₦airaland Forum

A lot of people have stated a lot of things and I will just like to add a few things:

I just scanned through your post, I am guessing you are looking to set up a home studio? If so, you may want to consider if you want it to be computer based or hard ware base. Personally, I am sort of using a hybrid studio - Computer, software and physical hard drive.

Also, depending on your budget, there may be a few things you need to look at.


Overall, you need the following - Assuming you are on a modest budget.

A computer with a good processor - AMD processors and motherboards will give you plenty of value for your money. A lot of people now recommend. You may want to consider a quad-processor. Here is where I buy my stuff as they are cheap:

You may need something like this:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?MBB-6204G

It is a quad core and may handle all you have to throw at it. Alternatively, you can buy a "Barebone bundle" these are brand new PC but no software on them. It can work out cheaper sometimes. A good example is here:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?BB-6304G


RAM: The more ram you have, it will be to you advantage down the line The above pc comes with 4G which should be enough but you can go crazy, install a 68bit OS and but up to 8G on it lol]

Sound card. Well, if you are running a home studio, you may get away with nothing too fancy, I use this one here - M-Audio 24/96. I have had it for about 3 years or more and I am still using it. Everytime I upgrade my pc, I just take it out. It is THAT good.

http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/m-audio-delta-66-24-96-pci-digital-recording-interface--4605


Midi Keyboard There are plenty of them, but a basic one will be right.

Mixer. It depends on the what you are using, if you are recording vocals, have hardware to go with it, then you may need one. But it is advisable to have one. A basic one will be nice. I have something like this:

http://www.dv247.com/studio-equipment/behringer-xenyx-802-premium-mixer--31557


Monitors and Enclosed headphones. Monitors are needed obviously, to hear the out put. It is best to buy an active monitor - that way, you have one less plug to worry about as it powers itself without an amplifier.
An enclosed head phone will be good as it stops your output getting back into your mic. It can be a night mare if you do not use a proper head phone when recording vocals.


Mic Do not get a usb microphone, it will be of low quality. Invest in something worth while IMO. However, if you are doing home recording then it is okay I guess. I have an MK 219. You may need to read around as there are different types of mics for different types of recording etc.

Then you need other things, like the mic popper stopper, mic stand etc.

Oh you need a big computer screen if you are going to be spending plenty of time in front of your pc. At least a 24inch is my recommendation. If you are deep into it, you may want to hook up two monitor screens. But you will need a graphics card that supports dual display.


If you want to use hardware only, then you may not need a computer that much. Look at MPC, samplers, workstations etc. Good luck.

Oga, I thought we moved on? I was merely trying to explain things to Lalaboi as I felt there was a few misunderstanding as per my post. Anyway, I am cool.

me no speak engrish.

Are you kidding me? Seriously, what a silly question! Like I need to prove myself.

Jeez, you have a habit of making post that are usually outrageous claim, yet when these claims are examined up-close, they carry no weight. I suppose it is my fault too? Nice.

She is not such a big hit in the UK, but my God she is massive elsewhere. I just hope people here will embrace her more.

Lalaboi.

I have moved on and not even sure it is worth going into that again. However, seeing that you perhaps misunderstood my point. Let me just paraphrase again.

My understanding of insular - before even looking it up - is that one who stands alone, do not like new ideas or critical of different and new ways. When eldee used it, I thought may be it meant something else. I checked and I thought he was saying The producers in question are not willing to work with people or new people etc.

I then gave examples of whom they have worked it. Now, in the context he used it, I am not so sure how I got it wrong like you are suggesting. If he [eldee] is trying to say Timbo ain't adopting new production styles etc, I really do not see how that applies to the producer in question.

But since the whole thing is just getting out of hand, I am opting to just let it go and even extend a hand of friendship. I am like that. Like I said before, we are supposed to be having fun and not get all crazy over irrelevant stuff.


As for Da Grin, he is generating a lot of hype, but in my opinion, he needs to seal his status to move away from the hype mode as I see him as. Hence why I made my comment.

As for the stock sound point, again I said most and not all. The most may even involve those producers you mentioned you see, so I do not see how it is an issue. FL Studio is one of the most widely used programs in most of the studio as a primary DAW, so it aint like what am saying is far fetched. [Yes, I do recognise that others may use different DAW - Pro tools, cubase, logic etc]

Finally, no one seem to have taken on board, that I actually want Nigeria to be the bomb when it comes to hiphop and how I am just frustrated with things I have heard not been good enough etc. Also, I made mention of how there are gems, but no one seem to take this on board.

