Album Release Date and Title unknown to me

I figure the best place to get this information will be the EIS

The Mix Suite is cleared down

James and Oli spent a hard working morning clearing up the Mix Suite and here is the evidence

Noting to do with Erasure, but AMAZING

Three people, 3 DAWs

Today we had Logic, Pro Tools and LIve all running on the session. Daniel uses Live and he has created a new bassline for the single mix, Jeff uses ProTools and I use Logic Audio. So some mixes have been created in Logic and some in Pro Tools. (All the tracks where arranged and created in Logic of course.) What fun.

Jeff has "Road to Damascus" moment

Controlling sibilance and over-emphasised consonants is an important part of our vocal sound - especially with close mic'd, compressed and bright vocals. I tend to do a lot of work with Automation, (inspired by Steve Fitzmaurice's work on "Exciter", I have to say) which gives me a great deal of control and helps me make a big warm bright pop vocal sound that is friendly and not viciously attacking on certain consonants. Jeff has the same aim of course and has done a lot of work with sophisticated de-essing plugins, but today he dived in deep and really started working that Pro Tools Automation. It was a pleasure to behold (and to hear).

A note from Mission Control

So here we all are in the Control Room, Daniel Jeff James and I - on the final straight.





We are also in constant eMail communication with Vince. Andy was expected today but hasn't shown up yet :-) Daniel is here with his notes (very focused on anything interfering with the vocal) and we are zipping through tthe tracks. Everyone is in great spirits and excited about the album.



This is definitely coming together now (I am pleased to report).

Nearly finished

I have completed all my mix tweaks except for one final track which we are doing today - in fact I have Jeff in one room doing a mix and I am in another room doing a mix of the same track. We are having a "mix off" as James, our assistant, described it. Just for fun. If they both turn out good I will upload both mixes later today and let Andy and Vince choose a favorite. Our A&R man, Daniel, is back tomorrow from holiday and we will spend 2 or 3 days with him listening through and doing final adjustments before the next (last?) mastering session next Monday.