Supporting the Cause-Thanks Jules

[picksail]

This is a track from my forthcoming album which was included on a compilation album currently being pressed.

"Five Bucks Gets You Nowhere"(edit)
Composed, performed, produced and engineered by Stewart Cararas
©2004 Phlorescent Beacon ASCAP

Enjoy.

MP3 compressed @320 kbps

[jajjguy]

That's pretty! Zappa fan?

[picksail]

Thank you very much.

[picksail]

Just a note: Unfortunately, this recording wasn't intended to be released yet. I had hoped I would have been able to re-mix it but, given the time constraints regarding this release, it was virtually impossible.
At the time I was asked to be a part of the compilation CD I was working 12/14 hour days trying to get our studio up and running. And since the studio wasn't ready I intended to bring it to Trent Reznor's place, as he has an SSL, and mix there. But again, f**king time constraints.

This is yet another example of an ALSIHAD production. Recorded and mixed all within a Digi 001 w/ Benchmark DAC-1.

I guess sometimes you gotta bite the bullet just to get some press.

theres an unbalance about the kit that is a little disconcerting for me. the hat stands out while the snare sort of jumps around volume wise. which i suppose is completely normal for no compression. the kick could use a little more oomph/body. the toms also seem a little quiet and lacking the fullness i expect to hear in this kind of mix.

i like the backwards snare type effect in the wierd growly vocal section.

everything else sounds great. i like your guitar sounds. especially.

cool song.

[picksail]

Thanks, chikkenguy.

I guess I should divulge that the drums were all programmed. Unfortunately, at the time, there was no drummer available. So I decided that I could wait to begin recording or just do it myself. Every single beat was touched at some point or another. Ironically, now I can't seem to elude all the drummers that to appear everywhere. Hell, the guy that is painting the exterior of our studio is an amazing drummer.

When I was reviewing the song before the mix I decided that, during the main theme/rock parts, I wanted a claustrophobic sort of drum sound. What really, inspired me directly was the kit sound used on Jeff Beck's Wired album.
In a couple of parts I performed a lot of pan automation on the snare. It was only during the more rock sounding parts that I even perceived the drums as a kit. Elsewhere they are used more orchestrally.

And yes, there was plenty of compression used on these drums. Even being, programmed they were still treated as normal. Due to the inherent nature of this peice I could not just bring up a buss compressor and let it go. It required a ton of automation to tame many of the parts. Also, there were instances of compression inserted on practically every track.

After some close scrutiny I have deduced that the hi-hat is a little out of context. I was looking for width in the hats and the opposite in the drums. Very contradictory. Thank you for pointing it out.

One day I will get a chance to track this song again, but for now...

[clip6]

What's the day rate at Nothing Studios these days.

[picksail]

The last I heard is was $1,800. I'm not sure if that includes an engineer or even an assistant.

[picksail]

Thanks dim light,

I'll check (Czech) them out. I pulled up their site and bookmarked it . So far it looks pretty interesting.

At first when I read your response I thought that the band you were endorsing was actually an acronym in a foreign language meaning, "Your music sucks and you're an asshole.LOL YMSAYAA-that's me!!

Later,
Stewart

[Mike Jasper]

Yes, yes, yes! Zappa.

Man, you boys kick my ass at production.

Jasper

[picksail]

Thanks, Mike but I don't know what you're talking about-your song is very well produced. It has a great balance. Everything sits in the mix impeccably.

[studjo]

I'm listening on very crappy computer speakers, but I think you did very, very good job at programming those drums. Not many programmed drumtracks work that good for a track like yours.

Jo

[jdier]

Originally posted by picksail
Thanks, chikkenguy.

I guess I should divulge that the drums were all programmed. Unfortunately, at the time, there was no drummer available. So I decided that I could wait to begin recording or just do it myself.

One day I will get a chance to track this song again, but for now...

Curious why you would not consider going back later and dropping drums over what you have (I don't want to imply you have to, or that anything sounds bad, but more just curious. Everything sounds pretty darn good, why not keep it and just drop drums over the top of what you already have down?

