Roots Archives Forum

Hello,

I am currently in school studying computer science, and working as a computer programmer in NYC. I have come to realize that the path I am following is going to be quite monotonous, requiring years of 9-5 work with little satisfaction.

Now I am looking into going to music school on the side, I have no idea where to start so I requested some information from the Institute of Audio Research in NYC. Scientist has sparked a lot of this in me, unfortunately I have no King Tubby to guide my way.

If anyone could give me some information on where to start with dub production and mixing, it would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure if this helps, but Computer Music Magazine April 08 (CM124) did a special feature on dub.

Do you get that magazine in the States? I'll try and dig out my copy and see if there is a website you can check out.

Here is a link to that edition of the magazine - http://www.computermusic.co.uk/page/com ... 124_the_cm

It says you can order back issues from outside of the UK.

If you are looking to put riddims together then a good all round application (PC or Mac) to help you on you way is Reason by Propellerheads!

It will help you with the creative side of things!

It ain't cheap but where there is a will there is way!

Even if you want to concentrate on live instrument production Reason is still worth getting hold of because it will break you into midi, sequencing, editing & sound processing!

If your serious about music production you will need to learn all that stuff & I can guarantee that most modern recording will be done via computers!

The downside to Reason is it can't record from outboard sources and it won't give you the experience of using a real mixing desk (wiring, patching, send & returns etc)that is where college comes in!

There are other computer programs such as Pro Tools (was industry standard) but you are looking at a lot more cash!

Because Reason has been so successful many of the top range music applications such as Pro Tools can be synced to it to allow recording of live performance!

Having said all that most dub was produced on analogue equipment so recreating the old sound with modern technology won't be impossible, but it is likely to be challenging!

All the best!

Thanks for the information, I greatly appreciate it!

I would say just start doing it with whatever you've got. If you haven't got anything, get something! Little by little build up a collection of useful tools, starting with some kind of recording device (computer / tape machine) then adding effects etc. as you can afford them.

I don't think there is any need to go to college for this. (I never did!). there is some dub school in New York and I dread to think how much money people pay for the BS they probably 'teach' there...

If you want to go the computer route, there is lots of (legally free (google Ardour)) sequencer software and many plug-in effects and instruments. Depends on whether you're using Mac PC or Linux.
Get a half decent audio interface and you're off to a somewhat good start.

It is pretty easy to find cheap cassette 4 track machines - this I would recommend as a really good place to start learning the basics. The limitations of just 4 tracks can be a spur to creativity. That's how I started out.

The best schooling you can get in my opinion is listening. With Dub, the more you listen the more obvious it is how the music is put together, musically, then deconstructed in the Dub mixing process.

And however you approach it, have FUN doing it and don't expect to make heaps of money!

The main thing in dub production is reggae composer, so you need to find good reggae composer\arrenger. Mixing is final thing. Nice dub cant be without great reggae multitracks.

..have you checked out the interruptors' 'Dub Scrolls'?

http://www.interruptor.ch/dub.shtml

Heaps of good info there.

There was also the versionist forums, but it seems that has gone to shit.

Happy dubbing!

Yeah like ACEtone said the best schooling is listening.
Study as much as you can on DIFFERENT systems.
panning left and right, also listen with head phones. its amazing how much you can "beef" up a tune with simple noises to make a fuller sound.

Mad Professor In The Studio (Dub Lesson)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAZZkLT6D7k

peace