidence, (which some of us need, and some of us should be more modest,) and prompt me to spend more time on the sharing of my music, than on the production of it, (if I wasn't sharing already.) These words of criticism, good or bad, definitely matter to an artist. This is how artists communicate. It matters. This is a nice personable video. Thanks for sharing
@@sundialseven8296 KLC (KLC The Drum Major, KLC The Drummer) is a co-host on E-ASK's weekly live cast. He is a legendary American record producer, DJ, and drummer. He rose to fame with No Limit Records as part of the production team Beats by the Pound. Super talented and versed in sonics, frequency and compression 🔥
🔥 👊 🧡 👍 🔥 "Would love to see what you think of some of the tracks I have come up with in the past" always appreciate the content on your channel. Have to get back to work however marked this as saved for later. Cheers brother!
great video and perspective! since watching you, Ive shifted focus of what im watching, from production vids to mixing vids. Besides you, would love to hear who captures your attention or any recommendations of who to watch to learn about Mixing / mastering etc?? love the tips. best music channel period!!
needles in a haystack...I like little things from lots of sources. Look into Clearmountain, Phil Ramone, and artists like Mike Campbell, a little Tim Pierce
The comments, accolades , cheers , and hell people describe what they hear . It makes me wanna go in and explore more . But I’m not one of those producers who can’t listen to themselves, I actually am always in shock and feel like someone else did it and I believe it’s God and I am merely the executive conductor that’s why I can hardly ever take credit for it . But don’t get it twisted many many many late nights Ill always remember that
It has always seemed to me that people make music for two different reasons. Group a) wants fame and fortune and does what ever it takes to get there and the music may or may not be of intrinsic worth. Group b) are people who make music because they have to and are not really concerned about how "successful" they become but are deeply concerned with how well the music achieves intrinsic worth as measured by their own unique perspective. Group b) artists may become widely known and enjoyed even loved in spite of themselves and have a long career. Group a) artists are more likely to be "one hit wonders" or purveyors of superficial highly hyped work that is soon forgotten. Both types have their place and the music appreciating public are free to embrace either type. In the long run though I think the most satisfying and enduring work is produced by type b) artists. Those are artists who start trends and influence others rather than being followers of fashion and what seems to be popular at any given moment. There is of course a contradiction in this argument but that is life and my two cents! LOL
@@TonyBlackNYC Thanks. I retyped this and tried to remember what I'd said in the comment that disappeared but my memory is not so good these days! but that is the gist of it. I also said that you had made some good points Tony in the video. Your channel is always interesting.
all I know is that it was sounding well enough to make it, I don't make music with a warranty. I am really optimistic, I honestly am addicted to my own music and find it painful to listen to other peoples music, this is my only validation. I would not saying it is good but it is a form of being between life and death. Que Sera Sera. Life doesn't supply as many favorites as I would like. Thankfully we are given good music to experience even if it isn't our or only in our dreams. After the first time its really not as big a deal. Music is something to do it is a purpose. It is fate regardless. The fates. None the less... what else would I do? It had a quote from Chris Sheppard pop into mind. "It makes me happy" doo doo.
This one's weird for me. Quite literally my whole life I've been told to I was born to go into music (at first it was that I was meant to be a film composer, that was when I was like 4 or something), and all of my feedback from friends/family has been positive, but I haven't yet had many people actually go out of their way to try to work with me, so it's a really bizarre contrast. I'm at the point now where I don't believe any kind of feedback that swings entirely one way or the other. Obviously people who talk trash and don't say anything positive are usually getting in their emotions for some reason so I disregard those, but also the people who just sing your praises always seem disingenuous to me. They want me to buy a feature or give them free beats most of the time if they even listened to my stuff at all. Hard to tell what's real and fake, especially in the city where I grew up lol.
Phenomenal: How dare you patronize me. Great: Okay, calm down dude. Good: Thanks bud. Mediocre: Have a listen to this other song. Bad: Okay, kinda rude but okay. Garbage: Jealous??? Trash: Fighting words.
