Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Equipment File #9: DR-550 drum machine

Boss DR-550

Equipment File 09

For drums, the early Studio used the drum sounds from the Yamaha portable keyboard. But they were very low quality. At first it didn't matter, but as the songs became more complicated and recordings were cleaner, it was soon realized that a real drum machine was needed.

Some time around July 1990 the Studio bought its first drum machine, this Boss DR-550. The first song recorded with it was the Mune Mud song "Peach Tree" on July 21, 1990 (the song appeared on the 1991 Mune Mud debut album, the 1994 Mune Mud re-release, and the 2008 album Precurosry 33). After that the Yamaha drum sounds were not used.

As the drum machine's memory filled up, the Studio would back up the drum machine data to a cassette tape. Those data tapes still exist and could be used to load up the original drum sounds and patterns used in those early songs.

Many songs were recorded with this drum machine. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. And it wasn't long before something better than the DR-550 came along.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

This Day in Studio History

Equipment File 02

It was on this day in 1992 that Jason bought the Ibanez bass guitar that is still in use at the Studio today.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Studio Chapter 9: Metal XOR-E

Over the course of the eight years that Metal XOR-D existed, the equipment and techniques used to record music changed many times. Then in November of 2007 it was decided to record a new ORC album starting January 1, 2008. Once the decision was made on what equipment to use on the album, it was time to redesign the Studio once more.

On December 1, 2007, Metal XOR-E opened for business. Over the course of the next month there were a few test songs recorded. And then on January 1, 2008, the ORC album began. This lasted for several weeks until the project was put on hold.

The new Studio has a computer at its center. The Korg synth is used as a MIDI trigger to play sounds inside the computer. All drums are also generated from within the computer. The only analog external sources at this point are the electric guitar and vocals.

Metal XOR-E is also where Paige is currently recording sessions for her next album (due out this fall).

Update
The albums released under the Metal XOR-E label were:
* Isthmus Parabolic Dish Festival 10th Anniversary [May 22, 2008]
* ORC Thru the Vent [September 23, 2008]
* Equinox Dulcet Ethical Travels on a Green Planet [December 8, 2009]

This version of the studio closed on Saturday, February 6, 2010. It was disassembled and shipped to its new location. It was reopened under a new name with a long roster of projects.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Album of the Week #36: Best of Harry and Jason

Project name: Harry and Jason
Album name: Best of Harry and Jason
Release date: unreleased (compiled in November 1986)
Release format: cassette
Studio name: none

Image Not Available

Tracks:
1. The Beautiful Corns
2. How Beautiful Are Redenbachers
3. The Redenbacher Song
4. The Eye Song
5. The Nose Song
6. The Man from India
7. The Man from Russia
8. The Guitar Song
9. Ode to Eye Balls
10. The Song About Books
11. Are You Sleeping?
12. Summertimes
13. The Italian Song
14. George Washington
15. The Head Song

This is a collection of the best songs Harry and Jason had recorded up to the compilation date of November 29, 1986. These are the songs that Harry and Jason ad-libbed lyrics while singing to instrumental music from the radio.

The first session took place during the summer of 1985. They recorded many more times over the course of the next year. Out of the several tapes they made, they each had their favorites songs. This tape was a collection of those favorites. The tape was made for Harry and Jason's enjoyment, so no one else has heard it.

Although these tapes have not been released to the public, the first two were compiled on CD in 2001 for Harry and Jason The Vintage Years Volume 1. Further volumes are planned for future release.


Next week's Album of the Week: Best of Harry and Jason II from 1988.

Friday, April 25, 2008

This Day in Studio History

On this day in 1989, the Traveling Deengelburys t-shirts were finally finished.

Collector's Corner 18a

Although the performance took place on March 31, it was almost a month before concert-goers and all fans alike could wear the shirt that promoted "The Brothers D" and their 1989 Lost in Time world tour.