For me, this is a minor issue but it just a bit odd we can't all get along, after all we are all lovers of Naija Hiphop and Hiphop in general is it not? I am not keen on the whole mentality of winning or losing a debate hence my stance.


EDIT

I see nothing wrong with admitting am wrong if I am truly. No big deal to me. Not making excuses, I was half on Nairaland and concentrating on this new workstation of mine.

I am a big fan of Gbenga Funwontan and I love his deep meaningful, funny, hilarious and sometimes thought provoking Yoruba word play. So imagine my disappointment when he died! It is good to see someone like Da Grin emulating the basics of Yoruba in his style of hiphop. It is a very good example of a unique style in my opinion.

Thanks.

Anyone have any info on who directed the video for Pon Pon Pon Pon and who produced the track? I like the use of the fish eye lens as it captures the essence of what the track is about. Credit, where credit is good. A very good video and a good track to go with it.

Any info appreciated.

There you go again.

You know on nairaland, it appears differences in views always lead to lengthy debates that the original point is somehow lost. I have seen and been involved in a few lately, it is best in my opinion, to let it go sometimes. It do not mean in anyway, I am backing down because I do not have anything to say. Instead, I do not see the need to continue with the same uphill battle over what is a simple issue.

Ain't torn apart, but if you view it as such, no external influence can change that. Clutch straws? Again prerogative and all that.

A debate is about making things clear to each other intellectually, when it gets to the point of Big Ego, insults, been condescending etc. I really do not see the need the need to go ahead. You have stated yours and I have stated mine, it is not about "winning" or "losing" one just have to see beyond that. But yeah I guess not every one shares that.

Forum use is meant to be fun, and some of us just like to keep it that way.

ofokaofoki:
elrazur why dont u tell t-pain to consider not using autotune ,
some kind of people actually notice things they can always criticize in songs
el razur maybe u should try learning how to see the good part of certain things. and not the bad part e''rytime
just an advice for u mate .

I am not a fan of T-pain or auto tune. I do not have to tell him anything. Auto tune is done to death on naija music scene and it makes everyone sound the same.

He posted a song and asked for opinions, I offered one. I am sorry if that once again offends you. What will you want me to say to him next time?

The OP admitted he is not a big fan of autotune etc, so I am not so sure which feet I stepped on now.

frijos:
Yeaah mehn personally for me i don't dig "autotune" but this kind of person that listens and is very attentive. if my producer says let's add a likkle bit of autotune to it i'd say ok! autotune or no autotune i go still try vocally lol. Thanks for the observation bro!

The girl in the video? I don't know! ask my homie faakay telldem!!!

In a market where it is hard to break out, you need to have your signature. Just like producers like Dre, Timba et al all have individual signature on their beat, as an artist you need to find yours. Michael Jackson had the "Heeeeeeee Heeeeeee", "chaaaamone", James Brown have the crazy shouts etc. You may need to find something similar or what makes you different from another naija artist. To find that, I think in my opinion you need to stay away from the Gimmicks of this cancer called auto-tune.

Try recording your vocals without no backing tracks, add a bit of Reverb on it and see if there is anything you like about it. Go further and do a ballad - i.e sing a nice slow song - without any backing tracks and try to work on where you feel are lacking. Then go ahead and do a short song, give it out and hear what people say. Depending on your voice type, you may ask your sound engineer or producer to enhance is a little bit. Do not add anything dramatic to it . If you do, it will make such song singing it live at a show very difficult.

To do all of the above, you need to be able to sing in the first place. If you can't sing, then I suppose you can hide behind an auto tune.

Also when singing, you may try and improve your range - i.e use different tones and "transpose" or simply put, in different keys. This is very lacking in most naija tracks, perhaps you can pull it off?

I don't know who you sound like when you are singing. It may be advisable to pick up Usher's first album and then compare it to the one he released later. You can learn a thing or two about voice range from that. [His first album did not contain much range, but he experimented with good vocal ranges in the subsequent albums and it worked for him]  

Also study the work of MJ. MJ may be a tricky one though as you need to have that natural singing talent and superb vocal range he's got. lol.

PS
I am not an authority in anyway, I am just passionate and enjoy making music  as a hobby, been doing so for years now.

Goodluck.

Frijos, have you considered not using any form of auto-tune on your vocals? People need to hear what you sound like, at the moment it is a bit generic - another naija artist.

PS
Who is the girl in your video? I like her pose.

Okay sir.

ow11:
You run the risk of being accused as using 'means' to bust such myths that hold the simple minds amongst us. I mean I have witnessed people attributing Late Steve Irwin's heroics to his use of special 'powers'.

People just don't want to learn. How do you explain a graduate believing and insisting that consumption of lots of water can lead to obesity.

True.

