Broadside Productions Notebook

Brother Bill begin recording - February 2009

2009-02-24T01:39:00.003-05:00

We're happy to have Brother Bill in the studio for the first time. Work began on their new full-length project in late February 2009.

Out Of Favor Boys - 2nd CD started - February 2009

2009-02-24T01:35:00.003-05:00

Out Of Favor Boys started tracking their 2nd CD at Broadside in February. We're working on more dates for March - glad to have them back!

Check out their site for show dates: www.outoffavorboys.com

3-Song Demo finished for BREECH AND DESTROY

2009-02-19T12:31:00.004-05:00

Just finished tracking mixing and mastering a 3-song demo for BREECH AND DESTROY. Tracked instruments live, overdubbed vocals in one evening - mixed and mastered the next. Turned-out nice for working at a quick pace. Thanks guys.

[PHOTO] Winter Sessions

2009-01-20T02:38:00.004-05:00

The end of the year marks a maintenance time around the studio. All of the gear is cleaned, bad cables are thrown-out (or fixed) and we get ready for another year. Sometimes we buy a couple of new things - just a couple of sets of headphones this year.

Just finished a DVD project for Hanna Rumora. Hanna is a 12 year old Cellist applying for an Artist's Grant. She needed to create a DVD demo with 2 pieces, under 5 minutes to submit for review. The session went great - we miced-up the Cello and synched the audio back to video in the final version. We hope things work-out with the Grant.

Jealous Radio completed their new CD over a cold weekend in early January (photo to left). Tracked, mixed and mastered a batch of songs on a Saturday and Sunday.

Mk Ultra Culkin is scheduled for the end of January and Bill Hart contacted us to set-up dates for Brother Bill in February.

Looking forward to a busy 2009...!!

Live Recording - The Penetrators at Louie's, Kalamazoo, MI

2008-09-22T00:39:00.001-04:00

We recorded The Penetrators at Louies last night. Nice crowd - many familiar faces. Chad Houts (Mesa) managed to get these guys together for the show - the live recording will be used for an upcoming DVD project.

Catching Up!

2008-08-06T02:38:00.005-04:00

Lots of catching up to do...

Willamena finished mixing their new CD. Congrats Chris Newman on the new baby! Megan Dooley finished and released her new CD. Bill Hart is moving forward with overdubs and touch-ups. We did a little editing for Leslie Graham from the WMU Synchronized Skating Team. Mark Maire (HEWG) track a new song a couple of months ago. The Waterladies have been tracking new songs for their project. Digital Imaging technology extraordinaire Pascal Cotte arrived at Broadside - direct from Paris (France, not Michigan) to work on voice-overs for his documentary. We were contacted by his production company in L.A. to set-up the session. The documentary is set to air on a number of public and cable channels soon. Pascal was in Kalamazoo to fix a camera at WMU. Take a look at his site - interesting guy.

We picked-up a few pieces of gear last month. New power amp, studio monitors, a couple of effect processors, spare DAT machine. THANKS BRENT!

We would like to welcome Gary Marshall to our intern program through Recording Connection. Gary started classes last month and seems to pick things up quickly.

Busy March

2008-03-16T02:26:00.002-04:00

March has been a busy month in the studio...

Willmena has been mixing. Bill Hart and Megan Dooley are starting new projects. Vaulted has started tracking a few songs.

We've also been booking time for our contest winners (drawing for 3 free hours). We gave away over $450 of recording time in March. In Custody, Mk Ultra Culkin, Wishek and Against All Kings were a few of the winners.

Kopis Red - 4 songs mixed

2008-01-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

Mark mixed 4 songs w/ Kopis Red tonight. A few more tomorrow, then on to mastering.

[PHOTO] Mike Roche and Jeff Till

2008-01-06T02:41:00.000-05:00

Jeff Till and Mike Roche "discussing" the mix in the old barn in 1999. Jeff was in Kalamazoo recording a TASM LAB production that involved, well, pretty much all of our friends. One of my fav photos.

Randy Thunderbird In the Studio

2008-01-06T01:05:00.000-05:00

Randy Thunderbird tracked 12 songs on January 3rd. They used-up a Broadside Gift Certificate that they've been holding on to for a while. After the session, we burned a DVD copy of the tracks for them to take home and work on vocals. They'll be back to mix at a later date.

