The Importance of Emotional Composition

The term “emotional composition” refers to the way in which feelings are shared among the members of a team. It is crucial to take the emotional makeup of virtual teams into consideration because emotions can have a substantial impact on both the performance and the wellbeing of a team. It is possible for a group to be less productive if it is dominated by negative emotions such as tension, anger, or anxiety. These emotions can have a negative impact on the well-being of the team members. On the other hand, a group that fosters positive emotions such as joy, excitement, and motivation among its members can improve the overall well-being of the group and lead to increased productivity. For example, stress can cause physical and emotional weariness, which can impair job performance. Anger and anxiety can also lead to team tension and conflict, resulting in decreased collaboration and communication. A team with positive emotions, such as enjoyment, excitement, and motivation, on the other hand, can generate a more productive and supportive work atmosphere. Positive emotions can boost motivation and job satisfaction, leading to higher levels of engagement and better job performance. Team members are more inclined to be proactive, innovative, and collaborative when they feel respected and supported.

It is crucial to highlight that emotional composition in a team is about more than just the prevalence of good or negative emotions; it is also about the balance of different emotions. A team that is dominated by one emotion, whether positive or negative, may become too focused on that feeling at the expense of others. When a team is overly focused on positive emotions, it may be less likely to detect and manage negative emotions. As a result, virtual teams must have a balanced emotional composition with a mix of positive and negative feelings. This balance can aid in the development of a more realistic and adaptable emotional climate that is better suited to dealing with the ups and downs of a dynamic work environment. A well-balanced emotional makeup can also enhance resilience and well-being among team members.

The Role of Team Emotional Management Intervention

To deal with the problem of dealing with the emotional makeup of virtual teams, an emotional management intervention for the team is required. An intervention of this type can teach team members how to better control their emotions, enhance their communication skills, and foster a more positive environment within the team. The intervention can be given in many different ways, such as through online training, one-on-one coaching, or in-person seminars.

There really are huge benefits to establishing an emotional management intervention with your employees. It has the opportunity to enhance the team’s holistic well-being, stimulate motivation, and strengthen overall job satisfaction. Furthermore, team members who learn the skills required for good emotional regulation are better prepared to tackle difficult situations, which can reduce stress and anxiety.

One of the most important advantages of implementing an emotional management intervention is the positive effect it can have on the general well-being of the team. Working in a virtual setting can be isolating and distressing, with emotions running high. Team members who practice emotional regulation skills are better equipped to manage stress and anxiety, which can lead to greater overall well-being.

Such intervention can also help boost team members’ motivation. Team members are more likely to be engaged and productive when they feel respected and supported. The intervention can help to develop a sense of community and a shared sense of purpose by fostering a pleasant team atmosphere, which can lead to greater motivation.

Additionally, the emotional management intervention can help to improve overall job satisfaction. Team members are more likely to feel secure and in control of their work when they have the ability to manage their emotions and communicate effectively. This can result in a better sense of fulfillment and contentment with their work, which can improve their overall job satisfaction.

The Impact of a Team Emotional Management Intervention

A recent study approved by the University of Valencia’s Institutional Review Board (Ethics Committee) explored the impact of a team emotional management intervention on the well-being of virtual team members. The study included a sample of virtual teams from diverse areas, including healthcare, information technology, and education. The teams were allocated to either a treatment or a control group at random. The treatment group received a team emotional management intervention, but the control group did not.

The study’s findings revealed that the team emotional management intervention had a considerable impact on the well-being of team members. Compared to the control group, the treatment group reported better levels of job satisfaction, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and higher levels of motivation. Also, more people in the therapy group said they felt good emotions like excitement, happiness, and motivation.

The study also found that the intervention had a long-term impact on the well-being of team members. Even three months after the intervention, the treatment group had higher job satisfaction and lower stress and anxiety levels than the control group. This suggests that a team intervention to help members manage their emotions can have a long-term effect on their health.

Conclusion

Lastly, emotional composition is critical for the well-being of virtual team members, and a team emotional management intervention can play a critical role in resolving this issue. A well-crafted intervention can assist team members in learning how to regulate their emotions, communicate effectively, and create a positive team atmosphere. The advantages of such an intervention include greater team well-being, motivation, and job satisfaction. The aforementioned study demonstrates the usefulness of a team emotional management intervention in increasing the well-being of virtual team members. As a result, firms must invest in team emotional management interventions to protect the well-being of their virtual teams.

