system Archives • INGO VOGELMANN

You Need to Fail to Succeed

Ingo — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:47:45 +0000

And I did, many times. That doesn’t mean I always succeeded after I failed, but whenever I succeeded it never came without failure before. That said… A New Paradigm for Music Makers In an industry that’s constantly evolving, The Crow Hill Company emerges as a breath of fresh air. While still in its early stages, the platform promises an ever-growing collection of free professional resources for music makers. But what sets it apart is its philosophy: it aims to be a “love letter to music makers.” This isn’t just a repository of tools; it’s a community, a support system, and most importantly, a philosophy that values the process as much as the product. What’s in the Vault? While the company is tight-lipped about upcoming content, they’ve teased that it’s something they’re “incredibly reluctant to share,” which only adds to the intrigue. Given the secrecy, one can only speculate about the revolutionary tools and resources that might be in store for members. The Maestro Behind the Mission Christian Henson is a name that commands respect in the world of music composition. With a career that boasts multiple nominations and awards, he’s a versatile talent who’s worked on everything from TV shows to epic sci-fi films. But what truly sets him apart is his unique, self-taught approach to working with the orchestra, a skill honed through collaborations with a diverse range of artists. The Spitfire Legacy Before The Crow Hill Company, Henson made waves with Spitfire Audio, a company that provides essential tools for composers. Spitfire developed a cult following and became a significant supporter of the music industry. This experience undoubtedly informs his new venture, bringing a level of expertise and…

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Why I’m a Pantheist. And What About My Album “GOD”?

Ingo — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:37:51 +0000

From my earliest memories, the universe has always been a source of profound fascination. The night sky, a tapestry of stars and cosmic wonder, seemed to pose questions that penetrated the very core of my being. My quest for answers led me through various domains – religion, philosophy, and empirical science. Yet, none offered the holistic understanding I yearned for. That is, until I discovered Pantheism. At its core, Pantheism is a worldview that is both elegantly simple and profoundly deep: the universe and everything within it is divine. But let’s clarify what I mean by “divine,” as it’s a term often misunderstood. For me, divinity is not about an anthropomorphic God sitting on a celestial throne. I’m an atheist in that regard, finding no logical or empirical basis for such a deity. Instead, my sense of the divine is rooted in the inherent order that permeates the universe – an order that allows for the existence and functioning of all things. This divine order is not a set of commandments but a natural, self-organizing system that can be observed in everything from the laws of physics to the complexity of biological systems. It’s the reason why planets orbit stars, why ecosystems maintain their balance, and why we, as conscious beings, can ponder our place in the cosmos. This order is the closest thing to “God” in my Pantheistic view, and it’s an understanding that fills me with awe and wonder. When I first encountered the concept of quantum entanglement, it felt like a scientific affirmation of this divine order. Here were particles, separated by vast distances, yet intrinsically connected in a way that defied classical understanding. It was as…

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The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time

Ingo — Thu, 18 May 2023 12:26:47 +0000

Music has the power to move us, to make us feel, and to bring us together. Each song carries its own story, but when songs are woven together into an album, they form a narrative that’s bigger than the sum of its parts. And while every album tells a story, there are those that resonate on such a profound level that they transcend time and place, becoming cultural phenomena in their own right. In this post, we’ll journey through the annals of music history, exploring the top 50 most successful albums of all time. These albums have left an indelible mark not just on the music industry, but on society at large. We’ll look at the incredible artists behind these masterpieces, the years they were released, and the net worth these musicians have amassed over their careers. From The Beatles to Michael Jackson, from Madonna to Pink Floyd, this list encompasses a diverse range of musical styles and eras. So, whether you’re a music aficionado seeking a nostalgic trip down memory lane, or a newcomer wanting to discover some of the greatest albums ever made, join me as I delve into the tales of triumph, creativity, and innovation that have made these albums the most successful in music history. Let’s tune in to their stories! The Playlist Here’s the playlist containing each album with every song (763 songs, 51 hours and 38 minutes) in it in the order of the list above: Artist’s Net Worth Ranking Based on the above, I’ve compiled a list of artists ordered by their estimated net worth. These figures are associated with the success of some of the world’s most iconic albums, with releases spanning…

