Why is purchasing music so expensive?

Why is purchasing music so expensive?

 

Is the record industry delusional?  On the streets they sell bootleg CD’s right off of a CD duplicator for $5.00 and make a hefty profit.  Yes I understand a lot of time, money and energy goes into the production of an album, but with modern technology there is no where near the cost as it was in the past.

 

Take Janet Jackson and her number Ones CD, they were on preorder for $17.99, with just one new song, that did not make much sense, because the material was already produced to full production, it was a matter of just selecting which songs that would be included on the CD.  It sold about 70,000 copies so far, but not because of her music but because of the high price.  It would have been much better had she did like I suggested and made a “Party with Janet” CD including about 17 of her best dance songs possibly remixed for about $4.99 and she could have still made a $1 per CD and sold a couple of million copies.

 

I heard Alicia Keys had her album was on sale for $3.99 on MySpace.com, the Element of Freedom released 15 December 2009, now on iTunes for $10.99.  Still the problem is the industry put too much emphasis on art work and there is a place for that but perhaps not on the CD cover.  Maybe the industry has to realize one shoe does not fit all and join into the concept discovered in most industries, that people on different budgets have different discretionary funds.

 

When you buy a car they all do not cost the same, when you rent a hotel room they all do not cost the same, even when you buy a computer, MP-3 Player or stereo they all do not cost the same, so why is there a one size fits all mentality on the music industry CD production.  Personally in many occasions I would take a $5.99 CD over the luxury version $10.99 provided they sound the same.  Just give me a good CD and ink in the title on the CD a simple black and white photo on the cover and the names of the songs on the back of simple cardboard cover and save the fancy CD covers, booklets and the rest for people who want that and can afford it.  But know this will not happened because the music industry is in the Stone Age and is greedy.

What is more important Love or Success?

What is more important Love or Success?

 

For the past 5 years or so, all I heard on the media was how to be successful.  It was being promoted as if we were in a booming economy and prosperity was overflowing.  But now it is getting old as people realize the cut throat mentality of putting people down to get over is selfish and overrated.   When you stop and think about how many poor people it takes to make one person rich and how birds of a feather flock together, just what is being insinuated here?

 

When I was growing up it was all about love, people sung about love, preachers preached about love, and then came this trend whereby everything became green.  But natural resources are limited, so how can everyone be a billionaire and then again how can everyone be millionaires?  But love can overflow, whereby money cannot.  Sure they can print all the money they want but it will not be worth the paper is it printed on. 

 

It is like the mainstream media realized the path it has been taking is about to backfire so they want to change the pattern and make an 180 degree turn, due to events that are not new but are finally being spoken about.  They talked about Fort Hood, Texas as if military fatalities are new or even suicide among our warriors.  They talk about black on black crime like it is new, not because they care but because they are now frightened, but these things have never stopped happening, people were so busy multitasking towards the fantasy of everyone can be a millionaire, by which they forgot about the important task of love and its prominence on a better society.

 

See media controlled America has come to the realization that they are no longer safe, as children are starting to realize there true enemy or enemies who are responsible for there oppression, which is a society that puts success before love.  A society with a prison population unlike anywhere on earth literally, I mean nobody is safe from the desire of a society all out for self. 

 

It was to be just an American dream to be wealthy like the fronts called celebrities, while the truly rich manipulated society into being consumers as a means of living large.  Now everyone wants a piece of the real pie, but the pie is not big enough, so now we hear talk about love again. 

 

Love is the only natural resource that can overflow and never run out of space.  The truth be told love is the only solution to the world’s woes, but before people buy into it the emperor of greed has to fall and they are so greedy they will take America with them if allowed to do so.    

The New Music Middle Class

The New Music Middle Class

 

There is not many more Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson’s created.  The days of the big budget transitions to mega hits are becoming too risky at best.  Sure there are a few big stars out there but are they as big as they seem or were they ever.  I mean is fame money or an expense.  Is success being surrounded by body guards at $250G a hit, being chauffeured in limousines and spending $500,000 on video to be seen at your cost, as music videos are still considered promos.

