As you can clearly see most production work is being done in-the-box.

68% of production in happening in-the-box.

As I mentioned the information being shared on LinkedIn is really good. So good that I found this gem of a technique from Producer/Engineer/Mixer, Robert L. Smith.

Multiple de-essers set minimally at specific frequencies, as opposed to one de-esser really digging in. Found this to be the best method. Sometimes this could be up to 5 different de-essers. Some of those new ‘bright’ microphones can be kind of harsh… Robert L. Smith.

I’ve never heard nor seen this done before but it makes perfect sense and I’m very excited to try out. If this sounds like something you’d like to contribute to please join us over in the Small Recording Studio Network on LinkedIn or leave a comment below.

Featured on ABC's Private Practice

On March 15th CrazyEye Music Services mastering client, The Ross Sea Party had their song “Look Out” featured on ABC’s hit show, Private Practice.

This is huge for the LA based group of “five friends who wanted to transcend the disconnected and nonsensical nature of life in the city to create something consequential, the band embarked with hollow-body guitars, well-tuned drums, and a glockenspiel.”

Founder of the band, Brady Erickson, approached us through our mutual friend and, at the time their booking agent, Rebecca Balin when we offered a FREE mastering session for “Friends of Rebecca“. As soon as we heard “Broken Arrow“,  the track they needed mastered, we were hooked. Their combination of simplistic yet complicated arrangements were so fresh that we had to master the entire EP. Thankfully the band and the record didn’t yet have a mastering engineer so we got the gig. Lucky us!

Fast forward to today and The Ross Sea Party is currently planning for an upcoming album and  seeking funding through a KickStrarter campaign. Since we’re not only business contacts and friends, but also huge fans we, of course, contributed to the project. Both Brady and Rebecca have been two of our top referrers who’ve made commissions from business they’ve sent our way so we thought we would contribute to The Ross Sea Party project to help with what we feel is going to be one of the best new acts of 2012/2013.

Best of luck to The Ross Sea Party from your friends at CrazyEye Music Services!

If you know of a band or act that is seeking professional mixing, mastering or development we offer a 10% commission for paying referrals. Plenty of past clients have taken advantage of this program and have made good money to help support their causes. Whether that’s buying more equipment, helping with show expenses or simply helping with everyday costs. If you’re willing to send us qualified musical artist who are in need of professional production services, we’re willing to share that revenue with you.

CrazyEye client, Blackwater Jukebox

CrazyEye mastering client, Blackwater Jukebox gets #4 on Berkeley Place Blog for Top 10 Indie EP and Singles for 2011 for the EP Banjos and Breakbeats.

I’ve done many projects with Geordie McElroy, the leader (and sole member for that matter) for Blackwater Jukebox, but this one was our first together. His style is very unique and extremely interesting. He once told me “It’s like electro/funk/banjo mixed with breakbeats”, but I think this description from his site sums it up nicely…

“Imagine the sound of Pete Seeger and the RZA in a switchblade fight in the catacombs under a decaying medina.”

Yup, that’s about right. If you’d like to hear more of Blackwater Jukebox you can head over to his Bandcamp page and listen to Banjos and Breakbeats as well as the Eastside Girl single and the Moonshiner EP. If you’re into new music – like really new – both are worth a listen.

By the way, how great is the Banjos and Breakbeats cover art!? How does it relate to the title of the EP? Heck, I don’t know. That’s something you’ll have to ask Geordie.

Show Dates:
If you’re in LA you can catch him twice through the end of January. Once on Dec 30 at Lot 1 Cafe  and again on Jan 28 at  Silverlake Lounge.

“The trio crafts songs that modernize 60s garage rock and 1970s New York punk, putting a spin on pop structure that draws comparisons to Talking Heads, Gang of Four and The Cars, with hints of Suicide and a synth-free Devo.”

Facts on File, Mastered by Dave Lopez @ CrazyEye Music Services.

This record is really going to make some noise when it’s released in March 2012 so keep your ears open for it.

You can read the full article at FilterMagazine.com – Discover The Undiscovered: Facts On File.

For about two years now I’ve been working with a fantastic LA based indie/pop band named The Monthlies. Over the past few weeks we’ve been putting the finishing touches on their upcoming EP titled “Horror Flick“, which will include a very cool version of Dexys Midnight Runner’s ‘Come on Eileen’. If you search YouTube for this song you will see that several groups have covered it, but most versions are similar to the original. Not this one!

The Monthlies, in doing what they do best, have put their own unique spin on this 80′s pop standard. I won’t say much about what you’re going to hear other than if you are expecting an updated rehashing of the Dexys version you’re in for a big surprise. We hope you enjoy The Monthlies version of ‘Come on Eileen‘ and please leave a comment below if you’d like to share your thoughts with the band.

[See post to listen to audio]

The Monthlies are…
Wes O’lee – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Jana Bonderman – Lead Guitar
Chris Hall – Bass, Backing Vocals
Nick Miller – Drums

If you like what you hear check out their MySpace page for more songs and a video of their last single, Hip Girl.