Music

Official link to my certification on Oracle University – Oracle APEX Cloud Developer Certified Professional (OCI)

Under Construction

Roland FANTOM Flagship Workstation Synthesizer Keyboard
Roland JD-Xi Digital/Analog Crossover Synthesizer

Some people take up music only to realize they do not possess the natural inclination towards music and give it up quickly after a brief stint. When it comes to music, we can divide people into 3 categories, broadly:

I possess the natural inclination towards music with knowledge of melody, rhythm and harmony and fall in the 2nd category (hobbyist). Because IT has become my primary interest, I have no plans of making music as my profession. If computers did not exist, I would have probably ended up as a Music Producer/Composer or a Martial Arts instructor. I've been a musician for over 3 decades and bought my first hollow Guitar with savings of my pocket money when I was in elementary school. I'm a Mac and my hobbies include coding, playing/creating music on my iPad, Synthesizer, developing and using music and business apps. I'm a DIE-HARD fan of Electronic Dance Music (EDM - Trance, Vocal Trance, Euro Dance, Hi-NRG, Electronica, etc), Soft Rock, Pop, Fusion and it is but natural for me to be inclined and interested in Synthesizers, Sequencers, Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) apps, etc.

What's life without music, anyway? Music - it's in my DNA ! :)


YOUTUBE/SOUNDCLOUD MUSIC CHANNELS


My playlist of award-winning, chart-busting, best songs -


My quick Trance tune composed on Roland JD-Xi digital/analog crossover synthesizer and Logic Pro X DAW:

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/trance-roland-jd-xi-logicprox


A few other songs I composed on iPad music/DAW apps (work-in-progress):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vltpeoc65oI - Cubasis - Indian Fusion Music - FX - Stereo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqoGTFX6yvA - Electronica - GarageBand on iPad - Trance with FX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGknz7oh28 - Magnificent Bodyguards - Auxy Studio - Trance'd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pTFMZNpW44 - Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYjFCdGCIqE - Christmas Cannon - Trans-Siberian Orchestra

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/mere-sapne-mere-apne-mitr - NanoStudio DAW app on iPad Air 2

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/guitarism - Guitarism app on iPad mini

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/stuck-in-traffic - Animoog DAW app on iPad mini

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/the-walking-dead - GarageBand on iPad mini

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/raindrops-by-shekar - Raindrops on GarageBand on MacBook

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/shine-on-you-crazy-diamond - NanoStudio, Music Studio, Sunrizer

https://soundcloud.com/powerobject/raindrops-by-shekar - GarageBand on MacBook Pro with some FX


NOTE: These songs are work-in-progress projects and some are incomplete. For instance, some songs do not have the drums track and those that have drums track may be out of sync and need editing/re-recording of the drums track.

HINT: Use Headphones and see their Descriptions while playing them for more info and references to original work.


SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS

(Headphones, please...)

Spotify is FREE on desktops, laptops and tablets – you can play any individual song anytime (on demand) and also play any playlist in the same order. It’s free on mobile phones too using playlists but they shuffle the playlist (not on-demand). Also, Spotify has the best human-curated playlists for any kind of events – workouts, luncheons, cookouts, birthdays, weddings, ceremonies, parties, holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, by genre, etc.

Here are my curated playlists on Spotify you can just kick them off for any events. They’re work-in-progress with over 150 songs – mostly modern EDM, Trance, Vocal Trance and some Hi-NRG/Rock genre based. These links display partial lists and play songs for only 30 seconds each. For complete lists and to play full songs, use Spotify app on Desktop or on Mobile. I don’t play good music – only the best!

EXTRME PARTY - https://open.spotify.com/user/1261878327/playlist/28bnIhOvRQpGO3WOfBTuVR

BEST TRANCE - https://open.spotify.com/user/1261878327/playlist/0U5CHgvKZVLJq7KAz6jmn7


Hardware instruments I play

TIP: A concert with Guitar, Flute, Tabla and Vocoder would be a rare and unique combination!

Software instruments I play: ALL - on iPad using Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) apps

Tablets were initially meant for content consumption (browsing, reading, playing, watching) than content creation. However, mobile apps have evolved and come a long way to facilitate content creation on tablets (Documents, Music, Art, etc) easier than on computers. For instance, NanoStudio, Caustic, etc re FREE on desktops but are paid versions on iPad/iPhone - even though the desktop versions can be used to create any kind of music that can be created on the mobile versions - but it is fairly easier to produce music on mobile versions than on desktop versions. Plus, mobile DAW apps come at a fraction of the price of their desktop counterparts - mostly for the price of a plugin for the desktop app.

