Steven McNair

GEAR Review.

2009-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Blog readers. Here's a couple gear reviews I wrote up for one of the Audio recording and gear forums I'm active in. This is strictly tech so watch out. :) (also, the reviews are written in a GP way so don't mind the straight up talk) PTL, I'm so thankful for your supply, Jesus.

FOCUSRITE OCTOPRE LE.
(May 31st 2009)Hello Studio central, I've learned too much from Y'all over the years, and I'm making a living Mixing and Producing records. As everyone else here, I'm always adding gear to the rack, and I though I'd do a review of one of the latest additions to the rack. I chose the Octopre LE as I haven't seen much on Focusrite platinum products here.

History:
One of my weak point's is preamps. I have A GT brick, pre's on the 828MKII, JOEMEEK 3Q....and the preamp's in the mixing desk Which has gotten me by without complaint from Clients. I have used A Joemeek oneQ and Focusrite Twintrack pro in another studio several times. I saw this Used for 30,000 yen or Just under 300$, and Since I was Still in the market for a 8ch pre (I was so close to buying a Yamaha MLA8 or similar a couple times But chose to put the money Into other things that go toward a well rounded recording studio) and I HAD the money, I went ahead a bought it, figuring I can't lose with that price. (The unit is 669$ new as of now) and I used the twintrack pro which sounded good enough- though I didn't get too critical at the time.

First Impressions:
I did a little shootout with all my preamps as soon as it showed up. Self noise noise at +60DB was around -70db.
It is bright. It's not really subtle either, It is just a bright preamp. talking through a 57 at first it sounded real great. BUT I was wary. I tried my brightest rode NT-2 mic, and then I preferred the brick. I figured though, In most of the mixes I do, I find my vocal tracks need a bit of air or 3K boost. Or both. I tryed making lots of "ssss" sounds and listening closely to the differences. Now this was subtle, but it sounded as if the higher frequencies running through the focusrite were being compressed. they were slightly less open and loose then what the Brick was doing. The focusrite sounded...How do I put it...Ever sooooo slightly, the highs sounded hyped in a lispy sort of way. Now I was comparing two very different preamps, and there was no song context to really make decisions on, so I left it there for the first day. Basically I thought the highs could get me in trouble in a couple spots, as I wanted to be able to track vocals through it when I wanted a super clean (not brick) sound. Good impressions would be the body of the sound was pleasant, and didn't break up. The Image was relatively tight and focused. I couldn't really tell a difference in breakup of the body of the sound compared to the brick try as I did, and that was encouraging. So essentially we have a clean forward image, but highs hyped not in a good way.

In Actual Use.
A week After the unit came in, I got to work. A friend and I were recording 5 Brit-punk and "Madchester" songs for a software soundtrack. Obviously, first order of the day was drums. Standard SM57s, Beta52, and Rode NT-5s covered the kit. We noticed...There are NO pad switches. OH NO. Setting levels, the Clip indicator on the unit was not lighting up, however the snare was being clipped on the big hits. We thought that to be strange. But, what's more strange, we did not hear ANY distortion. we tryed to. We pumped the gain up a couple DB until the focusrite was clipping each snare hit fairly hard, and we listened for the type of distortion it was giving the signal. But...I really didn't hear any. It sounded like a limiter on each channel. Anyway, sounds strange, but we had work to do SO we brought the gain back down and recorded drum with some of the hits being clipped off by the focusrite. Right there, No pad switch is a High Minus for the unit. The weird part is, In the mix I once again really tried to hear the distortion that was supposed to be there. But...It really sounded cleanly recorded. I don't know why this is, But the drums were easy enough to work with in the mix, and there was really, absolutely no noise. The hyped Highs didn't work negatively at All. So on drums, the conclusion is: The octopre is doing something- either limiting, or overloading and clipping the tracks. But Even when we tried to visually get something Big and Bad going on, It still sounded fine. What?
Vocals: We used the brick for most of the tracks on this project, But 2 songs I wanted a cleaner sound. I also just wanted to try this thing out.
Tracking was great, so into the mix: Lets just say it was necessary to De-ess pretty much all the tracks. I ended up wanting more 4k in my tone and the Focusright sound didn't help. But after the DE-esser, the Image was what I wanted: A Clean in your face track. It worked like I expected it to, Thank God.
My friend and I were curious about Not being able to hear the clipping on the drums, so We pushed a vocal track real quick so the focusrite was really leveling my singing. Sung real loud for a bit, then we listened. And again, Strange, but we could not hear the clipping. It only sounded limited. there is none of that horrible preamp clipping sound I get with my other preamps. It remains a clean sound....Just totally crew cut. There MUST be a limiter in the Octopre. which sadly...for me Is a Minus. I would have preferred a simple pad switch. Anyway, for Vocals this didn't come into play as we kept the signal under clipping.

In Closing:
Well, I have it. So I have to make it work. I am happy with it, but I paid 300$. If I bought it new, I would be disappointed. I hope there are better 8ch preamps out there for the price. If someone is buying new for their studio, I would NOT recommend this piece. If your getting the deal I did, I would.
Things I like about it, are
1: it's clarity. It is clear and rather in your face (partly to do with the compressed sounding highs) If you watch the highs in the mix, Its a clean image that is easy to move around. The body doesn't have that "Phasey" cheap preamp sound. Then again, this is what It is supposed to do.
2: Looks. Shiny! Rest of the rack is dull colors so this is nice.
3: the 1/4 channel inputs on the front. I want to plug an effector or synth or Keyboard into the DAW, there's my jacks right there on the face of the unit, rather then having to go back in the rack.
Don't like:
1: No Pad switches. In that case I'm glad it doesn't distort when Clipped, I guess. But I would have preferred a Pad.
2: The Highs. While possibly alright in Angry music where you want the punchy highs, This unit would probably sound pretty cheap on a jazz Vocal, for instance. Also I can see a Mix getting a little frayed in the top end if one was to record all the tracks through this. The hype in the highs sounds like it has the potential to make things tough for the a super critical ear, If you aren't careful."sss's" tend to get the brunt of the "character" this pre has to offer. It's not bright in the sense that It sounds "EQ'ed"- It's doesn't have so much of an overall brightness- Its more of the way the Preamp Color's the highs that are in your signal already with a sort of compressed sound. Of course it's subtle though. I doubt most folks would deduce this unless they were in the business for a while.
This Preamp Is the same preamp in all of the focusrite platinum products. (like the twin track pro for example) So parts of this review could help shoppers for focusrite's Channel strip options out as well.

For 669$...
5 out of 10.

YAMAHA HS80M.
Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:26 pm

Hello once again to all Studio central Long-timers.
For newer members, here’s a brief background on your reviewer:

I Have In-studio tracking or mixing experience with Yamaha Ns-10ms, Event tr-5, Event 20/20BAS, Event ASP6, JBL 4410a, JBL 4410, JBL 4412, KRK V4.
I am currently a more or less self-employed Semi-fulltime Studio geek doing all sorts of things.

YAMAHA HS80M

I was looking around for a set of 8 inch Speakers to complement my Event-tr5s and 10 inch mid field JBL4410a. After a few months of quietly making my mind and asking questions, I went for these guys. The Bass extension was low enough, and the price was right- not to mention the Brand name. Yamaha, in my mind, has always put consistently Great products out in pretty much every area. I wanted a “Mid range” monitor speaker. As in- not the Cheapest Budget 8 inchers, And I didn’t quite want the plus 1k “professional” systems. Sure, if I didn’t need to put aside for a new drumset, But hey, this is the real world. This was the choice in that price range that stood out for NO1, Price and Support in Japan for MIJ products Is always easier, NO2, Prices for Yamaha are Lower here VS the other choices, and NO3…The White cone. For real NO3 was simply all the great reviews I’ve been hearing from a lot of places on the net (Take those with a grain of salt….People tend to “love” what they decided to buy)
So, they show up, Nice Boxes, Nice packing, Yeah whatever. Plug them in, Get all set up. The first track I ran through them was Plus44’s “When Your Heart Stops Beating”. First impressions are naturally good. First thing I thought was the stereo field was wider then what I was used to hearing from the same position where I used to stand the Tr-5. I like the way the low end felt, but that’s to be expected from any half-decent active 8in woofer. After a bit more listening and A/B/Cing, I Decided the High trim switch needed to come down 2db desperately. They must have added the “plus 2db” option for 70 and 80 year olds with hearing loss….or something. God forbid I ever engage that. These Speakers are Bright! After the -2db switch, Things sounded right in the highs. Still a Bit shrill around 3K, but after using the -2db switch at 2k, The speakers Sounded too warm: I brought 2k back to flat, and I figured this must be where they incorporated the NS10 sound into the HS80.