[picksail]

studjo,

Thanks, for the compliment. I obsess about percussion. I have been interested in the possibilites for years. Ever since I heard Ionization by Varese, the potential for percussion music appeared limitless. Not being a drummer myself, makes me even more curious.

jdier,

Thanks, for the advice. Overdubbing the drums is not something I have yet considered. You may be on to something. Now if I can just find someone capable of performing this piece in real time. Ultimately, I would love to have this piece performed by an orchestral ensemble. I'll even copy all the parts. Nevermind, screw that. I'll use Sibelius!

[guitarlix]

Fantastic! I normally don't like programmed drums but your's worked very well with the rest of the tune.

[picksail]

Thanks guitarlix,

Welcome to the fold! This whole drum programming thing is something to which I never aspired. Although, I have become quite proficient at it, I would much prefer to have a drummer on hand anytime I get the urge to compose. Seemingly,utopian pipe-dream!!

To program drums the way I do it, requires immense patience and lots of TIME. Time which could be better spent elsewhere. These drum tracks are not perfect by any means. I mean, there is no real substitute for a real human performer. I had to work really hard to get them to sound the way they do. It just never works out that a drummer is going to be at my disposal, nor would I expect it. Albeit, now I have at least a good example of what I hope to manifest with this one particular song. Fortunately, I have a drummer who is eager to perform this one with me and is a real enigma.


jdier,

Thanks again for the suggestion. I hope to get to work on this immediately.
Luckily, the intro will remain the same. This should provide enough of a 'count-off' for the drummer and won't require me to import timecode. This was my biggest concern.

[picksail]

dimlight,

You were right. The Czech band is very cool. Thanks for the info.

Later,
Stewart

[mitgong]

I just love that New Orleans down-on-the-delta sound!

I picture this band set up on the street in the French Quarter.

Being killed.

(these are the jokes).

[picksail]

It's very likely that I could be burned at the stake for this shit. What was I thinking-misrepresenting this city with all it's wonderful culture.

[AUDIOSFX]

very cool stuff....I am impressed with your patients more than anything...sounds good to...

-ws

[picksail]

AUDIOSFX,

Thanks. Patience is a definate prerequisite for this kind of work.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, this was not the intended result. You know how it is, begin a piece and the next thing you know, you're finished!

Let me know if I can be of any assistance to your company. I am available for freelance work.

Thanks again,
Stewart

[AUDIOSFX]

your site does not link and you dont have e-mail correspondance.. I am curious about what you do so e-mail and commence some dx brother...

we do post and music and I seem to have fallen into mixing hip hop at the moment and some multi channel music stuff...

I actually just mixed a track at skywalker with a band called Ingrid Lucia and the Flying Nutrinos very cool stuff recorded in Louisiana I beleive...

-ws

[picksail]

AUDIOSFX,

Sorry, about the link. Our site is under construction. Here is my personal email. pbscararas@yahoo.com

I guess I should update my profile. Thanks for the insight.

Interestingly enough, I just mastered a compilation which includes Ingrid Lucia. Also, the piece that I posted is also included.

Stewart Cararas

[genericperson]

the "near field" stuff like the coin sound and the circus sound effects sound great

[Nutmeg II.]

NICE WORK!



But another vote for real drums!
The programed one makes the tune sound like a musical production!

Better call Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, Aynsley Dunbar, Chester Thompson, Vinnie Colaiuta or ...

[picksail]

genericperson,

Thank you. Fortunately those samples are considered public domain. The coin was originally a marble I sampled as foley about four years ago. After some deliberation I decided to change it to a coin just before the release. It seemed to adhere to the original concept.

Nutmeg II,

Thanks. The drums are coming. Probably, better suited for Chester Thompson! Think "Inca Roads".

Thanks again guys!!

[Nutmeg II.]

Put down a horn section!!!

[picksail]

Thanks Nutmeg II,

Where, exaclty, would you suggest implementing a horn section. This is a good idea and one I have been pondering.

[alphajerk]

strange like zappa but not strange enough like patton and crew.

[picksail]

Thanks for listening.