Sunday 24 February 2008

The EBB got together last monday to begin work on the new recordings. We spent two days setting up our collective equipment and began programming parts for the song Soldiers of the Light which some of you will know from live shows last year. For technophiles the screen shot above is of an old Atari system running Cubase. The machine is rock solid and still meets all our our midi sequencing needs. The sequence shown is the first click track for the song Six white horses. Luke spent most of last week working on the drum track and checking with Steve while Art and I played bass and acoustic guitar to assist the programming and check the feel and groove. The first job is to establish the arrangement that we will settle on and the the general speed and groove. We spend quite a long time deciding such things.

Long hours sitting in front of screens refining parts and the feel of the song

After setting up for two days we were amazed that everything worked. We had a few problems after Steve rigged a new patch bay but he quickly sorted things out and we got down to work in earnest. There is always something to adjust after the initial setting up but this was about it. We managed to crash the old Atari computer on only two occasions during the whole week and that was down to me being a bit quick with buttons on our main digital recorder that the Atari is synchronised with. Luke managed his key board and sampler sounds with a cool head and hands. It has been a long time since Luke and I have recorded together so to combine all the equipment with out hassle in one set up, away from our base, was a joy. As we re familiarised ourselves with the process and procedures Steve was quick to begin to get to grips with new technical possibilities and after a day or so we were well under way. Art had a long, knackering wait to put down a bass for real but we got a decent backing track for Soldiers of the Light and a groove for Six White horses which was mixed to a PC and sent as MP3 s to our home computers for evaluation. We will all spend time now working on parts and ideas at home.
Tea is an essential ritual in ebb world

I am sure I didn't play that

What ? ? ?

Me with Art's lovely nylon strung classical guitar. It is very easy to play and has a piezo pick up. It is very much like the guitar I write most of my material on and I expect this instrument will be featured quite often on the finished recordings as we work our way through the new songs .

Last week was a valuable time for us to concentrate on the work but we also spent a lot of the time in discussions and chats about most every thing. We took turns cooking food and stayed up long hours and laughed a lot. It was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to stage two.
Next weekend we will be rehearsing for the show in Bergen at The Garage on the following weekend. It looks like this will be a special night. We have had an invite to return to Athens for a show at the Gagarin in Athens. That was a special night for us and we look forward to a repeat performance. I know every one is shattered after the work last week though happy to have finally made a start.


Peace


copyright e d g a r b r o u g h t o n 2008




9 comments:

Anonymous said...

great, just great, going to be a real joy when the new album comes out, very exciting times indeed,
i love the way you explain what and how you record, i never thought it was so intense-complicated I have'net played any EBB music for a week or two now so i think i remedy that this week
love to you all
cheers
tony

Anonymous said...

How interesting. Those of us that are consumers are in real danger of missing how complex the process is of giving us the end product. Like Tony I haven't listened to any of your stuff for a while but will do so very soon. Must have been hard work but good to spend all that time together. Thanks for the info and good luck with the gig.

Anonymous said...

Yes, we just stick on the old cd and off we go,not realising the sheer amount of work that goes into the end result....for which we are truly grateful!Obviously all the electronic gizmos and gadgets open up all sorts of recording possibilities.Wonder how it compares to the early days.Putting together an album can now be a real group process I suppose, without big label and studio interference....more on your own terms?
Listening to various EBB material this week and it's interesting to see how the sound has evolved over time.This latest project will be a worthy addition to the catalogue I'm sure.Great!Thanks,and happy sessions.
Ade.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting reading and a wow, that much work in putting it all together...
I agree with Ade, a lot lot difference during the recordings of Wasa Wasa and SBS I guess.
I'm really looking forward to the Bergen gig, it will be a great experience and happening I know for sure.
As far as I have understood the Garage can take 350 people, and so far, according to a Bergen newspaper, 250 tickets are sold, so it will probably be sold out in good time before the show.
Good luck with your rehearsals and a big big welcome to Norway.
Re listening to EBB stuff, I tried to follow Not so funny farm lyrics, but had no chance at all....
Take care all !

Anonymous said...

Great insight and a really good read. Like the other posters, I too was moved to dig out the CDS. Promptly loaded Sing Brother Sing, Wasa Wasa and Best Of ... onto the iPod. Washing up has never been such fun.
Have a good time in Norway. Sorry I can't make the show (again!!) but the buses from wolverhampton aren't that good ...
Storyjohn x

Anonymous said...

Nice photos. Can you tell us more about recording procedures , very interesting - and we thought you just pressed a few buttons and played.
Good luck with the album see you in Glasgow soon we hope.
Tam

Anonymous said...

Great to have an illustrated blog explaining some of the technicalities which 'us punters' take for granted when we pays our hard earned for a CD.
I can't wait for the new album and, like Ade, have listened to the EBB sound evolve over the years so am impatient to experience the next level.
Cheers,
shoreham_steve

Anonymous said...

Could have used you in Edinburgh Tam.
Steve

Anonymous said...

Interesting blog... great to see how things have changed. I bet it was different on the first few albums... how do you avoid losing the immediacy and urgency? I've no idea, but you chaps seem to harness it perfectly, not only live, but also on recorded matter.
Looking forward to the new album, and unlike other bloggers I always have an EBB album in my car CD to brighten up even the longest journey, good luck and good health.
Paul (strummit)