Chimney, Window Removed

2007-12-31T15:43:00.001-05:00

The pile of bricks is what's left of a chimney that was in the way of
opening-up the kitchen to living room.

The windows were replaced with a new double glass door.

In the Studio

2007-12-31T02:31:00.000-05:00

Willamena spent a few days in December recording 2 new songs for their upcoming 10-song CD. Tracked drums and bass the in the first session - guitars the next.

Kopis Red has been tracking on a regular basis.

Bill Clements has a new project. They'll begin tracking in mid-January. Just in time to take a few CD's to the NAMM show.

Randy Thunderbird and Anne Marie Boyle have sessions scheduled in January.

Hex Bombs are working on a new EP.

Construction Begins - November 2007

2007-12-31T00:46:00.001-05:00

Well, IT'S NOT REALLY the BEGINNING of construction, but at least we're starting to put things back together. We have owned the building at 901 S. Westnedge in Kalamazoo, MI for about 5 years. It was originally designed and built by Architect, Ernest Batterson in 1924. Ernest was a prominent local Architect that designed commercial and residential structures throughout SW Michigan including Old Central (Vine Street), the church by Bronson Park (name?), Ft. Custer Military Base and Paw Paw High School. He used the building for his office and primary residence.

Throughout the years, there have been a number of businesses at the 4 addresses (901, 901 1/2, 903 and 905) in this location. Dixie Gas gas station, Ted and Millies restaurant, Fernando's Fine Mexican Foods and many more.

Here's a list of highlights that bring us to where we are now - I'll break this list down into smaller parts in posts to follow...

-Cleaned and patched the existing flat roof and limped-by until now. By "clean" I mean removed sod (yes sod), dirt and pine needles and cleared the drains.

-Prepped the south side to be rented as an apartment.

-Installed new water heater for apartment.

-Rented the south side as an apartment for approx. 3 years.

-Removed a MOUNTAIN of blow-in insulation and raised the ceilings in the studio (North) side.

-Moved furnace (south side). It's original location was smack-dab in the middle of the live recording room.

-Built a mechanical room w/ my brother to house the furnace etc...

-Rented 2 rooms as practice spaces to Slow Drag and Burning Tent Revival.

-Rented the center area to Ry Charters - Driftwood Guitar Shop for approx. 2 years.

-Converted one of the former practice spaces to an office for our Marketing/Design company.

-Opened up the center area and south-side to make room for Allyson's Photography Studio.

-Demolished 80% of the interior - removing walls and stripping to the studs. The entire building was cut-up in to a number of smaller, useless rooms that we're going to convert to several large rooms.

-Removed a 20 ft. pine tree from the courtyard. No, we're not tree-haters. The needles would fall, clog the drains, create leaks. We considered duct-taping the needles to the tree, but decided to cut it down instead. We'll plant another, smaller one in it's place, promise.

-Considered adding a second level for our residence. Realized it was going to bee too costly - unfortunately, we came to this realization after spending approx. $3,000 on architectural fees/drawings AND going through the entire site plan review w/ the City of Kalamazoo. Sure did it look neat though!

Now we have resolved to fix the existing structure and go from there... When it's finished, the 3,100 sq. ft. building will serve as our living space, Allyson's Photography Studio, the recording studio and an office for Remote Marketing Group - our Marketing/Design company.

Photos : New roof installation and miscellaneous framing and siding, November 2007.

The Studio Blog Begins...

2007-12-30T23:49:00.000-05:00

Thought a blog would be the easiest way to provide recording news and construction updates. Enjoy!

[PHOTO] Dan from LaSalle Tracking Drums

2007-06-06T02:57:00.000-04:00

Pic of Dan from LaSalle tracking drums at Broadside June 2007.

[PHOTO] Jeff Hamburgkowski

2007-01-06T03:14:00.000-05:00

Jeff Borkowski (First To The Fence, Thought Industry) cramming a pre-session burger down his throat.

[PHOTO] Mark Larmee/First To The Fence

2007-01-06T03:10:00.000-05:00

Mark Larmee kickin' some bass during a First To The Fence session (2005?). Jeff Borkowski (looking for chocolate) in background.