Last week, I lay down some pretty basic drum tracks in the Sunken Monastery. Once I was happy with the quality of the performance, I lay down a bass track. But then every other time I’d listen back, the thing seemed to have no rhythm what so ever. Then it got cold, very cold. So I went back down to the Monastery and started beating on the drums to get some indoor exercise. I soon realized I could play that drum part better so bass track be damned, I did another take. Then I noticed the kick drum track was humming and traced it back to the Joe Meek compressor so I had to redo again. Ran the kick too hot. Recorded again. Now I think I got something but need to step away, clear my brain.
So it’s taken a week to maybe get a drum part down. At this rate, I hope I finish a piece by 2010.
BTW, my snare sounds like a possum in a wheelbarrow, what the hell can I do to it? I think I’m mic’ing it alright. It sounds shitty in the room too so I don’t think it’s the mic’s.
Kick drum could probably be a little dead-er and I think I know how to fix that. It’s also noisy and oddly creaky in its metal parts. I need a good mic too. I’m watching Sennheiser mic’s on eBay, just waiting for a good deal.
Around the House
I bought one of these. It has been a blast to play. Ukele is very easy to pick up for a guitarist since the standard tuning is the same as the top four guitar strings, except it’s tuned up (d becomes g) and the fourth string is thinner and an octave high.
Originally I bought a much less expensive uke but it proved un-tune-able. This Lanikai sounds amazing. I’m going to record with it soon. Thinking about a children’s album (surprised?).
Chicago Photo Section
The Hideout, Chicago – December 14th, 2008
Around Town
Metal is one of the most popular rock genres of all time but I had no idea the metal cuisine was equally loved until I tried to get in at Kuma’s Corner. Kuma’s is a nondescript Chicago corner bar by outward appearance, terrific hamburger joint set to a metal soundtrack on the inside. However getting a seat is difficult. I finally got a chance to try the place this month – I ordered to go.
I got the Slayer which is a huge burger topped with chili, andouille sausage and a bunch of other stuff. Tricia had the Mastodon which is their BBQ offering. Both were awesome.
This weekend Kuma’s is hosting a Doom Fest at the Double Door. Looks like a good one, gonna try to make it Saturday night.
Can’t go Sunday because I’ll be on my way to H-town. I’ve never been more ready to get down there too. It’s Clara’s first Christmas for one thing. It’s also been the coldest December I can remember and getting colder; supposed to get down to -4 by Monday. They tell me it’s cold in Houston too, but they don’t know cold.
While your mileage may vary due to parenting style, I can attest that the easiest way to get a table at Kuma’s when it’s crazy busy—as you’re aware, that’s most of the time—would be to bring Clara with you. Give the Dark Throne a try the next time you make it there. I once saw Nevin, Mary, and Miller (who I’m 99% sure you know via Norah) get seated near immediately on a night where there was hardly room to walk between the tables.
I wish i had more to say about yoru recording project. All i can think about is, what are you trying to record drums for? whats the context? is it for some kind of break-beats you are going to create on the computer upstairs? is it for a particular song? just to play around with the drums and recording equipment?
I started out with the idea to record drums on the 8 Track, drop that to digital and work digital from there on but I only used 5 tracks for the drums and couldn’t resist using them all up.
The idea is to form a song from the ground up and yes get comfortable again with the recording gear.
I see a post idea forming (one that I’m afraid of) which deals with the old-dog/new-tricks problem. Maybe just turn that around and ask you guys to give me boundaries.
The drums for the record we are finishing were done with one over head mike and one mike in front of the set. Actually there were two overhead, but not meant to be used as stereo, but more in order to have the option to use one or the other. The one in front was used as a safety in case we needed more bass drum. But the idea was to capture a ‘from above’ feeling (heavy in the cymbals and snare, soft on the bass drum). So nothing fancy, just a good drumset in a good room with a couple of good mikes. It seems there are infinite ways to record drums and the first thing I would try to figure out is what you are going for.
Then again, there is a lot to be said for experimenting with what you have and figuring out the best way to put it to good use. If I was you i would start with just one mike, and record the drums with the mike in every possible location in the space floor to ceiling, near to far. That to me seems like a complex enough project.
That does sound like a good technique.
I have separate tracks for snare and kick in this case because it’s a straight forward dance beat and I want to play around with those specific instruments (compression, reverb, eq, effects).
In fact I only set up hi-hat, snare and kick – I’ll add in other percussion as needed. Noticed that the toms and cymbals give off a lot of unwanted sound when they are not being played, but are in vicinity of the rest of the drum kit. Dismantled all that stuff completely.
Your post draws to mind Hoek’s Death Metal Pizza up in Austin. That is the best pizza I’ve ever had. And while we ate it we listened to Cannibal Corpse or some other equally genius band.
I need to try the Slayer, that sounds incredible. Wish I could make that festival.
Gonna be out and about here in H-Town by any chance?
I’d give you tips on recording but I am totally lost in that world.
The Dark Throne does sound good as does the Neurosis.
The Judas Priest is fitting, but damn if I don’t think it sounds tastey too: JUDAS PRIEST Bacon, Bleu Cheese Dressing with Apples, Walnuts, and dried cranberries
John – I’ll be out and about, looking for my slapping from Mr. Crane. I’ll write you.