Westcoast Producer Dj Battlecat in the lab!
Check out this clip of Battlecat doing his thing in the studio!
Archive for March, 2013
Beat Inspired!
Posted: March 26, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, battlecat, Beat Battles, Beat Makers, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, Boi Wonder, BPM, Culture, Damu The Fudge Monk, DITC, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, Hhip-Hop, Hip-Hop, J. Dilla, Jake One, Just Blaze, Lester EazyBeats Angeles, N.W.A, Pete Rock, Premiere, Producer, Producers, RZA, Samples, Snoop Dogg, VerseAll, West Coast
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Todays Producer Spotlight Shines On: Bronze Nazareth!
Posted: March 25, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: Beatmaker, Bronze Nazareth, Hip-Hop, Music, Producer, Producer Spotlight, Rap, RZA, Wise Men, Wu-Tang
Bronze Nazareth is a beatmaker-producer and lyricist who has strong ties with the Wu-Tang Clan and affiliate members. His body of work can be heard on various Wu projects from RZA, Raekwon, GZA, etc. Bronze is a master of sample flips and beat illusion meaning, just when you think that the beat is going one way, it actually switches and goes another route. Beatmakers-Producers and Music Lovers, without further due, I present to you, Bronze Nazareth!
INST: Let the world know who you are and where you’re from?
BN: Many of you know me already, for those who don’t, I go by the
name of Bronze Nazareth, hailing from Westside Detroit, by way of
Gun Rule/Grand Rapids, MI. I been affiliated with Wu Tang since ’02
and also built my own platform with my Black Day In July Productions. Worked
with a lot MC’s and I’m also respected by your favorites.
INST: Who have you worked with & how long have been beat making or producing?
BN: I’ve worked with Wu Tang Clan – RZA, Raekwon, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Royce 5’9, Canibus, Immortal Technique, Copywrite, La The Darkman, Willie The Kid, Kool G Rap, Buckshot, Sean Price, Ras Kass, Roc Marciano, Planet Asia, On and on. I spilled blood on Raekwon’s ”Butter Knives”, and got current projects with Willie The Kid, and my bro Boldy James.
INST: What equipment and or software are you using?
BN: I use various means man, I play with the MP here and there, and the ASR-10 is still my favorite as far as getting that muddy sound, but alot of the time I’ll throw a sample into protools and add on from there right on that. I also use Cool Edit heavily for chopping etc. I will be getting the Maschine soon tho. definitely!
INST: What made you want to create beats?
BN: I was always into the melody of songs, so I guess innately I’m tuned into music. My father collected and played a lot of music, soul, funk, jazz, folk, so it was ingrained even more. When I started rhyming, it was over other dudes instrumentals. But eventually, in my quest to find my own music to rhyme over, I taught myself how to make beats. So really rhyming made me want to make my own beats.
INST: Do you use or prefer sampling over playing live instruments?
BN: I wouldn’t say I prefer either. Live instruments are great because it becomes something that is totally yours. Also, there’s no comparison between, for example a real guitar vs. a keyboard guitar sound. With sampling, its all about your ears. Some of the melodies usually have instrument layers that even a live band can’t recreate. So to catch those small moments and make a composition out of them is what hip hop was built from. Both techniques are essential.
INST: Who influenced your style?
BN: Life. The trials. My family, Grandaddy’s jazz, my pop’s Teddy Pendergrass or Grover Washington, my mom’s Beatles. Then of course the greats – Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, who led me to listening to Prince Paul, to Marley Marl, to Premier, to RZA, but also I just feel it in my heart and soul. Something just feels good about certain sounds and they can affect emotion. So that’s why I say life.
INST: Do you ever see yourself quitting or retiring from beat making?
BN: Producing? No, I don’t. I’m not just a producer, I’m a musician. After hip hop, I’ll probably get into another genre that fits my life and direction. The music will continue to spin for me.
INST: Is there a difference between being a producer and being a beat maker?
BN: Indeed. A beat maker just makes beats, then people rhyme on them. A producer, makes a piece of art. He molds the sound, he directs the vocalist, he glues the whole project together.
INST: Any tips, tricks, or advice that you’d like to share?
BN: Nah man, all that is out the window. If you are supposed to be doing music, you’ll know. At that point it’s up to you to be your own driving force. Even if you signed with the greatest label, they can’t do everything for you. Just make sure you walk your dogs if this is what you truly wanna jump into.
INST: Where can we hear your work?