 

Radio shows are being simulcast; it like really few local DJ’s anymore, so where is all the money going?  It seems like a hand full of people is getting paid large at high tax brackets or not paid at no tax bracket.  But a strange thing is taking place in the music industry, evolving is a new middle class.  Very few people are selling a million CD’s, people are taking lessons from people like Tyler Perry and going back to building fan bases to old fashion way city to city and town to town.  People are recording on privately owned studios and self promoting their material.

 

To make a long story short, people are realizing that it is not worth having a multi-million dollar contract to clear $100G per year or even be in the red, when they can freelance and make $500G and have a life.  As we know so well there is a disparity between what a star makes and what they pocket after video recoup, producers, studio costs, taxes, security and all the stuff that comes with the package called a star..

 

 

Be my Joneses

Be my Joneses

 

It was said that it is not so much important as to what goes into your mouth but what comes out of it, which is a maker of your character.  A very good word historically used as a negative connotation is Joneses meaning basically neighbor.  It is a saying to “keep up with the Joneses.”  Suggesting that you be in competition with your next door neighbor, sort of like they by a fence and you buy a more expensive fence, they buy a car and you buy a better car.

 

But in actuality the term Joneses is a friendly and non competitive term.  I call on the Hip Hop community to replace the terms “Nigger” and “bitch” with “Joneses.”  I call on them to say in there songs “be my Joneses.”  Because like Rev. AL Sharpton said, you are what you say you are.

 

Let us bring back a community to raise a child mentality and be truly neighbors and not allow ourselves to just simply be victims on the system.  A change in mentality is in our grasp, we can determine our destiny, by changing how we speak and therefore changing how we think.

 

It is like the new Mafia is a non profit organization for the betterment of our communities and not a self destructives movement of surviving by any means, because we are packed in the projects like sardines.  We have to address our circumstances and the situations we are facing such as the expansion of prisons, wars around the world and the AIDS pandemic; single parenthood, illiteracy and the symbolically castrated Blackman?

 

As simple as it may seem, a major step in the right direction as a new greeting of camaraderie (Friendship) is to stop calling your brothers or sisters Niggers and bitches and say “that is my Joneses.”  I call on major Hip Hop community to introduce this concept into their culture.  Personally I really like some Hip Hop and Rap music, but I am embarrassed by it; I think the term Joneses will sell more records and allow the music to reach more homes.  At least consider it. And most importantly it would create a safer community and brotherly and sisterly love among our youth.

Is Janet Jackson Capable of Doing New Things

Is Janet Jackson Capable of Doing New Things

 

Janet was on the move for awhile, developing into a new franchise, she has a new book coming out, a new album and new movie coming out all in 2010.  People were starting to take her serious again.  She helped raise funds for amfAR in Milan, Italy.  Then the bombshell dropped like weight on her shoulders

 

Of all the people in the world she takes a photo with Jermaine Dupri, a well know media whore.  And she releases another sex song “Make Me.” Then everything she was doing was reduced whether or not she is dating him.  And will her album be the same old Janet about sex.  The focus went away from amfAR and her new endeavors, as mentioned above.

 

That one mistake may take months to fully recover, unless that is her man.  But the reality of the fact is was she/he ever her man?  Being the media whore that he is if there was a sex tape we would have all seen it by now, for his bragging rights.  I mean all they do is posing in photos and then his blog network takes it from there and post the same old crap over and over.  The so called 7 years relationship has been all about public photos and childish articles about them dating.

 

But like Renee said AKA Warrior Princess, Janet is not known for surrounding herself with wisdom, the 2004 Super Bowl is evidence.  But Jermaine knows Janet’s weakness, she loves to read about herself at any cost and be complimented and told how beautiful she is in and eye to eye conversation and people like Steve Harvey played on it also and it almost got her in trouble, because not everyone is a harmless punk like Jermaine Dupri.  But this mentality is hurting her career.  Janet has to be that late blossom flower she is and truly grow up.

