Tardy evening is coming. I am sprawling in my beloved wicker chair in front of TV. From the room of my daughter loud sounds of modern pop music are hearing. Her new audio center is toiling hard without a break. In several days my daughter's birthday will come. I hope to rejoice and to amaze her in that day. But what can I do ? Very soon my daughter will graduate high school and it is very difficult to oblige her. But unexpectedly right now I glance at the screen of our TV. My favorite film "Back to the Future" is showing on the movie channel. Before my eyes young and deft Marty McFly with the assistance of his friend Doc startles dwellers of Hill Valley (small provincial town in America) on the night school party. Marty demonstrate unknown at that time musical style - rock and roll. The effect is startling indeed. Present spectators begin to dance in fast rhythm and public mood commence to improve. An atmosphere becomes more energetic and powerful. I feel burst of favorable emotions. In similar moments it seems that there are no obstacles in our life and all undertakings will end successfully. On the whole it would be advisable to to live in grand style, subjugating acmes. Under impressions of that film, I resolve to accomplish something like that in my daughter's birthday party. For the purpose of portraiture similar discotheque I shall need the "time machine" from the film "Back to the Future".
In order to create contemporary homemade disco-party, it is essential to us to assimilate with some theoretical terms. Fortunately, I decided to purchase a new modern computer with high-speed modem and with dvd-rewritable device. Since then in the corner of my room LCD-monitor cosily shine with bluish light and digital modem merrily chirr, sparkling with indicated audions. So, spending several nights near my computer, I ransack in boundless cyber depths of the Internet. And after interacting with some search systems, I discover that most likely I must have dealings with definition "mixing sound".
As I succeed to reveal, the term "mix" primarily referred to the recorded production, generated by mixing sounds from various audio springs on a broadcast or cinematic soundtrack, or in the recording studio. The earliest allusion of this employment by the "Oxford English Dictionary" is from a 16 March 1932 issue of "Wireless World". Afterward, as well it referred to a live audio mix created by club disc jockeys. They endeavoured to harmonize fluently two prerecorded songs by using beat-matching and pitch control.
Other important for us term - "audio mixing" is used to balance the corresponding volume and frequency content of a number of sound sources in sound recording, sound systems, and audio editing. Sometimes audio mixing is done live by a sound engineer at rock concerts. There are two mixers in a typical concert. One takes up position in the audience to mix the sound heard by the audience. The other is located at the side of the stage. He mixes in front of the doers (and they can hear one another) for the monitor speakers positioned directly.
I quickly comprehend that cardinal outstanding figure in mixing process is disc jockey (named DJ or deejay). And sooner or later I am scheduled to execute DJ's obligations. Responsibilities of modern deejay are: to select and play prerecorded music for an audience, to manipulate of recordings, using techniques such as audio mixing, cueing, phrasing, cutting, scratching, and beatmatching, and at last to create original musical compositions. When DJ mixes two records together, break beats are composed by mixing between equal breaks, and the end of one pre-recorded musical composition is mixed into another. Such transition must be very smooth, which is attained through beat-mixing and pitch control.
Mostly audio mixing is produced in workshop conditions as part of multitrack recording. DJ attempts to create digital (44.1kHz/16bit) audio recordings for release on compact disc. As usual, deejay take aim at use the similar output on TV, in films and rock concerts.
A mixing desk (where mix cds are prepared) has numerous rotating potentiometers and smooth faders. These switchers are used to operate the volume and the level of additional effects such as reverb and frequency equalization of audio signals. All control elements on majority console that apply to a single channel of audio are organized in a vertical column. It is named a "channel strip". In films and television production more larger and complex consoles are used. Some of them can include hundreds of channel strips. Many consoles in our days (regardless of cost) have automation capabilities and the movement of their controls is performed automatically. A modern course is to utilize a "control surface" connected to a computer.
Audio mixing on a personal computer is also gathering momentum. More and more autonomous musical enthusiasts are starting to use their personal computers for digital recording and mixing their working stuff for the purpose of slicing mix cds. Audio editing with the help of personal computer is also easy and convenient. It allow musical fans to devise rare author's conjunctions of mix hits, mix audio. A modern trend is mixing to "surround" audio (5.1). This enables six channels of audio. They are: left, center, right, left rear, right rear, and low frequencies.
The term mix tape was used with respect to the reel-to-reel or cassette tape-recorders. An individual application of the "mix tape" conception refers to a demo tape prepared by hip-hop disc jockeys. The earliest hip-hop albums were a evolution of the commercial mix tapes that arised in the 1970. With the help of such albums disc jockeys would usher themselves and others in the audience by rapping in time to the beat. Then the term "mix tape" was continued to use as a demo tape or CD by a hip-hop artist. Similar tape consist huge amount of original material, which demonstrate all skills of concerned performer.
