10.25.04 PROVAN BEGINS PHASE 2 AT LEOPARD

Returned to Lonsome Jimmy Goodman's Leopard Studio in Stone Ridge NY to record drums for 5 new PROVAN songs. The studio now features a ProTools HD rig running on a Mac G5. Very fast to work on.

Colin did excellent takes, and as always was an absolute pleasure to work with. The sounds we got were comparable in many ways to the recordings from March, and maybe even better in some respects. I used a Oktava ribbon mic outside the kick drum and it sounded huge. Also did an x/y placement on the room mics (2 AKG 414's set in figure 8 polar pattern) which was a different approach from the last time, and that seemed better too. One of the new songs "Wreck Of The Kevin Fitzgerald" really stands out as a timeless classic, and I'm sure will make me cry when it's done.

Visit http://www.2000steps.com for more about PROVAN

10.01.2004 ORSUS RECORDING AT MUZIC STUDIO

Tracked Mike's bass guitar takes for all twelve ORSUS songs yesterday at Muzic Studio in Dobbs Ferry NY. Muzic Studio used to be The Pickwick Theater when I was growing up in Dobbs ferry, so it was kind of a trip seeing it converted into a studio! Mike did a fantastic job of hammering out excellent takes, and the whole band was there to root him on. Special thanks to Vito Liuzzi and Gary for setting us up with a great tone and vibe during the session.

09.06.2004 ORSUS RECORDING AT APPLEHEAD

Brought ORSUS to Applehead Recording Studio in Woodstock NY for a very successful drum tracking session. Engineer Chris Bittner did a fantastic job of getting the sounds we were after; big, live and ambient. Chris proved to be a master on Pro Tools as well which left me free to focus on performances.

Adam's drum performances were stellar! He was well rehearsed and nailed down all 12 songs, as well as some great "effect" parts that we'll use for loops and secondary rhythms.

Now we are preparing to track Mike's bass guitar parts, then on to guitars and vocals.  I am really happy with the professionalism and dedication of this band. Please visit their site: http://www.orsusband.com

Also special thanks to studio owner Micheal Burnbaulm for the fantastic quality and vibe at Applehead. Great place!

Vintage Neve and API consoles and an excellent assortment in the mic closet and a large live room make it an ideal place to track! Photo (left) is their main tracking room, which sounds superb! The new photo on my index page was taken in Applehead's control room during the session.

08.20.2004 ORSUS PRE PRODUCTION

Having seen them perform live a couple of times I have begun to work on pre production with a great and as yet unsigned local nu-metal band called ORSUS.  Currently we are working on click and scratch tracks and we hope to begin recording basic tracks in September.

08.05.04 MOM, I'M HOME!

...And I brought my Pro Tools rig!

Spending a couple of weeks in Poughkeepsie recording a CD with my parents. Mom sings and Dad accompanies on his Yamaha electronic keyboard. Their album includes some great jazz standards and a couple of broadway show tunes. A nice change of pace in many ways! (What's for dinner tonight, Mom?)

06.01.2004 MIXING AT CHUNG KING

Mixed PROVAN yesterday at Chung King Studios in the Gold Room on their SSL9000. Great room for mixing! The whole band was in attendance, and everyone had a chance to address their tones and mix concerns. Mixes came out sounding amazing! Special thanks to Suzanne Mates of Chung King's production staff for the booking, and for setting us up with assistant engineer Jessy. The session went really well, we accomplished all of our mix objectives, and I'm looking forward to attending the mastering at West West Side Mastering with Alan Douches in July.

04.20.2004 BACK IN NEW YORK

Working on PROVAN over-dubs and pre-mixing. Planning on being ready for the final mix in May, and looking for a suitable room to mix in. An old friend of mine, Suzanne Mates now manages Chung King Recording Studio in Manhattan so we may be able to get it on for mixing there.