Personally, I am the one to test the waters when I was growing up in Naija. I think one example was to catch fishes from a tabooed river and eat it. The myth is that the water is sacred and even if the fish are caught, it will not cook. Needless to say, it isn't true. I think it was just a myth handed down from generation as the stream back then was the only source of drinking water. Also anyone who have gone fishing will know that all sort of things are used as bait. etc. I suppose it is just a protection mechanism and no one bothered to question it.


As for a graduate believing water = obesity. Lmao. I guess if that graduate is from the Yoruba tribe, then yeah I can see why they have such belief. In Yoruba, a literal description of some with a obese body will be "Someone with plenty of body water" [Eni to lo mi lara]. So I am guessing those kind of beliefs comes from there lol.


I will really like to see a Naija version of Myth Busters though. lol.

Opinion or Fact?

na2day?:
if u take gun into a work place and just kill ppl u are a terrorist bcuz of the simple fact that u struck terror into innocent victims no matter your motivation and to even think that the only victim that died was a black dude! painful i tell ya

On the basis of been pedantic, you may have a point. On the basis and which the words terrorism, terrorist etc are used today and how it applies, I think you are missing the point.

Just may be, Just may be she is looking after her Husband and not waiting to be in the glare of the public at her troubling times? Just . . . . May be.

na2day?:
it is the same thing, the pilot has an issue with IRS ideas, the arabs have an issue with western ideas, both struck terror, therefore both are terrorist period!

Again you missed the point.

Since 911, a few planes, at least three I think have crashed into a building in the US. The one I remember vividly was one done by a young pilot. He left a note saying Osama was his hero etc. Upon investigation, it was showed that he had a problem finding social acceptance or something along those lines. I am not sure that makes him a terrorist.

This incident is about someone having a grudge against the government. It is the same as when Americans take guns to work and shoot dead their colleagues over a dispute, bullying etc. None of these examples are motivated by religion or silly abstract ideas. None of them think there are reward of virgins in heaven etc.

By the way, it is not your call as to who says it is a terrorist act or not, it is in the back yard of the Americans, I think they make the call on that one am afraid.

Speaking of myth. I think a program based on the popular Myth Busters on the Discovery Channel will be a big hit in Naija. Imagine it exposing all the superstitions and myth belief held by our people. I think it will be a big hit.

**Gets on the phone to NTA and AiT directors**

Genuflect:
All that one na story. Why you no just fast-forward to the future to find out the real truth? By the way, I didn't see it on the web, I said CD. I have the original disc and I'm sticking with what Interscope tells me over what you're trying to force me to believe

Dr Dre is well known [or at least reported] for not crediting those who work on his album. I think he buys them off or something and sometimes just do not put them in. I believe several articles have been written on this. For example, it was reported that Scott Torch was one of those who contributed to the sounds on the Chronic 2001 album especially that melody hook that springs to mind. I believe Torch himself made a mention of this if memory serves me right.

Having said that, a detailed report on how Dre works that was published before and after the album then suggest he jams live in the studio with others i.e He may be on the MPC, while scott is on the keyboard and another person on percussion with Dre telling them what to do exactly etc. So some may argue that it was his ideas and he pays them to work for him etc.

I suppose another way to look at that point is when working in a Research facility, if any new discovery is made, it would be to the credit of your employer and not the employee who discovered it. etc.

So in a nut shell, credits on the CD in-lay may not sometimes be 100% accurate.

I have a feeling this guy used his money and because he paid so well, no producer was willing to tell him he is not that good.

Pfft. Typical debate around here - If you can't beat the point, Get dismissive and when that do not work, throw insult! When all else fail claim ultimate superiority while totally ignoring the matter at hand. Awesome.



Here is to friends to Eldee and Ofokaofoki.    No need to result to childish way. Grown up and all that. We can always be civil and get point across as grown up.  

ofokaofoki:
you dont decide when you are done . i decide when to let u go,  its clear u are chicken hearted so i will free u now like terry g , but be warned the next time u talk thrash about me or try to take over a comment that wasnt orignally meant 4 u , i will deal wit u , this one no be eldee wey u dey use goggle dictionary and wikipeadia teach english o
at least its obvious both of u have proven to have below average knowledge about  what u pretend to know much about and u pose as authorities in naija and american hiphop. fakers.

What are you talking about? Dude, I am not keen on engaging in further bickering, how is that a chicken? Oh wait, it is in your eyes and your eyes only. Good for you, you see it is your prerogative not mine.



