Admin Support, Author at Computer Music Production School; Audio Recording School; Audio School in Florida, Atlanta, Los Angeles or anywhere in the World

Talent is Never Enough

I meet people every day that have big dreams and visions. Our studio is continually flooded with calls asking the similar questions day after day.. ‘Everyone tells me my music is great but..’, ‘I’ve been in this music game since..’, ‘I have been working hard but haven’t..’, ‘How do I get results..The results I want?’

From personal experience and from many people I speak to, I have found something in common. If you’re not where you want to be and nothing is changing in your life, there is some piece of information you’re missing.

I read a book recently that really brought this point to life, the title? ‘Talent is Never Enough’ by John Maxwell. In his book, Maxwell echoes teachings of the Computer Music Production School and outlines thirteen characteristics which must be coupled with intelligence and talent in order to reach long-term success.

Belief, Passion, Initiative, Focus, Preparation, Practice, Perseverance, Courage, Teach-ability,
Character, Relationships, Responsibility, Teamwork

What makes you stand out from the rest? What motivates you every day to get up and chip away obstacles to get at your dream? Do you have positive self esteem to plunge forward never looking back or doubting yourself? How can you use every talent and resource you have, be it music, production chops, writing ability or a side business selling plastic frogs on ebay?

LOL, seriously though, how can you make it all come together for the completion and the attainment of one thing: Your passion/purpose in life?

The first thing that helps is doing research and finding what you’re purpose is – I’m not just talking about your music purpose but your passion/purpose in life. Now if you do know what you’re passion/purpose is, are you doing it to the best of your ability so when you look back 60-80 years from now you can think, “Yeah…I did everything I wanted to do…I lived an awesome life and I have no regrets!”

I don’t know about you, but I want to be one of those people. I want to say I did everything I wanted to do AND …I surprised myself. I HAVE accomplished more, gave more and helped more. I stood for more and I pushed myself passed what I thought I could do and I’m so glad I did..

I was amused when I first read over these characteristics because all of these elements are in our course. The Computer Music Production 7 Lesson Course will help you learn how to learn; which is teach-ability. This course develops your character and encourages responsibility by asking questions and working through each lesson until its complete. Following through with each lesson will strengthen your focus and build your courage as you face and learn things that most people have a lot of fear around. It takes perseverance to get through all 7 lessons and each home work exercise will get you to practice and hone your new learned skills that will excite a new found passion in you. You’ll gain an initiative that you didn’t even know you were capable of. And when you’re done with each home work assignment you’ll send it to your personal student adviser who will teach you about business relationships and teamwork. And, after you are done with the course, you will have a new found belief in yourself.

This, my friend…is priceless. Your dream deserves preparation. Your dream deserves your commitment. We have so much knowledge about the music industry, technology and the creative process we are just looking for strong individuals to pour into.

“People who neglect to make the right choices to release and maximize their talent continually underperform. Their talent allows them to stand out, but their wrong choices make them sit down. Their friends, families, coaches and bosses see their giftedness, but they wonder why they so often come up short of expectations. Their talent gives them opportunity, but their wrong choices shut the door. Talent is a given, but you must earn success.”

Are you one of the few who has the guts to admit that you need help? We can’t do the work for you… but we can give you the tools and an opportunity. Don’t wait. Learning production is just the beginning of a successful career and talent is never enough..

Tutorial: Talent is Never Enough
1) If you’re interested in more details about the topic, check out the book, audio cd or kindle edition by John Maxwell: Talent Is Never Enough
2) Do you know your passion/purpose in life? This is the core of who you are. You have talents that can help you achieve your goals. However, if you don’t know what they are, you’re missing out on skills that can help propel you forward.. and faster. Do a search on tests that can help you find your passions. In the meantime, read over and answer these 7 Questions to finding your True Passions
3) Are there production, mixing, mastering skills, talents, business development, promotion, networking that you know are not the best of what you have to offer give – what are you missing? Make a list of what you are missing. From there, research how you can learn or find the right people to help you in these areas.

If you need consulting on figuring what you’re missing or how to develop the skills to achieve your passions, contact us and

Warning: Don’t believe the Hype in the Music Industry

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This is a broad subject and is so very crucial to everyone on every level in music today. Do not believe the hype, what you hear especially from people “in the industry”. There are many people in the industry who are still unaware that the industry that was.. is no more.