Collector's Corner 18b

You can visit the official Traveling Deengelburys website by clicking here.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Equipment File #8: Tascam recorder

Tascam PortaStudio 424

Equipment File 08

This piece of equipment arguably made the biggest difference in the Studio's music than any other piece it has owned. This recorder allowed four parts to be layered while retaining the first-generation quality. Using various recording techniques, additional tracks could be layered in. Then the final four tracks were mixed down to a master cassette from which duplicates were made. This was the process used for the dozens of albums that the Studio has released.

The exact date it was purchased is not known, but the earliest recordings date back to March of 1991. The first song recorded was a short guitar piece that was later named "Tired". This was followed by hundreds of other songs. And then on February 13, 2005, a song named "Goodnight, My Someone" was the last song to be recorded using the 4-track recorder. Since then all songs have been recorded directly into the computer.

Today the recorder is only used to play back old master cassettes. As its age begins to show, the Studio has looked into buying a replacement so they will be able to continue playing the more than two dozen master cassettes that were made during its fourteen years of service.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

This Day in Studio History

It was on this day in 1993 that the Studio purchased the Korg DW-8000 synthesizer from Jason's cousin, Harry. Harry was upgrading and needed to sell the synth. And Jason was ready to upgrade from the portable keyboards the Studio had been using for years, so the sale benefited both of them.

It was used in bands such as Pheonix, The Two-Tones, The Traveling Deengelburys, Mune Mud, and more.

The Korg is still a 'key' part in the Studio today. It acts as a MIDI trigger connected to the computer which has all the sounds the songs use today.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Studio Chapter 8: Metal XOR-D

On April 17, 1999, Metal XOR-C was disassembled. Over the course of the next month the equipment was taken to Jason's new house and the Studio was slowly put back together. On May 12, 1999, Metal XOR-D was finished and ready for business.

The first song recorded in the new Studio was on May 15, 1999. It was called "Park Bench" and was an outtake from the 2001 Mune Mud album The Search for Metropolis. The first song recorded to appear on an album was "Cambrian Explosion", recorded on May 16 and appeared on that same album.

The albums released under the Metal XOR-D label were:
* Nikki and Jason Love Songs [May 19, 2001]
* Harry and Jason The Vintage Years Vol 1 [May 23, 2001]
* Mune Mud The Search for Metropolis [November 6, 2001]
* Mune Mud Olympus (10th Anniversary Edition) [December 29, 2001]
* Mune Mud UPF (10th Anniversary Edition) [December 31, 2002]
* Mune Mud Pryme Material (10th Anniversary Edition) [2003]
* Mune Mud Singles Collection [2004]
* Mune Mud Hobson's Choice [November 23, 2004]
* Mune Mud Hobson's Second Choice [2005]
* Mune Mud Equation of Time (10th Anniversary Edition) [2006]
* Mune Mud Sleep State F (10th Anniversary Edition) [2007]
* Paige Watson My First Album [August 14, 2007]

This version of the Studio had four major changes, but remained in the same location. Those time periods were differentiated by a number following the name, thus Metal XOR-D1 was the first version of the Studio all the way to the final one, Metal XOR-D4.

In November of 2007, the Studio was once again rewired to accommodate the newest equipment and recording techniques. Although the Studio was in the same physical location, it was decided to move on to the Metal XOR-E name.

Recording techniques changed in the last couple of years at the Studio. Everything used to be recorded to the 4-track cassette recorder, but in 2005 the computer started being used as the recorder. So the last song recorded to cassette at Metal XOR-D4 was called "Goodnight, My Someone" on February 13, 2005.

