Hi everyone,

What's new?!
We have had some really great meetups so far in 2008. Emphasis has been put on recording and sequencing software, home recording and mic techniques, notation, breaking into the business, studio work, and more.

But, in the next meetup we will get back to our core focus: Your music. Most of you are eager to play/perform new works, get feedback from others, and network. So, that is what we will do. We will focus exclusively on playing your music and networking. Newcomers will go first, and veterans after that. So, bring your music, and we will get to as many people as possible.

Newcomers, the easiest way to play your music is to bring a CD of some of your tracks which can be played through my laptop into the monitors. Try to keep your selection/s down to about 5 minutes or so.
If you wish to perform live, that is fine too. The sound system is my small m-audio monitors (very modest!) with RCA, stereo 1/8th inch mini, or 1/4 inch inputs. So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly. If you have any questions, performance-based, tech, or otherwise, please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

As usual, during the meetup feel free to have wine and munchies.

Location:
The Tada! Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.)
Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

All best,
Preston

Hi everyone,

Thanks again to everyone who came to our last meetup. I would like to extend a special welcome to those of you who are discovering the NY Composer Meetup for the first time. It is great to see so many new people getting involved and networking.

We played music (and had performances) of a lot of new people last time, but we didn't get to everyone. So, we will stay focused on new people again in this upcoming meetup.
Fact is, the NY Composer Meetup is growing rapidly, offering more opportunities to expand the network, meet other artists, learn and grow.

If you are coming for the first time, it is easiest to bring a CD of some of your tracks which can be played through our laptop into the monitors. Try to keep your selection/s down to about 5 minutes or so.
If you wish to perform live, that is fine too. There is a 88 key digital piano available.

The audio sound system is my small m-audio monitors (very modest!) with RCA, stereo 1/8th inch mini, or 1/4 inch inputs. (As an example, an iPod plugs easily into the system.) So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly. If you have any questions, performance-based, tech, or otherwise, please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

After we've played/performed the music of new people we will focus on Q&A and networking. This worked very successfully last time. It is a great opportunity to bring up a problem you are trying to solve (technical, musical, practical, recording, collaborative, etc.) and get input (or collaboration) from the group. Very helpful!

As usual, during the meetup feel free to have wine and munchies. If you want beer, it is BYO. (I can only carry so much stuff! ; )

Location:
The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.)
Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

All best,
Preston

When and Where:
Friday, March 7, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Tada Theater, New York , NY 10001

Hi everyone,

Computers and music! They go together, especially when you are making music.
With all the kick-ass software out there these days, it's so tempting to try to "plug and play." But, when it comes to actually recording with computers, especially in your own home studio (read bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc.) recording and mixing technique can make all the difference between success and back to the drawing board.

In our next Meetup, Keith and Dan will give us a a crash course in recording and mixing in the real-life composer studio of today. Keith is a composer/producer and head of Third Rail Productions, and Dan is a songwriter/composer who is highly trained in music technology. We're lucky to have them in our meetup group.

Dan will start out by with a general discussion: recording with digital, practical things to think about for the project studio, mics, speakers, software, room acoustics, budget, etc.

Keith will bring his portable rig and give us a "live" demo of recording, mic, and mixing techniques.
If you have a computer and illusions of recording with it, this is your Meetup!

Durring the demo feel free to have wine and such. As usual, please bring a recording (CD) of some of your own music. (Or, you may bring some music that you are into and studying right now.) A number of you have already played your music, so we'll give priority to newcomers.

If you wish to perform live, that is fine too. The sound system at Tada is a large stereo boom-box (aux in). So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly! Any Cds can be played through my laptop into the boombox. Try to keep you selection down to about 5 minutes or so.

The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.)
Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

All best,
Preston

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to our new members! We're getting more people every meetup and that's great--more people to network with, learn from, and collaborate.

What's you're personal music style, your musical language? What is it and how do you use it? What makes a recognizable tune, or a memorable trait/hook in your music? We'll find out what's up with this in our next NY Composers Meetup (details below). AND, we'll get all the info on two new NY Composers Meetup websites that Anne, Craig and Joe have put together: one on myspace.com, the other on soundclick.com.

Also, a number of people have asked about developing their musical ideas and licks. We'll look at extending ideas, and where to trim where needed. So, don't hesitate to bring in some musical material, even if the piece isn't finished. (Making music can sometimes be a very isolated activity. Put some of your ideas out and see what kind of constructive feedback/suggestions you get from the others. Hmmm, kind of a focus group thing, I guess!)

As usual, please bring a recording (CD) of some of your own music. (Or, you may bring some music that you are into and studying right now.) A number of you have already played your music, so we'll give priority to newcomers. If you wish to perform live, that's fine too.
The sound system at Tada is a large stereo boom-box (aux in). So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly! Any Cds can be played through my laptop into the boombox.
To be fair to everyone, please keep the duration of your CD excerpts to around 5 minutes. We'll give more time for a live performance, though.

The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, but allow extra time if you're driving.)
Looking forward to see you all.

Preston

When and Where:
Friday, September 28, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Tada Theater, New York , NY 10001

Info/Map

Hi Everyone,

This month we'll be meeting at the Tada Theater in NYC on Friday, July 27th at 7:00PM. They have a large rehearsal room that will fit our needs. (Details & location are below.)

As usual, please bring a recording (CD) of some of your own music. (Or, you may bring some music that you are into and studying right now.) A number of you have already played your music, so we'll give priority to newcomers. If you wish to perform live, that's fine too.
The sound system at Tada is a large stereo boom-box (aux in). So, calculate your amplification needs accordingly! Any CDs can be played through my laptop into the boombox.
To be fair to everyone, please keep the duration of your CD excerpts to around 5-10 minutes. We'll give more time for a live performance, though.

In addition to CD playback or live performance, we'll be looking at song form of a few hits that Areal suggested in the last meeting. We may also look at some microtonal techniques, if we have time. If not, we'll do that next time. It's been so beneficial for everyone to listen to and talk about the music. Everybody gains.

Finally, I'm seeing two distinct directions emerging from our meetups. One is toward pop music, the other toward classical (new) music. It may be beneficial to split in to two groups at times, and then come back together and compare notes. Ultimately, it is all music, and there is much to share.

LOCATION: The Tada Theater is in Chelsea at 15 West 28th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue--very easy to get to. You westsiders can take the 1 train to 28th Street and walk a few blocks east. And, the R and W local trains stop on Broadway, just a few hundred feet from the building entrance. Tada is on the uptown side of 28th Street. The building entrance is next to a parking lot in the middle of the block. (I'm not sure what the parking situation is in the evening, so allow extra time if you're driving.)
Looking forward to see you all.

Preston