Once upon a time, to own a room-full of hardware instruments, it used to cost north of 20+K - and a big ROOM! - but now, we can have all of those instruments and more right in our pocket at ALL times for FREE or just a few bucks!! How COOL is that?! Most of these apps support plugging in our own hardware instruments (Guitar, Keyboard, Microphone, etc) and support Audiobus app (the "missing audio cable" between iOS Music Apps that lets you connect them together - digitally), Apple's Inter-App Audio (IAA), etc. Most of these DAW apps support multi-track, multi-session recording and editing.






TUTORIALS

SONGS


Use headphones to listen to these mesmerizing demos:



Wanna become a DJ?


NOTE: Needless to say, there isn't much electronic/Trance/dance music in some parts of the world that you would find in the rest of the world. People do not like trance music in some countries because unlike other forms of music there's not that much vocals and also electronic music is beyond them. I think people like to sing along to songs that they understand or know and that's how they get into that music. But most of the vocal music is dumbed down with no style or character to it and not even hummable in countries where Trance is absent. Trance on the other hand is electronic, stylish, contemporary and futuristic - you must feel the music and really listen into what the beats and melody are trying to tell you and thus make it your own. Trance is a very expressive form of music with limited lyrics or mostly brief vocals. Some people love this aspect about Trance. For Trance with vocals, listen to Vocal Trance; however, most pure Trance music has vocals as well. Trance/Vocal Trance is mostly electronic/dance music sung by female singers at 125-140 BPM with extensive modulations, effects, repeating melodic phrases that distinctively build up and down, mid-song climax followed by a soft breakdown disposing of beats and percussion entirely and leaving the melody and/or atmospherics to stand alone for an extended period before gradually building up again - all of which make it attractive.

Trance is especially popular in Europe:


HINT: For Trance, Vocal Trance, Classic Trance, Classic Vocal Trance, Hard Dance, EuroDance, Club Hits, DJ Mixes, Deep House, Electronica, Main Stage, Techno Trance, etc go to di.fm, trance.fm, radiotuna.com, etc.



HINT: Use head-phones while recording to prevent other loops from getting re-recorded.









DEVICE (TABLET) BUYING GUIDE

Tablet or SmartPhone?

There isn't much you can do on a stupid smart phone anyway due to its size and availability of apps. Tablet-optimized apps are superior, offer far better user-experience and more usable than mobile apps or scaled-up mobile apps. Further, some of the best apps such as Cubasis, Gadget, iMS-20, Magellan, Procreate, etc. are developed ONLY for the iPad. Also learn why Procreate refused to create an Android version of their tablet app. My technique is to use the latest and the greatest iPad and keep the phone outdated. In other words, I buy a new iPad when I run out of room or when it becomes too slow or when the current iOS/hardware does not support the newer apps made for the newer iOS/hardware - or every 3-4 years. I consider a smart phone is good for just making calls, checking email, weather, calendar, texting, photos, etc - that's all - which is why I have a 128 GB AT&T Cellular iPad Air 2 but still have a 5-year old 32 GB iPhone 4 and don't plan on upgrading it any time soon. Go for a tablet.

If the above is not convincing enough, I'll give you 2 more bigger reasons to go for a tablet (iPad):


iOS, Android or Windows tablet?

It all boils down to who was the pioneer in the game with more apps. It is analogous to traffic to a website - most websites are alive today because of their traffic due to being the pioneers and most of them would not have been as successful as they are if they were launched now. Apple started the apps, AppStore, smart phones, tablets (well, they improvised the competing products, made them better and more usable). Consequently, the iOS AppStore has more than a million apps and the most tablet-optimized apps giving you that unique tablet-experience as opposed to scaled-up mobile apps you find on Android. Most developers create the iOS version of their apps first before considering porting them to other platforms. Some developers refuse to create Android versions of their apps and some developers quit making apps for Windows saying, "You cannot make money on Windows apps". iOS has the most number of tablet-optimized apps, family-sharing of apps, etc. Android has fewer tablet-optimized apps and fragmentation issues, malware, latency issues from being one-size-fits-all bloat-ware, open-source model and not all users get the latest and greatest due to being at the mercy of several vendors. Well, whatever - I'm not starting a war. You get what you pay for. When you want to accomplish something and you found a perfect app for that, you have found your platform. Go for iOS - if you can.

iPad Pro or iPad Air or iPad mini?