February 16, 2023

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In recent years, quantum technologies have gotten a lot of interest; this interest is notably concentrated in the realm of finance as well as blockchain. One of the most significant advantages of quantum technologies is their processing time, solution quality, and power consumption. Quantum computers are designed to solve complex problems that classical computers find challenging, such as cryptography, optimization, and machine learning. I discovered this through a video sent by a colleague, who I believe is the most experienced backend/cloud architect on the east coast. The video presented a beginner’s introduction to IBM’s quantum computing, which piqued my interest in the topic. Despite the fact that I had a basic understanding of quantum physics, I was unfamiliar with the topic’s computational aspects. My inherent curiosity led me down the quantum rabbit hole, where I gained a broader understanding of the various applications and benefits of quantum technology.

Even though traditional computers are absolutely incredible, they do have their limits, especially when it comes to estimating the behavior of complex systems. The finance industry is one of the industries that stands to benefit tremendously from the application of quantum technologies. The term “quant” was originally used in reference to mathematicians, engineers, and other technical experts who were hired to work in the finance industry and apply their skills to the field of investing. But as time and these bleeding-edge technologies have progressed, the term has also become a widely recognized shorthand for not only quantitative analysts in finance but also signaling the use of quantum technologies to execute similar tasks in a more efficient manner. The finance business employs a wide range of mathematical methods, including optimization, Monte Carlo sampling, Stochastic Differential Equations, and Machine Learning, all of which have the potential to be enhanced with the help of quantum technology. One of the most pressing concerns with classical computers is a phenomenon known as “exponential scaling,” which defines a situation in which the number of available options grows exponentially with each addition. For example, using conventional computers to simulate a model for a basic enzyme becomes problematic since the force of an electron must be imposed on all of the other electrons in the vicinity, resulting in an exponential increase in the number of calculations required to replicate the model.

The degree of computer complexity increases exponentially as more variables or components are added to a task. This effect is known as “exponential scaling.” When we try to construct a model for a simple enzyme, for example, traditional computers struggle with the complexities of computing how all of the electrons in the system interact with one another. Our concern is that the number of calculations required to mimic the interactions of all of the electrons in the system grows exponentially with the number of electrons added to the system. This signifies that the number of computer resources required to mimic the system will grow at an exponential rate proportionate to the system’s size. For example, simulating a system with 10 electrons might require 100 calculations, while simulating a system with 20 electrons might require 400 calculations.

Traditional computers are hampered by this exponential development since they were not designed to do computations as large or as complex as those observed today. When attempting to depict large and complex molecular systems, such as enzymes, with a large number of interactions and variables, this presents a particularly challenging issue. This is one of the most pressing concerns in computational biology and chemistry, as standard computers are frequently incapable of simulating the complex biological systems under investigation. Quantum computers can perform calculations significantly more swiftly than conventional computers, and they can also deal with exponential scaling more efficiently. Here, quantum technology has a clear advantage over the technology we have now, and it also has the potential to make a big difference for the public good.

Displaying a distinct contrast to classical computational capabilities, quantum technologies have the potential to provide an exponential speedup for the solution of specific problems, such as integer factoring, quantum simulation, and quantum chemistry. It could also provide a polynomial speedup for NP-Complete or NP-Hard tasks. These are the kinds of problems where the solution can be proven in a short period of time and where a brute-force search algorithm can find a solution by attempting every feasible solution. In terms of the amount of time it takes to process data, quantum computers can perform certain calculations in significantly less time than classical computers. This is because quantum computers use quantum physics principles to perform processes in parallel. Superposition and entanglement are two instances of these ideas. This means that quantum computers can perform more calculations simultaneously than classical computers, making them far more efficient. With regards to solution quality, quantum computers have the potential to offer outcomes that are much higher than those produced by classical computers. Quantum computers, for example, can find the global minimum or maximum of a function, which is a critical component of a wide range of optimization methods. Also, quantum computers can solve problems that regular computers can’t. For example, they can factor large numbers, which is the basis for most encryption methods.

Lastly, power consumption is another area where quantum computers outperform traditional computers. When operating at scale, quantum computers utilize substantially less electricity than traditional computers. This is because quantum computers are designed to operate at lower temperatures and with less power than regular computers, resulting in lower overall energy consumption. Because of the drop in power demand, businesses will not have to invest as much in electricity infrastructure, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership.

Miraculously, the implementation of quantum technology has the potential to cause a revolution in a range of areas, including finance. They can provide an exponential speedup for some problems, a polynomial speedup for others, and improvements in processing time, solution quality, and power usage. Because of this, Quantum could be a good choice for businesses that want to streamline their operations and find answers to hard problems.

