Reason 8.0 In Dub (3): Delayerings and Reverberations

REASON 8.0 IN DUB (3): DELAYERINGS AND REVERBERATIONS
STUDIO DUBROOM ON PROPELLERHEAD'S REASON

WWW, November 2014 - Reverb and delay: the two basic effects for a Dub mix. In this third chapter of REASON 8.0 IN DUB, both effects are subject to a deeper reviewing in word, sound and sight. Another original Reggae riddim was created, rendered to eight audio tracks and imported into a multi-track DUB set up in Reason. A report.

Before we'll take a look at some of the delay and reverb devices and -more important- see and hear them in action, a few words about creating a riddim in Reason. Reason 8.0's new browser is a tremendous help during this process. Where it's rather obvious how the quality of the work-flow had dramatically improved since Reason 3.0, this browser in itself contributes significantly to it. Picking sounds for your sampler or drum computer goes very quick, especially when you use the drag-and-drop possibilities.

Love it or hate it: the Neptune Voice Synthesizer does it's work quite well. Just load a few vocal samples and make sure they're fit in the rhythm.

After this, make a little midi harmony in the Neptune's sequencer channel (see picture right, click to enlarge), make sure the vocals feed the Neptune and you have your very own harmony vocals 21th century style.

Another thing worth mentioning here are the two amps created by Softube that ship with Reason 8.0.

When you want to use real guitar sounds next to the real bass guitar sounds, both the guitar amp and the bass amp do a wonderful job. The wah-wah guitar you'll hear in the mix has a significant better sound when run through the amp and so does the bass.

Creating a riddim is as easy as your inspiration will let you fill in the blank sequencer. It does take computer power, though. Even running the DAW in 64 bit modus with full 8 gigabytes available will not let you set up a complete Dub environment while using all the instruments. Rendering your riddim to audio tracks solves that problem and will bring you directly in the situation wherein Dub is actually made: after all, it's a remixing technique of multi-track recordings or "stems".

For this series, a special multi-track Dub environment was created in Reason. Unfortunately it's not possible to make the stems available for download because of license limitations, but when you take a look at the Dubroom's tutorial on making Dub with computers or at the graphic right (click to enlarge), you'll get the idea. This is the principal according to which the Dub environment is set up. 

Since Reason's console has eight auxiliary outputs, you'll have the possibility to connect six effects. Route the output of the effect devices to a channel input and you can layer effect over effects. This is exactly what's going to be done quite heavily in the Dub that was made for this report. 

Now, let's take a closer look at the effects themselves.

• Aux-Out 1: DDL-1 Delay -> PEQ-2 EQ
• Aux-Out 2: RV-7000 Ping-Pong Delay
• Aux-Out 3: THE ECHO with a Dubroom preset
• Aux-Out 4: RV-7000 Reverb and/or Synapse DR-1 Reverb
• Aux-Out 5: Echobode Rack Extension (random preset)
• Aux-Out 6: T2 Phaser (Dubroom preset)
• Aux-Out 7: Audiomatic (Psych preset)
• Aux-out 8: RV-7000 Reverse Reverb

In the Dub mix, you'll hear both reverb devices or just the DR-1. At the console, the two channels at the far right feed the devices. There is quite a difference to be heard when you hear both reverb devices, as both devices come back into the console in the same channel. To achieve this set up, use was made of the FREE Audio merger and splitter Rack Extensions by Blamsoft.

You'll hear a little bit from the Echobode Rack Extension. This is a frequency shifter and delay device that at this point is yet to be reviewed deeper. THE ECHO is taken to a deeper level as well. Of course, the manual delay (aux 1, more info here) and the RV-7000 with a Dubroom Ping Pong delay preset are featured.

The T2 Phaser (available for around 15 euro at the propshop) does some crucial things to the drums. A Dubroom preset is used for it. This is a heartically recommended Rack Extension. Just listen to what it does with the drums!

Nuff read. Look and listen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejPoce6sON8

The signals feeds like the Ping Pong delay, which at it's turn feeds THE ECHO. That's just one layering of effects used in this mix. There's a lot more going on, all possible because of the way everything is routed. Tweaking the EQ on the reverb channel is quite effective, but that was already made clear in the previous dub mixes.

It's not easy to create Dub effects in the lower frequencies (read: bass line), but both the DR-1 and the RV-7000 showed to be perfectly able to deal with the deeper realms. They sound nice together as well. 

To conclude, a word about the Echobode. The first audible patch was taken and the thing tweaked just a little bit, without being hindered by any knowledge of the device itself. This in itself showed a potential that most certainly will be looked at more in-depth.

