What’s been going on

The new recording gear is up and running, we have 48 channels analog to digital and 48 channels digital to analog.  I am using reaper to record and mix with an extensive plugin selection.  I Also have a new mastering software t-tracks 5, again with a complete plugin selection.

The latest recordings have been voice overs for dadda, tape to digital transfers, and songs for the wam song contest.  I have also finished my own bands album, empire blues.

Even though the last east crowd restrictions have cancelled a few gigs I am still playing a few so check out the link to alanbassplayer.com 

Update

I have been very busy over the last months,

Live Sound: I supplied and ran the production for the Impact 100 presentations. Supplied and run the production (with help from Jose) for the Peel Estate Wines blues festival, which also included me playing with 2 of the bands.

Studio: Recorded the MSJ end of year concert tracks, did some voice overs for Dadda, a few vocal tracks for external overseas projects, and also commissioned the new recording set up which is now fully operational.

Gigs: I have also been playing a lot of gigs with Empire Blues, The Charlie Carters, Dilip N the Davs and The Nick Turner Conspiracy.

My Gigs are Listed HERE

New Recording Gear

 I am setting up a new recording system in the studio, not quite there as yet. COMING SOON LOL

Sorry if this is too technical for some but the recording tech heads will know what I'm talking about.

The system will centre around a Mac Mini M1 and a Presonus Quantum 4848.  This system will give me 32 channels in and out Analog / Digital, plus another 16 channels in / out via ADAT if required.  The system will be a direct replacement for my old Tascam MX2424's but will allow me the work flow that I love to use.  It also means that I can still mix via software or the analog console depending on whats best for the project.  It will also allow me to better use my analog rack gear during software mixing due to the large number of channels available.

I hope to have the system up and running soon after some testing.  I plan to have the old recording setup still run along side the new setup so on going work can be completed and archive work recovered.

Covid Lockdowns and Start ups

Well the Covid Lockdowns and Start ups and Lockdowns and Startups have messed me around a bit, but life goes on.

Studio:  I have been working with

DADDA: Voice over for short film

Keith Renshaw: New song called Lockdown.

Ross De Baker: Tracking of drums guitars and bass for Ross to work on at home.

Apollo's Attic: EP that will be released shortly.

 Live:  

Playing lots of shows with all my current bands plus some stand ins, and a few live mixing shows.

General Update

I realised that it has been a while since my last update, the COVID-19 shutdown knocked me off track for a while, I have still been doing some recording and am still open for business.

Before the shutdown I had increased my music workload in the live playing and live sound area, this just seemed to happen and was not planned, but was a happy move.  the shutdown of the music industry then took it all away.  I have started playing live again now thanks to the good situation in Western Australia whereby most live venues have reopened.

The bands I am currently playing with are, Empire Blues, The Nick Turner Conspiracy, The Charlie Carters and Dilip N the Davs.  Plus, several other bands that ring me to do stand ins.

During the shutdown I have recorded the new Empire Blues album, which will be mixed very soon.  I have also since the shutdown recorded projects by Tim Darcy, Ross DeBaker (live Gig), DADDA (film voice over) and MSJ Productions end of year show soundtrack.

If you are interested in doing some recording please contact me as I am always looking for new recording projects.

Studio & Live

Just a little update,

Studio:

MSJ Productions were in the studio October to record the songs for the end of year show.  Yesterday I actually got along to see the show due to an unusual day off LOL.  Great show.

I also edited the show tracks for Dance Central's end of year show.

Mixing Live:

The Gaslight Club closed on the 17th Oct, which is what happens when people don't support live music, it was a shame both for Steve the organiser, myself the sound engineer and the venue who were always supportive.

I did the production for the Impact 100 Presentation night, which I do as a donation, it is a great cause.

The Portuguese Fado night, which was a full scale production.

Also a full scale production at the Peel Estate Winery for the Blues Day.

I supplied a PA and mixed the CD launch for the Saltations which was held at Fibonacci's in Fremantle.

Playing Live:

Gigs with:  Empire Blues,  The lost Travellers, and down at the Little Hawk Cafe with Dilip.

