#15secondsongs

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016. 12:13 AM.  A group of piano chords has been loitering in my head. I finally put them to use... Today, it’s true. Third time’s a charm. With five more days until my final project presentation, phase three and four are in full force. Final tracking, mixing, and automation. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016. 10:57 PM. This weekend I got my hands on a bass guitar, a satisfying replacement to synth bass and midi controllers. Having the ability to play this bass guitar has greatly improved my songwriting and production process. I can incorporate the “human element” into the bass line of a song, rather than getting a less than human rhythm with a computer generated tone. Thank you Victor for the hookup! Today's influences included, but not limited to, Nova Amor & Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Gear: Fender Squier Jazz Bass, Line 6 POD X3 Live.

Sunday, March 6, 2016. 9:49 PM. While visiting my home in Beaverton, I stumbled across an old CD I used to listen to as a child. Live at the Acropolis composed by Yanni. I didn't realize how influential this album was until I pressed play in the car driving back to Corvallis. Bringing back memories, and reminding me where my interest in music began. Yanni's work is powerful and the sound produced from recording a full live orchestra is incredible.

Saturday, March 5, 2016. 7:52 PM. Today's session focused on audio effects. After an initial electric guitar jam was recorded on Ableton, a "taste test" of audio effects began. The combination of Ableton effects applied while this photo was taken include reverb, compression, and a filter delay. Additional guitar tones were added with the POD X3 Live foot pedal. Today the main tone used was, "Mayer Chord." Although this model has been replaced by the POD HD, I have relied on the X3 Live to add flavor since 2005. Benefits of the POD include the ability to downloaded thousands of tones from other users online and sync them onto the pedalboard. This combination resulted in an ambient electric guitar tone similar to Mr. Probz, "Waves." Gear: Jackson Electric guitar, Ableton Live 8, Line 6 POD X3 Live

Friday, March 4, 2016. 6:16 PM. While making a quick trip to my home in Portland, I sat down at the living room piano to jam before my drive back to Corvallis. As always, I set my phone to record the session in case anything good came from it. Today, after reviewing the audio file and finding something I liked, piano tracking for a new song began. Gear: Yamaha Standup Piano, Akai Max 49 Midi.

Thursday, March 3, 2016. 1:30 PM. When the sun shines, turn up the volume. Today's influences include a blue sky, warm temperatures, and the room filling tone of an amplifier. A new riff was written and a new song was born! Gear includes Boss loop station, Vox AC30 tube amplifier, Jackson electric guitar.