Jazz Piece

This is the result of playing around with some jazz chords.  Enjoy!

Homemade Reflection Filter or Microphone Isolation Panel

I have had my problems with recording vocals.  One of them is simply my vocal ability.  However, I figure that if I limit the other issues, I can focus on improving the ability more easily.  A reflection filter eliminates the ambient noise in a room, allowing you to control what sound gets into the microphone.  It isn't as good as an isolation booth in a real studio, but it works.

I made a reflection filter instead of spending the $100 to $300 for one.  I have certainly been pleased with the results and also the price tag ($15).  If you have had similar issues with home recording, this should be helpful to you as well.

Catch Up and Blues

Well, there is much that I need to post.  However, I just wanted to put a hold on that and post a little blues piece that I was having some fun with.  For the first time I used my keyboard as a bass.  I want to go back to add it into some of my previous recordings now.  Enjoy!

Overflow Draft 2

So, today I had a thought about recording vocals.  The goal is to have a dead sound (not referring to the singer but the room).  I took some bi-fold doors left over from building our house and formed a circle with them and draped blankets inside of it.  Although not a perfect "dead" space, it did improve the sound of the vocals.  Because of the size requirements for these videos the audio quality isn't very good.  That will make what you hear be of poorer quality.  Even on my computer the song does still sound like someone recorded it in his office, basement or bedroom, but it is getting better!

Overflow Draft 1

Well, I have spent the day working on recording.  There are still a few things that I need to do but it is pretty close.  Vocal quality is still not the way I want it.  I need to record in a room with fewer hard surfaces.  Julie also said that the verses should be more staccato.  I think she is right.  The tele sounds great!  I am very pleased with that.  I also recorded myself on the piano and ukulele for the first on this song.  Fun.

Overflow

I finished the song "Overflow" recently.  In the next few days I hope to record it.  I need to make sure I have the whole thing mapped out, lay down the rhythm section, add instruments and finally record vocals.

Having the "tele" finished will be great for this song.  I have been working through different tones on my Vox Valvetronix amp to find the right setting.  I think I will also throw in a little ukulele on this song since it is starting to have a little bit of a Jack Johnson feel to it.

"This is My Overflow" music

This is the music to the song that I used for the title of this blog.  Hopefully you enjoy it!

The Measure of Your Grace Draft 1

I talked about recording this song in relation to its tricky 6/8 time signature.  I have it close to liking it.  The vocals (I had a cold) and electric guitars (goofing around) need to be redone.  There is also a spot where the drum track is off (editing mistake).  However, this is getting better.  Through it I have learned quite a bit.

Recording Separate Tracks

Last night my daughter and I trecked through the snow to the makeshift recording studio in our guest bedroom (also the garage).  She played with Cinderella while I tried to sing along with the song I wrote in 6/8 time (I will post it when it is done...whenever that will be).   In between takes she asked me to put Cinderella's dress on, take it off, put on a different dress, or some other article of clothing.  We were each in our own world (In child psychology they call this parallel play). 

Anyway, I discovered several flaws in my recording.  They aren't major, but they are quite annoying.  Before recording I sat down and "mapped" the song out with my guitar.  Essentially Iwrote out the duration of each chord in the song on a piece of paper.  That way I wouldn't play for a measure longer than was necessary.  Apparently I wasn't very accurate.  I had an extra measure in several different places which threw the vocals off completely.  It will be fixable, but it sure made singing awkward.  Imagine going to that higher note as you have always done when you sing it in a service, but the music doesn't rise with you for another six beats.  So...time to cut more. 

One of things that I learned through this is that I prefer recording vocals and guitar simultaneously (It consumed much of my thought process on the way to work today).  This is what I am used to and it usually results in better vocals.  It also prevents the issue I just mentioned.  Of course, then I get back into the problem with 6/8 time.  Maybe I need to just get a drum set.

6/8 Time and Recording

Recording in 6/8 time is a whole new world to me.  Recording in 4/4 is incredibly simple.  You set the drum track or click track and play.  Little thought of staying on beat is involved.  It is more like breathing than anything else.  6/8 is completely different.

I wrote a song that I came to find out was in 6/8 time when began the recording process.  My Digital Audio Workstation has drum plug-ins that can be altered to different time signatures.  I found a great rolling drum beat that fit the feel of the song well, changed it to six eight and played along.

Apparently, the software uses the same 4/4 time but makes have an end point that shares a common multiple between 4 and 6.  So, every 24 beats the 6/8 time goes back into sync with the 4/4 time.  If that seems a bit complex it is.  I ended up recording and then severely editing/cutting my guitar track to fit the drum beat.  It works great now, but wow!  Very complex.

Next, I need to re-record the guitar while listening to the one I cut (it has pops due to the editing).  Then I will lay down the vocals and electric guitar.  Hopefully it all goes well!