Top 5 things to happen to Electronic Music in 2009

2009 has been a big year for electronic and computer music.

Have a think back and remember all the things that have changed in your workflow since the year began - all the plug-ins, the new services and even brand new pieces of must-have software.

But what have been the biggest things this year to hit the electronic music scene?   Let's take a look at the Top 5 things to happen to Electronic Music in 2009...

5. DJ Hero

Whatever your opinion of DJ Hero, there is no denying that, much like Guitar Hero before it, it will open its music scene of choice to a massive new audience.

The combination of Pop, Dance and Hip Hop music has thoroughly brought Electronic music to the gaming masses, solidifying a sense of interest in production and, perhaps more importantly, performance of the genre in a whole new generation.

This could have massive repercussions on the electronic music scene - a huge influx of people buying DJ gear as they realise their calling in life requires a mixer and some headphones perhaps?   Or a slew of punters rushing to find tutorials on producing music, so that they can be on the sequel?

We'll have to wait and see!

4. Spotify

Spotify technically launched in October 2008, but in 2009 it went online for free registration rather than invite-only.   This resulted in people being able to get a scarily large library of music for absolutely nothing.

This is a huge thing for all music producers - being able to get their music out with a new and exciting platform... or looking out for the newest way to get exploited by a large company.   Either way it's something big.

3. Accurate Pitch Bending

Going into the more technical side of things now, Pitch bending has quite thoroughly evolved.

Gone are the days of chipmunk-style vocals; technological advances this year have allowed us to pitch up several octaves whilst still retaining the natural sound on the vocals, preserving the punch of the percussion or the grit of the guitars.

Scooter will be crying into their pitch-bending plug-in.

2. Flexible Time Stretching

Not only has pitch bending undergone a revolution, time stretching has followed suit, with DAWs now allowing sounds to be stretched beyond recognition... without them actually being beyond recognition.

Software such as Propellerhead's "Record" and Logic Pro 9 has made it an industry standard that audio can now be manipulated just as easily as MIDI, without tempo being an issue any more.

Hell, some DAWs allow you to not even record to a click track and then can automatically put you in time!   Maybe talent would be a thing of the past if it were not for the need to stay in tune...

1. Melodyne DNA

...Or did I speak too soon?   Melodyne deserve the top spot thoroughly - they have created software that can analyse an entire song, show you all the notes within it, then allow you to manipulate those notes.

Think of the uses for synth-creation and sample manipulation - being able to grab and change that harmonic overtone in a synth sound without having to spend years EQ-ing a patch to perfection.

This also has massive repercussions elsewhere - remixing will be changed forever; chordal instruments can be pitch (and time) corrected as easily as vocals now, and robots will take over the world.

Okay, perhaps that's a slight overstatement, but with so many seemingly sci-fi technological advances happening in such a short space of time, it's easy to lose track of what's real and what's not.

If 2009 has shown us anything, there are certainly some changes coming to the music world in the future; that's for sure.

Saint Joe gets his hands on... Analogue Synthesis

5 New Years Resolutions for improving your productions

So as 2009 fades into memory, those of us who feel the need for tradition are looking for some resolutions to follow in the New Year!

Here are 5 suggestions for resolutions that will help improve your productions in 2010!

1. Always take time to EQ correctly

Have you ever found your mixes too muddy or too thin?   Taking a long time to go through each layer of the mix and cut out the overlapping frequencies can give each section some space in the mix.

Try concentrating on making the kicks and snares prominent, and then cut the other synths, samples and instruments around that, making sure they don't have too much harmonic content in the same frequency areas as the main percussion.

2. Try out some new synths and samples

It can be really easy to fall into a habit of using the same synths and samples all the time (just ask Benny Benassi).   Spice things up by trying out some new and exciting samples or spending some time creating a brand new synth effect - making your tracks will feel fresh and fun again!

3. Do some research into music theory


While some of you might already know the basics, a lot of producers aren't familiar with music theory - have a quick Google and see what you can find, maybe even take up piano lessons (or other instruments if you'd prefer - you can get MIDI flutes, guitars and even saxophones to record your synth parts with!) and you'll start to understand why your riffs invoke certain feelings in the listener!

4. Attempt a new genre of music

This can be a fantastic way to learn a lot of new techniques in a short space of time.   Have you not tried out Dubstep yet?   Or are you yet to try out some older genres like techno and trance?   Give them a try and you're sure to learn something as you produce!