This period of the Studio's history lasted from May 1999 to November 2007.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Album of the Week #35: Songs to Enjoy

Project name: [early keyboards]
Album name: Songs to Enjoy
Release date: unreleased (recorded in March of 1987)
Release format: cassette
Studio name: none

Image Not Available

Tracks:
1. Moon River
2. Autumn Leaves
3. Londonderry Air
4. Occident
5. Aloha Oe
6. Beautiful Sunday
7. Alley Cat
8. Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
9. One Dozen Roses
10. Somewhere, My Love
11. Yankee Doodle

This tape was recorded as a follow-up to 1986's Merry Christmas to Me. Jason enjoyed recording his own songs, but occasionally he liked to record a cover song. So taking a break from recording Diversity au Troi, he churned out this tape, his second of covers.

Most of these songs were from the same organ book that he used to play. The only original on the tape is "Occident".

The tape was recorded and filed away. Not many, if anyone, has heard this tape. There are no plans to release it, but it is in the computer so now it will last forever.


Next week's Album of the Week: Best of Harry and Jason from 1986.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Equipment File #7: Korg synthesizer

Korg DW-8000

Equipment File 07

It was time to upgrade the keyboard again. In April of 1993, Jason bought Harry's Korg DW-8000 synthesizer. This was the synth that Harry had used way back in 1986 with their first band, Pheonix.

This synth provided many new sounds for the Studio to use, but more importantly it was used as a MIDI trigger for the new MIDI equipment the Studio purchased in June of 1993. And that has remained the synth's primary role all of these years. In fact, it is one of the key components of the current Metal XOR Studio since most of the music being record today is done in the computer.

There were recent plans to purchase a smaller keyboard, one to act as a USB MIDI trigger to connect to a laptop to make the Studio portable, but those plans were scrapped and it looks like the Korg will be in use for quite some time in the future.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Video File #2: Isthmus "Lost in Detroit (Free II)"

"Lost in Detroit (Free II)" video is now online!

Isthmus video

Today is the release of the first Isthmus music video, "Lost in Detroit (Free II)". The song comes from their 1998 album Parabolic Dish Festival Volume 1.

The footage used in the video comes from two sources. The first is the Isthmus jam session where the album was actually recorded. The second is a NASCAR trip to Michigan which took place in June of 1998.


Click here for the YouTube post.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Studio Chapter 7: Metal XOR-C

Metal XOR-B had been taken down on July 27, 1996, because Jason was moving once again. The equipment was taken to the house where the previous Circle IX Studio had been located. The Studio was rebuilt and Metal XOR-C was ready for action on August 3, 1996.

Along with the new Studio came a new version of the music software Jason had been using. It was an upgrade to CakeWalk that allowed him to do not only MIDI with the computer but audio editing also. The problem with his computer was that did not have much storage, so the use of audio editing was limited. But he began experimenting on September 11, 1996, with "One Night" (which appeared on the 1996 Mune Mud album Equation of Time) and "Tim Is Tuff", an old Two-Tones song that had been re-recorded at the first Isthmus jam session. Neither of these songs got far due to the lack of computer storage.

The first new song recorded in Metal XOR-C was on September 19. It was called "Vestige". Unfortunately the song has long since been lost.

In early October he finally started working on "real" songs, ones that made it to albums or are still in the Studio's catalog.

After a couple of years of productive recording, the Studio moved again. The last song recorded at Metal XOR-C that appeared on an album (Purging the Great Abyss by ORC) was "Element of Fire" on December 24, 1998. There was another song recorded on January 4, 1999. This was "Mother Nature (Serenity Mix)". It was also an ORC song but it was not used on the album.

The albums released under the Metal XOR-C label were:
* Mune Mud Equation of Time [August 13, 1996]
* Isthmus Lambskin Temple [November 19, 1996]
* Isthmus New Mexico Igloo [December 17, 1996]
* Isthmus Ideas [May 6, 1997]
* Mune Mud Sleep State F [September 23, 1997]
* Isthmus Parabolic Dish Festival Vol 1 [July 21, 1998]
* ORC Purging the Great Abyss [March 2, 1999]
* Isthmus Parabolic Dish Festival Vol 2 [March 23, 1999]

So after two and a half years, the longest run thus far, Metal XOR-C was finished. On April 17, 1999, it was disassembled and moved once again, this time to become Metal XOR-D.