February 8, 2023

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A silent mission statement of web3 is that “it” as a concept or mindset aims to provide a more inclusive and equitable internet experience by making it more accessible to people around the world. We get there by utilizing peer-to-peer networks, which enable resource and data sharing without the need for centralized servers in many circumstances. web3 represents, in my opinion, the real-time production of a new generation of the internet, within our current internet, with the goal of providing a more open, safe, and egalitarian internet experience. While web3 as a concept is still in its infancy, and despite the fact that the technology has made enormous progress that, unfortunately, often gets lost in the never-ending feed of swaying public opinion surrounding its more speculative aspects, I am confident that it has the potential to significantly improve the way we interact and transact online in the future. However, in order to do this effectively, web3 must focus on making itself disappear.

My motivation to investigate the concept of technology that eventually fades stems from viewing this tweet.

@sorrelsalb posits to the collective their thoughts on what needs to happen within the web3 space in order to make its encompassing technologies “disappear.” As an aside, I’m sure many members of the collective would prefer to see web3 vanish, but we’ll leave them on the “uninitiated” side of this debate and history. “The most meaningful technologies are those that disappear,” as the saying goes. The declaration emphasizes the significance of technology that is smoothly incorporated into our daily lives. I’d like to point out that “seamless integration” is more of an ideal to strive for, than something that should be expected of a technology right off the bat, although it is conceivable. The concept of disappearing technology refers to the idea that being introduced to a technology should not instantly result in a hindrance, but rather as an augmentation to human experiences. To effectively integrate into the collective, technology must become so intuitive and natural that we don’t even notice it’s there. When people declare their resistance to technology, I believe the core of the remark, originally delivered by the late “Father of Ubiquitous Computing,” Mark Weiser, is most powerfully demonstrated. Though this is frequently done with a focus on digital technologies, the point remains. Certain technology has become so deeply engrained in all of our lives we at times may find ourselves feeling a bit spoiled by it, leading to the expression of contempt towards it. In doing so, many life-changing technological advances are relegated to the sidelines in favor of a rosy recollection of the past. Modern plumbing, safe electrical infrastructure, and even the porcelain toilet are just a few illustrations of these “invisible marvels” or “disappearing technologies” that, despite being heavily leaned upon, assimilate into the background.

The smartphone is one of the most visible examples of this. For many in our collective, our smartphones are an extension of ourselves. We use it to interact with friends and family, access information quickly, and, in certain circumstances, control other gadgets in our dwellings. Conversely, when we think about it, we don’t pay much attention to the technology underlying it. We don’t purposefully consider the complex algorithms and software that power Twitter; we just want our tweets to go out, and for “Fleets” to return. We merely know that when we need it, with all of its seamless, thoughtless, technological instant gratification, it’s there, and ideally, it works. Smartphones were considered a luxury item when they were initially released. However, they have subsequently become a need for many individuals, and it is challenging to imagine going through a day without one, although this may be an essential intervention on occasion.

Much like the elevator, the refrigerator, and the air conditioner, web3 technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact in our daily lives, the keyword being “potential.” web3 currently declares itself to be permissionless and thus borderless. However, web3’s mnemonic, internet-culture-centric character, along with its “arms-wide-open” directive, creates the mistaken impression that even the average Joe can leverage these technologies for success with only minimal abilities. I purposefully did not identify a specific skill set to reflect the ambiguity that surrounds web3. As previously stated, web3 can be equated to a new version of the internet itself. With this in mind, how does one go about accurately and efficiently boxing or containing the internet? This is not a simple task, but it is not limited to web3. The disappearance of web3 begins with the onboarding process. One of the most major obstacles in onboarding individuals into web3 is raising knowledge of the various tiers that comprise the space, in my opinion. When discussing blockchain in general, it is widespread procedure to use the singular phrase “cryptocurrency” to describe a wide range of topics. For example, one can invest in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin. Such an investor would be referred to as “being in crypto” by the general public. Given a moderate amount of research into the space, the idea that such an investor is therefore “in web3” isn’t too far off, albeit this isn’t quite correct in my opinion. An investor in Bitcoin is undoubtedly involved with cryptocurrency, decentralized blockchain technology, and permissionless systems, all of which are components of web3, yet our investor and someone in web3 are mutually exclusive. Downloading a financial app that allows you to purchase and sell assets does not indicate that you are a member of web3. Despite the existence of various semantics and phrases with different meanings in web3, I believe this is due to happenstance rather than intent. web3 isn’t meant to be, nor is it trying to be a club, though it shares many characteristics with the concept.

