Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

Scott,

GRYMG is sounding great...very clear and good performances on that there geetar. It's a great adaptation of an "old boring" tune...well done. I particularly like the string arrangements in the first section...very uncoventional for the piece. My only reccomendation at this point would be to bring up the pad under the guitar at the end slightly.

Gene,

Thanks for the compliment...I really hope I can get something going after the move. There are really no mid-priced studios in the area...just god awful expensive and super cheapo roland guys with no talent for the craft. Unfortunately, I don't have the dough to start one properly, so I'm thinking of catering to the live recording scene for a while, primarily classical...borrowing what gear I don't currently own (I've got a friend an hour away who's graciously offered the use of his SM69 whenever I need it...lucky guy got it for three hundred bucks on ebay...they're normally more than five grand) and another friend's project/home studio I helped put together for some additional high quality pre's when needed. I've got spot mics covered, and most of the studio mics I'd ever need to pull out for a live gig...all that's left is a laptop (it would make it just soooo much easier to do remotes) and splitters, which I'll probably build myself (I knew that degree in physics would come in handy somehow...). One good thing about doing classical recording is the number of contacts you meet that own extremely pleasing acoustic spaces...churches and recital halls. With any luck, I'll find a place with a well tuned steinway to "donate to the cause" until things get rolling for me.

My first order of business is going to be contacting that symphony. A not so very far off second is going to be trying to get in touch with the best engineer in the area (although I think I might actually be a little better when it comes to mastering and ITB mixing ...I've sat in on a few projects he's done...he's got 4 grammy's already and just maybe if I use the right words, he'll take me on as an assistant in his own small facility. Most of his work is done out here . Maybe he can try to convince the owner to pick me up as a runner or assistant...maybe even as a tech...who knows.

I'm doing my best to keep high spirits despite the rough times...in case you couldn't tell. Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting the raw bounce of "Agnus Dei" whenever you get a chance to send it to me...there's no rush though, so take your time.

Honest opinion though...do you think I should chop off the first five or six seconds of the "center stage" reel? I was happy with it at first, trying to contain as much of the horn part at full volume as possible, but now I'm thinking it's a pretty week intro. Tell me what you think.

Cheers,
Chris

Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

I think it is ok, because it may be loud but it is not the start of a horserace. The fact that the instrumentation comes in to join it places it well. I personally like it.

It will be a bit, I am currently editing video footage from my daughter's play they just did over the weekend. A female version of the Neil Simon's play The Odd Couple. My daughter was Vera (Vinnie). The kids did a great job.

After that I have her choir concert December 8th, and then the choir in their acoustically pleasant music room December 13-15th. Finally, I got them out of that theater. I am really looking forward to that one.

I will be pulling for you and your opportunities. Like I said before, you are very good at what you do, I truly believe that things will fall in place !

Take Care,
Gene


I will get you that music, it just may be a bit....

Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

Chris Cavell-

Chris,
Just wanted to mention that the website looks great...thanks so much for the mix of 'And Dream of Paradise'...sounds just fantastic.
-Roy

Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

Chris, I made a CD of them and took it to a friend's shop where he has some high end audiophile hifi gear. (he is the bass player on Think Of You").
Anyway, he was extremely impressed with your reels. Quite blown away actually.... especially considering we were listening to mp3s.

Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

Roy,

thanks...glad you like and dream of paradise...it was fun

Mark,

Cool!
That's the desired effect...I hope they can get me some gigs in the near future.

So, here's the big question I've been struggling with...should I swap out Randy Newman's clip of 'Louisiana' which has the orchestra accompaniment for his more recognizable 'You've Got a friend in me' from 'Toy Story' which has no orchestra? I think the instant recognizability of the disney tune might get more gigs...but 'Louisiana' speaks more toward my actual engineering??? I guess the real question there is this, "Would I feel like some kind of sell-out?" I think I'm going to keep 'Louisiana'...it just works better for the reel anyway imo.

Re: Mac Mixes!!!!!!!!
 

Hey gang,

Here's a link of two songs from our album, recorded and mixed by me 100% in the box in
Pro Tools LE Digi 001. We got some pretty solid college radio airplay in the US and Canada
this year from these tracks.

Check it out:
http://www.halftheworld.cc/music.html

Re: Mac Mixes!!!!!!!!
 

I am really drawn to the depth of the mix on Fragile. Very transparent. I can hear the skin of the snare and kick and the grain of the distortion, Me Likes!! Although your style isn't 80's rock it reminds of how Steve Perry's vocals stick out of the mix on the early Journey records (La Do Da - Infinity). Again, I am not comparing your music to Journey, but I have always been amazed at how "carved out" Steve Perry's lead vocals are. It has that warm UA 1176 "limited" sound and super Aural Excited. The only thing I wanted more of was a "stickier" , more elastic bass track. I like what you tracked, I just wanted to be kicked in the balls alittle harder. I have had great luck using Sennhieser 421 on the 4x10 bass cab (or 15 in.) with an RE 20 on the back of the cab near the floor aimed at the rear of the cone. The final most crucial mic is either a Manley Ref Cond. or an AKG 414 TLII (or AT 4050) 6 inches from the front (watch for phasing) and I still use a hardware compressor (DBX )166A as an insert effect 4:1 / -20. and of course tracking the bass amp turned up to 11! The lead vox is so sexy, what vocal chain did you use? The drums are the jewel of the mix, very impressive. Good luck!

Re: Some Jazzy stuff
 

Happy Thanksgiving, you guys...

2004 Best of DUC Art...
 

For lack of a better place to post this for now, most of you are aware that Chris Cavell will be mastering an Album for us Duckies. Lets see if the Artwork is going in the right direction for the cover. Comments?

I am open to on-topic artwork that anyone has that would add to this project. Remember there will be a lot of text meaning subtle quiet images will help. I have a few things in mind if you just wanna let me run with this. I will prepare art for both slimline and standard cases.

Featured artist! prepare your one line bio's and pick a smily. No duplicates, first, second, and third choice. First grab gets their smily of choice.

Re: 2004 Best of DUC Art...
 

SimpleNatureSpirit,
Good job!.....the overall image looks great.
-Roy