MIX:

I got to work the Next day, to see how my first mix on these would come together. This mix was one of 12 mixes I’m doing for a Texas rock band. It’s just standard hard rock. They recorded the Tracks at home with some phase and tone Issues: Well…..I guess that’s my job. The Lead vocal also had a lot going on right at 2K, a pretty aggressive tone. Mix did not come together easily. I can’t blame the HS80’s though, and I Don’t. At what I thought was the end of the mix, I started A/Bing with commercial tracks, and realized my mix was very shy in the 3-4K area, something that doesn’t happen with my other system. Guitars weren’t thin, but just had the treble sitting funny. I don’t know how much is fault goes to the fact that I’m on new speakers and my ears are hearing something else, OR the fact that this was a new band and they had different sounding tracks that were tough to work with. Probably both. I had the do the mix again a different day, this time in a real world using the HS-80 AND my friends of 4 years the Tr-5.

2 weeks later:

Low end on the HS80m is nice, not very “deep” as it was “warm”. They seem to work well in conjunction with my other speakers in spatial imaging. They also Sound the best out of my 3 systems, the JBL’s being a 3way mid field monitor I never quite got used to that sound Very clear and Smooth, very silky and pleasing (especially now to the HS80) . The HS80 are Harsh. It’s true, it sounds to me like their mid-2db switch should have been set at 3.5k or so. It’s going to be a few more mixes before I’m sure of myself on these. It’s not insane or impossible to work with, but they follow after the NS-10 in that respect. Other then the upper mid-range, these sound very different from the NS-10. They aren’t “boxy” in the least and DO have a thump in the low end. In other points, the HS80s DO have a nice spatial quality. For Example a mix I did previously that I thought was as wide as a particular commercial track, sounded a little less wide in comparison then it sounded before. Subtle, But they reveal more about the space then my JBLs.

In closing
If you are an old school Ns10 Guy, Don’t pass these up for the harsh midrange! It was done on purpose I suppose. To everyone else, these are great speakers as far as sonic clarity and cohesive sound go. I wouldn't say they are miles ahead of any other competition, mainly because I haven't heard much of the current competition in a proper environment. But I will say I know these are a run for any makers money. I’m not too thrilled about the 3K thing, but I will get used to it. If I made it sound like 3k Is All I hear coming from the speaker, Don’t mis-understand me. Good lows, Good Middle, and Nice Highs are all there. It actually sounds Much Flatter then my Tr-5 with hyped 500htz. I’m thinking maybe because I am so used to hearing a lot of 500htz, when that’s gone in the Hs-80s it just brings out the upper mids even more.

Good Looks: white cones do add to the typical “black” look of a studio.
Good Imaging: Expose more then I am used to concerning the stereo field.
Good Bass: Not too Awesome, But warm and punchy.
Good overall sound: Crystal clear sound, with refreshingly nice response.
Hyped upper mids: There’s a lot of treble here. It doesn’t sound BAD, and in fact sounds perfect after the pad. Other sets I’ve use are also heavy on the treble like the 20/20s for example. But they don’t have the 3K of this speaker. I will most likely find myself shying away in that area when mixing the first few months.

(Update one year later)
I love these! I got used to them fast and I know them well. I've grown to like the aggression in the speaker.

9 out of 10

LOTS of recent pictures (Kando Bando)

2009-05-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

This is a gig in Makuhari a couple weeks ago.Nice Sign!
Playing Inside the next day for some sheep
View from our Hotel room about 2 weeks ago
Before the show
The show
After the Show
THEN THE CLIMAX...dinner at 9:30PM
We played at this 2-day arts festival, hosted at one of the places we busk at sometimes. This is the day one show.
Shun looking good
These guys rocked
This guy was the worst sound man I have ever seen. There was Howling, loud clicks and pops, not to mention 1 blown speaker flapping around..at least it wasn't facing the main audience. It took like 15 minutes between bands...This poor guy didn't have much experience. The girl is even plugging her ears.
The very hippie bazzar. I swear I smelled pot smoke, and sure enough theres this dude hiding behind some boxes on a table with a joint. I bought a cool T-shirt
Day 2 show
Another Recent show during golden week that got rained out
Another Golden week show, Indoors, Thank God. Crowd looks small but gig was real good and sold 13 CD's with Pay.
3 days ago, Heres the fun gig, at a jazz restaurant. The place had about 30 people each paying 4500 to come watch us and eat food and drink. Writing set lists below
Playing
About 1/3rd of the place
I think were probably singing "twist and shout" in the pic
This older man in the center really enjoyed us...gave us each a 10,000 tip, thats 40,000 Yen added onto the day (got some other smaller tips too!)...Plus 13 CD's, A meal, more networking, and a blasting fun show. And the place paid our transportation, of course. This place was in Makuhari.

NEW songs

2009-05-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, The gig's all went well, we had a gig last week were we had to play 2 hours of different music, Finally these awesome LONG shows where you feel done when it is done. Tonight we are heading up to Makuhari again to do another LONG show (probably 3 sets of 40 mins each) at a fancy restaurant. so please pray we can sells lots of CD's cause this place is only paying our transport costs...It's kind of a trial run. But it'll be fun.
Other news, for all you Japanese Christian rap fans....look to the left in the "newest music" box, where there are 2 new singles from Kibou, the Japanese rap act I am helping out. If you don't understand Japanese, download them anyway. I think it might feed your spirit through osmosis.
Maybe I'll post some pic's from a few of our recent shows soon.

2009-04-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

Ha, last night was rest night. I went up to the wing to talk to taka about something....and then...I saw them. Lego's. That's right. I spent an hour in the corner all alone...making this. Just when I was about finished someone pokes their head in all like " WHAT! we were looking for you! I gotta go get my camera!" and she did...and...Anyway. I like to think I still have some chops left over from my OC through to JT shipbuilding years.
Yep, I cut my Gorgeous locks of gold. I'm same old bald Steve again, except now with more facial hair overall perhaps. Our show today got canceled to to rain, bummer. it was in Makuhari so we were going to go to Costco for a pizza lunch. Maybe next week eh? Well at least our gig for tomorrow is still on, and we get to eat Buffet dinner at the Rotary club hotel dinner, among other things. Pray the lord can come through, and that we play well. If we impress this time it means more gigs. On the 29th, there's a good Chance Florence and I will go with Iko and crew to Primary Record's office in Shibuya, the Boss heard the song "Kibou" and wanted to meet the band, Esp Florence. Either It'll just be a good experience, Or the Lord wants to do something different....On the 1st, Friday, I'll be having a Visitor from DAG music, so pray that goes well.
The Party was Rocking. I haven't had that much fun DJing in Ages...I miss turntables so bad. Iko was kind enough to lend'm to me over the week.

HI AGAIN WORLD

2009-04-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

yo.
So.
You've all been keeping up with the SBJ website and stuff, thats where I've been. I went to tokyo for a week and I've been back for a few days, getting back into the grind. Oh, I had a Nice time a Bayside with Mas and Cherio, thanks guys for putting me up. It's always a pleasure. Well I suppose the big news is, were hosting a BIG area party tomorrow night with 43 people including SGA's kids coming over plus our own massive home's population. I managed to borrow turntables from a friend, and It's going to be a real kickass party, God willing. Pray that no marbles get thrown into the speakers or something, Yes. Speaking of our homes population, it's grown by one. JOAN from Mexico....JUST KIDDING...has moved in about 2 weeks ago and is settling in nicely. She's a terrorist. Now I have to work out, it's been 3 workouts in 4 days and I am SO SORE EVERYWHERE. I don't know...what the goal is at this point. To die and move on, or to get muscles big as... eggs? Just trying to be Honest. Well, Take care world, Please pray for me, I'm pretty swamped with PMA / SBJ / Kando Bando / WSA and then my own little moments of beer time. I love Ya'll.

Hanami

2009-04-07T06:55:00.001-07:00

Here we are last Sunday under our local tree. I ran into town and bought some 6-packs and chips while Marie headed up the guacamole team, and in the end it was a lot of fun. Everyone has to do this at least once during the spring.Nozomi, PMA mentor Looking more hot everyday
Mary and I in surrender to the camera

We tried a new Kind of Happoshu, the new Asahi cool draft. It's like 125 yen a short. For you folks in Japan, I was impressed. It's a little less bitter then my current favorite Asahi Clear, and it's basically a tad easier going down but still has some balls for a Happoshu. Try it. A shout for Asahi...No Happoshu from Suntory or Sapporro comes close! (for me...agree? dissagree?)