For every person that does not like your work there is someone who likes it just because the former person does not. I read something of the sort somewhere 😄
Speaking of Memento Mori, as you know that phrase was supposedly uttered by a slave to Caesar while he traveled in his chariot to remind him that, in the midst of celebration, his time on Earth was nonetheless finite ("Remember: you are mortal."). Perhaps this phrase could be used in the studio to give hip-hop artists a dose of humility?:)
Question: would you strategically plan where you put your tracks based on console crosstalk? Example: keep kick drum away from melody so the crosstalk won't muddy up the sidechain?? Sorry if you've already covered this. I watch most of your vids but haven't seen them all
When i was an FOH engineer many years ago, I would often consider this. Old Yamaha pm 4000s Midas H 4000 etc touring boards. Channel 1 2 3 4 pre’s were usually more slammed / dull et al. from kick and snare. So would swap things around often - > probably made little difference-> but did do it, because why not. Studio boards SSL Neve Neotek Harrison etc that I worked with were usually very well serviced often and did not consider it so much. When Pro tools etc arrived would use tape inputs as they were noticeable quieter. especially on 4000G - > Probably a good question for Dave Rat ? Really appreciate the videos and laid back attitude Tony - > One of the few audio YT channels I can actually enjoy. Keep up the good work and Have a great weekend ! All the best - >
I told you its not just a hip hop channel!! I'm getting ready to do some livestreams soon...become a member, join, etc. THANKS for hanging out. t
Glad to be a part of the community!
🔥 👊 🧡 👍 🔥
Nothing would be wrong if it was just a Hip Hop channel, it’s just up to you and what you make it
Nice visiting with you Tony😘🤗❤️
Thank you for your musings. I have recently "revived" my music channel, posting old and new recordings. I appreciate your reminders of the truthful "mementos".
Every day that I can make whatever music I want to....I've made it.❤ I do it for the virtual-thumbs-ups...😂😢 they're not even real thumbs-ups 😢 kudos
Great topic! Artists can only do what they're capable of doing. Having a great team can make a big difference but the spark needs to be there. My tunes have been well received. I'm glad my messages are getting out.
You the man Tony 🙌
It's only a matter of time before I get to hear Tony's feedback on something I've done. I can feel it.
We all appreciate what you're doing with these videos. I know I do. Thanks, Tony.
i think your channel is incredible, Mr. Black. keep going. 😊
I see what you did there! thanks.
I got a publishing deal from meeting a publisher whilst working at a CD shop in the late 90s. He said send me your stuff so I spent the next few weeks madly writing and recording a a few demo songs. We had a meeting and when he heard a Trip Hop song a wrote called Nova Daze he said he knew someone looking for songs in that style. I sent the song to the next publisher, had another meeting and got offered a publishing deal :-) Opportunities can come even when you are working a day job or music industry related job!
good one!
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.". Jeff Lebowski.
dude had wisdom
i love this sm
My favourite music production channel out there
POWERFUL!!!
Keep bangin' them out everybody!
I can't love these enough ... Thanks and please KEEP FIRING! 🏆
Deeper than a Hip Hop channel ❤
One of my neighbours has been driving around blasting my tunes on the crazy system in his truck. He's a couple decades older than me and I would not have expected him to be a fan. This gave me a lot of inspiration and reminded me that you never know where you'll find a listener who connects with what you do. I try and learn from the positive and the negative feedback but, ultimately, I'm gona keep doing what resonates with me. I know I prefer music that sounds like it's being made from a personal place and not contrived with an audience in mind.
Appreciate you T! Thanks for your time!
I’d take it as feedback and learn from that but like you said it’s all subjective so I’d still keep going Tony
If it makes you happy, keep doing it. NO One should live in a dream that they are going to "make it".
This is my entire view. It doesn't matter what other ppl think about it, on my level. I want to contribute. It'll do what it do. I strive to get better, because I WANT to get better. The total reward is the process itself. This stuff is expensive. I feel super fortunate to be able to participate. Nothing more than what organically happens needs to happen, for me.
I feel like probably the worst reaction art can get is that it makes the listener feel nothing at all. I would prefer people absolutely love it, or hate it. I am not making it for the reactions though. I'm making it because it's what I hear in my head, and I gotta get it out, or because it's what I want to hear, or because I'm excited about it, and for other reasons too.
I appreciate this video more than I thought I would when I first started watching. I am very much a live in the moment person, to the point that I don't plan long term. I enjoy making Music! That's my life! Thank you for your time and insight.
Salute Tony Black!!
Best hip hop Latin channel on YT
took me a second to get it...
The "Hip Hop Channel" for adults.
