Jim's Home Brew Music Page

Background
Okay, so I am as geeky as they come. I have been playing music for 30 years, as a hobby. The songs below were all recorded between 2003 and 2005 when I had free time -- no real talent, just free time. I used a Yamaha AW16 Digital Workstation to record and mix all the instruments. I played all the instruments even though guitar is my favorite. There is no bass guitar, only the XP3 synth. So, don’t laugh too loudly when you hear these songs. Recording these songs was just my way of learning more about music and various mixing techniques. Nobody else played on these songs.

How It Was Done
Mixing was the most difficult, for me. It took many takes to get the tracks to sound right. Many songs need remixed. As with anything, the more you do it the more finesse you acquire. I laid down the rhythm guitar and drum tracks first on every track. I followed this with the bass track, then synthesizer and keyboard tracks. I added the lead guitar tracks and then some percussion like cowbells, cymbals and sticks, etc. Everything was recorded flat, in my garage, then effects were added later. I have no idea if this is the correct method but it worked for me.

• Trangoa Wave (Original 2007)
• Break Away (Original 2007)
• Northern Lights (Original 2007)
• Get Jiggy With It (Original 2007)
• Goin' Home (Original, 2004)
• Jimmy's Song (Original, 2004)
• Spangled (Original, 2004)
• Sunday Blues (Original, 2004)
• The Hard Way (Original, 2004)
• Confused (Original, 2004)
• Bang (Original, 2003)
• Evil Ways (Santana Cover Tune, 2003)
• I Wish (Butchered Stevie Wonder Cover Tune, 2003)

• Fender Stratocaster
• Fender Telecaster
• Ibanez RG Series 750
• Charvel Six-string Acoustic Electric Guitar
• Roland XP3 Synthesizer
• Alesis 49-Track Drum Machine
• Marshall VS-100 Amp Head
• Marshall 4x12 Cabinet
• Fender Cyber-Twin Amp Head
• Carvin 8-Channel, 700W PA Mixer Head and Speakers

• Top Priority - 1985-1988
• Just Us - 1979-1980
• Tradegy - 1977-1978