If you watch closely, there are many artists and producers ‘in the industry’ doing exactly what independent artists and producers are doing. Taking care of their business, their own label, marketing, networking, negotiating with labels to enhance what they are doing. They are not giving their music away blindly..

Regarding money, protect your budget. You do not need the ‘latest gear release’. This is just a distraction.

I have seen students jump from PC to MAC or MAC to PC and delay their music career results by 6 months to a year. This is unnecessary. If you started on a mac, stay on one. If you started on a PC, stay on a PC. Think ahead and know exactly what it takes to COMPLETE a music production and recording studio. I have seen other students spend $3,000 on hardware gear to then not have enough money for a computer and inexpensive software to mix and master with. When they enrolled in the music production school they were so upset they didn’t find this info out sooner.

It is very subtle… but every time we see a producer, known artist or anyone in the public eye endorse any type of equipment, business model or new technology, most of the time, it comes off as “You are not adequate with what you have, you can’t do anything until you have this”.

What this subliminally can do is makes your mind wander to this ‘vision/goal’ of reaching something that is so far away from you it seems impossible. Not only that but it gives you the impression that you cannot enjoy the moment and work with the gear you currently have. These thought processes ultimately lead to fear that you will not succeed or you don’t have what you need now to complete your dreams and goals.

See the problem is not us and its not them either… It’s what you do with this information whether you stay stuck or ignore it.. I have seen so many talented students go only so far with what they have learned because this can be the hardest thing to conquer. Throwing money, expenses and fear at your dreams instead of just digging in, getting your hands dirty, trust the process and keep believing no matter what comes your way.. and believe me, everything comes at you to discourage.. (I got robbed of a $6,500 studio equipment, instruments, everything and almost quit everything)

What do you Need?
All you need is a passion and fire to do music; A creative vision and voice that does not try and conform to what the new ‘in’ thing is. These characteristics will last the rest of your life. You’ll be lucky if the last piece of gear you bought lasts another year – especially computers!

Basic Gear List: $2,500 or less
Computer
Audio Interface
Keyboard Controller
Headphones (recommneded)
Studio Speakers (Check Studio Speaker Tips)
Software Sequencer (Cubase, Sonar, Logic, ProTools, etc)
Sound Module Software (Reason, Fruityloops, VST instruments)
Drum Sample Library (Free sounds at www.gotchanoddin.com)

The most expensive piece of equipment I think everyone has invested in last is themselves! Invest in your education, confidence, encouragement – what builds that? Knowledge.

This is why with the little bit of equipment mentioned above The Computer Music Production School guarantees, you can learn to be an artist, producer, engineer, mixing and mastering engineer. Because EVERYONE CAN do it, will they? It’s not a matter if you can be a music producer or artist, its a matter of, do you believe you can? Talent is Never Enough. I will work with someone in a heartbeat with 50% talent and 50% heart rather than someone with 100% talent and no character.

At some point you have to ask yourself “What am I made of?” All education is character building more than anything else. It’s teaching yourself how to learn. This is the focus. The tools are not the focus. Anyone can learn the tools are but forging through personal character is what determines success or failure..

All the time you spend on forums, debates and research should really be spent on writing better songs, learning different chords and scales.. So the next time an ‘industry professional’ or someone at a music store tells you their opinion on what to do with your music, what you need or what the latest fad is… just change the subject…

How can anyone give you direction when they haven’t stopped to listen to what your music dream is?

Focus on something we don’t hear often… Your unique creative voice..
Only then will find what you are truly made of.

When you become a student of the Computer Music Production School, you work one on one with a student advisor to not only mentor you in technical aspects of your music career but also the character aspects. You get artist development according to your personal and business goals. CMPS is the only school around the globe offering training and mentoring with guaranteed results.

If you have been duped by hype or need help with music business networking and partnerships, please take a moment and signup for a free training consultation.

Mixing and Mastering Myths in the Music Industry

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Mixing and Mastering Myths are just a few of the mis-perceptions that plague the music industry. When this mis-information spreads like fire across music professionals and music hobbyists, there is a huge problem that results. Lack of creativity, inspiration and a misguided focus.

Mixing and Mastering cannot be done without music production…
If your music production and recording is poor, the mix and master is going to be poor…

So why are so many concerned about mixing and mastering?
Doesn’t it seem like the focus should be on music production?

