Another Kind of Blue - the Latin Side of Miles Davis / The Remotester's thread

[gpcramseysoral]

Steve, I was reviewing some of the previous posts in this thread. Apearently you have a show air'ing tonight (12/3/04). Do you know what the regularly scheduled time is? Thanks in advance.

[henryrobinett]

Originally posted by Remoteness

Henry,

I'm here, just not posting any new tunes in this forum for a while.

Fire away any questions or comments about this work. I'm eager to fulfill your "selfishness."

Good. I understand. It's a bit un-nerving putting your work out there for all to hear, only to have insensitive yahoos decide through envy or whatever, that they've got to exercise their self importance buttons.

I've already been refiguring the recording of Birth Of The Cool this weekend with Ingrid Jensen. Rehearsals have been great! I only have 18 channels!
You decided to forego any audience mics, right? Or did you and just mute them when applause wasn't necessary?

I'm mainly concerned with bass right now . . . Oops! Wrong thread. Well . . . you said you tried different things on bass. I've been using the TD-1 only as of late. Sounds great but I need some of the real bass sound and minimum of everything else. Good job on that btw.

Since Conrad knew we were recording, he was mostly on point. To be honest there wasn't a ton of room for anyone to move much.

That's what I figured. He had two reasons to reign himself in.

Ah yes, Mingus Dynasty and Sue Mingus ... very interesting lady.

Well yes. I actually lived with them back in the day. I know her well. I saw her about 6 months ago when I went back to NYC on Thursday night. We sat, drank, listened and talked throuh the music. She hasn't changed.

[Remoteness]

studjo,

Thanks for sticking up for me...

Our recent posts come off very strange since Luke (Sr.) deleted the "over the top Luke (Jr.)" posts.


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Luke (Sr.),

How was your vacation?


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gpcramseysoral,

Yes, the show was slated to air on Dec. 3rd, 2004 on ABC - Nightline at 11:30pm EST. I didn't see the piece. I don't think it aired but, I'm not sure because my recorder did not capture the entire show.

I have a call into the producer on another project. I shall ask him if the piece has been rescheduled and when it will air. I will post his reply.


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henryrobinett,

Yes, it IS a bit unnerving. Getting permission is another issue. I don't feel right about uploading folks material without their blessings. I understand and except the possibility of getting pulled through the mud but, I'm not comfortable bringing the artist and client along with me.

Tell us more about your refiguring. I believe your "Birth Of The Cool" thread is still open. I'd like to hear more about it.

IMO, 18 channels is better then two!

We had three overhead audience (room) mics. They were used for applause at the head, middle and end of the tunes. The room mics were also blended in with the close mics and bumped up for the applause swells when applicable. I like keeping the room tone in the mix. The only time I keep the room mics out of the mix except for applause is when I'm not happy with the room tone.

Upright (slap) bass has been one of the most difficult instruments to record in a live big band scenario. Jon (bassist) was very cool about letting us experiment with the mic selection and placement during the various sets over three days.

I'm not familiar with the TD-1 or maybe I am but I don't know the model number. Tell us more about this device.

Wow, how long did you stay with Mingus'?

[henryrobinett]

I lived with Mingus for around three months back in '76. He's a relative. It was like riding a hurricane!

Re bass - yeah that's why I gave up on it in live situations. What I've lost in the sound of the instrument I've gained in overall sonic clarity. Millennia TD-1 . I love it. Best sound for a Bass (upright or electric) I've yet heard though a DI.

But now, inspired by your recording, I want to drop a mic on it as well. I'll try it again. It'll either be a MK012 wrapped in foam and stuffed in the soundhole or a MXLV69 up by the fingers. The soundhole is best, if the bass player goes for it, because it'll avoid the pitfalls of picking up every sound in the hall.

Other than that I've decided to put the R84 on the French Horn and the alto gets the Baby Bottle. I'm bringing some other pres - Stevenson 6x4 mixer that sounds really good. I need to have put this on the BOTC thread. Sorry. I'm in a rush and have to take my boys to their basketball game and tape it for them. Their giving me evil looks.