For now: 

One Love,
Messian Dread

LINKS
DUB MIX (MP3) - GUITAR AMP PATCH - BASS AMP PATCH - PHASER PATCH - GET T2 PHASER - GET T2 PHASER - GET SYNAPSE DR-1 - GET FREE MERGER - GET FREE SPLITTER - MORE DUBROOM REASON STUFF

 

Reason 8.0 In Dub (2): The Echo And Synapse Wetness

REASON 8.0 IN DUB (2): THE ECHO AND SYNAPSE WETNESS
STUDIO DUBROOM ON PROPELLERHEAD'S REASON

WWW, November 2014 - For this second part of REASON 8.0 IN DUB, Messian Dread created another original riddim and took a thirty-day trial of the Synapse DR-1 Reverb Rack Extension. He also tweaked THE ECHO in what became yet another fat Dub created only with Propellerhead's Reason 8.0. Another report from the studio.

Reason's RV-7000 Advanced Reverb does more than a decent job, especially when you consider it's the standard reverb in a 450 Euro DAW. It has been used by many producers whose choice was the RV-7000. Still, it turns out the blue device doesn't do everything and that's exactly where the DR-1 comes into focus. Taking a thirty-day trial for the 35 Euro Reverb device is free, and it turned out to be a very interesting choice.

Another thing that really needed a deeper review is THE ECHO, Propellerhead's very own "Advanced Delay". To see it live in action during a Dub mix is obviously the best way to discover some of it's features and that's exactly what can be done in this report.

Yet a third thing is the bass. As it turned out, feeding the AUDIOMATIC with the "Psyche" preset, which at it's turn feeds the DR-1 produced a wonderful effect on the bass. 

Before the Dub could be mixed, again from eight different audio tracks or stems, the riddim had to be made. Drums, percussion, bass, organ, piano, guitars, horns and vocals. Once again, the NEPTUNE Voice Synthesizer was applied to create some kind of effect on the vocals just because of the vibe it gives. For the vocals, just a few phrases were used. Once again, the bass amp was used for the bassline and two different guitar amps for the two different guitars. The horns went through DR Octorex's own filter before it was rendered to an audio track.

Here you are: enjoy another Dub of Infotainment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82jjIb8VdEc

When you would like to compare the DR-1 with the RV-7000, download the MP3 files. The two mixes are identical, the only difference is the reverb device.

One Love,
Messian Dread

DUB MIX (DR-1) - DUB MIX (RV-7000) - GET SYNAPSE DR-1 - MORE DUBROOM REASON STUFF

 

Reason 8.0 In Dub (1): Action Rack Extension

REASON 8.0 IN DUB (1): ACTION RACK EXTENSION
STUDIO DUBROOM ON PROPELLERHEAD'S REASON

WWW, November 2014 - After the very well received review of Reason 8.0 especially for the DUB Community, the Dubroom continues to explore and review Propellerhead's flagship. In "Action Rack Extension", Messian Dread mixes eight audio tracks into a heavy DUB using all six FX outputs on Reason's console. A report in sight and sound.

The best way to explore Reason, obviously, is to create riddims and make a Dubs from them. This is exactly what has been going on these last weeks over here in the Dubroom. At a later stage, more about creating riddims with Reason. For now, just the report that creating riddims is a true joy and Reason has a positive role in the inspiration.

Reason runs in 64bit on a machine with 8 Gigs of RAM and Intel processors of the newest kind. The software was loaded with drum computers, sound modules, loop players and of course the Neptune voice synthesizer. As soon as Reason hit the ceiling, the riddim was rendered to hard disk in the form of eight multi-tracks or stems. Unfortunately these multi-tracks cannot be shared as that would go beyond the Dubroom's license, but the result can be witnessed in the form of a You Tube video you can watch later on in this report. 

In fact, making a DUB from an audio multi-track is the authentic and original way of making DUB. This is how the music came into existence, as the Jamaican studio bands played one riddim after the other into the multi-track recorder and the DUB engineer turned everything into that music we all love to play so much. This is exactly how the DUB for this report was made.

Reason was set up with eight audio channels, one for sound FX, and six console input channels for all six auxiliary outputs. Yes, six different effect devices are used in this particular set up. Their output goes to console input channels. Over here, we don't deal with returns but you can read about these things elsewhere in the studio. 

Next to different RV7000's for delays and reverbs, The Echo was put in there as well as two Audiomatic devices. The Audiomatic is a Rack Extension, Propellerhead Reason's very own plug-in format. It ships for free with Reason 8.0, just like the excellent bass amp responsible for the warm and deep bass sound in this mix. 

Another Rack Extension used is the T2 Phaser (review). You can download and use the device in your Reason rack for free for 30 days or decide to buy it. It's only about 15 euros and worth much more than that. In fact, for DUB created only with Reason the T2 is obligatory.