Update time

Bruce Gilbert:  The album has been mixed, mastered and is ready for release, details to follow.

Brian Murry:  A new project has kicked off with Brian bringing in recordings done on a zoom mult-track at home.  The idea is to mix and master the tracks in the studio.

Mixing Live shows:  I am still mixing at the Gaslight Club every Thursday.

Playing Live:  Been playing with Empire Blues, recently did a gig in Albany at the entertainment centre, what a great venue.  Also played at the Perth Blues Club.  Find future gigs here 

Update time

In the Studio

Bruce Gilbert:  Tracking has been completed and mixing has started, 2 songs down so far.

Rotunda:  Shaun contacted me the other day, I had recorded his band Rotunda 20 years ago and he wanted to recover the vocals from one of the songs so they could make a new arrangement.  Out came the 16 track tape machine and luckily the tape was stored with me (properly) and it was Emtec which is the best lasting of the brands.  It was interesting to hear it after all these years.

Out Live:

I have been mixing the Gaslight Club every Thursday, now at the new venue upstairs at Ronnie Nights   I have been using my own mixer, QSC Touchmix16 with the house PA, the QSC lets me mix out in the room via Ipad, the house mixer is stuck at the side of stage.  Good house PA, Nexo PS10's out front and QSC foldback, small but plenty for this room.

Live Playing:

Been playing with my usual band Empire Blues, also did a St Patrick's Day gig with David Hyams which meant a crash course in Jigs and Reels LOL.

In the Studio - update

I have been reasonably busy over the Christmas new year period:

Bruce Gilbert:  Still tracking for the album with most parts now finished, we will be adding some backing vocals and a few other things in the next couple of weeks, mixing will then get underway.

Mark Edwards:  Was visiting from Sweden for a few days so we tracked all remaining vocals and my bass parts.  Mark is now back in Sweden so I will be mixing and sending him files of the finished album.  The album has been a slow process due to Mark moving to Sweden to take up a new job which slowed recording to a crawl, but the end is now in sight.

Lena Traikovska:  I have been recording singing students of Lena Traikovska, they are recording demos so that they can apply for positions, for family and friends, or just to have a record of how they are going generally.

Update

In the studio:

Bruce Gilbert:  We are currently working on Bruce's album which has been developing along the way.  I have been playing bass and keys on the album, and Les Karski has been adding some guitar.  A very interesting album of cross cultures.

MSJ:  Have been in recording songs fro the end of year concert, worked a couple of long nights and a day but all finished ready for the show.

Neil Simpson: recorded vocals for a forthcoming album which Neil is putting together at home.  We will mix the album in the future.

Dance Central:  Edited various backing tracks into a live show production backing track for dance.

Out Live:

West Coast Blues:  PA and mixing supplied for the gig at the Navy Club Freo

Fly By Night Club:
                               Benefit for Chris Wilson, (multi band gig).
                               The Jook Joint Band plus supports.

Fremantle Foundation:  The end of year Impact 100 presentations night where a charity is awarded funding from money raised.  My donation is doing the presentation production for free.  A worthy cause.

Portuguese Club:  Mixed a Fado night with a live band and lots of guest vocalists.

Out Live - Nessi Gomes

Last week I mixed the live sound for 2 shows by British / Porugese musician Nessi Gomes at the Fibonacci centre in Fremantle. great night and Nessi is a pleasure to work with.

In the Studio - Urban Cowboy

The new single Thunderman has been recorded, Mixed and sent off to the US for mastering by Mark Hallman.

In the Studio - August 2018

Been a while since I posted an update so here you go:

Bruce Gilbert - Over the last few weeks we have been working on an Album project, recording guide tracks and final tracks for various songs.

Urban Cowboy - is back in the studio recording the new single Thunderman. Drums have been tracked and some guitars at this stage.

Update for December & January

I thought I would update what I have been doing through December and January.

Studio:

I recorded cover band Deaf Panda, they wanted a CD for Family and Fans and also a recording for prosperity.  There were 11 songs which were recorded live in the studio and we then recorded a few small overdubs to finish it off.  This was all done in 2 sessions in December and 2 more in January.

