Billy Corgan discusses what’s wrong with modern music

Billy Corgan, front man of Smashing Pumpkins has been in the music industry for over 20 years now & he has learned a thing or 2 about how the music industry has changed over the years, and not necessarily for the better. If you think you have a chance of becoming the next Smashing Pumpkins (or the next any other band from 15-20 years ago that made a dent in music by being original), think again. That window has closed and the game has changed. The gatekeepers have changed the rules. The industry is no longer about pushing art forward, it’s about maintaining optimal profits by dumbing down it’s audience. Billy has done several interviews that are incredibly eye opening. He has clearly stated what I have been meaning to write about for quite some time. And let’s be honest, with his credibility, the message is much more impactful coming from him. Regardless of the style of music you make, you’ll want to internalize his message.

These are some of the things being discussed that you as an artist are going to need to think about:

People are no longer willing to pay for music:
They expect free, or almost free in comparison to the prices we have been accustomed to in the past.

Bands aren’t encouraged to be themselves: 
If you think they are looking for a dangerous band that goes against the grain & makes exactly what they want to make, you’re wrong.

Bands are encouraged to beg for attention:
Begging for “likes”, shares or YouTube hits is the exact opposite of what being in a band is supposed to be about. Also, it’s a turn off for your audience.

Touring is the only way bands stay afloat:
A song on the radio (unless it’s an enourmous hit) is not going to translate to many sales when people can get it for free. Touring allows the band to keep doing what they are doing, but not much more. Bands these days settle for some popularity but rarely make much of a living. Unfortunately they are accepting this new reality without much question.

We have an attention span problem today:
Doing the same thing that has been done in the past will no longer work. Artists need to be about more than music, they have to envelope their audience into their world with multimedia. Music alone is largely just white noise now. There is too much of it going around for free for you to expect much attention or support.

It’s more important than ever to support the bands you care about: To not support the music you love with your money is a vote for the enemy of art.

This is a pretty scary time for those of us who care about music as an art form & not just a profit making machine for the guys at the top. I hope awareness brings about change.

Enjoy these videos, and let’s hear your feedback in the comments. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to share this with your friends & start a greater discussion on what we as artists plan to do about about the current musical climate.

To your continued pursuit of art.

Jason

P.S. – Don’t forget to comment & tweet (down below) & “like” (up above). All your feedback & support is appreciated.

Dj'ing and Performance Collection

A must for anyone wanting to DJ or perform live in Ableton. Includes 17 in-depth Videos on Warping, Organizing files, Setting up midi controllers (including APC40) and lots more! As a Free bonus, it also includes my Ebook "Mixing with your Mind - Make your best DJ Mix".

Always In Key

Never hit a bad note again! With this tool, you'll be able to choose the key you want to play in and conform anything you play or ANY midi loop to that key! This is a fantastic tool for playing Live, DJ'ing, Remixing or Producing. Imagine chaotic, out of tune parts transformed into beautifully harmonized music. This will be the most fun you've had in Ableton in a Long time! Will work perfectly with the "Mixed in Key" number system or by actual key name. Must have Ableton 8.1.3 or later. Does NOT Require Max For Live.

30 Day Music Production Video

If you've ever wanted to look over my shoulder while I make songs, THIS is the collection for you! In this collection you get me producing 2 full songs and a DJ mix from start to finish over a 30 day period. I take you through the good the bad and the ugly. It's the most honest video collection I've ever made. It includes every Ableton songfile for each day, every sample used and about 20 hours of Video. It also includes mixdowns of the 2 completed songs and DJ Mix.

Ultimate Ableton Collection 1

A must for anyone new to Ableton or wanting to dive deeper into the depth of this program. Over 4 hours of the most in depth yet easy to follow tutorials on the market!

Ultimate Ableton Collection 2

This collection makes an incredible companion to the first collection and gets into the newest features in Ableton. There are also 20 professional custom drum kits and a full Drum Racks replication of Roland's famous R-70 drum machine.