This period of the Studio's history lasted from August 1996 to April 1999.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Album of the Week #34: Quadraphonic

Project name: [early keyboards]
Album name: Quadraphonic
Release date: unreleased (recorded in 1987)
Release format: cassette
Studio name: none

Image Not Available

Tracks:
1. Left Back
2. Launch
3. Horizons
4. Image of Old
5. Coeur de Coward
6. Treasure Hunt
7. For Elise
8. Level Field
9. Swans
10. Confusation II
11. It Says I Love You
12. Speed
13. Classical

This was the follow up to the Diversity au Troi tape. And once again, it was named in reference to which tape it was in the series ('quad' because it was the fourth tape).

Whereas Diversity au Troi experimented in early 'multi-tracking', this tape was experimental in style. Most of these songs abandoned the verse-chorus-solo build to use a more random structure. "Launch" was nothing more than starting at the low end of the keyboard and slowly working its way up to the high end, using a rumbling, rocket-launch sound. "It Says I Love You" was named because the particular sound Jason created, while played in fast appregiation during the song, actually made the keyboard sound like it was saying 'I love you'. There is one cover song, "For Elise". It was included for the same reason the cover songs were included on The Deuce, it was a song he had played many times on the piano.

This tape also features the infamous song "Coeur de Coward". You can read about that here.

Although there are thirteen songs on the tape, it was never considered finished. There is enough material to consider it as an "album", but it was shorter than the previous three tapes. And this was probably due to the fact that it was in early 1988 that he experimented with a new solo project called X-Selsior. Also in 1988 the Two-Tones started recording music. And it was in 1988 that Jason started playing electric guitar exclusively (for the Two-Tones). So because of that band, his solo career was put on hold (until 1990 when Mune Mud was created).

Since the tape was never finished, most of the songs (and the album itself) did not have names. So on January 1, 2004, everything that did not have names received them. It was then that the tape was considered 'complete'. Chronologically, this was the last solo tape using the Yamaha keyboard that Jason would record. There was one more tape, Songs to Enjoy, but that was recorded in March of 1987, during the recordings of Diversity au Troi and possibly Quadraphonic.


Next week's Album of the Week: Songs to Enjoy from 1987.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Equipment File #6: Casio keyboard

Casio ToneBank CT-395

Equipment File 06

The Studio had been using the Yamaha keyboard since 1986. So it was decided to get a new one. In late July or early August of 1991 the Studio got a Casio ToneBank CT-395 portable keyboard. This one was bigger than the Yamaha and had more realistic sounds.

The day it was delivered to the Studio, Jason opened the box, plugged it in, and started playing "To Clementi". So he immediately recorded the song and it ended up on the 1991 Mune Mud album Olympus.

In 1993 when the Studio bought a sound module and started using MIDI, this keyboard went out of favor. But when recording began in late 1996 and continued into 1997 for the Mune Mud album Sleep State F, the Casio keyboard was dusted off and used to bring back that classic Mune Mud sound from the first few albums.

It has been used for various recordings since, but for the most part it has joined the Yamaha keyboard as a monument to music of the past. It is now used by Jason's kids as their keyboard of choice.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Studio News: *** NEW ALBUM RELEASE ***

Metal XOR Studio is proud to announce today's release of Mune Mud Precursory 33!!!


front album cover

This is the 19th Mune Mud album to be released. It is a re-re-release of the original Mune Mud debut album originally released in 1991. The songs have been digitally cleaned up and are now on CD. This album makes available the very beginning of Jason's solo career.

Also available today is the official Precursory 33 website where you can listen to or download most of the album and read a detailed history of the album.

