Tag Archives: recording studio

CD Project Update #6 – Acoustic Guitar Tracks Done!

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The last couple of days have been very, very busy on the recording front.

All of the acoustic guitar tracks are now done and in my possession is a CD with the all of the songs recorded so far. just the guide vocals, bass, drums and acoustic guitar. All I need to do now is burn a copy of the songs for the other musicians.

I’m in the process of putting the updated songs up on the CD Project page but in the meantime, here are some photos for you to check out

The Studio Setup

Another Angle (with Anthony’s De Gruchy in the background)

As it stands at the moment, recording wont start again until the beginning of September because Anthony Stewart (owner of Red Brick Music) will be away for the rest of August as he is a guitarist for hire in his own right and will be busy touring.

This will give the other musicians (Darren Zaza on electric guitar and Victor Oria on keys) time to work out what parts they will be playing plus, the time away from the studio will also allow me to finalise the songs for the CD.

By all means though, keep the feedback on what songs you’d like to hear on the CD coming. It’s really helping.

Peace,

Corey :)

Back To Basics – A Song

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“Back To Basics” is the second song that I’ve collaborated with Adrian Miller on and it’s also my first multi-tracking effort using Logic Pro 9 on my home studio setup.

The song evolved from a conversation that we had in which the concept of having too much choice in this world was discussed. From that conversation the first two lines of the song were born and the rest was written from there.

Enjoy,

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Back To Basics
© 2010 C. Stewart/A. Miller

There is so much choice out there
I could so easily lose my way
I could give into temptation, find a new sensation
Each and every single day

There is so much noise out there
I can’t hear a single word you say
There is no communication, but too much information
Swimming around in my brain

Chorus
Let’s get back to basics, keeping only what we need
Let’s get back to basics, what is it we really need?
Let’s get back to basics, looking for simplicity
So let’s get back to basics

It’s a complicated world
It’s so hard just keeping up with the pace
Could it be that maybe, everyone’s gone crazy
Or am I just a hopeless case?

People just don’t seem to care
About anyone else but themselves
No one takes the time to simplify their lives
And compassion can take care of itself

Chorus

You don’t need to try it, you don’t need to buy it
This need to just acquire, it only gives us nothing but trouble
You don’t need the clutter just to make yourself feel better
You cannot take it with you after all is said and done

There is so much choice out there
I could so easily lose my way
I could give into temptation, find a new sensation
Each and every single day

Chorus

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #3 – Bass Tracks

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I went into the studio yesterday to put down some bass tracks. Got through 12 of the 18 songs and will finish off the rest of the bass tracks as well as getting a start on putting down some acoustic guitar tracks in a fortnights time.

My Music Man Stingray 5 + Eden Nemesis RS 400

I found that doing the guide tracks to a click at the beginning of the recording process has made it easier to put down some bass afterwards. I found it a very enjoyable experience.

Recording this CD has really got me thinking about my relationship to music as a whole which for a long while it’s been best described as a love/hate relationship.

I think because music is the means in which I make my living with my cover band FIGJAM playing around the traps I was starting to look at music as a job rather than a calling, a passion in life and that was getting me down. Recording this CD has reignited my passion in a big way and has rejuvenated my creativity.

Im excited about the possibilities again.

Anyway, the bass tracks so far are rock solid and will provide the foundation needed to produce some great songs.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Things Are Better Now – A Song

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“Things Are Better Now” is the first song written as a collaborative effort between Adrian Miller and myself as mentioned in my earlier post “The Joys Of Collaboration.” The idea for the song was born out of the first two lines which were swirling around in Adrian’s head for a period of time:

Whenever the glass is half empty
I reach for a bottle and fill it to the top

The lines remind me of something Tom Waits would write, it sounds negative but in fact it outlines a very positive message with the rest of the song attempting to reinforce the sentiments of that message, that “things are better now”

This recording is also my first real attempt at putting something down in my home studio. The drum backing may be slightly naff but all in all, I’m pretty happy with it.