I simply loved the mini when I had one for 2 years - it is a small wonder and always went wherever I went. Before the mini, I had an iPad 2 and it always used to stay home because of its heft. I got the MOST use out of the mini. Mini was PERFECT for everything - email, browsing, watching videos, playing games, reading books, etc - I never had any issues with any of these activities because the apps made for the bigger iPad work the exact, same way on the mini without any changes and they give you the same full tablet-experience unlike the scaled-up mobile apps we find on Android. However, I found that the keyboard on the software musical instruments in the DAW apps I use was a bit tiny for my adult fingers and had issues playing faster without making hiccups. Finally, when I purchased a much lighter iPad Air 2, it was a BLISS - the issues of keyboard size and playing software instruments was gone, gone! I can still carry my new iPad Air everywhere because of it its light weight and also due to its side bezels that were trimmed by Apple making it less wide - all these changes made the difference in size between the full size iPad and the mini negligible. What the heck? Apple even made iPad Air 2 thinner than iPhone 6 !! Honestly, I still like the mini as it fits in my jacket pocket - not so much with the full-size iPad Air. So, here is my suggestion - if you are an adult and wanna play DAW apps, just buy the full-size iPad - preferably the Black one. If not into music or if you are a kid, go for the mini. Mini is such a PERFECT match for kids!!


Black iPad or White iPad?

Black iPad gives an immersive experience while watching videos, playing games, etc as its black sides/bezels blend with the black background of the app/game. If you are into playing games or watching videos, go for the Black iPad. Black iPad is recommended if you intend to use music/DAW apps as well. A black leather case does not fade or discolor.

White iPad blends with the background color of browser, web sites, books and productivity tools such as email, calendar, word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. Having a black border for apps that have a white theme is a bit of a distraction. If you wanna use the iPad just for productivity tools/apps, reading, browsing, etc go for the White iPad. Light-colored leather cases fade or discolor over a period of time.

HINT: Get a black face-plated iPad and a white face-plated iPhone (you use iPhone mostly for productivity tools, right - that have white themes?)

Cellular or Wi-Fi edition?

Cellular edition sets you off by about $130. If you plan on getting a data plan for your iPad, always go for the Cellular edition because it costs just $10 a month to add it as a device to your data plan. Remember, it costs $30 a month to add a Wi-Fi iPad to a data plan. So the extra cost of $130 pays for itself in about 6 months and after that it is a savings of $20 every month. Cellular edition is a teeny bit heavier (by a few grams) and the battery drains a bit faster when you add a data plan to it (just like an iPhone with a plan). However, iPad Air works with a blazing performance and has such a great battery - it lasts for days on a single charge even with a data plan on it.

AT&T, Verizon or other carriers?

AT&T hands down - I found their network, coverage, signal strength and reception far superior to outdated technologies/networks other carriers use. With Verizon and other carriers, you enjoy their latest technologies only in some areas and once you are out of those areas, you are back on their outdated, 3G or even inferior networks. Plus, AT&T's customer service is FANATIC!!

Storage

Since iPad does not come with external storage, more is always better. 16 GB is long-outdated and maybe OK for folks who use it for just productivity tools (remember, White iPad?). You should go for a minimum of 32 GB. If you are a gamer or deal with lots of apps, music files, photos, videos, etc, you should go for the maximum storage. Apple products can be used for at least 5-10 years or more without issues (I still use a 5-year old iPhone without any issues but I have the latest iPad) and they have a good resale value and so, cost should not be your concern. You buy it, you use it, you enjoy it - you get returns out of it! So simple. The last thing you want is run out of room and repent for not having bought more storage. Do not skimp on storage capacity. I found the iPad Air 2 with 2 GB RAM is blazing fast even with the latest, memory-hungry, badly written apps (such as Auria) that use humungous resources.

HINT: If you want to buy both iPad and an iPhone, consider buying a White/Rose-Gold iPhone with the white face-plate (for productivity apps) and a Black/Space-Gray iPad (for apps, games, video watching, etc).

