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Building A Dream Recording Studio (Page 8)
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subego  (op)
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Jul 3, 2014, 06:55 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Spray them with Kilz, then a clear acrylic. No mold can survive that.
Won't that seal up the acoustic absorption properties?
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Jul 4, 2014, 08:19 AM
 
Rotten deal. At least it`s a good excuse to upgrade the sump pump I guess!
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subego  (op)
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Jul 4, 2014, 05:17 PM
 
It's actually the worst of all worlds. Yes it's a reason, but the building is now set for demolition in a few months.
     
unicast reversepath
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Jul 4, 2014, 09:50 PM
 
So now you have the opportunity to re-build your dream recording studio with built-in living quarters in the back!
If you have Ghosts, you have Everything!
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 5, 2014, 05:23 PM
 
Well, of course. The rats need a place to sleep.
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 11, 2014, 08:01 PM
 
Anyone want to share their "best practice" for carrying a mess of short XLR cables to and from gigs?

Past 5' they get a riptie, and then it's not a problem. They can just go in a stack.


As an aside, what kind of cable loadouts y'all work with. For mic cables, I've found 25-footers are ideal length. It gets most of the way across most stages. Pretty much stopped with all other lengths.

The shorties have come up because we've started using DMX, and I often have to plug into something only six inches away.
     
ghporter
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Jul 14, 2014, 07:59 PM
 
A fairly quick and easy way is based on a hanger stacker. It's basically a flat platform (picture a 1x4) with a pair of dowels at either end. Make something like that with pairs of dowels at the appropriate distances between the strain relief boots of your short cables. You could make one that handles multiple lengths too, just by adjusting how close together the pairs of dowels are.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 15, 2014, 09:25 AM
 
I like that idea!
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 23, 2014, 12:20 AM
 
You know, I've been cagey about making it too easy to identify me, but I've decided that's stupid in this day and age.

Come follow our band: Candy Town

Facebook: Candy Town

On Twitter we're @RavenswoodOcean. You have to type the whole thing. Our SEO blows. Searching for "candy town" gets you an old, defunct account we can't get rid of.

Of course, that means you'll actually know where to look when the album's done. I'm arguing for us to have it available for free. I don't buy into demanding money for something you can reproduce an arbitrary number of times for close to zero effort.
( Last edited by subego; Jul 23, 2014 at 12:52 AM. )
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 23, 2014, 12:51 PM
 
Things have been slow on the recording front as we've been prepping for our next live show.

It's basically a dream situation. We're calling the shots, not sharing the stage with anyone else, and I get a whole day before the show to do lighting and sound... in addition to having the day of the show itself.

Such a nice change from the last show, and only helps the promoter, because if you give us time, we'll get ambitious in using it.
     
andi*pandi
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Jul 23, 2014, 10:05 PM
 
There was a curious lack of sound on that Facebook page (at least the videos I perused). Now, I understand that some of that may be due to the vintage period the band time travels from... but yet, some sound from a modern venue would be interesting.
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 24, 2014, 01:27 PM
 
You know, I always wondered what took bands so long to record, and foolishly imagined working on the band full-time and owning the equipment would speed the process up.

So I should eat some crow for all the times someone in a band told me how long they've been recording an album, and I said to myself "WTF is wrong with you people?"

What blocked it though was some fun stuff. We mainly stopped recording so I could work on the cyborg mask. Once that was done, prepping for this next show became the priority. Partially because it's an opportunity to let us pull out all the stops, we have setup time and room we almost never have, but equally important, who the show is for...

It's in this cute, old suburb where a hipster, graphic designer unseated the grumpy, curmudgeon mayor, and is trying to class up the place with things like the art show we're playing this weekend.

When we came out to scout, he took us out to lunch. Never been dined by a mayor before.

What happend afterwards was the shocker though. We were complimenting how pretty the town was, and he offered to show us around. The director and I casually mentioned to each other how we'd like to shoot around here, and the mayor said "oh... I've got some great places for you!"

He shows us around some more, and when we ask about the red tape, he smiles and says "I'm the mayor, you're lookin at the red tape".



We've basically had the keys to the city drop in our lap. If we don't start prepping for this now, and start shooting in August, we'll run out of good weather. The film business started here in Chicago. There's a reason it only lasted a few years before picking up shop and moving to LA.

We have to take advantage of this, which means maybe we can get in one more week of recording before they dyno-mite the building the studio is in.