Rack extensions work like any other device you can load in Reason's rack. Connect them, make a sequencer track and start recording your automation. 

The T2 and the Audiomatic Rack extensions turn out to integrate fully in a DUB environment. The Echo on top of that gives that extra touch but at this time, the device is not fully tested so there is much more potential than the stuff you can hear in the mix created for this report.

After an initial sound check on the correctly connected set up, finally the DUB could be mixed. An exciting moment. This would show how much is true concerning Propellerhead's claims about workflow in Reason 8.0. Will there be hick-up's when the loop points are changed? Will everything be in sync in the first place? How about latency when you use the on-board soundcards with an ASIO4ALL driver? 

Everything went extremely smooth. Six different effects that take up their processing power, not to speak about the console itself and the eight different audio tracks can all be handled in virtual real-time. There's no experienceable latency, as the Reason sequencer records and plays the mixing automation.

The Dub? Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeP7oyIMImo

Both the Audiomatic and the T2 get their fair chance, especially in the second half of the mix when the two effects follow up on each other. The Audiomatic turns out to be crucial in deforming both the bass and the drums. Especially when combined with other effects (reverb), this little big thing can drive your mix to a next dimension. The T2 (reviewed here) is a very, very decent phaser that works excellently as well. 

The RV7000's and the manual delay do their thing. A ping-pong delay, a reverse reverb and a more or less standard hall effect for the RV7000 devices. The Echo is tweaked at a certain point showcasing some of it's potential, but there has to be some deeper exploring of the delay.

Even though not so much effort was put in the actual riddim, the result is a very reasonable Dub mix. Mixing the Dub is a true pleasure, and Reason's workflow plays a part in it, definitely. The technique behind the automation and everything is very high in quality and low in causing problems.

One Love,
Messian Dread

PATCHES (ZIP) - GET T2 PHASER - MORE DUBROOM REASON STUFF

 

The T2 Phaser Rack Extension (Studio Dubroom On Propellerhead's Reason)

THE T2 PHASER RACK EXTENSION
STUDIO DUBROOM ON PROPELLERHEAD'S REASON

WWW, November 2014 - The in-program phaser in Reason is not the DAW's strongest feature. This very fact has been picked up by "That Music Company": they developed a very fine phaser which can be yours for the price of about 15 euros. Presenting the T2 Phaser Rack Extension!

Rack Extensions. It's Propellerhead's name for the Reason internal plug-in format. You get a few when you purchase Reason, you can download one or two for free but the bulk can be discovered by visiting the "Prop Shop".

For a DUB engineer, browsing the Rack Extensions can be, well, time-consuming. After all, most are aimed at the production of EDM ("Electronic Dance Music") and will not really add much to the standard effects and instruments in Reason.

Not so with the T2 Phaser (see picture, click to enlarge). It's the second device created by the small Rack Extension developer "That Music Company", based in San Jose (California, USA) and it truly is an extension to your rack.

First thing that stands out is the price. For about 15 euros, the T2 is yours. That's fifteen euros to de facto replace Reason's standard phaser because as soon as you run the T2 in your set up you'll hear the power in the thing.

It basically has three main sections: Overdrive, Phaser and HPF (Hi-Pass Filter). Overdrive and HPF will add vibes to the main sound the Phaser section produces. You can set waveforms and on top of that, different steps. Pan effects belong to the possibilities too, you can even trigger the T2 by midi notes.

Got Reason? Get the T2. It's that simple. Just download the phaser, you will have thirty days to discover the fully functional device before you will undoubtedly decide to have it permanently in your effect collection.

WEBSITE - PROPSHOP - MORE DUBROOM REASON STUFF

 

Reason 8.0: A Review For The Dub Community

REASON 8.0: A REVIEW FOR THE DUB COMMUNITY
STUDIO DUBROOM SOFTWARE AND SOUNDWARE REVIEW

 

 

WWW, October 16 2014 - It's been close to a decade since the launch of Reason 3.0 and the Dubroom's review of the then groundbreaking, ultra-flexible Dub-friendly music production software. We've promoted the software continually ever since it was established how it was possible to make Dub using just one program. Just recently, Reason 8.0 was released and arrived in the Dubroom not much later. We went in-depth again, from 3.0 straight to eight and came back with this review exclusively for the Dub Community.

Of course, we don't have to re-establish how it is possible to make DUB using Reason as a Stand-Alone Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). We did that when Reason 3.0 had arrived and changed the way to produce the music we all love to produce. It's obvious that Reason 8.0 enables you to do what version 3.0 offered, and it's obvious that we're a decade later into the research and development at the Scandinavian laboratories.

