dlogan
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What do you do?
Here's something I've always wondered about a lot of people around here that now seems appropriate to discuss now the coffeehouse is back (it was already gone already I think by the time I showed up...) In what capacity do you do music / recording now? In other words, it is a hobby, do you have your own project studio, etc? What are your goals related to music / recording? (if something other than what you're currently doing...) Personally, I just do recording as a hobby, although I have really enjoyed doing the recordings for a couple friends of mine's bands. [My day job is insurance] I also just recently started playing bass in my church's band. Eventually I have always thought it would be cool to have a little project studio doing demos for local bands, but with the advancements in home recording I'm not sure there is much of a future to this?? So now I don't really have any hopes of being able to make a living off of recording but would still enjoy the opportunity to produce for others when the opportunities arise. Look forward to hearing from others! Dave www.soundclick.com/steakbone
post edited by dlogan - 2009/01/07 15:25:08
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burkek
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 15:44:09
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Definitely just a hobby (albeit an expensive one). I try to block out some time for writing in the hope of releasing an album a year (give or take). And all the tinkering with new versions of Cakewalk products and third-party VSTi's, and of course the odd sample library - keeps the brain active. There's always something to learn. I also am a hobbiest photographer, so lots to keep me busy. I'm a web coordinator/new media developer by trade, and, natch, have my own vanity site (see sig). I'm always struggling with whether to release songs on my site (or Soundclick) ahead of an actual album release, and have lately held new creations close to the chest. I'm thinking I might just release the full suite of WAV files and artwork on my site, as well as MP3s, and also make the retail version of the album available via CafePress (as in the past) or similar for those with found money.  KEv
www.kevinburke.ca Macbook Pro 2017 | 4K monitor
AKAI S5000 x 3 | Korg Prophecy/Poly-61M | Alesis S4+/DM5 | Ensoniq Mirage x 2, ASR-10 | EMU e6400 | Roland S750 | Kawai K4r/XD-5/K3m | EMU Proformance/1+ | Waldorf uQ
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wickerman
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 19:29:41
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A hobby with personal delusions that I am making progress. My long term goal is to go project studio on a small scale - it's already started, but until I have a room dedicated for recording/music....I can't call my collections of toys anything more that that - a collection of toys for my hobby. I don't see myself getting too involved with bands outside of anyone else I am jamming with (collabs excluded)
There really isn't anything else quite like letting yourself get 'lost' while recording...creating...time melts away and so do the limits of what one can do....for me anyways.
I'd like to be able to sell songs - but I'm not there yet...and I kind of like the idea of free exchange - this world is far too tainted by money. I think we're on the edge - technology is/has/will changing everything - it's not uncommon to find a 16 YO kid posting great music, it's harder nowadays to find a 'major' act that outputs real original material within the context of their being....so why not go indie? what's to lose?
hmmmm, i think i rambled OT a bit...or out of focus.
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SongCraft
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 20:54:42
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I'm semi-retired! Don't need to work. I use to be involved in the crazy music biz touching on all areas such as live, radio, TV along with all the issues that comes with it, I was a workaholic, had lack of sleep and stress eventually burnt myself out. Nowadays I take it slow and steady, no pressure, no contracts, no deadlines 
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inmazevo
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 21:29:24
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It's been a hobby, on the side, for FAR too long. Last year, I took the year off buying new stuff (mostly) in order to really learn and simplify what I have. This year, I'm putting it to work... finalized productions, web presence in various forms, a distribution plan, and attempts to get some live gigs going. I'm getting older, and I'm done just kicking back and thinking "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow." It's now, or I convert the room for something more realistic... like needlepoint, or crafts. However, I'm not quitting my day job. My family needs a house, and my son needs an education, and I need one of these: http://wheels2flash.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/lamborghini-murcielago-supercar.jpg - zevo
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pdlstl
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 21:33:25
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I spent most of my life as a working musician (pedal steel for 27 years, then mandolin for the next 7 years) and now own a small (1875 sq. ft.) commercial recording facility in Mineral Wells, TX.
I keep several instruments around if clients need tracks for projects but that is the only playing I do anymore.
I have recorded, edited, mixed and mastered 12 full client CD projects in the last 16 months. And on all of them except one, I did the artwork as well.
So this is definitely not a hobby for me.
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bitman
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 23:06:00
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Semi Pro Studio. www.mtrecording.com Mainly for GAS money but it supplements elsewhere sometimes.
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Beagle
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/07 23:29:22
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ORIGINAL: pdlstl
I spent most of my life as a working musician (pedal steel for 27 years, then mandolin for the next 7 years) and now own a small (1875 sq. ft.) commercial recording facility in Mineral Wells, TX.