Enjoy,

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Things Are Better Now
© C. Stewart/A. Miller 2010

Whenever the glass is half empty
I reach for a bottle and fill it to the top
I never let misery get me
I treat myself gently, I tell my tears to stop

I keep myself moving
Get through it somehow
I’ve been as far down as a man can go
But things are better now

Whenever I start to feel lonely
I know that it’s only, a matter of time
Till somebody new recognises
That I’m full of surprises, of a very nice kind

Chorus

Once upon a time
I was lost along the way
I could not ease my mind
But that was yesterday
Now I’m looking forward to what each new day brings
Yeah things are better now

Whenever the glass is half empty
I reach for a bottle and fill it to the top
I never let misery get me
I treat myself gently, I tell my tears to stop

Chorus (x2)

Things are better now
Things are better now
Things are better now

Watch this space, there’s more to come.

Peace,

Corey :)

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The 50/90 Challenge

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Today, I’ve just joined up for the 50/90 challenge for 2010. It’s my third time in taking the challenge which is to write 50 songs in 90 days starting on July 4th and finishing on October 1st. For those of you interested in checking it out a little more closely, the website is at fiftyninety.fawmers.org

I was also involved in 2009 and 2008 and didn’t really get far but 2010 will be different. I’ll be using this years 50/90 challenge to really get to know my home recording studio, to test out different recording techniques and to really explore Logic Pro 9 in all it’s glory.

Whatever I create I’ll also put up on this site for you to listen to and hopefully comment and give feedback. I’m actually excited about this years 50/90 challenge whereas all the other times I was panicking about it.

Wish me luck,

Corey :)

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Home Recording Experiments

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For years I’ve wanted to have my own home recording setup, a songwriting suite where I can, at any time, record my songwriting ideas for either future reference or for pre-production purposes. I remember looking at the home studios of my friends and thinking to myself “one day, I too can have this”

Now, with the final piece of the home studio puzzle purchased and installed a fortnight ago I have achieved my dream. Here’s a couple of piccies for you.

The engine room

The main keyboard (with Barry in the background)

At the moment I’m using:

  • 27″ iMac using Logic Pro 9
  • Presonus Firbird audio interface
  • Fostex monitor speakers
  • Rode NT3
  • Rode NT1000
  • M-Studio MIDI keyboard
  • Some Casio digital piano
  • Alesis SR16 drum machine
  • Line 6 POD X3

I must admit, the learning curve I’m experiencing has been very, very steep and there have been times that I’ve thrown my hands up in air in frustration convinced that I’m “never going to get this” but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from all of this is that you learn a lot about yourself when you’re faced with a huge challenge.

I’m going to put some home recording experiments online very soon so feel free to send me feedback but in the meantime, the rain is pelting outside so I’m going to fire the home studio up and make some more music.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #1 – The Beginning

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I went into the studio last Saturday with drummer Tim Irrgang to start laying down bed tracks for the CD and I’m glad to say that we’re halfway through the preliminary list of 18 songs earmarked for recording.

Tim and I go back a few years and I’ve had the pleasure of playing shows or working in the studio with him as either a bassist or vocalist/guitarist but I’m still constantly amazed at how much of a master player Tim is. His attention to detail is astounding and his dedication to the project is second to none.

It’s very safe to say that I love his work.

Tim setting up his kit

All miked up and ready to go

Recording everything separately has been a very new and interesting experience for me as most of my musical experience has been in the live scene. even when I was in the studio doing demos they would mostly be recorded live with the band. At times the recording process felt a little disjointed but I also know it’s early days and besides, I trust everyone who’s working on this with me so what have I to worry about?

Gotta keep ‘em separated (the tracks that is)

Just to give you all a background on what has happened so far…

Over the last four weeks I recorded 25 songs on acoustic guitar with vocals to a click which I then whittled down to preliminary list of 18 songs. These songs are to be used initially to guide Tim and myself on drums and bass so we can lay down the rhythm foundations for all 18 songs in readiness for acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keys and vocals to be overdubbed later.

The list of 18 will then be culled to a final list of 12-15 songs

Recording the guide tracks to a click was fascinating as I thought I kept pretty good time but as time goes on you soon find out that click-tracks don’t lie. Anyway, with that said, both Tim and I got through 9 of the 18 songs. The rest will be completed in the next couple of weeks.

A big thanks once again to Anthony Stewart for his infinite patience and his great coffee.

The engine room

Anthony hard at work

Watch this space, I’ll keep you updated as more news comes to hand.

Peace,

Corey :)