BN: Where can we hear your work?Google me! or go on itunes, amazon, bandcamp.com, emusic, etc etc etc….but the best way is http://www.bronzenazareth.com
INST: Thanks Bronze Nazareth for doing this interview with us.
BN: Thx Much G!
Check out School For A Blindman Album By Bronze Nazareth.
Check out Butter knives By Raekwon, produced by Bronze Nazareth.
Checkout the Bronze Nazareth Produced: http://blackday.bandcamp.com/music
Beat Inspired!
Posted: March 20, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Boi 1Da, Dj Premier, Just Blaze, Pharell, RZA, VerseAll
Multi Platinum Beatmaker-Producer Just Blaze Making a Beat!
Check out Multiplatinum Producer Just Blaze making a beat from scratch. Just Blaze Has worked with recording artist such as Jay-Z, Siagon, Busta Rhymes, Diplomats, Jadakiss, Mariah Carey, Amil, Usher, Nick Cannon, and the list goes on. Hope that this clip inspires you to continue following your dreams of being a BMP!
Today’s Producer Spotlight Shines On: Spooks McGhie!
Posted: March 18, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat Battles, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, Boi Wonder, BPM, Culture, Damu The Fudge Monk, DITC, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, Hhip-Hop, Hip-Hop, J. Dilla, Jake One, Kanye West, Pete Rock, Pharell, Producer, SwizzBeatz, VerseAll
Beatmaker-Producer Spooks McGhie
Spooks McGhie is a beatmaker-Producer from New Jersey. Spooks caught my attention one day while I was listening to random music on facebook and thought to myself that I’d like to interview this beatmaker. I then sent Spooks a message to his inbox about being the first featured beatmaker for my newly launched instrumology.com website. Spooks responded by saying thank you but felt that he wasn’t ready for that title of being the first to be featured so he fell back until he felt that the time was right. We kept in touch via facebook and soundcloud and during this time, I’ve watched Spooks and his production grow and ganer a huge following. His persona is like everybodies favorite party starter and his tracks are very creative. Some tracks are collaborated with his wife making this a perfect combination. Beatmakers-Producers, and Music Lovers, Meet Spooks McGhie!
INST: Let the world know who you are and where you’re from?
SPM: Hey hey young world. I am known as Spooks McGhie Coming at you from the Tri-State area, Brick City New Jersey AKA New York’s illegitimate brother.
INST: Who have you worked with & how long have been beat making or producing?
SPM: Wow. I have been composing for a long time. Always had a knack for sound, didn’t get on any equipment until I was about fifteen, so I guess it’s safe to say 11 years and counting. As far as people I have worked with, I have had some ridiculous setbacks. So I am not at the level I anticipated I would be musically by the time I was 25. But I can rattle off a couple names you may or may not recognize: ChanzizR and BlackScientist of Wi?Not Entertainment, Webbafied, Wino Willy, Badweather, D’Angelo Mack, Wil-EZ, Nzero NZ of Air Haze, Hi-Que, FranksWear, Wheredough?, Collin Moody, Dompollitt Aka Dolla Sign Dott, Gary Adams, Shannon Gillespy, Corr Kendricks, Jamaal Brooks, Droptop Harv, James Gibbs III, Black Astro, Oski of Iron Hogs, Keen Arthur, Anonimuz – you guys don’t know who the hell I’m talking about, do you? That’s okay. You will know ALL of those names soon. I only fox with the best. (HA).
INST: What equipment and or software are you using?
SPM: I use a mixture of hardware and software. I am forced to keep it simple due to my hardships. But before I lost all my equipment I love love LOVED incorporating live instrumentation and organic sounds that I collect with a high quality portable audio recorder. As far as programs, I will forever be a Fruity Loops head. Right now I’m in the rebuilding process, so all I’m using is an SM58 and MXL 990 microphone hooked up to a windows computer through a TASCAM audio interface and an M-AUDIO Axiom-25 USB Midi controller. I also use this old ass YAMAHA PSR-47 if I want to get more keyboard action than the two octave M-Audio device. These are things that were donated to me by fellow musicians who saw that I was struggling and didn’t want me to stop producing because they believe in my talent. If that’s not real love, I don’t know what is.
INST: What made you want to create beats?
SPM: Beatboxing. In New Jersey, I had to walk and ride public transit everywhere. I would always beatbox, but I would never be able to get these beats in my head to sound the way I imagined them. I had to find a way to get people to hear what I was hearing and the beatbox wasn’t cutting it. Someone gave me a cracked copy of fruity loops and the rest is history.