OK...sleep

2009-04-03T01:39:00.000-07:00

Were done phase one, we came out with 10 songs, and we will probably scrap one...which leaves ups with a few more tracks to pull out of somewhere before we start producing the actual record. But I'm sure that'll all come together.
Flor and I were going to hit the road for four days with Taka and raise some funds busking over the sakura weekend, but at the last minute Florence couldn't make it. PC home found a awesome witnessing opportunity which- If it's God's will- Includes a house... so Flor was needed. It was her hour. Alas, I'm still here...In the....studio. I pray Sakura will still be in bloom in Shizuoka next weekend. Maybe we can find something to do.

Here's Audio blog #6. This is....for real, the second EVER piece of music I EVER made. 15 years old....256 Mhtz...64 megs of Ram....and some computer speakers, all in fruity loops 2.0. I didn't know what EQ was...Those days. Anyway, just posting it because I was rummaging through my CD's not long ago and found this. This has not been tampered with at all since It was "mixed down" (to mp3 I might Add...I seem to recall not knowing what WAV. was...) then ripped off CD and encoded once again into MP3. Be careful.....It's weird.

Strawberries

2009-03-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Check it out.

Butt-wipe

2009-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Heres a Contribution from Dave in Ireland. I never would have guessed the 3 hour effort would land this. I rather like the "Avril toilet paper" bit, but I do wish the writing on the wall wasn't...brown!? ha.

VICTORY

2009-03-25T04:58:00.000-07:00

Nippon! Nippon!We won! Champs! Alright! Hey picture this, 6 of us huddled around Yumi's Cell phone with panic in our hearts...We saw Ichiro's game winning hit live on cellphone...That's a first. I think it's pretty undisputed now...esp. since en-route to the championship we beat Cuba twice. Get this:
Korea's ONLY 3 losses in the whole tournament were to Japan. Japan's only 2 losses, were to Korea. That's a lot for Asian baseball. Maybe it's something about Asian food? or like...build? or something. I talk like I'm Japanese...

Next:
PMA kickoff was great. It was fun seeing Gene and Cris, and U. Christmas. He is a psycho, but I love the guy...You rock Sir! We are Honored to have you as a mentor. My mentor lives with me, Nozomi. So that makes something easy. That night I stayed over a NODA and we had a pretty great party with tons of pasta and wine, Weeeo. Woke up without a buzz in my head, that must have just been the lords love, and we headed by train to Chiba for the soccer game where I saw the aura around Yumi's Phone and dropped all other distractions.

NEXT: Well Ladies and Gentlemen. Guess what. It's about music.
well, guess.
No. I'm not moving to mexico.
In a nutshell,
Strawberry Jam (Florence, Masa, and I) have been commissioned by the International JTB to produce a "real" Album, to be completed by August. This is cool. This is going to be Masa, Flor, and I working on something we can actually plan and write properly for the first time. We had a Skype conference today to talk about direction, and we three will get together for 3 days from next monday and to NOTHING but write songs. Hopefully write 12/13 songs within 3 days of blitz. JTB goes over lyrics, Then... I guess recording the songs, Duh. We shall see what comes out. I don't want to spill too much, Here. BUT it's going to be new to family music in a lot of ways, and God willing you'll see what I mean.
BUT yes, Anyhow, It's Official. That's pretty much my Summer, PMA and SBJ. Prayers please!

Go JAPAN!

2009-03-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

Lets win it again! Japan taking South Korea on for the 3ird time in the WBC, and they could even face each other for the 4th time if both teams advance to the semi-finals from Pool A.

SAN DIEGO -- Lightning struck twice in the same ballpark for the Japanese on Sunday.

Just like three years ago when Japan defeated the Cubans here to win the inaugural World Baseball Classic title, the Japanese defeated the islanders at PETCO Park, this time 6-0.

Once again, Japan jumped out to a big early lead and rode the strong right arm of Daisuke Matsuzaka on to victory.

"Well, against Cuba, I just thought about the [2006] finals, [pitching] like last time," said Matsuzaka, a member of the Seibu Lions then and the Red Sox now. "That's how I wanted to pitch today. It worked for me."

It worked for the Japanese, too. In this double-elimination format, they are one win away from ascending to the semifinals again, this time at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles next weekend. They'll play Korea on Tuesday night here at 11 p.m. ET as the second round continues.

Cuba, meanwhile, which has been to the finals in its last 40 international tournaments, will try to stave off elimination on Monday, also at 11 p.m., against Mexico.

Both teams are now 3-1 in this year's tournament. The Cubans, who swept through the first round without a loss, tried to take the first glitch in stride.

"Stay calm," Cuban manager Higinio Velez told fans of Cuba baseball. "We are going to come back tomorrow with our all. Nobody will win this Classic without losing any games."

In the 2006 finals, the 5-3 Japanese vanquished the Cubans, 10-6, with Matsuzaka pitching the first four innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts. That night, Japan handed Matsuzaka a 4-0 lead before he took the mound in the bottom of the first.

Less than a year later, the Red Sox paid the Lions a $51.1 million posting fee and signed the right-hander to a six-year, $52 million contract.

On Sunday, as the Japanese played small ball in the wide PETCO environs to jump out to a 3-0 lead with three runs in the top of the third, Matsuzaka was even better and proved virtually unreachable. He allowed five hits -- all singles -- whiffed eight and walked none in his six innings of work.

Dice-K threw an economical 86 pitches -- one over the second-round limit for a starter -- 61 for strikes.

The free-swinging Cubans whiffed 12 times in the game against four Japanese pitchers and didn't collect an extra-base hit until Frederich Cepeda doubled to lead off the ninth. He was still standing on second as the game ended.

"Well, yesterday, within myself, I was thinking about Cuba," Japanese manager Tatsunori Hara said. "I was thinking of outcomes and situations, but what happened today was better than that."

The tournament MVP three years ago when he went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA, Matsuzaka has added two more victories in this Classic, bringing his overall two-tournament record to 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA. He was the winner this year in Japan's opening-round second game at Tokyo Dome, defeating Korea, 14-2.

Matsuzaka also mastered the Cubans during pool play in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, pitching 8 1/3 innings of a 6-3 Japan win. That day, he allowed three earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out seven.

"I know Cuba is a good team, but particularly there was nothing I was too worried about," Matsuzaka said. "I knew that if I just concentrated, I'd have no problem."

Indeed. He's the only man in baseball history to own this trifecta: a part of the 2006 World Classic title, the 2006 Classic MVP trophy and a World Series ring with the 2007 Red Sox.

Against the highly rated Cubans in international play, Matsuzaka is now 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in three starts.

In his two years pitching for the Red Sox, he's 33-15, following an eight-year career with the Lions in which he finished 108-60. He's also 3-1 for Boston in seven postseason starts, including a Game 3 victory over the Rockies in the 2007 World Series.

Matsuzaka is still a favorite of Japanese baseball fans everywhere and certainly, at 28, an accomplished big-game pitcher.

"Matsuzaka is a well-known pitcher who has competed in many different international events, the Olympics, as well as the World Series," Velez said." We faced a wonderful pitcher today, and we did not face an unknown at all. It's a pitcher that we respect quite a bit."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Alrighty. Today's exclusive is just a little Techno version of "We love you "so-and-so" oh yes we do", with so-and-so being "Okasan" or "mom". I put this together is 4-5 hours over a year ago for a appreciation party Dance some of up boys did. You probably won't want to download this unless you are planning a foolish dance for mother's day, and you live someplace where people will understand "Okansan".

Pickup Swap and more Spoof music

2009-03-13T05:53:00.000-07:00

Back!
Hey, Shun and I took a couple hours to swap the stock Ariapro2 pickups in my Semi-acoustic to Gibson humbuckers from my now defunkt Orville by Gibson. Of course, It sound's better PTL. we took before and after recordings, and If you listen close enough on decent enough speakers, you could tell the difference...but most of you probably wouldn't care. So...PTL.
Man swapping humbuckers the right way is a nightmare. We ended up just cutting wires and taping them, but these "how to change humbucker" pages get so into the guitar it's crazy. There's always more to learn eh?
Oh, Please pray for sunny weather on Sunday. We haven't been out for a while. Speaking of out, we booked a show at a Rotary club hotel dinner, and they're paying and feeding us! YAY! We also have 2 more gigs at Bazzar (not Bizzare) events at service area's in Chiba during march, PTL.

ALSO....well....I probably shouldn't say.
How annoying is that? I really don't like it when people do that.

