Calling all xmts musicians/singers

**Derek** · 14th November 13, 12:18 AM

On my way to town yesterday I had this random thought about a recent song that Elaine and myself have written. What if we could record it with an xmts band ... If there are any musicians or singers that would like to take part it could be real good fun to do. The main prob might be access to a computer recording system .. (cubase/pro tools or whatever). The main thing is to be able to rec and create a wav file. Quite simply, I would put the basic guitar/vox track into dropbox for others to collect it... then after they have recorded their track, just put their individual wav track back into dropbox (which will be a shared folder) and I will collect it and put it back into the main mix. Its a real simple principle once you got the hang of it.
So ... do you think this could be a go-er ... would be fun ... would need a name for the band too ...
Here is our little set up at home and I'm quite happy to co ord it all ...
As I said, just a random thought ...

Iechyd Da

Derek

**Chas** · 14th November 13, 04:27 AM

Just a thought - would it be easier with a well known song/tune for the first time? That way everybody would know what the end result was going to sound like before they started and what was expected from them. Once it all works, then the new song could be tried.

**OC Richard** · 14th November 13, 05:33 AM

I'd be up for it!

I play Scottish pipes (Great and small), uilleann pipes (D and C), and Irish whistles of every key.

If the song were in an uilleann-friendly key such as G major or D major (and their related minors) I could do that. I also have an uilleann C chanter which likes F major and C major (and their related minors).

Or, whistles in any key.

I don't have the technology, but a good friend does. He has a nice recording studio set up and he's up on all the tech stuff.

BTW for me a click track is helpful, and a lead sheet or chord chart if you have it.

Here's the sort of stuff I do. Here I'm playing uilleann pipes, with Laura Creamer doing vocals, covering Bonny Portmore for the TV series Highlander. (This video has the original TV soundtrack but different images. I picked it because of the decent sound quality. All the YouTube videos I can find that kept the original TV footage have terrible sound quality.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B351GxxvwE

I was lucky enough to work for Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack of the Barry Levinson film An Everlasting Piece. Here's one track I did. It was improvised, no click, just pipes, the other instruments were added later

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us5s01joupg

**Nathan** · 14th November 13, 05:41 AM

I think the idea is interesting, but would like to hear the song before committing.

**thescot** · 14th November 13, 05:45 AM

Hey, I'd be willing to give it a whirl. I could back up with some lead or bass guitar. Add some backup vocals. May be even a little harmonica if it's called for.

And I play a mean kazoo! Or spoons or rub board. Although from the looks of your studio I probably couldn't add much.

But that's what mixing is for.

And a possible name might be "All Xes Don't Live in Texas." (Apologies to George Strait.) You could even Photoshop a picture of the band from separate pix.

**sailortats** · 14th November 13, 05:59 AM

And another possible name - The xmarkers

**Derek** · 14th November 13, 06:14 AM

Thats a good idea from Chas ... so ... any thoughts of something simple and shortish that we can test the waters with etc ...
OCR ... will always supply the time n tempo, so whatever you will record on will generate the click easily to it ...
Derek

**piperdbh** · 14th November 13, 06:17 AM

I'll add the trombone line. This sounds like fun.

**OC Richard** · 14th November 13, 06:42 AM

Let's do it!

What key?

I can throw some whistle or pipes in the background for some texture, or do an instrumental break if you want (or intro/outro or whatever).

I've done loads of stuff where I'm reading a lead sheet and noodling in the background... that's what a lot of people want. For Bonny Portmore the composer did specify that I play a certain group of notes in unison with the vocals, the ascending G B D arpeggio, but other than that I'm just noodling. Unless otherwise specified I try to stay out of the way of the vocals, not "step on their toes" so to speak.

I'll get the location to send your files to. He has ProTools and other stuff, I don't know what all, but he should be able to do everything just fine. He's got a load of experience with that tech stuff, which I know absolutely nothing about.

**Derek** · 14th November 13, 06:43 AM

Excellent piperdbh .. If those wanting to partake can email me there email address I can set up the individual shared dropbox folders over the next few days ...
Iechyd Da

Derek