5. Experiment with new mastering techniques on your tracks

It's such a shame that so many producers spend all that time mixing a track only to not master it properly!   Make it your resolution to try out some new techniques with mastering the final mix and see if you can polish your tracks up to that professional level!

Things like multi-band compression, harmonic exciters and brick-wall limiters are all plug-ins you might want to try!

So whatever you manage to eat less chocolate, exercise more and manage to kick the habit or not, make sure you give your production ability the attention it deserves!

Top Five producers you've heard... but not heard of

When it comes to modern pop music, often the singer eclipses the producer who actually composed the music they are singing over.   These people lie just out of the limelight, with the whole world hearing their songs sometimes without even knowing their name.

So who are these mysterious songwriters?   Let's take a look at 5 of the best producers to ever create pop music and remain out of the mainstream's ever-watchful eye...


5. Scott Storch

Songs You've Heard: Justin Timberlake - Cry me a River, Dr. Dre - Still D.R.E

A Jewish Canadian producer who is responsible for the riffs in Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E" and for co-producing Justin Timberlake's "Cry me a River".

Storch has veered towards the hip-hop side of things, not only musically but personally.   He's had "beef" with Justin Timberlake for not properly crediting him on the MTV awards for producing the song, where JT said Timberland was the producer.

He's also pushed the buttons of big-time producer Lil' Jon, who was quoted as saying Storch was "Biting his style" - stealing his unique sound for those not fluent in hip hop.

While he has earned over $70 million in his career, including $17 million in 2007, in mid 2008 he had an arrest warrant issued for failing to pay child support and for late property taxes.   So his music-writing skills may be considerable, but unfortunately for him, that doesn't mean his money-saving skills follow suit!

4. Evan Bogart

Songs You've Heard: Beyonce - Halo, Rhianna - SOS, Pussycat Dolls - Jai Ho!

Even Bogart was born to well connected parents - Casablanca records founder Neil Bogart and music manager Joyce Bogart-Trabulus (who co-managed KISS.)

Starting out as an Intern in Interscope records at age 16, Evan Bogart grew up to join the A&R department, working to promote such massive artists such as 2Pac and Eminem.

Several years on in 2006, he joined the record label and publishing company "Beluga Heights" as the head songwriter.   It was then that he went on to write for Beyonce, Rihanna, Britney, Kylie amongst a lot of others.

He was responsible for the #1 single SOS by Rihanna and Halo by Beyonce, so it's definitely skill that put him where he is today, not his parents!


3. Ryan Tedder

Songs You've Heard: OneRepublic - Apologize, Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

Now here's the first one on the list that you'll have heard their voice on a track without possibly knowing his name.   Ryan Tedder is the lead singer for OneRepublic, the act that broke records for the best selling single of the decade and the most played song on radio with 10,331 plays in a week.

He was knocked off the top spot only five months later when Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" got 10,665 plays - another song he co-produced.   Nice going, Ryan!

So his name might not be on the songs, apparently preferring to give his band the promotion, but it hasn't stopped him from rubbing shoulders and producing for Ludacris, Backstreet Boys, Chris Cornell, Whitney Houston and even DJ Tiesto.

Not bad for a little boy of humble origins, growing up with a religious family in Tulsa - his parents apparently encouraged him to practice piano by offering him candy corn as a reward.   He learned music via the "Suzuki Method" - where the tutee is taught by ear rather than by reading notes.


2. Christopher Stewart

Songs You've Heard: Umbrella - Rihanna, Single Ladies - Beyonce, Me against the Music - Britney Spears feat. Madonna

Another entrant into this top 5 who has beginnings in Pop-Rap.   His first major success was co-writing the single "Who Dat" for JT Money, which became #1 on the rap charts.

He then went on to discover several artists such as Blu Cantrell, then achieved worldwide renown by producing the song "Me against the Music" for both Britney and Madonna.

He had a musical upbringing, allegedly writing songs since the age of 12.   He started writing for major artists through a link from his older brother to his business mentor Louil Silas Jr.


1. Max Martin

Songs You've Heard: Britney Spears - Oops I did it again, Backstreet Boys - As long as you love me, Five - Slam dunk da funk, Katy Perry - Hot n Cold, Pink - So What... Yeah, pretty much every other massive #1 in the past 15 years.

Max Martin is the undeniable king of producers the make massive hits but keep a low profile.   His production record pretty much reads like a list of billboard number one hits.

His versatility as a producer has meant he can go from dance-pop songs to epic ballads to pop-rock with the click of a finger... or rather the sign of a paycheque.   With the literally hundreds of famous artists he's produced for, he's probably not going to be short of cash.

