Today will be the last day for Peter Peters music.
Saturday and Sunday was spent mixing Peters last 3 songs.
Sunday afternoon Peter came by for a quick listen and to take the CD copies with him to listen to and pull apart.
He is coming tonight so that I can fix any problems that he has with them.
Then I will send the WAV files to Waltz Audio to be Mastered.
I sent the other 5 songs to Waltz on Saturday and he confirmed that he got them.
Mastering will not take long, I'm hoping that they will be finished by the weekend.
The last thing we have to do now is get the album cover designed and ready for printing.
Nationwide will be doing this.
They have already been paid and are waiting for us to send the information so they can start.
As soon as they get the Mastered CD copies the printing and duplication will take about 20-25 days.
I don't think we will make the x-mas deadline, perhaps New Years.
We shall see.
I am now really looking forward to starting work on my own music again.
As soon as Peters project is finished.
NEXT!!!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Holy Crap Batman!
3 more to go!
After an 11 and 8 hour marathon session on the weekend and every night this week, I still have 3 more songs to mix!
Who would have thought that it would take so much time.
However the results have all been fantastic, Peter is very happy.
We had a session last night to do some corrections on the first 4 songs that I had mixed and burned for Peter to listen to. He also heard the final mix of the Dream song #3 and was blown away. He said that there was nothing to fix. I am sure after he listens for a day or 2 he will find something.
We also started the final mix on "Soul Survivor". I don't think it will take too much to finish that one. Then hopefully by Saturday I will finish the Calypso and rock song.
The plan is that whatever is done by Saturday will be sent to the Mastering Engineer Tom Waltz by Saturday evening or Sunday so he can get started. Then hopefully finish up by Sunday afternoon.
This is the plan, we shall see.
Peter and I also have to start working on the album cover with Nationwide in Texas.
This should be pretty straight forward. We are actually paying Nationwide to do the design work so all we have to do is send the info and whatever Peter has on his mind.
Will this album be ready for X-Mas?
One can be hopeful.
It was lots of fun and I learned allot but, I will be very happy when its all done and Peter has his baby in his hands and is happy.
After an 11 and 8 hour marathon session on the weekend and every night this week, I still have 3 more songs to mix!
Who would have thought that it would take so much time.
However the results have all been fantastic, Peter is very happy.
We had a session last night to do some corrections on the first 4 songs that I had mixed and burned for Peter to listen to. He also heard the final mix of the Dream song #3 and was blown away. He said that there was nothing to fix. I am sure after he listens for a day or 2 he will find something.
We also started the final mix on "Soul Survivor". I don't think it will take too much to finish that one. Then hopefully by Saturday I will finish the Calypso and rock song.
The plan is that whatever is done by Saturday will be sent to the Mastering Engineer Tom Waltz by Saturday evening or Sunday so he can get started. Then hopefully finish up by Sunday afternoon.
This is the plan, we shall see.
Peter and I also have to start working on the album cover with Nationwide in Texas.
This should be pretty straight forward. We are actually paying Nationwide to do the design work so all we have to do is send the info and whatever Peter has on his mind.
Will this album be ready for X-Mas?
One can be hopeful.
It was lots of fun and I learned allot but, I will be very happy when its all done and Peter has his baby in his hands and is happy.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Mix x 8
One down and 7 to go.
I started mixing Peters songs last night.
I started with #2 because it was already almost finished mixing. Just a couple adjustments and double check the vocals.
Tonight I will burn it to CD so that I can check it on a couple different stereos. I'm sure I will have to do some minor changes with the bass and /or vocals but it should be pretty much done.
Then I will start on another song, not sure which one yet, that will depend on what mood I am in when I get home.
I am feeling kinda reggae at the moment.
I started mixing Peters songs last night.
I started with #2 because it was already almost finished mixing. Just a couple adjustments and double check the vocals.
Tonight I will burn it to CD so that I can check it on a couple different stereos. I'm sure I will have to do some minor changes with the bass and /or vocals but it should be pretty much done.
Then I will start on another song, not sure which one yet, that will depend on what mood I am in when I get home.
I am feeling kinda reggae at the moment.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Almost done..............
Tonight is Peters last time for tracking on this project.
Its been almost 6 months working on 8 songs for Peter Peters album.
He is coming by to do one more vocal and one more percussion track and that's it.
Its now all up to me to mix these songs as good as I can get them and then send them off to the Mastering house.
