J-bot - Byte-Mixer
Member Profile - 12/04/2007
Social Media:
About J-bot
Background
Here is a bit of my background.
I started piano lessons as a child, as many children do, and when I hit junior high, proceeded to learn trumpet in the school band, which I continued through high school and a little bit in college. Though I did also still play piano a bit on and off. These days, more on.
I started working with computer-based music and midi back in the late 90's when I got my first midi-capable keyboard; a Yamaha PSR-520 portable keyboard. I was using Cakewalk Home-Studio 8, and later, version 9. I got my head around the concepts of what midi actually does, and how it works as well as its limitations. I was primarily using the software for writing sheet music at the time, however I did use automation for dynamics in the music for crescendos, pitch, etc. I was also using modplug tracker to change some of my midi-based music into mp3 format at the time using various samples.
Around 2001, I started getting into working more with soundfonts/samples and Fruityloops 3.4(before it became FL Studio) I'm a little late to the VST/i game, having started getting into plug-ins around late 2003. Through the following years, I focused on building up my gear, learning more about music production, and practicing different techniques and concepts to produce my own tracks. I've been mixing my own works for the last eight years as well as critiquing other folks mixes. I'm always getting better the more I work with various techniques. Even today, I'm still learning new tricks, but any profession is a continual learning process.
I work with a varied repertoire, including classical, celtic, electronica/techno/etc., rock, soundtrack, even blues and the occasional jazz. I have also worked as an asset for a friend's team who was finishing up a college senior project in game design. I'm always willing to help other musicians out and critique their mixes, based on what I hear, and what I've learned and/or experienced myself.
I am also a long time member of the Home Recording Connection forum. (the link can be found over in the links listing on this site). I try to keep involved helping other folks in situations similar to my own, answering questions, giving opinions and critiques, and any number of other helpful things. The forum has folks ranging from the newcomers, to home studio musicians, to professionals working in the industry. I have also participated in a couple music collaborations with other musicians on the forum.
From 2011 to 2014, I've been involved with recording the live shows of a few different bands in Iowa around Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Some names include Robbie Young and the Moonlighters, Jay Dean and Storm Brewing (now Blue Scratch), Black Diamond, Plaguewitch, and Joseph Navarro.
As of August 2014, I've moved to Wynnewood/Philadelphia. I've started connecting with other musicians in my area, and I'm currently playing keys with some jam bands. I also provide recording and mixing services to musicians in the Main Line area.
The goal of my service is to offer musicians, students, bands, and others a chance to have their work recorded at a modest fee. Whether it is in their home studios, live at their gigs, rehearsal spaces, garage, or whatever is available, I will be traveling to their location to record in a location that is familiar and comfortable to the musician. My intent is to keep things fun, educational, and no pressure, no stress. More details about that can be found on the pages in this website.
I've also recently started performing with a local musicians as a keyboardist. I am now keyboardist and songwriter in a "Euro Pop/Prog Rock" band in Philly, Blackjack Rose.
Equipment List:
Monitors/Amps:
* Pair of Tannoy Reveal 6 Passive Nearfields on an ART SLA-1 130W/Channel Amp
* Carvin AG100D 100W 3-Channel Amp
* Blackstar Fly 3 3W micro-amp (for practice/travel purposes)
* Vox VX50KB 50W 3-Channel Keyboard Amp
Headphones:
* AKG K240 Mk II Headphones
* 5 pairs of MoreMe Deluxe headphones for tracking purposes
Headphone Amp:
* ART Headamp6 Pro: 6-channel headphone amp
Mixer/Audio Interface:
* Mackie Onyx 1620i 16ch mixer
* Echo Audiofire4 firewire 4in/4out audio interface
* Focusrite Scarlette Solo
Recording:
Splitter:
* Art S8 8-channel Mic splitter
Multi-track Recorders:
* Tascam DP-24 (8-inputs, 24 track recorder)
Dynamic Mics:
* Audio-Technica MB3k Dynamic Mic (Midnight Blue Series)
* Shure Drum mic Kit, including 3 SM57's, and beta 52
* an extra Shure SM57
* 1 Shure Beta 58A
* 1 Shure SM7b
Condenser Mics:
* Matched pair of Karma K-Micro omni mini-condenser microphones
* 2 SE Electronics SE2200A MK2 C's (cardioid)
* Stereo Pair Lauten Audio LA-120 SDC mics (cardioid/omni interchangeable capsules)
* 2 Audio-Technica AT2020's (cardioid)
* 1 Shure Beta 98A/C mini-condenser
* Dayton EMM6 SDC Omni measurement mic
* Matched Stereo Pair Rode M5 SDC mics (cardioid)
* Matched pair, Lauten Audio LA-120 SDC mics with interchangeable capsules
Cables:
* Monoprice XLR + TRS cables and CBI/Belden XLR 8-channel snakes
Stands:
* On-Stage Boom Stands x4, Straight stands x2
* Hosa short boom stand
* Rode SB20 stereo mic bar
* Matthews 13.5 ft. lighting stand (3 spring loaded risers + leveling leg) w/ mic mount adapter
Instruments:
* 3 Bamboo flutes, E/Eb, Gb, and Bb
* Reverend Double Agent OG 20th Anniversary Guitar
* Ibanez Arondite ADD120-MG Electric Guitar
* ESP LTD M-10 Electric Guitar
* Roland VR-730 Stage Keyboard
* Behringer Deepmind 12 analog synth
* Clavia Nord Lead 2x
* Roland JD-Xi
* 1 of each of the Korg Monotrons (the Original, Duo, and Delay)
* Korg Volca Beats analog drum machine
Midi keyboard/controller:
* Novation Impulse 61
* Korg Microkey 25
* Korg PadKontrol
* Roland EV-5 expression pedal
* Zoom G3X multi-fx processor
* Moog EP-3 Expression Pedal
* Boss EV-30 dual-expression pedal
* M-Audio damper pedal
DAW:
* Cockos Reaper 6 http://www.reaper.fm
Notation:
* MuseScore www.musescore.org
Computer DAW PC:
* Custom built running Win10:
* AMD Ryzen 7 1700X 8-core CPU
* 16 GB G.Skill DDR4 1600 RAM in dual-channel
* HDD 1: 320GB Western Digital @ 7200RPM
* SSD: a 250GB Samsung, and a 500GB Samsung.
* Nvidia GTX 970 GPU
* SeaSonic Focus PSU
* ASRock AB350 Pro4 Motherboard
* Asus Optical Drive