My question is what’s more important: the equipment used on a project, to mix, and used to master or the end results?

Do you find yourself looking to others to fix the problem? Do you think that someone else has something your missing? Do you feel like if you had one more piece of equipment or learned one more thing you would be ready to really get serious and do something in the music business? If you say yes, to anyone of these you have been duped by the mis-information of the Mixing and Mastering Myth.

Mixing and mastering myths say “you don’t have the right audio mastering software, you don’t have the right mixing plugins, only professional results come from a mastering studio” and so on.

But today is different:
You have the tools to mix and master but may not realize it.

If you don’t have the tools, it’s as simple as they are inexpensive. However the investment isn’t the money it’s the time it takes to learn them and develop your ear training. I recommend locking the door in your studio, shutting the phones off and learn… You can have all the greatest gear but knowing how to use your equipment / tools during the music production process is the key to mixing and mastering.

Make sure first and foremost the song is different. It’s not saying the same thing that everyone else is talking about. Give the music ‘your’ touch that only you can give it. Start with great samples and great sounds. Get all instruments you choose in the proper frequency spectrum when making the track, adjust mix volume levels, use EQ settings to separate frequencies and use compression to make each individual sound come to life. The mix should sound industry standard, just quieter. That is the process of audio mixing before achieving a perfect master.

Afterwards, the mastering process is very simple. Using mastering tools such as multiband compression, eq, sonic maximization, limiting and metering tools are just a few of the weapons of choice. Whether they are hardware or software does not matter nearly as much as your ear training.

Last and most important is your ears. Making sure you can hear all the subtleties of each tool, volume level, etc. The thing that’s cool is you already know where you’re trying to get to – that is what you hear on the radio, movies, etc. So the elements are there in the pot, it’s now up to you to stir them up correctly.

The final missing ingredient is you.

You have to show up, get in your studio and figure out the details it takes to get your music productions sounding like what you hear on the radio daily. There are no results if you dont’ put the time in. Stir the pot every moment you get, keep focused until you start seeing the results you’re after.

To stay successful at what you love you must keep doing what it took to get you there.

When you reach that stage, CELEBRATE!!! …Then get back to the grind cause the journey never ends. There are many victories won, battles fought and land you conquer in the world of the new music industry we are in..

Now the last point to address is the first thing you’re probably wondering… Why does every person I speak with and every book I read on mixing and mastering tell me NOT to do it myself?

I got a reply from someone about this article that I thought was great to reference this overly common response:

“I recently finished reading a book which contained extensive interviews with something like 25 of the industry’s leading mixing professionals. These are people that make a living my doing nothing but mixing. 6 figures a year Grammy award winning people… The list of artist they have mixed for was amazing… We are not just talking about old school analog guys either. Many of today’s leading mixers are mixing “in the box”. The average time they take to mix a song is between 8 and 16 hours. How can an amateur expect to get their results in less time with inferior equipment? None of the above mentioned mixers would even consider trying to master their own stuff.”

This is a great question. However, it only clarifies this article all the more. No one starts at this level – these professionals results started from previous successes and those previous results are what are keeping them in their current business success.. They are living their music dream.

It’s all about the results. Is your music on the level of what’s on the radio and does your music inspire everyone who listens to it?

It’s funny because for over 13 years I have read and studied all the same greats, read the same articles about not mixing and mastering your own stuff. I have read over 50-60 books on the subject… I have also engineered, mixed and mastered for over 8-9 years now and NOT worked a day job in over 6-7 years… It has taken me personally over 13 years to develop this course. I have personally done in studio/classroom style education too.

With all of this experience, I am telling you they are wrong. We have many students who will tell you the same thing.

The industry is not the same industry that those books are referencing. As a matter of fact, the majority of educational institutions today are still teaching as if the major label music industry is still profitable and studios are still in business.

These ‘industry producers’ didn’t start out recording and doing music the way they are doing it now and they definitely didn’t start with the money they were making either.

These are exactly the myths I’m talking about. EVERYONE and their mother is doing music today. I speak with 13 year olds to 30 year olds to people in their 50s on a daily basis wanting to do our course. At the end of the day the focus on these myths, the focus on gear and technical perfection are a waste of time.