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Harmonic Mixing and Composing with the Camelot Wheel

Ingo — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Harmonic mixing and composing have become essential skills for modern DJs and music producers, as they strive to create seamless, engaging, and emotionally resonant mixes and compositions. The Camelot Wheel, a popular tool in the electronic dance music scene, offers a systematic and intuitive approach to harmonic mixing, making it easier for artists to identify compatible musical keys and create harmonious transitions between songs. This essay explores the concept of harmonic mixing, the functionality of the Camelot Wheel, and its practical applications in both mixing and composing. Harmonic Mixing Harmonic mixing refers to the process of blending two or more musical tracks that are harmonically compatible, meaning they share the same key or a closely related key. This technique allows DJs and producers to create smooth transitions between tracks, enhancing the overall flow and emotional impact of a mix or composition. By paying close attention to the harmonic relationships between songs, artists can build tension, create moments of release, and maintain a consistent musical narrative throughout their sets or compositions. The Camelot Wheel: A Practical Tool for Harmonic Mixing The Camelot Wheel, also known as the Circle of Fifths, is a circular diagram that visually represents the relationships between the twelve major and twelve minor keys in Western music. Each key is assigned a unique alphanumeric code, with major keys labeled from 1B to 12B and minor keys labeled from 1A to 12A. Adjacent keys on the wheel share a close harmonic relationship, making them suitable for mixing or composing. The simplicity of the Camelot Wheel lies in its ability to quickly identify harmonically compatible keys. DJs and producers can easily find the next track by moving one step clockwise,…

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Sound Lock: Volume Limiter for Windows

Ingo — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:00:00 +0000

What if I told you that you could be the master of your Windows PC’s volume levels, per sound device, per channel? A software limiter to avoid bursts of loud sound. With Sound Lock, you can easily set your desired sound output limit and enjoy your music or video without worrying about sudden bursts of deafening sound. Plus, you can even set different sound limits for each output device on your computer — because who says your speakers and headphones have to have the same volume? That’s not all. You can set volume limits for each channel individually or use the master filter mode for ultimate sound control. And the best part? Sound Lock is a tiny little app that doesn’t make a big fuss. It may not look like a supermodel, but it gets the job done. So go ahead, set it and forget it. Your ears will thank you. Tags: Audio electronics, Audio signal, Headphones, Loudspeakers, music, sound, system Related posts You Need to Fail to Succeed (0) The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart (12) The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time (0) The Best Albums of All Time, According to Me (With Occasional Commentary) (2) Harmonic Mixing and Composing with the Camelot Wheel (0)

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The Best Albums of All Time, According to Me (With Occasional Commentary)

Ingo — Sun, 26 Feb 2023 14:12:26 +0000

They say you are what you like, and if that’s true, then my taste in music speaks volumes about my private and musical personality. These albums have been with me for ages, some newer than others, but all of them share a common thread: they’re all incredibly good. I’m not trying to sound like an old fogey pining for the good old days, but I do feel sorry for the youngins who missed out on the era when this music was being created. Luckily for them, it still exists and is audible. But buyer beware: just because something’s labeled “remastered” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an improvement. Some remasters are, dare I say it, worse than the original tracks. It’s not ideal, but we can’t control the rights holders who sometimes replace the original tracks with these subpar versions. Fortunately, the listening technology these days is better than ever, so there’s that. Back in the day, getting noticed as an artist was almost as hard as finding a needle in a haystack because there was no internet. Record managers were the gatekeepers who decided who was worth investing in, and when they did, they invested big. I’m talking piles of cash, enough to set everyone up for life. But hey, that’s what you had to do to get the best musicians, sound engineers, and technology available. Producing an album was a massive undertaking, and failure wasn’t an option. Sure, that whole process might seem a bit shady, but there were some advantages to it. If you could sing or play your instrument like nobody’s business, you had a chance to become a superstar. If you looked good too, well, let’s just…

