Nice Job Russell !!!

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #40 on:** 18 Jan 2008, 07:21 pm »

I guarantee you will not find a louder disc, Nathan. This will fry your tweets at anything over 8 o'clock on your volume control (unless you are running SP Technology).

I have reformed my conservative ways and slammed this one to the limit. The average level on this disc is within 1.5 dB of the maximum possible at all times except between tracks - and even there I have been careful to insert noise so the level never drops below a dull roar.

I wanted to make sure those who lived in the inner city, or under it, would feel right at home.

In cool-headed consideration of the bottom line I have decided I have been irrationally idealistic all these years and have now made a conscious decision to go right for the jugular of the lowest common denominator and slam the hell out of every recording I master. I see that this was a good decision - look at all the attention I am now getting!

I now have a perpetual line up of drooling headbangers with cars that go "BOOM" outside my mastering room door, and for the first time can shop for boutique wire for my iPod. Life is great!!

Sincerely, Russell.

P.S. Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.

TomS · « **Reply #41 on:** 18 Jan 2008, 08:04 pm »

Thanks for looking after those of us that live in chaos Russell. With two teen girls (and friends) in the house I need all the gain you can muster to drown it out. With my music taste it drives them batty aa Tom

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #42 on:** 18 Jan 2008, 08:12 pm »

You're welcome.

This one defines "in yo' face".

It was also aimed at the guy in the overalls and the hearing protection standing on the tarmac behind the Boeing 747s, so he can listen while working.

Also the guy with the "power meters" on his amp. For his amusement, he can delight in watching the needles (they have to be analog) slam against the pegs and stay there for the duration, just quivering and, eventually, softening, melting and smoking.

This is not trivial to accomplish, by the way. For, especially, Dayglow's benefit I will say that it involves a series string of upwards of 6 stereo compressors, followed by a string of 3 stereo limiters, all on the stereo mix. This would not have been practicable before the advent of cheap digital processing, and for that we should be very thankful. aa

Daygloworange · « **Reply #43 on:** 18 Jan 2008, 08:13 pm »

Quote from: TomS on 18 Jan 2008, 06:24 pm

As music consumers we take so much for granted in terms of what it takes to organize the people, places, gear, etc. and somehow deliver this stuff with any hope of a great performance AND sonics.

Tom

Ya, and then have a bunch of audiophiles in audio forums complain about why no one can give them the "sensation of being right there" (AKA: The parting of the Red Sea for 5 bucks).

Quote from: nathanm on 18 Jan 2008, 07:05 pm

It looks like a lot of people like this disc, I guess that must mean it is as loud as another CD you guys own, and so therefore it must be good. Normally I like to run the dishwasher and vacuum cleaner when I am listening to music, so if an album can't cut through the cacophony it's just not worth buying. This one must be really LOUD. That's awesome! I just might have to pick up a copy. I bet it will sound awesome on my Kraco car stereo driving my dry-rotted oval speakers.

If I get it and find out that another CD I own is actually louder will someone be willing to buy it off me? Just checking.

nathanm, man you crack me up dude.

Cheers

Daygloworange · « **Reply #44 on:** 18 Jan 2008, 08:15 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 18 Jan 2008, 08:12 pm

Your welcome.

This one defines "in yo' face".

It was also aimed at the guy in the overalls and the hearing protection standing on the tarmac behind the Boeing 747s, so he can listen while working.

Also the guy with the "power meters" on his amp. For his amusement, he can delight in watching the needles (they have to be analog) slam against the pegs and stay there for the duration, just quivering and, eventually, softening, melting and smoking.

Now ur talkin' !!

Spinal Tap baby, Spinal Tap.

Cheers

TomS · « **Reply #45 on:** 21 Jan 2008, 10:27 pm »

Russell,

I am just going through this CD and all I can say is "Wow!". It sounds fantastic and the IGN playing is a joy. I've listened to D'Gary's "Please Wait For Me" several times and he just blows me away. Thanks to your work, I feel like I'm right there with them

Great job!

Tom

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #46 on:** 21 Jan 2008, 11:18 pm »

Thanks, Tom.

Glad to hear it works on Merlins ... and CS2s?

D'Gary is as nice a guy as you could meet and you can hear it in his playing - gentle but full of feeling. I like the way that one came out, too. The part where he slaps the body of the guitar sound just right on my system - a nice fat pop without being over the top. That's why I take so much trouble getting the bass right in my playback system - right down to 15 Hz or so.

I'd be curious to hear this on your CS2s.

TomS · « **Reply #47 on:** 21 Jan 2008, 11:29 pm »

Yes, the "pops' are there just like in the Michael Hedges style, quick as lightning on the OB's in my room

Actually, I'm using the CS2's right now as the Merlins are taking a break. They've just started to really open up, such that putting this guitar music on after a lot of "filler" music was a real treat today. I'm not sure if it's the speakers themselves or the mods to the DCX really kicking in, but they really draw you in now. I'm the worst offender at listening to part of a track and moving on to the next (audiophilitis). With the CS2's right now, I'm going through every song, entire CD's tracklists at a time, and finding myself with a lot less free time for other stuff

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #48 on:** 21 Jan 2008, 11:38 pm »

You should have heard the pops before I compressed and limited it! I had to be at least somewhat kind to the person listening through a clock radio!

