Hey all,

My wife and son finally figured out how to use iMovie, and I now have a video on my website. Click here to skip the website stuff and go straight to the video.

The audio was recorded using the camera mic, so obviously there's no bottom end - I'm working on learning how to edit that.

Here's a pic of the complete setup:


I love how the Bose doesn't intrude (visually) or ugly up the surroundings.

A beautiful place to play, and beautiful sound as well!

Well done, Tres!

Nice job Tres.
Wow!! Great looking venue.

Nice video, Tres! Did you notice how we could not only hear your Taylor really well, but your vocals were nice and clear, too. Even without some low end from the camera mic, it is a great video! Good job! Of course, the venue space is pretty nice, too!

Tres, nice video, good job. I also visited your site, good job there too. I've been trying to get the quality of recordings you have but no luck. How did you record the tunes on your site?

larry-b:

I played through the Bose, using a T1 with my normal settings, and connected via USB to a Macbook laptop, using garageband.

It took a couple of trial recordings to get the balance and sound right (I recorded the total output of the T1 into a single track of Garageband; haven't figured out how to do multi-tracking yet). When I got the guitar/vocal balance where I wanted it, I recorded the songs.

The only post recording stuff was a slight EQ adjustment to remove some boominess, then compression and a volume boost.

I too am surprised (and pleased) with the quality of the video sound, using the L1. The camera was digital, but older (using tape vs. memory stick).

Re: the venue, yeah, I wish all my gigs were there!

Tres;
I have tried several recording methods with little luck producing an acceptable sound. You gave me another approach by recording and then EQ and compress with volume boost. I have been recording through a compressor directly to a stand alone CD recorder. I will try direct to the recorder then compress, maybe that will help. I have to copy the CD into a laptop program then maybe I can add the touches I need. The recordings I've done don't sound as bad when played through a good system but not good trough a laptop or PC.
Thanks for the input, I will try that approach.
Keep up the good work.

larrybmusic.net

Very good, Tres,

We look forward to hearing you next week.

Rick

larry-b,

Yes, there is a big difference between compressing an original signal (guitar, voice, etc.) and compressing the entire final mix.

Also, I don't know what compressor you're using, but the one I chose in garageband was a studio quality compressor intended for mixdown.

Thanks for sharing that Tres. I enjoyed it, and it sparked a journey of Bonnie Raitt related memories.

Looking forward to meeting you in a few days.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all, as well!

Or as we say, y'all...

Yep, agreed, very nice, smooth recording.
Love that picture...how clean and neat.
I also really liked your hat.

Thanks, drumr!

I go all out when I'm gigging; I buy all my clothing at Target...apparently, that's where Paul Simon shops as well

Hi Tres, thanks for the video and tell Billy P. (and wife Buddy) that Leo says hello.

Keep them films a comin'--leo--

Hi Tres;
The video is great. There is a guitar that would really fit the scene you are playing. It is a Dean Key Largo, though it's not much more than a wall hanger it would fit with the decor in your video. It has dolphin inlay around the sound hole and palm trees up the neck. I own one and it just plays and sounds OK, not great. A little expensive for a wall hanger but it looks great.

Hey larry,

Thanks! I'll look into that model. Dean guitars are made here in Tampa Bay, so they're not too hard to find. I'll check out one if I can find it...

Though it will be hard to give up the Taylor, I've been looking for a second guitar as a spare, or for less than wonderful weather conditions.

quote:

less than wonderful weather conditions.

Hi Tres. For that back up guitar you might want to look at an Ovation. I used one the 2 1/2 years that I worked in Key West, and it was very stable in the high humidity and heat. Unplugged, it probably won't sound as sweet to you as your Taylor, but they are dependable tools and sound great plugged in. I seem to recall that someone is bringing a couple to Little Switzerland.
See ya there.
Respect

Thanks Col.Andy, I've owned ovations before, and they never really worked for me, partly because the bowl back doesn't work with my svelt figure , and on a lesser note, they're very difficult to repair, and I repair my own stuff. But you're right, they're stable as heck, almost indestructable.

Besides, the boss says I have to pay for the Bose conference trip first, then my Bose system, and then promotional expenses, and then maybe I can have some new toys...

Tres,

Check out Composite Acoustic Composite Acoustic as well. I think that my next guitar purchase will be one of these.

All I am debating right now is what I want in it for a pick up. I am thinking Baggs Ibeam, but still not sure.

I really like the GX, I have played one, and it is very similar in sound and playability to a Taylor GS, and yet impervious to moisture. I have heard that without electronics, you can play them in a shower.

I also saw a video somewhere that they took one by the neck, threw it into the air about 20 feet with it landing on a cement slab, picked it up and played it, and it was still in tune.

I am seriously considering this as my next purchase.

I will never give up my Taylor, but for the winters in North Dakota, or summers for that matter, it would be ideal. Then all I would have to worry about is my L1 getting rained on. :-)

Thanks, Gordy. I've heard of Composite Acoustic, over on an acoustic guitar forum, but never looked into it since I wasn't in the market. Thanks for the link!