Peripherals

If you plan on buying auxiliary items such as microphone, keyboard, etc - buy the ones that connect to your tablet through the power socket and not through headphone jack because the ones that connect through the power socket offer full features, quality and power compared to the ones that connect through headphone jack. Always buy Apple peripherals, kits, etc because 3rd-party stuff does not work properly and renders inferior output.

Eg: Camera Connection Kit - buy the Apple brand and you'll have not issues with it.

Headphones, Microphone, Filter, Audio-Interface, Amplifier, etc.

DAC: Digital to Analog Converter. Computers and devices cannot understand analog sounds - they need to save analog sounds as digital data (Eg: MP3, AAC, WAV, etc). Humans cannot understand digital data - we need analog signals to hear them. A DAC takes the digital information on your computer and translates it into analog sound you can hear through your headphones and speakers. All computers and devices have DAC built into them but they are very basic and crappy. Not all DACs are created equal and you need a high-quality DAC to hear the subtlety, detail and dimension of music you listen to - regardless of what headphones or speakers you use.

The stock Headphones (earbuds) and the built-in Mic and DAC that come with iPad and iPhone (or any other device or computer) are very basic, crappy and tinny. For high-quality sound recording and output, use pro-grade mic, headphones and audio-interface/amp. Here are some recommendations of the best peripherals:

Headphones

There are many types to consider: On-ear, over-ear, in-ear, closed-back, open-back, noise-canceling, noise-isolating, studio-monitors, regular headphones, etc. Over-ear and in-ear with closed-back are meant for noise-canceling and noise-isolation in public places. External noise-cancellation/isolation are meant for listening to your music at lower volumes without impairing your hearing - but beware, you may not hear what others are saying to you or a even a fire-alarm because of the sealing - make sure you are able to hear all sounds from the outside.

HINT: Remember, you will hear a good bass when you seal the ear with the right/tight fitting tips/cups.

Regular Headphones have enhanced sound quality with added extra bass for extended listening pleasure.

Open-back Headphones - these are meant for listening to music in private places. These offer soundstage (the amount of 3-dimensional space the headphones can create and classical music needs a lot of that space).

Studio-monitor Headphones are flat, accurate with tight, controlled bass and crisp highs and not meant for listening pleasure - but you will hear every subtle sound and every instrument in the songs clearly as how the music producer intended it to be as they are not drowned in heavy bass. Studio-monitors are chiefly meant for studio tracking & mixing and DJ monitoring.  If you listen to bass-heavy music, these are probably not for you.

However, if you want just earbuds for composing music, consider Klipsch in-ear X4i Headphones - $130 - (the most professional-looking with metal body that does not protrude outside your ears but beware - they are flat and accurate without much bass).

Klipsch Reference on-ear Headphones - $199

Microphone

Pop-Filter

Audio-Interface

Headphone & Speaker Amplifier


HINT: If you are buying Klipsch, try to buy directly from their site or one of their Authorized Dealers because Klipsch does not honor their 2-year warranty if purchased outside their network. They would replace any defective product within 2 years if purchased from them or their dealers. Here are their unauthorized dealers you should stay away from.

HINT: While using these high-grade headphones, make sure that the music collection you listen to are of high resolution (320 bitrate) or lossless (recommended) AAC or FLAC or uncompressed (not recommended) WAV formats so all the instruments are audible (do not use the lossy formats such as MP3 or OGG).

MIDI Keyboard/Synthesizer with Sequencer/Vocoder/Mixer/etc.

