Product Description

Whatever your level of experience, The Dance Music Manual is packed with sound advice, techniques and practical examples to help you achieve professional results. Written by a professional producer and remixer, the book is organised into three accessible sections:

Technology and theory
If youre relatively new to the technology and theory behind todays dance music, Rick Snoman discusses the basics of MIDI, synthesis and sampling, as well as music theory, effects, compression, microphone techniques and sound design.
Dance genres
This section covers techniques for producing different musical styles, including Trance, Trip Hop, Rap and House. Snoman takes a close look at the general programming principles behind drum loops, basses and leads for each genre, in addition to the programming and effects used to create the sounds.
Mixing and promotion
Snoman guides you through the art of mixing, mastering, remixing, pressing and publishing your latest masterpiece. This includes a look at how record companies operate, copyrighting your material, pressing your own records and the costs involved. Finally, guest contributors offer essential advice on DJing and how to create your own website to promote your music.

The CD provides demo tracks showing what can be achieved when applying the advice contained in the book, including examples of the quality difference before and after mixing and mastering. The CD also contains free software demos for you to download.

For even more advice and resources, check out the books official website www.dancemusicproduction.com

* Learn the art of creating original dance tracks and remixes using any music software
* Packed with examples and tips for achieving professional results and getting your music heard
* Includes a free CD-Rom with MIDI files, samples and example tracks

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33671 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Mid-American Review
A brisk and heartfelt coming-of-age story of a misfit growing up with more than the usual burdens of living in a tourist trap.

Review
"In short, Snoman knows what he's talking about." - Remix

About the Author
Rick Snoman has been actively involved in the dance music scene since the late eighties and has produced and released numerous white labels and remixed over thirty professional artists solely for the dance floor. He has held seminars across the UK on remixing and producing club-based dance music and written numerous articles and reviews for leading music technology magazines and websites.

Customer Reviews

I should've got this book YEARS ago!
I've been working on breakbeat & trance for two years now after doing pop and rock for years in my 20s. I thought I knew quite a bit about electronica, but my 'knowledge' has always been like a mist in my head...there was always something wrong in either my tunes or the process.

I've heard so many good things about this book...to the extent that I thought it was all hype. Weeks ago I finally decided to give it a go. And wow...now the loose ends are really coming together. The author really understands and speaks from a producer point of view, in the case of dance music production, the producer needs to take control of the whole picture and therefore his way of integrating all aspects is nothing short of a great revelation.

I was gonna wait for the new edition, but decided to give this one a read first. And I'm glad I did. I wish I had this book years ago!

THere's a reviewer saying that this book is 'basic': well, it certainly isn't for "advanced electronica producers"---because these advanced dudes are most likely working on inspirations that hace to be felt and worked, rather than essential skills this book provides. Really...if you're so advanced, why are you still looking for a 'manual'?

If you do dance music, I whole heartedly recommend that you get a copy of this book.

Excellent book.. except for....
Excellent book. Easy to read, and extensive to say the least.

Some things that disappointed me though (and they are minor): The examples of drum rhythms, bass lines, and basically constructing a track are brief.

Another thing I was disappointed with was that almost a quarter of the book was devoted to HTML and making an audio website. That was upsetting because I don't care to make websites. I care to make MUSIC!

I was also disappointed that the book picked a few sub-sub-genres to work composition/production examples from. I would have preferred the book focused more on how to make something that gets people onto the floor and DANCE.

I can see though, that without much knowledge at all about dance music production, this is a fantastic starting point and would get a reader up to speed to read the more in depth books on audio production specifics such as synth programming, drum programming, and software/hardware specific manuals.

I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who is a dance music hobbyist or just starting out with the dream of getting hearing your name backannounced on the radio when you drive home from work.... "Yep, that's my track."

Buy this book and the dream will be a LOT closer.

The best for any level of electronic musicians!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book has been more help than any other book that I have read on making electronic music!!!!! I recommend this as a must have for anyone starting out to seasoned vets of electronic music!!!!!!!