NEWS
04.09.09 analog-y analogy
I've gotten quite a few requests lately to "master for vinyl"; more-so than ever before. An engineer friend of mine recently mentioned that more bands have been hiring him to record on tape these days. There's been a lot of talk (and numerous newspaper articles) about people buying LPs again. Dead analog tape companies are coming back to life. It's pretty weird and exciting... but maybe, just maybe, and I hope I'm not being naive here... but maybe the death of the CD really isn't the death of the music industry. Maybe it will actually cause a shift in the way people listen to music... at home, in their living rooms, with friends, with more dynamics, and actually by paying for it. Just sayin'. I'm not usually one to jump to blindly optimistic conclusions... just reporting what I'm seeing in my world.
So yeah, things have been swimming right along at Cauliflower Audio. Seems like word has gotten out that we're not a bunch of complete tool-bags. Well, maybe that's debatable... but we've been busy none-the-less. I just finished mastering some songs for the Los Angeles-based duo BLACK INK PAPER WHITE. Five sprawling, swirly, majestic pieces of dreampop. Really inventive guitar and vocal work.
Also mastered two songs for a forthcoming single from THE VERY KNEES. I'm not even effing around. Raw, loud, sweaty, and a measly coupla chords. They are the most fun live band I've seen in a really long time. And the recordings do them justice. It was a real treat to work with these lovely folks.
A few months ago I mixed a song for singer-songwriter ROBERT CHERRY, and we got on so well that we decided to work on a little collaborative effort. Rob's written about five songs, some of which will feature Craig Ramsey (Bears, Ace and the Rangers, Kiddo) on drums and/or yours truly on synths and programming. I will also be mixing the project when it reaches fruition. The one song that we've delved into thus-far is turning out better than I could've even hoped for... effortlessly. Dark, sparse, even mature, I dare say.
And, dare I say again, after a small round of revisions this weekend, we should be 1 song away from a completed LUDWYG debut EP. The last couple test mixes have sounded pretty great! Should be complete and ready for release within the month.
Also, a couple little plugs for my non-engineering projects.
1) BRANDTSON's 2002 full-length "Dial-In Sounds" has been released on limited-edition vinyl by DREAMOVER RECORDS. And since I hadn't joined the band at this point, I can tell you without shame that it's an amazing record and you should probably own it. It's available in black, blue, and white vinyl.
And 2) I'm playing music again in a new band. Nothing much to mention yet... just some friends jamming, but it's nice to be playing music again just for the sheer fun of it. It hasn't felt that way since I was like 15. TWSS. Goodnight.
So yeah, things have been swimming right along at Cauliflower Audio. Seems like word has gotten out that we're not a bunch of complete tool-bags. Well, maybe that's debatable... but we've been busy none-the-less. I just finished mastering some songs for the Los Angeles-based duo BLACK INK PAPER WHITE. Five sprawling, swirly, majestic pieces of dreampop. Really inventive guitar and vocal work.
Also mastered two songs for a forthcoming single from THE VERY KNEES. I'm not even effing around. Raw, loud, sweaty, and a measly coupla chords. They are the most fun live band I've seen in a really long time. And the recordings do them justice. It was a real treat to work with these lovely folks.
A few months ago I mixed a song for singer-songwriter ROBERT CHERRY, and we got on so well that we decided to work on a little collaborative effort. Rob's written about five songs, some of which will feature Craig Ramsey (Bears, Ace and the Rangers, Kiddo) on drums and/or yours truly on synths and programming. I will also be mixing the project when it reaches fruition. The one song that we've delved into thus-far is turning out better than I could've even hoped for... effortlessly. Dark, sparse, even mature, I dare say.
And, dare I say again, after a small round of revisions this weekend, we should be 1 song away from a completed LUDWYG debut EP. The last couple test mixes have sounded pretty great! Should be complete and ready for release within the month.
Also, a couple little plugs for my non-engineering projects.
1) BRANDTSON's 2002 full-length "Dial-In Sounds" has been released on limited-edition vinyl by DREAMOVER RECORDS. And since I hadn't joined the band at this point, I can tell you without shame that it's an amazing record and you should probably own it. It's available in black, blue, and white vinyl.