Yesterday afternoon was quite fun. Peter had saved the last song so that he could invite some Friends over and they could all have a chance to put something on it, either vocals or an instrument. Peter brought a few beers and some pizza and it was a good time had by all that showed up.
To me mixing is the more relaxing part of this process.
I get to do this by myself with no one disturbing me. As I get them done then Peter comes back in and gives his opinion.
If he approves, off it goes.
If he disapproves then I fix it till he is happy.
I am hoping if we get finished tonight that I will be finished mixing by Sunday.
That is the plan.
Its been almost 6 months working on 8 songs for Peter Peters album.
He is coming by to do one more vocal and one more percussion track and that's it.
Its now all up to me to mix these songs as good as I can get them and then send them off to the Mastering house.
Yesterday afternoon was quite fun. Peter had saved the last song so that he could invite some Friends over and they could all have a chance to put something on it, either vocals or an instrument. Peter brought a few beers and some pizza and it was a good time had by all that showed up.
To me mixing is the more relaxing part of this process.
I get to do this by myself with no one disturbing me. As I get them done then Peter comes back in and gives his opinion.
If he approves, off it goes.
If he disapproves then I fix it till he is happy.
I am hoping if we get finished tonight that I will be finished mixing by Sunday.
That is the plan.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Gospel Success.
Another great session with Ossie Bowe.
Ossie was able to get the Gospel group together again last night and again everyone left smiling.
Ossie worked them hard but at the end of the session they had another really nice sounding song.
I think Ossie likes working in my studio. He emailed me this morning and told me the sound on the tracks were wonderful.......... Nice!
Last night was drums, Rhodes, Bass guitar and vocals.
The drums were miked with 2xACM1200 overhead, SM57 on the snare, RE20 in the bass drum, 2x e602's on the first 2 toms and another 57 on tom 3. Also one of the new Rode NT55's on the Hi-Hat and another NT55 on the ride. Like I said, its Ossie's session and Ossie likes plenty mics on the drums. The drums sound Awesome!!
The Bass guitar went direct into the API mic pre.
The Rhodes was amped with the old Ampeg Jet and miked with an EV RE15. Again we had the Rhodes amp out in the front room. That amp makes the Rhodes sound gorgeous.
The vocalist were in the control room with Ossie with handheld mics.
Twas a great session.
I'm off tonight.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are all booked with Peter Peters.
Hopefully at the end of this all of his songs will be really close to sending off to be Mastered. As long as Peter does not decide to keep adding things we should be on schedule.
This is going to be a great album!
I'm getting hungry.
Ossie was able to get the Gospel group together again last night and again everyone left smiling.
Ossie worked them hard but at the end of the session they had another really nice sounding song.
I think Ossie likes working in my studio. He emailed me this morning and told me the sound on the tracks were wonderful.......... Nice!
Last night was drums, Rhodes, Bass guitar and vocals.
The drums were miked with 2xACM1200 overhead, SM57 on the snare, RE20 in the bass drum, 2x e602's on the first 2 toms and another 57 on tom 3. Also one of the new Rode NT55's on the Hi-Hat and another NT55 on the ride. Like I said, its Ossie's session and Ossie likes plenty mics on the drums. The drums sound Awesome!!
The Bass guitar went direct into the API mic pre.
The Rhodes was amped with the old Ampeg Jet and miked with an EV RE15. Again we had the Rhodes amp out in the front room. That amp makes the Rhodes sound gorgeous.
The vocalist were in the control room with Ossie with handheld mics.
Twas a great session.
I'm off tonight.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are all booked with Peter Peters.
Hopefully at the end of this all of his songs will be really close to sending off to be Mastered. As long as Peter does not decide to keep adding things we should be on schedule.
This is going to be a great album!
I'm getting hungry.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Drums and Percussion uploads
Slamming drum session with Neil Symonette last night.
That man can play some serious drums.
Neil re-did the drums on the first song and the song came back to life. Peter was very pleased.
Neil also brought the percussion tracks for three of Peters songs that he did at "Reel Time Sound".
I didn't have time to really listen to them but what I did hear was Awesome. Neil is very talented.
Tonight Ossie Bowe has my studio booked to record the Gospel group again. He confirmed yesterday but he still didn't sound too sure. We shall see. If he cancels, Peter wants to have the time .
On and On.