OK. Today's exclusive release...a parody- 0f Avril's "Girlfriend". You can probably guess...This is not GP or for children obviously. Keep this quiet and to other adults please. This was just too good to not record, so I did during a quiet time. Just for the heck of it I'll take a moment to rant: Avril is dangerous. Destructive. Evil. I know no one reading this has Any of her songs on a hard drive. If you do, I hope It's only because you are also doing a parody. She's just another artist (Ugh...no, not artist. nowadays "witch" would be more fitting probably...) with the same message, Do what thou wilt. (Everyone should know what those 4 words mean) She's even got a small pentagram tattoo on her wrist.
Anyway, Here is the link to the song, and PW is Godfrey's first and last name, no spaces. It's worth the Download!
Long live the LOL.

Kando Bando Live-In-Studio

2009-03-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Was thinking about what to post next, and well, we had these sitting on my computer after one of the places we busk at asked us to record some live songs that aren't on our CD. So they could play our music in the store, while we play outside. So one afternoon the 4 of us hooked up in the studio and recorded these 7 songs, which we play out busking quite a bit among others. 4 of the 7 ARE NOT Family songs, So these are obviously not going on the blog for people to download and listen to. I just though someone might find it interesting to hear how we play them once or twice.
So again, here's Kando Bando "busking" style without Florence (shucks)
With Taka (bass, back vocal) Shun, (guitar, back vocal) Naoto (Keys) and Me (Vocal and Cajon/Hihat) with live recording's in the studio. Each channel made it separately into the computer and the tracks were mixed later and chopped into separate songs. Hope you find these fun and inspiring (The family songs I mean, ha)

Thats:
Walk a Mile
Hey Jude
Hotel California
Love is the Sweetest Thing
Come Together
Funky Music
Time to Love

Now playing: Utility-STEM

Again, you can download at my soundclick page, here.

2009-03-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

Beautiful music video. Apparently this is from a Christian artist trying to break into Japan. Thanks Iko!

Memory Lane and Music clip #2

2009-03-06T04:16:00.000-08:00

Ha, Just came across these tucked away on my computer while I was putting together a resume.
This is back in Shiz. These first 3 pics are all from 2004, sweet 16/17. Here's Jesse ol' buddy and I building the studio desk. Man...This was all mine when I was 17. I can't thank God enough. Anyway, it was a lot of fun, and this is how the studio looked while tracking recycled, and a couple TCD songs. Notice the CDJ-800's and DJM-600 to the left? God I miss those...especially the DJM-600. Well the money I got from the sale went to...what was it again? JBL4410a? and...Sm57s? Oh that's right...a couple new cymbals and a LCD display. Was it worth it? Now...I say no.
Here I'm doing a photo shoot in the new studio. Don't ask.
My drum kit...When recording Say Goodbye or one of those recycled songs. I kinda wish for that cheap ol' 8" depth snare drum again. I can't get the same thump out of a 5 1/2" too easily.
I was...17 here in this picture as well. THAT was a fun night. You can see Mac sitting on the amp to the side waiting for masa to stop killing people with his photogenic.
I Laughed....I don't really know what I was going for with this. Anyway, 16 years old (2003) and the first ever "STEM" music on CD. God forbid. I don't even have an mp3 of some of the tracks in the CD. Bummer, they'd be good laughs. Man, I'm trying pretty hard to be rebellious here. It's even RED!!!!! There's only 5-6 copies of this CD "ever" made, (oh..."wow"...I guess) and if someones got one, Please leave a comment cause I'd like a couple tracks from it if that's cool.
Today's exclusive music clip: Something thrown together on request for XD core 08' DVD.

Sweet Video

2009-03-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

Sweet video! I laughed out loud a couple times. Now what does one have to do to get mp3's of this actual album? Anybody? Great going guys (and girls) it's a super concept and I'm mad I didn't think of this first! Jus kidding.

pps. Sorry no extra song with this post as I promised. No time at the moment to upload one, But next post will carry something.

Oh the Cost and Sansamp

2009-03-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

This is something I got the inspiration for and recorded over a year ago.
I decided that from now on- untill I run out of stuff- that with each post I make here, I will upload some audio clip/demo/track/song that I haven't put up anywhere for one reason or another. Mostly because there wasn't really a place to do so, as most of what I'll post as "unreleased tracks" aren't really "tracks" at all, as you'll see with this first example. So if you want snippets of audio for powerpoints, or are interested in some of the demo "versions" of the songs you already know, or just want a laugh, make sure you keep checking back!
This song if for all the cheese lovers around the world. (If you really want to, you can download the song from my random files page on soundclick.

In other news, Taka from our...uh....Band(s) ordered this (Image below) last week. I also picked up a cheap new toy and 3 new drum skins since the bass drum skin finally broke through.
Bass players have probably all heard of sansamp. This unit is cool because even though it has 3 digitally controlled channels, the circuit is totally analog which you don't get with most multi channel pedals. We got it because we only get warmness plugging the Bass direct into the Mixer for busking (even though it is a Hi-Z input). This thing Is made for running into a PA with an analog circuit simulating a speaker cabinet type sound, or as a Preamp/tone control Made to be fed Directly into the power amp input on a Bass amp. (lucky for Taka His Trace Elliot combo has several routing options) First impressions both into a Head and direct (IMHO) are that It has a tad too much mud around 200-250 htz, and could use a tiny kick at 60 htz. (which Taka's Graphic Eq on the amp helped with) It's still totally in the ballpark though, and I know a lot of bass players like their tone a little fatter then sounds good to me. Used it a couple days ago for a short commercial recording project, and I didn't need a preamp as this thing IS the preamp. after some really slight EQ, (of course for a different song maybe it would have sounded great as is) It sounded real nice with a touch of that light bass distortion we like to hear on a pop rock song. Taka's got the 3 channels set for Clean/Warm, Mild distortion/aggressive, and Slap.
pretty cool all in one Bass player's dream!

PMA!

2009-02-26T04:16:00.000-08:00

Yes! I'm doing it!
Heres some of my Application form Interview thing, In case anybody wants to see.
Pray for me man....

Please write a brief explanation of why you want to take this course and how you feel doing so would benefit both you as an individual, as well as your Home.

A: Well…The word says witnessing should be EVERYONES NO.1 profession ideally, so I don’t really understand why everyone isn’t trying to take PMA and it’s only a select few people. If it’s the next big training course for our Life’s ministry and will help us to reach the Family’s goals and serve God during the Offensive, we should take the course if we can.

Actually earlier this year I asked the Lord about my spiritual progress over 2008, and what the goals for 2009 are for me personally. He told me I really need to battle lethargy in several areas, and that taking the PMA would be the Impetus I need to pull out and push me into an uncomfortable place. So, to be completely Honest, I’m not taking PMA because I “want to” or am really thrilled about the massive reading list. I actually am sort of “not” looking forward to it right now, because of the Pressure and stuff that I think it will bring, Ha. Of course I know it’s a good pressure though, and I also know that I don’t really know the whole picture yet so I should make up stressful stories in my head. I am taking it because

NO 1; Being in the Family for good, It’s training I think we all need- Even if it’s hard, It’s a good hard that will change my Mentality about witnessing. So, as a Family member, I think It’s common sense to get the training I need in this area if It’s my life’s objective. I obviously need something to be different, or I’d have loads of sheep and bible classes.

And NO 2; The Lord told me to get out of my comfortable place by doing PMA. Almost more the then the actual training, I’m looking forward to the spiritual stretch that I need in my discipleship.

NO 3; our home Needs all the push It can get to break out of 20 years of mindsets about witnessing. So If I can push myself out the door more, hopefully I can take some of the home with me! Not the mention the added sheep and friends our home will gain as a by product of PMA.

Signed: Steven (name of applicant)

FEAST

2009-02-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

Hey all, took a couple days off for Family Feast 2009. Let's burn something down!
I was going to do a fantastic write-up of our closing feast dinner with pictures of our cool costumes...BUT Mary beat me to it. So please go here to everyones Costumes, and see the food. Happy Family B-day 2009! that's what...41 years of a colorful history?

My Top Family Songs Review

2009-02-13T23:43:00.000-08:00

Heres my top songs, Not in any order or number: But they are classics to me and they deserve mention, for one reason or another. Sometimes a song can really be a significant step in someones life, and to another person the same song might be nothing special. The songs I will pick will be from the FFT era and onwards: anything before that, I don't remember it "coming out" it just always was: My own songs of course, will not qualify for this review either. duh. Some of these songs are things that I can actually remember telling someone when I was 15, are the top 3 family songs. I still think so now.
PS: these songs are chosen based on the response they had AT THE TIME of the release, not what I like right now.