I have seen so many people focus on this so much so and finally get to a perfected mix and master… but their music sucks! Getting creative, professional, radio ready results quickly and efficiently is only the beginning for anyone trying to make a career in the music industry. Anyone of those professionals will tell you the same. Success is not fame. Fame is a part of success. The definition of true success is doing what you love every moment of the day. That is where your music career must begin otherwise the path to fame will never come upon you.

I have seen so many student’s lives change from moving past these myths.
It’s these myths and SO many others are what keep many people from moving forward in their dreams…

Tutorial: Mixing and Mastering Myths in the Music Industry
1) Finalize your studio with equipment you can afford. There are some things you can skimp on and other things you cannot. Do not overextend what you purchase because ‘everyone is using it’ or ‘this guy’ who has great credentials told me to…. They are not paying for it – you are… especially if down the road you realize its the wrong equipment..
2) Learn and Grow, Period. You cannot learn by listening to others. Its important to take action while you study and learn from others. This gives the experience and ear training required for you to mix and master.
3) Stay Content with what you have and do the best with what you have. If you stay focused and don’t quit, you’ll see results. You’ll acquire new equipment, you’re ears with mature and you’ll get the results you’re after. The only way you can fail is if you give up…
Don’t let others determine your success.

Selling Beats and Getting your Music in the Right Hands

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As the music industry gets crowded, many people have asked how do I get my beats in the right hands, how do I meet big time producers, how do I get a manager, how do I get on radio, what’s the best way to get signed and many other similar questions…. All of these questions can be aligned with one simple and crazy answer…

The best way to get your beats in the right hands is to not say anything…
Sound crazy yet?

Here’s how it works. First, make yourself a valuable producer, artist, engineer, etc. Take your time perfecting your craft to the next level. Second, know what you want to do and where you want to be. Afterwards, get your business together. Invest time and money in yourself. Have a creative business card, website, myspace page, professional CD demo and most importantly great material. It’s time to retire the writing on scratched CDs. If the package doesn’t have any effort in it, chances are the music will be judged in the same manner. No one will take interest in your career as much as you will so it is very important to have great material AND great looking CD graphics, pictures and business cards.

Next, create different sounding beats, say something different in both the music and lyrics – just be you! People don’t want what is already out there. Always push yourself to your own cutting edge. Have outstanding material that ‘wows’ people. Always have business cards and CDs on hand so it’s easy to hear your work. Keep your integrity with perseverance and the best clients will come to you. You won’t need to seek them. Let who you are do the talking.

Now while you are being you, do what you like doing. If you like networking events, have fun at them. If you like to perform, go to where people perform. Go to the music events that you enjoy and be yourself. Then become friends with everyone you meet. Keep it honest and see how you can help others. After the events, make the connections. Just take an hour once a month to start. Contact every person who gave you a card or CD. Listen to their material. Offer your services free to someone you really like. Or, find out how you can help them in conversation. By being valuable and serving others, you will naturally attract the right people that can help you. People will naturally become interested in what you’re doing when you are genuinely concerned for their well being. This applies to professional networking events, clubbing, live performances or any independent event.

Regarding people you meet, just befriend them. ‘Industry’ connects take time, patience, sincerity, and just being a good friend. Find common ground. Great relationships and friendships take time and the same applies to business connections and client relationships. Always treat everyone like they are important. Everyone is important and successful no matter what stage they are at. If they are as committed as you are, it’s just a matter of time before their outward circumstances of success show the results of their inner success and integrity. People who are without integrity and are in it for themselves naturally fall to the way side.

In summary, just be you and have fun doing what you love. Help others however you can – no stress. Just lend a helping hand when you can. Within a short time, watch your friends and connections grow while you are having fun… Networking and selling your music comes down to your goals, dreams and passions. When you tap into your passion everyone wants to be apart of what you do.

Tutorial: Selling Beats and Getting your Music in the Right Hands
1) Continually learn, perfect your craft and create great music – something you believe in. Be different.
2) Get your business together. Get a logo, good graphics for your demo CDs and test the music on your friends. See how they respond. Use the best response songs as the music to represent yourself.
3) Go to events where you’ll meet likeminded people. Your not out to find ‘industry contacts’ but to find friends with common interest that you can enjoy the journey with. Naturally who you need to meet will follow..

If you need more info on how you can start your music business and better sell your music,