After a long and tedious process of rhythm guitar tracking, I have finally moved on to bass guitars. The single most important foundation of a song recording is the rhythm section, mainly drums and bass. This is the backbone to any kind of melody you lay over top of it, and will solidify the listeners decision to continue listening or stop and move on to the next song. Im putting a lot of effort and detailed attention into the recording of bass guitars.

A lot of metal bands or solo musicians who attempt to record the bass on their own treat it as just a “big guitar” that can get by with only playing the root notes to the power chords their rhythm guitars are playing. I want the bass to be it’s own individual instrument, that when required can blend with the power of the kick drum and deliver that sonic punch in the gut that a good heavy song should have. Im using my usual Yamaha RBX 765a 5-String on this recording simply because I love the feel of it, and it has active pickups that give the recording a good kick in the ass.

Im going directly into the board using a DI box, even though the pickups are powered and don’t require one, I feel it evens out the sound slightly and keeps my levels tight. What’s great about going direct, is afterwards during the mixing process I can re-amp the direct bass recordings if I want to achieve a more natural sound played through an amp. It all depends on whats right for the mix, and I will cross that bridge soon!

To streamline the process of posting and interacting with fans who submit their nightmares to Autumns Eyes, I put together a new site where nightmares can be shared and now commented on. If you have yet to share a nightmare of your own, feel free by clicking the link below to visit the new and improved location of “Share Your Nightmares”!

As I read my latest issue of EQ magazine I found a review of the virtual instrument I use frequently called East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra. To the surprise of not only myself, but many I am sure, the company behind the genius program is giving away the software for absolutely NO COST AT ALL. The only thing you need to do besides visit their site is complete a small survey. The program is over 1.5 gigs large and comes with only the stage microphones enabled, not the surround or close microphones. Click here to visit the site and fill out the survey to get your own copy!

This has always been one of my favorite death scenes not just from a Nightmare film, but horror movies in general. Whats even worse than Phillips uncontrollable sleep walk is the deaf kid trying to get peoples attention for help.