I’ve finished another song on GarageBand, though this was the first using midi files. In fact, it just started out as a kind of backing track and then I added files on to it, but I’m not really pleased with the melody or the lyrics, so it’ll only be up for a short time probably.
This is a bit of a sentimental bluesy number about my days in Taipei… It’s the first song I’ve recorded and mixed using Garageband on my new Macbook Pro.
I’ve been redesigning some of the characters and I’m also in the middle of technical changes, like crossing over from PC to Mac, and trying to add speech bubbles in via software rather than right them in, so there’ll be a break for a while…
Links:
The next episode (when finished)
(Click here to start from Episode 1 this series)
I finally bit the bullet and bought a Macbook Pro 13″ (the cheaper one) as well as buying an audio interface after much deliberation: a Saffire USB 6. Even though I’ve been on Windows/PC for the last 15 years, for recording purposes it just made sense to get a mac because of reliability. My previous Vista laptop was OK but the fan simply wasn’t quiet enough for recording using highly sensitive condensor mics. Plus I was having a headache research laptops that were 64 bit and other compatability issues. Once I’d decided on the getting a mac, the real headache of researching audio interfaces began. Rather than talk more, I’ve just scanned in copy of the sheet that I used to compare and take notes.
I’m currently undergoing the initiation ceremony to enter stage one of “muso-geekdom” -that is I’m upgrading my recording system on to computer.
So far I’ve been using an old Yamaha digital recorder, which even though it has a lot of geeky specs and functions, I’ve only used it in a basic capacity for recording instruments and vocals. I then have to burn the wav files on a CD using its CD burner, and put the files on to my cheap Acer laptop where I mix on the completely free audio software Audacity. I do have basic Sony software for touching up the finished song, a kind of ‘mastering’ if you will, before uploading my demos on to Soundcloud, Myspace and other sites.
So now I want to streamline the whole process with a recording interface that’ll connect to the computer, but I’ll probably have to get a new laptop because my current laptop is 4 years old using Vistas and I’m not confident it will work well with the latest recording products.
I’ve spent the last week or so scanning music recording forums, copying copious amounts of techy notes and articles about setting up a laptop recording system. Then I’ve analysed up to ten different audio interfaces for all the specs, functions and prices. (It’s a headache!)
In one sense it’s not too complicated. I need to buy a laptop and an audio interface. It just gets complicated when you want to make sure that both will work together and have the specifications I’ll need (and used to on the Yamaha). Furthermore, you don’t want to fork out thousands to get a product with a glitch or compatibility issue.
After all that I think I’ve narrowed it down to two items -a Saffire USB interface and a Macbook Pro 13″. The main things I’m concerned about now are: noise from the computer’s fan (that is picked up on a sensitive condenser mic) and the latency (or delay) make it problematic to record over tracks I’ve already laid. I think the pro should be OK with the later problem, but I’ve found issues on forums with the Macbooks’s latest noisy fans. But those could be isolated incidents. Will see.
Only the Sea Slugs
A Sydney band who’ve just released a mini-album with rave reviews including the US. They’re kind of dark indie rock although I’ve so far missed opportunities to see them live.
http://onlytheseaslugs.tumblr.com/
Fire! Santa Rosa Fire!
I’ve rambled about South Australian act a few times and they’re my favourite band at the moment. Indie with 80′s (real) drumbeats, sophisticated guitar counter melodies and interesting aloof vocals. I saw them not long ago in a small venue called ‘The Good God Small Club’ in near Chinatown, Sydney. Apparently they’re coming to Syd again at the ‘Upstairs Beresford‘.
http://twitter.com/#!/firesantarosa
FloatingMe
Located in Sydney, these guys are heavy, but I wouldn’t call them metal or grunge. It’s like dense, heavy rock with deep yet ethereal vocals. It’s kind of a heavy-rock super band with some of Australia’s best musos (Lucius Borich on drums).
The Paper Scissors
Another Sydney indie band with support from both JJJ and FBI radio stations. Brash and heartfelt at the same time.
http://www.thepaperscissors.com/
The Keep on Dancin’s
They’re from Brisbane and they’ve been described as ‘reverb-core’ with a nod to classic 50′s/60′s songwriting.
http://www.facebook.com/keepondancins
Seja
Another Brisbane artist who’s forte is classic-synth infused pop. She also does felt synths.
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