Archive for the ‘Funk’ Category
Loop #138
For this loop I decided to take the opposite approach to producing. The "Costanza Method" of recording, if you will. As I'm sure most of you already know, effects and audio processing are typically applied during the mixing process, after all of the tracks are recorded. However, for this session, I applied a variety of sonic sculpting tools to the master bus BEFORE recording a single note. Sure, I checked the levels to make sure everything was copacetic, but I wanted this random...
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When I put out a call for loop requests the other week, I received an outpouring of emails asking for every type of genre and beat you could imagine. Everything from tangos, odd meter math rock, slow bossa novas, death metal (I don't own a double bass pedal and my trenchcoat is at the dry cleaner) and merrengue. Quite a spectrum. And while I've kept all of these responses on file for future sessions, it was one particular request that immediately caught my ear and sent me running to the studi...
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I know, I know.... things have been a little quiet around here lately. But trust me, I have a very good Reason for my absence. I would love to share more information with you at this time, but a team of international lawyers and a very large Swedish man who goes by the name, "Sven", have me sworn to secrecy "or else...". In just under a month, I will be able to provide you with all kinds of details about this very exciting project.
I've also been making some major strides in the upgrade o...
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In an attempt to keep up with the highly influential likes of Heidi Montag, Kate Gosselin and the singer of Nickelback, I've decided to dramatically change my appearance. Well, at least the appearance of this blog. The old design had served me well for the past 18 months, but I decided it was time to switch things up and produce a fresh new look.
To celebrate the launch of the site design, I wanted to share an entire (and free) loop pack with the loyal readers of this blog. I know I've bee...
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Loop #132
This is what it sounds like when you take a drum groove with no muffling (even on the kick) and run it through a completely overdriven Brownface amp.
[caption id="attachment_5892" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Not just for guitars"][/caption]
[audio:108_WideOpen.mp3]
Get the .wav file here.
Get the .rx2 file here.
Get the .aiff file here.
108 BPM...
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As I mentioned in my previous post, I was fortunate enough to finally become the owner my dream jazz kit, a Gretsch USA Custom. After breaking open my piggy bank and selling 63% of my bone marrow, I finally had the sufficient funds to make the trek up to the wonderful Drum Center of Portsmouth and pick her up.
And why are these drums so great? Well, it's all about the way they SOUND. They have a certain characteristic and tone that only Gretsch drums seem to possess. It's that warm, round...
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Loop #128
My studio has a time machine. Does yours? For today's loop, I set the dial to 1964 and typed in "Destination: Stax Studios". I was only there long enough to record a three minute session, overdub some tambourine and eat a pulled pork sandwich, but all in all, the trip was a success. With the vinyl master under one arm and a gallon of BBQ sauce under the other, I transported myself back to current day Boston, where I just finished digitizing the session for your pleasure. Subscr...
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Loop #127
Take a little bit of Sublime, mix it up with a dash of 311, and you've got yourself some serious stoner-funk-reggae. This particular genre requires one very ringy, high-pitched snare drum, some off-beat hi hat skankin', and an extra large brownie.
[caption id="attachment_5640" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Crunchy grooves, brah!"][/caption]
Here's a four measure loop that will make patchouli oil ooze from your speakers.
Preview Here:
[audio:78_StonerFunk.mp3]...
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Well, not for good... but for the next week I'll be spending the majority of my time sitting here and drinking this. Don't look for any new loops to be posted on this site, but for some highly insightful, tequila-fueled rants and observations, be sure to keep up with me over on Twitter.
Loop #125
As I pack my bags (and 30 SPF sunblock), I leave you with a loop inspired by this guy:
[caption id="attachment_5602" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="Funky hair. Funkier Beatz."][/cap...
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Some albums totally blow your mind when it comes to production. Other albums inspire you by the incredible musicianship. And some albums hold their own just by the level of songwriting. But it's not that often when an album comes along and takes all three of these elements to transcend the high bar of awesomeness (wow, what a horrible analogy). D'Angelo's epic 2000 release, Voodoo, is one of these special records.
Just as I was about to graduate college, thinking I knew everything there...
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