It's November 23rd, 2020 and things seem to be slightly dangerous outside my window...still. However, at least it's getting worse, right? We have that. 

I've been working, daily, on, what will most likely be, my last album - When You Let Go - and I have to say, everything I set out to do when this project started to come together in my head, has slowly but surely come to fruition. There have been several pleasant surprises along the way and as it stands today, I have 44 songs recorded (that would be ALL instrument tracks are recorded). The funny thing is that the upcoming album is planned to include nine songs. Yea. Just nine, but there are reasons for that which I will get into at a later date.

A couple people have emailed and asked what tools I'm using to produce the new album. I decided awhile back to keep it as simple as possible without losing sound quality. So, I have a MacBook Pro running Pro Tools. I am using the Universal Audio Apollo Twin | X interface (which I love). Glyph Technologies hard drives and docking stations and a separate Acer monitor. Software-wise, other than Pro Tools, it's Native Instrument's Komplete. I am also using Ample Sound's Upright Bass (Ample Bass Upright III) that is simply amazing. Period. It sounds SO good. I am also using a few plugins from SofTube and Toontrack. EZ Drummer 2 and EZ Mix (which, honestly, I don't need, but there's this Mick Guzauski set of mixing presets that have been quite helpful). 

All of that stuff is all well and good, but because of the current recording situation - setting up a makeshift studio where I live...which is a shitty townhouse with dividing walls that do nothing more than stand there - headphones have become the most important piece of equipment. I use Audio Technica ATH-M50x Professional Studio Monitors and for my work, they are simply the best. Even working in an environment that is less than quiet, I am able to focus on what's being recorded while neighbors, overhead attic exhaust fans, and road noise pound their way into my recording/living space (yes, it really IS that bad). I also have a nice pair of KRK Rokit 5 monitors, but haven't turned them on once. It would be pointless. I look forward to the day I get to turn them on and UP a bit. 

So the plan is to keep recording through the end of 2020 and then the picking of the tracks starts sometime next spring. There are a few things happening in between the end of this year and the end of next spring that require my full attention and also, will have EVERYTHING to do with how I finish the album project. 

That's all for now. Stay safe. Wear a mask. Think of others...

Stay tuned...