I keep several instruments around if clients need tracks for projects but that is the only playing I do anymore.
I have recorded, edited, mixed and mastered 12 full client CD projects in the last 16 months. And on all of them except one, I did the artwork as well.
So this is definitely not a hobby for me.
You're just an hour from me! I'd love to have a tour of your studio some time! for me it's a hobby but it may be more some day. I don't have any plans to quit my day job as an Electrical Engineer working on state of the art fighter jets!
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spacey
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 09:22:03
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Hi Dave and others, Just a hobby for me. With the ambition to learn how to record very well, I balance it with my family. That is the reason, as you can see in photos I've posted at mixposure, that my DAW is located in my den. Should it ever become "serious" I would build a dedicated studio and gear it to handle more than "solo" projects. Not out of the question but no desire/plans presently. I like being able to do what I want, when I want. It balances well with my family. Easy to isolate or share music with family too. That is the main reason I chose the JBL monitors. I know the acoustic value of a treated room but a "sweet spot" would suffice for my situation. The on-line communication and collaborating is a fantastic alternative to "live" performing and associating with other musicians. I believe I can focus on music better, alone with a DAW but I do miss suggestions and such that other musicians offer. Being located in my house I have no intention of "helping" or recording anybody that I don't already consider a close friend. I'm a decade or so away from retirement and no telling what will be happening then so music plans don't really exist with me...just enjoy it has it happens. Regards, Michael Oh, my day gig I'll just say is in the chemical industry so if my writing seems "different" there may be something there. lol And no not illegal chemicals. lol
post edited by spacey - 2009/01/08 13:36:22
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Nate
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 09:36:12
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I record commericial music and video for various corporate clients. I also produce smaller music acts or muscians/singer songwriters. One of my more successful business is now in staging and production for live acts and corporate events. My previous career was as a musician/touring/recording artist.
My main goals within the scope of music is to get back to enjoying playing again; contribute what I can at my church; and record and push some new music out this year. I've been on a self imposed hiatus from my own pursuits.
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space_cowboy
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 09:47:18
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Semi hobby semi commercial. Write and record some background music for commercials and corporate spots, do some equipment rentals (I have a lot of cool vintage stuff - maybe in top 5 in Houston). My studio is a large room in my house (450+sq ft) and we have done some recordings of bands here and there. I couldnt live on it right now, but I could make it bigger. Commercial studios in Houston are suffering unless they are doing Rap/R&B. And the Rap/R&B crowd in Houston is notorious for not paying their bills. Parenthetically, I came this close to buying Sugar Hills a few years ago, but one of the partners went flaky on me and doubled the price. Oh I am a securities analyst for a hedge fund that used to be much bigger until this mess with the community reinvestment act totally destroyed the financial markets. Before that, I was a rocket scientist - doing electronics for missile guidance systems.
post edited by space_cowboy - 2009/01/08 19:23:10
Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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lazarous
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 11:05:36
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Semi-commercial. Built for personal use, but people keep paying me to record, so... as long as they don't suck, I'm good! http://www.curbsideproductions.com/ I really need to update the pictures. Corey
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Spaceduck
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 11:50:58
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I thought I was semi-pro/commercial until I saw laz's pics. Ermm.... I a hobbyist
post edited by Spaceduck - 2009/01/08 12:18:30
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yorolpal
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 12:19:07
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Owner for the last twenty or so years of a commercial broadcast production studio. Mainly voiceover for spots, coporate avs, etc... Used to have a very strong presence in the casino community until Katrina blew them all down. Tough times in our sector now (like what else is new). Also used to do quite a thriving jingle business but that too has become somewhat passe'. Am now involved in producing and remixing for folks all around the globe as well as my own "vanity" productions. Still rockin. No stoppin.
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Nate
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 12:24:13
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ORIGINAL: lazarous
.. as long as they don't suck, I'm good!
Ain't that the truth! 
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lazarous
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 12:48:24
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Spaceduck: Ah, shucks! Thanks, man! It's actually much MORE pro looking now. One of these days (hopefully early Spring) it'll actually be done, and we'll do a full photoshoot down there to show people what it really looks like now. Nate: Yeppers, man! I've fired three bands in the last two years. "Yeah, I'm really sorry, but here's a partial refund. I'm keeping enough to cover the hours you've wast... er, been here, but... you should go now. And, practice, please. A lot." I ain't sayin', I'm just sayin'! Corey
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Ron Vogel
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 12:59:59
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I'm an unemployed giftware salesman. Although music is my passion, and I only was a pro at it for about a year (by pro I mean it was my only income).
