blair’s blógado gigante

Music Breakdown: “Keeping The Peace”

blairblends — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:36:40 +0000

It’s been quite a while since I blogged…and did the final master of “Keeping The Peace”. I thought now might be a good time to break the track down and talk about the elements, techniques, and instruments that went into completing this track.

You can hear the original track and the reprise redux on this blog.

I narrate this audio breakdown, as usual. It is on the long side — around 25 minutes. However, despite the length, I think the music nerds among you will appreciate the “under the hood” peek at the song. Enjoy!

Preview: "Mere Exposure"

blairblends — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:14:57 +0000

Oh, hi! It’s been a terribly long time since I shared any music. This is a new piece I’m working on that takes on the usual ominous/industrial/haunting vocals sound. I didn’t want’t to post the preview until I had a chance to properly master it on good studio monitors. (I had previously been working with headphones, and honestly I did pretty well considering how hard it normally is to work on music with headphones for long periods of time.)

The track, bus, and pre-dub counts are starting to add up, but using Audition 3.0.1 on a quad core with 24 GB of RAM doesn’t slow it down, even with heavy use of effects and VST/DirectX plug-ins.

The next pass will be strings…that is to say, I will be adding some incidental strings along with a solo. I will probably go with the baritone violin, since I need something edgy and harsh to punch through. The fog of war (“density”) of this track is already starting to get into the 90th percentile.

Let me know what you think.

Once this track is finished, I will post it in its entirety, along with a podcast of me walking you through how it came to be, and “breaking down” what individual elements have gone into making the final product.

Music: Untitled (X11R4)

blairblends — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:01:04 +0000

Haven’t posted anything in a while. Not much to say, but here’s a preview of a track that’s nearing completion.

Music: "The Oracle Speaks"

blairblends — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:49:01 +0000

A new track that’s just come off the mastering rack. Careful, it’s hot like fries from Whataburger at 3 in the morning!

Music: In Pursuit (with alternate)

blairblends — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:42:33 +0000

I’m keeping up my end of the bargain to continue to share music I’ve created, and this time you’re getting two for the price of one: a “cue” along with its alternate version (more violin and guitar articulations).

Very thunderous and energetic…also pretty funky (if people still say that).

Remix: Fort Minor's "Where'd You Go"

blairblends — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:24:53 +0000

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I remixed “Where’d You Go” for Fort Minor.

After discovering that, for some reason, I still have the stems and sessions on my backups, I decided to do a re-master for 2009. This is another remix where you get to hear my actual skills as a piano player. Enjoy.

Music: "Security Breach"

blairblends — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:39:26 +0000

I haven’t posted any music for a while, and I’m feeling whimsical. So, I’m going to dig up tracks from 2007 that nobody has heard! (Well, except my friend Kyle and my agent.)

We’ll start off with this one! Enjoy.

NIN’s "In This Twilight" Redux

blairblends — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:38:30 +0000

I’m thrilled that people enjoyed my remix of NIN’s “In This Twilight“…those of you who were able to get your hands on it before I posted it officially today.

I like to experiment with music, and I feel like breaking the rules today. I’m going to not only give you an alternate, instrumental version…but I’m also going to let you hear the individual performances as they were recorded for this remix in the spring of 2009. The piano was performed by me, and the violin was hired out.

Enjoy this look beneath the surface!

Remix: NIN – "In This Twilight"

blairblends — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Many of you already have this, but I thought I would officially post my remix of “In This Twilight” by NIN.

You’ll find, as usual, that I’ve tweaked the vocals with Melodyne…and given it an entirely different feel than the original.

Make sure you check the next post, with an instrumental version and even a “behind the scenes” listen to the individual performances that went into the remix.

Music: "The Hajj"

blairblends — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:41:13 +0000

If you’ve never read about Hajj, you will no doubt find it interesting and worth your respect, regardless on your feelings of religion in general. Here’s a cue to go with the trek that people make at least once in their lives — often at the expense of their own life.