Roland JD-Xi (2015) - a Powerful, Interactive, Digital/Analog Crossover/Hybrid Synthesizer, 4-track on-board Pattern Sequencer, 4-track Mixer, 4 simultaneous effects per sound, Arpeggiator, Pitch Bend/Modulation wheels, USB for Audio/MIDI, 256 on-board sounds & patterns, 256 user-programs, 16 favorite sounds and Vocoder with gooseneck Mic, Auto Pitch, Auto Note for Vocal FX - is the new, cool kid on the block from Roland. JD-Xi is a compact/portable, streamlined, sub-37 (3-octave) synth with velocity-sensitive mini keys but you can play all the 88 notes of a Grand Piano (7 octaves) by switching the octaves on the panel. JD-Xi is an Analog and Digital synths in one keyboard!! It has 4 parts - 2 Digital Synths, Drums Analog Synth - and comes with Roland’s famous SuperNATURAL Digital Synth Tones, Analog Synth Tone and PCM Drum Kits. It is so light weight you can lift it with just 2 fingers - but don't be fooled by its weight - it is MIGHTY and very attractively priced for all its features. You can even plug in your Guitar or digital music player into it and record and you can apply digital effects to its analog tones! If you are looking for a Professional, all-in-one, easy-to-use keyboard to create Electronic Dance Music (EDM), look no further. You can create great music on JD-Xi with just a few button taps - even if you are not a keyboard player! Further, you can use its 4-part Pattern Sequencer as a DJ to bring parts in and out, apply effects, mix, etc in a live, DJ setting. It has a built-in Audio Interface and so, you don't need any external audio interface to connect to your PC/Mac to record its sounds, effects, etc in your favorite DAW app - just use the USB cable. It can connect to an iPad with Camera Connection kit but it records in MIDI. To record JD-Xi sounds into an iPad DAW app, you need an external audio interface. What more can you say about a synthesizer that has only rave reviews for all its features and its price?

This is sick!

Width: 22-11/16", Height: 3-6/16", Depth: 9-11/16", Weight: 4 LBS (2.2 KGS)

Maximum Polyphony: 129 voices (Digital Synth/Drum Kit: 128, Analog Synth: 1)

Looking for a full-size? Wait for its big-brother, flagship synthesizer - JD-Xa - or why not just buy both? :)


Axial is the official Roland Tone Library - axial.roland.com - where you can download new sounds for your Roland synthesizer that have been specially designed by top programmers. From recreations of vintage analog classics to modern, cutting-edge tones that are perfect for the latest music styles and beyond, Axial is your home for an ever-expanding selection of unique and exciting new sounds for your Roland instruments

NOTE: You get much better results from using a dedicated, hardware keyboard with real/physical keys and pads to record/perform than software DAW apps with touch screen keyboards and drum pads. Use DAW apps for recording your performance, mixing and mastering.

 

BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS

Even though Bluetooth can connect to your computer or device without needing an internet connection, these speakers have a few issues:


I have a Logitech Squeezebox Boom (video) internet radio which is highly reviewed for its rich sound quality and everyone I know couldn't believe its sound quality for its size. One guy even asked me, "Where are your speakers??" - he thought I was having a 5.1 stereo system at my place. When I pointed him to my Boom (an enhanced clock-radio), he was literally shocked! Bluetooth speakers cannot offer that level of sound quality.

If you are wanting to get a wireless Bluetooth speaker, consider buying the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter for a fraction of the cost - about $40 (instead of Bluetooth speakers which are more expensive and less expansive) - which will instantly turn any speaker (even a legacy/vintage/antique speaker) into a wireless Bluetooth speaker!! In other words, you can use the adapter with any speakers. Of all the Bluetooth audio adapters reviewed, Logitech was found to be the BEST.

If you are wanting to get a standalone Bluetooth speaker with battery, ease-of-use and portability, consider Bose SoundLink Mini (video) for its construction, engineering, technology and solid/durable/high quality. Mini's sound quality is reviewed as better than and superior to other competing speakers such as Beats Pill and it's own big brothers - Bose SoundLink II and Bose SoundLink III. This small wonder is solid, heavy and sounds like huge speakers - it could go wherever you go - bedroom, bathroom, car, work, party - you could do an orchestra on it inside your car with an iPad!!

CAUTION: Beware of the FAKE Bose Mini's! Scary, huh?

HINTS:


DESIRABLE FEATURES: Nothing is perfect and Bose Mini is not an exception - even though it is near-perfect and second to none! I wish Bose Mini had a Remote Control along with a flip-up LCD display showing the following info - even if it meant costing another $50:

All Bluetooth speakers currently scream the above features are missing in them. Maybe, in next version?

 

SPOTIFY - the BEST streaming music service

For some time, I did not like the name "SPOTIFY" which has nothing to do with music and did not use their service. I thought - why couldn't they find a better name for their service? Are they just out there to make $$? But boy, was I wrong? They chose that name (click> while brainstorming for one <click) because it was not used by any other business and was available including the domain name with no legal conflicts. They were so embarrassed with their business name selection - they had to start explaining it as "SPOT and IDENTIFY" (still does not make any sense with "music", does it?). It goes to show that you can coin any (irrelevant) name or word and make it a success if you work hard on building a brand around it (eg: TravelZoo - what has travel got to do with zoo?? MailChimp - a fancy name with a funny/cartoon Chimp character). Even if you own a cool word and you don't work hard on making it popular - it remains nothing.

