As I type, Tom is recording the bass part for Ohio. We have been working like maniacs with amazing results. My brain simply cannot sustain a permanent state of awe, but if it could, it would. I couldn't be happier with how this is going.
We play the basic guitar track to which Tom programs the drums and then he says, "Okay, bass." And then he records the bass. "What next?" he asks. "Manolin?" I say. And so it goes. Once we have all the parts we want, Tom mixes it a bit and then I sing the final vocal track. This process takes a couple of hours for every song.
We are working our way alphabetically through the song list. We did four yesterday. We're on number four today and will do one more.
Exciting development: Tom will send tracks to Peter Lainson so Robin can record harmony vocals at Peter's house in Hastings. We'll send them back to Tom and Robin will be on my CD! Hooray for the internet!
That's all for now. There is work to be done!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Progress!
Tom & I got started yesterday around 10:00 and worked until 4:00 or so. We finished the process we had started Wednesday afternoon--recording the basic guitar and vocals for all the songs. I ended up with 13 total, with no guarantee that I will use them all, but this will give me a little choice when we are finished. I even recorded a song that I wrote a couple of days ago.
Recording the guitar is liking being under a microscope. Okay, it's like being in front of a microphone. Why use a metaphor when the literal description is just as accurate? Every little pop, squeak, buzz or string hit not quite right is caught and then played back very loudly. This can make a person sad. But the beauty of Pro Tools is that you can record over the buzzes--punch in, play a clean chord or note, punch out. It's a bit like cheating. However, I'd make the same mistake live and you'd never hear it and it would be no big deal. This is going to be captured for posterity so I'm all for the edits.
We took a break in the evening. I checked email. I read Dracula. Tom was taking his step daughters out for Thai and I tagged along. I am very much looking forward to my leftovers for lunch. We came home and the girls and Cary went to bed. Tom & I headed out to the studio with Thurman and worked for a couple more hours. We worked until I got to that sleepy point where you can't think too critically or form a solid opinion. "Sure" was about all I could muster and we called it a day.
A note about Thurman: Thurman is a gigantic white Golden Doodle. He's like a big sheep. I love this guy. When the girls were at school and Cary was out, Thurman came into the studio with us. He just curled up on the floor and listened. I often asked his opinion of things. I found myself repeating throughout the day, "Well...I'll take your indifference as a yes!" or if my personal answer was no, "I'll take your indifference as a no."
The studio, by the way, is a converted garage just a few steps out the back door. I'll post pics at some point. The interior is entirely wrapped in sari's and other gorgeous materials. There's a bazillion instruments hung on the wall, book shevles, recording equipment, and the futon. No windows. A space heater for winter and a little AC for summer. I have slept the sleep of the dead out there. It's great.
That's all for now.
Paul, if you are reading: Golden Doodle = hypoallergenic
Recording the guitar is liking being under a microscope. Okay, it's like being in front of a microphone. Why use a metaphor when the literal description is just as accurate? Every little pop, squeak, buzz or string hit not quite right is caught and then played back very loudly. This can make a person sad. But the beauty of Pro Tools is that you can record over the buzzes--punch in, play a clean chord or note, punch out. It's a bit like cheating. However, I'd make the same mistake live and you'd never hear it and it would be no big deal. This is going to be captured for posterity so I'm all for the edits.
We took a break in the evening. I checked email. I read Dracula. Tom was taking his step daughters out for Thai and I tagged along. I am very much looking forward to my leftovers for lunch. We came home and the girls and Cary went to bed. Tom & I headed out to the studio with Thurman and worked for a couple more hours. We worked until I got to that sleepy point where you can't think too critically or form a solid opinion. "Sure" was about all I could muster and we called it a day.
A note about Thurman: Thurman is a gigantic white Golden Doodle. He's like a big sheep. I love this guy. When the girls were at school and Cary was out, Thurman came into the studio with us. He just curled up on the floor and listened. I often asked his opinion of things. I found myself repeating throughout the day, "Well...I'll take your indifference as a yes!" or if my personal answer was no, "I'll take your indifference as a no."
The studio, by the way, is a converted garage just a few steps out the back door. I'll post pics at some point. The interior is entirely wrapped in sari's and other gorgeous materials. There's a bazillion instruments hung on the wall, book shevles, recording equipment, and the futon. No windows. A space heater for winter and a little AC for summer. I have slept the sleep of the dead out there. It's great.
That's all for now.
Paul, if you are reading: Golden Doodle = hypoallergenic
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The roads were as bad as supposed. I got to Oklahoma City and had to call it quits. I got a room at a semi-dodgey Super 8, had dinner at 10 pm at the Denny's next door (I was the only customer), got up and had breakfast at Denny's at 10 am, and then got on the road. The first hour of travel was horrible. I could have waited an hour and still got to Dallas in the same amount of time. But around 12:30 the roads cleared and it was smooth sailing to Dallas.