A better emphasis on the practical use cases and implementations of web3 technology is another critical shift I feel needs to happen for the space. With this move, I anticipate there will be some friction, which is unavoidable given the anonymous nature of being online in general. People’s aversion to sharing any personal information about themselves online can limit the collective’s capacity to connect with their work and accomplishments. Knowing where someone comes from and what personal challenges they may have faced while coping with technical stumbling blocks might assist to better depict and convey the reality of what it takes to engage in this space. We would expose how symbiotic relationships with web3 can be by doing a better job of showcasing the many instances of people literally starting with nothing but a wallet address, building their knowledge base, and being rewarded by receiving a “airdrop” of funds simply for being present and interested. I can personally attest to how paying greater attention to the web3 space impacted my life for the better. The stigma of web3 is that it desires to move further away from most, if not all, matters centralized. We are directly confronted with the “Horseshoe Dilemma” by being committed to this mindset in my opinion. I believe that interacting with platforms that already have a broad range of influence and integrating web3 technology into their existing systems will benefit all parties. I also believe that by making it easier for users to access web3 without having to learn and understand too many new disciplines all at once, people will have a better time transitioning from the ambiguity conveyed about web3 in traditional media and essentially knowing nothing, to actually crafting a natural desire to be more involved and deducing a way they can contribute in their own way.

To summarize my opinions, I believe the key hinderance to web3 performing its much needed “disappearing act” lies within its onboarding process. Being open and honest with individuals interested in web3 about the highly unique, complex, and difficult discipline that it is will be critical for the ecosystem to attain its full potential. web3 will be able to transition from being the oblong periwinkle elephant in the room to not being noticed at all by providing palatable educational resources, building user-friendly interfaces, fostering communities with aligned incentives, highlighting real-life use cases, and partnering with existing platforms.

February 1, 2023

by3

Web3, also known as the decentralized web or blockchain web, represents the next generation of the internet, where users have more control over their data and interactions. One of the key characteristics of web3 is the emphasis on collaboration between communities. Creatives, developers, entrepreneurs, and users from around the world are able to come together, asynchronously, to build and use decentralized applications (dApps) that are open-source and transparent. The decentralized nature of web3 seeks to ensure the elimination of gatekeepers or centralized authorities controlling access or usage. This allows for a more flexible and agile approach to development, where ideas can be tested and refined quickly without the need for centralized approval.

What’s our “why?”

Proper implementation of incentives and token economics to align the interests of varying stakeholders is critical if we were to interpret “web3” as a process. Tokens, or digital assets that represent ownership or access to a dApp or network, can be used to incentivize participation and contribution in the ecosystem. NFTs are also included as another dynamic means of achieving community coalescence. At a basic level, this helps to create a virtuous cycle of growth and innovation, as community members are rewarded for contributing value to the rest of the network.

One example of this is the concept of token-curated registries (TCRs), which use tokens or NFTs to incentivize users to curate a list of high-quality resources on a specific topic, for a specific community, or for the digital collective as a whole. This creates an asynchronous, decentralized, and self-sustaining system for curation, which can be applied to a wide range of use cases such as the creation of new creative dApp concepts as well as the creation of toolsets that can aid users in the creation of their own TCRs. A great example of this approach can be found here:

https://www.neosound.xyz/

.

Neosound is a modular, open-source music curation protocol meant to exist as a living example of what a user is able to create using open-source technology, asynchronous collaboration, and a curation protocol. The site is designed using a curation contract protocol that other users are then able to use in order to implement their own version of the idea with very little code. Neosound allows users to deploy their own contracts in addition to streaming music NFTs directly off of the blockchain, with the ability to designate a specific token that will act as a “curation pass” that users who desire to add or remove from said contract will need to own in order to do so. Looking deeper into the Neosound protocol, you’ll discover that the idea itself came from the merging of three separate yet similar previously existing protocols into a single one. I believe Neosound is an amazing display of the kind of permissionless innovation that web3 uniquely offers those who choose to adopt and execute the mindset.

Everyone in the Band

As stated in the article “Innovation Requires Everyone in the Band” by [Zendesk] (https://www.zendesk.com/blog/innovation-requires-everyone-in-the-band/), innovation is not just the responsibility of a select group of individuals within an organization, but rather it requires the participation and contributions of everyone. This is especially true within the web3 ecosystem, where the emphasis on open-source development allows for a large and diverse community of developers to contribute to the development of new technologies and applications. This collaborative approach enables the rapid development and testing of new ideas and allows the community to identify and address potential issues early on.

Furthermore, the article highlights the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation and risk-taking. This is reflected in the willingness of creatives, developers, and general users within the web3 ecosystem to try out new technologies and applications, even if they may not yet be fully developed or tested. This approach allows for the rapid testing and iteration of new ideas and helps to identify the most promising technologies and applications. Sharing one’s work in public is an intimidating endeavor, but the more effort that is put towards fostering an environment where this process is the “norm,” the more we collectively open a path for new or missing innovations to materialize.