Precursory 33 site

Click here to visit the website.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Studio Chapter 6: Metal XOR-B

Metal XOR-A was not around for even a year before the Studio was once again moved. On October 30, 1995, the Studio was moved from the damp basement to a dry bedroom on the ground level of the rental house Jason was living in. This move also allowed him to incorporate his computer in the Studio. He had just bought his first music software, CakeWalk Pro 3, and was eager to use it. After a long day's work, Metal XOR-B was ready to make music.

The first song worked on was a remake of "I'm With You", originally from the 1991 Mune Mud album Olympus. This was an experimental song for his new music software but it was never finished. The first song to be completed was "Albino Boy (Dance Mix)" on December 18, 1995.

But all good things must come to an end. In July of 1996 Jason moved out of the house and back to his parents' house. His roommate was getting married, so Jason's spot in the rental house was being replaced. The last song recorded in MXOR-B was on July 21, 1996. It was "One Lunar Minute" which appeared on the 1996 Mune Mud album Equation of Time.

On July 27, 1996, MXOR-B was taken down. The equipment was moved back to the location of the old Circle IX Studio and on August 3, 1996, MXOR-C was complete and ready for business.

There were three albums released under the MXOR-B label:
* NueroMud Nine Days Wonder [November 1995]
* Isthmus Electric Field Donut [July 9, 1996]
* Mune Mud Monograph [July 16, 1996]

In addition to the albums released, there were also several NueroMorgue songs recorded (still unused to this day).

This period of the Studio's history lasted from October 1995 to July 1996.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Album of the Week #33: Diversity au Troi

Project name: [early keyboards]
Album name: Diversity au Troi
Release date: unreleased (recorded in 1986-87)
Release format: cassette
Studio name: none

Image Not Available

Tracks:
1. Laceration
2. Thrall Stint
3. Treatise de Sticks
4. Nobody Cares Anymore
5. Amplitude of Immense Necromancy
6. Remorse of the Seraphims
7. Confusation
8. Lassitude to the Max
9. Black Square
10. Two Dogs
11. Indochina
12. Free from Jail
13. Stellar by Sunlight
14. Round One
15. Cedar House

The first few songs on this tape were recorded in late 1986, but it is guessed that most of this tape was recorded in early 1987. This was the follow-up to, or continuation of, The Deuce. As the tape used for The Deuce got full, a new tape was started and this is that second tape.

The title followed the trend that this was actually the third tape recorded (Merry Christmas to Me and The Deuce being the first two). It was also inspired by the fact that during 1986-87 (Jason's sophomore year in high school) he took his first French class.

This tape had the first experiments with "multi-tracking". A song would be recorded. Then while it played back from a tape, another part (or sound) would be played with it and both of those were recorded. "Laceration" and "Black Square" are good examples of this.

As with the previous two tapes from this era, this album has not been heard by others. It has been transferred to the computer so it will now live forever.


Next week's Album of the Week: Quadraphonic from 1987.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

This Day in Studio History

It was this day in 1994 that the NueroMorgue EP E. Phantasmata was released.

NueroMorgue - E. Phantasmata

This was a short collection of outtakes, alternate takes, and demos from 1993's NueroMorgue album Devis Tortura. It was the last NueroMorgue release to date.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Listen Online!

Today's audio nugget is a preview song from the Mune Mud album Precursory 33. The song is called "Peach Tree". It was recorded in July of 1990 and originally had a different set of lyrics that were to be sung by Jason and his friend Joe. But Joe was unavailable when it was time to record so Jason wrote these new lyrics and recorded the song himself.

This was recorded before the Studio had a multi-track recorder, so it was done with two standard tape recorders. It features two guitars, a drum machine, and two vocal tracks.

The song appeared on the original 1991 Mune Mud debut album, then again on the Mune Mud re-release in 1994.