That man can play some serious drums.
Neil re-did the drums on the first song and the song came back to life. Peter was very pleased.
Neil also brought the percussion tracks for three of Peters songs that he did at "Reel Time Sound".
I didn't have time to really listen to them but what I did hear was Awesome. Neil is very talented.
Tonight Ossie Bowe has my studio booked to record the Gospel group again. He confirmed yesterday but he still didn't sound too sure. We shall see. If he cancels, Peter wants to have the time .
On and On.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Closer and Closer.........
Vocals and comping with Peter Peters last night.
We have one more lead vocal to do.
One more song to re-do drums.
And three songs to put percussion on.
Then its mix, master and off to the printers.
The lead vocal is on the very last song. I think the guide vocal track that we have is awesome but, Peter thinks he can do it better, so he's going to give it a try.
The re-do drums is on the very first song. Again I think these drums are fine but Neil Symonette the drummer wants another run at it. I have to agree that the song has changed a bit since he put the original track down. We shall see.
The reggae, calypso and last song all have percussion tracks that Neil did at his studio, Reel Time Sound.
Neil is booked to come tonight to upload the percussion tracks and re-do the drums. Will be a great session as usual.
The Great Ossie Bowe is trying to get the Gospel group together for a session tomorrow night.
I wish him lots of luck. Hopefully it will come together again.
Friday night and Saturday will be spent mixing all of Peters songs.... Finally!
Sunday will hopefully be the last day of tracking on this project. We will be working on the Gospel song that Peter put lead vocals on last night. This is the song that Peter has invited a few musicians/freinds to come by and put something on. Vocals or instruments. Should be a very interesting afternoon. I must remember to take some pictures.
Now its time to start working on Peters album cover and duplication. He has decided to use Nationwide after he saw how my project turned out. I'm going to give them a call later today and get that ball rolling.
The mixing of these songs should not take too long. Peter and I have already spent quite a few hours comping and editing so basically it will be adjusting levels and final tweaking.
The Mastering will be done by Tom Waltz at Waltz Audio. He did a great job with my project and I am looking forward to working with him again. I don't think he will take more than 3 days. Once we give him approval the Maters will be FedEx to Nationwide and they can get started.
Peters goal is to have this all done in time for Christmas.
Good luck Peter!
Soon Come!
We have one more lead vocal to do.
One more song to re-do drums.
And three songs to put percussion on.
Then its mix, master and off to the printers.
The lead vocal is on the very last song. I think the guide vocal track that we have is awesome but, Peter thinks he can do it better, so he's going to give it a try.
The re-do drums is on the very first song. Again I think these drums are fine but Neil Symonette the drummer wants another run at it. I have to agree that the song has changed a bit since he put the original track down. We shall see.
The reggae, calypso and last song all have percussion tracks that Neil did at his studio, Reel Time Sound.
Neil is booked to come tonight to upload the percussion tracks and re-do the drums. Will be a great session as usual.
The Great Ossie Bowe is trying to get the Gospel group together for a session tomorrow night.
I wish him lots of luck. Hopefully it will come together again.
Friday night and Saturday will be spent mixing all of Peters songs.... Finally!
Sunday will hopefully be the last day of tracking on this project. We will be working on the Gospel song that Peter put lead vocals on last night. This is the song that Peter has invited a few musicians/freinds to come by and put something on. Vocals or instruments. Should be a very interesting afternoon. I must remember to take some pictures.
Now its time to start working on Peters album cover and duplication. He has decided to use Nationwide after he saw how my project turned out. I'm going to give them a call later today and get that ball rolling.
The mixing of these songs should not take too long. Peter and I have already spent quite a few hours comping and editing so basically it will be adjusting levels and final tweaking.
The Mastering will be done by Tom Waltz at Waltz Audio. He did a great job with my project and I am looking forward to working with him again. I don't think he will take more than 3 days. Once we give him approval the Maters will be FedEx to Nationwide and they can get started.
Peters goal is to have this all done in time for Christmas.
Good luck Peter!
Soon Come!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Rate increase.....Oh NO !
Yes its true.
In the last year or so that I have been actually charging for my time, gear and services I have learned a few valuable lessons.
I had decided to keep my rates really low, basically just enough to cover my cost with electricity.
This does not work.
Some folks seem to think that if the rates are low then my my time and service are of no value.
They have no trouble booking time with me then not showing up and not even calling!!
