The ShadowMusic Web Community

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

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

Pancho

I liked it too. Great production.

Hi Tony,

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

Regards,
Len

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

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.

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

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.

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