Personal Interests

   MidiScope  

What this is all about.....

                                 

 

MidiScope is located in my basement. The remainder of my family are located in the other half of the house:) My full-time job is as V.P of Sales & Marketing for Avant Electronics.  Prior to that I was the Senior Rep with a rep firm in the Southeast where I represented a number of excellent companies such as Alesis, Fostex, QSC, AKG, PAS, Middle Atlantic, Symetrix, Lucid Technologies, Hosa, and many more. I have a degree in piano ,(figure that one out) and I studied recording engineering mostly in New York. I was using Yamaha O2R's  and an O3D, then I moved to a  Mackie 24-8 because I found that the Mackie 24-8 was perfect for quickly "tweaking" my modules. There's just something about being able to "grab" a knob real fast!  HOWEVER, I'm now recording almost exclusively in the digital domain with my new Sonica Labs Neo-64, (64 bit dual core computer) using Sonar 7.0, so now my main console (and control surface) is the Tascam FW-1884, which I've found to be a great piece.  It takes a little time to memorize all the "shortcuts", but once you've mastered them, you can move around your screen faster than you'll ever be able to with a mouse!                   

I'm still spending most of my free time working on my personal "CD" of instrumental songs. Called "Timeless Travels", which when completed,  will be a 12 song CD . I've written the songs over a 10 year period. The concept was to give each song a simple yet descriptive name and then make the music "fit" the name. For example, I have a tune called "Pastel Skies"... What does that name conjure up in  your mind? Can you make an educated guess as to what the instrumentation might be ? I think you can appreciate the fact that musicians are really a bit poetic, maybe that's what I'm doing... I think that the songs sound a bit mysterious, jazzy and some have a bit of a pop feel. Of course, it all depends on the name of the song:) I have MP3's up now that you can access from my "Current Projects" Page or directly from this link: http://www.soundclick.com/pro/view/01/default.cfm?bandid=252780&content=main&songid=0 , just be aware that these songs are the very early demo versions of the tunes using original synths and in some cases just one synth.  For example, the tune "Timeless Travels" is completely being performed on a Korg M1  that you'll hear at the site above:-)  I've been replacing parts, updating sounds, adding new sections of music and in some cases, almost completely changing the arrangements; but that's the life of a song!

My studio consists of a number of pieces. One of my best friends calls my modules "the land of misfits" because I have such a strange collection of pieces. Everything from Casio VZ-10M's to Kawai K4's, Roland MKS-30's, etc. can be found here! I’ve also got 24 tracks of ADAT, 16 tracks of Fostex D-160 hard disk, almost every software program out there, plenty of out-board gear, and an excellent collection of microphones." Nevertheless, it's not the equipment that makes the song. For those of you just starting out, I  want to let you know that I've heard fantastic music from "sub $1000" systems and terrible sound from $300,000 facilities. It really is what you make it. I might as well mention that I have over 78 synth modules in my control room (and they're all wired)! Hey, I not bragging, I'll explain why I have so many down below.... Also check out my comment on my "Current Projects" page regarding my current use of computer-based softsynths!

I'm also an Associate Editor at www.cakewalknet.com where I write reviews on software.  Be sure and visit the site.  It is a very informative site run by a great friend living in France by the name of Hans Van Even.  By the way Hans is also a phenomenal guitarist!  Please take a moment to check this site out!!!

Buying/Selling and Trading Synths and Midi "Stuff"

I love trading modules/keyboards etc.  Click here to get to my "Trade Page".

 

Personal Comment...

Finally, I want to say that in my travels I've met many incredible people who share the same interests as me. I didn't make this Home Page to brag about my abilities or equipment; I was more interested in sharing my information with people like me. We all can't be famous musicians or engineers but we can all be true to our art. Recognition, unfortunately, doesn't always come in due time (look at Debussy or any number of people). Still, we continue to advance musically and believe in ourselves. Isn't that really what it's all about? I have a saying; "I want to announce myself to the world one person at a time". There was a time many years ago when I had Mercury Records beating on my door but I didn't jump. It wasn't because I was afraid of where it might take me but rather where it might not take me. I've had many "hit records", just on a "different" scale. I've never regretted it.

Before I finish up my little rap, I have a few more things that I want to say...

 

1. I love working on my music

2. I love working with people

3. I love my wife and two sons

4. I don't have an "attitude" towards any kind of music.

5. I'm not currently working on outside projects but if you have something that you think is cool, let me know! I can always change my mind!!!

6. I'm serious when I tell you that I like working with people. Midi questions? Audio? Record deals? Whatever.... I'll do my best to answer your questions with the best advice that I can offer. I can't promise you I can give you the answers you need but it'll be an honest response.

and.....

7. Don't be a stranger. Drop by occasionally...Maybe I'll have figured out how to do some cool stuff with HTML by then!