I do not have to act like a child simply because we disagree. Have a nice day sir.

ofokaofoki:
which foolish point , ? i saw your point , but it isnt enuff for people like me to stop tongue lashing u , u can run from below average heads like eldee , but u cant run from me . your a member of nfx site ,. u get username to proof urself , ??

eldee don dey save him face , its obvious elrazur guy na internet search engine analyst , he knows nothing about hiphop

I think I told you I am done. My points are there for all to see. You do not have to agree, but at least have the common sense to be civil sir. No?


Is this enough proof for you?

http://www.warbeats.com/Search/SiteSearch.aspx?cx=partner-pub-9579626535092999:bwakzh-cwze&cof=forid:10&ie=iso-8859-1&q=elrazur&sa=Search&sitesearch=warbeats.com&width=800#216

ofokaofoki:
of course i am right , i am not a below average head like eldee. me i go school u about american and naija hiphop even on production , u know now. me i no be eldee o  

I heard you.




For anyone reading:

Insular is defined as thus:

–adjective
1.
of or pertaining to an island or islands: insular possessions.
2.
dwelling or situated on an island.
3.
forming an island: insular rocks.
4.
detached; standing alone; isolated.
5.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of islanders.
6.
narrow-minded or illiberal; provincial: insular attitudes toward foreigners.
7.
Pathology. occurring in or characterized by one or more isolated spots, patches, or the like.
8.
Anatomy. pertaining to an island of cells or tissue, as the islets of Langerhans.


Here is another definition from Oxford English dictionary:

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=41219&dict=CALD



Yet the educated eldee said "You used Timbaland and Kanye, aren't they the most insular producers in America??"

When this was pointed out, he ended up saying something totally different.  .   . Erm. I think am done to be honest.

Nice one Eldee, nice knowing you.

Okay you are right. Sometimes, it is best to move on. I think **this is the point** since you are missing the point and just hellbent on talking for the sake of talking.



PS

For the record, I am a member on NFX site.  I dont know about you, but everyone is a learner. But yeah don't let me stop you.

ofokaofoki:
EL RAZUR YOU ARE A BLOODY FOOL, U KNOW WHY? WHO ARE U TO DETERMINE WHAT CAP SOMEBODY TYPES IN ,
I WASNT EVEN TALKING TO U IN THE FIRST PLACE I WAS TALKING TO THE PERSON WHO IS PRETENDING TO BE AN AUTHORITY WHEN ALL HE DOESIS SCRABBLE FOR FREE NAIJA SONGS ON THE NET TO POST ON A BLOG, AND SINCE U HAVE ASSUMED THE COMMENT AS DIRECTED TO U , THEN I CAN AS WELL TELL U THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD ON THAT POST BELONGS TO U NOW,. READ MY LIPS , YOU AREA BOY THRASH TALKER, AND YOU ARE A FAKER POSING AS AN AUTHORITY IN NAIJA MUSIC WHEN YOU ARE NOT EVEN BASED IN NIGERIAN FOR THE PAST 10YEARS .
READ MY LIPS EAT A HUGE PENISSSS 

Okay sir. Lol.

Making a dre-type beat at the moment

FL Gators:
But dude is a goodlooking chap thou

Ain't your husband Taribo West? So yeah anyone will be good looking to you. [Sorry, we will take it over to romance section lol]

A muppet?

Dunno how his threads are even allowed. But shhhhh you aint allowed to say that. People will claim you are having a go at the mods again.

Genuflect:
Da whizkid, Stay Wide Awake was actually produced by Dr. Dre. How come you couldn't just 'recognize'?

Overall. [The keyword here is overall] you will recognise a Dre beat when you hear one. To you, it may not sound like one, but am sure it does to others.

da-whizkid:
@ElRazur
I know K-Solo's Beats, Cobham's and OJB's beat, Everybody Knows Terry G's beat, Characterized by Heavy Kicks and many many Drum to Snare Rolls,
What's my point? Yankee get few Unique producers, Naija get few 2, Yankee get Plenty Wannabees, 4 Naija dem Boku, Yankee get sum gud Artistes, Naija get Good Artistes 2, America Got a far Better Music Industry and Better Concerts Organisers 2 bt they Still got their own problem, Naija Music Industry get their many many Problem 2, But Naija Music rock Jor! Proudly IXja, Anytime.

Can you post a track or two with regards to the above please?

It would be a good thing if we have a unique sound. I have always thought there are plenty of influence from America [obviously] when it comes to the drums etc. The drums rolls used - especially the snare - sounds more like Dirty south gritty and gutter sound to me than it is of naija.

Why ain't we looking at using Gbedu, Agogo, talking drum etc to help define a track? I am not saying no one have done that, but no one that I have heard have managed to blend all of those or some of it in a unique manner that is recognisable.