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next music gig

Tips for a smooth transition at your next music gig

July 17, 2017July 17, 2017 Michael Gallant

The fifteen minutes between one artist’s final note and the next group’s first “hello” are precious. How you handle the transition can set you up for your best performance at your next music gig. Read More.

A musician mixing with headphones

Consider this when mixing with headphones

July 14, 2017September 25, 2018 Izotope

There are baseline truths you can fall back on to improve your mixes, whatever your sound source – whether mixing with headphones or studio monitors. Read More.

audio mixing fundamentals with Graham Cochrane

Audio mixing fundamentals with engineer Graham Cochrane

August 19, 2016August 19, 2016 Graham Cochrane

In our August Disc Makers Twitter chat (#DMchat), Graham Cochrane, mixing engineer and founder of The Recording Revolution, gave us an overview of audio mixing fundamentals for musicians of all genres. Read More.

Mixing on headphones in your home studio

July 26, 2016August 2, 2022 Graham Cochrane

Other than cost, which is one obvious reason headphones are a worthwhile option, here are three advantages to mixing on headphones in your home studio. Read More.

unplugged gig

More tips to make your unplugged gig a success

June 30, 2016June 30, 2016 Michael Gallant

Playing an unplugged gig outdoors presents challenges if you need amplification – but there are ways to meet the challenges and put on a great show. Read More.

evolution of effects pedals

Part 2: The evolution of guitar effects pedals – today’s market

February 16, 2016March 28, 2016 Keith Hatschek and Joshua Monley

Each of the basic effects pedals we covered in Part 1 is still made today, by a variety of manufacturers. That’s one of the things that makes the pedal world so fascinating. New takes on classic effects come out continuously, each offering some sort of variation or wrinkle that can help you further refine your own special sound. Read more.

Guitar effects pedals

Guitar effects pedals and the evolution of music – Part 1

February 10, 2016March 28, 2016 Keith Hatschek and Joshua Monley

In part one, we rewind some of the history of these interesting devices, including links to product pages and demos of effects pedals in action. In part two, we identify some of the current stomp boxes and multi effects units that can help you create signature sounds. Read more.

Modify the drums (and more) when a venue pulls the plug

August 4, 2015August 11, 2015 Michael Gallant

unplugged live music performanceLast week, Echoes published an article about my unexpectedly unplugged and unamplified live music performance at an outdoor festival. The entire band had to make adjustments to accommodate the requirements of the gig – and drummer Rob Mitzner, in particular, relied on a setup he’s customized just for such circumstances. Read more.

Gigging without electricity – how we made it through the show in the park

July 27, 2015June 30, 2016 Michael Gallant

gigging without electricityI had thought that, even though the gig was outdoors, we would have no problem plugging in amps and instruments. Many parks have outlets tucked away inside lamp posts and maintenance buildings, accessible for public events. As we moved closer to the date, we discovered the city would not in fact turn on the juice. Read more.

Got an unconventional gig? Use unconventional promotion.

May 4, 2015June 4, 2015 Michael Gallant

promoting unconventional music venuesUnconventional venues require additional promo on your end and you should see it more as an active partnership with the venue. Rather than expecting the venue to promote you to their followers or patrons and pack the house for you, you generally will need to anticipate some involvement when it comes to spreading the word. Read more.

How to find and play unconventional music venues

April 28, 2015July 23, 2015 Michael Gallant

unconventional music venuesWhen jazz pianist Vijay Iyer scheduled the New York City release show for his 2015 album Break Stuff, he didn’t choose a standard venue. Iyer’s concert was staged in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Iyer isn’t the first artist to eschew traditional clubs and concert halls in favor of more unique performing grounds. Read more.

Another awful music gig

February 5, 2015July 22, 2015 Michael Gallant

More tales from the worst gigsIn “Tales of the worst music gigs ever,” we shared a handful of on-the-gig horror stories and lessons learned from them. While those stories were all wrenching in their own rights, here is one from New York bassist Dmitry Ishenko that stands in a category of its own. Read more.

Get exclusive deals and discounts from Backstage

January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 Disc Makers

Backstage music gear dealsBackstage is a new program from Disc Makers that offers exclusive deals on music gear and provides member-only access to discounts on services such as gig booking and post-production mastering, plus plenty of other special offers created for the independent musician. Read more.

worst music gig

Tales of the worst music gigs ever

January 22, 2015January 6, 2017 Michael Gallant

Every musician has stories of the best gig ever, that performances where the music, the crowd, and the stars aligned. Then there’s those other times when nothing goes right. Gear explodes, drunks attack, people vanish… But even the worst gigs can be valuable learning experiences. Read more.

Recording equipment you need for your home studio setup

The recording equipment you really need for your home studio setup

December 19, 2014August 27, 2019 Graham Cochrane

So you want a killer home recording studio that can deliver great sounding tracks and not break the bank? Graham Cochrane lets you know exactly how to do that in this rundown of the five essential pieces of recording equipment you need in your home studio setup. Read more.

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