Drum Solo, distant Pulsars, Piano, guitar solo, nice mix, deep bass

could all describe one of my recent single releases, "Last Call".
For sale here http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/last-call-single/id452757388 or free under the music tab above :)

Mackie HD1501 update

I continue to be in love with the active subwoofer for my live kit. And twice now the new inclusion has saved the show, no really! A few weeks ago there was a miscommunication between the performers and the stage crew, they expected us to have our own sound system - at a 500 person theater - DOH!!! Ouch. Not good. We didn't bring it. But since I was carrying the 12 channel mixer that I run the Sub through we were able to patch into the main sound system there and make it work. Good thing too. Then the other night the band used the little mixer again in a pinch. I don't like the sound going directo from mic to speaker, not a great idea, low gain, poor tone. But running through the mixers preamps with very little eq adjustment and then on the the HD1501 is a wonderful thing.

Latest Electronic work, "Only What you Say", will be available in the next week!!! The epic work hails from the genre of Progressive House / Trance. Youtube version up in the next couple of days, see Windrider707 link in FRIENDS (below, to right).

NC Mountain State Fair

I'll be playing at 5pm at the Bojangles Stage, Friday, September 15th I believe.....will update. Gnarly drum solo included - :)

Wnc ag center-

killer tenors Blue Devil Drumline

Well, round these parts drumline gets rocking tomorrow morning 9 am. Here's an either inspiring or depressing look at a killer tenor line - and bass - and snare - well, everything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk11f4ZB41c&feature=related

This Saturday, Brevard High School

Rockin some civil rights era tunes at BHS this Saturday with Kat Williams. Also featuring various keynote speakers and conversations on race relations, including one woman who was in the Birmingham Church when it was bombed back in the day! I think you can get tickets at 828-884-2091.

"Soetoro", with live vid of drum track recording

Soetoro

The song "Soetoro", released this week, will be available for download SOON.  It takes a few days to show up on itunes and others.  Check back.  Other tunes available under the MUSIC tab.

To watch the live drum recording click this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HViXx7v0aTM

First Show with Mackie HD1501 Sub

I would have waited until I had more time in with this speaker system, but it sounded so good tonight I wanted to post it.  It's just what I hoped it would be.  I was spoiled by the impossible-to-transport older Mackie sub box, the 18".  But the 15" is real nice for that desperately needed bass.  Mic placement seems to be the key factor in the whole setup.  I was running at 70% power, just barely running into the yellow light on the subwoofer, and playing outdoors for maybe 200-250 people.  It tightened up the band, saved my foot a lot of work, and kept folks on their feet for the duration.  It even took a few specks of rain - but thankfully I wasn't the only one wondering about how well cymbals conduct electricity.  Or otherwise influence lightning.  But we setup immediately under cover and kept going.  The sound wasn't as perfect for lack of time to fine tune, but it was still great, and simple.  Just be careful, if someone moves your eq be sure to check the trim knob before turning on...

Kick Drum help

Two misconceptions about kick drum sound and mic-ing. One; turning up the low end on the eq will solve a 'lack of bass' problem.  In fact, a good drum with a good mic in the right place will sound full and great with minor tweaks on the eq.  Two; a looser bass drum batter head means lower, punchier sound.  In fact, the words punchy and low are two distinct frequencies, complementing one another.  Experiment with a tighter batter head and various light muffling of the resonant head to reduce overtones. 

A punchy bass with a head tight enough to bounce the kick pedal on, combined with a well placed mic with minor eq tweaking (off mids, a little high boost, maybe a 'little' low) means one thing - killer live sound.

Of course, then you need a good system. :/

p.s. - opinions on kick drum tuning mics and eq and fx are like....well, everyone has one.  Of course, some ARE better than others.