As it stands, we have three vocalists to track, along with a few guitar and clarinet bits. It's not going to happen. We'll get one at best, and then it's time to find a temp space, while breaking down the entire studio and putting it in storage.
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 24, 2014, 02:00 PM
 
You know, I forgot. We were originally planning to do a Kickstarter, and record the album the "normal way".

Likewise, what was needed at that time was for me to get a handle on shooting video with the 5D.

Well, things got... complicated after that. By the time recording an album came up, and potentially doing another video, I didn't need any more schooling on the 5D, so I decided to school myself as a recordist.

That means we have this old video, which is probably some of the best stuff we've done, but never made it out because we're not asking for money, and only one person in the video is still in the band (which is why we would have needed to make a new video).

So, let me give y'all a backstage pass...

Promotional video for fundraiser - YouTube

It's a touch over three minutes.
( Last edited by subego; Jul 24, 2014 at 02:12 PM. )
     
reader50
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Jul 24, 2014, 02:11 PM
 
Have you informed the demolition crew of the historic recording studio within?
     
subego  (op)
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Jul 24, 2014, 02:18 PM
 
We've decided to sell out. Director is going to live off the proceeds of the demolition until he can support himself with the band.

He's literally betting the house on this.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 1, 2014, 03:42 PM
 
I keep on thinking I've done this enough I know what curveballs to expect, but the ante keeps getting raised.

We're doing a show in the park next week. Part of a weekly arts series.

This week, was the last week they could get us power.

No problem... I'm sure I've got a ****ing diesel generator just lying around somewhere.
     
residentEvil
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Aug 5, 2014, 03:20 PM
 
How many amps/circuits do you need? Those whisper quiet Yamaha and Honda generators are nice. The larger ones are only two 20 amp circuits though. but, they run on normal gas and not much above 60 decibels at load.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 6, 2014, 01:13 PM
 
You are spot on!

I'm renting a 20A Honda. The 60 dB claim on the website is kinda unbelievable, but I'm out of date on these things. I was expecting to have to rent a truck to get it there.

The location is relatively amenable to this too. This is in a park right in the Loop in Chicago. I'm very concerned about finding a place where random people won't **** with it. I think I've found good potential spots, but it's still going to be a bit of a nail biter. Same with the weather. We have no rain option. Forecast says we're okay so far.

This whole show has been a ridiculous uphill battle. We have to fly in our old drummer and rent him a kit. That's what's really obnoxious about this power issue. We have no leverage. A show in the Loop at noon on a Friday isn't an opportunity we can pass up.
     
Laminar
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Aug 6, 2014, 03:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
You are spot on!

I'm renting a 20A Honda. The 60 dB claim on the website is kinda unbelievable, but I'm out of date on these things. I was expecting to have to rent a truck to get it there.
I walked past one at the local farmer's market and could barely even tell that it was running.
     
andi*pandi
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Aug 6, 2014, 03:50 PM
 
surely there's some kid who'd love to tag along, sit by the generator, look menacing, and get to say, "I'm with the band"?
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 6, 2014, 04:43 PM
 
We're actually considering that.
     
andi*pandi
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Aug 6, 2014, 04:57 PM
 
If you were in boston I'd loan you one.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 6, 2014, 04:59 PM
 
Careful, I'll take you up on it.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 8, 2014, 08:24 PM
 
Turns out, after going through all the hassle of renting the generator, placing it, and firing it up, we get a call informing us the power was turned back on.
     
unicast reversepath
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Aug 8, 2014, 11:26 PM
 
This is a cool thread - glad to see it is still alive and kicking!
If you have Ghosts, you have Everything!
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 9, 2014, 11:16 AM
 
T-minus three weeks before we have to be entirely out of the studio.

Seeing how many vocals we can lay down before that is our primary mission right now, along with training the new drummer.
     
ebuddy
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Aug 10, 2014, 08:14 AM
 
Haven't forgotten that I've promised pics. I have (2) JBL EON 615s on back-order (ship 1st of September hopefully?) along with (2) JBL 518 S subs and still in the process of engineering the studio makeover. It's essentially a multi-media room that my wife and I enjoy a great deal for movie-watching etc so the studio has to be not only portable, but permanent-looking when not being readied for haul to a gig. Notwithstanding that the space is basically a large "L-shape" that is somewhat difficult to work around.
ebuddy
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 10, 2014, 01:40 PM
 
I'm still looking forward to them!

