Home Recording Guide For Singers

Going into a recording studio to record will usually result in sound quality that is suitable for your "demo" submissions. However, it can be expensive and in a professional studio there is little room for error if something goes wrong. If a band member is sick or you get a bad engineer- you're out of luck. It is common for things to go wrong as the studio experience is a new experience for many. Happily, there are other alternatives.

Computer based home recording gets cheaper all the time so if you feel you have talent and really aspire to be a professional singer you might consider putting together a home studio. Having your own gear allows you to record whenever you want, for as long as you want until you get the desired track.

The barriers to home recording entry are low - really just a computer, sound card, a quality audio software program for recording and editing and a microphone. If you want to save your songs to CD, you will need a cd burner and some blank cd's.

The first step is to set up the microphone on your PC, which has a built-in sound card (a necessity). If you don't need high sound quality, you can use the built-in microphone in your PC (if it has one). You can enable this through the control panel. If you're looking to produce something with better quality, then a good quality microphone is essential.

A good microphone doesn't have to be expensive but it is best to buy the best one you can afford. For recording the human voice a "condenser" microphone is generally recommended and they're easy to find at any audio store.

Then you will need some audio recording software. There are a number of free, simple audio recording applications that allow you to record sound and convert it to a popular audio format like MP3 or WAV (such as Audacity). You can download free software from Audacity by following the simple download instructions.

For a small price, you can get more advanced features, like the ability to edit recordings and apply sound effects. If you want to start getting professional, you can use programs such as Sonic Foundry's Sound Forge Studio 6.0.

When the microphone is set up and the right software is installed, it is time to get on with your home recording.Check that the microphone is at the right height and have a couple of practice runs. Don't forget to take into account "audio distractions" such as the phone, background noise or the neighbors. Don't be afraid of getting close to the mic, it will sound better.

Recording your first take is as simple as pressing "record." When you have finished recording your song, stop recording and the application can automatically convert your recording into a file that I can be played back.

How well-recorded do my demos need to be?

The answer is actually very simple. For song pitches, the recording can be much less "produced" than it should be for artist pitches. Some people believe that a song pitch demo should leave some room for imagination - let the artist or A&R person develop some emotional ownership of the song by imagining a tambourine part or a vocal harmony. For band or artist pitches, you may want to flesh out more tracks that show the artist's whole vision. Remember though, A&R people are far more interested in the song's potential, and the artist's appeal than they are about the quality of the recording. Nearly every act signed to a major label will be recording their entire album over again with a pro engineer and producer. The demo is only a demo!

How do I share my songs online?

If you want to upload and share your music online (MySpace, boomp3.com, Broadjam or to your own website) you can simply upload the mp3 files you have saved.

Sophie Curran is a singer and chief editor at "The Sing Studio.com" where you can find more free articles and advice on how to start your singing career, how to promote and record your songs and how to sell your music online. To learn more visit http://thesingstudio.com

Should We Hook Up (Have Sex)? Seven Factors for College Students With a Case of Spring Fever

So, you are at a party, or on a beach somewhere for spring break. Youre having fun, chillin and checkin out the scene. Maybe you are having some cocktails (you are legal, right?) Before you know it, you are talking to what you think is a hottie. And they are talking to you. Sweet! So, you think to yourself; Id really like to hook up with her (or him) They are hot! Well, while your temperature is rising and you are trying to find a way to be alone with them. You probably have a case of spring fever, which can hit during any season, by the way. Still, there are some things to consider before the hookup occurs. You can decide to hookup, hang out or hang up at any moment you choose! Here are seven factors that can you can keep in mind to have a great time while protecting yourself. 1.The beer goggle factor: The beer can cloud your judgment if you have too much of it, so if you stay within your limits you can make a better choice. If youve had a few too many, you may want to ask your friend (if they are more clear thinking than you are) if what you see is really what you get.

2.The health factor: Think about staying young and healthy! You can more easily prevent than treat sexually transmitted diseases by using safer sex practices such as condoms and other safer sex apparel such as dental dams or gloves as part of all sex play. You also have a right to ask someones health status, and to engage in safer sex activities, such as kissing or mutual masturbation. Most college health clinics have free condoms or other birth control available, if you choose to access it. Or, you can go to the nearest pharmacy or convenience store to get supplies. If you don't know how to use condoms, practice on yourself, or on a penis-shaped sex toy. If you don't have those, then practice on a cucumber or zuchinni until you get the hang of it.

3.The relationship factor: Are you in a relationship? (not with this hottie). If you are, do you care about this person, and what is your agreement about being exclusive? Shell never find out or hell never know the difference is a lie that you can tell yourself at the time, but can you live with that? How will you feel about cheating on your partner? Alternative: If you are far away, set up a phone sex date with your partner instead. Use your imagination to drive you wild.

4.The morning after factor: How will you feel about this decision in the morning? If you are great with that, then go ahead and have fun. If you decide just to hook up for sex sake, then have at it, as long as the decision is mutual and you consider safer sex practices. You probably dont want to create a baby from a fling. If you really like the person, though, and want to know them better, you may consider doing this first before hitting it to see what develops. Its all about your mindset.