My lists of FFT TCD classics:
Talking about our family:
If this song ever plays to a van-load of people, and everyone in the car doesn't sing all the words to at least one of the rap's, It's probably their way of asking for prayer. This song still gets everyone singing all the little sounds and blips that come with gusto. It's old, but STILL...has this certain energy that other songs don't have, however cool they may be. When this song came out, I remember like 3 teen girls ( I was like 10) sitting around the tape deck rewinding again again to memorize the words to the song. It was the bomb.
technically the song is a perfect representation of hit 90's rap by Secular standards. the production is amazing, considering the number of tracks, and huge amount of little sound clips and blips and all the noises that make the song cool- WITHOUT computers! this is 1995 folks... Image how many hours of sampling and tweaking it took.
Definitely a top 10.

My Little Rose
I flipped out. I only remember thinking "I wish the Chorus drums went to double time instead of halftime, but the drummer probably can't play it, That's why". Looking back as a producer I wouldn't have though, ha. To me at the time, This was the first authentic punk song that with the feeling I loved. It came out at the right time too, just when punk was really big in the system and we were all complaining that the Family couldn't "do it". It was my favorite family song for a year at least.

Charlie Made a Monkey
The song of that year for sure...It was a whole new step up, I remember teens being like "Woah, we can do this kind of music?" It was really spot on with the popular stuff of the late 90's. It still wields a certain power you don't really get anymore, even though it's old. Classic.

Wild Cats
I know other people don't get this song at all. But for me it's one of the best family hits of all time. I was so ready for this kind of Straightforward fast rock music with real shredding. "Go Get'm!" so cool. It a pretty cool concept song and the music is simple, But catchy with a lot of power. Nothing this fast came out before this time, so it was a new sound for family music to a lot of people, I think.

We cannot be Angels
Looking back now, I can't really see what everyone was into this song, Including me. It's not "Super amazing" and actually sounds pretty flat to me now. But all I know is everyone in my house, even the "out-of-it" teens, were mad about this song and the whole album actually, when it came out. Julie was fresh, young, and really relateable to a lot of people. The vocals were totally new and sounded like "system music" if you know what I mean. I think everything in the song just worked really well for the time it was. It was definitely a world-wide smash hit at the time, Classic.

Offending Pain
Very cool. It was dry, distorted, and angry-with a new message and approach carried by a top40 vocal performance by Vas. The perfect combination. One of the Best family Rock songs ever, and the only reason I haven't covered it is because It can't get better then this.

Died for you
This Song (and Album) was a step up for family music in terms of sound and professionalism. This really had a true pro-studio quality about it, because it was a true pro studio. The sound and production of this song and CD is truly flawless. I was probably old enough to appreciate quality back then, and I couldn't picture a better song. I got goose bumps hearing this the first time.

All that Glitters (Original Mix)
John...That guy can do any genre he puts his mind to very well. This was the first family song that fell under the genre of "trance". (Not house or dance or techno) This was trance. I'm pretty sure this song was waaaay overplayed at parties and dance nights for about 2-3 years. A total hit, and another first for family music. It was a whole new type of cool sound, and if this song didn't come out I think things would be different in the electro scene in the family today.

Root Of all Evil
Wow...Looking back, It doesn't actually sound all that great, nor are the guitar parts too cool or anything. I just remember getting the chills and listening to it several times in a row the first time I heard it. It was the first half decent rap/rock song, and that style was all the rage back then. Not Classic, But this along with a couple other songs signified to me the return of the TCD standard. The few TCD's before this came out were pretty low point's for me personally.

It's your time to fight
Off arguably the best TCD yet, This song and several other songs off the CD took family homes by storm. This TCD was really the solidifying of Godfrey's high place in Family music history. It's your time to fight was just a killer production for it's time. It was really the first time such aggressive lyrics were passed, and it was a new standard for powerful music that also sounded almost flawless technically. Very significant song and TCD in our history.

Lifeblood
first time I heard this I played it 3-4 times in a row. I Actually got those "It sounds like system music" Vibes, in a good way. It was just the pop/punk style I was into, and I thought it was such a cool song. I was going around my house raving about it. listening back it's not the greatest mix, but I was 16 and I couldn't tell. This song gave me the chills for some reason.

Called
I still remember the first time we heard this; Gabe downloaded the whole Creature CD and I think it was Mick, Gabe, Jesse and I in the studio and we listened to the whole album through together really loud. This song Just felt so right. Back then we were into POD and Creed and whatnot: This song Really had that heavy spaced out feeling that was cool. It was a real trip. We all said this one was the best on the CD, and I still think so. Wow...Thats four Godfrey songs in a row!

Lets Make Love
Still my Favorite LJ song. This song has real honesty, and I can feel Vas really belives and Lives these words. Other LJ stuff Is nice but I think this song it tops for simplicity, yet powerful, Catchy, Inspiring and real. This song IS a classic, 10 years later it's still as cool as it was. It always works at LJ night. I remember saying back in the day I thought this was one of the best 3 family songs ever.

Eagle Bleeds
THIS song...I remember hearing the tape SO much. We way overplayed the thing...Poor drivers.
No one will forget this song or the tape. It was the first time in the family for this kind of Aggression. We ate it up. Let me just say something about Vas. I can tell within...5 seconds of listening to a Vas song whether it's his own song, or something He is singing for someone else. He does a good job on both of course, But when he sings his own songs, you can tell. Something about him, is that...well, more then other modern family artists, he really sounds real. He sounds straight up and honest about his message, and really has that extra spark in the spirit that makes everyone everywhere love the guy. I'd really like to hear more from him right about now.

Why you Hate me
This is the last Family song I listened to, and got "the chills". Justin is real, you can tell from his music. He is the real thing, and not some poser trying make a hit record for the family. He loves Jesus and the spirit comes through in his voice. You can feel it esp. In this song. This wasn't so much a first in the family musically, But this song and the way it was executed with his fresh voice was really God. This has the fire! We all listened to this CD way to much.

broken wing
A first for a Real top40 sounding Rock song of this feel. The Creed era was going strong back in 2003 or 4, can't quite remember when this came out. But the genre was just waiting to be done properly in the Family, and Peter and David beat us all to it. It sounded professional...the guitars had that real Heavy sound we were hearing the Radio but not on TCD's, and David's voice was new and Killer. Nothing quite as worthy as this song came out for years afterwards.

Thats not all the songs I wanted to honor. But I have to stop somewhere. The family does have a lot of great songs. TTL! Lets keep working on it.
Other songs that didn't quite make it to the list, but are also family top40 awesome songs are:
Million Voices
Shangrila(Classic)
Radical Teens (Godfrey's)
Psychic Waste (the real thing)
Prophet (Amazing chill inducer)
Double speak (Amazing lyrics)
PHILLYDEE (everything)

What is wrong with Japan

2009-02-09T05:22:00.000-08:00

Japanese are known for the Game shows on TV. I wonder why...

A day in the life of KanBanDoDo

2009-02-08T01:37:00.000-08:00

Hey once again. Here's a little bit of reality. These are from today. Just thought I'd a talk a little bit about what we use nowadays when we go "busking", in the lifelong struggle to follow the shining star that is Streetlite.
Let's have a moment of silence.
Today was a bit slow...We tried a place we don't usually go to, It's like a rest area off a highway- so we got out 7 CD's. But, the lord is always cool, and we met 2 guys from the Rotary Club who seemed pretty intent on calling us back...but you never know. Pray they do! It was a pretty-fun-very-warm-very-good-sandwiches day, and we had times when no one was around so we did a couple ones we don't usually do, for practice. Florence didn't come today- She doesn't usually come unless we have a "Gig" and not just busking. Anyways, To the point:
Here's Shun, in all his glory. He looks like king with that guitar. We're old-skool. Where would we be with that XTlive....

Naoto with 1 of his 2 babies, Yamaha P-120. His other baby would be his Korg X-50. This guy is one of the funniest people around. Look at him...see that...glint in his eye? he just turned 16 Taka with his Fender P-bass. This is one solid tall guy. You can count on him. God willing we'll be getting some type of analog bass DI-distortion stomp unit soon, right now he goes straight into a mixer channel (it's a Hi-Z input) but the mixer we take around has no mid frequency sweep, so it's not the punchiest tone you've heard. (Bringing his tube Trace Elliot Combo would be kind of.... loud. It sounds sweet though. )
Our Manager. Tabitha is the best. She's by far my favorite band manager ever. (That's actually not her real face!)
Me, taking my turn under the speaker. Don't ask, It's totally normal here in Japan.Shun and Naoto fooling around between sets.The guitar case with Cable case holding it up. Cool signs uh?