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My Take on AI like ChatGPT (and the Real Threats)

Ingo — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 06:14:18 +0000

I fear slowing down the development and implementation of AI more than the everyday use of it. AI is not inherently good or evil, it’s basically a tool that can be used for a variety of purposes, and it is up to humans to decide how to use it. Many of the concerns about AI are based on science fiction and exaggerations rather than real-world applications and limitations of current AI technology. The development of AI is still in its early stages, and while it has shown significant progress recently, it is still far from reaching a point where it can pose a threat to humanity. AI like ChatGPT is useful and somewhat impressive (or not) but far from dangerous. It knows less than humanity actually does. It has no capacity for opinion, emotion or decision-making. And it is precisely these 3 things that get us into trouble as humans. Artificial intelligence is only as “intelligent” as we feed such a system with data. So, it always depends on how intelligent the feeder is and how extensive and balanced the data is. I highly doubt very stupid people would have access to this feeding process or even understand how to feed. That brings me to our real problem: ignorant or stupid people. Now if you think I’m about to bash people with a lack of mental abilities, read on first. The actions of unintelligent or ignorant people have a greater negative impact on society than those of intentionally malicious individuals, like say Donald Trump (who is both stupid and ignorant, the most dangerous combination). While both ignorance and intentional malice can and do certainly have negative consequences, it is also…

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Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” – A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

Ingo — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 18:00:00 +0000

I grew up listening to the band Dire Straits and to this day “Brothers in Arms” is my all-time favorite album. When I hear the album’s title track on a good system today, it still brings tears to my eyes, it’s that good. Mark Knopfler’s guitar sings and cries, the whole piece is extremely powerful but understated. A classical musician analyzed the piece very aptly from her point of view. Worth watching: Tags: album, British musicians, Brothers in Arms, classical, Classical music, Dire Straits, guitar, Guitarists, Mark Knopfler, music, Musicians, ost, system Related posts The Best Albums of All Time, According to Me (With Occasional Commentary) (2) The Top 50 Most Successful Albums of All Time (0) The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart (12) The 10 Best Drummers of All Time (According to Me) (0) REVIEW: Extreme’s “SIX” – A Symphony of Sonic Surprises and Unapologetic Authenticity (0)

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The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart

Ingo — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 05:09:57 +0000

Before you dig in… The Ultimate Harmonic Mixing & Composing Chart is a visual aid for musicians, producers, composers and DJs to easily create music that always has harmonic chord progressions. This sheet is now widely used worldwide as a teaching and practical tool in music and DJ schools and has been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times. The situation As both a DJ and composer, the Circle of Fifth or the Camelot Key Wheel system — amongst others — have always been handy tools for me to write and mix music harmonically. There are just too many options in chord progressions than I could ever have in my memory (maybe you can, but I don’t). So yes, I could always have a look at above mentioned helpers to orientate myself through the notes and chords jungle, in case needed, which is not always the case. I have the most common chords in my head. Just not always. As a composer I’m fine with the musical key/chord system, i.e. “A minor“, but as a DJ it isn’t very likely (for me, again) to remember all the musical chords to know what to mix into what. So, Mark Davis came up with Camelot Keys (used in Mixed in Key, which I prefer, because of its accuracy) and then there are the Open Keys (Traktor). Which is basically a range of 12 keys for each gender, major and minor chords. “A minor” is 8A (Camelot Key) or 1m (Open Key). In a nutshell: if you mix 1A into 2A (and so forth, up until 12A and then into 1A again) you’re generally fine. Your mixing transitions will always be harmonic, no key clashes. This…

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