Advanced Warping Collection

This collection is a must for DJ's and remixers! If you find yourself warping full songs on a regular basis, you are going to run into warping issues that can really bring your production to a halt. These simple secrets will get you past that with ease and back to doing what you do best.

Ableton Remixing Walkthrough

New Reduced Price (from $37)! For those who want to see exactly how I approach a remix. From editing the original sounds, to dropping them into Ableton and building ideas. Then adding to these ideas to compliment the original material and finally working it all into a song. All edits, effect settings, automation, and arranging procedure is included in the information packed video collection. (Now with a bonus 2 hour video walkthrough with songfile)

Producer's Deluxe Collection

Get all 3 of my full video Collections (Ultimate Collections 1 and 2 and Advanced Warping Collection) Producers Deluxe Collection

Ultimate Drum Machine Samples

This is a gold mine of sample collections from 70 vintage drum machines. This varies from the most popular to the obscure. All kits made into Drum Rack presets that are easily installed to your library. For a full list click on the title link or picture to the left. This collection will easily give you every sound you could need for electronic drums. If you are looking for THAT sound, I guarantee you'll find it here!

How to create a soft synth preset chain in Ableton’s Sampler

Over the last month I’ve been working on an Ableton Master Template that allow me to make songs probably 5-10 times faster. It puts everything I need at my fingertips instantly. Don’t worry, I plan on making it available to you as well once it’s ready to launch, so stay tunes for that!

In this process, I found myself transferring soft synth presets to Sampler. This has several benefits.

1. I have one spot where I can have my favorite presets instead of having to hunt through synths.

2. This allows me to use PC only or Mac only soft synth sounds on both formats.

3. There will never be a problem sharing my song files with those who don’t have the same 3rd party plugins, which will be helpful for collaborations & remixes.

4. A more uniformed set of macro controls, so I don’t have to take time learning how each synth works.

Certainly there are synth characteristics & idiosyncracies  that won’t always translate into Sampler, but when in songwriting mode, this will help you focus on writing and finishing tracks instead of learning every synth in your arsenal.

This video below walks you through the process for building preset chains in Sampler for quick access to your soft synth sounds. Enjoy!

Follow up Video:

Final tip:

P.S. – Don’t forget to comment & tweet (down below) & “like” (up above). All your feedback & support is appreciated.

Dj'ing and Performance Collection

A must for anyone wanting to DJ or perform live in Ableton. Includes 17 in-depth Videos on Warping, Organizing files, Setting up midi controllers (including APC40) and lots more! As a Free bonus, it also includes my Ebook "Mixing with your Mind - Make your best DJ Mix".

Always In Key

Never hit a bad note again! With this tool, you'll be able to choose the key you want to play in and conform anything you play or ANY midi loop to that key! This is a fantastic tool for playing Live, DJ'ing, Remixing or Producing. Imagine chaotic, out of tune parts transformed into beautifully harmonized music. This will be the most fun you've had in Ableton in a Long time! Will work perfectly with the "Mixed in Key" number system or by actual key name. Must have Ableton 8.1.3 or later. Does NOT Require Max For Live.

30 Day Music Production Video

If you've ever wanted to look over my shoulder while I make songs, THIS is the collection for you! In this collection you get me producing 2 full songs and a DJ mix from start to finish over a 30 day period. I take you through the good the bad and the ugly. It's the most honest video collection I've ever made. It includes every Ableton songfile for each day, every sample used and about 20 hours of Video. It also includes mixdowns of the 2 completed songs and DJ Mix.

Ultimate Ableton Collection 1

A must for anyone new to Ableton or wanting to dive deeper into the depth of this program. Over 4 hours of the most in depth yet easy to follow tutorials on the market!

Ultimate Ableton Collection 2

This collection makes an incredible companion to the first collection and gets into the newest features in Ableton. There are also 20 professional custom drum kits and a full Drum Racks replication of Roland's famous R-70 drum machine.

Advanced Warping Collection

This collection is a must for DJ's and remixers! If you find yourself warping full songs on a regular basis, you are going to run into warping issues that can really bring your production to a halt. These simple secrets will get you past that with ease and back to doing what you do best.

