Part 1 - DAWWelcome to this 10-part blog series where we help you make professional sounding recordings on a small budget! Ideal for budding beginner producers and songwriters. Recording music on a budget is a common challenge for many aspiring musicians and producers. While having access to professional equipment can certainly improve the quality of your recordings, it's not always necessary to produce a professional-sounding song. In a series of articles over the next few weeks, we'll provide some tips on how to produce high-quality recordings on small budget. By following these tips and leveraging free tools and resources, you can create a great-sounding song without breaking the bank. What is a DAW?Producing a professional-sounding song doesn't necessarily require expensive equipment. In fact, with the right tools and techniques, you can create a high-quality recording on no budget. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using a free digital audio workstation (DAW). A DAW, or digital audio workstation, is a software program used for recording, editing, and mixing audio. It's like a digital version of a traditional recording studio, where you can record, edit, and mix multiple audio tracks to create a complete song. A DAW typically includes a range of features, such as the ability to record multiple tracks simultaneously, apply effects and plugins to individual tracks, adjust the volume and panning of each track, and arrange the tracks into a final mix. Many DAWs also include virtual instruments and MIDI sequencing capabilities, allowing you to create music using digital sounds and samples. Using a DAW can be a great way to produce high-quality recordings on no budget. Many DAWs are available for free, and even the paid options are often much more affordable than traditional recording equipment. With a little practice and experimentation, you can achieve professional-sounding results using just a DAW and your computer. Where can I get a DAW?There are a number of free DAWs available that offer a wide range of features for recording and editing audio. Here are a few examples:
How do I use one?Using a free DAW is a great way to get started with recording on no budget. However, it's important to keep in mind that learning how to use a DAW can take some time and practice. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
By Vladimir Gilis
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Hi everyone,You asked and I listened! I have had many requests over the years from students wanting a safe space to sing in a group setting, so I started my very own contemporary singing workshop at the end of last year. I am so excited to be continuing with these as a regular singing workshop at Planet drum in 2023. These workshops have been designed to be as inclusive and as dynamic as possible. They are suitable for ALL abilities with NO previous singing experience required. The workshops are:
So far we have covered songs ranging from Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, to Stormzy and Bon Jovi. At the start of the workshops, we commence with some fun and easy warm ups to get you into the swing of things. This is then followed by some more challenging warm ups for those who are feeling adventurous. I will then try to work with each person 1:1 for a few minutes to work out their goals and their vocal range so we can determine where you feel comfortable singing when we split up into harmonies. The second half of the workshop is where the fun really begins and we break down some iconic rock and pop songs to sing together. There is even a chance for some solo singing for anyone who wants to. These workshops are planned with YOU in mind so you can push yourself as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We have had not only singers, but drummers and bass players join too. Email Vlad to book you place in the next workshop! [email protected] Katy Singing teacher When I first started singing, I was too nervous to sing in front of anyone - even my family. There was this innate fear that I would hit a wrong note and would be eternally judged for it. This seems very ridiculous now looking back on it, however I strongly believe that this is a fear that many of us studying musicians seem to have at some point. Whatever instrument you play, whether it be your voice or your drumkit, feels like an extension of yourself so it always feels very personal when you play the 'wrong thing' or the 'wrong note'. Fun fact: Through my experience of performing live, a gig of 3000 people I have never met was nowhere near as horrifying as playing for a small pub of 30 filled with my closest family and friends. I think this is because their opinion matters the most to us. So the question is, how do we get over this fear? Firstly, the thing to ask yourself is why do you want to play and learn your instrument in the first place. Is it just a personal hobby or a form of therapy? Is it to interact with other like-minded people? Secondly, we can also realize that you improve the most by taking risks and making these mistakes in the first place. I can guarantee that a lot of your music idols are as good as they are because they kept making mistakes and did not give up. The best thing you can do for your learning is to take the risk and play with other people. A great way to do this is to join me, Vlad and Peter in our band workshops. It takes a lot of courage to show up and leave your insecurities at the door. Most other students in the room are most likely feeling apprehensive and nervous too. Our band workshops are a safe space for you to see what it is like to play with other people, a real band. There is no feeling like it when you bounce off of others - it is a real buzz! All of our students that attend are of all abilities, some have only had 1 or 2 lessons and some have been playing for years so it is a really fun and supportive environment. From a personal perspective, even though I am a teacher, my singing and confidence has improved dramatically since taking part in the band workshops. I also now have a great repertoire of songs I have learned that I can take with me when I am out singing karaoke with my friends or playing a small pub gig. If you think you would like to give it a try, please email me at [email protected] and we can help you get booked in. Katy Planet drum admin & singing teacher
Hello everyoneMy name is Nicholas Sentongo and I am a director at a company called Fixnrev Mechanics in Uganda. Having lived in Uganda for a year and a half, I travelled the country mainly for work but have really seen the suffering of people, especially young teenagers and children. I felt I had the opportunity to give back. There are several ways in which we as a company are supporting local charities and the main charity we support is an orphanage called “oasis of life” based in Kampala, Uganda (please see our charity page on our company website. https://www.fixnrev.com/sponsored-charity). I got the inspiration to build a music schoolto help provide music skills that will empower children and those less privileged thereby taking them out of poverty. I however didn’t have all the funding to acquire music instruments and to complete the construction works.