It's his ability to adapt himself to different artists while maintaining the signature #1 pop smash hit formula that has ensured his success.

He was originally a singer for an 80s glam rock band; "It's Alive", which was unsuccessful, but during his time on the label they were signed to, he was noticed by producer Denniz Pop, who became Max Martin's Mentor and Moulded him into a Monster Hit-Making Machine!

The History of Modern Christmas Music

Music is an intrinsic part of the Christmas spirit.   Carols are sung pretty much the world over and anyone who's been shopping during December in the past 50 years is sure to relate sleigh bells to a specific month of the year.

But these are old stereotypes - in the past few decades, many songs have been written which are now engrained into the psyche of the public.   How do they do it?   When did this obsession with Christmas pop music begin?

Let's have a look...

Popular Christmas Music

Popular artists have been making festive music for years and years now, from Paul McCartney to Gwen Stefani.   They don't have to be religious; In fact, popular Christmas music tends not to be religious, rather focusing on fictional fat men, gift-giving and nasally-outstanding reindeer to attract a wider audience.

Some so-called Christmas music doesn't even relate directly to Christmas, but have been adopted by the public.   This list includes the massive "Winter Wonderlandî, "Let it Snow" and "Jingle Bells", which was originally written for Thanksgiving!

But while music that sings about Christmas is certainly festive, one undeniably large element of Christmas music is the...

Christmas Number One

This is a pretty much exclusively British phenomenon - where every year, the position of number one in the charts is even more prized than normal during the week before Christmas day.   Quite possibly because the winning single will sell a considerable amount more.   The songs for the most part aren't anything to do with Christmas, instead either being a huge hit around the time or a novelty song such as "Mr Blobby".

That said, Band Aid has been the biggest selling Christmas number one with "Do they know it's Christmas?" after selling over 3.5 million copies with all of the proceeds being donated to charity.

Charity plays a big part in Christmas number ones, with several incarnations of Band Aid, as well as Queen's second entry into the Christmas number one position with "Bohemian Rhapsody" racking up millions for various charities.

Another method that people are introduced to Christmas music is...

Christmas Movie Soundtracks

A large number of songs have been initially popularised by movies.   "White Christmas" in the movie of the same name, "Holly Jolly Christmas" in an animated special "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer", "Let it Snow!" in "Die Hard" and "Jingle Bell Rock" in "Lethal Weapon" for some examples.

But it's not just movies that popularise Christmas songs - let's go back to some of...

The Bigger Christmas Pop Hits

Let's take a look at some of the biggest hits and see their story.

Slade - Merry Xmas Everybody

This track saved the band Slade - after their drummer, Don Powell, was involved in a car crash, the band was on tenuous ground, but after grouping together and pushing through Powell's short-term memory loss they wrote Merry Xmas Everybody as the first song they'd recorded layer-by-layer in the studio as opposed to live.

So it was that Slade went on to make horrendous amounts of money and the British Public was "treated" to Noddy Holder's scream of "IT'S CHRIIIIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAS!" every year since.

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime

As the other Beatles John and George had tried their hand at festive singles, Paul didn't want to be left out and created his massive hit "Wonderful Christmastime".   Incidentally, the synth riff was played on a Prophet-5, one of the most popular synths of the time.

Wham! - Last Christmas

The Pop duo Wham! brought out their hit "Last Christmas" for an expected battle for Christmas number one against "Frankie goes to Hollywood".   However, the "Band Aid" project which Wham! was a part of took the top spot.   It became the biggest selling single ever to not reach the number one spot with over a million sales.

How much money?

So with all this popularity and coveting of the number one position, how much do these songwriters and performers make?   Well, it's difficult to say, but apparently 1/3 of the money the music industry makes is during the run up to Christmas.

One example I could find was the tune "I'll be Home for Christmas", which apparently is number 9 in ASCAP's "Most performed holiday songs" list.   In 2002-2003, it earned over $18,000 in royalties for the composer.   Not bad considering it was written in 1943!

The Bing Crosby version of "White Christmas" is the biggest selling single of all time, with the Guinness book of records attributing over 100 million sales to it.   It was initially a poor seller, but has been so consistent in the charts ever since that it's taken the all-time top spot.

So if you're looking to make some serious money in music, perhaps you should start thinking about what your Christmas hit should be!

Top 10 Best Selling Christmas number 1s

So now the rush for the number one chart spot at prime selling time is over, it seems a good time to look back and see what other songs made it to number one over the Christmas...