The center of out busking system. I...just...thought...you might want to see...it
Oh, here we are playing "Change the World".
Oh! Here I am, surprised by the Camera. I'm totally un-prepared, but we are learning to be ready for anything. It's the offensive.

Good Mic placement.

2009-02-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

"hint": Look at the guitar cabs.
My God, I don't wanna be anywhere near that gig. "How about a nice wall of Mush?"
Tip: For that "great sound", hang a mic over the cab, in-between the speaker cones.
Tip: For that "tube sound"
I'm actually curious to know what that last one sounded like. I wonder If he was happy with his tone that night. Really, That person doesn't deserve an amp like that! Lol!

Alright, what's wrong with this mic placement?It's in front of Britney Spears.

Chiba Gathering

2009-02-04T02:33:00.000-08:00

here's why I created this blog. To say things I think are important...but not important enough to record a song about.

Wow, T'was so fun to see everybody, I'm so glad you all showed up, and you know who you are. I actually had a lot of fun, holding a hand here and there, and slapping some backs.
It didn't help that some folks at home at the gurgules, So we couldn't like...LEGALLY...hug. and that REALLY sucks. If you can't hug family members at a fellowship...you might as well not go. It feels so darn un-natural!! You see your chick friend across the field...and the loves starts pushing it'self into your legs, forcing you to run across the field yelling their name. You skid to a stop, she looks into your eyes, wanting...whatever is it, but whatever it is, you can't do it to her. You just say, "HI! I missed you. Uh, yeah, you look nice." An evil voice is telling you "Hug them! hug them! nyahaha!" But no, you're a Christian. You wouldn't dream of it.
We all know a influenza epidemic is ravaging Japan, but hey. Somehow it's just not possible that the fever or barfs your home is circulating could have come from one of the hundreds of people you stood next to on the train, or had breathing on you out witnessing. You didn't pick it up from a sick kid during the children's hospital CTP, and you didn't get it from the brazilian lady behind you at the checkout. We already know, that the sickness came from "-blank-" home! really guys, when can we just...hug? Honestly, carcasm aside, I understand why we weren't hugging and stuff, I get it. PTL! BUT...you know...those times...when someone in the home has only a COLD, or maybe a fever. Of course non-family members need to go to work, and get on that train behind you even if they've got that fever. But we in the family...stay home. Even just not coming in direct contact with the diseased would launch our preventative measures over the pitiful system labor machine. Come on. In heaven, when we find out exactly how many times we picked something up from a family member from another home VS picking something up from our frequent outings in the world, I think thats where we will have those "tears in heaven" Dad talks about. (hey...do we not go to the supermarket or hit the trains when our home has measles going around? No. Them neither!) I love you all! hugs and kisses (Just kidding, none of that for a couple of months yet). I'm going with Tabitha tomorrow to see a contact and possibly book a gig. (Should we not? for his sake?)
Something...I think...is a little bit weird here.
Lord...help us to have more faith, and trust in you. You have the answers!
Now I delivered my soul, I will trust God.

Someone, give me a hug.

Which ones of these are true?

2009-01-31T23:23:00.000-08:00

Q - What did the drummer get on his I.Q. test?
A - Drool.

Q - "Hey buddy, how late does the band play?"
A - "Oh, about a half a beat behind the drummer."

· Heard backstage: "Will the musicians and the drummer please come to the stage!"

Q - How do you know when a drummer is knocking at your door?
A - The knock always slows down.

Q - How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A - "Why? Oh, wow! Is it like dark, man?"

Q - How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A - Only one, but he'll break ten bulbs before figuring out that they can't just be pushed in.

Q - How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A - Two: one to hold the bulb, and one to turn his throne (but only after they figure out that you have to turn the bulb).

Q - How many drummers does it take to change a light bulb?
A - Twenty. One to hold the bulb, and nineteen to drink until the room spins.

Q - How do you get 2 drummers to play in time?
A - Shoot one.

Q - Why'd the chicken cross the road?
A - To get away from the drum solo.

Q - What do you call someone who hangs around musicians?
A - The Drummer.

Q - What do drummers use for birth control?
A - Their personalities

Q - Why didn't the little drummer boy get into heaven?
A - Because he woke the baby Jesus!

Q - What do you call a drummer with half a brain?
A - Gifted.

Q - Why to bands need Roadies?
A - To translate what the drummer says.

· Two drummers walk into a bar, which is funny because you would have figured the second one would have seen the first guy do it. (Bar, get it!, Not a Pub)

Q - What do you call a Drummer driving a Volkswagon?
A - Farfromthinken

Q - What's the difference between a drum machine and a drummer?
A - You only have to punch the information into the drum machine once!

Q - How many drummers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A - Just one, so long as a roadie gets the ladder, sets it up and puts the bulb in the socket for him.

Q - What's the best way to confuse a drummer?
A - Put a sheet of music in front of him.

Q - What is the difference between a drummer and a vacuum cleaner?
A - You have to plug one of them in before it sucks.

Q - If a dollar bill was laying in the centre of a room, and the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, a drummer with good time, and a drummer with bad time were standing in the corners, who would get the money?
A - The drummer with bad time since the other three don't exist.

Q - What do you get if you cross a drummer with a gorilla?
A - A really dumb gorilla!!!

Q - Why is a drum machine better than a drummer?
A - Because it can keep a steady beat and won't sleep with your girlfriend.

Q - How many drummers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A - Five: one to screw in the light bulb and four to talk about how much better Neil Peart would have done it!

Q - How can you make a drummer slow down?
A - Put a sheet of music in front of him

Q - How can you make that drummer stop?
A - Put notes on it!

Q - How can you tell when a drummer's at the door?
A - The knocking speeds up.

Q - How can you tell when a drummer's at the door?
A - He doesn't know when to come in.

Q - How is a drum solo like a sneeze?
A - You can tell it's coming, but you can't do anything about it.

Q - How can you tell when the stage riser is level?
A - The drool comes out of both sides of the drummer's mouth.

Q - How can you tell when the stage riser is NOT level?
A - The drool only comes out of one side of the drummer's mouth.

· A bloke walks into a shop and asks for a 50 watt Marshall amplifier and a Fender Stratocaster guitar. The shop assistant says "Excuse me sir, but you're a drummer aren't you?" The man says "How could you tell?" "Well this is a laundry mat" says the assistant.

Q - What's the last thing a drummer says in a band?
A - "Hey, guys - why don't we try one of my songs? ..."

Q - What do you call a drummer that breaks up with his girlfriend?
A - Homeless.

Q - What's the difference between a drummer and a drum machine?
A - About four bars by the end of the song.

· Johnny says to his mom: "I want to be a drummer when I grow up."
Mom: "But Johnny, you can't do both."

Q - Did you hear about the drummer that could play a steady beat?
A - Me neither.

Q - How can you tell if a drummer has been doing the crossword?
A - All the squares have been coloured in.

Studio Happenings

2009-01-30T02:34:00.000-08:00

Masa came over yesterday, and we put down foundations of 3 clips of music going on a demo DVD for DAG music, the company the Lord sometimes brings work opportunities by. We put together a minute of this "high powered" Electro stuff scored to a Football game promo video, made 40 seconds of this...well...It's pretty...spastic funk music and 30 seconds of a "dance" track with Cherio singing 3 sentences. These are supposed to sound like snippets of whole songs...but we are making only the snippet. We finished the bells and whistles today over skype. Now, for rest night. TTL! (here's a radio stream of the 1 minute piece, I just tossed up if you interested. Sorry- no download.)

For you readers in Japan...It looks like HCS won't be going to the game on the 3rd. We had a couple more people barf today- which will make it less then a week. Too bad, cause I was so ready to see some familiar faces.

More news- Dave and Shun just came back from Mastumoto with-this isn't a joke- three tons of Soba and Udon noodles. Perfect, cause you know, in "heaven's children", Dad goes back down to their old house on earth to salvage their stash of lit? now, we can do the same with our SOBA! the remaining earthlings will dig it. This is such a miracle, because the contact that was supplying all the Chiba homes with Udon stopped donating last week, due to whatever it was. Perfect timing Jesus, and Thanks Alps home!