I have 3 kids, a wife, a mortgage, 2 cars...so getting back to be a "pro" is pretty much out of the question. Although with no job, and no jobs out there I've been working in my studio a lot!
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Jonbouy
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 13:20:47
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Wow, what a diverse and talented bunch.
I survived just over 50 years just dodging bullets mainly 'til I realised it's mostly me that's firing 'em. I managed to pay my way, just playing drums anywhere from the circus pit to sessions and everything in between 'til low health descended more recently and took the wind from my sails.
Since early last year I took to playing around at this DAW stuff to see what comes out as it sure beats staring at the walls (well most of the time).
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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mcourter
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 13:51:10
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Mine is an old familiar tale. Back in the day I gigged with the hopes of turning it into my profession. Then, one Saturday after a gig on Friday, I found my 1-1/2 year old son tugging on my sleeve as I lay sleeping to rest up for that night's gig: Daddy, let's play. I realized that my musical endeavor was interfering with taking care of my son, spending too much time recuperating from last night's gig to play with my son. So I quit the life to raise my boy as a single Dad. Years later, after he was grown I did some gigging but soon realized I lacked the ambition to rush from work to set up thousands of dollars of equipment to play for four hours, break down etc for about $50 each. That's about the time I discovered Sonar, a godsend if ever I've seen one. Still a family man, but my hobby is my creative raison d'etre. Man, I need my outlet. And having collaborated with several forum members, I've added a bunch of friends who share my enhusiasm.
A few guitars, a couple of basses, a MIDI controller, a mandolin, a banjo, a mic, PodFarm2 Unbridled Enthusiasm My music: www.Soundclick.com/markcourter
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dlogan
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 14:06:38
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Great to see all the responses. This is really interesting reading everyone's situation, how we're all doing something very similar but each have a unique story and are at different stages of our musical journey. Keep 'em coming!! Dave www.soundclick.com/steakbone
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Mamabear
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 14:10:25
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About 2 years ago I found Music Creator for only $35 and thought it would be fun to try to get down some of the tunes banging around in my head. Soon after, I realized I needed a lot more computer, software, knowledge, etc....got busy and put it away. 14 months ago my first grandson was born and I wrote a song for him. So I dug out MC, inherited a better computer when my husband upgraded, and set out to do the song. I cut my Sonar teeth on that song. I haven't listened to it in ages--it probably sucks, but my son liked it and the other grandma thought it was pretty cool too. Eventually set up a tiny studio in the utility room, upgraded the computer once again, got more software, sorta learned what I was doing, and it's been an obsession since then. The majority of evenings I spend about 3-4 hours in my studio. My social life is almost non-existent anymore, but I'm having tons of fun. (kids are grown, so the place is pretty quiet now...)
Oh, I'm just a piano player, never played professionally, but played in a few bands here and there. I teach college-level courses during the day. The learning curve has been incredibly steeper than I ever imagined, but the friends here helping me along the way have been amazing and a very pleasant surprise.
I have no idea of my plans--I just sorta go from song to song. I'd like to polish up enough this year to make a CD to give to my friends. Other than that--who knows? I'm too busy making music to look up most of the time.
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Dave King
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 17:44:35
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Here's something I've always wondered about a lot of people around here that now seems appropriate to discuss now the coffeehouse is back (it was already gone already I think by the time I showed up...)
In what capacity do you do music / recording now? In other words, it is a hobby, do you have your own project studio, etc? What are your goals related to music / recording? (if something other than what you're currently doing...)
Personally, I just do recording as a hobby, although I have really enjoyed doing the recordings for a couple friends of mine's bands. [My day job is insurance] I also just recently started playing bass in my church's band. Eventually I have always thought it would be cool to have a little project studio doing demos for local bands, but with the advancements in home recording I'm not sure there is much of a future to this?? So now I don't really have any hopes of being able to make a living off of recording but would still enjoy the opportunity to produce for others when the opportunities arise.
Look forward to hearing from others!
Dave Good question and thread. It recently occured to me that instead of the Gold, Silver, Bronze member status here on the forums, it might be more valuable for them to be something like, Newbie, Project Studio, Pro Studio, etc. In this way the comments made by various folks can be taken into consideration based on their levels of expertise and budgets of their facilities. For example, a project studio guy may think an MXL mic is great while a pro studio guy may not. Just my .02
Dave King www.davekingmusic.com SONAR X2 Producer 64-Bit
StudioCat PC
Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1
Intel Corel i5 3450 CPU @3.10 GHz
RAM 8 GB
M-Audio Delta 44 M-Audio MidiSport 2x2
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space_cowboy
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 19:18:12
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ORIGINAL: Beagle
ORIGINAL: pdlstl
I spent most of my life as a working musician (pedal steel for 27 years, then mandolin for the next 7 years) and now own a small (1875 sq. ft.) commercial recording facility in Mineral Wells, TX.