Just in case, though. Yes, you can make Dub not just using just a computer but using just one program. The name of that program is Reason, of which version 8.0 was released just two weeks prior to the publication of this review. 

In a way, this is not just a review of Reason 8.0, it's a review of ten years of development at Propellerhead and in the production of DUB Music using just a computer. In this decade, producing music with just a computer has become what it should be: commonly accepted. No longer is it considered to be avant-gardistic to side-step snobby studio owners with attitudes and reach your audience directly with computer-based productions. 

No longer are computer-based producers looked down upon, and Reason has played a huge part in this wonderful development.

It's October 2014. Welcome to a review of Reason 8.0, software that enables you to turn that idea in your head into sounds from your audience's speakers.

We're going to take a deep look into the many new features that have been added to Propellerhead's flag ship during the last decade. Sure, there are many new devices that look promising at first sight. After all, that's what we need in our studio. Brand new in Reason 8.0 is the updated browser, which needs to be examined too. Will it be quicker in this new way to find what you're looking for?

Questions, questions. 

Door locked, all projects put on hold for more than a week. Reason was the object of undivided attention as this review was written, Dubs created and put on You Tube along with other things like detailed screenshots taken. You can read all about this in this extensive, in-depth review of Reason 8.0 where all things DUB are considered and tried.

In fact, the review is so long that it's divided in different parts. However, it's possible to check out the full review on one long page as well. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION CLICK TO READ
A review for the Dub community - A Dub engineer's perspective - The configuration - The installation process

PART TWO: FIRST STEPS CLICK TO READ
A first impression - A closer look - A first session

PART THREE: FEATURES CLICK TO READ
The mixing console - The rack -The devices - The sequencer - The browser - Two missing links - Rack extensions

PART FOUR: THE DEVICES CLICK TO READ
The effects - The instruments - The utilities

PART FIVE: CONCLUSION CLICK TO READ
The work-flow - A final Dub - Reason eight straight out...

REASON 8.0: A REVIEW FOR THE DUB COMMUNITY CLICK TO READ
Read the full review on one page

Willi Williams: "Smugg Records Are Pirates"

WILLI WILLIAMS: "SMUGG RECORDS ARE PIRATES"
DUBROOM (DUB) REGGAE NEWS AND VIEWS

WWW, October 3 1014 - In a very informative, but partly disturbing interview the Midnight Raver recently held with well known Reggae Singer Willi Williams, the Ammagideon Man was quoted about a release called "One Love". As the album was reviewed and promoted by the Dubroom, it was shocking to hear what the brethren had to say about this release. In short: it's pirated, don't buy!

Ask Bunny Wailer about the early Wailers Black Ark recordings you can find almost everywhere. Ask Scientist about his well-known Greensleeves Dub Series. Ask Willi Williams about "One Love. Not the concept, but the album. Released by UK-based Smugg Records. Who were so kind to send the Dubroom a promo copy years back when it was released. Which was subsequently reviewed and promoted from this very website.

This is what he has to say:

“The ONE LOVE record is a pirated record. These guys been releasing my records for years and no matter how you try to get to them to let them know that it is not legal they insist on doing it. I send plenty letters from my lawyers and every ‘ting but they are shady. Its a shadowy business but Smugg Records is one of the pirates, they just using that name to sell the records. Especially this new record was pirated by them at whoever is behind this Smugg Records. I even got to one of the guys one time and he was very shadowy and could not tell me how he got it because I have no agreement with them. You know I did some tracks way back with an individual named Steven King out of the UK – him have a label called Uptempo – I did a couple of tracks with him as producer and he went and took my tracks from these sessions along with some others and I suspect that is how they release these pirated records.”

source

The Book of life teaches us how "The Love For Money Is The Root Of All Evil". That's not the One Love Willi Williams sings about, that's not the definition of One Love over here in the Dubroom, either. That's the love for pounds, euros, dollars. The kind of love that brings people to make wars and kill millions.

Needless to say that from this place we offer our apologizes -without any objection- to Willi Williams for having promoted something that did not provide him with the daily bread that he works for so hard. 

Equally, we gladly extend this piece of information from Willi Williams aka The Messenger Man to everyone who considers buying or promoting the album. 

One Love (yes!),
Messian Dread (editor, dubroom.org)

CLICK HERE TO READ THE INTERVIEW

Dub Dynasty - Thundering Mantis (Dubroom Album Review)

DUB DYNASTY - THUNDERING MANTIS
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Digital download, vinyl, CD, or a combination: the formats vary, the source does not. That source being the UK DUB Twins Alpha and Omega with a brand new release on their Steppas Records label. Nine vocal tracks featuring a world wide group of singers alongside their DUB counterpart carrying the unmistakable Alpha and Omega sound.

