Dynamic duos December 17, 2010 9:38 PM Subscribe
January's MeFiMu Collaboration Challenge drawing results are in!
MefiMusic Challenge Supreme Overlord snsranch asked me to post the results of his random drawing of collaboration buddies for the upcoming January Challenge (since he's used up his MeTa posting privilege for this 7 day period).
So... here they are:
zephyr_words + ORthey
Corduroy + slappy_pinchbotton
mahershalal + malocchio
uncleozzy + minifigs
micayetoca + mikepop
rangefinder 1.4 + karlos the jackal
flapjax at midnight + cortex
Magnakai + The Coug
Zenabi + mintcake!
jessamyn + ianK
The World Famous + Hoopo
AskmeaboutLoom + nanojath
dagosto + ACair
davejay + Sparx
Madamina + unSane
Umbu + nicolin
Major Dundee + ignignokt
valrus + hanoixian
ocherdraco + Cantdosleepy
Shepherd + baxter_ilion
MefiMusic Challenge Supreme Overlord snsranch asked me to post the results of his random drawing of collaboration buddies for the upcoming January Challenge (since he's used up his MeTa posting privilege for this 7 day period).
So... here they are:
zephyr_words + ORthey
Corduroy + slappy_pinchbotton
mahershalal + malocchio
uncleozzy + minifigs
micayetoca + mikepop
rangefinder 1.4 + karlos the jackal
flapjax at midnight + cortex
Magnakai + The Coug
Zenabi + mintcake!
jessamyn + ianK
The World Famous + Hoopo
AskmeaboutLoom + nanojath
dagosto + ACair
davejay + Sparx
Madamina + unSane
Umbu + nicolin
Major Dundee + ignignokt
valrus + hanoixian
ocherdraco + Cantdosleepy
Shepherd + baxter_ilion
flapjax at midnight + cortex
fuck, you guys had better NOT disappoint
no pressure
psyche
posted by unSane at 10:06 PM on December 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
fuck, you guys had better NOT disappoint
no pressure
psyche
posted by unSane at 10:06 PM on December 17, 2010 [1 favorite]
(also, presumably other ad-hoc mefite collaborations not match-made above are also OK?)
posted by unSane at 10:26 PM on December 17, 2010
posted by unSane at 10:26 PM on December 17, 2010
Oh hey - did I mention that my new year's resolution is going to be that I only record Debbie Gibson covers in 2011? Zenabi - Electric Youth or Shake Your Love?
posted by mintcake! at 11:27 PM on December 17, 2010
posted by mintcake! at 11:27 PM on December 17, 2010
I have some trepidations about joining in. Mainly because I haven't done this before so I need to set up some stuff for the first time to record properly. Also my taste runs a bit more mainstream than the general music.metafilter corps I think.
But if somebody wants an extra voice I'd love to try.
I can provide
- 80s style dramatic baritone (think Phil Oakey - Human League, David Bowie),
- folk style singing,
- blue eyed soul style,
- crooning (Nat King Cole like) (maybe a duet?),
- and of course general pop.
- I can also do backing vocals (i.e. a bit muffled to support the main vocal and not compete with it)
- Also I can sing in French, German and Dutch besides English. In case anybody wants to do a Neue Deutsche Welle cover, a Schubert song :-), or a europop cover.
All dilettante approximations of course, but still.
I don't go well with rap, hop-hip or punk screaming. And unfortunately I can't do tenor high pitch pop/rock singing.
So; is there a pair that wants some extra vocals?
Some tips on how to record would be welcome as well.
- What kind of microphone would be not too bad and still not too expensive either?
- Would it be wise to try to record using my mp3 player (iAudio)? (I guess they work on DC so they won't have a 50 Hz buzz) Or would my laptop be good enough? I guess a good singing microphone won't plug easily into a laptop microphone plug. How do I solve that?
- Any windows freeware to process the takes (cutting up f.i.)?
posted by joost de vries at 6:12 AM on December 18, 2010
But if somebody wants an extra voice I'd love to try.
