Ken Lewis - News, Thoughts and Advice for Musicians, Artists, and recording industry people
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Video Blog, End of Night, Oct 28
I'm just wrapping up a very long 15 hour day of production on the new MIGGS album that I'm producing (www.miggsmusic.com) for RockRidge / Warner Records.. This is just the end of night summary of the day, nothing too special. Just some insights on what a long day of record making is like, for those of you who dont yet get the supreme luxury of doing this for a living. I am lucky, but i work hard for my luck. -Ken Lewis
Ken Lewis here, currently in Tampa, Florida producing an album for RockRidge / Warner recording artist "MIGGS". Here's a short little nerd video blog for all you guys trying to learn how to record vocals, or record vocals better. I don't usually use a Distressor to compress vocals while tracking, but i am today and it sounds great. In this video blog, I'm basically just breaking down my vocal chain that i'm using to record while the singer is in the live room singing his heart out.
I've been producing RockRidge / Warner recording artists "MIGGS" this month (www.miggsband.com). Lately we've been in heavy lead vocal recording mode. This video gives a little insight into the process of "Vocal Comping". Usually when i record vocals, i have the singer give me many takes, and I guide them as needed with direction before each take, then i send them away and put together all of the best pieces of each take into one final Comp Vocal.
And while i'm at it, I'm going to repost a link to an old blog posting i did from a few years ago, which covered my techniques with vocal comping in depth. I think its the most commented on and linked blog post i ever did, so here it is again. for all you producers out there wanting to learn how to record and comp vocals, or maybe get a few new tips and techniques, here ya go!!!
Part 3 of the saga, recording electric guitars with Miggs. I am producing an album for Miggs, on RockRidge / Warner Records. We've been tracking lots of guitars (and lots of other stuff which i'll blog about). Enjoy! -Ken Lewis
Tips & Techniques - Guitar Recording With Miggs PT 1 of 3
I am producing an album for RockRidge Records artists MIGGS MiggsBand.com. We've been recording electric guitars on the album and i wanted to do a little youtube video documenting how the process is working. this is video 1 of 3, i'll post the other 2 videos on successive days. Miggs has also been putting up their own little ongoing video documentary of the making of the album as well, some really cool, funny, and insightful footage on their own wesbite.
Last year I produced a 4 song EP for young prodigy Ariana Grande. Ariana is just one of those people who completely piss you off. Absolutely incredibly talented at everything she does. Unbelievable vocalist, completely believable actress, budding young songwriter, and all around super talented artist and entertainer. Like i said, don't you just hate those people who are great at everything?? Well, she's one of them. Well, I'd like to hate her, but she's so damn nice that she just wins you over.
Anyway, last year (thru early 2009) Ariana starred in the hit Broadway Musical "13 The Musical". And when that play closed, she moved to LA and began auditioning, quickly landing a co-lead role on a new Nickelodeon show coming out in January titled "vicTORIous".
Here's a link that tells a bit about the show......
Oh yeah, did i mention Ariana is also signed to Sony Records? Like i said, you just wanna hate her, but you can't. Congrats Ariana on all of your success and all of the much much bigger success coming your way soon. I cannot think of anyone more deserving, nor anyone who's more fun to work with!!!!
A little while back, i mixed a song called "Oxymoron" for a South African pop rock artist named "Zebra & Giraffe". Well, at the time, the artist was telling me "Hey this song and this album are going to be big!!!". Well, it turns out he was REALLY right.
"Zebra & Giraffe" recently won a SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARD (SAMA) for their album "Collected Memories", and last weekend at the MTV Africa Music Awards they won "Best Alternative Artist"!!!
Big congrats go out to you, Zebra & Giraffe from a half a world away! Here is their website.....
