We've been working like crazy. Practice last week was 4 days straight (Tuesday - Friday) with a big ass old-school BBQ with the crew here Saturday, Easter Sunday with Dave, Frank, kids and my family on my mom's property on the Guadalupe, and Monday off, then back to work yesterday. Beginning Tuesday of last week, we started that pre-production work we have been talking about. We routed all the drums and guitars through the mixer, then went to track one of our Boss BR-8. It took a few tries and experimenting with mic placement & EQing to get it solid. I then put a track of bass down - ran through my Line 6 Bass Pod. Dave started laying down an additional rhythm track for added definition last night. I have to go back and do all my bass effects and layers, then Jared's up next. We hope to finish up all vocals and extras and have the final package to Keith by May 1st so he has a month to let it fester.
Is that metal or what?!?! I slapped my bass and it slapped me back. |
The stuff is not perfect - we were just trying to capture the groove for tempo maps and to give Keith a platform to jump off ahead of time for some creative recording/mixing ideas. Dave is set to keep recording rhythm tracks tonight. The cool thing with all this is, for me at least, I can feel myself becoming more in-tune with the songs the more I play them and can feel them tightening up. I'm also happy to have something solid to write my basslines too. Because I'm unable to practice as much as the guys, it's been a little tough to keep up from a creative aspect, but having this HELPS A LOT.
The plan is to head out to Kristal's tonight to check out Course of Ruin, Brotherhood, Lokey and Before the Bloodshed. It's a task to get out these days though - Frank has his daughter all week and we expend all our babysitting for practices. We'll see what happens - we're at the mercy of my sister. Anyone who feels the need for a good metal show should go to Kristal's to check out some talent! Dave and I haven't been there yet but look forward to hearing this grand sound that promotes - it's the old Sneaker's on Perrin-Beital. It should be good - we're heard nothing but great things about Kristal's.
Happy 420!!!!
Jen
