People often ask how I'm getting my keyboard sounds hooked up to FL Studio. Unfortunately, I don't truly get the sounds working in FL Studio. What I'm actually doing is just recording into another program and importing those wave files into FL. The process isn't as seamless as I would like it to be. The Motif XS series comes with a version of Cubase that "syncs" better with the Motif, but I don't prefer to use Cubase, nor do I want to run FL Studio as a plugin (VSTi/DXi2) in Cubase. So my method is neither the smart or efficient way of going about this, but since folks ask, I thought I would share my old school method of recording stuff from my Motif XS8 and getting those recordings into FL.
Basically, I just record a .WAV file from my "live" playing from the Motif into Adobe Audition 1.0. Version 1.0 is old, but lighter than their new versions and it does what I need it to. Check out Audacity for an open-source and free alternative. I then trim up the wave file, save it with my patch number in the file name (gotta remember what sound I used), then drag and drop that file into the lower part of the playlist in FL. When I drag and drop the wave file, it's not in time with the beat yet, so I turn the Snap (to edges) to "NONE", and line carefully line it up. Don't forget to turn Snap back on to "LINE" or whatever you used before. FL also comes with some built-in recording and wave editing capabilities (Edison), but I have always found it easier to work outside of FL to trim up my wave files and record them fast.
There are a whole host of problems with doing it like this, so if you haven't created any habits yet, I would suggest doing some research on how to get Cubase working with the Motif XS (check out the quick setup guides on the MOTIFATOR site). The main thing is it a little too time consuming and you don't want technology to slow you down while you're trying to make music. I don't intend on doing it like this forever, but until I can find the time to get good at a method that works for me, this is how I'll do it for now.
Edit: I've learned that in FL 8, Edison can shoot the stuff you record over to the playlist with the click of a shortcut. Looking forward to experimenting with this. I'll give an update on that as soon as I try it.
Hope I helped!!
PSSSSSSST! Here's a small clip of a new beat I'm working on (just started it). Just click the little blue play button.
Throwing Fire
My friend and old roommate Daniel accidentally figured out that Malcolm Kelly's (Oklahoma football player) freestyle rap went perfectly with my beat "Remix to a Remix". Didn't even have to change the tempo! So he helped me cue everything up in the video and it's actually fun. I even threw in some fake applause at the end. ROFL.
Remix to a Remix - Featuring Malcolm Kelly (3.4 MB)
Click here to watch the video on the tubes. Or click here if you're interested in checking out my other tunes.
For you loyal RSS-subscribed blog readers, I thought I would thank you by temporarily releasing this track that kept me up all night this past Monday. It's fun to get in a groove like that where time slips by. It's a lot like reading a good book.
Anywho, I LOVE John Carpenter's original Halloween theme. In my opinion, nothing will compare to his original composition, but it was lot of fun putting a "dirty south" feel to it. Hopefully he won't mind that I posted this - it's really a compliment to him.
Downoad: Jenkees Halloween Theme Remix (5.4 MB MP3)
(to download: right click, save as)
Digg This (thanks Eric!)
Thanks a million for all of the album purchases, folks! I'm slowly but surely working on album #2.
PS. I'm featured in the November issue of Paste Magazine that hits newsstands this week (Ryan Adams is on the cover). A few close friends tell me that Paste is a very highly regarded music magazine so I'm thrilled about this!! Big huge thanks to freelance writer Paul Williams. Here's a video on their site if you're interested.
Finally!!! You can now order my REAL CD directly from my website. I had it professionally pressed by a manufacturing company in a Digipack case (a step up from the average jewel case a CD normally comes in. If you happen to buy 2 or more CD's, I'll personally sign them.
Just an FYI: you don't need a PayPal account to order the CD - PayPal will allow you to use a credit card.
For downloads (not the physical CD), you can check out my Instant Download Store or iTunes.
First of all, I want to thank everyone for purchasing my digital album! I didn't expect that kind of response at all. Last week was probably the most exciting week in terms of putting this whole CD together.
The picture above is a link to my album art in the form of a hi-res download. Lots of you have asked for it and it just took me a while to get around to it. If you download the whole CD, the artwork is already in there. Thanks for your patience!
For those interested in downloading my beats as MP3 files (192K - DRM free), feel free to head over to the Ronald Jenkees Digital Download Store!! For those of you who would rather have a physical CD, it's on it's way too. Maybe a few of you will like to get that too. It's coming in digipack form, so it's more snazzy than your average jewel case.
