Category Archives: CD Project

CD Project Update #19 – It’s Slowly But Surely

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Recording is now back into full swing at Red Brick Music for my CD last Wednesday (May 25th) and we’re now putting electric guitar onto the tracks that feature Stig Lindell’s keyboard tracks.

The two tracks we worked on were Don’t Turn To Me Now and Shadows.

The main challenge that Darren and I were facing on the day was to come up with guitar overdub ideas that successfully weave in-between what the keyboards were doing. This is so we can try and get some sort of balance between the two instruments.

I think we did pretty well on the day.

I even attempted to put down a lead solo in Shadows which was a daunting task with both Darren and our engineer, Anthony Stewart being gun guitarists themselves.

The end result however, is something that I’m really proud of and it was an experience that filled me with a little bit more confidence in my electric guitar playing.

Speaking about electric guitar, here are some more photos of Darren’s rig…

Darren’s Amps

Darren’s Pedals

Darren Jamming

Until the next time…

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #18 – The Marvels Of Modern Technology

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Yes, I know there’s been a long time between CD Project updates but (as outlined in a previous post) there’s not much I could do if I can’t physically get to the studio.

Anyways, here’s what’s been happening in the last few weeks

The initial eight Stig Lindell keyboard tracks done at Chapel Lane Studios have now been integrated with the tracks recorded at Red Brick Music and the results so far are stunning to say the least.

Thank goodness the tracks were all recorded with a click-track otherwise trying to match the recorded files from two separate studio locations would have been a logistical nightmare.

The rest of the keyboard tracks will be completed by Stig in the not too distant future but this time instead of recording them at Chapel Lane again, he will be recording them in his studio in Sweden.

I have put the rest of the files up onto my server. Stig can then download the files, do what he needs to do to them and then upload the results back up to my server again.

Ahh, the marvels of modern technology…

Speaking about modern technology, my car is now cleared of any defects and is allowed back onto the road which means that recording will start again from next Wednesday.

All that needs to be done now is for Darren to finish off his guitar parts (going for a goal of one track per week) and for the final vocals and other bits and pieces to be recorded and then we’re onto the next phase…

The creation of the physical product, which reminds me, I must organise photos, graphics then the printing, duplication plus, the venue for the CD launch.

Well, I’m off to create yet another list.

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #17 – It’s On The FlashDrive

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Today I’m going into Chapel Lane Studios to pick up my 8GB flash-drive with Stig Lindell’s keyboard parts on it all mixed and lined up ready to be taken back to Anthony Stewart at Red Brick Music to be integrated into his system.

Today is also the day that Darren Zaza goes back into the studio and overdubs his electric guitar parts to “We Can’t Be Together Anymore.” Last Wednesday he completed his guitar parts to “Jigsaw.”

I can’t wait to hear what he has done with both songs as I haven’t been able to get to the studio due to prior recording commitments.

Lately I’ve had more and more people ask me when the CD is going to be finished.

I’m hoping that by the start of the new financial year (July 1st, 2011) I will have a finished CD in my hands and ready to be launched onto an unsuspecting public but, as with all good goals though, it’s best to not set them in concrete.

I’ll keep you posted as always.

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #16 – On The Home Stretch

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Last weeks CD recording schedule had achieved much more than I anticipated and for that I’m very, very grateful.

All of the vocal tracks were completed last Wednesday at Red Brick Music and on the Thursday at Chapel Lane Studios, Stig Lindell put down keyboards on 7 of the 15 tracks.

He went back to Sweden on Monday however, he has suggested that I send the remaining tracks over for him to finish off.

I want to publicly say a big THANK YOU to Stig for his time and dedication to my CD Project. The tracks sound absolutely superb and the whole process has inspired me in ways that I can’t adequately express in words.

Here are some pictures I took of the sessions at Chapel Lane Studios last week…

The Control Room

Stig Laying Down A Track

Chord Chart (Seeing Stars)

Gabe (The Engineer) = Lightning Fast!