For the purpose of classification and index different genres of mix cds masterpieces I deduced more commonly self-explanatory categories of mix art. Some of them are: the "Romantic Mix", the "Break-Up Mix", the "Driving Mix", the "Workout Mix", the "Party Mix", the "Crazy Mix", the "Didactic Mix", intended to teach the recipient as to the inherent works of a particular artist, the "Concept Mix", such as a mix of Christmas songs, songs about cars, or covers of songs by a particular artist, the "Mood Mix", which is simply a mix of songs intended to uphold a particular mood.
And nevertheless I not entirely understand and imagine my further steps to eventual objective. With the help of my fancy I try to cross through time passages on the magic vehicle from my favorite movie "Back to the Future". As I see it, mix compact disc project is a cipher crypto-key to virtual combination padlock of wonderful supernatural world. That universe is reinforced by human mare's-nests and internal desires. DJ creates this magic substance with the help of sound and electric light.
So, I decide to organize fictitious virtual meeting with a legendary deejay Kool DJ Herc who was born as Clive Campbell on April 16, 1955. It turned out, that he is a Latin-Jamaican-American musician and producer, commonly ascribed as one of the first adherents of hip hop during the 1970s. He was the founder of break-beat deejaying. During this operation the breaks of funk songs (which were the most likely part for dance, often featuring percussion) were isolated and repeated for the intention of all-night dance parties. Later this method was improved and evolved the use of breakbeats, including cutting. Thus in 1974 new technic was released the first SL-1200 turntable, which then in 1979 was evolved into the SL-1200 MK2. And at last it currently became the industry standard for deejaying. DJ Kool is also famous for his massive high quality high volume sound system, against which even superior disc jockeys could not oppose.
After intercourse with such trail-blazer of mixing art I comprehended that the several techniques that can be applied by the disc jockey to manipulate the prerecorded music are: audio mixing, cueing, slip-cueing, phrasing, cutting, beat juggling, scratching, beatmatching, needle drops, phasing, and more. The basic equipment that is necessary for work of disc jockey includes the following: sound recordings in preferred medium, at least two devices for playback of sound recordings, for the purpose of alternating back and forth to create continuous playback, a sound system for amplification of the recordings. We can also use two playback devices to mix the sound, future prototype of mix cds, use a microphone to amplify the human voice, and headphones to listen to one recording while the other is playing, without outputting the sound to the audience. Then I can mention other types of equipment such as samplers, drum machines, effects processors, slipmats, and laptop computers.
Furthermore, I decided to make a fictitious virtual journey to faraway 1967 year, to New York City nightclub called Salvation II. Where Francis Grasso started his DJ career. Grasso is an american disc jockey from New York City, who was best known for discovering the technique of slip-cueing, which was the foundation of the modern club dj's technique. Francis realized slip-cueing as a technique of holding a record still while the turntable is revolving underneath. He created it with the item to found a sudden transition from the previous record at the hoped-for moment.
It is very interesting to roam along the time corridors. In time continuum I could collide with super stadium performance DJ Paul Oakenfold. He was born August 30, 1963 in Britain. In the early 1980s, Oakenfold managed the Beastie Boys. In 1987, Oakenfold spent several months in Ibiza, Spain, where they fell in love with the dance club music. Using influences from Ibiza's sound, Italian disco, soul and house, Oakenfold produced Happy Mondays' Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, followed by productions for U2, Massive Attack, Snoop Doggy Dogg and The Shamen, many of which were released under his label Perfecto Records. From him I got to know that in 2001 Apple Computer's iPod was introduced and quickly became the highest selling brand of portable digital mp3 audio player. The convenience and popularity of the iPod generated a new type of DJ, the self-penned "MP3J". First appearing in certain East London clubs, and spreading to other music scenes, including New York City, this new DJ scene allows the customary music-lover to bring two iPods to an "iPod Night", plug in to the mixer, and program a playlist without the skill and equipment demanded by a more traditional DJ setup.
It might be as well to take a closer look at David Morales, who is famous New York-based house music deejay. Morales is one of the world's most illustrious DJs. He ordinarily voyages all over the world, including the Spanish island of Ibiza, where he commonly spends his summer holidays. Morales is a producer too. And he is the author of the greatest hits: "Needin' U" and "Higher". "Needin' U" was released in 1998 and was re-released in 2001 with vocals by house diva Juliet Roberts. "Higher" was co-produced by Albert Cabrera and with vocals by Deanna Della Cioppa.