Live Mixing:

I have been doing my regular Wednesday nights at the Gaslight Club in the basement of the Fly By Night club.

I also mixed 2 great shows for the Fremantle Fenians Festival, a Thursday night at the Martine Museum for Declan O'Rourke and a Friday night for Lucky Oceans & his Gaelic Gumbo Band on the Kidogo Arthouse Lawn, both gigs were sellouts.

Lucky Oceans & his Gaelic Gumbo Band

I also mixed in the Fly By Night main room last Saturday for the Mike Burns Fundraiser.  A who's Who lineup and where in the last set the whole lineup was on stage at the same time!

Everyone trying to get on stage and get a microphone LOL

The Lineup

Playing Gigs:

In December I played 2 gigs with Jim Fisher & the Hamilton Hillbillies, and gig with the Suntones, and 2 Gigs with Empire Blues.

January it was 2 Gigs with Empire Blues (on the same day), and a gig with Bluegum (or Gluebum as we like to call it LOL).

In the Studio - MSJ Productions

MSJ have been in the studio several times over the last few months recording tracks for live shows.

In the Studio - Jook Joint Band

The Jook Joint Band have recorded a new album which has now been released, the complete album was recorded as a live performance in the studio.  Jook Joint Band

In the Studio - John Howard

John came into the studio so we could review the mix of a project he had recorded at home, shortly I will be mastering the album.

Studio & Live Update

Mark Edwards: Is returning for a couple of weeks so we are taking the chance to record some more material towards the album.

Dance Central: I edited and prepared the sound tracks for their Dance spectacular.

MSJ Productions: We are recording tonight and in 2 weeks time for the next stage show.

Live Mixing: Still at the Gaslight club each week.

Playing live: Have been doing some Empire Blues gigs, and also playing with other bands as a guest bass player.  When ever free on a Friday night playing at the acoustic jam at Clancy's Fremantle 5.30PM to 7.00PM

Radio Show: Monday nights 6pm to 9pm Radio Fremantle 107.9fm, only WA music.

My Birthday Bash:  What a big night at at Fly By Night Club, here is a short video of some of the highlights / acts on the night, link.

In the Studio, Live & Playing

I have been a bi slack at updating this page for a while so here is a quick update:

Kathy Carver:  The album has now been finished and is available to buy at Kathy's gigs.  She plays with a band called Desert Mist,

Mark Edwards:  This project is on hold as Mark is away working overseas, when he returns later in the year we are back to recording.

Carlo Monaco:  Carlo recorded an album of opera with me a few years ago, he was back to the studio for me to put together some backing tracks of music so that he could perform some live shows (hard to run around with an orchestra), a bit of editing and some key change work involved.

Live sound:  I am still mixing live sound at the Gaslight Club every Wednesday, there are great acts turning up every week, with a lot of bands embracing the more un-plugged acoustic nature of the gig and the fact that there is an audience that listens.

Playing Live:  Empire Blues have been a little quiet lately but I have been playing with a few other acts, St Patricks day was a gig to remember as I played with The Rouges, who are a "The Pogues" tribute band.  I was standing in for regular bass player Phil Bailey who was away on tour.

Radio Show:  Don't forget my weekly radio show every Monday 6pm to 9pm, "The Twilight Zone"  I only play local West Australian music, you can listen on line if you are interstate or overseas.

In the Studio & Live

Kathy Carver:  Has been recording an album of cover songs to sell at gigs.  After a false start last year due to a bad flu, the project has now been recorded and most of the mixing finished.  Mastering should happen soon.

Mark Edwards: The album is ticking along, a couple of weeks ago we did a location recording of the grand piano parts, and tracked some accordion, guitar and vocals in the studio.

In the live sound world: I am still mixing on Wednesdays at the Gaslight Club in the Fly By Night in Fremantle, plus I am also mixing the occasional other gigs in the venue.  Check here to see what is on.

Playing Live:  A few gigs with Empire Blues popping up, last night at the Perth Blues Club was a great gig.

Radio Show:  Coming up for the 30 years on radio this year, my weekly show of Western Australian music is on every Monday Night 6pm to 9pm, Radio Fremantle 107.9fm the shows facebook page is here.