I then reached out to several organisations, music schools to help donate any music instruments, furniture etc. We are pleased to say that planet drum came through to our support. They provided a variety of music equipment like drum sets, music speakers, guitars, sound proofing equipment, cabling and a lot more other music equipment. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity. This will go a long way in helping us achieve that dream of facilitating the music school and we are so grateful for their support. Blog post by Nicholas Sentongo I started drum lessonsat Planet Drum when I was about 7 and I quickly picked up the basics: everything as simple as stick grip to complex rudiments. My favourite part of my time at Planet Drum was that you would rarely ever play alone. Whether it be in a concert with a full band or just practicing with your teacher and a background track, I was almost never just asked to play along a track with no one else. I also likedhow the lessons were structured. As a student I had a lot of control over the lesson, for example I could ask for a longer warm up or to focus more on one particular song. I could also control whether I did the grade exams or just played for fun, which allowed me to progress at my own pace without pressure. Outside the lessons themselves, there were also workshops with many children of similar age, where I met and learned from musicians of all sorts. Blog post by Gaspard Froment
Planet drum startedas a small, private drum school in London Bridge in the 90’s. Fast forward to 2022 and we are a creative hub of musicians providing a whole range of instrumental lessons - including music production! Our dedicated teachers all use music production in some form, so we were excited to hear that Rockschool had actually introduced a music production graded syllabus. This sounded ideal for students who wanted to get stuck in with hands-on experience, without the commitment or fees of going to university to study it. After speaking with Rockschool, we decided to create an online course to guide students step by step through Grade 1 of the music production course, where they could take their exam at the end. We broke the course down into 10 easy to follow videos, with the addition of using ‘BandLab for Education’ so the students could send us their coursework for checking before they submit for their exam. To help even more, all students receive access to a FREE BandLab course we made to help them with their coursework. Course breakdown:1. Course introduction 2. Music production theory - Instruments, microphones, DAWs and BandLab for education 3. Music production theory - Cables, mixing desks and file formats 4. Music production theory - sound and acoustics 5. Listening skills - Identifying instruments, note pitch, and note lengths 6. Listening skills - Rock and Pop music 7. Coursework - BandLab, adding tracks, rearranging tracks 8. Coursework - BandLab, adding a bassline and melody line 9. Coursework - How to export your project 10. How to apply for your RSL exam ReviewsGreat course. I am completing the Rock School Music Production Grade 1 and 2 curriculum with my 10 year old son and the course was a great way to get up to speed with how to use Bandlab as a DAW. We have learnt lots of new skills and both feel a lot more confident after completing the course and I am definitely going to enrol on their second course for music production grade 1. Keep up the good work and I hope you also provide grade 2 course soon.