A focus on community engagement is another key aspect of innovation culture within web3. This includes the active participation of casual users and developers in the development process, as well as the fostering of a strong and vibrant community. This can be accomplished through the use of social media, online forums, and other communication channels to connect developers, users, and other tokenholders. This approach not only helps to build a sense of community and collaboration but also allows for the gathering of valuable feedback and insights from the users. An advantage of web3 is that we are permitted and sometimes encouraged, to embrace anonymity. I bring this point up because some individuals may not feel comfortable with their given name being broadcast amongst their every digital move, but are completely fine with sharing their insights and providing assistance to others from behind an alias. However, this is all easier said than done as trust-building is a long and intimate process.

Additionally, the Zendesk article emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement in fostering an innovation culture. This is reflected in the willingness of developers and users within the web3 ecosystem to learn new skills and technologies, and to share their knowledge with others. This approach helps to build a strong and knowledgeable community, and helps to ensure that new technologies and applications are developed to the highest standards.

Conclusion

The innovation culture within web3 is characterized by a collaborative, experimental, and incentivized approach to development, driven by a sense of mission and purpose. This, and perhaps more that has yet to be addressed, is crucial for the development and growth of decentralized technologies and applications. As stated in the article by Zendesk, innovation requires “everyone in the band,” and this is no more true than within the context of the web3 ecosystem, where the open and collaborative efforts of the community are the lifeblood of the decentralized web.

January 26, 2023

“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”

- Confucius

The world of modern music and sound production has DRASTICALLY changed since the addition of the internet into the game, and that effect has continued to snowball with the presence of streaming juggernauts such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal to name a few. There’s also Soundcloud, but those are the big players pretty much thus far.

Regardless of those, distractions we’ll call them, because ultimately at the beginning stages that’s what they are, what the process of making a record requires is ALL the same. One must have a creative spark, no matter how it’s conjured, commitment, talent, a beat of course, a marketing strategy, and obviously MONEY.(studio time etc.)

Back in the day it would require much more than today’s privilege has allowed us, so we’re very fortunate in that regard. Most of what would require teams of different specialized people and a large rented out professionally equipped space has been condensed into needing nothing more than a laptop (doesn’t even have to be BRAND NEW), a decent mic (Blue Snowball is highly recommended), an internet connection so you can find or make a beat or grab a sample for artistic effect, (mad Starbucks & other places offer free Wifi; make it work), recording software (Ableton, Reason, FL Studio, i produce in FL Studio personally, Garageband, Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, etc. and ALL of these can be downloaded for free if you look hard enough and want to make your own sound), and some sort of social media. (Ranked: Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, and Facebook in some cases, everything else trickles off)

In short, we’re smack bang in the midst of a Technological Artist Revolution that’s liberating artist’s from the clutches of record labels and big corporations and putting the artistic knowledge, power and control back into their hands. My goal with this e-book is to allow this to serve as a referential piece for those learning their way around the recording process. I’m going to review some of the basics of the process I feel are essential as they were taught to me (I am a Certified Audio Engineer after all), and bridge the gap for some of the more rigid seeming practices, as well as illuminate some nice tricks to make things flow a bit smoother. I’d like to also use this as a ledger to be consistently edited upon and added to as time progresses. Using this in conjunction with continued reading, TALKING with other people who also want to do this, and plain old experience, I’ve no doubt you’ll be able to lock in and create as many tracks as your hard drive can store.

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Section 1:

The Studio

Chapter 1: The Recording Studio

“I consider the recording studio where I born.”

-Jimmy Iovine

Typically the standard commercial music studio has at minimum one acoustic space meant for capturing the BEST possible sound on a recording medium. They’re often separated structurally as to not bleed sound between rooms. This is why it’s not a small venture for someone who wishes to create their own space from the ground up, there’s a lot of technical know-how that goes into getting a rooms acoustics right. They vary in size, shape, acoustic design, and can reflect ones personal taste to aid in inspiring those who record there.

Over time studios have shifted from small, to accommodate an eras reliance of artificial effects, to large, obviously a full Orchestra would require a larger room with a higher ceiling to accommodate the intense sound buildup, to specialized, such as a small single space, and a control room, purely meant for more DIY type projects.

That last bit, DiY, aka ‘DO IT YOURSELF’, is how the VAST majority of popular songs are being created now. In the comfort of a personally set up home studio. With a very basic setup one can record in almost any space and have viable audio that can be touched up later. You could honestly make use of your closet space to recreate a ‘booth’ isolation effect, or in the middle of your bedroom, nah for real no cap (Cap: to speak falsehoods). I myself have utilized my own bedroom several times to lay verses down, or to even simply practice the act of recording my own voice. As long as your equipment is functional all you really need is a quiet space free of distractions.