Tom & I got started right away. He opened up a file in Pro Tools (the computer/recording program) for each song we will record. We then recorded the guitar part and scratch vocals for three songs. We'll do that for everything, then come back and add parts (bass, lead guitar, accordion, etc) and then re-record the vocals with all the parts. I have been practicing with a metronome. When I record, I have not just a click-track in my ear, but a drum loop, which makes it much easier.
After the three songs, we went out to dinner. $2 margarita night at Desparado's. Nice. We left it up in the air if we would work again afterwards...but after my travel nightmare and two margaritas I thought I should go to bed! There's a futon in the studio (formerly a garage), and no windows--it's like a tomb. I slept like a rock and am ready to go this morning.
I'll try and take some pictures today to post.
Love to all!
Tom & I got started right away. He opened up a file in Pro Tools (the computer/recording program) for each song we will record. We then recorded the guitar part and scratch vocals for three songs. We'll do that for everything, then come back and add parts (bass, lead guitar, accordion, etc) and then re-record the vocals with all the parts. I have been practicing with a metronome. When I record, I have not just a click-track in my ear, but a drum loop, which makes it much easier.
After the three songs, we went out to dinner. $2 margarita night at Desparado's. Nice. We left it up in the air if we would work again afterwards...but after my travel nightmare and two margaritas I thought I should go to bed! There's a futon in the studio (formerly a garage), and no windows--it's like a tomb. I slept like a rock and am ready to go this morning.
I'll try and take some pictures today to post.
Love to all!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Dunbar Does Dallas
I am sitting at work which is a windowless basement. Even thought I can't SEE it, I know the snow is falling. I know that last night Oklahoma and norhtern Texas got creamed. And as soon as I'm done with my final presentation for my January-Term class I'm driving south through Kansas and OK to Dallas. I'm a little bit worried.
This is the start of my big adventure and the weather is really putting a damper on things.
I'm not crazy, though. I'll see how far I can get and if the roads are bad I'll find a Super 8. And I decided to drive the Odyssey and not the Fit (sorry, Environment!) for the sake of safety and handling in snow.
I will update throughout the week so you can see how it's going. I'm super excited!
In the meantime, here is a song I wrote with the accompanying iMovie. It was project for my Instructional Tools class. If you are a teacher and think this might be helpful to you, please use it. If you just think it is fun and would like to pass it on, feel free.
This is the start of my big adventure and the weather is really putting a damper on things.
I'm not crazy, though. I'll see how far I can get and if the roads are bad I'll find a Super 8. And I decided to drive the Odyssey and not the Fit (sorry, Environment!) for the sake of safety and handling in snow.
I will update throughout the week so you can see how it's going. I'm super excited!
In the meantime, here is a song I wrote with the accompanying iMovie. It was project for my Instructional Tools class. If you are a teacher and think this might be helpful to you, please use it. If you just think it is fun and would like to pass it on, feel free.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Prairie Christmas
We are one week into Advent. Last night the sleet almost turned to snow. And I swear, this week, we will get a tree...we will. To help me (and you!) really get into the season I thought I'd post a video of my Christmas song, Prairie Christmas. It's an oldie but a goodie. An ode to Nebraska almost as much as an ode to Christmas. Enjoy!
Thanks to everyone who has helped with my recording project so far. Please pass this link or the video onto friends who you think might be interested!
Thanks to everyone who has helped with my recording project so far. Please pass this link or the video onto friends who you think might be interested!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Emily Dunbar Plays for 800 Farmers
It's true! I played a gig last week for 800+ farmers at the Adam's County Fairgrounds. What a hoot! It was the Chamber of Commerce Ag BBQ and Robin Harrell, Carey McGehee & I provided the entertainment. They say it was the largest crowd they'd had in the 31 year history of the event. I like to think it was because we were on the program (really, it had been raining for days so the farmers couldn't harvest--see how much I've learned living in Nebraska?!). I can't imagine when I'll have an audience that big again. It was an honor to be a part and really fun to play with my pals.
My next up-coming gig is December 20 at the Blue Moon in Hastings for a suicide prevention benefit. It's a great lineup of local talent including Robin Harrell, Todd Brown, Jay Bayles & Trey Hamik. Good stuff!
In the meantime I've been working hard getting through my school work. When I finish this semester I'll be at the halfway point--a year and a half to go until I receive my master's degree and teaching certificate.
Pre-sales are going well. I've raised HALF my recording costs, which is awesome, but I still have a long way to go to cover art & manufacturing. I'm starting phase III of pre-sales today. Phase I was local sales at shows. Phase II was launching the blog and putting up video on facebook (I hope to have another video up next week--check back!). Phase III is sending out a mass email and hoping friends who haven't yet respond and forward it on to other interested parties.
Thanks to you all for your encouragement and support!
