Music producer, DJ, and classical violinist, Jayeson Andel better known in the electronic dance music scene as Cobalt Infusion, spends most of his time working with sound. A graduate from The Art Institute of Vancouver’s Electronic Music program and over 15 years of violin training, he brings insight from school as well industry experience by working with record labels, playing live gigs, and collaborating with amazing talent over the years.

… In this program you will learn how to intelligently create sounds from the ground up using the most basic form of synthesis. Successfully understanding subtractive synthesis will allow you to get the sound you want without having to scroll through presets until you arrive on a sound that’s “close enough”. This is what will set you apart from being a consumer to a producer of sounds.

Dec 4th, 2011

12 Gareth Place, St. Albert

2pm-5pm, 6pm-9pm

$200/person

(Members of the Edmonton Electronic Music Producers group recieve a $30 discount)

Class size: 4 – 6 people

Deadline for entry: Nov 30th, 2011

(Message Jim at: james.catterall@gmail.com or on FB)

Materials to Bring:

* Laptop

* Digital Audio Workstation able to load VST’s (Ableton, FL Studio, Logic, etc)

* Headphones

Class Material

Terminology/Fundamentals

* What is sound?

* Pitch vs Frequency

* Volume vs Gain

* Timbre

Sound Source/Modifiers/Controllers

Sound Source (Audio output only)

* Oscillators (Waveforms, Pulsewidth, Sync)

* Samples

* Input

Modifiers (Audio input and output)

* Filters (Low Pass, High Pass, Bandpass, Notch etc.)

* distortions, degraders, bit crushers

* delay based effects (delays, chorus, phasers, flangers)

* reverb

* (wet vs dry signal)

Controllers (No audio, controller data)

* Envelope Generators (ADSR)

* Low Frequency Oscillators

* Key Scaling

* Velocity Scaling

Layout Of A Common Subtractive Synth

Creating Sounds

* Waveforms (Analogue, Digital/Modern Waveforms, Wavetables)

* Harmonic Content and Spectral Analysis

* Stacking & Layering

* Detuning

* Octaving

* Intervals & Chords

* Monophoic vs Polyphonic

Designing Sounds With a Purpose

How to create:

* Leads -Basses

* Pads

* Plucks

* Percussion

* FX/Ambience/Abstract How to save presets.

In addition to the information of the class you will receive a take-home CD of some of the VST’s we cover in the course as well as a few extras, a newsletter via email with tips on music production, and support via email regarding the material covered to make sure your questions are answered.

To Register, contact synthworkshop@phoneticsound.com Today!

Registration Deadline is November 30

So we haven’t recorded Lights (yet)- but Jeff Olson recently remixed her song “Siberia” and entered

it into the Indaba contest she’s putting on.  Please check the site, enjoy some remixes, and vote for your favorite!

Jeff won’t be offended if you don’t vote for his, but he feels it’s pretty good.  Decide for yourself at Indaba:

goo.gl/bgvt3

Or listen here (and then go vote!) :

Tiff Hall and her gang were in again today working on her new album! Jesse Peters, Travis Switzer, Matt Atkins and Chris Nordstron arrived early and ready for their third day in studio this week. Illness invited itself on this project but regardless of their conditions the team pressed forward. I was very impressed by the scratch vocals Tiff laid though she has been under the weather. It just goes to show that this is a hard working group that faces the challenge of whatever obstacles, whether personal or corporate, come their way.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak preview:

—Art Blakey

I really wish this statement was literal as it would have saved me time cleaning here in the studio this morning!

Tiff Hall and her gang were in again today working on her new album! Jesse Peters, Travis Switzer, Matt Atkins and Chris Nordstron arrived early and ready for their third day in studio this week. Illness invited itself on this project but regardless of their conditions the team pressed forward. I was very impressed by the scratch vocals Tiff laid though she has been under the weather. It just goes to show that this is a hard working group that faces the challenge of whatever obstacles, whether personal or corporate, come their way.

Jesse and Tiff have worked hard together to write some incredible new pieces that carry the soul of the jazz/R&B scene. Hearing the guitar, bass and drum tracks being laid throughout this week has me greatly anticipating the completion of this new album. Jeff is working hard with Matt to finish tracking as much percussion as possible before he leaves overseas and Tiff is working equally as hard to nurse her voice to full health for upcoming recording.

Uh oh! Watch out James Corley!