Well, there’s a few more things I feel are overlooked, and if neglected too carelessly make or break any recording session you hope to have. The first is ensuring there’s comfortable seating. If the session location is in your home this is primarily for whomever you intend to have in your space as Producer/Engineer, as well as yourself, the Artist. Reason being is truthfully, A TON of time is going to be spent sitting in this spot, simple as that. It is a courtesy to those contributing that time that their posture and booty cheeks are as comfortable as humanly possible.

The venerable ‘Herman Miller Aeron Chair’ is the contemporary style of seating typically found in formal studios. But any cushion chair with proper spinal posture support will work just as well. Speaking from personal experience, bean bag chairs are splendid when you have extra people sitting in on a session. Second, get velcro straps or zip-ties for excess equipment wire. I consider this a safety precaution, as well as a simple means to make any recording space appear more professional, especially if you can get things color coordinated.

Above I used the term ‘Control Room’, which can seem more ominous than it lets on. Formally, the control room is the isolated space from the recording booth, allowing separation between the creative space and space for reviewing what was just created. They usually consist of a recording console/board/desk, which controls the input/output of all the devices in the recording space. It also allows for any and all mixing, spatial positioning, signal routing, and switching between various external devices. (preamps, MiDi inputs, etc) DAWs (digital audio workstations IE: FL Studio, Ableton etc) are commonly setup right next to the console for ease of access. You want to structure your setup to eliminate any excess noise from any amp or equipment piece ideally. Try to get a gauge of the times of the week/day WHEN the people around you, ARE NOT around you contributing personal noise.

Once you have this mapped out, given you have the equipment, finding time to record and getting it done should be significantly easier. I’ve personally utilized my bedroom SEVERAL times to get a track done. The bottom line is go ahead with whatever works best for you.

The best way to know what works best for you is to TRY. Try and then try some more. Get on Twitter and filter in some knowledge from people in the musical world trying to do the same thing. Go out into the world and MEET these same people and converse with them. Get off your couch, and actually go to Guitar Center and try out even the intro versions of some of this new software/hardware that’s dropping around the clock as to build a familiarity with it, and things alike. The more you familiarize yourself with the options & possibilities at your disposal, the less likely you’ll be to blame anyone else for any shortcomings, let alone any poor equipment purchases.

If you’re just starting out, several of those difficult choices I’ll eliminate for you right now.

Go with a hard-disk system if you’re recording in a formal studio. Unless you’ve been blessed with specialized knowledge and know what you’re doing, stick to digital, experimenting with Analog can be put on the back-burner for now. For ease of use, I personally recommend using MACs, but if you know your way around spec’ing and/or building a PC/Laptop, go that route. As far as recording software, Adobe Audition may be the most accessible behind GarageBand and both can be downloaded via a simple web search. Even though it’s 20(19), torrents, as well as, The Pirate Bay, STILL exist and are accessible if you look hard enough.

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Chapter 2: Roles in the Studio

“I see my life in terms of music.”

-Albert Einstein

The foundation of the recording is directly centered around the various talented players and service industries who work in conjunction with each other to produce, sell, and enjoy music.

• •The Artist: the strength of the recorded performance falls upon them. the ‘soul’ of the track must be laid by the artist to act as the framework for the tracks intention & emotion.

• •Add. Musicians/Arrangements: if the artist feels as though they require more than just themselves for a particular track, (guest feature(s), background/backup vocalists, etc) networking and building genuine relationships with like-minded, as well as different artists, is necessary. this means reach out/DM people who already operate in the same genre you’re beginning to immerse yourself in. (to keep it 100, deep down everyone wants to be as big as JAY Z, so it can be a little awkward to break the ice and humble oneself to mentally accept your own weaknesses, your own need for help, and THEN navigate someone else’s ego, but, again, all of this is necessary to the process)

• •The Producer/Engineer: this can be someone you simply buy a beat from, or someone you develop a relationship with as to carve out a unique sound or capture a vibe. additionally, someone who offers unique perspectives on creating ‘final products’ ranging from business connections, creative input, and ideally mastery of the recording process, AKA what makes the track ‘tick’. they must express the tracks true concept and intent through the mix-down. it cannot be understated how paramount it is they know how to position mics, position the artist properly, set levels and pan balances, overdub when necessary, and have a solid means of storing the project.

^^^Sidebar: Admittedly that’s a lot of pressure to put on just ONE person. BUT, all of the information is out there, the vast majority of it for $Free.99.