Dub Dynasty is Alpha and Omega and Alpha Steppa: yes, the next generation. Son and nephew, to be exact. 

With that out of the way, let's talk about the music. Thundering is the right word for the floor-shaking bass sound that we're used to when it comes to AO productions. This double vinyl release doesn't lack any of it. The real interesting part of Thundering Mantis is the fact that not just do we have a whole range of vocalists ranging from a more meditative eastern style talk to heartical singing (Prince David), there is an equal amount of producers who lent some of their material to Alpha and Omega. 

It's Alpha and Omega, yes, and it's more.

With two vocals and two dubs featured on Radio Dubroom 2014 Chapter Eight, you can get an idea.

This is a musical release that's, well, kind of obligatory when you are into the more heavy side of Sound System DUB. Whether you're into digital download, CD or just plain vinyl for that bass sound the choice is yours. 

Whatever you do: support the independent DUB movement with your purchase, it's so much needed.

BUYING OPTIONS

   

READ REVIEW AT DUBROOM WEBSITE

Various Artists - United As One (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - UNITED AS ONE
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 20 2014 - Something brewing in the Mediterranean: The Maltese Net Label Dub Key and it's Cyprus based Dubophonic counterpart joined strength with a solid and varied (DUB) Roots Reggae release as a result. Music with a message, music with a soul and general conscious vibes. Can't refuse this one. 

They've been anticipating this release with an excellent promo mix that could be download only a hundred times. That is, until the day of the actual album release and -not completely coincidental- the day of this review as well. Over here at the Dubroom we've anticipated with the inclusion of the very same promo mix in a podcast released yesterday and a determination to publish the first review of this more than excellent album for the online massive.

Why?

You've guessed it: this is not just another musical release. In fact, where the two Mediterranean Net Labels continually work on increasing their quantity and quality, this release drops the two heavyweights together with a musical explosion as result. Remember: when the music hits, you feel no pain but you do feel the positive vibes of this collaboration. "United As One" sets an example for this time, wherein we do no longer need to "kill soundboys" but rather say "One Love", especially in the Sound System culture with which both Dub Key and Dubophonic have their connections.

Both labels have singers and players of instruments, engineers and producers and they've been voicing, playing and mixing each other's work. The album that came out on this September 20 2014 carries 16 mixes of four riddims. Vocals and Dubs follow each other as each riddim is presented in a truly different form. Truly sixteen different tracks, that you really want to play from the top to the very last drop. Unless you're a (online) selector in which case you will find that the track will be very fit for a different sequence in your own DJ set. 

This is niceness, this is a must download. The only problem you face is this: from which website are you going to download it? From DUB KEY or DUBOPHONIC? 

You'll sort it out.

READ MORE

Crucial Alphonso - Visionary Creation (MP3 Album Review)

CRUCIAL ALPHONSO - VISIONARY CREATION
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - True Original Sound System Style: six titles all with two versions. Pumping steppers riddims, some played by the mighty King Earthquake (UK) and all created in Crucial Alphonso's Belgian Studio. When you like your digital, when you like your steppers, when you need your bass, just download this free release by that Maltese DUB KEY Net Label.

Crucial Alphonso grew up with Reggae. His father a Reggae DJ, his own voicing at Sound Systems and ability to create his own electronic devices, it was only a matter of time before he would start releasing his own production. As said, as done. Twelve outstanding pieces of digital niceness that yuou can play soft but preferable loud with a lot of bass.  

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Ondubground And Jahko Lion - Chapter One EP (Dubroom MP3 Review)

ONDUBGROUND AND JAHKO LION - CHAPTER ONE (EP)
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - French (DUB) Reggae band OnDubGround with five tracks featuring Jamaican singer Jahko Lion. Both showing their versatility as Jahko rides laid-back, Ire riddims and heavy steppers with the same ease as they are played into the multitrack recorder.

In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty. Someone said it sometime and it could very well be said about anyone looking for conscious (DUB) Reggae and not knowing about the enormous wealth of music from the online Net Labels. Thanks to the Internet, the world wide Roots Massive connects and produces collaborations that were only available for the industrial and commercial boys and girls. 

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Digital Dignity: Half a Gigabyte of High Quality Free Licensed (DUB) Reggae Samples In a New Studio Dubroom Feature

DIGITAL DIGNITY: HALF A GIGABYTE OF FREE LICENSED HI-Q (DUB) REGGAE SAMPLES AND LOOPS IN A NEW STUDIO FEATURE
STUDIO DUBROOM NEWS

WWW, September 2014 - Attention (DUB) Reggae producers and other visitors/users of Studio Dubroom: a brand new feature in the studio will provide you with over 560 Mb of free, legal, fully licensed high quality (DUB) Reggae Samples and Loops. We're talking drums, bass, guitars, horns, vocals, Dub effects and everything else you can think of in the field of the production of (DUB) Reggae Music.