I keep several instruments around if clients need tracks for projects but that is the only playing I do anymore.
I have recorded, edited, mixed and mastered 12 full client CD projects in the last 16 months. And on all of them except one, I did the artwork as well.
So this is definitely not a hobby for me.
You're just an hour from me! I'd love to have a tour of your studio some time!
for me it's a hobby but it may be more some day. I don't have any plans to quit my day job as an Electrical Engineer working on state of the art fighter jets!
You guys are both about 4 hours from me. I was up in Glen Rose 2 weeks ago quail, chuckar and pheasant hunting. Beagle I used to design missile guidance systems for TI back in the 80s. I was an EE.
Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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DumbKidFromHell
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 19:38:59
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yorolpal
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 20:01:59
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You left out an exclamation point, I think. Isn't it eight now?
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Beagle
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 20:04:18
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ORIGINAL: space_cowboy
ORIGINAL: Beagle
ORIGINAL: pdlstl
I spent most of my life as a working musician (pedal steel for 27 years, then mandolin for the next 7 years) and now own a small (1875 sq. ft.) commercial recording facility in Mineral Wells, TX.
I keep several instruments around if clients need tracks for projects but that is the only playing I do anymore.
I have recorded, edited, mixed and mastered 12 full client CD projects in the last 16 months. And on all of them except one, I did the artwork as well.
So this is definitely not a hobby for me.
You're just an hour from me! I'd love to have a tour of your studio some time!
for me it's a hobby but it may be more some day. I don't have any plans to quit my day job as an Electrical Engineer working on state of the art fighter jets!
You guys are both about 4 hours from me. I was up in Glen Rose 2 weeks ago quail, chuckar and pheasant hunting.
Beagle
I used to design missile guidance systems for TI back in the 80s. I was an EE.
no quail or pheasant hunting for me! but I have several buddies that work at TI! actually, didn't they sell the missile systems to someone else about 10 or so years ago?
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space_cowboy
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 20:08:48
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Maybe longer ago than that. I was in Lewisville then over at the Central Expressway site. Did a bunch of stuff in the low GHz range.
Some people call me Maurice SPLAT Pro lifetime, ADK 6 core 3.6Ghz with 32 GB RAM, SSD 1TB system drive, 3 3TB regular drives for samples, recordings and misc. Behringer X Touch, UAD Apollo Quad. 2 UAD2 Quads PCI (i think - inside the box whatever that is), Console 1. More guitars (40??) and synths (hard and soft) than talent. Zendrum!!!
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RobertB
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 21:07:09
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I'm a plumber.
No, not a drain cleaner. New construction, homes, office buildings, restaurants, the fun stuff. Although I have moved into the office, and do estimating and engineering now. I do miss using my torch.
I have no delusions of making money with my music, and it is purely a creative outlet, along with artwork, photography, and woodworking.
My studio shares what will eventually be a room with my railroad. I don't know that it qualifies as a project studio, but it is a niceish home studio.
I'm just in it for the fun of it. I suppose I would qualify as a project studio guy, as the MXL mics I have are fine for what I need to do.
I do get a lot of satisfaction from helping new users find the satisfaction I have with the relatively affordable stuff we have today.
Twenty years ago, this was a pipe dream.
My Soundclick Page SONAR Professional, X3eStudio,W7 64bit, AMD Athlon IIx4 2.8Ghz, 4GB RAM, 64bit, AKAI EIE Pro, Nektar Impact LX61,Alesis DM6,Alesis ControlPad,Yamaha MG10/2,Alesis M1Mk2 monitors,Samson Servo300,assorted guitars,Lava Lamp Shimozu-Kushiari or Bob
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Jonbouy
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 21:12:55
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Twenty years ago, this was a pipe dream. Is that what's called an occupational hazard?
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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Beagle
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RE: What do you do?
2009/01/08 21:27:00
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ORIGINAL: space_cowboy
Maybe longer ago than that. I was in Lewisville then over at the Central Expressway site. Did a bunch of stuff in the low GHz range.
yep - I know the area! I'm on the other side of the metroplex, tho. I work at "the bomber plant" if you know what that is! I work on the F-22.
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