I just got two Behringer BCF2000 Control Surfaces (because they were ridiculously cheap) and they are pretty nice so far. Check em out, ready to mix:
Behringer BCF2000s in the studio
I scored these two as scratch and dent deals on MusiciansFriend.com for $161 each (including shipping, no tax). I was worried that they wouldn’t play nicely with ProTools, but it turns out that they do a great job working with the software. Expect a forthcoming full review, but for now, I’ll just say that I really, REALLY like faders.
Also, I was not able to find anywhere on the internet that could confirm if you could use multiple units at the same time with Pro Tools. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can. I probably could have hooked up a THIRD one of these if I wanted to. You just set up each one in the Setup->Peripherals menu in Pro Tools (use the baby HUI emulation) and they work like a charm. Shifting through the banks works as expected and everything. Spiffy. This should make my mixes better.
Found a new band I think I like: Silversun Pickups.
I heard the song “Lazy Eye” from their album Carnavas, and I liked it a lot. Here’s what an NPR station had to say about them:
“This Southern California band follows last year’s promising Pikul EP with an even better album of psych-tinged indie-rock, sounding like early Smashing Pumpkins filtered through hypnotic My Bloody Valentine drones, with lots of noisy guitar effects and powerful hooks.”
You can listen to this song, and check out the ten other “Best Debut CDs of 2006″ on NPR’s site. Let me know what you think!
—
Well, I wrote this entry, then listened to some more songs on the site – and DANG if i didn’t find another really neet track. Its “Sons and Daughters” from The Decemberist’s new album The Crane Wife. And it’s FANTASTIC. Here’s a quick NPR summary:
“This Portland band led by Colin Meloy returns (for the first time on a major label) with another ambitious concept album, this one inspired by an ancient Japanese folk tale. This release finds Meloy and company at their best. Epic story tracks mixed with short, punch rock songs that make for a full, rich listening experience.”
Check that one out here.
From Testimony.
“And one more Meyerhold rule helped me to be calmer in the face of criticism of my work. This is Meyerhold’s third lesson, and it is useful for others, not just me. Meyerhold stated it more than once: If the production pleases everyond, then consider it a total failure. If, on the other hand, everyond criticizes your work, then perhaps there’s something worthwhile in it. Real success comes when people aruge about your work, when half the audience is in raptures and teh other half is ready to tear you apart.”
For the first two lessons, see Kate’s Blog. Its in the comments.
I just got the James Brown 50th aniversary collection 2-disc set at Cosco for $16. That’s 50 songs, and if you divide it out, that’s 32 cents a song. Beat THAT, iTMS!!! Anyway he’s awesome and its great.