Emily
My next up-coming gig is December 20 at the Blue Moon in Hastings for a suicide prevention benefit. It's a great lineup of local talent including Robin Harrell, Todd Brown, Jay Bayles & Trey Hamik. Good stuff!
In the meantime I've been working hard getting through my school work. When I finish this semester I'll be at the halfway point--a year and a half to go until I receive my master's degree and teaching certificate.
Pre-sales are going well. I've raised HALF my recording costs, which is awesome, but I still have a long way to go to cover art & manufacturing. I'm starting phase III of pre-sales today. Phase I was local sales at shows. Phase II was launching the blog and putting up video on facebook (I hope to have another video up next week--check back!). Phase III is sending out a mass email and hoping friends who haven't yet respond and forward it on to other interested parties.
Thanks to you all for your encouragement and support!
Emily
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Doing My Homework
The pre-sales are well underway and I am feeling overwhelmed by not only the financial generosity, but the encouragement and enthusiasm for the project my friends have shown. I think anyone who creates art of any sort walks a fine line between pride and doubt. I love writing songs and making music and think I have a great catalogue of tunes--until I put it out there for others to hear -- and then I suddenly think I have been kidding myself. So having you all back me in this endeavor not only ensures the album can be recorded, it gives me affirmation that this is what I should be doing--so I thank you!
Pre-sales are not the only preparation I have to do before I go into the studio. I have plenty of homework to do -- and I'm not even talking grad school--that's a whole other ball game! I thought I would share a few details about the project and what, specifically, I am working on.
I'll be recording with Tom Prasada-Rao and Cary Cooper at their studio, The Wildwood Tofu Bar, in Dallas. I have known Tom and Cary for sometime. They play quite regularly at The Listening Room, they taught a songwriting workshop at The Flatwater Folk Festival here in Hastings last summer which I attended, and then we got to hang out in Lyons, CO this summer at Planet Blugrass's The Song School and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. I love their music. I know they are fantastic at what they do. I trust them. I figure if I am going to do it, I may as well go all out and do it right.
Right now, I am working on finalizing what songs I want to record. I have six years worth of tunes to sift through--many have stood the test of time and there are many new-ish songs I want to include too. Keeping it to ten tracks will be difficult. Many of you have already weighed in on what you want and I will do my best to fulfill your requests, but something has got to give!
I am practicing the songs I know will go on the CD with a metronome. I like to call it my metro-gnome, but I'm an idiot :) In the studio I'll play with a click track--which is essentially, a digital metro-gnome. This will assure that I keep my rhythm steady throughout the song. We'll record the guitar track first with the click track and THEN record drums and all the other instruments. The click track ensures that all the parts line up. It seems like a simple thing...I would say I have a good sense of rhythm...but the metro-gnome is hard! That infernal clicking in my ear! So it's practice, practice, practice. The more prepared I am to play my songs a) flawlessly and b) with the click track, the smoother and faster (and therefor cheaper) things will go in the studio. So, most evenings you can find me sitting on the piano bench in my living room with an earbud in my left ear plugged into the metro-gnome, tapping my foot, playing a song over and over again and trying not to curse :)
Pre-sales are not the only preparation I have to do before I go into the studio. I have plenty of homework to do -- and I'm not even talking grad school--that's a whole other ball game! I thought I would share a few details about the project and what, specifically, I am working on.
I'll be recording with Tom Prasada-Rao and Cary Cooper at their studio, The Wildwood Tofu Bar, in Dallas. I have known Tom and Cary for sometime. They play quite regularly at The Listening Room, they taught a songwriting workshop at The Flatwater Folk Festival here in Hastings last summer which I attended, and then we got to hang out in Lyons, CO this summer at Planet Blugrass's The Song School and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. I love their music. I know they are fantastic at what they do. I trust them. I figure if I am going to do it, I may as well go all out and do it right.
Right now, I am working on finalizing what songs I want to record. I have six years worth of tunes to sift through--many have stood the test of time and there are many new-ish songs I want to include too. Keeping it to ten tracks will be difficult. Many of you have already weighed in on what you want and I will do my best to fulfill your requests, but something has got to give!
I am practicing the songs I know will go on the CD with a metronome. I like to call it my metro-gnome, but I'm an idiot :) In the studio I'll play with a click track--which is essentially, a digital metro-gnome. This will assure that I keep my rhythm steady throughout the song. We'll record the guitar track first with the click track and THEN record drums and all the other instruments. The click track ensures that all the parts line up. It seems like a simple thing...I would say I have a good sense of rhythm...but the metro-gnome is hard! That infernal clicking in my ear! So it's practice, practice, practice. The more prepared I am to play my songs a) flawlessly and b) with the click track, the smoother and faster (and therefor cheaper) things will go in the studio. So, most evenings you can find me sitting on the piano bench in my living room with an earbud in my left ear plugged into the metro-gnome, tapping my foot, playing a song over and over again and trying not to curse :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
