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!

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

Faces of Throttle Body - Dan Ruiter

Dan Ruiter is the club's newest member, being a fantastic drummer and having previously worked with Jerry in both the Joe Arrants Band and Dry Bones, Dan brings the groove (as well as a little dose of joy every time he plays).

Let there be drums

Dan Ruiter officially joined the Club last night as he tracked drums, bongos, tambourine and cowbell on "Girl" and "Safe" for the new Throttle Body session. The Seattle studio was brimming with groove as Dan suffered through take after take while your friendly producer worked hard to tear down every natural, instinctive groove he had. Here's a sample of the comments:

"Ok, add a snare hit with that..."

"Hmmm, now that I hear it, maybe two hits right there..."

"Do you think you could give me a little roll of the cymbals there the first time, but the second time, just play through?"

"I liked that, but lets do it again." (repeat 17 times)

Ahhhh the joys of club membership!

Scotch 45 update - all vocal tracks completed

Wow - I guess I should check how long it's been, but actually, I'm really happy - the vocals are all in the can! Tonight I recorded "Safe", "Mother's Eyes" and "Reminders of You" in a marathon five hour session. My throat is dead. Still and all, I'm diggin the results and of course with the vocals, the sessions are almost completed.

Now onto the drum tracks, which I'll be playing along with Dan Ruiter. Haven't decided quite who will play what yet, but it's bound to be rockin!

We're on track for an end of Summer release to iTunes, Amazon and the like worldwide!

Guess it's time to start revising the website for the new release!

Cheers!

"Love Is A Heavy Load" vocals completed

Just like the title says, making good progress now that I'm back from Arizona and back focused again. This song took a lot of takes to complete. It's a single, intimate vocal and since it is so out front in the song, I tried to pay attention to every nuance of the notes I was singing.

I don't talk about it a lot, but it's difficult to produce, engineer and record yourself. The thought processes for each skill are not exactly similar. Producers want something interesting and powerful happening in each song - making the most of the moment. Engineers just want it to technically sound right and to technically capture the intent of the producer. The performer just wants to play the best they can. Sometimes the producer is an ass and and I just want to go home - or the take is perfect, but the engineer screwed it up...

Well, at least I wont have to work with these clowns on this session for too much longer!

"Hole In My Heart" vocals in the can

While not the epic progress that I made the other day on the vocals for the session, "Hole in My Heart" was in the can yesterday after about three hours of singing. The vocals ended up comprising seven parts in all, and I have begun to take my approach to them from my days working with Michael Lord.

Here's the deal: sing the song - the whole song. Sing it like you mean it. Sing the whole song like you mean it until you think you like it. Then listen to every bit of it in isolation, line by line. Don't like a line? Then fix it. Once the lead vocals are done, I'll go through for any doubling of the lead I want to hear or primary harmony, then add backing vocals and harmonies and kaboom - seven vocals tracks are suddenly there to manage, and I'm a step closer.

How did I ever think I would finish this in April? Crazy.