We recorded our third CD at 16 Ton Studios in Nashville, TN over a two day period in October 2011. This is the same studio where we recorded our second studio so it felt very familiar! Michael Esser, the studio's engineer greeted us the first morning. He worked with us on our second CD so his was familiar face. He then left us in the very capable and friendly hands of his assistant, Tyler Cox. Greg Magers, David's son, flew down from Chicago as he had done for the second CD to be our engineer. Greg has his own very successful studio in Chicago, The Attic.
 |
| Stephanie, warming up before recording starts. |
 |
| Melanie in her isolation room. |
Because we are a band of four musicians, instead of the eight when we recorded our second CD in this studio, each one of us was in an isolation room this time. That means we couldn't see each other but rather could hear each other through headphones and a box that allowed us to dial in exactly how much and how loud each of the other instruments sounded in our ears. Playing with headphones on and without being able to read the body language of the rest of the band is definitely an added challenge to trying to record (forever!) our music.
We recorded for 6+ hours each of the two days. This meant recording everything at least twice to make sure we had a good take from each of the four instruments. Stephanie also recorded some recorder and Irish whistle overdubs for several of the tunes (that means it's going to sound like Stephanie is playing hammered dulcimer and penny whistle at the same time!).
 |
| Byron, in his isolation room. |
 |
| David, in his isolation area. |
This is what a recorded tune looks like to the engineer! Each instrument has it's own colored track (and the dulcimer has two!). From this, the engineer can edit mistakes (we never made mistakes...!), mix the instruments so that one instruments doesn't - for example - overwhelm other instruments, and getting the tunes ready to be put on our CD. But, of course that happens after the two days in the studio! Stay tuned for the editting, mixing, mastering, producing portions of this project. And fingers crossed we can get this done before Christmas!
This is what a recorded tune looks like to the engineer! Each instrument has it's own colored track (and the dulcimer has two!). From this, the engineer can edit mistakes (we never made mistakes...!), mix the instruments so that one instruments doesn't - for example - overwhelm other instruments, and getting the tunes ready to be put on our CD. But, of course that happens after the two days in the studio! Stay tuned for the editting, mixing, mastering, producing portions of this project. And fingers crossed we can get this done before Christmas! 
No comments:
Post a Comment