I can provide
- 80s style dramatic baritone (think Phil Oakey - Human League, David Bowie),
- folk style singing,
- blue eyed soul style,
- crooning (Nat King Cole like) (maybe a duet?),
- and of course general pop.
- I can also do backing vocals (i.e. a bit muffled to support the main vocal and not compete with it)
- Also I can sing in French, German and Dutch besides English. In case anybody wants to do a Neue Deutsche Welle cover, a Schubert song :-), or a europop cover.
All dilettante approximations of course, but still.
I don't go well with rap, hop-hip or punk screaming. And unfortunately I can't do tenor high pitch pop/rock singing.
So; is there a pair that wants some extra vocals?
Some tips on how to record would be welcome as well.
- What kind of microphone would be not too bad and still not too expensive either?
- Would it be wise to try to record using my mp3 player (iAudio)? (I guess they work on DC so they won't have a 50 Hz buzz) Or would my laptop be good enough? I guess a good singing microphone won't plug easily into a laptop microphone plug. How do I solve that?
- Any windows freeware to process the takes (cutting up f.i.)?
posted by joost de vries at 6:12 AM on December 18, 2010
Some tips on how to record would be welcome as well.
Move away from the mic to breathe in.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:46 AM on December 18, 2010 [3 favorites]
Move away from the mic to breathe in.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 8:46 AM on December 18, 2010 [3 favorites]
What mic?
posted by joost de vries at 8:55 AM on December 18, 2010
posted by joost de vries at 8:55 AM on December 18, 2010
The Rode NT1-A has always been considered one of the best buys, but there are people here that are far more well-informed than I.
The Rode (and any semi-decent studio mic) needs "phantom power" so you'd need an audio interface that can supply that before the signal reaches your laptop.
Many, many choices there too. M-Audio gear is good...but once again, so many choices.
Windows freeware...that's probably the easiest question to answer here:
Audacity
Hopefully someone else can give you a more informed answer or two :-)
posted by Zenabi at 10:04 AM on December 18, 2010
The Rode (and any semi-decent studio mic) needs "phantom power" so you'd need an audio interface that can supply that before the signal reaches your laptop.
Many, many choices there too. M-Audio gear is good...but once again, so many choices.
Windows freeware...that's probably the easiest question to answer here:
Audacity
Hopefully someone else can give you a more informed answer or two :-)
posted by Zenabi at 10:04 AM on December 18, 2010
The first time I read this post, I thought there was a Drawing competition, and got excited for MefiArt. (MefArt?)
posted by inigo2 at 10:38 AM on December 18, 2010
posted by inigo2 at 10:38 AM on December 18, 2010
That's a beautiful microphone zenabi. I'm not sure I want to spend 180 euro. But I'll think about it.
If I understand correctly this microphone needs 'phantom power'. So that would require a mixer or pre amplifier. Which costs even more. A basic m-audio thingamabob would be 60 euro. Hm.
Does 'dynamic microphone' mean that it can operate without a preamplifier? Just get a XLR to laptop connector. ?
I'm looking for a setup that is a bit more basic than buying half a studio.
posted by joost de vries at 10:41 AM on December 18, 2010
If I understand correctly this microphone needs 'phantom power'. So that would require a mixer or pre amplifier. Which costs even more. A basic m-audio thingamabob would be 60 euro. Hm.
Does 'dynamic microphone' mean that it can operate without a preamplifier? Just get a XLR to laptop connector. ?
I'm looking for a setup that is a bit more basic than buying half a studio.
posted by joost de vries at 10:41 AM on December 18, 2010
I always recommend the Studio Projects B1 as a first vocal mic -- that's what I use and I love it. I think Cortex has one too. It also does a terrific job on acoustic instruments like guitar and piano.
You also can't really go wrong with an SM58. If it's good enough for Michael Jackson and Bono, it's probably good enough for you and me! That will also record things like guitar amps very nicely.
