My band, Bipolar Echo, in the studio (funny video and BFR content inside)

**mesavox** · 03-12-2010, 04:37 PM

Bipolar Echo in the studio March 2010 Video by Kevinsky - MySpace Video

If you have about 20 minutes to spare, you might enjoy this. We recorded 4 songs for a yet to be titled EP/Demo. Very cool studio... they have Pro Tools HD with the new version (8 I think it is), and they have some great mics. We used the Manley Cardiod Reference for vocals and Nuemann U87s (with late 60s and early 70s serial numbers) for drum overheads and as one of the two mics on the guitar cabinet.

Guitar micing was an SM57 on the cone and the U87 off axis, both up close. I used my DC3 through a Carvin Legacy 412 (for those who want to know but don't want to look it up, Vintage 30s are in that lol).

The only effects from my rig were Keeley compressor for the clean, Maxon OD808 for mid boost on the solos, and Fulltone Deja Vibe for one song (wow it sounded amazing... I love that pedal!). Well, and the Wizard Wah...

I told the guy who is going to mix it to leave the solos hyper dry where he can (think Reb Beach on the last two Winger albums). I was really digging that vibe when we played it back. I like the vocals dry too so, if he mixes reverb in that I love, I can only imagine how good this thing is going to sound.

Of course, the guitar is the BFR.

For the bass players, we used Tiny's Ampeg SVT 3 Pro direct through some sort of nice mic pre... lol I'll have to ask him about that. Just a smidge of overdrive.

Some of what is on the video is early takes, some of it is final takes... I thought it was more fun to see some mistakes and hear some stuff before we listened and were like..."UM...yea, lets redo that part." LOL

I'm sure I'm forgetting something but... there is a reply button for later if I rememer. lol

**mesavox** · 03-15-2010, 03:39 AM

just a little bump to see if anyone likes. lol

**Phazer** · 03-15-2010, 07:49 AM

I'm really enjoying it

Still watching

**browndog** · 03-15-2010, 08:49 AM

I would of liked to hear Amber’s voice more. It was very faint, sounds like she has a nice voice.

**VaiSatchAtrucci** · 03-15-2010, 11:00 AM

Dug it! Love the BFR

**mesavox** · 03-15-2010, 12:13 PM

Thanks guys... we're still at the phase where it's sometimes common to wonder if we're on the right track with these songs. LOL

Originally Posted by browndog

I would of liked to hear Amber’s voice more. It was very faint, sounds like she has a nice voice.

Amber has an awesome voice. As much as guitar players might think they are the stars of the show with our fretboard gymnastics, well, in our case anyway, the unique and great sounding singer is the real meal ticket. LOL She doesn't sound like anyone else I have ever heard. Her doubling was right on too... for really her first time in that major a studio environment... she was a total pro. The engineer was very impressed at her power and accuracy... despite still having the lingering effects of pneumonia.

The camera doesn't do any of it justice. Hopefully the mix will be done soon so we can master it... I am still very pleasantly surprised at how great everything sounded.

**mesavox** · 03-16-2010, 04:30 PM

Some pics for those who don't have 20 minutes to watch the video...

A bit of the place:

Day 1 Drums:

Day 2 Bass and Guitars:

Day 3 Vocals:

**browndog** · 03-16-2010, 04:34 PM

I still want to hear more of Amber’s voice. Sweet Purple BFR BTW.

**mesavox** · 03-16-2010, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by browndog

I still want to hear more of Amber’s voice. Sweet Purple BFR BTW.

lol... there is some older recordings on our myspace page to hold you over until we release the EP. www.myspace.com/bipolarecho Say hi if you drop by.

**browndog** · 03-16-2010, 05:02 PM

Good tunes. Nice guitar work Kevin. Your rhythm player needs to be EB converted.

**mesavox** · 03-16-2010, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by browndog

Good tunes. Nice guitar work Kevin. Your rhythm player needs to be EB converted.

Well, for the EP he was... he was me. LOL I'm pretty sure we have a new guitar player lined out, and he has a Luke... Although, Raymond did have an OLP Baritone that he put Dimarzios in... that sounded pretty awesome. I guess that was pretty close to him being a convert. LOL He's a n 80s pointy guitar kinda guy... he's more into the JPX than any of the other JP versions. Other than that, I tried to convert him, but he knows why he likes what he likes and I can dig that.

**jakedawgwhite88** · 03-17-2010, 06:33 PM

Nice vid I don't know if anyone else has issues with it loading but it took awhile....any chance of this making it on youtube I know there is an echo page.

**John C** · 03-17-2010, 08:53 PM

Kevin,

Nice video; enjoyed the glimpse inside a studio. During some of the shots of the console in motion I couldn't help but get the "all this machinery making modern music. . ." from "Sprit of the Radio" on the internal soundtrack.

Now to the music - I guess I've always been the ecelectic guy; one minute I've got Yes on the stereo, the next minute Van Halen, then split the difference with 77-84 era Rush. Since I'm an old dude (I've got to have at least 20 years on you and your bandmates) the songs appeal to my old "one foot in the prog camp, one foot in the metal camp" listening habits. I like Amber's voice; I'll have to hear the finished tunes but from the studio snippets you've done a good job writing the tunes to showcase both her voice and your playing. Looking forward to hearing more.