 It occurs to me that it has been exactly two calendar months since my last visit to Wisseloord Studios. Last time I did some minor stuff in Studio 2, but this time we're in the big room... Studio 1.  We're going to try some different stuff today. Nothing too advanced. Not too much stress. Just fooling around and experimenting with a few things and getting the results down on tape. But experimenting with drums, as you might have guessed from this photo of the helpful Wisseloord engineers setting up around the drum kit while Koos and I jam a bit.  Ok. Fun time over. It's time for us to get some levels off the drum kit while Koos thumps repeatedly on each drum in sequence.  We're almost ready to start doing some stuff now. Koos checks the levels in his headphones.  Ok... maybe we're not quite ready yet. Where is Koos going?!??  Alex takes the short break time to have a seat behind the mixing desk. It is Alex's first time in the studio and he is very excited and nervous.  Kent checks out some of the many photos he's been snapping all morning.  One of my favourite photos of the day... a view of Alex at the mixing desk.  Another shot of Alex behind the mixing console.  Hmmmmm. Yet ANOTHER shot of Alex behind the mixing console.  And finally the session begins. Here we see Koos playing the drums. (No kidding? Really?!?)  And here we see the colour version of the previous photo. Exciting, huh?  Koos contemplates life for a moment as we set up for the next song.  Actually... he might have been contemplating the engineer girl setting up guitar stuff.  We're not actually doing any guitar today, but I thought it might help to have Kent jam along with us. As it turned out that was a bit distracting for Koos, but trying some different ideas out was part of the work that I was planning for the day, so it's all in the day's work.  Now Kent contemplates life for a while.  Here I really start to try and get artistic by leaving the shutter open on my camera and causing moving figures to blur.  With Koos's drum work finished it's Alex's turn. This requires some minor changes to the drum kit.  One idea we're experimenting with is having a microphone underneath the seat of the drum stool. This microphone picks up not only the squeaking of the stool but also some interesting perspectives on the rest of the kit as well.  Here we see the engineer girl taping the mic to the bottom of the seat.  Koos and Kent discuss something or other as the rest of us get ready for Alex's session.  Alex is almost ready. Just a few more minor adjustments.  Trying to be artistic again by leaving the shutter open. The drum kit is in focus but Alex's outline is blurred.  Check out the cymbal that is blurred because Alex just hit it.  I think this has a kind of interesting effect. A sense of motion or dynamics or something.  Alex may be nervous but he is very happy to be here today, I think.  Here's one of my other favourite photos of the day. An artistic one again, of course. I call this picture "The Drum Session".  Someone (Kent?) snaps a photo with my camera as Huub (right) and myself (left) listen to Alex play.  A view of Alex all alone in the studio.  Some more artistic photos by me. This is Huub (my engineer), myself and Nitsan (the assistant engineer).  Another version of the previous photo to prove that no matter what the circumstances... I am always the LEAST cool person in any photograph.  Hey... it's Alex's first time in the studio! Of course we have to take lots of pictures of him, right?  I should mention that despite it being his first time Alex has the right idea when it comes to suitable clothing for working... maybe it's not you'd call cool, but it's certainly comfortable.  Ok. So the drum bits are all finished and it's time for me to do some playing. Huub and engineer girl (Nitsan?!?) set up the mic's for the piano.  Kent is confused by my MiniDisc player sitting on the piano. Little does he realise that I am taping everything that everyone is saying!  Note to self: Sandals with white socks? Not cool.  And so another recording session on the long road to my next album comes to an end. But before we go, a special treat. Experience the thrill of one of my recording sessions for yourself. (Don't be shy!) The Police's Zenyatta Mondatta - No sharp objects in the studio. What makes a good engineer? Knowing left from right. Def Leppard and the Osbournes don't need our money anymore. Who needs to rehearse? Alex has some final questions Playing in the studio versus playing in the control room Recording on a hard-drive versus recording on tape (digital or otherwise) Oh right... the piano chords! (a la Sergeant Pepper) Recording the control room banter? Why didn't I think of that? Why record in Holland? |