It's called "Digital Dignity" and for a reason. There are too many online (DUB) Reggae artists that make use of jingles, loops and samples from well known or lesser known albums. For non-commercial productions that's quite a common practice but it will not lead you as a producer to the ability to release your music commercially. It's a common practice, but it doesn't really do anything else but make people think of the original.

Yes, it is better to get some dignity in your productions by getting some dignity for yourself: over half a gig of that material is waiting for you in our brand new Loopmasters (DUB) Reggae portal.

So what did we do and what can you do?

First, we've gathered all thirty (DUB) Reggae products that come with a demo file from the Sample Boutique and -second- created a page for each release. From that page you can directly download the Demo file attached to the product. You'll have to be registered and logged in to the Loop Masters website, but since that is a free thing and can even provide you with more goodies, registration at Loop Masters will not hurt you at all.

We are talking about samples and loops by Ariwa studio, Jesse "Dubmatix" King, the heavyweight champions at Drum Drops, and a lot more. A large part has authentic vocal loops and samples, but you can find some nice horns and other material.

Read the introduction page and start downloading. When you have a reasonable fast Internet connection, about 15 minutes of your time will deliver you a very valuable addition to your Sound library.

This is not a collaboration between Loop Masters and the Dubroom, this is the sole decision of the Dubroom and it is done out of a genuine appreciation with the good quality, service and prices at the Sample Boutique. 

CLICK HERE VISIT THE PORTAL

 

Various Artists - Strictly Analog Dub (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

VARIOUS ARTISTS - STRICTLY ANALOG DUB
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - It comes with the puristic title "Strictly Analog Dub", but Dutch Net Label Dubbhism does not deliver that with this otherwise very interesting and enjoyable free Net Album. No, this is not the first negative music review in the Dubroom. Confused? Read On.

You got purists -some would say fetishists- of all kinds. Reggae purists, Dub purists, Analogue purists, Digital purist, Vinyl purists, ah, well you get the idea. The kind of purism that's brought forward in this really nice album is the analogue purity. That is to say, analogue recording and effects purity. Not all tracks are Dub, not all tracks are Reggae, not all tracks are played with analogue equipment. Unless you would call a drum computer and other obviously sequenced stuff analogue. Like these folks.

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Luciano and Mad Professor - Deliverance Dub Showcase

LUCIANO AND MAD PROFESSOR - DELIVERANCE DUB SHOWCASE
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - What's the difference between a Showcase and a Dub Showcase, Ariwa Style? Well, the fact that not every vocal track is followed by it's Dub (which you can easily change in your player) plus the fact that there's an extra Dub version Of "Three Meals A Day" labeled Sound System Dub. Luciano and Mad Professor In Fine Style!

Of course, when Luciano sings into the multi track recorder at Ariwa studio with Mad Professor at the controls he listens to excellent music. Of course, when Ariwa prepares for Luciano they will come with a variety of musical works that will all emphasize a different side of The MessenJah. Of course a collaboration between Luciano and Ariwa brings niceness.

This is a Dub Showcase, not a Showcase and not a Dub Album. This is an album about Luciano, and the Dubs are there to recall the vocal tracks while they're still fresh in your memory. While Luciano showcases his many sides, from smooth Lovers' Rock to strong Prophetic Calls and Chants to JAH, Ariwa shows they have just the right music for the right vibe. After all, Roots and Lovers Rock are two specialties of the London-based studio's.

As the album plays for this review, the Dubs are all programmed to be played directly after it's vocal counterpart. That means, no change in the sequence for the first 4 titles. Tracks 9-11 subsequently are three vocals, followed by four dubs. Almost one hour of good vibes, freedom sounds and nice dubwise.

The arrangements, playing of instruments, backing and lead vocals, everything is perfectly worked out. Luciano gives his best, while Mad Professor does his best to emphasize the MessenJah in Dub Showcase style. This is not a Dub style for an all-dub album, this is a Dub style that gives you meditation, gives you some extra time to skank pon di riddim. A Dub style that makes you hear new things every time you play the music.

How shall we call it? What about Roots Lovers Rock Reggae, to combine the two dominant styles on Deliverance Dub Showcase? Mad Professor showing he's not just one of the Dub masters in the world, he knows how to produce music by using top musicians and how to mix Dubs from that music in fine style.

From the very first track, a crucial rendering of Dennis Brown's song that gave the title to this album as well, to the very last one ("Three Meals A Day, No Rent To Pay and No Wife To Obey, Talking Bout Detention....") which is a heavyweight Roots Steppers with equal Heavyweight Dub Mixing, this album is what it says. This is Mad Professor showcasing Luciano in his own special style.

