Thursday, May 17, 2012

Well, the wheels are turning at Chez Tofte once more...I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm making a solo record. This time though, I'm collaborating, which I'm hoping will keep me honest. Also this time, I  am the owner of some quality recording gear, so theoretically SOMETHING good should come out of it. I'm looking at doing 6 or 7 songs and drums are currently tracked for at least 3 potential tunes. This process started in the discussion phase about two months ago, between myself, producer/bassist Chris Kelley, and drummer Dan Caruso. Thanks to modern technology, none of us have even had to be in the same room at the same time! And hell, Dan lives in Buffalo! Even so, the journey has started, and results may be entertaining. Stay tuned.

Oh, the second WSB album is still on the agenda as well.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Drums

Well my drum sounds are pretty damn good considering I'm recording in a basement. I'm really happy with the sound of some of the tracks after having a chance to bounce them over to Pro Tools and play with some EQs and compression.

I have, as of 9:05 Saturday morning, recorded the following drum tracks:
The New Deal
Miss Moneypenny
Already Spent
One Hit Wonder
Would I Ever Have To Lie
Why You Care
Put Me Up

I will be re-tracking one or two of those today, and hopefully adding a couple of new ones. I have about another 5 days in CNY before my vacation is over, and I'd really like to make the best of it. I still have left to track:
Saturday Survivor
Magazine Girl
Katy's So Cool
St. Christopher
Bring Me Down
She's A Little Bit Off

And maybe a few others. That I'd like to try and knock out at least two more for this current round of recording. We'll see what happens. Either way, the new WSB album, as well as a few solo recordings, are well under way.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Again

October 7, 2010 was the first post regarding the creation of a WarrenScottBand album. Today, a year and a half later, I am happy to announce that I am laying down the first tracks of what could turn out to be our second album.

After spending a lot of money that we didn't really have on "Sweet Bin Music", I began focusing my attention on obtaining quality recording gear with the idea in mind that the next record would be tracked entirely on our own. Well today is the day that I take the next batch of WSB tunes, as well as a couple of solo songs, and start laying down drum tracks.

I don't know if they'll be keepers. But if they turn out well, there's no reason why they can't be. My plan is this: start recording now, and gradually chip away at it without the time constraints (and money constraints) of using someone else's recording studio. The new WSB album might not come till 2013. Who knows?

And like I said, I am working on some solo tracks at the same time. They range from acoustic pop to Foo Fighters-esque rock.

The Process:
Yesterday I bought a new kick pedal and several new drumheads in order to make my kit sound as good as possible before I put it "on tape". I did a couple of test recordings that turned out pretty well, though I think I need to move my overhead mics. At present I have them positioned as follows: one directly over the ride cymbal, one between the hi-hats and thin crash, and a tube condenser out in front of the kit to pick up some room sound.

The mic over the ride is picking up some low-frequencies that I'm not really fond of as the cymbal vibrates. I'm sure I could EQ that out, but I'll just toy around with mic placement first. I'm thinking a more XY approach in front of the kit may be better, and more natural sounding.

I detuned my snare a bit last night because it was a bit too "pingy". I'm going to take a trip to Oneida Music (Oneida, NY) and pick up some new snare wires as well before tracking today.

I also threw a mic (SM58, all I had left) on the bottom side of my snare. Haven't had a chance to test that out yet, but we'll see how it goes.

That's it for today.