"Just follow your own heart"

2009-01-28T06:24:00.000-08:00

System music?
Seriously? Yeah it's like bad and everything, but WHY...
Surprisingly, not many of us know our enemy too well. Not many of us know Who founded the Church of Satan, for example. Who wrote the Satanic Bible? There is such a thing? yes. Not many folks know this. I really would not recommend reading it- but there are a few AWESOME passages in it. (I mean like...awesome in a Christian way). Did you know A guy named Anton Lavey (founder of and former high priest of the Church of Satan) wrote the "satanic" 10 commandments? Now, Just like in our bible, there are the 10 commandments- yet Also a Commandment which supersedes the 10. The Truth is, Loving God and Others Is the whole of the law. Lavey wrote this:
Do what though wilt, shall be the whole of the law.
This is in THE BIBLE of Satan folks. It reads "I am the snake that giveth knowledge" etc etc. Now from the Mouth of Satan himself, the simple act of doing what YOU want, Is satan worship. "do it for yourself", "don't let others tell you you're wrong", "Do what is right for you" are all Lines that the Generation today have drilled and hammered into through the Media them scince birth. It's all about "Me." From the Horses mouth, Satan himself says: The worship of satan is nothing more then self-service. I'd go on and on, But this 30 minute documentary from a Christian producers explains it very well with the visuals. Here is Part 1. Watch part 2 and 3 from there. Great eye opening piece you should see, if you have a half-hour. (PS- Probably not good visuals for Non-teens and younger)

PPS. If you didn't find the point of this post...the point is to make you want to see this 30 minute documentary. KNOW YOUR ENEMY!

GIVE THE KIDS A BREAK

2009-01-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Check it out:
6 high school kids from the same class being charged with child pornography.
3 high school girls, sent naked pics of themselves over phone to their 3 high school boyfriends.

Oh My God. At least the prosecutor admits the case is extreme and bizzare, but she says Child porn is the only charge they can come up with, and the kids need to be punished. Right? Yeah. OK.
a couple 15 and 16 year old sending naked pics to EACH OTHER (not to me, or any other adult) are going to COURT? they say the case is because: Those pictures may eventually leak out to adults- after the teens break up and yadayada. So there is a child porn THREAT. Ok...makes sense...But legal action against the teens involved is pure insanity, considering the booming sex industry which is legal once the teens turn 18. Now how can anyone tell a teen that "sexting" (the term for sending hot pix over the phone) is legally wrong when the sexual climate of the western world and western media is what it is? half nekid people all over TV...Porn accessible by anyone, teen movies being FULL of sex...Great. Well, any of you dirty senior teens...BE SMART. Because it's ILLEGAL now to send Nekid Pics to other SR teens. Not that you would before- but now you know why.
Poor kids, wait till ur 18, then maybe you can get paid for them, if you let everybody see.
ps: I'm totally against pornography of any kind. My point here is "first things first" for the obviously very concerned government of the US.

In other Breaking news.... Nao (of...Tomo...) sent me a happy 4 boxes of Instant soba. After giving a box to Naoto for his sweet 16th, (which is today) my rest day menu's are pretty decided for the next couple of months. God, Keep me alive, please.

Kando Bando

2009-01-25T03:52:00.000-08:00

Heh, after post the drum solo, I though, "why not post the whole thing?" this is a compilation of clips of some of our songs we sent around as a demo to places for Christmas 2008 booking. If you're a band guy, You might enjoy this. This video has 2 gigs in in, Summer festival 2008 and HCS C-mas concert 2007. So it's not the newest thing, but...Praise the lord. I don't have any other video on hand. Thankfully this blog is really teaching me good things about HTML and video encoding and stuff. Maybe if I get really genius with all this video recording stuff, I might even V-log one day. Band members in the video are:
Florence Vox
Shun Guitar
Naoto Keys
Taka Bass
Shinji Acoustic
Me-drums.
(Video is a great example of bad editing, bad camera work, and bad encoding. Enjoy!)

On another note, we went out busking today. It was cold, And the good news is we matched our previous worst for CD sales on a busking day! 3! Yeah!!! It was one of those..."no body's here, lets play something retarded out of boredom" days. We jammed up "Marianne" and a couple other ones. I'm ready for sleep.

Jan 25 is the birthday of a real awesome somebody.
Happy Birthday! I wish you only the best.

Drum solo

2009-01-24T03:24:00.000-08:00

Hey, I realized a lot of folks have never seen me actually PLAY the drums. Not that it's anything spectacular, but I was distressed when someone from overseas told me "she didn't know I was a drummer" because I'm always singing in the "music video's"! Yikes. Drums is like the only instrument I can play, and actually feel like "Hey, I can play this, dude". I feel very inadequate on guitar, and trumpet.

This is a solo from our set at Summer Festival 2008. (Played with a single pedal) I have no like videos of any of our gigs, which is kinda sad. I usually try to solo sometime in the gig. Recently I've been playing Cajon instead...so I'm really missing doing this type of thing. I feel like the Bongo guy in "Flight of the Conchords" tryna' jam in up recently.
I'm gonna try to film busking somehow, soon and post it here. We just added "psychic waste", and "Diana" to our busking list.

Tech on the GURU sound

2009-01-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

I'm actually a pretty hopeless geek if you didn't know that already. Was gonna answer a few tech questions about the Guru CD, but I thought I'd go further and just talk to the geeky ones about the insides of the CD. I said we were going for old-school bare bones. How bare? look at the screenshot of "mary's little lie".
That's 11 tracks. Nothing is hidden there, thats really it. It's my lowest track count ever for a song with a real drum kit: I think Take the blame was 12, because Chorus and verse lead vocals had different tracks. As you can see on the LV track theres a Microphone modeler. I'm not modeling anything, I'm using the plugin for that nasty tube distortion feature it's got. 3 of the tracks on the CD have the same nasty distortion on vocals. It added to the old-skool sound we wanted. One reason why the CD mastering could be pushed so loud, was because EVERYTHING a lot of the time was so distorted at track level (on purpose) that you couldn't hear the distortion from the limiting as much as you would on something a little cleaner. Actually in the name of trying something new, 5 of 6 songs have a feed from the drum buss going into a distortion! After eq'ing the harshly distorted drums I sneeked them under the dry drums just a bit, and I liked it. It helped give the OH's a really controlled feeling without that "over-compression" sound. I think I'll be doing that again if I ever want a horrible raw sound without it actually being horrible and raw, ha.
The guitars were recorded with a PODxt live with it's output very low, feeding into my Groove tubes brick at full gain for a tad of real tube harmonics in the guitars. Thats the way I've been doing guitars for a while now. I remember when Shun and I first ran the XT through the brick (we read Pro's liked to run the POD through Tubes to give it some balls) The difference COULD be felt. I didn't expect the character of the sound to change much at all vs going into the desk, but really, a real tube pre on a guitar modeler will work wonders. (I'm talking about real vacuum tubes, not an Art-tube or presonus tube-pre. Pretty much anything running from a wall wart isn't really a vacuum tube- but you already know that. Although...You'd still want to use any outboard preamp if you have one when recording an digital effector just for the cleaner output gain, but it won't add the tube harmonics) The amp model we chose was based off the Soldano 100 amp head. Uh...Bass Is Taka's Fender P-bass going direct into the Brick, then Plugin'd up in the box. The distortion on it is actually the old Amplitube1 "Fuzz" amp model.

To wrap it up, here, and here a couple reviews on Distortion religion from cyberspace. Thanks for the write up guys, It's only the Lord.

Happenings of studio in 2008

2009-01-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

Alert: Tech content below: Feel free to skip past the picture of the kit on to the real post content if you are a civilian.
Before we get started, feast your eyes on this, My kit- Yamaha Tour custom, which is Maple. God is amazing, thanks Jesus.
This is the most recent setup (about 2 weeks ago) which Shiro recorded 6 songs with for Shun's up and coming screamo. Man Shiro can double kick! Everything you'll hear on their record is real playing, more then I can say for some of my "double kick". I tracked "The Red Pill" with this same setup after they were done. Kick mic is a Beta52 and overheads are Rode Nt-5s. Good sound as always, but the snare was a little too ringy for some reason. In the mix of Red Pill I used a gate with the floor open to where it would reduce volume in between hits about 6 db, just the make the sound a bit shorter without getting all the other problems that come from gating all the way. I also used a tight notch at almost exactly 500 htz to clean up the ring a little more. It's alright now.

Now that that's done, Below is an excerpt of a report John and I sent in about the services our HCS studios have done for The Family in 2008. This is my section sort of in "log" format as you can see, but it's totally not in order of date. So this is eeeeverything I did musically that benefited The Family (emphasis on "for The Family", I'll include the rest after this list), for donations and without, in 2008. I surprised myself in the end, It looks like quite a bit, to me at least. (I'm sorry for the word "Steve" being repeated so many times...it starts to bother the eyes, but changing them all to "I" for this post will sound just as retarted)

Steve mixed 12 songs for Jaz and Chris’s band “Naked” in the first half of the 2008.

Steve mixed and mastered the song “1000 dreams” by “Caney Creek Heroes”, a band from the same Houston home as “Naked”.

