New Mandolin Day!!!

Well, as you all know I have an obsession with stringed instruments. Yesterday, A, and I were  looking at the Musician's Friend Stupid Deal of the day and low and behold they had Mandolins for a ridiculous price. So, A says why don't you get it? I was so excited! I have always wanted a Mandolin and now I finally have one. It is a Rogue A style with an oval sound hole in a beautiful sunburst finish. It will arrive on Friday and I will give a full review this weekend. Hope everyone had a great day and an even better tomorrow!
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Guitar Workshop

I am always amazed at how setting up and maintaining a guitar seems like a huge mystery until you actually do it. I remember how I used to be afraid of doing anything other than changing strings on my guitars. Now, I am at the level where I can take them apart and do any work I need to and reassemble them. Today was no exception. I noticed that my awesome Highway 1 Tele's action was sort of high. I am really lucky because A pretty much lets me get whatever gear I want and she also listens to what I talk about and she then goes out and spoils me by getting these items for me. One of the things that A got me for my birthday was a string action guage by Stewart MacDonald. I felt it was time to show A how to do a set up! She was a great sport. It was exciting because she was asking questions and showing a genuine interest! Well, a long story short I now have a well set up Tele. Thanks A for watching and making it fun!

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North Country

It is amazing how and where inspiration comes for a song. The last couple of days I have been just noodling around on my Telecoustic and out of this came a new song which I will be recording in the next couple days. After kicking around with song titles my wife said why don't you call it North Country. I am blessed because I am married to such an incredible woman and inspiration is never hard to find!So in honor of  my wonderful wife and the area we love to call home "North Country" is going to be recorded. It is an instrumental acoustic song so I am really looking forward to laying down the tracks! Once I have it recorded and mixed I will post it here. I hope everyone has a great President's Day tomorrow!
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Different type of session

Lately I have been sequestering myself in the studio to record. I was having some serious challenges with timing and overall quality of my playing. I came up with a new technique. I started out by plugging my ipod into the board and warming up playing songs I used to cover in my band in college. It may sound silly but having the luxury of owning my own studio I am able to do this and not have to pay excessive studio fees. By doing this I have found that I am much more relaxed once the red light is on and the tape is rolling...(well digital signal)..LOL This has helped me a whole bunch for my timing and my playing is spot on.

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Mic Techniques

This is the first in a series of articles to help with mic techniques for your recording. This is just one of many different techniques and can be done anywhere and with any type of mic. Some of the other equipment for example the baffles can be made with blankets and any material that absorbs sound. The basics are like this. Mic one is a typical dynamic mis it could be a Sure SM 57 or 58. I generally place this about 48" from the amp and about 50"above floor height and pointed down at an angle towards the amp. Both mics are great solid mics for any purpose recording. Mic 2 I prefer to use a Condenser mic usually spaced about 18-36" from the front of the amp. The Condenser mic which I currently use and really love is the MXL 990. This mic is reasonably priced and has a fantastic response. Mic 3 another Dynamic mic (SM 57 or 58) depending on the room size I like to place it about 36" from the wall. This picks up a really nice slapback reverb from the room. The Baffles are just to add some deadness to the room. This is personal taste. If you like a really live room then omit the baffles Again, this is just a technique and the distances and mics are all dependent on what you have and your room. Have fun experiment and good recording.
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