 

 

Is the Survival of Earth Contingent to Mankind?

Is the Survival of Earth Contingent to Mankind?

 

If Hollywood could tell the story or should I say let Hollywood tell it?  We as mankind are so arrogant we seem to think that we are so smart that the world could not exist without us, whereby the exact opposite may be the fact.  Look at the condition of the world and what it has become.  Is mankind a bunch of monsters or is it just a few people manipulating us into monster-hood.  I hate to say it but I will repeat myself and say this world is evil.

 

Look at what we do, compete at everything as if there is not enough for us all.  Fight wars over the land and human rights of others; everywhere you look there is a nuclear bomb or a disease that is wiping out whole communities.  We lock people up in the mind, body and soul, not to mention prisons to have control over masses.

 

What use to be preached was love is now preached is success?  Everybody want to be successful because this is what we are told we are supposed to be now?  Even the President of the United States told our children they are to be successful and competitive, but what good is this all without love?  I thought it was all about love but even love dreams are sold as a ticket to another’s success.  Honestly do the people who claim they care so much really care or are they just using the care line as their ticket to success?

 

So I ask is it possible for mankind to be wiped off of the planet earth.  Does earth really need mankind?  The theory of evolution teaches us that when a species cease to adapt to earth they are extinguished and not the other way around.  But let Hollywood tell the story, being their customers are mankind they have to pacify the audience, as mankind always is victorious.  So let Hollywood tell it, because they have the loudest voice, which makes them our reality, but is it real?  The bottom line is this world sucks and a person with nothing to lose is capable of anything.

 

How about Global Warming?

 

  

Janet Universal Music Group & Radio Airplay

Janet Universal Music Group & Radio Airplay

 

During the Rock Witchu Tour I bought about all of Janet’s albums I did not already own and ended up with two “All for You” CD’s by accident, because I already had it.  However I think they blew a great opportunity; people like me never ever downloaded a song. Personally I buy the CD and convert it to MP-3 and keep the hard copy for storage and stereo use.  Yes I still listen to my stereo at home

 

If they would have made it a free download some people would have downloaded for the first time, to get the hang of it, plus it was billed a gift.  It could have been a reintroduction of Janet.  Good thing Universal Music Group is distributing it.  That leads me another question, being she is being released by Hip-O Records and A&M Records both Universal Music Group companies and was with Def Jam a Universal Music Group Company.  Which leads me to ask is Janet really independent or in-between record label?  With all the Janet Hype, I would not be surprised if she is released again by a Universal Music Group Company in the future.

 

Furthermore I still have not heard the song on the radio, whereby when I am not on the home recording studio my favorite pastime is listening to the stereo and radio and messing with one of my computers sometimes at the same time.  I normally buy only my favorite artist these days unlike in my younger days when I bought all the hits, but I spend hours on the radio being at home or on my MP-3 Player on the move and I purchase consumer goods on a regular.  Commercials still influence my purchases or spending habits.

 

My Point:  Janet Jackson’s marketing team might be barking down the wrong tree, she needs radio airplay exposure, because that is what we do now.  We listen to the radio and buy bread and milk.  Janet’s main market is the radio and not digital downloads.  We are grown already!

amfAR is proof people have succumbed to AIDS

amfAR is proof people have succumbed to AIDS

 

The Foundation for AIDS Research was founded in 1985 and since they have invested nearly $290 Million on its mission.  We are talking about an average of about $10 million per year for 25 years.  Yet this diseased killed over 25 million people, with over 33 million infected.  A better calculation would be about $10 per fatality or $3 or $4 per causality.   We are talking about an organization that spends close to 71% towards its objective of 71 cents to a dollar and I think that is very aggressive and phenomenal.