And Spotify's service - simply amazing!!

Spotify made their service on-demand FREE on desktops/laptops and tablets which means you can play any song from their collection of over 30+ million songs and curated play lists in any language covering any country - anytime - on demand. It is free on smartphones as well but it is shuffle-based which means they may play some song from the same album of the artist of the song you requested - still better than Pandora which plays some song from some artist that we did not request for. The free plan plays a few adds occasionally but you can sign up for their paid service for ad-free playing. Compare that to competing services - they don't have a free plan which means they need your credit card. If you are not a heavy music listener all day, a free service is better even if it plays a few ads.

Get the BEAUTIFUL and PRETTY Spotify app of your choice and enjoy hours and hours of non-stop, melodious music of your choice (no fine print). If you want free, on-demand service, you need to go for the desktop, web or tablet edition:

HINT: While signing up for a service such as Spotify, etc. do not use your Facebook account to quickly register - if your Facebook account gets suspended, you cannot log into Spotify. Instead, sign up directly on Spotify.com. Also, signing up through Facebook could have other issues such as setting up a device (see below under SUPPORT), changing email address without affecting your email address on Facebook, etc.

SUPPORT: Spotiy's offers FANATIC support - even to free accounts which is unheard of. If you contact them using their Contact form, they will acknowledge receipt of the message, follow up with a detailed resolution to the issue and also a Survey to monitor and improve their service. I contacted them for a solution as I could not setup my Logitech Squeezebox Boom with their service because I signed up through Facebook which does not login using the device. They replied immediately acknowledging the issue and offering me to cancel my account and re-signup for a new account (directly at Spotify.com this time and not through Facebook) and also offering to retain my same Email address for the new account and - there is one more... - they offered to transfer all my Songs, Favorites, Playlists, Contacts, etc over to the new account so I don't have to re-create them all over! In other words, I would not lose ANYTHING in the process - same Email address, all my Favorites, Playlists, Contacts, etc - INTACT and as-is. Also, the above HINT about registering through Facebook was given by them. All that support level for guess what - for my FREE account - that does not make them any money. Can you believe that? How cool is that? They know exactly how to do BUSINESS. The last time I found fanatical support was from AT&T and Rackspace.

GOOGLE PLAY MUSIC

The Standard plan is FREE and you can upload up to 50,000 of your own songs at no cost! This is similar to Google Photos which is free for Unlimited photos if you prefer to upload in 2400 pixel resolution. The $9.99 plan gives you All Access to all their music and also ad-free YouTube. Both Google Play Music and Google Photos come with desktop apps to sync up your music and photos.

Here are various services and their business models:

 

MY FAVORITE GENRES (sound great with headphones)

Trance music is from Europe and my favorite for over 15 years. Trance is Heaven on Earth! My most favorite genres:


My Online Radio Player combining the best of the genres - Trance, Hi-NRG and Soft Rock:

www.di.fm (Digitally Imported) has over 80 FREE channels in a wide variety of genres.

Try the above on KOSS KSC35 Ear Clip Headphones! These $45 headphones are highly reviewed with sound quality on par with other headphones that cost in the $300-$400 range.

 

MY SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS (use Headphones)

Spotify is FREE on desktops, laptops and tablets – you can play any individual song anytime (on demand) and also play any playlist in the same order. It’s free on mobile phones too using playlists but they shuffle the playlist (not on-demand). Also, Spotify has the best human-curated playlists for any kind of events – workouts, luncheons, cookouts, birthdays, weddings, ceremonies, parties, holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, by genre, etc.

Here are my curated playlists on Spotify you can just kick them off for any events. They’re work-in-progress with over 150 songs – mostly modern EDM, Trance, Vocal Trance and some Hi-NRG/Rock genre based. These links display partial lists and play songs for only 30 seconds each. For complete lists and to play full songs, use Spotify app on Desktop or on Mobile. I don’t play good music – only the best!


