Testing 1,2,3

I like recording. I enjoy the whole process. Moving microphones around, searching for that elusive audio sweet spot, the place where the microphone sounds best. I like the rush when the playback sounds just the way I had envisioned it in my head.

Tweaking settings on microphone preamps, compressors, EQ's, and outboard toys has always enthralled me.

Hooking things up "wrong" while searching for new tones.

Dragging the studio to remote locations to capture the wild musician in his/her native habitat.

It is certainly a great time to record music: technology has driven down the costs to the point where anyone with a few bucks can set themselves up with a very efficient recording rig. The latest rig I built is based on a firewire mixer, and it runs so well, it's hard to remember back 15 or so years ago, when I first got into building computers for the express purpose of recording musicians. No more configuration problems, just plug things together and 9 times out of 10 they work flawlessly.

Yeah, it's a good time to be a recording musician.

Springtime

I cranked up the old Triumph and took her out for a ride in the country. The feel of the wind in my face is very theraputic to me. Riding on a motorcycle is a wonderful way to get around.

Western Mass is a great place to take trips on two wheels, too. Head a little bit west, and the rolling hills of the Berkshires make for an unparalleled biking experience. There are many places to explore, and many side roads to discover.

A day of cycling makes all the pain go away. You really ought to experience it at least once.

Only a few more weeks until spring!

We are in pre production for Janet's solo CD. This time around, she is going to do a recording of all jazz standards, and we are auditioning material for inclusion. We plan on doing a lot of the legwork this month, and hope to have the new Cd ready for a summer release.

I am looking forward to this project, as I can focus on the engineering and production, and not have to worry about playing. This is a very nice feeling, and it allows me to concentrate fully on the recording process. I am shooting for a traditional jazz sound this time, and fromthe sound of the experimental tracks recorded thus far I am very happy with the direction things are going.

and it's a good excuse to update my Not Really a Blog...

Iron Horse.
On Friday, Feb 18th we opened up for Guitar Shorty at the Iron Horse. What a great bunch of people in that band! They had been on the road for a while and were glad to be at the Horse that night. The house was packed, and both bands did a great job!

During load in, Shorty uncrated 5 beautiful G and L strat type guitars, and he was telling me the story behind each one. Shorty knew Leo Fender personally, and Leo made guitars for specially for him. How cool is that?

Shorty looked at one of my strats, said that the pickups were all wrong, whipped out a screwdriver and proceeded to "Shorty-ize" my guitar. He raised the height of my pickups so the guitar got louder! Silly me, I never messed with the pickups, cause I thought the guitar sounded fine already.

It's finer now.

The rhythm section guys hung out with my rhythm section, and the keyboard players were going over the fine details of the keyboard on stage. ( Push THAT button to get a piano sound, and then push THIS button for the organ tone. ROFL)

We made a lot of friends in the audience that night, too, as well as selling a few CDs to boot.

It's nice to play for an appreciative audience...