Excellent course for beginners. It's an awesome experience when you feel like you are clearly learning something new Step by step intro in the wonderful world of making music. Thanx! Behind the Beat PodcastWe are excited to announce the launch of our brand new podcast ‘Behind the Beat Podcast’. Join me, Katy Russell, as we speak to some very special guests and leading industry experts about all things music! What is the podcast about?The podcast is an interview format where we will be speaking to professional musicians, teachers, exam boards, producers, music production experts, drum collectors and the list goes on! We will be talking openly about their experiences, stories, as well as dishing out tips and advice for budding musicians. Who are the hosts?Katy Russell, planet drum singing teacher, will be hosting the podcast and she will be occasionally joined by the Planet drum founder Alain Maurel. Between the two they have countless stories and experiences to share. Where can I listen to the podcast?You can listen to the podcast on Podbean, and also on our YouTube channel! Go and check out the first 2 episodes now, and our 3rd episode is launching on Monday with special guest and drummer, Robert Castelli.
Hi Eliana, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into learning the piano?I originally come from Latvia where I started to play the piano when I was 5 years old. I graduated from the Jelgava Music School in classical piano playing before I got into jazz singing which I'm studying at the moment at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. What is your favourite style to play?As I'm a singer, I most often accompany myself on the piano. But in my free time I love practising music by Debussy and Chopin. Who is your biggest musical inspiration and why?It is difficult to choose one musician but I'm always inspired by people who love what they do and are genuine. When you find something that moves you and you're honest - there is nothing that can stop you. :) Where can students watch you play/sing?I post about my upcoming gigs in London on my instagram page @elianasanda. How would you describe your teaching style?My teaching method is to focus on developing good technique, appropriate repertoire and a good understanding of music theory. I am very patient and caring in my approach and I always try to support my students by making the environment in the lessons friendly and open. I focus on keeping my lessons fun and most importantly - my students interested. It is crucial for me to find ways of teaching that would suit each of my students and their interests the best. And finally, what advice would you give to people who have just started learning or want to learn the piano?I strongly believe that everyone can play an instrument or sing regardless of their musical ability, if they have a will. Learning an instrument is hard work but it is also super fun, so just take it step by step and enjoy the wonderful process of learning music! Trust me - it can be life-changing :)
Hi Alain, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into playing drums?I started playing piano as a kid but switched to drums age 17. I thought drums and drum lessons were easier, which is maybe true at the very beginning, but really they're a lot of work! What made you want to go into teaching?I started teaching drum lessons professionally after completing a CTMA music teaching course in Goldsmith college many years ago. Teaching drums was always a lot of fun for me, and a good way to supplement my income between recordings and tours. Who is your biggest musical inspiration and why?My main inspirations are John Coltrane, early blues and Bob Marley for the soul in their music. The Beatles are a great inspiration for the wonderful songwriting. Traditional percussion music is also very important because rhythm is where all music comes from. What is your favourite style to play?I love Jazz, Latin, and African styles mostly. I have been informed that you have a drum book coming out! Can you tell us what people can expect from this book?Yes, I've been writing the new drum book for two years now. It is a synthesis of all the teachings I've received and transmitted since I started playing. The book incorporates snare drum technique and coordination studies as well as play alongs in all styles, with over 100 audio tracks! My friend Mark Fletcher is a featured guest drummer in the second part of the book. What made you decide to write this drum book?When teaching, I've always been using a multitude of books with my students, and I really wanted to condense all this important information into one book. When can people expect to buy your book/when roughly can we get our hands on it?Expect to be able to buy the drum book by late 2021 or early 2022. Finally, what advice would you give to students just starting to learn the drums/students who want to start to learn drums?Get yourself a good drum teacher you have a good relationship with, and listen to as much music as possible. Go to gigs, learn the history of drumming, and ... practice!
Learn music production with Planet drumCOMING SOON...We have been working hard and had tremendous fun to curate and bring you a Planet drum music production course following the Rockschool Grade 1 syllabus! In this graded course we will guide you through the essentials of becoming a music producer, including learning how to record, edit and mix. We designed this course to be highly accessible for younger students and beginner students to pursue music production from their own homes and gain an RSL qualification in the process. The Grade 1 course will provide you with the necessary material needed to understand music production terminology as well as audio fundamentals. You will be able to progress and learn at your own pace while practicing on the digital audio workstation of your choice. We will also guide you through your coursework and give you practice questions so that by the end of this first course you will be confident and ready to pass your grade 1 Rockschool music production exam. Sign up now and take the first step to become a music producer. Exclusively on THINKIFIC and UDEMY. This course is delivered by a third party and, as such, RSL is not responsible for any of the content provided or the quality of the training Katy Russell & Alain Maurel |
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