»» I'm ready, just take me to the store please! LOL
How the instant download store works:
- Choose what you want to buy (the whole album or just a few MP3's)
- Pay using PayPal (it's a secure purchase and you don't have to have a PayPal account)
- You'll get an E-Mail with a personal link to your downloads
- Download your music!
FYI:
- The "Whole CD" option comes in a ZIP file. To unzip a the album, right-click the file, and then click Extract on the shortcut menu. Click here for more help with zip files.
- The "Best Value" button is kindof a joke, but kinda not. LOL.
- I have obtained a mechanical license to sell my Rocky Remix song
Thanks everyone for helping me get this done - all of the encouragement has been awesome. If you have any problems with the store, don't hesitate to get in touch: ronaldjenkees@gmail.com
Wow, I just got done listening to the latest Bill Simmons "B.S. Report" podcast with my music and sound clips on it. That was by far the coolest thing to happen since I started posting my YouTube videos! I think I'll have to listen to that podcast at least 20 times before it sinks in. Many many trillions of thanks to you, Mr. Simmons. I can't say that enough. Also, thanks to Eugene in San Antonio for suggesting I make the beat for the podcast and Jimi from China for telling Bill Simmons about my videos back in the day. And Mr. Simmons, that was a fantastic interview with that David Stern fellow.
In that podcast, Mr. Simmons also mentioned that I need to write music for a T.V. show or something. Right on, man. That would be a dream. To get paid for something you love doing?! Honestly that would just be a nice bonus, because I love it regardless.
You can buy this full track for $1.00 at my digital download store or on iTunes. It's called "Derty" - it's the first song on the list.
Edit: Here's a link to the actual podcast.
Just click the blue play button to stream from ESPN: the B.S. report
I heard some famous hip-hop producer say one time that it doesn't matter what equipment you play on - what matters is what's going in your head musically (wish I could remember his name). He was right. Be happy with what you have and stop drooling over what you don't have! While it may look like a lot to some, my "studio" is actually quite a modest and humbling little setup but it does what I need it to for now. With that being said, I still get super-excited about new equipment. I mean, dang.
I played this keyboard today in a local music shop - the Yamaha Motif XS8. I was blown away. It reminded me of when I was a kid going into the store drooling over the inexpensive line of Yamaha boards (nothing against them! I played on one up until a few years ago!). And when I got one, I eventually wore the keys out on it and had to buy new pads to put under the keys. Fun stuff, folks. And you know how they tell you to visualize what you want? Well, I think this keyboard has been burned into my brain:
Thanks for reading and encouraging, folks. Every comment/subscriber I get motivates me more!
Psst! LOL. Here's a snippit of a beat I'm working on for my CD. It's the same background as used in this video about it possibly being used for the Bill Simmons podcast on ESPN. Hope you like it!
Dirty Bass
A few awesome things that happened all at once... BAM!
#1. A YouTube editor, Sadia, sent me an email saying my channel will be featured on the "Welcome to YouTube" page that appears when anyone signs up for a new YouTube account for two days (starting late Sunday). I think my heart skipped a beat when I was reading that email. It's just an all-around great thing. Thanks, Sadia. And thanks to whoever alerted her to my YouTubes if that's what happened.
#2. Bill Simmons from ESPN mentioned me in his super-famous sports blog again. A kind reader of his blog suggested that I do a 30 second music piece for his upcoming podcast show. As soon as I know for sure what song he wants me to do (and if the offer is still good), I'm going to gladly take that opportunity to thank him for all the hits he's given me and supply him with a homemade beat. Thanks again, Sports Guy.
#3. Finished filming my interview for the guys at Black 20. Those are some nice guys with a cool story. You've probably seen their vids before (the easter bunny hates you).
Thanks a ton to my viewers, commentors, and subscribers for bringing a crazy amount of attention to something I wasn't even trying to do on purpose.
I'm getting pumped now because the music for my new CD is coming along really well. I wanted to share some of my excitement by posting a new (and fun) part of my "Clutter" beat. I stayed up way too late working on it but that's the way it goes when you're having fun. Thanks to all the nice commentors and YouTube subscribers for pushing me to finish the CD!! I plan on selling it on iTunes and maybe directly from this website. Feel free to subscribe to my YouTubes if you want to know when it's done.
Clutter (cool part)
If you buy 2 or more physical CD's, I will unwrap the plastic and sign them