The M-Audio USB MobilePre will get the sound into your computer and let you monitor in high quality.
Audacity is a good way to record, or you can try Reaper free for a month if you want a pretty-much-state-of-the-art multitrack recording app. It's only $60 for the full version too.
Don't forget a decent mic stand (with a boom), an XLR cable, and a pop shield.
posted by unSane at 10:42 AM on December 18, 2010
You also can't really go wrong with an SM58. If it's good enough for Michael Jackson and Bono, it's probably good enough for you and me! That will also record things like guitar amps very nicely.
The M-Audio USB MobilePre will get the sound into your computer and let you monitor in high quality.
Audacity is a good way to record, or you can try Reaper free for a month if you want a pretty-much-state-of-the-art multitrack recording app. It's only $60 for the full version too.
Don't forget a decent mic stand (with a boom), an XLR cable, and a pop shield.
posted by unSane at 10:42 AM on December 18, 2010
(With any decent mic you are going to need some kind of pre-amp. The only difference between a dynamic and a condenser is that the condenser needs phantom power. They both need a pre-amp).
posted by unSane at 10:43 AM on December 18, 2010
posted by unSane at 10:43 AM on December 18, 2010
The first time I read this post, I thought there was a Drawing competition, and got excited for MefiArt. (MefArt?)
I love this idea, though professionals like The Whelk are shoe-ins. But if anyone could draw, say, a Mefi Christmas card? That would be *awesome*!
posted by misha at 11:06 AM on December 18, 2010
I love this idea, though professionals like The Whelk are shoe-ins. But if anyone could draw, say, a Mefi Christmas card? That would be *awesome*!
posted by misha at 11:06 AM on December 18, 2010
Thank you for the info unsane and zenabi.
270 euro worth of gear though. Hm.
Let's see first if anybody would like some extra vocals. :-)
posted by joost de vries at 11:12 AM on December 18, 2010
270 euro worth of gear though. Hm.
Let's see first if anybody would like some extra vocals. :-)
posted by joost de vries at 11:12 AM on December 18, 2010
Glad to help, Joost.
There is no doubt, though, that unSane has far more experience than I.
posted by Zenabi at 11:19 AM on December 18, 2010
There is no doubt, though, that unSane has far more experience than I.
posted by Zenabi at 11:19 AM on December 18, 2010
So excited. And thanks for the microphone recommendations, unSane! I need a new one.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:08 PM on December 18, 2010
posted by ocherdraco at 1:08 PM on December 18, 2010
If you're looking to get a solid condensor mic on a minimal budget, one way to go is to pick up a USB condensor mic; there's a few in the same $100-or-so territory as the B1 and things like it, but which are self-contained units that draw the phantom power from the USB connection itself. If you want to start experimenting with higher-fi recordings than a built-in mic on your laptop, that's one way to go.
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:18 PM on December 18, 2010
posted by cortex (staff) at 1:18 PM on December 18, 2010
flapjax, thanks for hooking this up, I REALLY appreciate it.
A couple of little side notes: I used an old coffee can for the drawing, re-shook the thing after each draw, bingo style, and I didn't fix a darn one of 'em! So, yea, I let out a little SQUEE when I saw the flapjax/cortex match too.
There were 41 participants in all so I left myself as odd man out. If there are any late entrants just MeMail me and we'll see what we can do. (joost de vries?)
Thanks again flapjax and all of you MeMu regulars who helped hatch this bit of awesome!
posted by snsranch at 2:22 PM on December 18, 2010
A couple of little side notes: I used an old coffee can for the drawing, re-shook the thing after each draw, bingo style, and I didn't fix a darn one of 'em! So, yea, I let out a little SQUEE when I saw the flapjax/cortex match too.
There were 41 participants in all so I left myself as odd man out. If there are any late entrants just MeMail me and we'll see what we can do. (joost de vries?)