Ableton Remixing Walkthrough

New Reduced Price (from $37)! For those who want to see exactly how I approach a remix. From editing the original sounds, to dropping them into Ableton and building ideas. Then adding to these ideas to compliment the original material and finally working it all into a song. All edits, effect settings, automation, and arranging procedure is included in the information packed video collection. (Now with a bonus 2 hour video walkthrough with songfile)

Producer's Deluxe Collection

Get all 3 of my full video Collections (Ultimate Collections 1 and 2 and Advanced Warping Collection) Producers Deluxe Collection

Ultimate Drum Machine Samples

This is a gold mine of sample collections from 70 vintage drum machines. This varies from the most popular to the obscure. All kits made into Drum Rack presets that are easily installed to your library. For a full list click on the title link or picture to the left. This collection will easily give you every sound you could need for electronic drums. If you are looking for THAT sound, I guarantee you'll find it here!

Assigning macros to siblings

If you’ve ever attempted to assign macro knobs to all the samples in Ableton’s Drum Racks or Sampler, you know that assigning 8 parameters to each or your 100 or so samples, you know that this is easily a full day of torturous & tedious work. This is a tip you’re most certainly going to want to share. You’ll be an instant lifesaver!

Today you will learn how to do a day’s work in minutes with a simple right click option that is not currently available in Ableton. Watch the video below & download the file if you need it.

You can located the .txt file at the paths below:

Mac OS X: /User/Library/Preferences/Ableton/Live 8.*.* (whichever version you have)

Windows Vista/Win7: c:/users/username/appdata/roaming/ableton/live/preferences/

Windows XP & previous(Live 4 and later versions): C:/Documents and Settings/yourusername/Application Data/Ableton/Live/Preferences

Right Click and download the text file below
(if needed)
Options txt file

For more coding options, go here

P.S. – Don’t forget to comment & tweet (down below) & “like” (up above). All your feedback & support is appreciated.

Dj'ing and Performance Collection

A must for anyone wanting to DJ or perform live in Ableton. Includes 17 in-depth Videos on Warping, Organizing files, Setting up midi controllers (including APC40) and lots more! As a Free bonus, it also includes my Ebook "Mixing with your Mind - Make your best DJ Mix".

Always In Key

Never hit a bad note again! With this tool, you'll be able to choose the key you want to play in and conform anything you play or ANY midi loop to that key! This is a fantastic tool for playing Live, DJ'ing, Remixing or Producing. Imagine chaotic, out of tune parts transformed into beautifully harmonized music. This will be the most fun you've had in Ableton in a Long time! Will work perfectly with the "Mixed in Key" number system or by actual key name. Must have Ableton 8.1.3 or later. Does NOT Require Max For Live.

30 Day Music Production Video

If you've ever wanted to look over my shoulder while I make songs, THIS is the collection for you! In this collection you get me producing 2 full songs and a DJ mix from start to finish over a 30 day period. I take you through the good the bad and the ugly. It's the most honest video collection I've ever made. It includes every Ableton songfile for each day, every sample used and about 20 hours of Video. It also includes mixdowns of the 2 completed songs and DJ Mix.

Ultimate Ableton Collection 1

A must for anyone new to Ableton or wanting to dive deeper into the depth of this program. Over 4 hours of the most in depth yet easy to follow tutorials on the market!

Ultimate Ableton Collection 2

This collection makes an incredible companion to the first collection and gets into the newest features in Ableton. There are also 20 professional custom drum kits and a full Drum Racks replication of Roland's famous R-70 drum machine.

Advanced Warping Collection

This collection is a must for DJ's and remixers! If you find yourself warping full songs on a regular basis, you are going to run into warping issues that can really bring your production to a halt. These simple secrets will get you past that with ease and back to doing what you do best.