5.The backup factor: Do your friends know where you are? Do you know where you are? If the answer is no, then make sure to let someone or more than one person know where you are going. The address, etc. Have an agreement with one of your friends about where you are. You can ask for ID also so you can let them know the name and address of the person you are going somewhere with.

6.The ride home factor: How are you going to get home? If you are too buzzed to drive, then walk or cab it to wherever you are going. Better safe than dead.

7.The small world factor: It is indeed a small world. Remember, you may be seeing the person on campus again, or off campus if you met them through friends. I know its sometimes difficult to think about the future when you are having such a great time in the present! However, keep in mind that you will run into people around campus, and that a minute of planning now can save you a whole lot of headache in the future. Now that will give you a dose of reality on spring fever gone bad.

8.Bonus: The Red Flag Factor: If you see red flags flying, like the hottie is passed out and wasted, stalking you, telling you they want to marry you and have babies together, violating your boundaries, then run, dont walk.

If you would like to learn more about sexuality and relationships you can visit our website at http://www.healingcouch.com We have free articles, and a quarterly e-newsletter called the Sexuality Times that you can subscribe to. If you want to know more about what to look for in relationships and red flags, I invite you to check out our book special on our new book, The Ultimate Compatibility Quiz for Couples; Find the Green, Red, and Black Flags in Your Relationship. Have you ever wondered if you and your partner are compatible? This book contains over 240 questions that can identify your strong points and your problem areas so you can decide if you should stay or head for the hills! If you would like to get in on the talk show special on our website at http://www.healingcouch.com

It Should Be All About You

In our efforts to try to even attempt to stay on top of the dynamics of the social networking space we consume volumes of material daily. What has become apparent in reading research, announcements and participating in numerous networks, forums and blogs is that for the most part the perspectives are wrong.

Many are writing about new networks, new functions and the pundits are screaming about the growth of social networking on line and in the mobile space. Additionally the marketers are all trying to figure out how to best get their brands in the middle of all this while at the same time protect their brands from wrong association. Broadcasters are now discovering social networks as a new medium for video, live TV, podcast and radio broadcasting opportunities.

The broadcasting world is drooling over the addition advertising revenue opportunities. Our friends in the technology world are coming out with breakthrough applications, collective networks, autonomous networks and things that I can even attempt to try and spell never mind try and explain. Corporations, major brands, institutions, governments and virtually ever segment of business you can imagine are launching social networks. Today alone I received invitations to six more networks I never heard of nor would I be interested in joining yet another network. Networks are popping up everywhere and some really bizarre network initiatives are being launched.

Consider the following from emarketer today: The desire to communicate about personal issues is a powerful force. One of the newest entrants into the field is an international Web site called Respectance, which is creating a virtual memorial for the dead that enables surviving friends and relatives to create and share user-generated tributes and obituaries. Ultimately, the companys founders and investors want advertising, but they are moving into untrammeled territory while striking the right dignified tone. This has to be handled very carefully, said Barend Van den Brande, a partner in Big Bang Ventures, a Belgian venture capital fund that has invested in Respectance. What you dont want to see is an ad for a BMW on your grandmothers obituary.

What next, a network for those that live in the after life? All of this activity is only creating confusion for the masses while those of us on the inside of the market get bewildered by the onslaught of the chaos. Most market research is about opportunities for suppliers to the market, marketers, network operators and broadcast firms. Rarely do I see any real market research with supporting data that point to privileges and preferences from the current and future end user..YOU! After all every possibility about social networking should be aimed at enhancing my life experiences. Connecting with those I care about, conducting task in my daily life, personal and professional, and doing so more efficiently. Again and again,

it is all about YOU and what you can do and with whom.

Reverse thinking is required for if the pundits, marketers and researchers are to truly understand the power available to US if the suppliers could every align their thinking and efforts around YOU, not THEIR INTEREST.

As someone told me once long ago

always start and end with the customer in mind and you will always win. So to those network operators, market makers, technology suppliers, marketing firms please hear this one thing.

What will your idea do for me, the end user and content creator?

What say you?

Jay is one of the few really deep-thinkers about both the socio-cultural implications of social networking as well as the practical business application across a range of industries and sizes of business. Jay challenges me to up my game. July 21, 2007 Scott Allen, Coauthor, The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online, http://www.TheVirtualHandshake.com

Mr. Deragon is consider one of the leading experts in the emerging market of social networking market. He has studied numerous platforms, features, functions and the markets behavior. His analysis and findings conclude that this space has tremendous potential for individuals, companies and entire industries. There is an art and science to social networking that requires constant learning as the market matures. To read more about my discoveries and findings check out my blog.

Mr. Deragon was previously Chairman of XSVoice, a mobile application company that provided technology for live and on demand audio broadcast to mobile devices. see http://www.relationship-economy.com