Today (technically yesterday now..) I started the process of salvaging my (rather poorly) recorded drums from a few years ago into separate MIDI tracks. Reaper makes this process easier with a JS plugin called drumtrigger – it takes an audio signal as an input (such as a snare drum track), and outputs a MIDI note with a velocity that’s proportional to the intensity of the snare hit. I then route the MIDI notes to my Steven Slate Platinum sampled drum library to get some radio-ready drum sounds right off of the bat. I also put down a quick take of piano using Kontakt 4’s sampled grand piano. Take a listen to the excerpts before and after the kick, snare, hi hat, and piano were replaced by their virtual counterparts:
2009.12.07.Hopes.Up.High.pre.SS.Drums.mp3 2009.12.07.Hopes.Up.High.post.SS.drums.mp3First album – tentative release date, details
I’m very happy to announce that I will be self-releasing my very first album in 2010. It will be an EP, 5 or 6 songs, and I’m planning on a release date in March 2010.
I’m still figuring out the distribution method, but my current plan is:
- ~300 physical CDs will be replicated, packaged in cardboard sleeves or a Digipak. (Replication is what the big boys use – instead of simply burning CD-R’s, a glass master is created and used to “stamp” the blank discs!)
- CDs will be available for purchase from me personally, via my website (http://music.iancanderson.com), as well as via CD Baby.
- Digital downloads will be available for purchase at my website (http://music.iancanderson.com), as well as several online outlets including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, Amie Street, Spotify, and even Mobile carriers, including Verizon.
I won’t make as much money per download selling on iTunes as opposed to selling on my site, but I’ve come to realize that people like the “convenience” of the iTunes store.. Okay I won’t get into an anti-Apple rant here.
In short, I’m really excited about this. However, I have a very busy (though fun) few months ahead as I re-record and mix my songs, and I’ll be calling on YOU to help me get my music out into the world. Thanks ahead of time =)
John Mayer cover – “Another Kind of Green”
I decided to lay a quick track down while I was practicing it for my gig on December 5th. Take a listen if you’d like.
2009.11.18.Another.Kind.of.Green.mp3Quick Synth Jam using Komplete 6
So I recently sprang for the Native Instruments Komplete 6 virtual instrument bundle. Finally got a chance to jam out on it for an hour or so last night. I’m not sure if this will become a “real” song or not, but I’m kind of digging the 80’s dance vibe I got out of three synths and a drum machine. Feel free to stream/download/dance party it.
2009.11.17.NI.jam.mp3
Pledge to me, I’ll pledge to Haiti
I’ve decided to pledge to the Haiti cause, specifically to the Doctors Without Borders cause.
As many of you know, I’m currently accepting pledges, via kickstarter.com, to help with the costs of producing my first album.
The amount that I’ll pledge to Doctors Without Borders will be 75% of the kickstarter pledges that I get over the course of the next week, (starting right now and ending next Thursday at 11:59PM). For example, if I receive $100 worth of pledges between right NOW and January 21st, 11:59PM, I will pledge $75 to the cause on Friday, January 22nd.
Make your pledges here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/IanCAnderson/ians-debut-album-ep