Sacramento, CA, USA
SO I WENT TO THE FIRST TAPE OP CONFERENCE...
First off, hello to anyone who has come here via the link from the Tape Op website.
This is my studio website. It's called 'balls of iron studios' cos Steve Albini told me I had balls of iron coming all the way from Ireland to the conference.
I was stuck for a name, so I picked that one.
Here's what I experienced at Sacramento...
I met and heard from lots of my heros, and some heads I’d never heard of before, but were full of info which would be gold dust to any would be studio freak, like myself.
I recorded over 8 hours of video footage, and have yet to look over it / transcribe speeches etc. But while ye’re waiting for that, here’s the work in progress keep your appetite whetted.
Mark's interview with Jack Endino
Mark's thoughts on the whole gig
Click below to see the things that interest you
Transcript of Keynote address by Steve Albini. (unfinished, will complete when I get back from glasters)
Notes
from "Making Money Making Records?"
Moderator: Hillary Johnson
This panel will focus on how to calculate your hourly rate vs. equipment/building
expenses. Should you own or rent your space or just go freelance? What to do
about deadbeat customers. What tax advantages are available to the studio owner.
Is equipment leasing a good idea? How do I insure my gear? Promoting a studio or
engineer/producer.
Panelists: Joe Chiccarelli, David Barbe, Mitch Easter, Don Zientara.
Notes
from "The Future of Recording"
Moderator: Oliver Masciarotte
DVD audio standard and how 5 to 1 relates to music/band recording. Can we
ignore it? What advances will we see in digital recording? Are studios going to
see less work, because of home recording, in the future?
Panelists: Bill Putnam Jr., Andy Hong, Rich Hardesty, Eric Stenman
COMING SOON!!!
Transcript
of "Making the Most Use of the Home in Home Recording"
Moderator: Curtis Settino
Examine the use of the different environments while recording in a home setting.
Moderated by a Tape Op writer, this will feature several up and coming engineer/producers
as well as artists who record at home.
Panelists: J. Mascis, Rob Christiansen, Jason Lytle, Kevin Seconds, Luther
Russel
Notes from
"Mastering in the 21st Century"
Moderator: John Cuniberti
This will be a panel-based discussion where qualified mastering engineers
share their expertise in what makes a good master. This will include Formats, EQ,
Compression and Dithering. Manufacturers of high-end boxes should be included.
Panelists: Emily Lazar, J.J. Golden, Jeff Salzman, & Dave Harris.
Transcript of "What Does it Mean to be a Producer?"
This panel
was obviously the coolest shit of all time. The music geek equivalent of
seeing Kirk and Picard doing down by the nexus. Like a spoken word gig,
full of passion, honesty, bullshit and a good laugh.
Moderator: Larry Crane
Panel and audience involvement talking about what makes an engineer a producer,
why one is needed, why Steve Albini thinks it's a dumb term, etc. Sure to be
lively. Most of the producer/engineer panelist will be on the panel.
Panelists: Steve Albini, Jack Endino, Tony Visconti, Fletcher, J. Robbins
Notes from
"Practical Studio Design On a Budget"
Moderator: Wes LaChot
This panel would focus on basic construction techniques of iso booths and
control rooms. Basic acoustic baffles and room tuning will be included. Actual
construction will be done. Costs will be addressed.
Panelists: Darron Burke, Eddie Ciletti, Gale Buchanan, Eric Broyhill, Bob Weston
Notes from
"Digital Backup Strategies"
Moderator: David Miles Huber
Tracking in the digital realm is easy, but what are the best ways to back up
and store this music?
Panelists: Matt Boudreau, Mikail Graham, Scott Colburn, more TBA
Mark's interview with Mitch Easter - 'Where's the Swagger?'