Ah, as the sun is rising above a crisp San Francisco morning, I see my last day of tracking (recording) for this challenge: Background vocals, keyboard parts (mostly mellotron, little piano, maybe some horn stabs), and guitar solos are all that is left. Almost bittersweet - the last week has felt somewhat stressful but also incredibly rewarding and fun! The time actually recording the guitars and vocals is SUCH huge fun...well, somewhat moreso the guitars but it is also a trip slapping on the headphones and dancing around like a diva doing the lead vox:-).
So by the time nightfall comes around (the Animal's "warm San Francisco Nights" the imaginary soundtrack behind this paragraph) the recording of all (ten) songs for the sophomore Mile Long Post-It release - still tentatively called "2kMi" - will be "in the can" as the groovy cats say. This daddy-o is on-target to start mixing tomorrow, and with 07day:12h;57min left, I'm on schedule! Wow.
Also got to get going on artwork, duplication, website updates, etc., but not really in the mood now - sounds like a good Sunday task!
As promised and by request, here's the technical lo-down on some stuff done over the last few days:
All rhythm electric guitar parts were done on either an Epiphone Casino (think Beatles) or an Ibanez Artist (think early-80's double-cutaway). Guitar into a Fulltone OCD pedal (most amazing pedal ever!), into a Fender Champ 12 amp (snakeskin - a critical part of the sound), to an AT3035 mic, into Toft ATC-2 preamp/EQ. This was a nice change from last year where it was done direct (via a Line6 POD), and getting "the amp sound" REALLY opened up the guitar sounds - much more organic.
Lead vocals ended up thru a ribbon mic - the "TapeOp group buy" mic that is basically a Nady clone. Into the Chandler TGChannel preamp/eq. Tried a few other mics including some much more expensive ones, but the ribbon just sounded the best on my voice and was the most natural "in the track" with the other parts. My 1st time doing vox with a ribbon mic - learn something new every day!
Just over a week to go - kinda sad. But REALLY lookin' forward to completing this album - some real good stuff!
Rock on!
(Cross-posted to RPMChallenge.com: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11805/)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Jammin' rules!
Just about to jump into a busy day of RPMing...got 4 electric (rhythm) guitar parts, and all lead vocals on the agenda before bedtime. Am happy with the acoustic gtr tracks as well as the other electric gtr stuff done in the last few days. By popular demand I'll post the detailed recording notes for those things in nausiating detail later.
Yesterday? Zero RPM. But an amazing day! Had a great jam with my regular dobro player and a new bass player (along with my acoustic guitar). LOVE playin' with other people! Such a great way to improve as a musician, and soooo much fun. We were all in good form yesterday - jam's even better when it sounds good!
Mile Long Post-It is a solo project - I do all the writing, recording, playing and (almost all the) signing - 'cept for the female background parts :-). I love workin' alone on it. But, for the sheer joy of "making music", nothing beats playing with others!
Rock on!
(Cross-posted to RPMChallenge.com: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11759/)
Yesterday? Zero RPM. But an amazing day! Had a great jam with my regular dobro player and a new bass player (along with my acoustic guitar). LOVE playin' with other people! Such a great way to improve as a musician, and soooo much fun. We were all in good form yesterday - jam's even better when it sounds good!
Mile Long Post-It is a solo project - I do all the writing, recording, playing and (almost all the) signing - 'cept for the female background parts :-). I love workin' alone on it. But, for the sheer joy of "making music", nothing beats playing with others!
Rock on!
(Cross-posted to RPMChallenge.com: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11759/)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Bass done; tuner tip; weekend off (kinda)
Smooth sailing yesterday tracking the bass parts - now done for all (10) tunes. Was the first real use of a new bass (to me; actually "used" but in good shape) - an Epiphone "Les Paul Special". Sounded mostly great, and was pleased the intonation is good. For the recording geeks (like me!), signal chain was from the bass into the direct input of Chandler TG Channel (preamp/eq) into a Distressor compressor (set to "optical" mode). I think the sound is pretty good, but will scrutanize further come mixing.
Here's an old-school tuning tip when doing bass/guitar overdubs (in the "control room" or in front of the DAW) - Set up an aux send or similar from the bass/guitar input and patch the aux output into a tuner. MUCH easier than plugging/unplugging to tune. Did this using the audio interface's (MOTU 828mkii) little "monitor mix" application to send the bass/guitar input signal directly into "output 7/8", and then just a 1/4" cable from Output 7 into the tuner. Doing this on the MOTU (instead of in the recording software) worked great as there was always signal to the tuner and I didn't have to do anything in my recording software itself or in each song-project.
So with bass and drums done (and rough mixes to prove it :-) I'm taking the weekend off from RPM (kind-of) to chill and spend some quality time chillin in a woodland cabin with Ms. Mile Long Post-It. "Kind-of", you ask? I won't be doing any recording, but do plan to learn and rehearse acoustic and electric guitar parts (just playin' along to the aformentioned rough mixes). Well, and maybe start recording the acoustics later today (Fri) and after we get back on Monday. Can't really "turn off" RPM, can ya!?!
Rock on!
(Cross-posed to RPMChallenge website: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11302/)
Here's an old-school tuning tip when doing bass/guitar overdubs (in the "control room" or in front of the DAW) - Set up an aux send or similar from the bass/guitar input and patch the aux output into a tuner. MUCH easier than plugging/unplugging to tune. Did this using the audio interface's (MOTU 828mkii) little "monitor mix" application to send the bass/guitar input signal directly into "output 7/8", and then just a 1/4" cable from Output 7 into the tuner. Doing this on the MOTU (instead of in the recording software) worked great as there was always signal to the tuner and I didn't have to do anything in my recording software itself or in each song-project.