I can safely say that in regards to the recording part of the CD Project, I’m now on the home stretch.

Darren and I have to finish off the electric guitar tracks plus backing vocals, some percussion and miscellaneous production tweaks need to be completed before the mixdown and mastering of all the tracks take place.

Then the fun starts…

Artwork, printing, CD duplication, promotion, CD launch organisation and everything else in between. I’ve got to start making a list.

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #15 – Swedish Keyboards

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I’m pleased to report a couple of exciting new developments on the CD recording front for this week.

After a bit of a stop-start beginning to this year I’m going back into the studio tomorrow for the first recording session for 2011. I hope to finish off all of the main vocal parts.

The exciting part though is that the next day (February 10th), I’ll be recording keyboard parts at Chapel Lane Studios using Swedish producer and keyboard player Stig Lindell.

How all this came about was through a fortunate set of events that to me, demonstrates perfectly the power of networking.

Over the last week I’ve been laying down some bass tracks at Chapel Lane for good friend and amazing singer/songwriter Jay Jaxson’s new CD of which Stig is producing. Jay told me that there was some free time (as in availability not cost) in the studio coming up and that Stig was willing and able to do whatever music work was required.

After experiencing first hand Stig’s keyboard playing (he played some guide keys while I was recording) I jumped at the chance of using him. I asked and he said yes.

It’s amazing what happens when you just ask.

I know that getting the keyboard parts out the way will take a huge load off my mind as finding a good keyboard player with time on their hands to do some recording has been a very challenging task indeed.

What’s left are just the Electric Guitar parts of Darren Zaza plus some extra overdubs such as backing vocals and perhaps some percussion to do and that’s it.

It feels so good to get back into recording mode again. It’s been far too long.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #14 – False Alarm

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Head and Neck Overview (from http://training.s...
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Last weeks studio session was a complete disaster because I was fighting yet another head cold and my voice wasn’t up to the challenge of singing the rest of the songs.

We did try one song but I sounded like I was singing while holding my nostrils together and let me tell you, it wasn’t a good start to the day.

This recent experience has really taught me a lesson about how important it is as a performing musician to maintain a healthy mind and body.

It seems really obvious but it is amazing how easily a live performance (or a studio session) can be affected with even the slightest amount of sickness going through the body or negativity going through the mind.

I’ve rescheduled the session for either next Tuesday or Wednesday (22nd or 23rd of December) and I hope that all of the vocals will be done by then which will then free up my time to concentrate on getting guitars, keys and maybe some backing vocals completed in January 2011.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #13 – More Vocals Please!

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Last week Darren and I completed the electric guitar overdubs for “Girl Like You” and today I’m hopeful that I finish the vocal tracks for the rest of the songs:

  • Don’t Turn To Me Now
  • Don’t Want To Let You Go
  • Jigsaw
  • Just One Kiss
  • Nothing Stands In Your Way
  • Seeing Stars
  • We Can’t Be Together Anymore
  • What Have We Got To Lose?

Another thing that I’ve started to do now is to keep track of what parts and/or what songs have been completed in the recording process.

At the moment I’m using a crudely drawn graph (as shown below) but I know that the neatness monster inside will force me to create a graph in Open Office or something like that.

After today I’m going to need to start thinking about getting Victor, the keyboard player in to do his tracks but first I’ll need to work out what songs need keys recorded before electric guitar.

An example of a song needing this process would be “Missing You Already” as my vision for the song dictates that it’s to be primarily a piano piece, similar to something that The Whitlams would do.

I’ve had a little bit of a head cold for the last few days so I’m hoping that my voice is ready for today. It feels good but getting the voice recorded can be a different beast altogether.

A few hours after I finish in the studio I’ll be doing a 20-30 minute guest spot at the Night Voices Open Mic at The Garage which starts at 7pm. If anything my voice will be nicely warmed up for that.

Now I’m off to get ready for the day ahead, wish me luck.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #12 – Vocals

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Despite me writing in my last CD project update that I was feeling very nervous about going back into the studio after such a long break, I had a great time in the studio today.