[Fuzzy Logic]

great news remoteness

i was looking at this years grammy nominations and noticed that your record - another kind of blue was nominated for a grammy.

best latin jazz record

if it's based on the sound alone you guys should win hands down

good luck

[henryrobinett]

Wow! Congratulations!!!!! Deserves it.

[studjo]

Fingers crossed in Switzerland


Jo

[2leod]

Stellar recording, Steve! You deserve to bring home the hardware from what I can hear... I rootin' for ya!

[Larrysings]

A nomination is an incredible feat and very well deserved.

There is justice in this business.

Steve is at the top of his game and the industry should be banging down his garage door.

Good Luck Steve Again 2 thumbs up

[Remoteness]

Wow, thanks a lot folks. I got excited (about the potential of winning) when I heard the news from Jeff (our producer).

Larry, I don't know if I agree with everything that you said but thanks for the grand sentiment.

2leod, that would be a pretty cool add on hardware piece. Thanks!

Studjo, I hear you -- I've had my fingers crossed since I've heard the news.

Henry, Wow to the tenth power. Thanks.

Fuzzy, Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Like I've said in the past, an engineer is only as good as the musicians they keep. In my opinion this record has serious arrangements and awesome performances that took these wonderful standards to another level. Everyone work hard to make this so. We also had a lot of fun doing it.

Thanks again folks!

[henryrobinett]

Yeah well you deserve it. And after all that I'm goig to Amazon.com right now and order it for myself. Enough of these MP3s. Someone deserves my support too. After all I know Conrad too so I really how no excuses to be a cheap SOB.

[Fuzzy Logic]

anytime steve

more power to you and everyone that worked on the recording

[toledo3]

I downloaded the "Blues" track, and I really enjoyed it. I think the placement of instruments was very interesting, and the performance itself was definitely entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

This is definitely the best live recording I have heard somebody post on these boards...

[Remoteness]

Awesome...

Hey, are there any voting NARAS members out there?

We can use the support!

[Remoteness]

gpcramseysoral,

The show's producer told me they rescheduled the Cecil's Big Band episode to 12/17/04. That's tomorrow night on ABC Nightline. Since it's a news oriented program you never know they may change the air date again.

It airs at 11:30 PM on the East coast. Check your local listings if it's available and you're interested in checking it out.

[Waylon]

bump.

everyone needs to listen to this.

great work bro.

[gpcramseysoral]

Damn that's what I get Steve! I have checked every post hoping it would be you. The one time I didn't it was. None the less great work. If it's ment to be i'll come accross it one day (12/21/04).

[henryrobinett]

I just picked it up Steve! One of my Xmas presents to myself. Great man.

[Remoteness]

gpcramseysoral,

Believe it or not -- that show didn't air yet so, hang in there.

The producer mentioned it should air sometime in January. I'll keep you folks posted.

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Henry,

Awesome! Which is your favorite tune on the CD? One of my favorite tunes is "All Blues".

Thanks again for the wonderful support!

All the best to you and yours!

[Fuzzy Logic]

yo steev,

i heard a radio broadcast of downtown messiah on fuv in nyc via npr. many artists performed with meg griffin doing the naration. was that the one you did last year? i remember you telling me about it when i visited your shop a while ago. it sounded amazing. i heard almost the entire show on xmas day. is it available and how can i get a copy of it.

[henryrobinett]

Steve,

I'll have to let you know in a couple of days. I listened to it in sections. You know how Xmas time is and busy working crap. So far I think it all sounds great.

The MAN!

[Remoteness]

Fuzzy George,

Yes, that was the same show that aired last year around the same time...

It was a pleasure to hear it once again. I don't think you can buy that performance... It was only scheduled to be aired on radio in the States.

Late breaking news...

You folks are not going to believe this.

A funny thing happened when I went through the complete Grammy Ballot today. I noticed I was up for another Grammy nomination in category 57 -- Best Gospel Choir/Chorus Album with -- Rev. Timothy Wright & the New York Fellowship Mass Choir II.