As a side note, I've regretted not taking and posting pictures of things being half-done. Once it's fully done I've often thought to myself "I wish I had record of what a shitshow this was before I finished".
     
reader50
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Aug 10, 2014, 01:56 PM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Turns out, after going through all the hassle of renting the generator, placing it, and firing it up, we get a call informing us the power was turned back on.
Did you go for one of the quiet inverter generators, as people suggested? If so, any impressions? I've considered buying a backup gen myself. The inverters tend to cost twice as much, with half the capacity and no 240v. Are their advantages worth 4x the price for the same capacity?
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 10, 2014, 02:14 PM
 
The one I rented, a Honda eu2000, was relatively quiet at full load. It has a switch to make the speed it runs load reactive. That made it significantly quieter with a low load.

The big advantage to me was being an inverter, not having to worry about grounding it. Not much of a feature in a permanent installation.

I think you can gang them to get 240V.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 11, 2014, 07:19 AM
 
Here's a photo (not by me) which captures why they had us on the ropes. This was too good a spot to pass up...

     
subego  (op)
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Aug 11, 2014, 07:28 AM
 
And one of our basic marketing premises seemed to work properly.

Namely the idea you're walking down the street and see this, you at least stop for a second to size it up.
     
ebuddy
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Aug 11, 2014, 10:13 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Here's a photo (not by me) which captures why they had us on the ropes. This was too good a spot to pass up...

I need to upgrade my prescription specs, but that's not you all in the picture or is everyone around there into white-face and orchestral?
ebuddy
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 11, 2014, 12:54 PM
 
That's all us!

Drums and guitar are the only non-orchestral players.

And, yes... all in whiteface.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 14, 2014, 04:51 PM
 
The plan is to start recording again tomorrow. We've got about 10 potential days left before things get broken down.

We have a guest though... the friggin Blue Angels. From now until the air show ends on Sunday.
     
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Aug 15, 2014, 09:02 AM
 
Singing mimes?!? Now that's an oxymoron
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subego  (op)
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Aug 15, 2014, 01:47 PM
 
We're all about breaking the paradigm.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 15, 2014, 11:14 PM
 
I forgot how low-key recording was.

In fact, and perhaps I shouldn't admit this, it's so low-key I abandoned the studio to chill in the backyard.

In theory, I should be keeping an eye on the levels for 20+ takes in a row, but that's not actually accomplishing anything.

I told the producer to holler if something interesting happens.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 16, 2014, 12:55 AM
 
Back out in the yard.

On one hand I feel like I'm abandoning my post, but the producer assures me he's happy, and he's less self-conscious without me there (it's his vocals we're recording).
     
ebuddy
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Aug 16, 2014, 11:15 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Back out in the yard.

On one hand I feel like I'm abandoning my post, but the producer assures me he's happy, and he's less self-conscious without me there (it's his vocals we're recording).


We had a female vocalist that insisted I not be in the studio while she recorded her vocals for this very reason. I was nothing if not wholly supportive of her skills, regardless of any uncontrollable ticks or facial expressions.
ebuddy
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 16, 2014, 02:26 PM
 
The thought process for the producer is he's not the greatest singer (willingness to admit his own faults is one of the things which makes him nice to work with), so he uses vocal cord destroying techniques to make himself sound better in a recording

Where he gets uncomfortable is people who can sing well hear it and start giving him WTF? looks over how he's killing his voice by doing it that way.

Of course, I can't sing myself, so I'm not noticing beyond his voice being trashed by the end of the day.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 16, 2014, 06:23 PM
 
Back in the yard.

It appears there's some yard work to be done.

     
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Aug 16, 2014, 09:34 PM
 
Tell people you're helping fight global warming. Calculate the carbon removed to prove it.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 16, 2014, 10:14 PM
 
I'm also keeping the rats safe from falcons.
     
Shaddim
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Aug 17, 2014, 01:57 AM
 
falcons gotta eat too, you know.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 17, 2014, 03:44 PM
 
Good point.

Harriet, get the machete.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 17, 2014, 03:57 PM
 
We may actually get a few extra months. It's going to be too close to winter to demo the building, so they've offered to rent the place to us.

In theory, then we can finish the tracking and have enough time left over to do the mixing.
     
reader50
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Aug 17, 2014, 04:00 PM
 
We're in mid-summer, and it's too close to winter? This is good news for the studio of course. But it sounds strange.
     
subego  (op)
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Aug 17, 2014, 04:14 PM
 
Basically, if they can't finish the demo and put in a new building before winter sets in, the property becomes dead weight all winter.

They get it the first of September. That's not really enough time to complete the job. My layman's guess is it's about half the time they need.
     
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Aug 17, 2014, 04:19 PM
 
The "put up new building" part was what I was missing. Also, guess I'm used to CA. Construction speeds up in winter here, when temps are more comfortable.
     
 
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