I recently spent some time in studio with James Corley here at Phoneticsound and had the privilege of asking him a few questions about his band Southroot and their recording experience. The link below will bring you to a video of our conversation on day one of their time in studio recording their 3 song demo this fall.

Tiff Hall and her gang were in again today working on her new album! Jesse Peters, Travis Switzer, Matt Atkins and Chris Nordstron arrived early and ready for their third day in studio this week. Illness invited itself on this project but regardless of their conditions the team pressed forward. I was very impressed by the scratch vocals Tiff laid though she has been under the weather. It just goes to show that this is a hard working group that faces the challenge of whatever obstacles, whether personal or corporate, come their way.

Tiff Hall and her gang were in again today working on her new album! Jesse Peters, Travis Switzer, Matt Atkins and Chris Nordstron arrived early and ready for their third day in studio this week. Illness invited itself on this project but regardless of their conditions the team pressed forward. I was very impressed by the scratch vocals Tiff laid though she has been under the weather. It just goes to show that this is a hard working group that faces the challenge of whatever obstacles, whether personal or corporate, come their way.

Soulful music is the goal of Tiff Hall’s new musical project. I had the pleasure of meeting with her when she was here in studio. She shared some insight into the creation of her new album as well as some of her past musical experience that has led her to this place. Take a look at the video interview below!

“A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges.  ~Benny Green”

And a juggler of sorts he is. Jesse Peters combined comedy, outstanding musicianship, incredible composition and beautiful chemistry during his recent live recording at Edmonton’s Winspear Center. I had the privilege of sitting in on a portion of his session with engineer Jeff Olson. Accompanied by Matt Atkins and Travis Switzer, the trio provided for many laughs and creative musical moments. I was honored to be a part of the project with these highly talented and accredited individuals.

Though the trio is professional in technique and performance I was both surprised and excited to hear the little banters and random conversation between takes. When grown men are making “your mom” jokes in a classy location such as the Winspear it has to make you smile. I believe the exchange went something like this… 

Jesse: Ok, so for this piece we want a kind of Fever feel. So think Peggy Lee.

Travis: I don’t want to think Peggy Lee.

Jesse: Fine then, think your mom!

(Travis laid a sick bass line)

Jesse: Ok, so this song is called “Turn You On”

(Jesse began to play)

Matt: Wait! (Everyone stopped) Did you just say this song is called “Turn You On” and ‘think your mom’ ??!

I had a good laugh!

There is still more tracking to be done at Phoneticsound studio in the next coming months to complete this project. The group is taking their time to make this album an exquisite compilation!

Jenesa Holowinski

We had some good laughs sharing stories and discussing Jeff’s quirks and humor. Here is part of our conversation:

Jenesa:”How long have you been playing?”

Andrew: I have been playing since 1993 and the band was formed in January 2007.

Jenesa: “Have you recorded before?”

Andrew: We recorded our first album in December 2007 at Phoneticsound and released it in May 2008. Our second album we just recorded this February with Jeff and just got copies of the masters a few days ago.

Jenesa:”What were your expectations before coming to record?”

Andrew: When we recorded our first album it was pretty basic; just the three instruments played the same as we would a live show. We wanted it to be similar to our first album but with more complexity. So this time I had lots of production ideas for embellishments using layers and additional instruments. I had more of a vision in mind this time.

Jenesa: “How did your experience differ from your expectation?”

Andrew: It turned out to be more work than we had thought. We spent a lot of time on small specific parts. It was hard work but very fun.

Jenesa: “What was your recording experience like?”

Andrew: Exciting! I felt like there were endless possibilities; like the world was at my finger tips. Jeff knows how to take my ideas and create the sounds I have envisioned. We recorded 4 days in a row 9-5 so it was intense and tiring at times but it was A LOT OF FUN!

Jenesa:”Was it easy or difficult to capture the performance you wanted?”

Andrew: For the most part, it was easy.

Jenesa:”What was your experience like working with Jeff as an engineer and producer?”

Andrew: Jeff really knows what he’s talking about. I feel like sometimes he can read my mind. He really feels music the same way I do. I would explain what I was looking for and he would know what needed to be done to make it happen.

Jenesa:”What were some of the highlights or favorite moments from recording?”

Andrew: The jokes! Jeff has a good sense of humor. At the studio there is no window between the control room and the live room. So you have to wear headphones to hear Jeff as you’re tracking and he would say the most funny things. It’s like he’s in your head!

