Miranda - Tolo

[tolo]

Hello all,

This was one of the very first original tunes I recorded in my little studio.... I have re-recorded all of the guitar parts on it (with my new Strat!) and remixed it totally now that I am getting better at both the technology and playing in general!! This one was the first instrumental I wrote for my lovely lady....another one on the way using classical guitar...but this one kind of reflects her on many levels. She likes it - and I hope you do too...

Hoping that everyone is very well,

Best,

Tony.

http://www.box.net/shared/857kg4iyqj

[panchodiaz]

It´s a beautiful tune, Tony. I liked it very much. Thanks.

Pancho

[Mikey]

I liked it too. Great production.

[Lensor]

Hi Tony,

That was a nice full-sounding piece from you once again. I liked it.

Regards,
Len

[Martyn]

Hi Tony,
Yet another masterful production in your unique style.
Could you enlighten us as to what's involved in producing such an intensely powerful sound in terms of equipment etc - and what's the new strat you've bought?
Kind regards,
Martyn

[tolo]

Thanks Martyn - very kind words...

No real formula really - I just work on it until it sounds okay!! All of the electric guitars are recorded through Amplitube 3 - (not a real amp in sight).... the acoustic tracks straight into Pro Tools - with compression, eq and verb.... I use PT8 as my host. Then it comes down to recording the other parts using virtual instrument samples - played in real time on a midi keyboard though in order to keep the feel 'real'. I guess the drums take the longest - but they are a crucial part of everything sounding natural... I think a good musical arrangement is key to everything.

I mix everything on headphones (a lot of professionals don't recommend that - but I like it, it helps me 'zone' in)...

The real beauties are the guitars themselves though - its hard not to get a good sound from them! My latest is a Fender Custom Shop 1960 Stratocaster Relic in white...it is a thing of wonder. Sometimes I just go upstairs to look at it!!

Glad you like the tunes anyway - thats the important thing...

Keep very well,

Tony.

[tonykiek]

Hi Tony,

It is truly inspiring to hear this fabulous piece Tony. As a midi file arranger/producer myself, I find your work to be certainly in the upper echelon of this style that I have heard. Congratulations. I'm sure both Pierrre T and Malcolm Mc would be proud to have authored this.

Not only is the melody very captivating and fresh, but the overall production is something very special. I really like this piece, and it would make a wonderful theme for a movie such as Bilitis which has that air of romanticism and mystery about it.

Tony Kiek
Jindabyne Studios

[tolo]

Tony - thanks for this. I am a great fan of your work, so it means a lot...

Have been thinking a lot about mixing on 'phones - what are your views on this? And what 'phones do you recommend for mixing specifically - not just monitoring?

Thanks and best wishes...

Tony.

[tonykiek]

I don't use 'phones except whn I'm playing keyboards live with a band so that I can tune/tweak my audio output without going through the PA/mixer.

When I mix audio in my studio I start by playing the midi through my Yamaha synth/arrangers (PSR3000/Tyros and Motif XS7 boards) via my PC using a Soundblaster Xtreme HiFi sound card into my Samson studio monitors. Once the tune is recorded (I always use either Audacity or Sonar Pro.) I then I play it through my Panasonic Hi Fi speakers (12 inch) such as would be used for a home CD system as most of the audios are going to be burned onto CD for clients. I also play the audio through my theatre Bose surround sound system which doesn't tell me much but it sounds great; then I play it through my Phonic (USA) 800 watts per channel PA system almost flat out (I have a totally sound proof studio underground so it doesn't bother anybody) which is similar to what a live band would use. Each system sounds different.

The final master production is always a balancing act between these various sound systems and the human ear. Many people have differnt frequency responses in their hearing, and you can't please everybody. Personally I am particularly sensitive to higher frequencies, so I like to tweak/EQ on the advice of other pros such as George Lewis and Baz Woollett who have different likes and dislikes.

I don't use sound fonts, ProTools or any other audio software as I have everthing I need already on my workstations.

That probably doesn't help much so if you want to chat further please email me at tonykiek@hotmail.com