Thanks again flapjax and all of you MeMu regulars who helped hatch this bit of awesome!
posted by snsranch at 2:22 PM on December 18, 2010
If you're looking to get a solid condensor mic on a minimal budget, one way to go is to pick up a USB condensor mic
That's a really good idea. I often find myself wanting to record things on the laptop without having to lug an interface around, eg when noodling around on the porch with a beer...
posted by unSane at 5:57 PM on December 18, 2010
That's a really good idea. I often find myself wanting to record things on the laptop without having to lug an interface around, eg when noodling around on the porch with a beer...
posted by unSane at 5:57 PM on December 18, 2010
I downloaded Tracktion when it was free, quite a few years ago, and found it to be a quite serviceable multitrack recording software. Now Mackie sells it: Software website is here, you can find it for sale here (Joost, since you're in the Netherlands check here) for $20 (on sale from MRSP $300?); unfortunately I couldn't find a download link. May be a cheap options.
posted by deliquescent at 6:37 PM on December 18, 2010
posted by deliquescent at 6:37 PM on December 18, 2010
I saw one of those USB mics. That seems like a good idea.
I'll look into Tracktion, thanks.
You're singing on the porch? That sounds very exotic to me. Does that involve jugs of moonshine, a rocking chair, a gun leaning against the veranda railing and spitting tobacco juice between every few words?
posted by joost de vries at 6:49 PM on December 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'll look into Tracktion, thanks.
You're singing on the porch? That sounds very exotic to me. Does that involve jugs of moonshine, a rocking chair, a gun leaning against the veranda railing and spitting tobacco juice between every few words?
posted by joost de vries at 6:49 PM on December 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
It does indeed involve a rocking chair. Also beer and a nice view over the valley. My wife refuses to let me buy a gun.
posted by unSane at 7:01 PM on December 18, 2010
posted by unSane at 7:01 PM on December 18, 2010
My wife refuses to let me buy a gun.
Maybe she'd be OK with a shotgun mic?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:08 PM on December 18, 2010
Maybe she'd be OK with a shotgun mic?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:08 PM on December 18, 2010
I'm not sure how much effect that would have on the groundhogs, although I would certainly be able to hear them better
posted by unSane at 7:18 PM on December 18, 2010
posted by unSane at 7:18 PM on December 18, 2010
I'm not sure how much effect that would have on the groundhogs, although I would certainly be able to hear them better
listen to the groundhogs, crawlin' underground
get ya'self a microphone and listen to the sound
you can hear 'em burrow, you can hear 'em dig
release it on a CD, it's gonna be big
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
number one on the Billboard charts
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
they've gone straight to the people's hearts
who woulda thought that a number one hit
coulda been written in a hole or a pit
but those cute little critters, they sure can sing
and now they're famous, it's a helluva thing
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
number one on the Billboard charts
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
they've gone straight to the people's hearts
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:13 PM on December 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
listen to the groundhogs, crawlin' underground
get ya'self a microphone and listen to the sound
you can hear 'em burrow, you can hear 'em dig
release it on a CD, it's gonna be big
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
number one on the Billboard charts
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
they've gone straight to the people's hearts
who woulda thought that a number one hit
coulda been written in a hole or a pit
but those cute little critters, they sure can sing
and now they're famous, it's a helluva thing
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
number one on the Billboard charts
the groundhogs
the groundhogs
they've gone straight to the people's hearts
posted by flapjax at midnite at 10:13 PM on December 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Their seond album went gold and spent 27 weeks in the UK albums chart. They didn't sound a blue million miles from Capt Beefheart.
posted by unSane at 8:23 AM on December 19, 2010
posted by unSane at 8:23 AM on December 19, 2010
Based entirely on UnSane's post, I purchased a MobilePre and an SM58 mic. I haven't written, performed or recorded any music in like 15 years, and that was on an old Tascam cassette recorder. I've been meaning to try and get back into it forever, so if anyone wants to take on a newb-again for collaboration, I should have my recording studio here sometime this week. I used to be a guitar player.
posted by team lowkey at 1:20 AM on December 20, 2010
posted by team lowkey at 1:20 AM on December 20, 2010
That's a good combo, teamster. The nice thing about the SM58 is that in a pinch you can record absolutely anything with it. If you had to take just one mic to a desert island, that would be it. Also, you can use them to hammer in nails and they still work fine.