I began this journey as a teenager who simply saw the video for Meek Mill’s ‘Tupac Back’ on MTV2 one afternoon, heard the beat, and was magically coerced into doing any and everything to figure out HOW those sounds were made. THAT. That is the attitude you must have to truly excel in this field. Having that kind of attitude is what makes the journey of becoming a jack-of-all-audio-trades FUN, what we’re striving for ultimately, right?

Now, I hate to break it to you, but none of that information is relevant…UNLESS you know what you’re looking for. You cannot expect someone else to understand and cater to your vision if you have not developed one for yourself, or at least adopted someone else’s template until you work the kinks out of your own.

This means you need to get cerebral, no Triple H.

The best way to begin to do this is by assessing whom you would like your sounds to emulate. For example, let us take a look JAY Z. Arguably, the most sonically digestible rapper of all time across nearly all demographics and sub-cultures. If you desire to duplicate SOME of that magic he’s worked hard to cultivate for himself, you’d do good in analyzing how he approaches his sound.

Since I doubt anyone who’ll read this will ever get a fabled ‘This is HOV’ text leading to a deep conversation on how he chose his name and the +’s & -’s of adding/omitting the hyphen from his name, the next best thing is to look at his song credits. Familiarize yourself with the producers he’s used over the years. Take note of the ones that are recurring. Then, take that a step further and see which recurring producer yielded him his more successful records. The focus is up to your discretion of course, this can be chart ranking, socio-cultural impact, even if a producer happens to be from the same part of the world as you. I say you might as well take a gander at it ALL, you can NEVER know every catalyst to your own inspiration.

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Here are some preliminary questions you should have in mind when consulting people to be the Dr. Dre to your budding Snoop Doggy Dogg.

• Do they openly discuss ideas with you? What about different strategies you both could employ for mutual betterment?

• Are they a team player? Or do they cap as though they’re for the team, but they’re truthfully only looking to come up?

• Are they solid enough to encourage a new creative ‘vibe’ you want to try out? Are they solid enough to keep it real with you when that endeavor isn’t the one and y’all seem to be wasting time beating a dead horse. (Metaphorically of course. Horses don’t stop, they keep goin’.)

• Do they say “Why NOT?” more often than “Why?”?

All of these are valid questions that deserve to be answered before you commit any money, and more importantly any time & energy to someone with such close access to your art.

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Chapter 3: Studio Preparation

“What we are waiting for is not as important as what happens to us while we are waiting. Trust the process.”

-Mandy Hale

As was emphasized earlier in this e-book, one of the most important aspects of the recording process is the willingness to be vulnerable and TRY new things. An equally as important aspect of a recording project, which is not limited to having creative & business decisions that may involve personal risk, is preparation. There are several ways to achieve this. Though, the foundation should be to discuss & outline each variable that will affect the creation of the ultimate final product. Here are some paramount preliminary questions:

• Does money need to be contributed to make this? How will it be recouped?

• How will this be distributed? Soundcloud? Personal website? Streaming service? Indy? Professional distribution?

• In-house vs. Outsourced production?

• How many other artists are going to be involved throughout?

• Is practice necessary?

• Where will this be recorded? Mixed?

Another good action to take is crafting a ‘Mission Statement’ for the project. Now, this isn’t necessarily what the project is ABOUT, the music should convey that. This is to dictate the focus of all parties involved in the process, and can double as a guide for potential marketing should you choose to go that route.

“Only real music’s gonna last. All that other bullsh*t, is here today & gone tomorrowowiwowowoowow…” -Dennis Graham

That’s an partial excerpt from Pound Cake (feat. JAY Z) by Drake, from his Nothing Was The Same LP (His best work to date) spoken by his father Dennis. His message is fairly direct and is in tune with another famous maxim I’ll paraphrase, “The fast dollar usually dies just as quick.” Both of these expressions are meant to explain that if there is no substance behind WHATEVER you’re trying to do, it won’t last very long. To add some substance to your music, you must practice. Then practice again, and after that practice once more. Do you see the pattern forming? I’ll hit the trifecta of quote for this point with this final one provided by sophomore year French teacher, Nathan Campbell: “Practice makes Permanent.” By this, he meant that simply believing because you DO practice you’ll achieve perfection, is foolish. If you’re consistently practicing the incorrect way, you’ll be embedding failure into yourself. Consistently practice in a proper manner, & you’ll be building beneficial permanent habits that one day may be perceived as ‘perfect.’ Bottom line is you must work very hard at your craft in order to achieve the best results.