Chatting with Andrew was fantastic. He was so positive and articulate. I was impressed with his quick responses to my questions. Andrew also gave me a heads up that the Martingales are playing tonight at the Taphouse here in St. Albert. So if you get a chance I would suggest you take the opportunity to see their live show! I’m heading off now to transform into my fashionable painting attire to tackle the studio stairs.

Visit www.themartingales.ca to stay updated on the band, their upcoming album, and CD release!

Jenesa

Recently I had the opportunity to interview  Elaine:

Part 1:

D: Why did you decide to do an audio-book?

E: That’s a really good question because making the audio-book was really important to me…Harold is 80 years old now and many of the people who would want to read about him are round about his age and many of these people don’t find it easy with the text version -whether because of difficulty reading…or because they find it difficult to keep their mind focussed on the written words…

The second part is that in my family…we have a hereditary eye disease called RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) and so blindness is pretty common. My dad was blind and since the time I was about 10 years old, I remember listening to stories on LP records from the CNIB…I have lots of memories with my brother, sister and I washing and drying dishes in the kitchen listening to stories…Audio format has been a part of my life for a long time. I wanted to make that audio format available to people… 

D: Who designed the cover for your book?

E: The cover was designed by Jacqui Wong…I sent a text to her and asked her to do a design for the cover and I think she did an outstanding job. The cover shows a gravel or dirt country road with trees on each side (that’s the background) then it has a pair of boots…in the foreground. The title “On His Own Two Feet” is done in a old-style typewriter font…We used the same cover for the audio-recording cover.

D: What have you learned from bringing this writing project to completion?

E: I have learned that sometimes not knowing what you’re getting into is a real blessing. I was really excited about meeting with Harold and interviewing him and talking with him and Audrey about what his life was like…In truth, that’s really as far as I could see when I started. I had no idea that I was really writing a book. I was just doing something that really appealed to me… I just following it step by step by step and never really looked too far ahead…

I think that if I’d been aware of how much was involved in writing a book and getting it right up to publication I might have given up. I might have been overwhelmed.

So I guess… what I have learned is that sometimes it is really important to just focus on the next step… To not let yourself worry about where it’s all going to end up… when you’re ready to take the next step, whatever you need to handle the next step, will be there for you. 

That worked out wonderfully. Harold and Audrey were there to be interviewed when I wanted to do that. I worked with a writing group of very good writing friends who were there through each of my chapters as I wrote them and offered suggestions as how to revise and edit them. My family was very supportive even though they weren’t really sure where I was going either. My older brother helped me with his memories. He had a clearer picture of some things than I did. When I was ready to publish, Jacqui was there to assist me… and to kind of guide me through the steps that were necessary for getting the book printed.

My friend Dawn Curran offered to do the reading. She has experience in reading for the CNIB and for Voiceprint.

So I went looking on the net and found Phoneticsound. I phoned and talked to Jeff. He was so helpful. He answered all of my questions. He made suggestions. He talked with me about the process, which I really didn’t know or understand at that point… It turned out that Phoneticsound was only a few blocks from where my friend who did the reading lived.

Jeff also suggested MEHco Inc. with Susan Munro as a place to get the CDs done. I didn’t even realize that recording was one step and production was another step… I really learned to trust the process. To do what I felt was important; what I felt was necessary…

D: What inspired you to write this book?

E: I was always very interested in people who have had to cope with very difficult things in their lives. Sometimes when you meet someone you just think that they are an ordinary person. That they have had a life much the same as you did; they were born, they grew up, they had the love of their life, they had kids… and you have no idea of what they’ve really had to go through.

Harold and Audrey are very down-to-earth people… they are very open and friendly and loving and approach life with the attitude that they will give their best and the best is out there for them. So, not knowing anything about their history, you would think that things have been pretty easy for this couple. You wouldn’t know what Harold has had to go through and what Audrey has gone through, step by step, beside him. They really have had an extraordinary life.

It’s those kinds of people that I admire so very much… I wanted, for myself, to trace how what happens in someone’s life really determines who they are. I read somewhere that when you experience great sorrow, it makes you capable of great joy… when you experience huge challenges, it makes you more accepting of people…

Fun in the Control Room

We have the new site “Designed” – but as you’ll probably notice it’s not finished yet!

Have a look around, but if you don’t find what your looking for right now, don’t hesitate to Email Us.

Remember, you can find us on Twitter and Facebook too.

If you want to reach us the old fashion way, just call us at 780-994-1092.

If you have a moment – comment and tell us what you did all summer, and what you’re doing this fall!

Thanks – Jeff.