#119 DnP Round Table 3- Feat. Javier Raez, Marcos Lopez, Marcos Torres & Damon Grant
This week the featured guests are Javier Raez of Congahead (dot com) and Marcos Lopez. On this episode we talk about video content first. Some of the bullet points brought up are:
Start the video with music first, as opposed to talking first.
Make sure the video has good sound.
Make sure the video quality is as good as possible (4k being the best)
Use some sort of DAW (digital audio workstation) to edit the sound if possible (garage band, protools, logic, etc.)
Use some sort of video editing software to edit your video clips (iMovie, Final Cut Pro etc.)
After Effects (by Adobe) is a good editor in post. You can even do animation.
Get good (and creative) camera angles. This is another article helping to explain angles and shots.
GoPro (or Apeman) cameras are good and small to be able to have high quality video and also fit into small spaces. Marcos Lopez mentions the new Zoom Cameras as well. Sometimes Instagram doesn’t let you post high res video, so this is an article to help you post them to IG.
Use a 3 light kit to eliminate shadows in your video. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to know where to place them.
Minimal distractions in the frame. Get a backdrop, take unnecessary things out of the shot.
Decide if your video will look better in color or black and white.
Pick a song that will show off exactly what you want your audience to receive from your video.
Take the time to use smart and effective tags, titles, and hashtags. Here’s more info on that.
You can opt to use finale, sibelius or percussio to add music notation to your videos.
Animals. Videos with animals tend to get higher clicks and views.
Javier mentions that there is a website that shows the specs for social media platforms and how much they compress and the like. There is also a website that will tell you if your music will be turned down or compressed.
He also mentions that you have to have a plan ahead of time. The same way a major movie has a trailer and months of lead up before the big release. Also, it is not a bad idea to have content lined up to schedule your posts.
With any blog, vlog or podcast you should have a “product”, for a target demographic, that solves a problem (or fills a need or void), that is released on a schedule (whatever that schedule is that works best for you).
You can make money from YouTube through monitization as well as putting in effort through other methods. One of the terms Javier mentions is an MCN. That stands for a Multi-Channel Network.
If you are confused on how different microphones work, there is this guide that explains each one in detail. Most of the time you (as a percussionist) will use a dynamic mic up close and a condenser to get large areas. If you show up to a gig and the sound guy (or girl) has multiple channels for you, then go nuts with a mix of both. However, if you show up and they have one, maybe two channels to get all your gear, definitely use condensers.
Mic-ing up a drumset vs. percussion can be tricky. Especially when it comes to hand drums. Damon mentions the Glyn Johns method of mic-ing drums.
We are sure this article will be outdated by the time these show notes come out, but there are ways to figure out the algorithms on social media especially with using the hashtags.
Part two of this episode is all about travel tips.
If you are driving, get EZ Pass or some sort of electronic toll reader.
Sign up for AAA.
Carry a road atlas in your car when you have poor service.
Have more than one, map option, again in case of poor cell service and one isn’t responding.
Parking apps help navigate street and garage parking in major cities.
For flying, sign up for the frequent flyer miles rewards programs.
TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry and Clear to avoid the hassles of the TSA. If you already have TSA Pre-check and want Global Entry, you still have to go through the whole process. Mobile Passport is also an option for re-entering the country.
Airline credit cards for adding miles through purchases.
Whenever possible, get into the airport lounges for layovers and waiting for flights.
Hotel reward programs are also available to help upgrade your stay.
Here is a list of all the rewards programs for Hotels, Airlines, and more!
You may get lucky and be able to score an upgrade on a flight.
If you have to rent a car and have a Costco membership, it may be cheaper.
Instead of renting a car, you may be able to get around using Uber or Lyft.
Hotel Tonight for finding a room last minute.
AIrbnb for alternative places to stay. If you’re really adventurous, check out Couchsurfing.
For planning the day to day events for a tour, Master Tour is a life saver.
If that is a bit to advanced, you can also check out Planning Center.
Gas Buddy app to find the cheapest gas. Roadtrip for maintaining the vehicle.
Google Translate app for when you get to a country and don’t speak the native language.
Find the US Embassy in every country that has one.
Take a picture of your hotel room number and the hotel address on the business card.
For collecting receipts on the road you can use, Shoeboxed, TurboScan or any one of these.
Currency exchange app.
Set up your mobile wallet with your credit/debit card of your choice for contactless payment.
If you’re selling merch on the road, the Square reader or Flint for your phone.
Get Musical Instrument Insurance. Clarion and Music Pro are two of the most common.
Media gets a flat rate for their cases on an airplane.
Check your drum keys, conga wrenches and face razors.
Merino wool as a clothing choice. Damon uses Wool and Prince shirts, ExOfficio underwear, & Darn Tough Socks. Here are some other brands you can check out.
The Pixar movie Javier and Marcos (Lopez) bring up at the end is the movie Inside Out.
Sponsor shoutout for this week is: Latin Percussion, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Sennheiser microphones, SKB cases, Roland electronics, DW hardware, & JH Audio in ear monitors.