10. Tom Jones - Green Green Grass of Home
Sales: 1.2 Million
Date: 1966
A Country song that Tom Jones covered and brought up to Christmas number one, breaking The Beatles' 3-year run of consecutive Christmas number ones.

9. Whitney Houston - I will always love you
Sales: 1.36 Million
Date: 1992
The second cover in this list, Whitney covered Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You" and spent 14 weeks at the number 1 spot on the billboard singles chart.

8. Beatles - We Can Work It Out / Day Tripper
Sales: 1.39 Million
Date: 1965
The world's first double A-sided single was also a Christmas number one.   The Beatles' third successive Christmas number one.

7. Beatles - I Feel Fine
Sales: 1.41 Million
Date: 1964
A riffy rock song took the top spot in '64 when Lennon reworked a riff from "Eight Days a Week" into a smash hit.

6. Human League - Don't You Want Me
Sales: 1.43 Million
Date: 1981
The first electronic track to hit this list, the 80s British synthpop group The Human League took the top spot and the single remains their most commercially successful release.

5. Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand
Sales: 1.75 Million
Date: 1963
This was the first Beatles song to use a 4 track recorder and to be produced in Stereo.   It was also their first number 1 in America and began the British invasion of the US music charts.

4. Boney M - Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord
Sales: 1.79 Million
Date: 1978
The first song in the list to be related to Christmas, Boney M brought their interpretation of Harry Belafonte's 1956 hit to the masses with an upbeat pop track that was recorded just a month before it hit the number 1 spot!

3. Wings - Mull of Kintyre
Sales: 2.05 Million
Date: 1977
The first single to be classified "Rhodium" (after "Platinum"), Paul McCartney's tribute to the place in Scotland that he lived and recorded was the biggest selling single of all time.

2. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Sales: 2.1 Million
Date: 1975/1991
Freddy Mercury wrote Queen's Magnum Opus as something a bit different, with an unusual "mock opera" format that didn't have any specific chorus.   The public loved it, however, and it shot straight to number one in 1975 and again after Mercury's Death in 1991.

1. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?
Sales: 3.55 Million
Date: 1984
The biggest selling Christmas number 1 ever, Bob Geldof's brainchild to raise money for famine in Ethiopia brought together some of the biggest selling British and Irish musicians of the time.   From George Michael to Bono, Sting, Kool and the Gang, Status Quo and Boy George among others, the single outsold every other song in the chart put together.   Quite an accolade!

Special Mention: This year (2009), Rage against the Machine was the first artist to get in the christmas number one spot through downloads alone with the backing of a facebook group who decided they'd had enough of the X-factor contestants taking the chart year after year.

The "Killing in the Name" campaign was supported by celebrities such as Dave Grohl, Sir Paul McCartney (who actually appeared on the X Factor as well) and the band Muse, as well as comedians Stephen Fry and Bill Bailey.

Just goes to show what you can do with the Internet!

Synaesthesia - People who see Music

Have you ever seen someone wearing a painfully coloured T-shirt and thought to yourself; "Man, that's a loud shade of green!"?

Well, if that person suffers from synaesthesia, they might be thinking "Man, that's a green shade of loud!"

Synaesthesia is when stimulation of one sense involuntarily stimulates another sense.   In this article I'll be talking about musical synaesthesia - when hearing music can make you see colours.

As many as 1 in 23 people have some form of this phenomenon - A friend of mine who does describes high register piano notes as pink and low ones as deep reds and blacks.   She even sung a song in yellow when she was in my studio once - it's fascinating.   With no formal musical education, she is able to estimate the pitch of a sound by the colour.

Though not all synaesthesia sufferers (though as far as I'm aware there's no suffering involved barring your musical friends constantly asking "What colour is this song?!") agree on a universal colour code for music.   Classical Composers Liszt and Rimsky Korsakov famously disagreed on the colour of certain keys, for example.

They universally agreed on louder tones bringing brighter colours and higher tones bringing smaller and lighter patches of colour.

It was described to me by my previously mentioned friend as like seeing the world through a filter - as such, she is unable to watch the new 3D movies that come out, since the sound messes with the filtering on the 3D glasses!   So I guess there's another reason for calling her a synaesthesia sufferer.

Music is difficult to define - different people see sound in different instances, with some only hearing it to music whereas others can turn a dropped plate into a lush palette of swirling colour.   It tends to be melody rather than percussion that triggers it, though.

It's amazing what the human brain is capable of cooking up accidentally.   It can turn techno into teal, rock into red and blues into... also red, apparently.

So next time you write a piece of music, you might want to ask... is this song colourful enough?