And 2) I'm playing music again in a new band. Nothing much to mention yet... just some friends jamming, but it's nice to be playing music again just for the sheer fun of it. It hasn't felt that way since I was like 15. TWSS. Goodnight.
09 Apr 2009 | by: adam |
02.24.09 Fantastic February
So, my new day job is in Pennsylvania. I've been working as an audio preservation engineer out there 3 days a week since December, and I travel back to Cleveland every Wednesday night. It's not a long drive, and it gives me time to think, listen to new music, check out any mixes I'm working on, etc. Aside from missing the wife, it's a livable, oft-times enjoyable situation. EXCEPT the fact that every f*cking Wednesday night, there's a blizzard, torrential downpour, black ice, lightning, and terrifying gusts of wind that threaten to upend my tiny little car. And now Wednesday is upon us AGAIN... and I'm just warning that if you live between Pittsburgh and Cleveland and plan on traveling Wednesday night, bring a canoe, because I'm sure there's a tsunami or typhoon or frozen veloci-raptor attack on the horizon.
Aside from that, February's been a great month for the studio. First of all, you'll notice that our MySpace player has been updated with a new remix. This one was done a few months ago for the Idaho-based indie-pop band BANK. I think it's my finest reworking yet. The original "Drop Drop" was recorded by esteemed Brandtson producer ED ROSE, so I had some excellent bed tracks to work with. I wanted to take the brooding dance-rock number into swingier, bluesier, 90's-era Depeche Mode territory. I'm really proud of this one... please give it a listen and comment to your heart's content. Check Bank out as well!
In the mastering realm, I've had the pleasure of working on two projects with Cleveland Independent Recording engineer MIKE McDONALD: the forthcoming COFFINBERRY album (we've finally finished it!), and a new full-length by the late VITAL MINES. I've known of Mike's engineering skills for years now but only recently had the opportunity to work with him. Great guy, and we know a lot of the same folks. Looking forward to more!
Got to master the newest EP by Philtre Audio Endeavors' mastermind CLAUS MUZAK as well. Love, love love this guy's stuff. Inventive electro this time around with an '80's flair. I'm really really starting to fall in love with my Pendulum OCL-2 compressor. It's magical! Also been keeping busy with a lot of little editing jobs and trial mastering samples too. Pleasantly busy. I hope to receive hard copies of some CDs I've recently worked on this week, which is still super cool to me.
SO..... I hate to hit you over the head with it, but why not spread the word about Cauliflower Audio? We're professional, we're affordable, and we won't rest until you're 100% satisfied.
Drop us a message to find out how to submit an unmastered track for a free, trial mastering sample. Available for all first-time clients.
Until next time!
Aside from that, February's been a great month for the studio. First of all, you'll notice that our MySpace player has been updated with a new remix. This one was done a few months ago for the Idaho-based indie-pop band BANK. I think it's my finest reworking yet. The original "Drop Drop" was recorded by esteemed Brandtson producer ED ROSE, so I had some excellent bed tracks to work with. I wanted to take the brooding dance-rock number into swingier, bluesier, 90's-era Depeche Mode territory. I'm really proud of this one... please give it a listen and comment to your heart's content. Check Bank out as well!
In the mastering realm, I've had the pleasure of working on two projects with Cleveland Independent Recording engineer MIKE McDONALD: the forthcoming COFFINBERRY album (we've finally finished it!), and a new full-length by the late VITAL MINES. I've known of Mike's engineering skills for years now but only recently had the opportunity to work with him. Great guy, and we know a lot of the same folks. Looking forward to more!
Got to master the newest EP by Philtre Audio Endeavors' mastermind CLAUS MUZAK as well. Love, love love this guy's stuff. Inventive electro this time around with an '80's flair. I'm really really starting to fall in love with my Pendulum OCL-2 compressor. It's magical! Also been keeping busy with a lot of little editing jobs and trial mastering samples too. Pleasantly busy. I hope to receive hard copies of some CDs I've recently worked on this week, which is still super cool to me.
SO..... I hate to hit you over the head with it, but why not spread the word about Cauliflower Audio? We're professional, we're affordable, and we won't rest until you're 100% satisfied.
