Remote Session Musicians

Comment

Comment by phil Kelly on June 1, 2010 at 4:42pm

Hi Doug:

sounds like you've discovered some of the things one can do in this age of pro tools files and sendspace etc. All of my projects over the past several years have utilized musicians from all over the country. ( On my new Origin CD " Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles ", I added Nashville pianist Pat Coil to seven cuts WHILE he was on tour with Michael McDonald! He did the cuts backstage before shows in various cities and then sent the files back to me and my engineer to insert into the master. You cant tell he wasn't there in person ! )

Comment by Doug Lauber on June 1, 2010 at 2:36pm

Equinox or Osaka Suite or now: Solstice
This composition/recording is an experiment in using Remote Session musicians. I had an fairly good compositional structure in my head and I bumped into a fantastic jazz trio, who were working a cruise ship. I was cruisin' with relatives. It occurred to me to recruit the drummer for a remote session. (see: http://www.opus3jazztrio.com/)
I liked Seth Burkhart's style and technical abilities and he's a great guy. I mailed him a CD which included the tune with a few essential tracks and a click track. wav files 16 bit 44.1
He recorded his drum tracks at his friend's studio in Nantucket after the cruise season. He recorded two different versions and his performances wee excellent. He mailed me the dry isolated tracks on CD.

Once I received these stereo drum tracks, I began work on arranging the tune and adding additional instruments, like elec bass and synth. This work began to bog down. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task of mixing, compressing, etc. At the same time, I was discovering the joy of photography which I found to be more satisfying. Time went by. I procrastinated about working on and finishing Equinox. (Ever been there?)

Months later, I remembered hearing a sax solo, performed by Chris Alpiar, over at his website. Hey- he's got a studio AND he sounds great, so... I talked him into remotely adding a sax part. I asked him to also perform a second version. (I ended up using sections of BOTH versions, composited together) I received his wav files and was immediately impressed. I began mixing in these tracks. Again, I was distracted by my photographic work:
http://www.modelmayhem.com/1248124
Am I a photographer? or a composer? Anyway, I was able to force myself to finish the mix. Solstice really benefits from the work of Alpiar and Burkhart. If I was able to be more prolific and work at a faster pace, I would certainly consider doing the Remote Sessions thing again. For sure. My hat goes off to those composers who are adept at the nuances of recording and mixing. For me. those tasks are accomplished very slowly, and I don't feel satisfied with my abilities.

I might go with the remote sessions approach again, but I think I will try to keep my future compositions in a simpler form, using just a few tracks. I think a composer should be able to show their strengths, with just a few instruments, or maybe just piano. (Vazquez!)
I think I'll find greater satisfaction via 'short' and 'simple' recordings...

Comment by Mike Torr on February 28, 2010 at 12:33pm

Hi Ben - that lap tapping is fascinating - thanks for sharing!

Comment by Ben Konstantinovic on February 27, 2010 at 7:15am

Hi James, I play a unique style called lap tapping, and acoustic slap guitar, but I also play everything from metal to pop. Here is a live performance of the lap tapping http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2n5zOgkEIY

Comment by pete whitfield on February 20, 2010 at 12:01pm

Hey James, new member Dominik Johnson is a master of exotic plucked string instruments!

Comment by James Guttridge on February 20, 2010 at 5:06am

Hi All, Are there any interesting and exotic instrumentalists out there?

Comment by Chris Alpiar on January 24, 2010 at 1:06pm

Yea James isnt as "terminator' as he looks in those glasses! hehe hasta la vista baby!

Comment by James Semple on January 24, 2010 at 3:18am

Not a problem Russell ... we're pretty chilled here.

Comment by Russell Jalland on January 23, 2010 at 6:41pm

Apologies... Should have used the roster page. Consider my ass kicked !
Anyhow, hello all...

Comment by Russell Jalland on January 23, 2010 at 5:01pm

Hi All. Good Standard on Darabukka, Dumbek, (Egyptian, North African, Flamenco) Western drums ( Midi) Metal Percussion, Simple Vibraphone (mallets and bowed), interested in skill swapping. Basic reader.

cheers

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