Tag: Behind the scenes in music production

  • From NAMM Memories to New Mastering Templates

    From NAMM Memories to New Mastering Templates

    It’s been an odd day. I woke to a feeling of not wanting to get out of bed, which isn’t common for me at all. Likely it stemmed from lack of sleep and a developing issue of an eyelid with irritation. The one thing that brightened my morning was a random tweet by Lisa Loeb. She appreciated my tweet about Ed Cherney passing yesterday (Tuesday). I wrote a tweet to her in appreciation and she responded. That little gesture from her was super sweet.

    Mind you, she doesn’t follow me on twitter. It’s highly likely she doesn’t remember me auditioning to play guitar for her on a tour. She also probably doesn’t remember when we bumped into each at NAMM talking to a mutual friend. Either way, she’s a lovely person and it brightened my day.

    I felt like a task master getting rolling. Chris Hellstrom and I got our second podcast/broadcast recording in the can today. Compared to the first episode last week, this episode went substantially smoother. I pretty much had the outputs of the audio and video within an hour of finishing the recording. Compared to the 8 hours it took last week. that’s a huge savings in time. Massive creative time cut.

    My goal for next weeks episode is to have everything output and ready for releasing within 30 minutes of getting all files. But that might be a little optimistic, as it does take time for Final Cut to export the video. Then for me to upload it to YouTube. And we’re only doing episodes in 1080. Imagine if it were 2k or 4k. It’d probably take a bit longer.

    As I was waiting for Final Cut to export the video and Logic to export the audio for the podcast, I worked on yet another lyric video output for the vertical lyric video version for Hero Unexpected.

    Once all those outputs were done, I shifted gears back to checking the mix for another single. A song that I co-wrote with Manda Mosher. I made a couple of minor tweaks to my mix and deemed it done. Thanks to some new mixing templates, I was able to output multiple mixes at the same time. Passed it over to mastering and got a master back shortly thereafter.

    I sent a copy of the song to Manda and another friend Jesse Stern who played bass on the recording. Both of them enjoyed the mix and the song. I’m looking forward to getting the song into the release schedule for next year. We’ll see when. I’m also looking forward to hearing Manda do an Americana version in her style. I think she’d do a killer rendition of it too.

    No, I’m not using something like LANDR for mastering, I think that it’s a joke and I don’t believe in it – and no I wouldn’t recommend using it. But I am working with a mastering setup that can do a fairly quick turnaround with a great sound.

    When I look back at the work output for this day, a podcast, a podcast video (both of which are an hour long), a lyric video, and a song single. It feels like a pretty damn productive after a late start for a day where I didn’t want to get out of bed. That seems pretty impressive as I’m looking back on the day. And I’d like to thank Lisa for the kind words and response that helped set the day on a good path.

  • Recording Touch – New Single by Jody Whitesides

    Recording Touch – New Single by Jody Whitesides

    Come in the studio with me as I work with George Leger III at his Utopia Parkway studio to record the final vocals on my upcoming new single “Touch”. Get a sneak peek of what it’s like in the studio and working with a good friend from Canada who helps create some awesome magic.

    Find out who I got one of the guitars used on the song from. Figure out a particular guitar riff I play while waiting for George. Hint, it’s from an amazing guitarist out of Texas.

    Enjoy the video:

    YouTube player

    Transcript:

    We’re in Los Angeles. Taking off in a moment in the car. To get over to the studio. Time to start recording some vocals.

    Ok, here’s the humor. I’ve just rolled up to the parking lot of the studio where I’m recording with George Leger, over here, the third. He’s got sore feet. So, we’re walking in. About to get started with doing some recording and having some fun. Of course I’ve got to have some tea before I start yodeling out of my mouth. [yodel yodel] But it will be an awesome day of having fun in the studio. Enjoy. See you soon.

    Currently we’re working through some issues that George has with playing the mix back, before we get into the concept of me actually opening my mouth and making some more vocals. That are not just demo vocals.

    Bonus points to YouTubers who can figure out where that riff comes from.

    We got the mics all set up and what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna test out this particular setup to make sure it sounds, fucking brilliant. [fucking brilliant].

    Turn back the click on?

    Don’t you love that? That’s George’s dyslexia in action, right there.

    That’s Canadian speak isn’t it?

    Canadian speak, ha ha ha.

    Eh?

    Just for those out in YouTube land. This is a Parker Fly guitar.

    Yes, very nice guitar. Wish I had one actually.

    It was given to me by somebody that is very big in the independent music world. Or at least was at one point in time. He’s now kind of retired. His name is Mr. Derek Sivers.

    Derek Sivers, thank you very much for your contribution to this song. That we’re using with your Parker Fly, that is, well apparently it’s now my Parker Fly.

    We’re doing a little production work at this point. We’ve decided to nix the pre chorus, which you’ve already found out. And we’ve decided to nix some vocals in the chorus there were, uh, filling too many holes. After we do a bit more production work, we’re going to ad some ad libbers. Ad libbies. No? We’re not, we’re not doing any? Oh, cause there’s not enough holes. Not enough room. So much for ad libs.

    You know what they say about ad libs? Fuck ad libs.

    You say you want to try another octave higher. I’m not sure that’ll be overkill, but I’m certainly willing to try.

    Well then, shall I double the other choruses first?

    Ah, no. I’m just going to use this part for all of them.

    No, no, no.

    Yes, yes, yes.

    No, no, no.

    Yes, yes, yes.

    I don’t like cut and paste.

    Dude. I don’t care. This is not really that important.

    It is.

    fuckin prima donnas.

    I don’t feel like a prima donna, but thank you.

    You’re a fucking leo, what are you talking about.

    That doesn’t make me a prima donna.

    Yes it does.

    No, it just makes me king of the jungle. Or my jungle anyway.

    It has been an awesome trip. The vocals are done. It’s time to do the mix. Back to the studio. So long LA, it’s been fun being back. It feels like a slice of home. See ya on the flip side.

  • What It’s Like Composing Music for a Dance Fitness Phenomenon

    Who among us doesn’t want to get into better shape? Of course there’s a multibillion dollar industry geared towards fancy gadgets and pills to help lose weight and to look better naked. That’s the whole point right? To look better naked? I think so.

    For those of us who prefer to workout at home while looking at hot women, there’s a new exercise regimen. This one is by the creator of the Pussy Cat Dolls. Ok, this program isn’t geared towards men per se, but it’s certainly worth watching your woman get into better shape right?

    Why do I know about this?

    That’s why.

    I did the music for this little trailer. So get your PCD dance on and enjoy your way to a hotter figure!