PS cool tip -- if you unscrew the metal grille which protects the capsule, they basically turn into an SM57, which is a standard studio microphone for recording tom-toms and guitar cabinets.
posted by unSane at 4:11 AM on December 20, 2010
PS cool tip -- if you unscrew the metal grille which protects the capsule, they basically turn into an SM57, which is a standard studio microphone for recording tom-toms and guitar cabinets.
posted by unSane at 4:11 AM on December 20, 2010
Also, make sure to get one of these and one of these if you haven't already, to make your life complete.
posted by unSane at 4:25 AM on December 20, 2010
posted by unSane at 4:25 AM on December 20, 2010
Maybe we should open a support thread in Music Talk for folk getting (back) into recording for the challenge.
posted by unSane at 4:27 AM on December 20, 2010
posted by unSane at 4:27 AM on December 20, 2010
Do you hear that team lowkey? We're getting our own private thread!
*wiggles eyebrows*
posted by joost de vries at 1:14 PM on December 20, 2010
*wiggles eyebrows*
posted by joost de vries at 1:14 PM on December 20, 2010
We basically ask you your opinion of Purple Haze and then pretend we don't like the answer no matter what you say. And then: compulsory Bieber haircut.
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:37 PM on December 20, 2010
posted by cortex (staff) at 3:37 PM on December 20, 2010
compulsory Bieber haircut
but not where you expect
posted by unSane at 3:43 PM on December 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
but not where you expect
posted by unSane at 3:43 PM on December 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
What?! You guys like Bieber? Me too!! That's so rad!!!
I often dress up as Bieber and then mime singing his songs in the mirror.
So I decided against the microphones you mentioned. Because with a wireless headset microphone I look that much more like him!
Purple Haze? What would the name be of the Dutch cover?
Did I mention that I only listen to the "100% NL" radio station?
I'm so looking forward to playing my favourite Dutch schlager records for you guys!
posted by joost de vries at 9:03 PM on December 20, 2010
I often dress up as Bieber and then mime singing his songs in the mirror.
So I decided against the microphones you mentioned. Because with a wireless headset microphone I look that much more like him!
Purple Haze? What would the name be of the Dutch cover?
Did I mention that I only listen to the "100% NL" radio station?
I'm so looking forward to playing my favourite Dutch schlager records for you guys!
posted by joost de vries at 9:03 PM on December 20, 2010
I thought someone was going to memail these pairings when they came out -- I've been logging in to check my mail for several days. THREE DAYS WASTED.
heh
posted by davejay at 9:21 PM on December 20, 2010
heh
posted by davejay at 9:21 PM on December 20, 2010
Wow. I was hoping for someone local. I got someone from New Zealand. This is going to be bizarre! woot!
posted by davejay at 9:23 PM on December 20, 2010
posted by davejay at 9:23 PM on December 20, 2010
I talked to baxter on the phone yesterday, and we're starting to noodle around with some ideas. He's being a super champ about me not exactly having any musical talent per se, but I love spoken-word material, and fooling around with loops and bleeps and noises, and he's great with a guitar and the singin' thing, so between the two of us this should be very interesting.
I've never thought of myself as anybody with any musical talent other than a middling singing voice, and I'd never have stepped up to "record" something were it not for this opportunity. So thanks! I have no idea what the final result is going to be, but this is a huge wing-spreading moment for me.
posted by Shepherd at 8:16 AM on January 7, 2011
I've never thought of myself as anybody with any musical talent other than a middling singing voice, and I'd never have stepped up to "record" something were it not for this opportunity. So thanks! I have no idea what the final result is going to be, but this is a huge wing-spreading moment for me.
posted by Shepherd at 8:16 AM on January 7, 2011
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posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:06 PM on December 17, 2010