Click here to listen to the song.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Studio News: Precursory 33 Information

On Tuesday, April 8, less than one week away, the new Mune Mud album will be released. But today the album cover, play list, and news about the album website are being revealed.

front album cover

Tracks:
1. That's All I Need to Know
2. Plutonic
3. Ominous
4. Peach Tree
5. Lyric
6. Why Did You Go? v2.0
7. Harley
8. Fruit Preserve
9. Under the Sky
10. Umbra Flame
11. That's Life
12. Decomposition of a Song
13. I'll Be Here
14. I Dream
15. Go West
16. Tip 26
17. King Song
18. Just Defied
19. The One-Liner
20. Eighty-Eight II
21. We Dog
22. Suburban 70
23. Leaves Fall

Next Tuesday will also see the launch of the Precursory 33 website. At the website you can read about the history of the album, listen to and download the Online Album version, or order the CD version.

Tune in tomorrow for a Listen Online! preview song from the new album.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Equipment File #5: Yamaha keyboard

Yamaha PortaSound PSS-460

Equipment File 05

The year was 1986. The band Pheonix had been playing for a few months. Harry was playing his new Korg DW-8000 synthesizer, Brad played his drums, Mark played his guitar, and Jason usually ran the tape recorder. Jason could play piano and keyboards, but he did not have a portable one.

So Jason's parents fixed the problem that fall. In October, for his birthday, they got him a Yamaha PortaSound PSS-460 keyboard. He used it for the next few Pheonix jams, but the band soon fizzled out.

Jason then turned his attention to a solo career. He recorded a total of six tapes (later called albums) of him playing the keyboard, sometimes Christmas or cover songs, but most of the songs were originals.

This practice at writing and recording his own songs was a strong foundation that he built his later solo projects on. By 1990 he was starting to acquire better equipment. He started recording songs under the name Mune Mud. In early 1990 he bought a drum machine that replaced the drum sounds he used from the Yamaha keyboard.

By 1991 he had a multi-track recorder, so his recordings were much cleaner. And he realized his music had "outgrown" the sounds his small Yamaha keyboard made. So in 1991, during the Mune Mud Olympus recording sessions, he got a new Casio portable keyboard. Some of the songs on Olympus used the Yamaha keyboard, some used the Casio. But by the time the next album was recorded, Underwater Problem Factory, the Yamaha was in storage and the Casio was the Studio's keyboard.

The Yamaha has not seen much action since. In the last couple of years it has been brought out for Jason's kids to play. But even they have recently moved up to the Casio. So the keyboard now sits as a monument to the early days of Jason's solo career.

Blog News: 200th Post

This blog has muscled its way to post #200!!!


200

So at this point I wonder, "How much more info is there to put on this site?" Then I answer myself, "Even with all of the different features that have been posted, there are still some series that have not been started yet!" I think, "Having read all the albums of the week, project spotlights, musician profiles, interviews, etc., how can there be more?" And then I answer myself once again, "There's more!"

Will we see post #250? Yes!

Will there be a better picture to use for the 250th post? I sure hope so!

See you then. . .

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

State of the Studio #8: April '08

It's hard to believe this is the eighth State of the Studio I've done. Seems like it should be number three.

I mentioned last month that the Album of the Week feature would soon delve into the archives and spotlight some early music. The last two features have gone back to the very beginning of the Studio to 1986. And that will continue through this month, shedding more light on the 'Vintage Years'.

There was a recent recording session for Paige's next album. There will be another session this month. After a few more sessions I will begin selecting tracks for her next album, still due out this fall (which at this point is starting to come into view).

The Equipment File will move from guitars to keyboards this month.

The Studio Chapter feature will continue chronicalling the different eras and names of the Studio.

But the BIG news of April is the release of the next Mune Mud album. The press release was posted on March 25 and a preview song will appear later this week on the blog. And one week from today the album will be released. On the same day the Precursory 33 official website will come online. At the site you will be able to listen to and download most of the album. This will be the first time an Online Album has been available.

And following on the heels of that album is another project being considered for 2008. More on that will be announced at a later date. Equinox.

As I set a few more irons in the fire, I close this month's update and look forward to seeing what next month brings. . .