{"id":6337,"date":"2013-07-12T14:35:56","date_gmt":"2013-07-12T21:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rolandus.com\/blog\/?p=6337"},"modified":"2014-02-26T17:25:58","modified_gmt":"2014-02-27T01:25:58","slug":"javier-colon-records-album-with-sonarx2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rolandus.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/12\/javier-colon-records-album-with-sonarx2\/","title":{"rendered":"Javier Colon Records Album with SONAR X2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two Years After Winning NBC’s The Voice<\/em><\/h2>\n
\"Javier<\/a>

Javier Colon<\/p><\/div>\n

Author: Jimmy Landry for Cakewalk<\/a> (see original article<\/a>)
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s been quite a ride in the last two years for Javier Colon after being crowned the winner of NBC\u2019s hit TV show The Voice<\/em>. \u00a0Some highlights include releasing the record Come Through for You<\/em> on the Universal\/Republic label, gaining millions of new fans, and touring around the world sharing the stage with artists like Maroon 5, Colbie Caillat, and Gavin DeGraw, to name a few. \u00a0It\u2019s rare for an artist like Javier to experience so many facets of the music industry. \u00a0He has been signed to two major labels, successfully published his own music independently, and claimed the top spot on one of the biggest television shows of our time. \u00a0But what sets him apart from other artists (besides the obvious) in today\u2019s never -ending plethora of supposable talent? \u00a0I recently got a chance to catch up with Javier in his new SONAR X2<\/a> home studio in Connecticut to find out what he\u2019s been up to and where he\u2019s going.<\/p>\n

July only: Buy SONAR X2 Producer or Studio, get Z3ta+ 2 FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Javier Colon’s Interview with Cakewalk…<\/em><\/h2>\n

CW AR: You\u2019ve had a lot going on in the last two years after winning The Voice. You\u2019ve shared the stage with artists ranging from Maroon 5 to Stevie Nicks, but what are a few of the most personally memorable highlights for you?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Javier<\/a><\/p>\n

Javier: \u00a0I\u2019ve had some great memories over the last couple years since The Voice. I would have to say that one of the highlights for me was getting to sing with Stevie Wonder at a Charity event in CT. Darius Rucker, Michael McDonald and myself were invited to perform and pay tribute to Stevie. We each got to sing one of Stevie\u2019s songs for Stevie and everyone in attendance. Afterward, Stevie came up and sang a couple with us which was crazy! I\u2019ll never forget that night.<\/em><\/p>\n

Javier Colon’s Musical Journey…<\/em><\/h2>\n

From spending a good amount of time with Javier over the years (he happened to be signed to Capitol Records when I was working there before Cakewalk), it\u2019s obvious to see there are a few things that set him apart and give him a continued connection with old and new fans. \u00a0For one, his story and history as an artist match his genuineness, which resonates through his delivery of music. \u00a0That sounds deep \u2013 and it is.<\/p>\n

Z3TA+ 2 Sound Examples – Keyboards & Bass<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

You see, Javier got into the music industry on his own terms because he had to. It was the only thing running through his blood that would bring him to his destiny \u2013 and that destiny is not just an artist or the winner of a competition \u2013 it\u2019s a father, a family man, and a guy who likes to enjoy life and live it to its fullest on his own terms of general and sincere appreciation. These traits are all brought forthright when he sings, and I think people can feel that and gravitate towards it on some other level.<\/p>\n

\"Javier<\/a>CW AR: \u00a0You have a lot of fans waiting for new music, what are some of the plans and what can folks look forward to?<\/em><\/p>\n

Javier Colon: \u00a0I\u2019m happy to say that I am currently working on some new music. I will hopefully have something out before the end of the year, if not, early next year. I don\u2019t like making people wait, so there is a possibility that I might release a single in the next couple months.<\/em><\/p>\n

Z3TA+ 2 Sound Examples – Leads<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019m also looking to put out a song in Spanish soon, as well. I had an amazing opportunity to tour in Mexico and South America with Maroon 5 last fall, and it opened a lot of doors in the Latin market. I can\u2019t wait to get some music to those fans and go back to all those countries.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Javier<\/a>Another factor giving Javier an added layer of depth beyond most artists is his music background and vocabulary. \u00a0Many people don\u2019t realize that Javier studied at one of the most prestigious music schools in the United States; the University of Connecticut\u2019s Hartt School of Music. \u00a0He\u2019s also a seasoned percussionist which most likely plays a factoring role in his unique style of guitar playing. 13 years ago, Javier was in another astonishing musical experience by singing and playing percussion for The Derek Trucks Band. \u00a0This jaunt gave Javier yet another genre under his belt, which added to the individuality of his music today.<\/p>\n

Z3TA+ 2 Sound Examples – Pads & Sound FX<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Javier Colon on Recording with SONAR X2…<\/em><\/h2>\n

CW AR: You\u2019ve been a SONAR user for a long time and you\u2019re now on X2. \u00a0What are a few of your favorite features and how do you use them?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Javier<\/a>Javier Colon: I\u2019ve been using some version of Cakewalk\/SONAR for a really long time. X2 Producer<\/a> is definitely my favorite yet. I love the way X2 is set up, it\u2019s easy to use, and customizable. The addition of the ProChannel<\/a> in SONAR\u2019s \u201cX\u201d series is killer. Everything you need is right in front of you, and it\u2019s fast and sturdy! \u00a0I just got up and running with the VKFX modules<\/a>, and they sound great. \u00a0I\u2019m psyched to see the ProChannel platform growing.<\/em><\/p>\n

July only: Buy SONAR X2 Producer or Studio, get Z3ta+ 2 FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

There are a few other things that really make SONAR X2 a working partner with my music creation. \u00a0The customization and ease of use in the Skylight Interface<\/a> makes the workflow really fast. \u00a0I love how easy it is to create instrument and midi tracks by dragging and dropping synths right into the session. I also love the fact that I can easily create a project and track templates so that I don\u2019t have to mess around with anything to start recording. \u00a0I use a V-Studio 700<\/a> in my studio, and SONAR X2 has everything automatically routed and saved for different types of sessions, so I\u2019m always ready to go.<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019m currently writing and starting production on new songs for my next album on X2. The quality and fidelity of the sound engine alone is enough to keep me using it.<\/em><\/p>\n

A final thought on Javier\u2019s ability to stay in the forefront of the fan-landscape\u2019s eye has to do with the direction of the music industry in general. \u00a0With a new world of likes, shares, pluses, plays, and digital endorsements, the intimacy of an authentic performance coupled with great songwriting will prevail on all fronts and make its way to the top. \u00a0People still want to \u201cexperience\u201d that hair-raising live performance, and that\u2019s the space that Javier owns, and no record company or TV show can ever take that away from him.<\/p>\n