one month in...

I can't believe it. We are officially one month into Project50. I have nothing to show for it! HAHAHA. Well that's not entirely true. It was a very busy month and I feel like I've gotten things moving. I have the equipment set up properly, done what I could with what I have, bought a few things and I can produce something for sure. I have also identified key issues that warranted investigation and I've made decisions about what to address and how to address them, and which items I feel like I can just leave be... for now.

Yesterday's major accomplishment was that I've figured out a place for the old interface and both mic input channels are functional. It took some thought, like how do I set this up in a way that makes sense on the small desk that I've chosen for my recording and editing gear. Standing it up felt right, even if it occupies around the same amount of space had I kept it horizontal, just because I sandwiched it between the marble bookends. This way, it's stable and won't topple over, even if more things are connected to it. But I also have all the knobs higher. The XLR cable that came with the Nova looks like a 6ft. so I have to be smart about positioning everything. In the near future, what I'll need is a longer XLR line and a mic stand with a boom. I've considered the desktop clamping ones but I think for my needs, a tripod stand might be better, just to make room for recording instruments as well. I am still hoping I can get my daughter to play her viola for at least one song, but I do have a couple lined up for her. 

One area that still requires decision-making on my part is the recording and editing software. My trusted friend who works in music production recommended Tracktion Waveform for ease of use and I'm thankful because it is with this program that I managed to make the old interface functional. I've noticed though that when I have to toggle the setting on the audio devices between ASIO and Windows exclusive mode, (this is needed when I'm switching between using the usb mic and any mic connected to the Mbox2), Waveform tends to stop responding. It takes a minute and then it will catch up but it makes me wonder if I should try something else. Or I could use different DAWs, depending on whether I'm using the interface or just the usb mic. I'll have to observe when the errors keeps happening or what things make it lag. Lagging = me nervous. Reaper is on my radar right now. Another friend is also pointing me in the direction of Linux but I think I'm going to stick with Windows for now. This is all just too much to wrap my head around.

I've sent my husband the wishlist, which at the moment includes one dynamic microphone, a 10ft. XLR cable and a boom mic stand. I was a little deflated when he said that none of these items are likely to go on sale, even if Black Friday comes in about a month. I said maybe if it's a bundle, they might discount but the problem is that most places that might do a bundle will have to ship and any discount will be meager. How do I justify buying a vocal mic? This is where my ancient Casio CTK720 comes in. It's going to be a karaoke mic too! We've had this for years, in lieu of an upright piano which I've always wanted to have. My children took piano lessons at Cunningham and stopped right around when the pandemic hit. I've said it before, if we moved to a house that had the space, I would buy a piano. That hasn't happened yet but maybe the next one. 

Now let's talk about the latest in dinosaur technology... online, everyone knocks my Casio keyboard as terrible but we've had it a long time and my children learned piano on it. It does the job. I know I already got my money's worth. Only now am I even looking at all the other things I could do with it, such as plugging it into the computer and using it as a MIDI device (I think that's what it is. See, I'm not even sure.) What I do know is that I can plug in a microphone. I've simply never tried. I know it has a decent size song bank. The only thing I can't seem to locate right now is that green cover songbook. I'm going to find it. Just you wait...

Playlist Recommendation: Your Song, Elton John