So with bass and drums done (and rough mixes to prove it :-) I'm taking the weekend off from RPM (kind-of) to chill and spend some quality time chillin in a woodland cabin with Ms. Mile Long Post-It. "Kind-of", you ask? I won't be doing any recording, but do plan to learn and rehearse acoustic and electric guitar parts (just playin' along to the aformentioned rough mixes). Well, and maybe start recording the acoustics later today (Fri) and after we get back on Monday. Can't really "turn off" RPM, can ya!?!
Rock on!
(Cross-posed to RPMChallenge website: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11302/)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ahead or behind schedule?
So, day 11 [RPM2009], got my songs written and arranged, and drums programmed for 9 of 'em (and expect to complete the last in a few hrs). Last year it took me to day 22 to accomplish this, so I should be happy with this year's progress. Emphesis on "should be", as I'm worried...plan is to start bass parts later this evening but I somehow suspect that Jack and I will end up strapping into the Syracuse/Connecticut game instead (go 'CUSE!). Wouldn't be a big deal but I'm gonna be outta town Fri-Mon and can see the time slipping past (like sands thru the hourglass). Might bring a small mobile setup along for the weekend, but suspect there will be more time spent on that as a technical exercise than an actual recording opportunity so would like to avoid it. But I digress...
I want to be done with all recording on 2/21 or sooner to have PLENTY of time to mix (and master, and do artwork, and...). Figure I still have to record:
Well, as Pops used to say, this is indeed a "happy problem". Gettin' to make music is such a blast, and RPM is just the best thing to keep me on my toes...now back to the dance.
Rock on!
(Cross-posted to RPMChallenge website: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11177/)
I want to be done with all recording on 2/21 or sooner to have PLENTY of time to mix (and master, and do artwork, and...). Figure I still have to record:
- Bass
- Acoustic Guitar (rhythm parts)
- Electric Guitar (rhythm and texture parts)
- Guitar solos (acoustic and electric)
- Lead Vocals
- Background Vocals
- Keys (Piano/Organ/Synth)
Well, as Pops used to say, this is indeed a "happy problem". Gettin' to make music is such a blast, and RPM is just the best thing to keep me on my toes...now back to the dance.
Rock on!
(Cross-posted to RPMChallenge website: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,11177/)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Songwriting "done*" (with an asterisk)
Happy Days! Music and lyrics are done* for the 10 songs going on Mile Long Post-It's RPMChallenge 2009 cd (tentatively titled "2kMi").
Why the asterisk? 'Cause these tunes are in rough shape right now! Veeerrry rough shape. But the turds are laid, and now are ready for polishing (pardon the expression, phew!). I think I did a blog last year called "polishing turds", blabbing in some detail about taking rough drafts and working them into final cd form.
I want time for the songs to live and breath before recording 'em. Last RPM I spent waaaay too much time doing the initial writing (2 weeks!), and then had like a day to do arrangements and then right into recording (not my best approach). This year, I'm determined to have 3-4 days to play these drafts in different keys, different styles, different tempos - to flush out "what works" and "what needs help" before getting near a recording device.
Amazingly, this might work out. I want to start tracking (drum parts) on Sunday, so have about 4 days to whip these songs into shape on the 'ol acoustic guitar. Will try to post some rough drafts in a day or two.
Still, this is a nice hump to be over early in the project. Off to grab some lunch and then start workin' the tunes!!! Rock on!
(Note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10600/ )
Why the asterisk? 'Cause these tunes are in rough shape right now! Veeerrry rough shape. But the turds are laid, and now are ready for polishing (pardon the expression, phew!). I think I did a blog last year called "polishing turds", blabbing in some detail about taking rough drafts and working them into final cd form.
I want time for the songs to live and breath before recording 'em. Last RPM I spent waaaay too much time doing the initial writing (2 weeks!), and then had like a day to do arrangements and then right into recording (not my best approach). This year, I'm determined to have 3-4 days to play these drafts in different keys, different styles, different tempos - to flush out "what works" and "what needs help" before getting near a recording device.
Amazingly, this might work out. I want to start tracking (drum parts) on Sunday, so have about 4 days to whip these songs into shape on the 'ol acoustic guitar. Will try to post some rough drafts in a day or two.
Still, this is a nice hump to be over early in the project. Off to grab some lunch and then start workin' the tunes!!! Rock on!
(Note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10600/ )
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Writin' like a madman
I REALLY want to get the songwriting part of this challenge done ASAP, and have been VERY lucky so far. Got five songs written already, and it's looking like I really might get all 10 done before the end of week.
I like having a chance for the songs to "breath" before recording them - to try playing them in different styles and different arrangements. And practically, in different keys (to find the sweet spot for my voice). Also to allow time to fine-tune and fix things before starting recording.
I'd like to get the remaining four written before end-of-Wednesday and plan to start recording on Sunday. That would be AMAZING and I'm optimistic that I can pull it off.
Rock on!
(Note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10453/)
I like having a chance for the songs to "breath" before recording them - to try playing them in different styles and different arrangements. And practically, in different keys (to find the sweet spot for my voice). Also to allow time to fine-tune and fix things before starting recording.
I'd like to get the remaining four written before end-of-Wednesday and plan to start recording on Sunday. That would be AMAZING and I'm optimistic that I can pull it off.
Rock on!
(Note this is cross-posted to the RPMChallenge site: http://www.rpmchallenge.com/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,291/task,show/action,view/id,10453/)
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