The Latest from the Studio

I haven't had much time to work on music lately...as if I ever do. But no cobwebs have formed.

I did get a better gtr/mic-->computer interface. Unfortunately, my computer is falling behind. New software, hardware, larger files are all weighing heavily on the old thing. I doubled/max'd out my RAM to a whopping 2g, which is about 25% of what I probably need.

I recorded a cover version of Robert Calvert's The Right Stuff, complete with samples of an F104 and my son's toy spaceship, as well as vocals by (=gulp=) me. My pipes ain't made o' gold, but I did it anyway. Since my hardware is slowing down, I resorted to recorded them on a handheld digital recorder and transferred them later. Another sample I recorded and deployed was a rhythmic, looping 'industrial' sound. Is it a swirling Spacerock vortex, the Galaxy Express 999, or merely my laundry spindrying? (Perhaps an inadvertant tip of the hat to Andy Kaufman and Geddy Lee)

I had the opportunity to record a legendary local guitarist a few weeks ago. He was there, axe plugged in and ready to rock. Unfortunately, the session was tragically defeated by the sluggishness of the computer.

Tim has set up a drumkit in the house, so I've done some recording experiments. The drums are somewhat muffled, and struck with 'rods'* to cut down the chances of police knocking on the door. But, some interesting sounds can be created regardless, mic'ing from other rooms or recording via cellular phone/voicemail.

Besides research and development, I hope to finish remixing Menthol Ziggurat. I found a manufacturer so that I may make it available as a proper CD, rather than a homeburned CDR.


*"Rods" are basically drumstick-length bundles of thin dowels, bound together by a plastic sheath. They yield a volume somehwere between sticks and brushes. The word 'rod' is usually preceded by a silly word denoting the specific production line, like "hot," "wham" or "lightening."