Viewing: Behind the scenes - View all posts

Mixing "Katson autiota hiekkarantaa" is completed

Today I want to share with you the latest update on my tribute to Katri Helena project. As you may know, I'm a huge fan of her music and I've been working on a classical guitar cover of one of…

Read more

Recording phase completed for Katson autiota hiekkarantaa

Today I want to give you an update on my new project. As you know, I love to make classical guitar instrumental cover versions of your favourite songs, and I'm always working on new music for you. Well, I'm happy…

Read more

Start with The End in Mind [PRODUCTIVITY TIP]

Today I want to share with you a way to be more productive: start with the end in mind.

It’s a simple but powerful concept. It’s like setting the destination on your satnav or GPS before you start driving.

In…

Read more

It ain't always easy...

I hope you are well and having a wonderful day.

When you make cover versions of songs with full orchestration, then you need to play most if not all the instruments in a band. Drums, the bass, guitars… and the…

Read more

It's a HEAT WAVE

We're experiencing a heat wave here where I live. ☀️😓

This is the third one this summer, it lasts for two weeks, but feels more intense than the previous ones. Daytime temperatures reach almost 40 degrees Celsius and the lowest…

Read more

What (should) I use AI for as a MUSICIAN?

I use generative Artificial Intelligence or AI to help me to write texts, such as video scripts, emails to my mailing list, marketing copies and even responses to my fans' comments on social media.

👉 Watch the video to see…

Read more

Adding energy with volume automation

Today I was mixing a song called Maledetta primavera, which is one of the songs on my debut EP. 
I'm making a classical guitar instrumental cover version of the song, to brighten your day!

The mix is nearly done, but…

Read more

Using volume automation to grab listener's attention

Today I was mixing a song called Oasis, which is one of the songs on my debut EP.
I'm making a classical guitar instrumental cover version of the song, to brighten your day!

Quite often there's an instrument in the…

Read more

Changing the tone of an instrument in the mixing phase

Today I was mixing Guarda che luna and was having a bit of a hard time getting the sax solo to sit in the mix well. The sax sounds great on its own, but in the mix it sounds too…

Read more

Mix 1 versions of all my upcoming EP songs

All my upcoming EP songs have progressed to Mix 1 stage.

Creating an impression of a band playing in a room

I was mixing the song called Oasis today and did something I want to share with you.

It's a very subtle mixing move but it has a big impact.

The mix with no effects used, just volume faders, panning, EQ…

Read more

One step back, three steps forward

Sometimes taking one step back can help you to move three steps forward!

I was mixing Guarda che luna when I decided that I needed to get a better saxophone solo. Back to recording!

I went online and looked for…

Read more

The sense of achievement is addictive

The sense of achievement can be quite addictive even in small doses.

I got the 80% mixes done of Oasis and Maledetta Primavera.
That's a small achievement, isn't it?

I hope to keep seeing you around.
Have a wonderful day…

Read more

Systems help me to stay focused and make progress

When you have a lot to work on, it can be hard to stay focused and making progress.

Systems help me.

Mixing five songs is a lot of work, but I love it! ❤️
I mix the songs in parallel,…

Read more

Out-of-tune guitar fixed

I was tempted to fix my out-of-tune guitar track in the mixing.
I chose to fix it at the source, which means that I re-recorded the entire lead guitar part. 🎸

👉 Watch the video to hear how the guitar…

Read more

Out-of-tune guitar, to mix or not to mix?

Today I'm going to share with you a common dilemma in mixing.
One of the recorded tracks is a lead guitar which is out of tune.
To mix or not to mix, that is the question!

👉 Watch the video…

Read more

80% mix of Guarda che luna

Today I continued mixing Guarda che luna, which is one of my upcoming EP songs.

Last time you saw how I did a Static mix of the song, and today I’ll show you how the next stage, called an 80%…

Read more

From Static to 80% mixes

Mixing my EP songs is ON!

Work in progress: four songs Static mixes created
Two songs advanced to the 80% mixes, two more to go

Conclusion: is changing strings worth it?

Last week I asked you to help me to test if changing the strings of my guitar was worth it or not. Thank you for your responses given on my website, on YouTube and on Facebook!

Before arriving at a…

Read more

Static mix of Guarda che luna

Today I’m starting to mix Guarda che luna, which is one of the upcoming EP songs. The goal of mixing is to find a good balance of all the recorded instruments and make the song more engaging to the listener…

Read more

Is changing strings worth it?

I was getting ready for recording the lead guitar for my EP songs when I remembered an old piece of advice: always change the strings of your guitar before recording.

The assumption is that fresh strings sound better than old…

Read more

Studio life 14/5/2023

Tracking lead guitars for four of the EP songs 🎸

This completes the Recording phase, next phase: Mixing 💥

#studiolife #musicproduction #homerecording #classicalguitar

Practising for emotions

Today I’m practising the lead guitar part for the song called “Oasis”.

There are so many things to practise: the notes, the rhythm, which fingers to use to play each note and so on. Once all that is going well…

Read more

Studio life 7/5/2023

 

Music I made when recording the songs for my upcoming EP last week or so.

  • Electric guitar for L'italiano, to add energy to the chorus.
  • Acoustic background guitar for Oasis, to add texture and support for the bass and drums.
  • …
Read more

Layering pianos for "Maledetta Primavera"

Today I’m working on my piano for the song “Maledetta Primavera”.

I’m using a layering technique to get my piano closer to the piano of the original version of the song back in the 80’s.

Let’s see how that works!…

Read more