Where we keep it real and honest!
Aug. 4, 2025

Building Your Tribe: The Power of Community in Entertainment

Welcome back to the blog! This week, we're diving deep into a topic that's near and dear to my heart: the power of community in the entertainment industry. It's no secret that this field can be incredibly challenging, often demanding long hours, fac…

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Aug. 4, 2025

Crafting the Perfect Recording Vocal Chain in Cakewalk Sonar: A Step-…

Welcome to the blog, music enthusiasts! In this post, we're diving deep into the art of crafting the perfect vocal chain within Cakewalk Sonar. A well-designed vocal chain is the secret weapon for achieving professional, polished vocal recordings. I…

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Aug. 1, 2025

Building a Budget-Friendly Vocal Chain: Sonitus EQ and Compressor Wor…

Welcome back to the blog! This post expands on the concepts we explored in our latest podcast episode, Vocal Chain Using Sonitus EQ And Compressor - Episode 100. In that episode, we demonstrated how to create a simple yet effective vocal chain using…

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June 27, 2025

The Plugin Paradox: Are More Plugins Really Better?

The Plugin Paradox: Are More Plugins Really Better? Welcome to the blog! In today's post, we'll be diving into a topic that's relevant to almost every modern music producer: the world of plugins. It's a world filled with endless possibilities, soni…

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Dec. 29, 2024

Using Molotok for Vocal Compression: A Step-by-Step Guide

This blog post delves into the practical application of Molotok, a free and surprisingly powerful vocal compressor plugin by Tokyo Dawn Records. It expands on the concepts discussed in our podcast episode, Free Compressor Plugin by Tokyo Dawn Record…

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Oct. 29, 2024

Analog Obsession's FetCB: A Free Compressor Plugin Worth Your Time

In this blog post, we dive deeper into the features and benefits of Analog Obsession's free FetCB compressor plugin. We'll explore how it can be used to add warmth, punch, and dynamics to your audio, making it a valuable tool for any producer or mus…

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Oct. 18, 2024

Warmy EP1A: A Free Tube EQ That's Actually Good

What is the Warmy EP1A? The Warmy EP1A is a free tube EQ plugin developed by Kiive Audio. It's designed to emulate the sound of classic tube equalizers, offering a warm and analog-like character to your audio. Despite its free price tag, the Warmy …

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Oct. 10, 2024

XTMax: Free Compressor Plugin Review

Introduction Welcome back to the blog! Today, we're diving deeper into a topic we explored in our recent podcast episode, Free VST Compressor Plugin | XTMax by Kiive Audio - Episode 95. In that episode, we discussed the XTMax compressor plugin from…

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Sept. 30, 2024

Celebrating the Diverse History of Women of Color

(Pic by Cico) In this blog post, we go deeper into the rich and varied history of women of color, exploring their contributions across different cultures and time periods. We'll highlight the often-overlooked achievements and challenges they faced,…

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Sept. 29, 2024

Harvey B. Gantt: Architect of Change in Charlotte

(Pic by ganttcenter.org) In this blog post, we'll dig into the life and legacy of Harvey B. Gantt, a prominent architect and civil rights leader in Charlotte. We'll explore his impact on the city's development and his fight for equality. Gantt's st…

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Sept. 28, 2024

Building a Support System: Who Has Your Back?

The Importance of a Support System In the tapestry of life, we are all interconnected, navigating the intricacies of human experience. As we journey through triumphs and tribulations, the presence of a strong support system becomes an invaluable as…

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Sept. 26, 2024

The Power of Self-Belief: Taking the First Step

In this blog post, we delve into the crucial role of self-belief in navigating life's decisions and taking decisive action. We'll explore how believing in yourself and your choices empowers you to make a solid decision, stick to it, and ultimately a…

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Sept. 25, 2024

Love as a Healing Force in a Broken World

In our podcast episode, "The Next Move Is Up To You ft Duan & Q - Episode 83," we explored the idea that change starts with us. We often wait for things to change, but the truth is, we are the ones who have the power to shift our own lives and t…

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Sept. 24, 2024

Vi Lyles: A Powerful Figure in Charlotte's Black History

In one of our latest podcast, "Vi Lyles | Charlotte, NC Black History ft Duan & Q - Episode 87" (link to the episode), we explored the impactful life and legacy of Vi Lyles, a prominent figure in Charlotte's history. As the city's first Black m…

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Sept. 23, 2024

The Friendship 9: A Legacy of Courage and Resistance

In this blog post, we delve deeper into the inspiring story of the Friendship 9, a group of young activists who bravely stood up against segregation in the American South. We explore their courageous actions, the impact of their struggle, and the en…

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Sept. 21, 2024

Uncovering the Truth: Debates and Perspectives on Black Arrival

In this blog post, we'll delve into the ongoing discussions and differing viewpoints surrounding the arrival of Black people in the United States. We'll explore the intricacies of historical research, the challenges in establishing a definitive time…

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Sept. 20, 2024

Retreat Rosenwald School: A Legacy of Education and Empowerment

Welcome back to the blog, where we delve deeper into the topics covered in our podcast. In this post, we're expanding upon Episode 90, "Black History of Retreat Rosenwald School," and exploring the rich history and lasting impact of this remarkable …

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Sept. 19, 2024

The Importance of Preserving Black History in Education

In episode 91 of Not Just Music, we delved into the fascinating history of Pine Grove School, a testament to the resilience and determination of the Black community in the face of systemic racism and oppression. This blog post will expand on the key…

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Sept. 18, 2024

The Power of Saying Sorry: Why Apologies Are a Sign of Strength

In this blog post, we delve into the surprising truth that apologies aren't a weakness, but a sign of strength and maturity. Discover how owning up to mistakes can foster stronger relationships and propel personal growth. This post expands on the th…

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Sept. 17, 2024

Uncovering the Untold Story of Scott's Rosenwald School

The Rosenwald Schools: A Brief Overview The Rosenwald Schools were a network of over 5,300 schools built for African American children in the Jim Crow South between 1912 and 1932. This initiative was the result of a partnership between Julius Rosen…

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Sept. 8, 2024

Uncovering Hidden Histories: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Mozer

In this blog post, I want to expand on the fascinating conversation I had with Dr. Lisa Mozer on my podcast, “Statesville, NC Black History With Dr. Lisa Mozer - Episode 93.” We dove deep into the rich and often overlooked history of Sta…

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Sept. 6, 2024

Incorporating the Fula Flute into Modern Music Production

In this blog post, we delve into the fascinating world of the Fula Flute and explore innovative ways to incorporate its unique sound into modern music productions. Drawing inspiration from my recent podcast episode, "Black History of the Fula Flute …

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May 12, 2024

Black History of Mary Church Terrell

Today we celebrate for our black history topic, Mary Church Terrell. Born September 23, 1863 in Memphis, Tennessee to Robert Church and Louisa Ayers. She was one of the first African Americans to earn a college degree. When her longtime friend Thoma…

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May 11, 2024

Black Inventors

How much history did you get to learn in grade school? Let me ask a more detailed question. How many of you learned about black history in grade school? I'm sure not many will say "yes". As I spoke of in a past blog post. Black History is going to b…

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