Delta Spirit is coming into the studio at KCSN next week. LB locals!
…and this of my collected demos
Spotify, iTunes, Rhapsody, whatever the kids use these days: there should album credits next to the record. If no one is going to buy physical products anymore, then this needs to happen.
Never miss a thing.
Tearless floss for kids: you know how blood gets all over the place when you floss your teeth? It get everywhere, even in your eyes. Now, with tearless floss for kids, chemicals in the floss break down the components in your blood so that when it squirts in your eyes, it doesn’t sting.
WHAT THE HECK AM I DREAMING ABOUT?
I think a lot of engineers that work with artists tend to operate in one of two ways. Some work technically, they say things like:
“Are we using the right preamp for this mic in this application? Actually, I like the preamp but I think we should go with a different transformer in it, pull out the tools.”
“Where is that kick drum mic placed? Pull it out 2” and angle it up 22 degrees. Nope, its still not there. Switch out the head on the front side and we’ll use an RE20 instead.”
Others focus on the environment, the feeling and emotion in the room. They say things like:
“Let’s try this with the drum kit in the kitchen. I think there’s a more June/July feel in there. We’ll just hang the mics from the lights.”
“I don’t think we can get this vocal take today, it’s too dark outside tonight.”
Obviously these examples are hyperbole but to be good, helpful engineers we need to find the middle here. If an artist is not into an idea you have, give them a record that is similar to your idea, and show them how well it works. Make the take easy for the artist. But at the same time don’t be reluctant to make the artist uncomfortable either, it’s a useful emotion. Trick them into creating great art. But don’t forget about what you’re doing technically. Try different things, use the wrong tubes in a pre, maybe the noise from an unbalanced cable works. Merge the two sides and find the balance.
I have The Dum Dum Girls in the KCSN studio today with Nic Harcourt. It’ll air this Saturday. Check this band out! They do a great cover of There is a Light that Never Goes Out.
If you haven’t checked out the Amory Farms website.
Sweet deal! Used drumheads!? Unrelated: Great Lake Swimmers are on their way right now. Gonna be a great show!
A nice panoramic from a couple of weeks ago with Kathleen Edwards.
Meiko made a surprise appearance in the studio today for a great session.