 

We are talking about an organization full of celebrities affiliations, yet there is not International Anthem sung in there behalf, there is not concerts in there behalf, there is just a bunch of silent watchers.  It is time to blow amfAR up, with the promise of Stem Cell Research, AIDS Research promises to reach a new height.  It’s time for a song and a concert, a movie and celebrity promotions on TV and radio.  We cannot afford to sit silently and watch people die unnecessarily.  We have to show hope, that hope be a reality.  The Foundation for AIDS Research does not need celebrity money it needs your time and talents to generate awareness of the current agenda, then the money will follow.  What Janet Jackson is doing is honorable and more should follow suit.

 

Janet J. May Lead Jackson’s Tour & Michael’s Burial

Janet J. May Lead Jackson’s Tour & Michael’s Burial

 

Timing is everything as Michael Jackson will be place in his final resting place on his 51^st birthday and what is billed as a simple ceremony, but will his fans allow it to be simple?  Michael will be placed to rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park according to several sources 3^rd party information of an unnamed source close to the family.  What I hear is that this will be temporary and the family has much bigger plans for the King of Pop, but only time will tell.  In any case this saga ends for now.

 

There are rumors swirling about a Jackson Family tour to be led by Janet and Jermaine Jackson as the stars or headliners.  There is word that Janet is working on new material for her upcoming album,  As Jermaine has been tweaking the music technology DAW as he entered the home studio thing, there is no telling what the Jackson have in stored to their fans in 2010.

 

It is not clear who will be promoting the tour you have Live Nation, AEG Live and ALLGood Entertainment who has been silent since Michael’s death and claimed they have a contract for the performance of the Jackson Family.  I do not know if Michael’s death nullifies the deal or did they officially opt out, but something has to be put on paper in order for the Jackson’s plans to be sue-proof.  You know how it goes after success old law suit surface.

The under $40G Home Studio DAW – Room not included

The under $40G Home Studio DAW

Room not included

 

Soundproof Booth

 

 

ISOPAC E

6′ wide x 6′ deep x 6.5′ high

$1,730.00

IsoPacs E, F, and G are fully enclosed voice over booths that can also function as an instrument isolation booth. They are offered in a 4’, 5’ and 6’ diameter size.

The IsoPac H is a portable, small sized vocal / voice-over booth that is best suited for interpretation functions or as a voice over booth. The booth has a 5.5′ height, is 5.5′ across and 4.5′ deep.

These voice over and vocal booths are lightweight and portable. The acrylic wraps around the front of the booth, while the Sorber panels wrap around the rear. Since Sorber panels don’t actually connect to the ClearSonic Panels, you can simply use one side of an S5-2 (two sections hinged together) as a “door” for easy entry.

 

 

Hardware:

 

PC Audio Labs Rok Box Pro Desktop Computer  $1,999.00

 

Steinberg FireWire Interface, Cubase 5, and Cubase Controller Recording Package 3  $1,999.99

 

JBL 5.1 Surround Sound System $2,599.00

 

Novation X-Station 61 MIDI Controller $739.99

DoubleSight DS-1900S 19 Inch Dual Monitor  $729.99

AKG C 4000 B Stage and Studio Condenser Microphone  $649.00

SE Electronics SERF Reflexion Filter 3.5  $299.99

Two Sets Grado RS1i Reference Series Headphones  $695.00 each.

Primera 62743 Bravo II DVD & CD Duplicator  $1,999.99

 

 

The Foundation applications I think are best

 

Steinberg Cubase 5 – included in above package

 

Propellerhead Reason 4.0.1

 

Ableton Live 8

 

Sony Acid Pro 7c

 

Adobe Audition

 

Steinberg Wave lab 6

 

Bias Master Perfection Suite

 

Bias SoundSoap 2.2

 

VSTi

 

Native Instruments Komplete 5

Cakewalk the Ultimate Synth Rack

Native Instruments Kore 2 Collection and Software

 

VST

 

Antares Vocal Collections

Bias SoundSoap Pro 1.2.1

 

 

Loops

 

Acid

REX2

Some Wave Construction Kits

 

Reason Refills

 

Reason Refills

Sonic Refills

Other brands