Houston artist Rose Gold gives us an exclusive insight on his musical creation process for his upcoming mixtape “Oil & Gas”.

Here is producer Hit Boy in the studio. It’s something I found pretty interesting and motivational. Check it out and enjoy.

Apollo is a high-resolution professional audio interface with superior sound quality and Realtime UAD Processing onboard. It features built-in UAD-2 DSP Acceleration, which allows Apollo to track, mix, and master with our full library of award-winning UAD-2 Powered Plug-Ins with nearly instant sub-2ms latency. Apollo connects to the computer via FireWire 800, and also has Thunderbolt connectivity via the Thunderbolt Option Card.

Apollo was designed to give users the feel and flow of analog recording, while maintaining the benefits of mixing and mastering in a digital audio workstation (DAW). Its included software turns Apollo into a fully-functioning mixing console and allows users to control its hardware settings remotely, solving studio workflow and monitoring annoyances.

Apollo has 8 total analog inputs — 4 digitally controlled analog mic preamps, 8 balanced line inputs, and 2 front-panel JFET DIs. It has 14 total analog outputs – 8 balanced line outs, 2 digitally-controlled analog monitor outs, and 2 dedicated stereo headphone outs. In terms of digital I/O, Apollo has 8 channels of ADAT S/MUX, 2 channels of S/PDIF, and Word Clock I/O with an input termination switch.

With Apollo, latency is basically indiscernible. For example, when recording four “stacked” UAD plug-ins on the input in real time, analog-to-analog latency at 96kHz comes in at 1.1 milliseconds. With its onboard Realtime UAD Processing, Apollo can retain its low-latency performance even in large sessions, and the user can leave their computer at a buffer setting that it can handle.

A Note about UAD Powered Plug-ins
UAD-2 and UAD-1 Powered Plug-Ins run exclusively on Universal Audio’s UAD DSP Accelerator Cards. All available Powered Plug-Ins are included in the UAD Software Installer/Updater Package; and every Plug-In title has a separately activated 14-day trial — so users can try before they buy, at their own pace. Once a user decides to purchase a Plug-In, they can click on the Plug-In toolbar “Buy” button, which automatically takes them to the www.uaudio.com website and carts the plug in; or this can be done manually via browsing our webstore. Once the purchase is complete, a downloadable Authorization File is made available. Users simply drag and drop this Auth. File into the UAD meter, and the Plug-In is authorized. UAD-1 users can transfer Plug-In licenses to UAD-2 format for free (one time only). Via Customer Support, Universal Audio also allows registered UAD owners to sell their UAD card(s) with Plug-In licenses, transferring the licenses to the new card owner (subject to Universal Audio approval).

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With the evolution of the Internet, the complete scope of a music career has been revolutionized. This includes the way musicians search for gigs, sell their music, establish their fan base, and find a record deal–the whole shebang. The reason why the Internet is the mastermind behind this whole change is because the days of “artist leading the fans,” are over. Today, fans can purchase their favorite artist’s music one song at a time (or not at all) and literally make or break a musician’s career with the click of a mouse!

It can be tricky knowing where to market your music nowadays. Propaganda is everywhere, and unless you have a solid marketing plan, your music could very well end up in on the back burner along with your dreams. With relation to the Internet, here are some websites every enthusiastic musician should be aware of:

Alexa — Alexa supplies info about websites including Internet traffic statistics, top websites, and online reviews. If you have your own website, Alexa is great for tracking your growing online popularity.

Pure Volume — Pure Volume is the site for up-and-coming artists to host their mp3s and receive exposure. Unsigned musicians, major label artists, and independent labels are welcome.

Bandpage — Bandpage is great for musicians to share touring schedules, photos, videos, music and more with their fans.

Reverb Nation — Super site for locating and networking with various recording artists, audio engineers, and hip-hop producers.

Soundclick — Superb for locating independent music producers.

IT’S NOT HOW IT USED TO BE

If you look at the way marketing was done as far back as fifteen years ago when CDs were all the rage, a lot has changed. In these times, if independent musicians want to market their music, the following steps are suggested:

Use your contacts; there may be a record deal in there somewhere
Organize a distributor to get your music into record stores
Send your CDs and press-kits to radio stations and reviewers
Play live gigs as much as possible
Develop a fan mailing list

The above list should be applied in the given order. If one-step fails, you can go to the next one. In fact, last step of grooming a mailing list of fans has sent a few non-performing artists on the road to sure success.

However, marketing music today still requires crucial moves that were unheard of in former times. According to sage advice on the music circuit, here are additional things you need to do, or know, to get your music career moving:

Record Companies

Previously record companies provided a protective role for new artists by taking care of the majority of their marketing and more. Currently, seeking a record deal right off is highly discouraged. Four main record labels exist at the moment; those are Warner, Universal, Sony, and EMI with a handful of independent labels in the mix.

Overall, record labels do not provide the marketing backup like before. New artists deemed “investment worthy,” are given a shot, while the record label keeps their fingers crossed. Unfortunately, many deals turn out to be no better than the paper they are written on and its back to square one. In many ways, you are better off promoting your own music.

Distribution

Many small music shops have all but disappeared and larger stores have taken over. The problem is that larger stores do not specialize in music. Stores like Barnes and Noble and Best Buy have music sections that get smaller every year. Therefore, soliciting distributors to place your music into any of these stores will probably be a waste of time.

Making a CD

While word has it that CDs will be obsolete within the next few years, they are still a good investment. The CD is one of your best friends. They are better than a paper business card or email attachment because they are tangible items that you can give, mail, or possibly sell. Many successful artists have sold their CDs out of the trunk of their cars! Above all, a CD shows your talent. Venues and clubs that hire you will want to know what you sound like and a CD fits the bill perfectly. If your gig is successful, you will have something to give or sell to your new fans as well.

Playing Live

Playing live gigs is more important than ever. Previously, concerts were used to promote music. Now, recorded music is used to promote concerts. At present, concerts have become the bread and butter of the music industry. Let’s put it this way; fans can get just about any recorded music they please for free online. They do not have to purchase your music, but they may shell out a few bucks to see you live.

Email List

Emailing is another necessity in the music business today. You can immediately contact current and potential fans. Utilizing a service like Constant Contact, MailChimp or Aweber allows you to send out tons of emails in one go for a reasonable price. You can keep everyone informed about future gigs and recordings each month.

TODAY’S MOST IMPORTANT MARKETING TIPS

The previously mentioned marketing rules have changed and for good reason; the Internet. Here are the essentials for marketing your music today:

Use your contacts; there may be a record deal in there somewhere
Send your CDs and press kits to radio stations and reviewers (call them first; they may prefer a link to your website or soundbites)
Play live gigs as much as possible
Develop an email list
Create a marketing strategy that uses the Internet

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Don’t be afraid to ask people to buy your product. If you don’t ask, at least in the beginning, you probably won’t sell very much. You will need courage and true belief in your music and yourself.
Create a website on which to sell your music and be sure to keep track of your sales.
Work on your brand, advertise your band, market your songs, and always try to book additional or repeat gigs.
Be repetitious. If you want to create a fan base or win a record deal, you have to stay on track and keep your name out there.

CONCLUSION

Unfortunately today, a large portion of the music business has become an image business. In many genres, it’s 80% image and 20% talent. There will always be the talented musician with the great sounding voice or superb instrumental skills sitting in the background. By using these tips and by creating great music–mixed in with a little time and persistence–you too may soon be recorded in history as the next band or artist to shake up the music scene. Good luck!

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