So, what was that about an extra Dub version called Sound System Dub? This is Luciano singing from the top to the last drop with Mad Professor mixing the music in Dub style.

Get all tracks, or just a few. When you're into Dub, get the Dub from "Three Meals" called "One Dub A Day". 

The cheapest place is Emusic and no we do not get paid to say that.

BUY AT AMAZON - BUY AT ITUNES - BUY AT EMUSIC (JUST 0.49 PER TRACK)

Roots Raid - From The Top (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

ROOTS RAID - FROM THE TOP
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Get ready for something really, really crucial: Roots Raid's "From The Top" is an album that you just have to hear. And since it's offered as a free download from the Original DUB Gathering Net Label, there is simply no excuse. Read on why.

Roots Raid is a cooperation project of the bassist of the French DUB Reggae Band Ondubground and Bongo Ben. They're based in the heart of the French country and are part of the Eurodub and Roots Movement. "From The Top" is an album where the two producers showcase their art and skills, along with vocalists like Ranking Joe and Billy Berry.

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Leah Rosier and Uptown Rebel - Ire Vibe (EP) (Dubroom MP3 Review)

LEAH ROSIER AND UPTOWN REBEL - IRE VIBE
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - One vocal and two Dubs from the French Original DUB Gathering Net Label, presenting the Ire Vibe EP featuring Dutch female singer Leah Rosier riding a, well, Irie riddim by the French Dub producer Uptown Rebel. Nuff niceness going on, in this well digital and well heartical track.

Bordeaux-based Uptown Rebel, whose album "Random Road" was reviewed earlier in the Dubroom shows his ability to create digital Roots with an impact once again. With Leah Rosier from Amsterdam singing about how Ireness will even land at the doorstep on enemies, at least when it is done in a musical way. Nuff niceness, no badness.

READ MORE, GET MP3

A Ruff Guide To Ariwa Sounds (Dubroom Album Review, Full Stream Available)

A RUFF GUIDE TO ARIWA SOUNDS
DUBROOM ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Vocal tracks, Discomixes and of course DUB Shots. "A Ruff Guide To Ariwa" has it all and look at the title: it's not a "Ruff Guide To Mad Professor"! The well-chosen title for this compilation of sounds from the London based Studio has a few classics from "back then", but it also features some of the -outstanding- work of Joe Ariwa. Not to mention the all-star list of further appearances, that is.

It should not be a surprise: over here at the Dubroom we're not ashamed to big up Ariwa wherever possible. That's not just because of the original and even leading sounds and riddims, not just because of the consistency in quality with the enormous quantity. It's equally because of the importance of Ariwa for (DUB) Reggae in general.

No, this is not an exaggeration.

It's one of the few studio's that were founded in the late 1970's, only to continue to this year 2014 and still release all forms of Reggae, from Lovers' Rock and Roots Daughters to Heavy, heavy Dub. Throughout the decades careers were launched, revamped, extended. Bringing consciousness on many levels and issues, being responsible for the incorporation of DUB in many musical styles (Massive Attack, Ruts DC) and thus spreading the vibe to millions and millions.

All this is captured in "A Ruff Guide To Ariwa Sounds". All this, and some more things. Like the crucial mixing skills of Joe Ariwa. 

Listen, support, buy. Emusic is the cheapest option and no we're no Emusic affiliate.

BUY AT AMAZON - BUY AT ITUNES - BUY AT EMUSIC (JUST 0.49 PER TRACK)

LISTEN IN FULL FOR FREE:

Dubsynaticx - Studio Dubs Volume 1 (Dubroom MP3 Album Review)

DUBSYNATICX - STUDIO DUBS VOLUME 1
DUBROOM MP3 ALBUM REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Whenever you see "Part One" in the title of an album, it's always intriguing: when it turns out to contain niceness, you know there's more of that niceness coming your way. Right? Presenting Part One of Studio Dubs, presenting Dubsynaticx, presenting some Dub Niceness. Yes I!

Dubsynaticx is Daniel Rossman, from Vienna Austria. He grew up with Reggae music and in 2015, he can look back at ten years of releasing his music online. Yes, the Dubroom should apologize to this Dub producer for not having discovered him before. Is his music that crucial, you might ask, and the answer is YES. It's definitely an addition to the variety in Eurodub and Roots land. We can get it thanks to the Idren at the Cyprus-based Dubophonic Net Label, responsible for this excellent April 2014 release.