Ableton Remixing Walkthrough

New Reduced Price (from $37)! For those who want to see exactly how I approach a remix. From editing the original sounds, to dropping them into Ableton and building ideas. Then adding to these ideas to compliment the original material and finally working it all into a song. All edits, effect settings, automation, and arranging procedure is included in the information packed video collection. (Now with a bonus 2 hour video walkthrough with songfile)

Producer's Deluxe Collection

Get all 3 of my full video Collections (Ultimate Collections 1 and 2 and Advanced Warping Collection) Producers Deluxe Collection

Ultimate Drum Machine Samples

This is a gold mine of sample collections from 70 vintage drum machines. This varies from the most popular to the obscure. All kits made into Drum Rack presets that are easily installed to your library. For a full list click on the title link or picture to the left. This collection will easily give you every sound you could need for electronic drums. If you are looking for THAT sound, I guarantee you'll find it here!

How to humanize your drums in Ableton

Below is a quick video walkthrough to help take your drums from sounding repetitive & machine like to something that sounds much more dynamic, human & live. The tools you’ll need are Ableton’s  Drum Racks  & Sampler instruments. This should give you much better results in your song’s rhythm & make for a more pleasurable listening experience. Adding the human element is important in all genres of music, so don’t sleep on this tip. Enjoy!

P.S. – Don’t forget to comment & tweet (down below) & “like” (up above). All your feedback & support is appreciated.

Dj'ing and Performance Collection

A must for anyone wanting to DJ or perform live in Ableton. Includes 17 in-depth Videos on Warping, Organizing files, Setting up midi controllers (including APC40) and lots more! As a Free bonus, it also includes my Ebook "Mixing with your Mind - Make your best DJ Mix".

Always In Key

Never hit a bad note again! With this tool, you'll be able to choose the key you want to play in and conform anything you play or ANY midi loop to that key! This is a fantastic tool for playing Live, DJ'ing, Remixing or Producing. Imagine chaotic, out of tune parts transformed into beautifully harmonized music. This will be the most fun you've had in Ableton in a Long time! Will work perfectly with the "Mixed in Key" number system or by actual key name. Must have Ableton 8.1.3 or later. Does NOT Require Max For Live.

30 Day Music Production Video

If you've ever wanted to look over my shoulder while I make songs, THIS is the collection for you! In this collection you get me producing 2 full songs and a DJ mix from start to finish over a 30 day period. I take you through the good the bad and the ugly. It's the most honest video collection I've ever made. It includes every Ableton songfile for each day, every sample used and about 20 hours of Video. It also includes mixdowns of the 2 completed songs and DJ Mix.

Ultimate Ableton Collection 1

A must for anyone new to Ableton or wanting to dive deeper into the depth of this program. Over 4 hours of the most in depth yet easy to follow tutorials on the market!

Ultimate Ableton Collection 2

This collection makes an incredible companion to the first collection and gets into the newest features in Ableton. There are also 20 professional custom drum kits and a full Drum Racks replication of Roland's famous R-70 drum machine.

Advanced Warping Collection

This collection is a must for DJ's and remixers! If you find yourself warping full songs on a regular basis, you are going to run into warping issues that can really bring your production to a halt. These simple secrets will get you past that with ease and back to doing what you do best.

Ableton Remixing Walkthrough

New Reduced Price (from $37)! For those who want to see exactly how I approach a remix. From editing the original sounds, to dropping them into Ableton and building ideas. Then adding to these ideas to compliment the original material and finally working it all into a song. All edits, effect settings, automation, and arranging procedure is included in the information packed video collection. (Now with a bonus 2 hour video walkthrough with songfile)

Producer's Deluxe Collection

Get all 3 of my full video Collections (Ultimate Collections 1 and 2 and Advanced Warping Collection) Producers Deluxe Collection

Ultimate Drum Machine Samples

This is a gold mine of sample collections from 70 vintage drum machines. This varies from the most popular to the obscure. All kits made into Drum Rack presets that are easily installed to your library. For a full list click on the title link or picture to the left. This collection will easily give you every sound you could need for electronic drums. If you are looking for THAT sound, I guarantee you'll find it here!