[Recording to tape]

I use Cubase as a glorified tape machine for most of my work but I'm always thankful for the ease of use when it comes to editing parts. I own a 16 track 2" Scully tape machine which is almost fully working (still need to rebuild the bias circuit) and I'd love to use it, but in the meantime I'm very satisfied with imposing my own limits of the limitless potential of digital in order to force myself to come up with creative solutions. Limits inspire creativity in many cases and that's the real trick with digital.

I as well use Cubase for all my demo's, before actually tracking. It's way easier, of course. I've also done plenty of rock albums at studios using Protools and if the engineer knows what they are doing, it can sound really, really incredible.

For the Park St. Trio album, I really wanted an older, more vintage sound. Since I knew somebody that liked using his tape machine, it seemed like an easy way to do it. It's also faster in the editing/mixing area, because you have less tracks to deal with and none of the musicians can say anything about "fixing" notes or changing tones, adding effects... It's just, what we recorded and that's it. We did, of course, use high quality mic's, and very specific mic placement as well as isolation for the bass guitar. The vibes, drums and guitar we all in the same room. Next time I think I would isolate the vibes a bit more.

Here's a video, you can see myself on drums and the guitar player, the vibes are on the right and the bass is actually behind the camera in the iso booth.

Doctor's Doctrine

The new Organissimo track sounded sweet!!! I love that mellow groove.

[Recording to tape]

Sounds nice! Musically and sonically!

Not to shoot a hole in your theory, but I have recorded my combo in a similar setting except to digital, but still using top drawer mics, a natural room sound, no electronics, no overdubs, etc. The results are also very good. But yeah, analog is another link in the chain that adds to the sound.

We actually recorded the tracks simultaneously to tape and Radar. Then played them back A/B style. Doing a blind listening test, everyone in the band thought the tape recording sounded thicker, and more authentic. The recording was done at Little Red Wagon Studio's.

3) I had a good repair person nearbye for any issues, including biasing, etc.

Funny, the machine did break a few times during the session, luckily our engineer knew a lot about them, so he fixed each issue fairly quickly.

[Gay Jazz Musicians]

Gary Burton of course. He's been out for a long time and has had a incredible career as a musician and instructor.

[Recording to tape]

Hey, I wanted to talk about and share newer albums being recorded to tape. Most groups these days are using ProTools, Cubase... Some computer software to record their albums. While I have no issue with recording this way, I find it really fascinating when groups record their albums using older more traditional methods.

When I sat down to think about the sound I wanted on my latest release, the thing that kept popping into my head was how the older albums had such a great "live" feel to them. While a lot of the newer albums sounds really polished and clean, but lack that certain "live" feel. I wanted that live sound. So, we recorded to 2" tape, mixed down into a Radar machine, then mastered the record. We did three takes per song and picked the best take. The mixing was super quick, since we were only using 8 tracks. We did no editing and no overdubs.

Here's a link to my album to get things kicked off: Park St. Trio

Let's compare this one, done in 2011, to the old Miles Davis, John Coltrane... albums, also recorded to tape. Does anyone know any other groups that have recorded to tape in the modern age of recording?

Here's another super cool example, one which I have nothing to do with: Cylinder Recording

[Which New Release is grabbing your ears?]

Scott Amendola!!! As a drummer songwriter myself, I have to say that I don't usually like drummer music (example: Anything Dave Weckl has written). But Scott Amendola is not showing off, the songs are not because of the drumming, rather the drumming is because of the song. I really appreciate a drummer that can take a step away from the kit to write good music and not solo over everything. I strive to do this is my own writing as well. Scott Amendola

[Park St. Trio]

Fair points Expat. First, I always appreciate feedback, good and bad. Second, I was being serious about not having any Burton with guitar (although a quick Google search would solve that). Third, thanks for the support with Park St. Trio. I promise my second post will be better.

[Bobby Hutcherson]

Saw Bobby Hutcherson on Friday night At Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA 1-28-2011. His 70th birthday was on the 27th. I must say he looked in bad shape. He is frail and has to use a portable breathing device with the plastic tubing in his nose. I could see him gasping for air from time to time. Didn't realize he was that ill. He was with guitarist Anthony Wilson, local man steady Eddy Marshall on drums(played a beautiful tune on a flute sounding instrument, I think it's a Recorder)the pianist and bassist names escape me. Hutch's music is fine, but, it's sad to see him in his current physical condition at only 70 years of age. If you don't smoke(doesn't matter what)don't start, if you do smoke, STOP.....................

I was at that show as well, doing some research for my group, Park ST. Trio, which has a vibes player in it. I thought he played really well, considering. I feel like musicians can get old and continue playing like it's nothing. That is always so amazing to me. I saw Louie Bellson about a year before he died and he was still playing so well. I hope I am just like that, playing until I die. (Not that Bobby is dead yet, but you know he'll play until that day comes). Side note, if you are from the Bay Area, check out: Park St. Trio, We're small, but fun.

[Park St. Trio]

Check out this relatively new release from my group, Park St. Trio. This is our first release and we are very proud of how it turned out. I am a drummer and new to song writing. 6 of the songs written on the album are composed by me, so I'm extra excited about it.

Here's the line up:

Steve Slater - Drums

Stan Muncy - Vibraphone (Stan Muncy)

Jason Countryman - Guitar

Nick Underwood - Bass

The album was recorded to tape, not digitally like most albums these days. We did 3 takes per song and picked the best one for the album. It was fast, simple and fun. We did no overdubs and no editing on the parts.

Please check out our new release, "Goodnight, Daylight" (title track is a lullaby for my 19 month old son). Let us know what you think and if you like it, please help us spread the word.

Thanks for listening!

Park St. Trio.