Crazy stuff, huh?

Best,

Steve

[henryrobinett]

Wow Steve! Go man, go!!

[dean the dream]

Blue In Green. This is my favorite track. KUDOS to Steve on the Grammy nomination.



Rise up and give repect to Paquito D'Rivera; Brian Lynch; Dave Valentin; Conrad Herwig; Jeff Levenson & Steve Remote.



Just before they open the envelope.



Just after they announce the winner.



Steve, call your friends and tell them about it.


stike

I understand that you are also up for an additional Grammy for a live Gospel mix. I hope lightning strikes twice for you.

[Jim Easton]

Man tell me how you got that upright so in the face with all those instruments around it?.... even my little computer speakers are carrying the bass. and I usually here NO bass out of them-!!

How did you mic, mix compress etc. all aspects... its incredible sounding live bass. Cuts through the mix effortlessly-!! ALL BLUES


Thanks, Thanks and did I mention thanks for sharing....

[Remoteness]

I hear you my man…

And, thank you for the very kind words. This record meant a lot to me at the time. We really gave this recording extra attention. We had a slightly bigger budget than the past projects and I wanted to take the Half Note brand name to the next level with regard to the sonic integrity. I’m very pleased that our producer Jeff Levenson understood this dynamic and let us take it to where it needed to be!

This was the first Half Note live recording release to used “Tools” exclusively in the mix process. It’s now our defacto system of choice.

Getting that bass sound wasn’t an easy accomplishment. But, in the end I was very pleased with our results.

This recording was captured during six sets over three nights. When we tracked the date, no EQ was harmed in the making of this recording Good microphone placement was our key to (bass) success. If I didn’t like a particular sound, I would direct my associates to change and/or move the mic(s) around until I was happy with the results. It's kind of like EQing -- Instead of twisting a knob, we moved mics around until it was pleasant to the ear.

I wasn’t too happy with the bass sound I was getting, so we changed out some of the bass inputs for the second and third nights. I was pleased with our alteration. We started with a MD409 hanging over the amp, An SM98 surrounded with foam in the f hole, a KM140 and a B&K on stands. We ended up with a MD441 on a stand, the SM98 in the f hole, a KM140 in the bridge suspended with rubber bands.

It was awhile ago but, if I’m not mistaken, we used EL8 Distressors and dbx 160s on the bass inputs during the mix. Because this was the first time we used “Tools” for the mix, we kept the plug-ins to a minimum. We mostly used outboard dynamic and FX processing. Now a days, we’re using about a 50/50 split between analog outboard and plug-ins.

Finding pockets for each and every instrument to live is how I got that bass sound to jump out at you. …I used EQ to pull out frequencies that collided with other sounds. And add EQ when I needed the sound to cut through the mix or pop out of tiny computer speakers and such. To kept the clutter to a minimum we muted any tracks that weren't helpful to the mix. We cleaned and tweaked the tracks until it sounded just right before I processed or balanced the mix. I never mix in "the box." Each track is individually patched into the console. I used an SSL stereo compressor on my stereo buss into a Crane Song HEDD then back into the PT rig. I monitored the output of the stereo mix through the PT rig.

I hope this was helpful.

[bcgood]

I just downloaded it today. I really like the sound, it's very natural and musical. Great job.

bcgood

[akushner]

It's like being there front row center.

[Jim Easton]

Conrad Herwigs CD entitled
Live at the Blue Note -- Another Kind of Blue -- The Latin Side of Miles Davis.

This is the finest live recording (bar none) of live jazz heard anywhere-!!

Amazing, recording Mr. Remote.

~2db

[henryrobinett]

Yes! this is a phenomenal recording and a truly great thread! I bought it as a result and have gleen an awful lot from it. The playing is great as well, of course. I've played with Conrad and it's exciting to hear him live recorded by Mr. Remote. It somehow gives me hope, though I'll never be n his league, not in this lifetime!