This has happened more than once with more than one client.
It takes me hours to set up a session in my studio depending on what I am setting up for.
Mic placement, session set up in ProTools. All this time I am running 2 air conditioner's, warming up guitar amps PLUS all the gear that is running in the Control Room!
No more.
My free time is extremely valuable to me!
Money cannot pay for my free time........... definitely not $35.00/hr.
What are these people thinking?
Then it dawned on me.
1. They have no respect for me or my time.
2. They have nothing to loose financially, no deposit and only $35.00/hr.
No more.
As I have said before here and on my Website, I am not doing this for the money. I am doing this for the love of creating music.
It is my passion.
As of next week my rate will be increased, still a good deal but its going up and will go up more in the very near future.
I will also be taking a 4hr deposit before I will consider a booking. NON REFUNDABLE.
48 hour notice for a cancellation or pay 2 hours, if not paid the intire project will be cancelled and NO REFUND.
There are many "Studios" on the island.
Sorry for the rant,................. not really.
On the other side of the coin.
There are folks that come into the studio and totally appreciate what is being offered.
These are people with experience and knowledge of music and studios and the whole process.
This is the reason I record. Pure creativity, pure passion.
This is another reason that I refuse to record cover music, anyone can sit down and learn "Knocking on Heavens door"!
What is it with cover bands in this country?
Then they sit around and complain that there is no music culture in the Bahamas.
Gee I wonder why?
Have you ever been to a club any where else in the world and had to pay to hear a Cover Band?
Super Stars!!!
Didn't someone write a song called "Local Rock Star" about this same topic? LOL
I'm on a roll now, am I stepping on your corn?
Hey, its my BLOG.
In the last year or so that I have been actually charging for my time, gear and services I have learned a few valuable lessons.
I had decided to keep my rates really low, basically just enough to cover my cost with electricity.
This does not work.
Some folks seem to think that if the rates are low then my my time and service are of no value.
They have no trouble booking time with me then not showing up and not even calling!!
This has happened more than once with more than one client.
It takes me hours to set up a session in my studio depending on what I am setting up for.
Mic placement, session set up in ProTools. All this time I am running 2 air conditioner's, warming up guitar amps PLUS all the gear that is running in the Control Room!
No more.
My free time is extremely valuable to me!
Money cannot pay for my free time........... definitely not $35.00/hr.
What are these people thinking?
Then it dawned on me.
1. They have no respect for me or my time.
2. They have nothing to loose financially, no deposit and only $35.00/hr.
No more.
As I have said before here and on my Website, I am not doing this for the money. I am doing this for the love of creating music.
It is my passion.
As of next week my rate will be increased, still a good deal but its going up and will go up more in the very near future.
I will also be taking a 4hr deposit before I will consider a booking. NON REFUNDABLE.
48 hour notice for a cancellation or pay 2 hours, if not paid the intire project will be cancelled and NO REFUND.
There are many "Studios" on the island.
Sorry for the rant,................. not really.
On the other side of the coin.
There are folks that come into the studio and totally appreciate what is being offered.
These are people with experience and knowledge of music and studios and the whole process.
This is the reason I record. Pure creativity, pure passion.
This is another reason that I refuse to record cover music, anyone can sit down and learn "Knocking on Heavens door"!
What is it with cover bands in this country?
Then they sit around and complain that there is no music culture in the Bahamas.
Gee I wonder why?
Have you ever been to a club any where else in the world and had to pay to hear a Cover Band?
Super Stars!!!
Didn't someone write a song called "Local Rock Star" about this same topic? LOL
I'm on a roll now, am I stepping on your corn?
Hey, its my BLOG.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Reggae n Rock n Roll
Compin and Keyboards last night.
Had a very fruitful session with Peter Peters last night.
We spent the evening with his Awesome Reggae song.
First we tracked a couple Piano fills with Peters keyboard. I must say for an ancient Yamaha jalopy keyboard Peter gets some really nice tones out of it.
We spent the rest of the evening editing and comping the song.
3 guitar tracks comped, piano and Rhodes comped.
The song really came together nice.
Time to start mixing!
Tonight I am booked with Andrew Beckford and his band to do one song.
I have no idea what the song sounds like.
Drums, bass, guitar and keyboard. I am not sure if we will do vocals.
Becky says its Rock n Roll and all original.
Should be fun.
