The process

Recording a tune for me is a bit different from a lot of people.

For one thing, it's just me. I do everything, from the vocals to the drums and bass to the guitar work to the synth lines. Not to mention engineering, producing, composing, and all that. So, I don't have any other musicians to work with to lay down basic tracks to work with.

Most folks in my position begin by recording a drum-line. I usually don't. I usually begin with a basic rhythm guitar line, then add the bass line, then the drums. That process seems to work best with me. Then I add some more guitar tracks, some guitar fills, maybe a few synth tracks, then the lead guitar and the vocals, if there are any. I may go back and rework something if I figure out something that'll make it work better--I redid the bass-line on "Inside" late in the game and totally improved it, for example.

So, it's a bit weird for me that I"m starting with the drum-line for "Ashes and Bone". I don't have much choice--this tune is going to be drum-heavy, and there are sections where it'll just be drums and maybe the vocal.

I've done this before--starting with the drumline--but not for something that'll be as complicated as this one is shaping up to be. So, wish me luck! I'll be working on it today, in a little while.

I need a nap first. Even though I use my synth for the drums, I'm expecting to work up a sweat.