 

MY FAVORITE SINGERS/BANDS/MUSIC DIRECTORS (sound great with headphones)

I'm a musician myself and can state, these are some of the BEST songs I compiled for you - painstakingly. I published the links of the best-sounding and clear audio/video songs so you don't have to hunt for them. When you search for a song, you get a plenty of hits - so, which one would you watch/listen to? That's what I did for you. Most of these songs are Grammy Award Winners and album CHART-TOPPERS reaching MULTI-PLATINUM STATUS. Caution - the more you listen to these songs, the more they will HAUNT you - all day long. Guaranteed!

Below, I placed more than 200+ links to the artist's all songs (in Artist/Band Name heading) and select individual songs too. I'm a musician and qualified to say - most of these songs are unique, VERY STYLISH and FUTURISTIC - they suit even to these modern times after decades of their creation. This is by no means a complete list of all the greatest music produced so far.

PLAY ALL, NON-STOP:  I've created a unique PLAYLIST so you can watch'em all (except non-YouTube stuff). If the songs are repeated below for lyrics, official video, live performance, etc versions - only one song with the best-sound quality is included in this playlist (even if it is lyrics version only and not an official music video or live performance) so they are unique. Generally, most Live performance versions have poor sound quality. Official music videos are the best of both worlds - video and audio - but again their quality depends on how they were saved and uploaded which could impact their video quality, sound quality, volume, etc. Audio songs with/without lyrics mostly have the BEST audio quality and volume because they were ripped off the CDs (but no video) with studio-quality sound - good if you are just listening to them in the background. So, if you would like to watch the Live Performance or the Official Music Video version of a song instead and if it is not included in this playlist due to poor/non-studio sound quality/volume, scroll down this page and click those links - each version has its own value (lyrics, video, live):


PLUS: Also, do explore my Google+ profile for more songs and Music App reviews:


HARDWARE: Earphones offer mediocre experience. I recommend KOSS KSC35 Ear Clip Headphones - these $45 headphones are highly reviewed with sound quality on par with other headphones that cost in the $300-$400 range.

Are your headphones on?

Are you prepared to be HAUNTED?

Enjoy!!

LEGEND (ratings for music and sound quality)

MALE SINGERS

Sting (everybody likes Sting - he is a legend!!)

Mr. Mister

U2 (the LARGEST Grammy Award-winning Band so far)

A-Ha

Pink Floyd

If you listen to their Delicate Sound Of Thunder album listed below (their BEST recording), you'll know why they are so great and renowned...

Scorpions

Ricky Martin

Pet Shop Boys

Pandemonium Tour - Live

Koto

Miko Mission (Hi-NRG - still very stylish)

Fancy - Hi-NRG dance music

London Boys - Gifted, awesome dancers - one has to learn dance from these guys - they can put anyone to shame - hard workers indeed! Nobody can FLIP or backflip like London Boys!! Unfortunately, they got killed in an accident by a drunk driver in 1996 - RIP. Why is fate so cruel? Stylish Hi-NRG genre of the 80's combined with very talented and expressive dance! These songs played in a club could burn the floor up!!

Michael Learn To Rock

Journey

Raised On Radio - Remastered Full HD HQ 1080p - full album

No Mercy

Haddaway

Europe

Boyzone (originally by Bee Gees)

Backstreet Boys

Elton John

Circle of Life - The ultimate father & son song

Enrique Iglesias

Savage Garden

Michael Jackson (The One And Only - King Of Pop!!)

Michael Jackson - Flash mobs around the world

MJ influenced the world more than any other singer (Elvis, Beatles... you name it!)

George Michael

Chris Daughtry

Bryan Adams

Meat Loaf

Richard Marx

Mark Anthony

Luis Miguel

Chris Rea

Deep and mesmerizing voice with a cool Guitar! The more you listen to it, the more it will haunt you!! You've been warned adequately.

Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler is a very talented Guitarist - if you want cool Guitar, you go to Dire Straits. Guitar lovers rave about Dire Straits. It's that simple.

Metallica

Some people dislike Metallica because they took sides with the big record labels to help bring Napster down in the early 2000's - but music sharing always existed in some form or another even to this day - there is no stopping the technology. Some dislike their music because it is too heavy metal. But wait until you listen to these awe-inspiring songs - you will change your views on Metallica forever for their amazing talents singing songs on humanity:

Nirvana

Phil Collins

Groovy Kind Of Love - Audio

Eagles

Elvis Presley

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO)

PSY

PSY Flash Mobs & Adaptations

Performances by prison inmates

FEMALE SINGERS

Celine Dion (isn't she amazing??)

