"Quarantunes" - Music from the Quarantine Woodshed
This page is devoted to "woodshed" audio and video - collaborations mostly generated through remote recording and mixing. Thanks so much for your contributions - keep them coming, please!
Below please find music tracks categorized as full mixes, mixes in progress, and starter tracks, each with accompanying notes on who's on the recording thus far and what parts we're hoping/planning for next. Click here for a brief guide on playing along, recording yourself, and sending files to be mixed in. Please alert me to any changes to be made and any time you'd like a particular starter track or mix in progress posted to the Dropbox "Shared Folder" for those of us mixing in audio software.
Full Mixes
These mixes have a mostly full rhythm section and lead/harmony vocals but in most instances offer one or more open breaks for you to play along with or record and contribute solo breaks to integrate. (Please check in with whoever's mixing and then drop solo breaks recordings in the applicable linked Dropbox folder.)
John Vitale: lead vocal / Trevor: bass, harmony / Dan Robbins: guitar / John Giriat: banjo / Paul Malta: mando
TM Nevins original
Nevins Brothers special / jamalong? solo breaks in the buildup?
Nevins Brothers Music Videos
T. Milton Hochman jazz/R&B styled original song gets the treatment from the Nevins Brothers
A TM Nevins original composed and performed in stir by the Nevins Brothers
Mixes in Progress
The recordings below are works in various states of collaborative progress. Please feel free to drop new rhythm playing ("comping") or solo breaks in the applicable Dropbox folder, noting the latest details below describing what's most needed for each particular song. Thanks to everyone for your contributions!
Conchi: lead vocal, guitar / Trevor: bass, harmony / needed: rhythm and breaks parts
Starter Tracks
These recordings are bare-bones starting points usually consisting of metronome plus bass or other instrument, sometimes initial vocals. Some are earmarked for particular players to contribute but most are wide open. Please check out the accompanying notes, upload your recording to the applicable Dropbox folder, and await this track's transition to "Mixes in Progress"!
file link to come
Country classic
starter track, Conchi vocals and guitar next; then gentle olors of pedal steel waft...
Trevor: bass, lead vocals / Needed: rhythm guitar, mandolin, banjo, solo breaks
Contributing to Woodshed Audio
Some hopefully helpful guidance on playing, recording, and transmitting. Please share feedback - this mini-guide is a work in progress.
Playing Along
The backing tracks - The playable tracks above, denoted with green circles with the "play" symbol within, are the latest versions of the various songs-in-progress, each of which consists of at least metronome and bass, with layers added thanks to your contributions. Each of these is also playable from the orange "Woodshed Audio Playlist" above. Song charts are (in some cases) linked.
Headphones and/or speakers - You can choose to play the backing track on built-in or external computer speakers or on headphones (wired headphones, over-ear if possible, are generally preferable since they're not subject to transmission delay or signal loss). If you use over-ear headphones, consider using the technique of pulling just one headphone cup away from your ear in order to hear yourself playing and/or singing.
Rhythm and solo breaks - each of these songs is in need of both rhythm comping and solo breaks and tends to have ample sonic room for both.
Recording Yourself
Hardware and software
Two devices - It is helpful to have two devices, one to play the backing track and one to record you playing along, for example, playback on your laptop and recording on your smartphone. Playback and recording are also possible using just one device but might present complications.
Microphone - In most cases your built-in mic, whether PC or smartphone, will work fine. However, an external mic, if you have one you can connect to your PC, can generate a better-quality recording.
Headphones and/or speakers - Headphones are generally preferable when you'll be recording yourself since this eliminates any sound bleed from the backing track audibly playing as you play along. However, headphones are not compulsory - it is also possible to record yourself while playing the backing track through speakers at a low to moderate volume so as to minimally bleed into your recording.
Recording software
Windows/OSX recording software - Some PCs come with basic onboard recording software you can take advantage of; if not, a quick internet search will reveal numerous free audio recording programs available either for download or use in the cloud.
Android/iPhone recording software - Some smartphones come already loaded with a voice memo or audio recording program you can use; if not, a quick search at the Google Play store or iTunes store will reveal numerous free options. One option is the Acapella app, which does more than just record (makes layered audio/video much as we're doing) but can be used simply to record a single play-along and export to audio file (via ALAC format).
Sound quality and noise - Your goal audio-wise is to record a clear signal with adequate but not excessive volume and minimal background or electromagnetic noise. Try to set up your equipment away from any machine or fan noise, and avoid running cables or placing wireless devices where they might be subjected to electromagnetic interference. Before you record a full once-through, perform a sound check by recording a brief excerpt and listening back. Your instrument and/or voice should be loud and clear but not distorted due to excessive volume nor accompanied by noticeable background or line noise. If needed, adjust and try again.
Audio file location - It is helpful to know in advance where your recording software will place your recorded audio within your device's file system. This information is usually accessible and configurable in the recording software's settings menu. Knowing the location of saved or exported sound files will help at the transmission stage.
Sending Files
Dropbox - Each backing track above is accompanied by a dropbox link for audio file submissions to be added to the mix. For most, this link should be trouble-free and allow you to select any file within your device's file system to upload to the dropbox folder. If dropbox does not allow you to access your device's audio files, you might have to choose an alternate technique to send them.
E-mail - This is an acceptable alternative, but generally just for smaller (mp3 rather than wav or aiff) files sent one at a time; otherwise they might get stopped at the border by e-mail guards for being too large.
File types and names - I can use most audio file formats, including mp3, wav, aiff, and alac. PLEASE NAME YOUR FILES DESCRIPTIVELY - Whether dropping files in dropbox or sending by e-mail or an alternative, please be sure to name each file with the song name and your name plus any needed info on what you've added this go-around. "New Recording 2.mp3" does not count. Please help me keep the files organized and know what's in them without having to listen back.
Backup! - Please keep a copy of anything you transmit - I regularly delete submissions I've already used in order to make room for more.