Drop us a message to find out how to submit an unmastered track for a free, trial mastering sample. Available for all first-time clients.
Until next time!
25 Feb 2009 | by: adam |
01.12.09 Hello again, hello.
Hello friends! I know it's been quite a long while since my last update. The holidays were totally insane, and I'll be completely honest... I've spent a good deal of time playing Rock Band for Wii. I know I'm like 2 years behind the curve on that one, but it's... just... totally awesome. Curse you Harmonix!
Also, ahem, I've been pretty busy with work too. In addition to Cauliflower, I started working again part-time at XEPA DIGITAL in Boyers, Pennsylvania. They are an archival facility specializing in preserving and digitizing master tapes for various major labels, and it is pretty unbelievable stuff. I've been driving out there a couple times a week and gettin' my hands dirty. I'm pretty happy to be back, and the crew is just amazing. Any folks in the Pittsburgh area should message me about grabbing a coffee or beer sometime! I'd love to reconnect with some old friends, as I lived there for awhile in the mid '90s.
SOOOOO.... in between the jolly festivities, shredding fake guitar, and playing with giant Studer tape machines, I've managed to work on a handful of projects in the studio. One that I'm really excited about is a mixing job I did for talent-oozing Cincinnati solo artist ROBERT CHERRY, an old acquaintance from my Furnace St. days. Rob was a member of the band Ether Net and has played with members of Cobra Verde and the Afghan Whigs in his time. I mixed the song "Blue Luggage" for him, which is currently in my MYSPACE PLAYER, and we are talking about future collaborations which sound really really fun. Check the mix out and let us know what you think!
I also finished mastering the "Apple Tree" full-length for Akron's THE SPEEDBUMPS. I had done some preliminary work for the record a few months back and we finally got around to revising the final mixes. I am so very happy with the way this project came out. These guys are really on to something... a folk-y pop project with uber-smart and catchy tunes featuring vocals, violin, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, and drums. Really excellent and superbly recorded by Sean Larson of CENTRAL 8 STUDIOS.
And I am smack-dab in the middle of mastering the forthcoming full-length from Cleveland's premier Celtic Frost-tribute band COFFINBERRY. "Tribute band" may be a bit of an overstatement here. More like an homage. Not even close really. Jangly, raw, occasionally psychedelic-leaning rock and roll. Anyhow, I'm working very closely with the band and mix engineer Mike McDonald, and I think it's gonna be a watershed record for these guys. Should be finishing up this month.
I've got some other new projects on the horizon as well, including the final mix revisions for LUDWYG's long overdue "Limelit" EP... which we plan to resume work on in February. In the meantime... need I remind you that Cauliflower Audio now offers free, trial mastering samples to all new clients? What this means: Drop us a line, and we'll send you instructions on how to submit one of your tracks to us for a one-time, complimentary mastering job. We understand that 'mastering' can sometimes seem like a vague, expensive notion-- especially to those of you new to the world of audio recording. We've added this service to clear up any questions you might have, and to show you how necessary and affordable mastering may be. We look forward to hearing from you!
Happy New Year!
Adam Boose
Cauliflower Audio
Mr. Boose's Top 10 Greatest Hits of 2008:
10. Xepa Digital invites me back to play around with tapes and computers.
9. Jon Sonnenberg (TRAVELOGUE) and I host a night of live remixing at Cleveland Heights' B-Side Liquor Lounge.
8. I vacation with my best friends in California while attending Brandtson drummer Jared Jolley's awe-inspiring wedding.
7. I receive retail CD copies of projects I've worked on including MARGIN OF ERROR, OUR LOVE IS SPECIAL, SPY-FI, DOWNTOWN DAGGERS, JON SONNENBERG, ISRAEL SLICK, MISSILE COMMAND, and the MERCURY PROJECT.
6. I begin building my analog mastering chain with the purchase of the Cranesong HEDD and Pendulum OCL-2 tube compressor.