The Cranberries

Donna Lewis

Amy Grant

Madonna

Heart - these two sisters are very stylish dancers. If you wanna learn how to dance stylishly holding a Guitar, you should take a lesson or two from this sibling duo :)

Very

Selena (R.I.P.)

Alizee

Venessa Williams

Venessa Carlton

Laura Branigan

Tony Braxton

No Doubt

Nelly Furtado

Melanie C

Ke$ha

Jennifer Lopez

Evanescence

Natasha Bedingfield

Taylor Swift

Katy Perry

Kelly Clarkson

Natalie Grant

Cyndi Lauper

Bonnie Tyler

Adele

Dido

 - Official music video

Corrs

Watch out the lady drummer (Caroline) - talented and so happy with her drums and sticks :) I wish I could polish my drumming skills from her.

Roxette

Charlotte Church - a 14-year old PRODIGY!! Flawless performance - polished to perfection. Voice of an Angel.

Sissel - compare with the above

Chipettes

Funny

GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS

That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight (she is charming and stole the show), Stevie Wonder & Elton John. Great talents here - kudos to whoever brought these 4 highly talented artists together to do this project. No wonder this is a Grammy Award winner and an EVERGREEN song. A delightful group performance. Watch out the cool 90's Pianos and Strings especially at 3:25... Aah! Those Hollywood Strings!! This will haunt you all day for sure if you listen to it for a couple of times!! The whole song is "Elton-John-ish" style!!

CHRISTMAS SONGS

The song "Christmas Canon" often ranks on the iTunes Top 100 Chart at Christmas time. As of December 2010, the song serves as the third best-selling holiday song in digital history with 701,000+ downloads.

ALL MY MUSIC - RECORDED ON iPad

TRANCE, HI-NRG, SOFT ROCK MUSIC

I've created this Online Radio Player with the best of the genres - Enjoy!

Trance - Heaven on Earth!

Hi-NRG (High Energy) - Very stylish

Soft Rock - Ever green

Shekar's Online Radio Player

Italo Disco (Hi-NRG - still very stylish)

Trance

INDIAN MUSIC

Lata Mangeshkar (Guinness World Record)

Susheela

Bala Subramaniam: Winner of Guinness World Record for recording highest number of songs (over 40,000 songs in several languages) and winner of many awards over the decades, Balu has polished his talents to a great extent and became one of the best singers of all time. He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer 6 times and the Nandi Awards in Telugu cinema 25 times. Here are a couple of the best samples of his voice with highly polished modulation and fluidity:

Ramesh Naidu - Winner of multiple National Awards

Ramesh Naidu -     for the BEST Music Director

Keeravani

Ravindra Jain - a blind Music Director, Song Writer and multiple Awards winner

Rajesh Roshan - music director

Jagjit Singh

Bhupinder Singh - UNIQUE

Udit Narayan

Kumar Sanu

Kishore Kumar

Anup Goshal

Kavita Krishnamurti

DANCE & MUSIC

REMIX

PRIVATE ALBUMS

VIDEOS

PSY: Park Jae-Sang (Viral-Star)

Gangnam Style reached #1 on iTunes Music Video Charts - overtaking Justin Bieber and Katy Perry!!

With over 2.3 billion views after it was launched in 2012, Gangnam Style maxed out on INT_MAX limit, overflowing 32-bit integer limit in 2014 - forcing YouTube to upgrade their technology to store view counts in 64-bit integers!!

In YouTube's own statement: "We never thought a video would be watched in numbers greater than a 32-bit integer (=2,147,483,647 views), but that was before we met PSY. 'Gangnam Style' has been viewed so many times we had to upgrade to a 64-bit integer (9,223,372,036,854,775,808)!"

Will Psy’s music video's view-count stump YouTube’s increased storage length?

Google has over a million servers! If each view of his music audio+video is 50 MB in size, how much has YouTube served in bandwidth on this song alone for over 2.3 billion times so far??

Multiple Guinness World Records (Total: 5 as of 2014):

Psy is slated to star in a South Korean remake of the Hindi film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance - taking over the role of Vishnu (Prabhu Deva) in the original film.

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The BIG question is - why don't they create music like this anymore? What's wrong with this music?? Beyond me.

Do you have any suggestions of great music? Post it under Comments below...

 

ORIGINAL SCORES OF MY ABOVE SONGS (sound great with headphones):