I agree with @webguitar his words are right on point, good conversation @TonyBlackNYC, thank you for your time
This happened to me in a weird way. An artist that I consider one of the best (certainly one of my favorites) in the last 20 years gave me some incredibly positive feedback (this was like 2009-ish); supposedly she played my stuff for her bandmates, and an associated act contacted me and was really trying to push me to keep making more like it, and to send it to so-and-so, etc, and soon it turned into a real opportunity. And honestly I had no idea how to handle it; didn't know how to make the next move after making the pitch, like you said. Maybe I just wanted to see how close I could get to working with artists that I am inspired by, but never wanted to actually BE the artist. So while extremely validating on one hand, it was humbling because I learned that I was NOT that guy, and instead started focusing on the more technical, behind-the-scenes part of the industry -- a MUCH better fit. During that same time, I've had many more people tell me that the same material was TRASH...so I wonder, who did I ultimately believe? Depends on the day I guess 😅
on the last point--song structure always intimidated the hell out of me until one day i just started "transcribing" the arrangements of songs i loved (or that just seemed interesting) on graph paper. i can't say exactly how many songs it took before i felt more confident, but it was a lot fewer than i'd worried. there's no big dramatic conclusion for me, just getting familiar with music from a new perspective. even if you're used to seeing your own stuff visually in a DAW, i feel there's something about concentrating and considering every bar + manually noting what elements are playing.
and yes it's an act of basic self-respect to think of your songs as songs. at least some of the time. you can just say the word and its not going to be pretentious or corny or twee or whatever.
doing the research is a cheat code.
If someone told me my music was trash, which, by the way, is sometimes a telling sign if no one listens, likes, or shares it, your right. I'd do research, reflect on my direction and how I use the tools I have, and try to improve, but It won't change how it reflects from me. On the other hand, if I was told my music was amazing, it would likely build my confidence, (which some of us need, and some of us should be more modest,) and prompt me to spend more time on the sharing of my music, than on the production of it, (if I wasn't sharing already.) These words of criticism, good or bad, definitely matter to an artist. This is how artists communicate. It matters. This is a nice personable video. Thanks for sharing
Well said brother! 🔥 👊 🧡 👍 🔥
I was told my beats were pretty good when I first started. I ALWAYS knew I could do better .
Thx for the visit.
So much great and meaningful knowledge between Tony Black, E-A-SKI and KLC. Dudes should start a show together. Dope 🔥
yes~
Who is KLC?
@@sundialseven8296 The legendary producer and sonics expert KLC The Drum Major; E-A-SKI's weekly live chat co-host.
@@sundialseven8296 KLC (KLC The Drum Major, KLC The Drummer) is a co-host on E-ASK's weekly live cast. He is a legendary American record producer, DJ, and drummer. He rose to fame with No Limit Records as part of the production team Beats by the Pound. Super talented and versed in sonics, frequency and compression 🔥
@@sundialseven8296 right
🔥 👊 🧡 👍 🔥 "Would love to see what you think of some of the tracks I have come up with in the past" always appreciate the content on your channel. Have to get back to work however marked this as saved for later. Cheers brother!
great video and perspective! since watching you, Ive shifted focus of what im watching, from production vids to mixing vids. Besides you, would love to hear who captures your attention or any recommendations of who to watch to learn about Mixing / mastering etc?? love the tips. best music channel period!!
needles in a haystack...I like little things from lots of sources. Look into Clearmountain, Phil Ramone, and artists like Mike Campbell, a little Tim Pierce
The comments, accolades , cheers , and hell people describe what they hear . It makes me wanna go in and explore more . But I’m not one of those producers who can’t listen to themselves, I actually am always in shock and feel like someone else did it and I believe it’s God and I am merely the executive conductor that’s why I can hardly ever take credit for it . But don’t get it twisted many many many late nights Ill always remember that
It has always seemed to me that people make music for two different reasons. Group a) wants fame and fortune and does what ever it takes to get there and the music may or may not be of intrinsic worth. Group b) are people who make music because they have to and are not really concerned about how "successful" they become but are deeply concerned with how well the music achieves intrinsic worth as measured by their own unique perspective. Group b) artists may become widely known and enjoyed even loved in spite of themselves and have a long career. Group a) artists are more likely to be "one hit wonders" or purveyors of superficial highly hyped work that is soon forgotten. Both types have their place and the music appreciating public are free to embrace either type. In the long run though I think the most satisfying and enduring work is produced by type b) artists. Those are artists who start trends and influence others rather than being followers of fashion and what seems to be popular at any given moment. There is of course a contradiction in this argument but that is life and my two cents! LOL
nice!