5. JAWBOX posts my mash-up of "Savory" and 50 Cent's "In the Club" on their official MySpace page.
4. Cauliflower Audio turns 1.
3. Barack Obama is elected President.
2. Our cat Celeste starts meowing again after 2 weeks of the Old Silent Treatment.
1. The beautiful Shirin Bahakim says I do and becomes Mrs. Boose.
Also, ahem, I've been pretty busy with work too. In addition to Cauliflower, I started working again part-time at XEPA DIGITAL in Boyers, Pennsylvania. They are an archival facility specializing in preserving and digitizing master tapes for various major labels, and it is pretty unbelievable stuff. I've been driving out there a couple times a week and gettin' my hands dirty. I'm pretty happy to be back, and the crew is just amazing. Any folks in the Pittsburgh area should message me about grabbing a coffee or beer sometime! I'd love to reconnect with some old friends, as I lived there for awhile in the mid '90s.
SOOOOO.... in between the jolly festivities, shredding fake guitar, and playing with giant Studer tape machines, I've managed to work on a handful of projects in the studio. One that I'm really excited about is a mixing job I did for talent-oozing Cincinnati solo artist ROBERT CHERRY, an old acquaintance from my Furnace St. days. Rob was a member of the band Ether Net and has played with members of Cobra Verde and the Afghan Whigs in his time. I mixed the song "Blue Luggage" for him, which is currently in my MYSPACE PLAYER, and we are talking about future collaborations which sound really really fun. Check the mix out and let us know what you think!
I also finished mastering the "Apple Tree" full-length for Akron's THE SPEEDBUMPS. I had done some preliminary work for the record a few months back and we finally got around to revising the final mixes. I am so very happy with the way this project came out. These guys are really on to something... a folk-y pop project with uber-smart and catchy tunes featuring vocals, violin, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, and drums. Really excellent and superbly recorded by Sean Larson of CENTRAL 8 STUDIOS.
And I am smack-dab in the middle of mastering the forthcoming full-length from Cleveland's premier Celtic Frost-tribute band COFFINBERRY. "Tribute band" may be a bit of an overstatement here. More like an homage. Not even close really. Jangly, raw, occasionally psychedelic-leaning rock and roll. Anyhow, I'm working very closely with the band and mix engineer Mike McDonald, and I think it's gonna be a watershed record for these guys. Should be finishing up this month.
I've got some other new projects on the horizon as well, including the final mix revisions for LUDWYG's long overdue "Limelit" EP... which we plan to resume work on in February. In the meantime... need I remind you that Cauliflower Audio now offers free, trial mastering samples to all new clients? What this means: Drop us a line, and we'll send you instructions on how to submit one of your tracks to us for a one-time, complimentary mastering job. We understand that 'mastering' can sometimes seem like a vague, expensive notion-- especially to those of you new to the world of audio recording. We've added this service to clear up any questions you might have, and to show you how necessary and affordable mastering may be. We look forward to hearing from you!
Happy New Year!
Adam Boose
Cauliflower Audio
Mr. Boose's Top 10 Greatest Hits of 2008:
10. Xepa Digital invites me back to play around with tapes and computers.
9. Jon Sonnenberg (TRAVELOGUE) and I host a night of live remixing at Cleveland Heights' B-Side Liquor Lounge.
8. I vacation with my best friends in California while attending Brandtson drummer Jared Jolley's awe-inspiring wedding.
7. I receive retail CD copies of projects I've worked on including MARGIN OF ERROR, OUR LOVE IS SPECIAL, SPY-FI, DOWNTOWN DAGGERS, JON SONNENBERG, ISRAEL SLICK, MISSILE COMMAND, and the MERCURY PROJECT.
6. I begin building my analog mastering chain with the purchase of the Cranesong HEDD and Pendulum OCL-2 tube compressor.
5. JAWBOX posts my mash-up of "Savory" and 50 Cent's "In the Club" on their official MySpace page.
4. Cauliflower Audio turns 1.
3. Barack Obama is elected President.
2. Our cat Celeste starts meowing again after 2 weeks of the Old Silent Treatment.
1. The beautiful Shirin Bahakim says I do and becomes Mrs. Boose.
12 Jan 2009 | by: adam |
11.11.08 Best Birthday Ever
So, last Tuesday I got pretty much the greatest birthday present ever. What an election, eh? In the end, both of those guys proved to be real class acts. I hope they can keep their respective parties in line and work together to untangle this mess. I feel pretty damn proud of my country right now.