![ROCKER[1]](https://instrumology.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/rocker1.jpg)
INST: Do you use or prefer sampling over playing live instruments?
SPM: I said this before, I love live instruments. But I don’t have money for such things. The only reason I really got into sampling is because I didn’t have a way to record instruments the way I wanted them to sound. But because I was forced to do that, I gained a deep love and understanding with the art of sampling. Since the two mean so much to me, I would love to be able to mix the two seamlessly in the future.
INST: Who influenced your style?
SPM: WHY DO YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE!? It’s so hard for me to pick a list of people without rambling. But let’s just say the obvious, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, DangerMouse, Kanye West, Mr DJ of Outkast, Mannie Fresh Scott Storch to name a few. And the least obvious, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, Tenacious D, George Clinton, Quincy Jones, Cee Lo Green- have I confused you yet?
![27101_376649252685_4080327_n[1]](https://instrumology.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/27101_376649252685_4080327_n1.jpg)
INST: Do you ever see yourself quitting or retiring from beat making?
SPM: No. Why would you even say such a thing?
INST: Is there a difference between being a producer and being a beat maker?
SPM: Yes. I don’t even know why we started calling ourselves producers, because the literal definition of a music producer doesn’t always imply that they compose or arrange anything. Sometimes a producer just gets everyone together and tells them how to play his vision. A beat maker is sitting in a dark room with a computer and an MPC or some other device reshaping and twisting sounds from all over to create a newer and fresher sound. A producer is a manager, a beat maker is a one man band.
INST: Any tips, tricks, or advice that you’d like to share?
SPM: If you’re really interested in being in the industry, I suggest you do two things that I have yet to do and have hindered my success and skill level. 1. Take an audio course mixing, mastering, production, Protools, sounds all that. The reason my music sounds so rough, is because I didn’t do this. YET. 2. take MUSIC courses. Pick up an instrument. Don’t just learn it, MASTER it. And don’t just learn the instrument, learn music theory in general. Dabble with other instruments even if you aren’t comfortable playing them. Learn all the instruments you can, but master one. Don’t be a slave to the synthesizer, find a way to incorporate real sounds into your music, real instruments and real drums that no one can mimic because they are yours.
INST: Where can we hear your work?
SPM: I’m on soundcloud all the doodah day. So you can definitely check me out there soundcloud.com/spooksmcghie. I also have a mixtape of beats out on Datpiff, thatcrack, hotnewhiphop (pick yourpoision) called “Beats N Shyt” So check that out. In the meantime, here are some sets I made with my favorite beats.
https://soundcloud.com/spooksmcghie/sets/instrumentals-with-samples
beautifulNOISE: By VerseALL
Posted: March 14, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat Battles, Beat Makers, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, Boi Wonder, Culture, Damu The Fudge Monk, DITC, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, Hhip-Hop, Hip-Hop, J. Dilla, Jake One, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Lester EazyBeats Angeles, Lex Luger, Loops, Pharell, Premiere, Roc Wilder, RZA, Samples, Screwed, SwizzBeatz, Tempo, VerseAll
beautifulNOISE: By
Who ever told you that beatmakers-producers can’t rap, clearly mislead you and should get their hip-hop pass revoked! Here (Hear) is proof that not only do we make beat heat, but we blaze the mic too! Beatmaker-Producer VerseALL has finally released his long anticipated album entitled beautifulNOISE: for free download at verseall.com and verseall.bandcamp.com. beautifulNOISE: was originally suppose to be released in 2009 but due to unforeseen events had to be put on hold. Now in 2013, with the success of instrumology.com and the various mixtape series we’ve put together, we can now bring you more material for your enjoyment. embeded below is the entire album. listen to it in its entirety or download it and listen to it later. You can download it from bandcamp in any format and is compatible with ipod, iphone, and any android device etc.
Beat Inspired!
Posted: March 12, 2013 in UncategorizedTags: 9th Wonder, Dj Premier, Gangstarr, Hip-Hop, J. Dilla, MPC, Pharell, RZA, Swizz Beatz, VerseAll
DJ Premier posing for the camera!
VerseAll Is Set To Release WU-Mixed As A Free Download!