@@TonyBlackNYC Thanks. I retyped this and tried to remember what I'd said in the comment that disappeared but my memory is not so good these days! but that is the gist of it. I also said that you had made some good points Tony in the video. Your channel is always interesting.
all I know is that it was sounding well enough to make it, I don't make music with a warranty. I am really optimistic, I honestly am addicted to my own music and find it painful to listen to other peoples music, this is my only validation. I would not saying it is good but it is a form of being between life and death. Que Sera Sera. Life doesn't supply as many favorites as I would like. Thankfully we are given good music to experience even if it isn't our or only in our dreams. After the first time its really not as big a deal. Music is something to do it is a purpose. It is fate regardless. The fates. None the less... what else would I do? It had a quote from Chris Sheppard pop into mind. "It makes me happy" doo doo.
What can I pick and choose from this video ? Keep banging them out.
This one's weird for me. Quite literally my whole life I've been told to I was born to go into music (at first it was that I was meant to be a film composer, that was when I was like 4 or something), and all of my feedback from friends/family has been positive, but I haven't yet had many people actually go out of their way to try to work with me, so it's a really bizarre contrast. I'm at the point now where I don't believe any kind of feedback that swings entirely one way or the other. Obviously people who talk trash and don't say anything positive are usually getting in their emotions for some reason so I disregard those, but also the people who just sing your praises always seem disingenuous to me. They want me to buy a feature or give them free beats most of the time if they even listened to my stuff at all. Hard to tell what's real and fake, especially in the city where I grew up lol.
The guy who wishes he knew 11 years ago when he started what he knows now...and has production tutorial vids dating back 10 years...that guy.
I need to put this in to the followup
@@TonyBlackNYC please do
Phenomenal: How dare you patronize me.
Great: Okay, calm down dude.
Good: Thanks bud.
Mediocre: Have a listen to this other song.
Bad: Okay, kinda rude but okay.
Garbage: Jealous???
Trash: Fighting words.
1&7 are the most value
@@TonyBlackNYC and the most concerning to my therapist.
‘Incredible’ is an odd word because it suggests you are not ‘credible’ or maybe it’s saying you’re ‘in’ the credible 😊
For every person that does not like your work there is someone who likes it just because the former person does not. I read something of the sort somewhere 😄
I think you should mention the performance and intent…
Speaking of Memento Mori, as you know that phrase was supposedly uttered by a slave to Caesar while he traveled in his chariot to remind him that, in the midst of celebration, his time on Earth was nonetheless finite ("Remember: you are mortal."). Perhaps this phrase could be used in the studio to give hip-hop artists a dose of humility?:)
You took it to the next level!
Question: would you strategically plan where you put your tracks based on console crosstalk? Example: keep kick drum away from melody so the crosstalk won't muddy up the sidechain?? Sorry if you've already covered this. I watch most of your vids but haven't seen them all
honestly never gave that a thought.
When i was an FOH engineer many years ago, I would often consider this. Old Yamaha pm 4000s Midas H 4000 etc touring boards.
Channel 1 2 3 4 pre’s were usually more slammed / dull et al. from kick and snare.
So would swap things around often - > probably made little difference-> but did do it, because why not.
Studio boards SSL Neve Neotek Harrison etc that I worked with were usually very well serviced often and did not consider it so much.
When Pro tools etc arrived would use tape inputs as they were noticeable quieter. especially on 4000G - >
Probably a good question for Dave Rat ?
Really appreciate the videos and laid back attitude Tony
- >
One of the few audio YT channels I can actually enjoy.
Keep up the good work and
Have a great weekend !
All the best - >
I think about how subjective music is all the time...then I start tripping out on how things sound.....
Are two people able to hear the same thing?
Like politics
Have you ever been told that you look like Gary Oldman? Often when I see your face pop up in my feed, I mistake you for him.
yes, a very young Gary O...thats what you meant, right?
@@TonyBlackNYC Yes, absolutely. A young, handsome and talented Gary O! Love your channel, brother 🙏🏻
Have you ever had like a “Mixer’s” battle or vs. ? Or have you ever out mixed another person and got the gig? Any good studio stories? 🫡🔥
yes. I'll try to get to that topic soon, thanks.