Been putting the analog chain through the paces this month. I just finished mastering some tracks for Cleveland jangle-sters COFFINBERRY, and I'll tell you what: my new Pendulum OCL-2 compressor is pretty incredible. It's true what I've been reading about all these years. So far, software compressors (at least the ones I've used) have yet to match the sheer "vibe"/thicky-ness of hardware. Not trying to sound like an elitist; I feel like I've done some excellent work in the digital domain, but I've never quite dialed in sounds like I can with the OCL-2. Pretty thrilled with that little purchase. And the Cranesong HEDD is just plain bitchin' too. Getting a lot of mileage out of the pentode saturation emulator. Just seems to breathe life into otherwise sterile audio.
Mastered 2 tracks for France's experimental electro-act CATALEPSIA (Philtre Audio Endeavors). This was actually the first project to get the analog treatment. The tracks were already pretty compressed, so I just sort've gently gave them a little thickness and spent most of my time focusing on EQ. Epic and unpredictable stuff.
Also was pleasantly surprised to work with some clients from years past: CENTRAL 8 STUDIOS (half of which was formerly Akron's Studio B) and the SPEEDBUMPS, a seriously talented Ben Harper-y/Jack Johnson-y folk-pop outfit. Their stuff was a challenge in that it was so dynamic, and I'm not used to mastering project instructions that don't include the words "crush," "blindingly loud," or "shred." Some of the catchiest stuff I've had the pleasure of working on, and it was neat to work on acoustic music for a change.
Other ongoing projects this month included work for FRIGID, CHANTILLY LACE, and LUDWYG. Speaking of which, I have loaded 2 brand-new mastered tracks in the player: "Phyction," by the aforementioned Ludwyg (which I mixed and mastered), and "Deplete Me" by performance artist Kristen Baumlier's PETROLEUM POP PRINCESS project, of which I mixed, mastered, and contributed additional keyboards and production. Please listen!
----
One final thought:
Can I just say for a minute that I stopped into a local mega-guitar mart the other day and was treated like an absolute turd? I've spent literally thousands of $$$ at that place over the years, and to be treated like that pretty much sucks. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that if you actually treat your clientele with respect and bend over backwards to accommodate them, you are way more likely to develop a long lasting, positive relationship with them, which leads to more work and better results. Just sayin'.
Been putting the analog chain through the paces this month. I just finished mastering some tracks for Cleveland jangle-sters COFFINBERRY, and I'll tell you what: my new Pendulum OCL-2 compressor is pretty incredible. It's true what I've been reading about all these years. So far, software compressors (at least the ones I've used) have yet to match the sheer "vibe"/thicky-ness of hardware. Not trying to sound like an elitist; I feel like I've done some excellent work in the digital domain, but I've never quite dialed in sounds like I can with the OCL-2. Pretty thrilled with that little purchase. And the Cranesong HEDD is just plain bitchin' too. Getting a lot of mileage out of the pentode saturation emulator. Just seems to breathe life into otherwise sterile audio.
Mastered 2 tracks for France's experimental electro-act CATALEPSIA (Philtre Audio Endeavors). This was actually the first project to get the analog treatment. The tracks were already pretty compressed, so I just sort've gently gave them a little thickness and spent most of my time focusing on EQ. Epic and unpredictable stuff.
Also was pleasantly surprised to work with some clients from years past: CENTRAL 8 STUDIOS (half of which was formerly Akron's Studio B) and the SPEEDBUMPS, a seriously talented Ben Harper-y/Jack Johnson-y folk-pop outfit. Their stuff was a challenge in that it was so dynamic, and I'm not used to mastering project instructions that don't include the words "crush," "blindingly loud," or "shred." Some of the catchiest stuff I've had the pleasure of working on, and it was neat to work on acoustic music for a change.
Other ongoing projects this month included work for FRIGID, CHANTILLY LACE, and LUDWYG. Speaking of which, I have loaded 2 brand-new mastered tracks in the player: "Phyction," by the aforementioned Ludwyg (which I mixed and mastered), and "Deplete Me" by performance artist Kristen Baumlier's PETROLEUM POP PRINCESS project, of which I mixed, mastered, and contributed additional keyboards and production. Please listen!