Posted: March 11, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat Battles, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, Boi Wonder, BPM, Culture, Damu The Fudge Monk, DITC, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, Hhip-Hop, Hip-Hop, J. Dilla, Jake One, Just Blaze, Lester EazyBeats Angeles, No-ID, Pete Rock, RZA
WU-Mixed Dropping April 9th. The Saga Continues!
Beatmaker-Producer VerseAll has set a date to release WU-Mixed for April 9th, 2013. WU-Mixed is a compilation of songs by the 1990’s super group Wu-Tang Clan, remixed with all new production by VerseAll. This 14 track compilation features all of the WTC members plus appearances from The Notorious BIG, Red Man, and Ruff Endz. WU-Mixed will be available for “FREE DOWNLOAD” at VERSEALL.COM and VERSEALL.BANDCAMP.COM (Limited time only at bandcamp).
Here (Hear) is a sneak preview of what you can expect from the WU-Mixed project.
NOTE: VerseAll is in no way affiliated to the Wu-Tang Clan and is only a fan of the group. This compilation is for promotional use only.
Today’s Producer Spotlight Shines On: Van Ark!
Posted: March 11, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat Battles, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, Damu The Fudge Monk, DITC, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, Hhip-Hop, J. Dilla, Jake One, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Lester EazyBeats Angeles, Su-Preme Sun, SwizzBeatz, Trance, VerseAll
Van Ark is a B.M.P (Beat Maker-Producer) who has a wide range of styles that will satisfy your listening pleasure. His musical ability to play live instruments and sample from the dustiest of crates are far beyond your imagination. Van’s knowledge of music will make you feel like a student in music class, taking notes in preparation for a pop quiz. Beatmakers-Producers and music lovers, meet Van Ark.INST: Let the world know who you are and where you’re from?
VA: My name is Van Ark Producer/Musician/Music Artist from Richmond,Virginia
INST: Who have you worked with & how long have been beat making or producing?
VA: I started playing trumpet in a band when I was in middle school then started making pause beat tapes during high school. Soon after, I got into making beats on various drum machines and old keyboards and went on from there. In total; I’ve been producing for 13 years and ended up working with artists such as Baatin from Slum Village, Leaf Erikson, Shuanise, and I have also done remixes for the band No Bs! Brass.
INST: What equipment and or software are you using?
VA: Well as far as equipment, I’m mostly into hardware and live instruments
such as, Ludwig Drum set, Yamaha Electric Guitar, Bongos, Various Percussion Instruments, Cassette Recorder, The Roland Spds, 1978 Roland Vk-09 Organ/Synth, Boss SP-505, The korg Monotron analog synth, The Microkorg, Emu XL7, numark portable turntable, vinyl and as far as software i just use protools to record and mix in…lol thats alot but i make everything from Experimental music, Jazz, to Hip-Hop and Folk Rock so everything I metioned is utilized according to how I sculpt a live composition, performance, or beat. .
INST: What made you want to create beats?
VA: When I first started; I was influenced by producers and artists, such as Stereolab, Weather Report, Prince, Bjork, Large Professor, Rza, Madlib and early Slum Village. Listening to them trained my ear as a composer, musician and a beatmaker for me to understand different ways and approaches of making music.
INST: Do you use or prefer sampling over playing live instruments?
VA: I would say it depends on what mood musically I’m into, so sometimes I might want to do a one man band performance and play every instrument live, or just pull out the sp-505, some vinyl, chop up some samples and make a beat so i would say it’s 50/50
INST: Who would you say has influenced your style?
VA: Some of the artists that influenced my style is Sun Ra, Raymond Scott, Suzanne Ciani, Early Kraftwerk (70-73) J-Dilla, David Axelrod, Coldcut, Pete Rock, Prince, Stereolab, Chick Corea it’s so many to name.
INST: Do you ever see yourself quitting or retiring from beat making?
VA: I don’t see myself retiring from making music because it’s my meditation and creative expression in the form of sound design.
INST: Is there a difference between being a producer and being a beat maker?
VA: I think it’s a difference because as a beatmaker you are just taking pieces of sound and putting it together as a collage of sound for a track as opposed to a producer who can operate as a musician, the person that sculpts the overall concept of the album, song and or compose the entire soundscape of the sonic plate.
INST: Any tips, tricks, or advice that you’d like to share?
VA: I would say as a beatmaker and/or producer get into listening to different styles of music and expand into playing instruments because it will broaden your horizons that will make you more versatile into various settings of musical enviroments such as working with bands, singers and artist from all genres…
INST: Where can we hear your work?
