Neurojack Studios

This is a litty thing I cranked out last evening for my brother-in-law’s birthday. I would have liked to have had more time to work on it, but the birthday was today, and I doubt I will be revisiting this anytime soon (if ever).

He had mentioned to me a few days ago that he was interested in learning the guitar and was asking me for some advice. I got to thinking that it might be nice to record a little song for him for his birthday, which would either possibly inspire him, or scar him for life! Also, I thought it would be a good way to start using all that new gear I just purchased.

The end result is: “Happy Birthday”.

There exists another version with both my wife and I singing along, but I shall spare you fine folks that torture. The wife did fine, but I still don’t really have the knack for recording or mixing vocals. Besides, what I have posted here is bad enough… the first 30 seconds alone should prove that!

The main point though, is that all the guitars and bass were run through my new GFX3000 and the drums are “live” (though still electronic). No MIDI though! Woot!

Clearly I need to work on my timing, but I still think the end result is more varied and “alive” than any of my previous MIDI programmed drum tracks. There are some issues with the mix as well, but hey … you get what you pay for!

Enjoy! (hopefully).

I had a wee bit of a shopping spree this last weekend. I’m suddenly quite a bit poorer … but I think it was worth it.

New items include:

Digitech GNX3000 Guitar Workstation
Roland TD-3SV V-Drum Kit
Ibanez RD500 Electric Bass
Yamaha MG16/4 Mixer

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image:

For those who don’t know … Emilie and I just finished being in a play. We had a five week run (three performances a week) and a couple months of rehearsals before that. The play was Enchanted April, based upon the popular novel from about 80 years ago. There were also two movies based upon the book. Emilie played Lottie (the lead), and I played her husband Mellersh. In preparation we also attended a speech class for actors every saturday for a month.

Frankly I was surprised I was able to pull it off … especially since the set piece of the play involves me running out half naked and dripping wet wearing only a towel and an open silk bathrobe.

Tonight was the last show. I never thought I could do it, but I prevailed and it was done. The cast party was a mellancholly event that stretched on for hours. I enjoyed it immensely. I’m really going to miss spending so much time will all these wonderful people (you know who you are).

For a guy who spends far too much time in his room screwing around on the computer or playing guitar … I really felt like this was a growing experience for me. I think I just might have made some new friends during all this. Certainly, I met plenty of interesting people.

As a consequence … I have committed myself to doing a christmas bit called “A 15 Minute Christmas Carol” where I get to play three roles! We will be performing several times at the Mall, and several more times at the Bandon Dunes.

Furthermore, I have also commited myself to trying out for “Romeo And Juliet” … the next Waterfront Player’s production. Auditions are a week from tomorrow and I have to memorize a two minute monlogue! Yikes!

Well … I’m starting to feel a bit like Doogie Howser here so I should wrap this whole thing up.