Take a VIRTUAL tour of our studio and take a look around the state-of-the-art space for sound exploration! From maps signed by superstars, to remnants of some legendary shows, from DJ setups to tables full of the latest synth gear. ⤵⤵
Want to learn inside the lab? Our fall classes are almost full so email me today.
Thirteen-year-old DJ HEATHBARZ spins an opening set. Heath has been developing his skills at Mmmmaven, a Cambridge-based music education organization and event producer.
For years, our music technology lab has proudly assisted many young minds and young producers in and around greater Boston.
Occasionally, some break out into the larger world. For example, here’s GalaxZ and Rubix via Neighbor Media.
DJ HEARTHBARZ (!!) is just the latest, playing Peabody Essex Museum this Sunday as a part of their Little Voices, Big Ideas event.
In your opinion as parents, how important is music in Heath’s education?
Music, like all arts, is fundamental. There is a lot of research of the connection of music with math and other disciplines, and we feel that music augments Heath’s overall persona, even beyond education.
It makes him a fuller, more interesting person 🙂
Our @BeatAcademyBos Summer School is in session! We’re sold out for 2018 but happy to offer lessons all year long … Let me know: polina@mmmmaven.com https://t.co/T2jPduInva#CambMA #MusicEducation #STEAM #musiced pic.twitter.com/SJvz3e8ND7
— Mmmmaven Project (@MmmmavenProject) July 11, 2018
Does music technology have a place in STEAM and how so?
We were struck by how fantastic the incorporation of “A” in STEAM brought deeper meaning by integrating arts with technology, and music technology is a tangible example.
Did or does Heath also have traditional music lessons? How did or do they combine with music technology lessons?
Heath took piano lessons from age 5-8 and guitar at age 12. While he has always had a natural “ear” for music and has always enjoyed it, he didn’t “love” either instrument and getting him to practice was a chore.
In contrast, his attraction to music technology was magnetic and we love to see him finally marrying some of what we recognized as some raw ability into some focused efforts.
Is there one particular thing he latched onto or enjoyed the most?
Since setting foot in Mmmmaven, he was finally able to realize his true interest and the enthusiasm was instant. We were thrilled he found something creative that he truly enjoys and are fully supportive with this as his form of expression.
This. Is. AWESOME: Learning to DJ Now Qualifies for Secondary Education in the UK via @Mixmag @hun_dub https://t.co/Cpco3mmtWd
The whole mission of the movement, is to turn kids onto music via DJing and DJ culture. @WeAreFutureDJs #CambMA #musiced #STEAM pic.twitter.com/1SBbk7USbV
— Beat Academy (@BeatAcademyBos) May 7, 2018
Do you have any advice for parents out there who might be looking for music lessons or other creative outlets for their child?
Exposure, exposure, exposure! While at first we started Heath on more traditional paths, put him in musical theater camps, taken him to multiple shows…
It wasn’t until music technology crossed his path that he is finally able to embrace what he loves.
We knew he was interested in “DJing” and found the Mmmmaven camp hoping to ignite the spark, and we are thrilled that it did!
We have always been big fans of Resolume, which, in many ways, is the VJ software component of Serato. Here is their latest update about 6.1.0:
The 6.1.0 release is a major point release, which means we added a big feature. As we announced a few weeks ago, we made it a lot easier to sync a prepared video set to the audio coming from the DJ.
If you work with a DJ that mixes on a Denon setup, you can now line up every video in Resolume to every track on the players. You can read all about the what’s and the how’s in the manual. Suffice to say, this will make banging out those DJ intros and special show moments a piece of cake.
We also have a handful of bug fixes. If you’re using multiply a lot, make sure you peek the warning in the full release notes and then hit that download.
Love art?
So do we:
I think as a producer it’s a never-ending learning curve; every day is a school day
Kaz James is a success story. Signed to Universal Records at the age of 21 and scoring a massive hit as one half of Bodyrockers with single I Like The Way in 2005, Kaz James achieved success from a young age.
In an interview with Music Radar, James highlights 5 tips on how to point yourself in the direction of success, including perhaps scoring films, touring on your own talent, or releasing your own music on labels like Objektivity.
“I still really enjoy writing with people who have nothing to do with my world. It’s always the people you never expect that blow your mind, and it’s a great away to keep evolving as an artist, producer or songwriter.”
“Your sample library is incredibly important – that one sound can make the difference between a record hitting or flopping.”
… Visit MusicRadar.com for the other 3 (spoiler alert — “Be Nice!“)