In the studio: Days 7 + 8...

Hi guys!!

Well, a good weekend but... I have to get a new USB lead for my camera and then I can upload some shots and snippets for you! DV-Cam currently under repair too...

I am SOOOOO excited about how the album is shaping up -it is such a good feeling! It is nice not rushing it, going away and taking time to know whether a track is complete or not, ready for mix-down.. I am next due in the last weekend of June. There will definitely be a couple of tracks ready and mixed down after that weekend :)

6 underway and almost done, 4 more to go... There is going to be a bonus track too! Number 11 on the album will be 'Trust', a track that currently features on my EP. A completely different vibe from the rest of album which is why it is a bonus!

On track for early release next year yeay!

Speak soon!

Love Trace

Days 5 + 6

Dear friends!

I have completed my third weekend in the studio, working towards my debut album. Enjoying every minute of it and loving the sounds coming together.

Here are a few snippets from my weekend!

To start with, here is a link to a snippet of one of the works in progress:
Can You Hear The Bells


New to the recording studio sounds are: Congas! Shaun (engineer) also located a fantastic shell instrument that he got on his travels to Egypt. It is a stick with a bunch of shells (mussel I think!) tied to the end. Then all you have to do is shake it! Fab sound.. It appears at the end of my other track presently being recorded, 'Let Live'.

A SLIGHTLY STRETCHED OUT WEEN!
(snapshot from my vid camera..)

Also, please welcome new-comer to the set: Korg Sampler!

I have just begun venturing into this -much to learn! -So I have started by just needing to hit a button for an accompanying beat -easing myself in gently...! Come on.. I am still learning what my Triton can do -give me a break ha!ha!


...And here I am, enjoying the sounds after having pressed that magic button!

ME AND MY SAMPLER BABY :)

One to say goodbye on: I do apologise for the quality of the pic, but I thought I would post this up.

I attempted to play it, thinking it was a real score... Would be good if it was! That would be pretty novel. (Pete is writing one actually!!)

Back in this coming weekend with legendary Pete Townsend bringing his bass licks. We will also be discussing production and I will be laying other layers (including 'proper ones' as supposed to guide).

Thanks for being part of the journey! It is fun I must say, in-between the saving up to go in! Well, if you want something enough hey -it can't always come easy!

Til next week -Trace X -oops -just noticed my pics are getting smaller each time! 

In the studio: Days 3 + 4

We've had another great weekend in the studio -thank God! The songs are sounding fantastic -I am so pleased. It's very much a co-production effort this time round (and will be from now on) as I have a great team around me now whom we can all bounce ideas off -and we all know that when we work together with others, the real cream and icing to the cake comes about than if it is all just down to one person. When creativity is not stifled, the possibilities are endless! So I am glad that these songs being produced, are having the maximum input from the creative brains around me so they can be the best they can be. Great stuff :)

Here are some snap-shots with commentaries of days 3 + 4, starting with a sound bite for you that you will find, somewhere, in Back Home -one of the tracks just recorded:

This has I am sure, got you curious!

Well here is Pete, my own personal Townsend! (For those of you unsure what I mean, Pete Townshend is famous for being in The Who) Relaxing with a cuppa (one of his many a day!) in the lounge.

Here he is in action. "Sounds fantastic Pete!!"

 And this -this is my notebook. I personally chose it! Thought I'd get a gritty one showing I mean business ;)

Another techy picture for you. This is part of a massive machine behind Shaun,
reading all the sounds and levels that go in. He has a few of these things around..
This is showing the levels of Pete's bass whilst he is playing.

Yours truly crunching out electric guitar sounds for Back Home
and having fun with it -with my slippers on of course!

I am next heading back into Prism early March to pick up the final mastered copies of the two tracks just completed. I am then back in with my fabbo team at the end of April for the next installment. It's busy prep time in-between!

Speak to you soon -hope you have enjoyed!

Love Trace X

Day 1+2 in Prism Studios

If you have seen the fun little YouTube vid I posted from my time in the studio last year, when I was  recording my EP project "Trinity", then you will know that last weekend I stepped back into the studio to commence recording on my debut album. It is so nice that it has been confirmed to go this route. Many people have been asking me 'when are you doing it?' and this, coupled with other help that has come my way, has made this a possibility.

SO… -I thought I'd post up a little journal of my time in the studio over the course of this year, for those of you who may be interested in how things are going and gain a little glimpse into the inner workings of studio life!

Laying down a "guide" guitar track to Back Home

Here's me in the main control room with Shaun, my engineer and co-producer. Laying a 'guide' track simply means putting a rough recording down -mainly to help the drummer as often, drums are recorded first.

The sound desk in all it's wonders!! It's a … many track (around 50?) recording sound desk, which means that you can record in up to 50 (or more) layers for a track. 1 may be for my guitar, number 2 may be for another guitar part, number 3 for a weird sound -you get the gist. Shaun loves his eggy orbs -we do too! They add a lovely ambience to the rooms (they are throughout!). Yes -every single one of them is turned on everyday! (He must have a magic switch that does a few at a time.. :)

One of The Trees

Here's Ween captured in motion recording his drum parts. The two songs currently being recorded ("Back Home" and "Drops Of Crystal Love (re-mix)" have an electro theme that runs throughout (as will the whole album) and so he is using his electronic drum kit to produce some wonderful sounds.

An amusing shot -looks like they are trying out a new dance routine to go with the bops!

Just to finish, here is me singing in the fantastic vocal room that Shaun decks out like a disco! Gets you into performance mode on the one hand as is simulates a stage and helps you to relax on the other. I certainly found myself gazing at the light patterns swirling around the walls and the ceiling most of the time (when I had my eyes open!)

I head back in this weekend for day 3+4, this time with Pete Townsend, The Tree who plays bass. I will also finish off my vocals and we will spend more time on production and mixing. Like my Facebook page and I'll post up a snippet to hopefully -whet your appetite!!

Love Trace 

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