Next, you should begin working on the aesthetic of your project as soon as possible. Doodle artwork, concepts, video treatments, photo ideas, whatever comes to mind to aid in making it as tangible an entity as you’re able. This helps invest your mind into this new world you’re trying to craft. It can also help guide the tone of the music, depending on your use of colors. It should all make sense, you don’t want a particularly cheerful, uplifting sounding project to be alongside broody, cryptic artwork. UNLESS, the music or your marketing is able to make it digestible for the consumer. (see what i did there)

In the time between those tasks, your focus should always be on the various songs you plan to record. You never know which ones will translate best once actually recorded, or which will have the most impact in relation to your Mission Statement. Getting in the habit of jotting notes or actively recording (voice notes, the notes app, etc.) could also prove to be something of ‘Ace in the Sleeve” creatively down the line. Sometimes you can be incredibly forward thinking when creating, & end up crafting/saying something that may not fit for the task at hand, but may be perfect later on. There’s been many a time I’ve ended up using beats/verses/title ideas I wrote down months/years ago. As long as it makes sense, it is permissible. This is also a helpful habit because it never costs to pay it forward. Keep documentation of everyone involved, artists, engineers, producers, support staff, people you personally know that inspired you, etc. Something as simple as recognition could mean the entire world to these people, besides it being the ‘right’ thing to do. Keep track of your session dates on a calendar, and where they took place. On a more technical level, document each sessions tempo, the mics used & it’s placement, there various plug-ins/effects used, or anything tweaked to get that desired sound. It’s much better to remember from a journal than entirely ones own memory.

A personal bit of advice I even consistently have to strive to employ: don’t fatigue your ears before doing anything related to a ‘studio session.’ Make sure they are well rested & clear before locking in. It’s very easy to get lost in listening to other people’s work searching for inspiration & burn yourself out before giving your own work the same sort of audience treatment. Esoterically, this is the most important tidbit in this whole e-book: TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Get some good rest prior to any session, and make sure to remain relaxed before & during the session. Fruits & healthy foods are great for sessions, anything to stave off hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and keep those energy levels optimal.

Whether you decide to record in a home studio or in a professional studio, it should be treated with the same amount of respect. This helps set a precedent of seriousness and dedication that ideally will spread to all parties involved in the process.

Set a time you want to begin your session, and stick to it. The reasoning is obvious if there’s money involved unless you’ve money to blow, then by all means go crazy. Contrarily, if it’s a home studio session, set a session time, and if it’s not only yourself involved, pay attention to how early other people show up. Life does happen on the occasion, but this is an easy way to tell through actions, how serious your project is to someone else.

Prior to recording you should be privy to certain things so as to not be surprised or end up with, ‘sour grapes’, meaning feeling upset about something you could’ve made yourself okay with earlier.

The biggest is being prepared to record SEVERAL takes. Yes, this means sounding like a ‘broken record’ as it were. Emotions sway, especially when it comes to art. For example, in the moment you could perform a verse aggressively, and LOVE it. But when you listen back the next day, you could have a change of heart & feel like the song doesn’t call for an aggressive tone. But, that’s the only take you recorded from a ~$200 studio session, so now you’re stuck. Needless to say, a very bad predicament to be in. Be safe, rather than sorry, even if you record the ‘perfect’ take, do it again. And for good measure, record it each different way you might want it to sound a few times. Don’t fret even if you do actually make a mistake when laying a verse. A ‘punch-in’ is almost always possible in most situations. Even if one portion ends up weak, another may end up being the strongest.

There are classically Five different types of results that artists produce when it comes to recording vocals:

1. Curves: initial takes are good, takes slowly degrade as they progress, takes ramp back up to initial level, take hits a peak, takes begin to plummet.

2. Quick Starter: takes start strong, but do not improve over time.

3. Long Ramp-Up: artists take a while to warm up to perform, once stride is hit you might get a perfect take or a few really good takes that can be combined into a perfect single.

4. Anything Goes: artist is liable to give you several gem takes, you can composite into a perfect single, or several duds, or a mixed bag. simply record everything with them.

5. Rock Steady: consummate pro who is practiced & delivers consistent takes that aren’t too distinguishable from each other, you only need to choose the best take that caters to the songs end goal.

It’s on both the you as well as the engineer to figure out which category you fall into.

Alternatively, one must know when to call it quits. This likely will come with experience. You should take the very first sign of your voice, or yourself in general, beginning to fatigue, and take a break. Or be sovereign enough to end the session. Technology can only do so much to save a track, same goes for an engineer. Feeling, emotion, and musicality work much better. (Remember Dennis’ words from earlier?) Again, it cannot be understated how critically important it is to garner true musicianship for yourself. Sure, you can put on an effective facade & be successful, but personally, fame & superficial recognition aren’t important to me. If sustainable longevity & genuine respect from those I draw inspiration from is achieved merely through hard work & dedication to the craft, I know the kind of work I’m choosing to do every single time, do you?

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