READ REVIEW, GET THE MUSIC AND MORE

Asante Amen - Praises (Dubroom MP3 Review)

ASANTE AMEN - PRAISES
DUBROOM MP3 REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Riding an up-tempo One Drop rhythm, Asante Amen tells us where he gets his energy, talents and skills come from. In the same time, he gives praises to the Most High Jah in such a way that you just got to start praising the Most High yourself.

Another contemporary Roots Reggae track that will drive away the bad vibrations, that will uplift those that listen to it. Another crucial free and legal download, for you to get and be blessed. From the heart, fe sure.

READ MORE, GET MP3

Asante Amen (Dubroom MP3 Artist Review)

ASANTE AMEN
DUBROOM NET LABEL REVIEW

WWW, September 2014 - Talking about a singer, you're talking about Asante Amen. A crucial voice he has, especially when he's using it to go in all directions like a roller coaster. On top of that, he gives praises to the Most High which is of course the Source of all singing. Asante Amen, this is not the only place where you'll be reading about him.

Should you be wondering about Jamaica and slackness and the way that so-called crucial combination is called in especially the MTV's of this world, wonder no more. It's not that wonderful combination and there are a lot of Jamaicans who rather see a combination of Jamaica and Righteousness. Say that, say Asante Amen. Forget about the slackness kings and queens, make way for the positive vibrations of today's Jamaican conscious singers like this brother.

Heartically felt!

READ MORE, GET MP3'S

SITES FOR YOUR MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS PART TWO

SITES FOR YOUR MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS PART TWO
MESSIAN DREAD REPORTS FOR STUDIO DUBROOM

WWW, September 2014 - In Part two, Messian Dread continues to report on his experiences with uploading his music to a number of Online Music Distributors (OMD's). This time he revisited MYSPACE.com, LAST.fm, ICOMPOSITIONS.com and talks about creating an artist page at AMAZON.com. And, oh yes, a small website called "You Tube".

The memory hole. It's an absolute hole and it can give you quite a bit of surprises. This is what I got when I tried to upload my music to the revamped My Space website. I know, I know, it's obsolete and for many years I just did not pay any attention to my account. In the mean time, I had forgotten to pay my bill for dubroom.com (about 40 dollars or so) which I used for my email and the folks at NXS Amsterdam decided to sell it to another company which is now trying to sell it for about 2400 dollars last time I checked. Good to know Dubroom.org survived NXS. They shouldn't be in business anyway.

MYSPACE.com

It looks good, especially when you consider that My Space has been bought by the good folks at Fox, known for their love for humanity and truth in general. I thought it would be nice to just revamp my account at that revamped My Space website but to my chagrin I discovered I could not log in due to the fact that I no longer had access to my old email account. 

Problems.

Apparently, I am not the only one with this problem because My Space has this standard link that you can click when you lost access to your old myspace account. I filled in the form, and wrote the proof that I am who I am. That's pretty easy when you are Messian Dread at the Dubroom. Still it was really complicated for the person at My Space who was assigned to my case. He, she, it, did not understand what I meant so I wrote back that I would love a human reply. I got it and I got access. It took several days.

When you have a fast computer running Windows 8 or something like that, my Space is nice but it's not that nice. The reasons are obvious. "Everyone" knows, My Space is a ghost town. There simply is nobody. I have zero plays. Zero.

https://myspace.com/messiandread/music/songs

LAST.fm

I had a page at LAST.fm but because of the nature of my recent productions I wanted to change things a bit more. After all, my new productions are definitely not just about me and I want to title my productions the way I title them. That's not possible at LAST.fm without creating a new artist, or in this case, label. 

So I did. 

I started to upload my new production and I got a notice. I had uploaded my Dennis Alcapone tracks and the system had recognized that name as being known. My account was blocked until it was reviewed by LAST.fm staff. Perhaps you think I was annoyed, but that was not the case. I thought this was a very, very good thing because it doesn't just give credit to the LAST.fm website but also to the artists and producers who upload their tunes. 

Of course everything was easily cleared. This was a very pleasant experience.

The website itself gives you the possibility to upload your music and make it available for free download. Nice thing, right? Even nicer is the fact that they let you deeplink to your uploaded MP3 files, just like I do on the music download page at my website. There's no limitation like with Sound Cloud, so there is another reason why it is a mystery to me why Sound Cloud is that popular.

http://www.last.fm/label/Dubroom+Productions

ICOMPOSITIONS.com

When you're looking for plays and feedback, you should definitely try out ICOMPOSITIONS.com. This website is clearly aimed at musicians and can serve as intermediary vehicle for collaborations. You need to really look, as it is assumed people know their way with computers a little bit more than, let's say, My Space. And they do. I have zero plays at My Space, now look at what I got at I Compositions (click to enlarge):

CLICK HERE TO READ FURTHER