Steve mixed 3 songs for Ezra and Phillip in August 2008.

Steve wrote and produced 6 songs for “Distortion Religion” a mini album by “Guru” (His new Grunge band) intended for Family members: Began November 2008 and finished early January.

Other NON-WSA singles Steve produced in 2008 are “Shake a leg Remix”, “Kibou” (for the Field of Japan),

Steve co-wrote and co-produced 11 songs with Masa and Florence- then mixed and mastered the songs in all in January 2008, the “Strawberry Jam” “4 Days At sea” album.

Late 2008 Steve mixed and mastered 4 songs for our in-house Shun Guitarist. Early January 2009 Shiro drummer came recorded drums for 6 of Shun’s songs, Going on Shun’s “not to distant future” screamo Album.

Steve helped record 2 simple demos for Marie and 4 for Florence, to send in.

Steve produced “6^th Gear” for TCD in January 2008.

Steve produced “Redemption” by Chris Knoke for TCD in July 2008.

Steve mastered TCD 38: Warriors Cry.

Steve rough-mastered 45 key, DMC, and TCD singles that went to the MO site throughout 2008.

Steve mastered Christy Gibson’s Gospel CD for Local use in Thailand.

Steve mastered a 6 track mini-CD for Bayside home’s local witnessing.

Steve mastered an 11-track CD for Emanuel in Brazil and his band’s local use.

Steve helped Joe in Mexico with mastering of a Death Metal CD by Joe and some former members.

Steve mastered the “Naked” album of 12 songs.

Steve recorded and arranged an audio message from the Japan RC for the field of Japan in late 2008

Steve arranged the “Temple Time” Kids audio for Feast 2009.

Steve recorded Florence singing vocals 3 times for 3 songs Michael Piano is doing.

Steve recorded Tomo and Nao’s vocals here in his studio for 2 weeks, earlier in 2008. Their CD should be done soon; it’s being engineered by Rick Blackrock and paid for by Japan’s JTB.

Yay! How about that. Now I'll just add on a bit more for this blog's sake.
Other "non-Family benefitting" work or "secular work" for funds I did in 2008 was:

Produce with masa 3 songs song that he wrote for Konami Games. (at Bayside studio)

Produce 5 two-minute loops of music with masa for Konami Games.

Record....around 6? demos for Kyla (an awesome girl) and a local Friend's rap group.

That's audio 2008 for me! Lets see what 2009 holds eh?

Endtime PT.2

2009-01-20T18:14:00.000-08:00

Great Video of a smart economist explaining his new book. He's got a couple new things to say.
Too bad, he's only 40 years behind Dad.

Obama certain seems to be helping the NWO right along. PTL!
Check this. (below) Henry Kissinger (major player in Builderberg and top dog for 40 years in the US council on foreign relations among other "very Illuminati" type stuff) stating from about 2:45 that Obama is the guy to bring in the NWO.

It's on the move people! Notice how this guy says what an "opportunity" Obama has to bring in the NWO: Well, It's our big opportunity as well to spread the gospel when people are hungry! Dad's letters have power like never before. These are just 2 video's, but this kind of material is EVERYWHERE. Funny how the whole world seems to be pinning hopes on Obama as the only guy who can "save us", when the country he's heading is in the deepest.
If you haven't already, hit my Obama post below.

First Fan Videos

2009-01-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

I thought these were great. Masa and I have no ideal who this is, he is most likely a gamer playing PES 2009 and thought he would cover the songs. These are 2 of 4 songs Konami bought from Masa and I for the PES 2009 PS2 game. He might not be the best player...but he sure seems to be enjoying playing.

Love of the Game

Born to Win

And yes, Masa wrote both of these!

Obama...President today.

2009-01-19T23:58:00.001-08:00

This is an end-time "Thesis" I wrote today. It's going to be long, but try and hit the links throughout.

Could he be....The one?
YOU know what I mean.
I'm keeping my eyes and ears out for this guy. He fits the profile.
Comes out of nowhere (who heard of him 1 1/2 year ago?) Definitely fits the "taking the kingdom by flatteries" and "Mouth speaking great things" part: He is a great speaker. Why do I see words like "Messiah" and "Saviour" thrown around? People worship him all over the world and faint during his "revivals". Not Christian, not Muslim: Not black or white: Not totally American nor anything else: Young: Everyone can love him because he appeals to everyone. His parents are both long deceased, and he has no brothers or sisters. Gay? Maybe. This story isn't the only one circulation if you've been doing your research.

Some might ask about the anti-Christ's rejection of Christ (The Bible says the AC will reject Christ) when Obama is supposed to be a Christian? Give me a break, are you kidding me. the guy is no more Christian then I am a Satanist. All one must do to deny Christ is to deny that Christ is the only way. His voting record denies Christ, in a way. Also, think about his backing. New age witch Opera Winfrey is among Obama's most loyal. Here's just one video of witches celebrating Obama. But it's all over the net: Pagans and Wiccans everywhere all "For Obama". Not to mention almost 100 percent of Hollywood. They ain't taking chances.

Folks will say "what about the Egypt connection?" Well, thats true. what about it? I'm not the first to say, but I feel its very possible that the biblical "Egypt" and Grandmother's "Memphis" simply represent the foundation of the "Illuminati". The Illuminati has deep roots in ancient Egypt, evidenced by the "All seeing eye" and pyramids, both chief Illuminati symbols. The Illuminati started back in Egypt, back when they were the world power as well as very practiced sorcerers with all their demon worship. take the satanist Grand Lodge of the eastern templar for a look at pure Egyptian imagery. Or...what about a good slice of Egyptian occultism right on every AMERICAN (emphasis on AMERICAN) dollar bill on the form of the eye and pyramid once again? Turn your eye's towards Memphis? Maybe soon we will see just what that really means. When the bible says the AC will rise out of Egypt, that could mean "spiritual Egypt"- the Illuminati as we know it today would be the entity that will put the AC into place. I wouldn't be too set to wait for an AC with physical blood or current political connection to Egypt.

"What about the Magog connection?" Ah. That's that the one that seems to blow all possibility out the door. BUT- as Dad, most Bible scholars, and even Countdown to Armageddon state, We don't know for sure that Magog is Russia. Here's the quote from countdown: "Most bible scholars agree it's a place somewhere above Israel, most likely Russia". But hey, not even all bible scholars think it's a land somewhere above Israel. So I wouldn't put this down Juuuust yet. even if it is Russia, there still is plenty of time for this to play out.

After all Bush has done to give the US president executive command over everything- not to mention all the "ready to go concentration camps" and total cancellation of every American's rights to pretty much do anything the GOVT doesn't like, why wouldn't the AC start there?(emphasis on START) The US is more ripe then any country in the world is for an "AC" fascist leader. Why else would bush have put so much into readying America for fascism? Maybe because it would be a perfect platform for an AC launch?

Let's wait after his first months in office. All it takes is a sudden push to secure peace for 7 years in the Mid-east after this latest insanity from Israel, which really may happen.

It seems like some others feel the same way. Although this guy for example is obviously a lot more sure about it then he should be, has some more interesting points about Obama. (and some points that...aren't)

Heres an interesting Fact: Seems like a lot of sources point to 2012 as being "the end of the world", including Nostradamus and some Mayan prophecies. This site might have some truth to it- at least he did some interesting research. If the covenant was signed half a year from now, 2012 could mean the start of the great tribulation- right with the start of a 2nd term.
Whatever the case, If Obama isn't the guy, the AC needs to show his face soon in order to "be in power" somewhere when this economy really hits the bottom. It's about the right time, don't you think?

Well, That wraps it up. The more I study, and the more time passes, the more probable this actually becomes. Still, I'm totally not sure, and I am NOT saying I think theres more then say, a 30% chance he is the guy. I think I just gave a pretty good case about it being possible though. GBY!

Guru

2009-01-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

GURU
Download Link on the top left
It's probably "too loud", As a good friend of mine pointed out. That's the first time I believe it to be true, because this is a good (or...bad) .5 db louder then anything else I've heard out there, and 1db above much of it. (Taking into account the bass-heavy thus limiting-unfriendly mastering of these songs) FINALLY, I have reached my life's goal, to squash something louder then everything else! That actually is...WAS, one of my...secret heartcries. I can finally do what I really love, bossa nova. But really...there's just no reason for a master to be this loud other than to prove a point, because it really does crush life out of the mix- esp the snare drum. Which is why in order to not have the mix fall apart at these levels, you need to compensate in the mix. I apologize to listeners, hopefully most of you who will stomach this music anyway, aren't the purist types. You won't be hearing anything this loud from me again...at long as the world sticks to the CD standard.