As Darren was busy this week I decided that I’d start putting down vocal tracks and by the end of todays session I had 7 songs completed.

  • Girl Like You
  • Back Of My Mind
  • Half Hearted Man
  • Shadows
  • Leave It All Behind
  • Missing You Already
  • Mountain Top

Todays session was the my first one post illness, and the main thing I’ve noticed is that my singing voice is much more reliable. Since I finished my course of antibiotics I’ve been feeling much clearer in my sinuses which has allowed me to become more confident in my singing.

I’m finding that lower and higher ranges are easy to get to and my overall pitching and ability to hold a note has improved dramatically. I had a feeling that was the case in my live shows but this was the first time I have heard this new and improved voice recorded and played back to me

I’m liking that a lot…

Next week Darren and I go back into the studio for some more guitar overdubs. Bring it on!

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #11 – I’m Past The Halfway Point

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Next Wednesday I start recording my CD again after a 7 week absence primarily due to my recent illness.

I’ve got to admit though, I’m feeling a little bit nervous about getting back into the studio.

I mean, just thinking about it makes the little voice in my head come up with all sorts of excuses not to record and throw in some good old fashioned self doubting negativity for good measure.

Such as…

  • “It’s been a while, are you up to it now?”
  • “The break was too long, might as well give up now?”
  • “You’ll never get your CD finished”
  • “You said you’d have your CD finished by your birthday. You’ve FAILED!”
  • “Forget about your CD, just play covers, thats where the money is”

Oh, it just goes on and on and on. How much of it I take notice of depends on how I’m feeling on any particular day but thankfully today, the little voice is talking bullshit so I’m feeling okay.

I’ve actually worked out that I’m past the halfway point in the recording process so I’m starting to think about what I’m going to do about getting my CD out into the wider world and how I’m going to sell it.

Just like every other songwriter before me, I’ve now got to answer the age old question for myself…

“I’ve recorded a CD. Now what do I do?”

As having a CD marketing, distribution and selling strategy is essential in ensuring that not too many boxes of my CD’s will live under my bed, I’ll be spending some time working on that and sharing with you what I come up with on this blog.

At least doing it this way I’ll have something in writing

Peace,

Corey :)

CD Project Update #10 – Sailing Into The Great Unknown

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I know it’s been just over a week since my last post and with recording on hold because of Anthony being on tour for a couple of weeks (lucky bugger) I thought I’d take the opportunity to outline what’s been happening.

Last Wednesday’s recording session saw electric guitar overdubs completed on “Half Hearted Man” and “Back Of My Mind” which made the day a long, slow process.

I’m surprised how drained I felt at the end of the session (and I didn’t even pick up the guitar once).

There have been times of late where I felt that all the songs should’ve been recorded live in the studio at the very beginning but then I listen to the finished takes (especially the finished version of “Billboard Angel”) and I’m reassured that the decision to do everything separately was the right one.

What I am realising is that this CD is going to take much longer than I anticipated and I don’t know how to feel about that. Do I have the patience needed to see this through? I was kind of hoping that the CD launch could coincide with my birthday in January but I’m not so sure now.

Hmmm, all this sounds like I’m perhaps getting cold feet or, having second thoughts about the whole CD project.

Not at all… I think I’m feeling the venerability that almost all songwriters feel when creating something that will project their innermost thoughts and feelings out in the real world for mass consumption.

It seems that now that a finished CD is becoming more and more of a reality with every recording session, I’m becoming more and more aware that I’m sailing into uncharted waters of the great unknown.

In essence, this CD is pushing me way out of my comfort zone and that scares the hell out of me.

This is a question I pose to anyone who has done this before:

  • What has been your experiences with recording your CD?
  • Am I going mad here or, is what I’m feeling normal?
  • Is there any advice you can give me?

Please let me know what you think as I’d love to hear from you all about this but in the meantime I better start learning how to swim in case I get thrown overboard.

Peace,

Corey :)

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