Morph Productions

Many times when I'm working with people the subject of mixing vs mastering has come up. I figured I'd take a second to explain the difference between the two here. Mixing is taking a multi-track recording and balancing them using volume, eq and effects such as reverbs, delay and compression. The end result of this process is typically a 2 track format (stereo file that can be played on your mp3 player, cd player or dino-phone). Mastering is taking a finished mix and using processors (generally eq's and compressors but sometimes others) to make the mix sound louder, fuller and cleaner. The mastering engineer is the last person who works on your project before it's released to the public and therefore it's important you get the right person for the job. Now on a lot of studio blog postings this is where I would be shamelessly saying that person is me haha, but no, it's not. Generally speaking the person you want to do the job is someone who has (for s...

Just came across this article and thought some of you might be interested: http://www.genyrockstars.com/2009/12/2010-indie-music-marketing.html It's about how indie artists have to take marketing themselves more seriously. Good read!

I listen to the religious program "Tapestry" that airs on cbc quite regularly. This last podcast was an interview of the bass player Victor Wooten who just wrote a book called "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music" Just thought I'd share the link the podcast: http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/tapestry_20091213_24374.mp3

Just stumbled across this tax credit for ontario corporations in the record business: Here's the link: http://www.omdc.on.ca/Page3398.aspx Here's the details: Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit What Is It? The Ontario Sound Recording Tax Credit (OSRTC) is a refundable tax credit based upon eligible production and marketing costs incurred by a qualifying corporation with respect to an eligible Canadian sound recording. How Much Is the Tax Credit? The OSRTC is calculated as 20% of qualifying expenditures incurred by an eligible sound recording company with respect to an eligible Canadian sound recording by an emerging Canadian artist or group. Who Is Eligible? An eligible sound recording company is a Canadian-controlled corporation having carried on a sound recording business in Ontario for at least 12 months as a corporation or, prior to incorporation, as a sole proprietor or partnership.* An eligible sound recording company must earn more than 50% of its taxable income in Ont...

I have a lot of people under 16 contacting me about doing a demo that will get them a deal that will make them rich and famous. If only it was so easy! The real question though is even if that sought after deal came, would it be the right one and the right time? What I have to say to this is:; what's the rush? Spend your younger years developing as an artist and a writer and figure out exactly what you want to say. The reason most child stars don't have lasting careers is that their inexperience made them make mistakes they otherwise wouldn't have had they been older and more mature. The way's I encourage young people to develop is by writing songs with different people and try to learn through that experience. Record demos at different studios to get a feel how that process works and more importantly what works for you obtaining the results you want. Most importantly go in with open ears and open to others ideas. There are people with experience that are willin...

Recording music is a lot different than it was over the last few decades. No question things have improved in many respects but a lot of the technology out there has encouraged people to do it on their own at the expense of collaborating. In my opinion this lack of collaboration has really hurt the creative process and the quality of the work. Technology now allows people to do an album completely by themselves in their bedroom. Recording gear is relatively cheap now and there are instruments plugins that can sound really close to the real thing. While this can be useful, especially for low budget projects, it should not be used to replace other musicians playing on your project. When you have someone who's been playing their instrument for years and years lay down some parts on your song it can really help take it in a new positive direction. I've been recording people professionally for 10 years now and I've seen it done and I've done it myself. One different dr...

The first Factor Demo Award deadline of 2009 is coming up on April 17. Throughout the years I've helped a bunch of artists get these grants to record at my studio. It's always great to be able to help people get some money to record without them having to dig out of their own pocket (or dig out as much). The grant is for up to 2 grand and does not have to be paid back. Here's more info from the factor website: Program Information This program assists new artists, professional songwriters (songwriters that are members of a performing rights organization) and publishers with the production of their songs on a high quality demo recording, as well as basic press kit expenses, to enhance their career. * Option A: Juried Approval Process * Option B: Non-Juried Approval Process FACTOR may provide a contribution of up to a maximum of $2,000 which represents 75% of the total eligible recording budget. Funding for this program is provided by Canada's Priva...