Thursday, August 27, 2009

Mixing begins

If you've been following the Throttle Body Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/jerryhammack), you'll know that recording is more or less complete and that the mixing of the new album has begun.

I've been reading a lot about how The Beatles' engineers at Abbey Road in London mixed their sessions and have been applying that knowledge to these tracks. In particular, I've been starting the process by mixing everything to MONO. Yes, you read it right - not STEREO, not 5:1 SURROUND...to MONO! The idea is, if you can articulate the instruments and vocals when they are stacked upon each other and have them sound great, then the STEREO mix is a slam dunk.

Ten of the twelve original Beatles albums were mixed this way, and they sound killer to this day. Each mix is taking about two days of work to get right, but I'm really pleased with the results. I'm sure you will be too.

I'm even considering releasing this session as a Deluxe set, including both MONO and STEREO mixes of the sessions. What do you think?

Stay tuned for news of a new title for the album too!

Cheers!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Mother's Eyes complete


Dan Ruiter rocks the coronet on "Mother's Eyes"
A little late on the session update, but the heat here in Seattle will do that to you - make you lethargic. Dan Ruiter completed the drum track for "Mother's Eyes" on the 23rd of last month, before the miserable 100 degree temps hit the area. Not only did he complete a tight drum track, but he also added a beautiful coronet solo to the tune on the same night. Completely his idea of course - and a great one at that. Drum sessions are set to proceed tomorrow night. Stay tuned!

Cheers - Jer