It's really the one compromise I made in favor of the millions out there who think Bose is the end of the road to Nirvana. I'm guessing you didn't think much if any compression was used. If I'm right, I've done my job.

TomS · « **Reply #49 on:** 21 Jan 2008, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 21 Jan 2008, 11:38 pm

...I'm guessing you didn't think much if any compression was used. If I'm right, I've done my job.

Oh yeah, I felt like I was THERE

ZLS · « **Reply #50 on:** 23 Jan 2008, 12:43 am »

Received the CD International Guitar Night II in the mail today.

Two Words

Thank You

mgalusha · « **Reply #51 on:** 24 Jan 2008, 04:03 pm »

My copy of this arrived yesterday and while I've only had a chance to listen to a couple of songs what I heard was very nice. I love this type of music and as others have mentioned the sound is splendid. Thanks for taking the time to do it right Russell.

mike

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #52 on:** 24 Jan 2008, 05:49 pm »

Thanks ZLS, Brian and Mike. I'm sending a link of this thread to all the guitarists and the guys behind the Belvedere Broadcasters.

Part of the thinking behind the BBs was not only to find authenticity in the arrangements and rhythms/tempos but also in the relaxed recorded sound historically obtained using a single ribbon mic. In this case the mic was a modern ribbon (Royer SF12), but still as smooth as ribbons tend to be, plus Blumlein stereo.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #53 on:** 6 Feb 2008, 02:47 am »

Congrats Russell.....just read Gordy's post......

And....a review on Echoes......

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #54 on:** 6 Feb 2008, 06:16 am »

I've got some Bis and Opus records (and others) of chamber size groups (acoustic) of different size and styles recorded in smaller venues which is why I'm such a fan of this technique as Russell used on the BB disc discussed above. Worth seeking out.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #55 on:** 6 Feb 2008, 06:19 am »

How the heck did I miss this post? - it's been running for a while now (I know why - it's the filtering I use now on this site due to proliferating circles!

)

I had no idea you had such a repertoire of recordings, Russell - it's so cool that you're a member here and we all get to know, firsthand, your thoughts in recording and post mixing

Wowsa' - I gotta' get me a few Russell Dawkins CD's now

Regards, John

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #56 on:** 6 Feb 2008, 08:14 am »

I am curious if anyone has got to hear the Belvedere Broadcasters CD "Big Steps" yet.

I really like this disc, and the one before also, which I didn't record but was done by a friend with the same type of mic (I turned him on to it about 15 years ago - still haven't found any mic I like more for this type of use).

A large part of what I enjoy about the BBs is their absolutely authentic rhythmic feel and tempos, not to speak of actual arrangements. They are doing what is mostly American dance music of the 20s and 30s, but have taken the trouble to research and find - often with some difficulty - the original scores and arrangements. In some cases, these pieces have never been played from their original scores since they were first recorded. And the arrangements are great. Too bad you can't hear more samples on their site.

Anyway, there are more than a few very serious anachrophiles in the band and that is why they recorded the way they did with most of what you hear coming from a stereo ribbon mic (Blumlein, as usual - the Royer SF12) and very subtle use of spot mics.

Their previous recording was even more purist, with no spots and a vocal mic only.

I think the playing itself is what makes these a rare treat for the person who wants to really immerse himself in the feel of the 20s and 30s. Of course, you need a Duesenberg, a suitcoat with a black velvet collar and a white scarf, a flapper by your side and a tube powered mono car radio to complete the picture.

I have never heard this type of music played with such authenticity by any other contemporary band. All other attempts I've heard betray their modernity one way or another.

As an aside, Doug Rhodes, their leader and part of the sax section and one of the singers, used to play in Los Angeles in the 60s and played the keyboards on "Cherish" by The Association. A monster hit of the time.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #57 on:** 7 Feb 2008, 05:40 am »

Quote

I am curious if anyone has got to hear the Belvedere Broadcasters CD "Big Steps" yet.

No....but I did find their website...

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #58 on:** 7 Feb 2008, 07:51 am »

I'm working on getting the Belvedere Broadcasters' CDs on Amazon, along with Paul Cantelon, Gordon Clements, The Palm Court Orchestra and Ian McDougall.

Ian McDougall is a very fine trombonist. I recorded a 2 disc set for him in '96 "Songs and Arias" and his sextet in 2000, I think, "Burning Down the House" (the club where we recorded this live burned down a day later).
These discs can be seen and sampled here:

http://www.ianmcdougall.com/CD_sales.html

The Palm Court Orchestra is another rare enterprise - an authentic "light classical" 35 piece orchestra. I recorded all their CDs:

http://www.palmcourtorchestra.com/sales.htm

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #59 on:** 7 Feb 2008, 07:53 am »

While the original music material of this thread had me hesitating just a little because I'm not currently in the mood to enjoy acoustic guitar work, I just dropped the BBs an email re: purchasing the cds. Funds permitting, I hope to hear these cds soon.

Russell, it would be awesome to have availability on Amazon.