After acquaintance with David I acquainted with sumptuous and expensive nightclubs, which were constructed with glassware and concrete. Unique combination of mirrors and marble was illuminated with neon advertising compositions. Excellent equipped bars with exclusive cocktails attracted prosperous gentlemen with hawaiian cigars. Large LCD-monitors demonstrated glaring, highly coloured video clips. And only in nightclubs the DJ's art and craftsmanship are revealed in full measure. The unique symphony of melodies, living lights and trick effects don't disregard somebody to be indifferent.
A nightclub is an entertainment venue. After dark it transmute into primary business. Nightclubs or simply "Disco" are always coupled with music and have a small dance pavilion, because a drinking creation without music is a saloon or bar, pub or tavern. Music have to be live or mixed by a deejay, and can classify from country, jazz, blues, to electronic music techno styles. Concourses in nightclubs that essentially entice music mixed by a DJ seduce dancing and in most cases alcohol. Unlawful use of entertaining drugs such as ecstasy is commonplace in many present-day disco clubs featuring electronic dance music. Night clubs are frequently proclaimed by the handing out of flyers on the street, in record shops, and at other clubs. Nightclubs are often characterized by neon lighting and moving luminescence beams, smoke machines and flashing lights of many colors. One prevalent item is a revolving football-sized spheroid at the ceiling, covered with many small flat mirrors, with a light beam directed on it. This is a disco ball. The reflections form a multitude of moving light spots on the floor and on the people. Some nightclubs will fling spume parties where the dance floor is filled with soap components.
The brief enumeration of the most well-known night disco clubs in the world is in front of your eyes:
The Slimelight, London, United Kingdom, (was opened in the 1980s years). It is notable London club. The name of that english club was a allusion to The Limelight. In our days The Slimelight is a refuge to industrial, noise, techno and goth music.
In Columbus, Ohio, USA there is the Alrosa Villa. It was opened in 1970s years. The about-towners and clubbers prefer heavy metal music. That american club is famous for the occurrence of December 8, 2004. In this day premeditated murder occurred with shooting rampage that butchered Dimebag Darrell of "Damageplan and Pantera" and four others embracing the shooter.
Beverly Hills Supper Club - elegant dining with light vocal and popular music was situated in Southgate, Kentucky, USA. During 1971-1977 years it was place of a meeting for many exquisite music-lovers. Beverly Hills Supper Club was burned to the ground on May 28, 1977 killing 165 of more than 2,000 persons in auditorium.
In New York City there was a legendary disco "Studio 54". It was placed on West 54th Street in Manhattan. It was opened on April 26, 1977 and was closed in 1986. Today, Studio 54 is situated in Las Vegas, and is invariably open as a nightclub. It is characterized by the thoroughly acquainted marquee as well as that man in the moon with a coke spoon hanging on the wall. But, despite the club's success in its new Vegas section, many feel that it isn't practically Studio 54, that it is only the club by mask. Gilda Radner, George Burns, Karen Carpenter, Mae West, Salvador Dali, Paul and Linda McCartney, Betty Ford, Frank Sinatra and othres international celebrities was fond of Studio 54.
At long last my imaginary trip is nearing its end. There comes a time when I must reckon up for my exploration.
Consequently, in the final analysis I owe to burn DVD-R disc on my computer with the homemade compilation of musical compositions (typically copyrighted youth pop music taken from other origins). Hand-picked songs may be recorded in a specific order, usually proposed for private use. Mixed track media commonly illustrate the musical tastes of a project compiler. Draft designer can arrange musical compositions from a casually selected list of beloved favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a theme or mood, or to a highly personal statement adapted to the fancy of medium consumer of musical industry production. Overwhelming majority of mix enthusiasts believe that by cautiously selecting, indexing and ordering the tracks in a mix, an artistic statement can be created that is greater than the junction of its beloved songs, much as an album of youth music in the era of micropocessor-based decisions can be considered as something more than an accumulation of popular melodies.
I comprehend with firmly certitude that the process of music mixing is creation of bewitching temple, which walls are composed of mixing melodies. Human being unknowingly press towards to that insubstantial chamber, where he feel better and where his concealed talents will reveal. Celestial energy of cosmic stars penetrate to human consciousness, raising his level of maturity.
Thereupon I intend to refashion my computer-based equipment and software. And I look forward to originate homemade disco-birthday for my daughter with great success.
But it is quite another story...