J to the efficient

I recently mentioned on the WEAA interview that the equipment I was working with was 'modest', but really...I've come a long way.

Ahk said I didn't have to get into details over the air, but Ima get into a few now.

I started out making beats in 2004 on a computer with a Pentium 2 processor, and it couldn't have been more than 1GB of ram. I even wrote a few bars about the experience:

"and I make beats on a pentium 2/
if you got an MPC, I envy you/
because when I lay the hi hats and want to add a crash/
before the cymbal splash, my damn computer crash/"

Part of my style of making beats is that I like to layer alot. I can't just settle for one kick and snare, I have to pan atleast a couple in order to get it to sound right. So I would be layering alot in these beats, and when I play it back after arranging notes and stuff, when it got to the crash, the computer would actually hiccup and therefore fduck up my producer playback experience.

So I was able to get a slightly better computer, but that was around the time I started using higher quality instruments via VST plugins, so it was another burden that exacerbated this lag problem I was having. Even after using the M-Audio MobilePre, the computer would glitch up after a few minutes. I was able to cope with it for a while, until I started making beats a little differently.

I've always been drawn to behind the scene type videos, so when I saw this video, I was amazed.

I obviousely am used to software based productions, alot of clicking and very minimal preformance aspect. But when I saw how efficient other people were doing it through keyboard sequencers, I wanted to be able to do that. So alot of newer beats in which you hear a drums, a piano or other melody in it, most of the time was recorded live...sortof like the above video. It was just 10x more fun and efficient this way.

Heh...

I still remember chilling with Asterisk one day and we decided to collab on a beat, he's directing me to add shaker tracks and stuff like that. At one point he's trying to describe something and I didn't get it, so he's like "aight holdon gimme the keyboard, lemme show you what I mean".

LMAO

Because of the lag on my computer, it made him look like dude had NO rythym whatsoever. It was pretty unfair, but it definitely reminded me that what I had been used to...was not how making beats was SUPPOSED to be at ALL. [because I'd become accustomed to this lag, and my playing style had already been naturally offset to account for it].

I really needed to upgrade my stuff...

So when I said on the radio that my equipment was 'modest'...that's what I meant...It's not really up to par.

Now FINALLY, there is hope!!!


It might not seem like much in the pic, but thanks to VelvetHog's guidance, I've been able to get some decent computer parts over the past 5 months.

It's ending up being like around $650...but once again I bought it over the course of 5 months, so it's not really setting me back...

(Time + Money saved)

And people might ask "Jeph, why don't you just save up for an MPC1000 instead???"

Well...for that matter, why don't I buy an XBOX 360 too?

because I knew I could satisfy both needs and way more? It's a no-brainer when you think about it for the long-term.

So I've come along way equipment-wise...It used to take a huge burden just to make a simple beat.

So basically...this new computer is gonna help me make beats alot more efficiently...and I'm trying to make that word my middle name.

J to the efficient...

J to the effortless...

Now i'm off to bmore to celebrate my 23rd birthday, newer and improved Jeph coming soon!!!


---


PS -- Who's idea was it to make Earth Day on MY birthday??? Jeeeeezzz....

88.9FM Strictly Hip Hop Interview w/ Jeph

My first interview...I was nervous straight for the entire 3 days prior to "on-air" time.

Jeph Interview - Strictly Hip Hop

That first one might have cut out too early...check out the bottom link if it does

http://www.zshare.net/download/57110085f1d3d353/

And by the time I was in front of the mic, I'd calmed down alot...so IMAGINE how nervous i was BEFORE the interview, if I was still kinda nervous DURING.

But Big Ahk is a cool guy, I wish I had a video of his facial expressions, i don't know why, it was real animated and kinda funny. I think he was just trying to get me to calm down.

And shoutouts to Lyricist aka Jewel there too. She's supported me from the jump. This interview wouldn't have been possible without her reminding me to submit my stuff in. I think we have a very compatible music taste as well, so I'll be checking what she's listening to more often.

So close to getting this new computer set up, once it's on...it's gonna mean I can make beats ALOT more efficiently. And I have so many ideas...