----
One final thought:
Can I just say for a minute that I stopped into a local mega-guitar mart the other day and was treated like an absolute turd? I've spent literally thousands of $$$ at that place over the years, and to be treated like that pretty much sucks. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that if you actually treat your clientele with respect and bend over backwards to accommodate them, you are way more likely to develop a long lasting, positive relationship with them, which leads to more work and better results. Just sayin'.
11 Nov 2008 | by: adam |
09.23.08 Gettin' Hitched AND We're One Year Old!!!
Good evening friends! Man, I can't even believe how busy this month has been. It's a wonderful development. A few things to mention, then I'll get into the various awesome projects I've worked on this month.
First of all, I am getting married in 2 days! I am so ridiculously stoked. I'm amazed that I actually found time in the day to pull this all off, fingers crossed. My lady Shirin has been amazing, and even though we've seen each other for like 2 minutes this month, we've got ten days off together. No work for me. No work for her. No audio, studying, or other life-stuff. Again, I am stoked beyond words. Wish us the best of luck!!! I will not be working at the studio for the next week and a half, but I will be available via MySpace and email for future projects.
I've taken the plunge and have started investing in my analog chain. That's right folks, next month Cauliflower Audio will commence mastering in the analog domain. This month I purchased a Cranesong HEDD D/A/D converter/digital signal processor as well as a Pendulum Audio OCL-2 Class-A tube compressor/limiter. I haven't had much time to integrate them into the system, but I did get to use the HEDD on a couple projects. Wow. The processor is amazing... tape and tube saturation emulation . Sounds unbelievable. The Pendulum compressor is not quite ready for prime-time, but I did mess with it a bit and the compression is totally transparent. What this means is thicker, meatier, louder, punchier masters. This is the stuff the big boys use, and I am pretty excited to step up. And my affordable rates are staying the same! At least for the time being. Also of note, I purchased a DAT machine!!! So, all of you old-timers with bands from the 90's should hit me up. Those old tapes are gonna rot you know.
Now then... This month was the month to bust ass and get shit done, pardon my French. I just finished a huge production project that's been going on since early Summer. It's by the PETROLEUM POP PRINCESS, a.k.a. Kristen Baumlier. Think Madonna/Le Tigre with themes of oil conservation and environmentalism. Very tongue-in-cheek, heavy, and conscientious. It was a absolute pleasure to work with her. Got to flex my programming muscles a bit and play around with my crazy plugins. Totally fun.
I just finished round one of the instrumental mixes for LUDWYG's forthcoming Limelit EP. Man, this thing is turning out great. These guys are super easy and fun to work with. Very dark, atmospheric, beat-heavy post-industrial stuff. Lots of vocoders and treated guitars. Simple songs with miles-thick arrangements. Should be done by Halloween. I can't wait for you all to hear it. Some of my best mixes yet!
On the mastering front, I just (finally) finished mastering MISSILE COMMAND's "Machines Should Think People Should Work" album. The interesting thing about this band is that practically every song has a different vocalist, and is stylistically varied from beginning to end. All falling in the realm of electronic stuff, from complete chaotic noise to almost orchestral ambience. Great stuff... 5 years in the making.
In international news, I mastered tracks for HAJIMAMA, a garage-punk band comprised of Westerners living in South Korea. A complete treat to work with. The first project that got the HEDD treatment. And I learned a few Korean phrases working on it!
I also did some transfers of masters for JAY GLENN (1/2 of the Cleveland post-punk band Blazer) as well as a remix for an as-of-yet unnamable up-and-coming band from the Midwest. And next month I will be finishing up the mixes for LUDWYG as well as mastering a single for France's CATALEPSIA (Philtre Audio).
In short, please help me celebrate my upcoming nuptials as well as the one-year anniversary of Cauliflower Audio! Yeehaw! I haven't gone crazy or broke yet. Send me an email or something, jeez. Seriously, thank you to everyone who's made this an amazing year. I'll buy you a beer or something.
05 Oct 2008 | by: adam |
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