VA: you can tune in to my work at my music site www.arkteknologies.wordpress.com and please feel free to subscribe!
Today’s Producer Spotlight Shines On Serious Beats!
Posted: March 4, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat-Maker, Dj Premier, Dj Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, J. Dilla, Jake One, Kanye West, Pete Rock, Producer, RJD2, RZA
Since I’ve set out on my mission to find beatmakers-producers talented enough to showcase their work, I’ve come across different types of beatmakers. Style , attitude, and personality all play a major role in beat making. Some beatmakers are unsure of their work and not cofident enough to show-off their work because of the lack of artist they’ve worked with, if they’ve worked with any at all. Other beatmakers are cocky for no good reason and some are proffessional, humble, work hard, and are very talented. For instance, Here (Hear) is an example of a talented, humble, hard working, and proffessional beatmaker. SERIOUS Beats is all of the above and most of all, his name speaks for it self (Serious). His production is off the hook and varies from genre and style plus a very clean mix down. Serious Beats is an ULTIMATE Beatmaker to say the least. Beatmakers, Producers, and Music Lovers, meet Serious Beats
INST: Let the world know who you are and where you’re from?
SB: My name is serious beats i’m from the north side of Chicago
INST: Who have you worked with and how long have been beat making or producing?
SB: I’ve worked with several artist’s and producers local and worldwide right now my team consists of custom made and kylive beats , i’ve been making beats for about 8 to 9 years started really making beats seriously around 2005
INST: What equipment and or software are you using?
SB: My audio interface is the mbox 3 I use midi controllers (Akai mpk 49, m audio oxygen 49) for my monitors i use Ferrari gray edition krk rokit 8’s and i also do a lot of mixing through my kns krk 8400 headphones the software i use to make beats is fl 10 and pro tools. nexus 2 and sylenth are 2 of my main vsts.
INST: What made you want to create beats?
SB: This artist i knew around my area had a copy of fl studio 3 so he installed the program on my computer and that was really my starting point i was going to a couple studio’s and i saw the setups and process of creating beats that really pushed me to start investing in my own equipment.
INST: Do you use or prefer sampling over playing live instruments?
SB: I do a lot sampling but if i knew how to play live instruments i would definitely incorporate the 2.
INST: Has anybody influenced your style?
SB: I have a lot of influences i would say my uncle o dig was a major influence for the hip hop i grew up listening to and being around him. Video game music composers like Akira Yamaoka who produced the music for silent hill and Nobuo Uematsu who produced the music for final fantasy also hip hop producers like alchemist, just blaze, the heatmakerz, kanye west, drumma boy, dj premier, justice league, the inkredibles (lee major), the list goes on.
INST: Do you ever see yourself quitting or retiring from beat making?
SB: No. Not anytime soon i’ve decided this is what i want to do for a living. the average person retires 60 to 70 so i have a long way to go lol.
INST: Do you feel that there is a difference in the role of being a producer and being a beat maker?
SB: Definitely, the producer helps with the song writing, song structure and concepts, beat makers do exactly that make the beat.
INST: Any tips, tricks, or advice that you’d like to share?
SB: Producers, do not spam people,other producers and artist’s just make your music available and think of creative ways to draw traffic, get tags recorded and throw them over your beats and release music don’t hold your beats for ransom you want to be heard. Study mixing, if you want your drums to knock start with volume control lower instruments and samples to give your drums room.
INST: Where can we hear your work?
SB: ProdBySerious.com
SeriousBeatsTV.com
Follow @SeriousBeats
Verse*All Remembers Two Legends!
Posted: March 1, 2013 in Beat Maker, BPM, Crate Diggers, Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Hip-Hop, Loops and Samples, ProducersTags: 2Pac, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Beat Battles, Beat Makers, Beat-Maker, Beats Per Minute, BPM, Dr. Dre, Dubstep, Dungeon Family, Electronic press kit, Erik Sermon, J. Dilla, Kanye West, Notorious Big, Remix, RZA, Tupac Shakur
Here (Hear) is a remix I did of two legendary game changing rappers, the late Notorious Big and the late Tupac Shakur. WE all know the rap war that Big and Pac went through that lead to their tragic ending, as murder was their cause of death. My first mixtape entitled: Blend:inn (A Remixtape) is a two-part series that captures that feeling of hip-hop revived as I blend my production with old accapella songs from some of your favorite artist.
You can download a free copy of the blend:inn series at: verseall.bandcamp.com
instrumology 