Saturday, Mars Hall got here around 9am, and we proceeded in much heavy lifting and vehicle stuffing with recording studio equipment. Sadly, my shockmount rack doesn't fit in the car. Actually, I'm surprised we fit so much into the car as is. I need a hitch or something, but I'm wary of a small, front wheel drive car pulling a trailer, even if it's really small.
After dismantling the studio rack down to only essential individual components, we were off. Got to the Dead Somber's practice room around 10:30am, unloaded and set up the main console table. Then, after shuffling through options of why the studio computer wasn't booting up or giving out a video signal, we figured out that the power supply had shorted (12:00pm). All in all, it worked out pretty cool. After an 45 minute drive for the band to grab some money, and another 45 for Fry's to give us the wrong power supply, and another 45 back to find out it was the wrong one, and then quite a bit of running around to get the right one and get it installed, we at least got to hang out a lot. By 6:30 we were actually setting up mics on the drums. By 9pm we had sound checked everyone and pressed record.
It was not the first time I had recorded someone live, but it was the first we had such a complex set up. I was very proud of our monster of a machine and our more than awesome software as I abused it a bit, but it took it all too well. 17 simultaneous inputs, with 6 outs- 2 to the main PA, 2 to the drummer's headphones, and 2 to the main studio mix. That's 23 simultaneous in/out in use and absolutely seamless recording. Granted, we're suppose to be able to go up to 256, but I've never pushed over 8 at once during an actual recording. And certainly never had so many sub mixes. Also, recording a full set live, fully mic'd, and it sound like an in-studio recording, is a really cool feeling. Add the multi-colored fan light in the new power supply, and you have a party.
We were done by 2am, unpacked back at home by 4am. Rubbing off dirt, and ridding our lungs of dust and cat hair for the next two days. I hate allergies. But, as I mix the recording, I feel that it was worth every minute. Tomorrow, I clean each wave individually, and then master the final. And that will be the wrap up for our first gig that we're actually getting paid in full for.
The rest of the week, I will be finishing up beats for Marco. He wants 5 this week. I finished one last week before the rest of life took over. I have 3 more that the drums are ready for music, and about 20 more waiting to lay the drums down. I'm pushing him to finish his album before Christmas, so we're sure to have the bills paid for the rest of the year (survival anyway). We also just confirmed another concert date. The day after thanksgiving is our next, but we just got a New Year's Eve date as well! Now to start planning January.
Next week, we're off to Dallas. We should be driving up Tuesday to see my Aunt and Uncle. While there, we hope to see Cleetus and Nichole of Deliverance Bible Church (Nation of the Underground) again, along with Cheryl (our favorite person in the world), and then head over to my sister-in-law's parents house for Wednesday night and Thanksgiving. We have to drive back Thursday night in order to devote the next day to our concert and art show. So, next week is full. Sunday and Monday are our free days. So, if you want to catch us, it will have to be this week, or this coming weekend, otherwise it will be going into next month.
Does anyone know if Texas has a different contract for exclusive copyright permission than the one I have from a company in NY? I wouldn't think so, but then again, Texas law gets quirky sometimes, and I want to be sure I sign my songs over to Marco ligit.