Thursday I am booked again with Ossie Bowe and the Gospel group.
Haven't got confirmation on that yet, last time it all went very smooth and everyone was happy.
Sunday should be a full day in the Studio.
Neil Symonette says he will be finished with Peters percussion tracks and will bring them to import into the sessions. He is also coming to track drums on 2 of Peters songs and possibly 1 of mine. I plan to s[end Saturday mixing as much of Peters songs as I can.
Will soon be time to send them off to Tom Waltz for Mastering.
Moving along..........
Had a very fruitful session with Peter Peters last night.
We spent the evening with his Awesome Reggae song.
First we tracked a couple Piano fills with Peters keyboard. I must say for an ancient Yamaha jalopy keyboard Peter gets some really nice tones out of it.
We spent the rest of the evening editing and comping the song.
3 guitar tracks comped, piano and Rhodes comped.
The song really came together nice.
Time to start mixing!
Tonight I am booked with Andrew Beckford and his band to do one song.
I have no idea what the song sounds like.
Drums, bass, guitar and keyboard. I am not sure if we will do vocals.
Becky says its Rock n Roll and all original.
Should be fun.
Thursday I am booked again with Ossie Bowe and the Gospel group.
Haven't got confirmation on that yet, last time it all went very smooth and everyone was happy.
Sunday should be a full day in the Studio.
Neil Symonette says he will be finished with Peters percussion tracks and will bring them to import into the sessions. He is also coming to track drums on 2 of Peters songs and possibly 1 of mine. I plan to s[end Saturday mixing as much of Peters songs as I can.
Will soon be time to send them off to Tom Waltz for Mastering.
Moving along..........
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sax & Rhodes
Saturday was interesting.
There was supposed to be a 3 piece jazz session recording 4 songs. Sax, Keyboard and Percussion.
Of course the Percussionist was a no show but the other 2 decided to go ahead with 2 songs anyway.
As soon as the Keyboard player saw and heard my Rhodes piano he left his Keyboard out in the front room.
I recorded them both live. I set up 4 mics for the Sax player to choose from. Of course he chose the Lucas CS-1. I miked the Ampeg Jet for the Rhodes with my RE-15 dynamic.
Both songs went very well, they ran 5 or 6 takes of each song and left with a big smile.
Sunday, Peter Peters is wrapping it all up.
We finished comping the Funk song and started editing and comping the Calypso.
He is coming tonight to re-do the guitars on the Reggae song and possibly some more vocals on the Gospel song.
We are getting really close to finishing this project and Peter is coming as often as possible.
He is still waiting for Neil Symonette to finish a couple percussion tracks that he is doing at his studio.
Peter will be coming again on Tuesday.
Wednesday I have a new client coming in to record a rock song. No idea how that's going to go but am looking forward to getting it done.
Thursday, Ossie Bowe is booked to come back in and do another song with the Gospel band.
When these are all done I think that's it for this year. No More Bookings! I want to concentrate on getting Peters album done ASAP and start working on a few of my own ideas.
Busy Busy
Fun Fun.
There was supposed to be a 3 piece jazz session recording 4 songs. Sax, Keyboard and Percussion.
Of course the Percussionist was a no show but the other 2 decided to go ahead with 2 songs anyway.
As soon as the Keyboard player saw and heard my Rhodes piano he left his Keyboard out in the front room.
I recorded them both live. I set up 4 mics for the Sax player to choose from. Of course he chose the Lucas CS-1. I miked the Ampeg Jet for the Rhodes with my RE-15 dynamic.
Both songs went very well, they ran 5 or 6 takes of each song and left with a big smile.
Sunday, Peter Peters is wrapping it all up.
We finished comping the Funk song and started editing and comping the Calypso.
He is coming tonight to re-do the guitars on the Reggae song and possibly some more vocals on the Gospel song.
We are getting really close to finishing this project and Peter is coming as often as possible.
He is still waiting for Neil Symonette to finish a couple percussion tracks that he is doing at his studio.
Peter will be coming again on Tuesday.
Wednesday I have a new client coming in to record a rock song. No idea how that's going to go but am looking forward to getting it done.
Thursday, Ossie Bowe is booked to come back in and do another song with the Gospel band.
When these are all done I think that's it for this year. No More Bookings! I want to concentrate on getting Peters album done ASAP and start working on a few of my own ideas.
Busy Busy
Fun Fun.
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