Hello everyone, and happy September!  It was a busy summer in the studio, and promises to be even more so in the Fall.

Our Windows 7, 64 bit operating system, together with Sonar 8.5 (powered by the new V700 system with its slick control surface) has been run through its paces over the last several weeks, and is proving to be a boon in recording, mixing, and mastering.  The whole process is faster and the Analog to Digital converters are top notch. We continue to create terrific percussion tracks indistinguishable from well-recorded live drums using BFD and Session Drummer software.  Triple-miking acoustic guitar performances using either Earthworks QTC 40s ore SR30s plus Royer's first rate R122v tube-ribbon mic has yielded some absolutely beautiful, full guitar tracks.  Last month we acquired some of the best synths on the market: Omnisphere and Trilian , produced by Spectrasonics. It just keeps getting better...

Numerous Demos for voice students of Lynn Semelsberger have been cut, and more are scheduled over the next several months.  We've seen marvelous results from Lynn's teaching techniques.  One 10-year-old is destined for big things we think.

Alex Michaelson has has been in studio several times, and has laid down some fabulous original tracks, playing guitar and singing in one take.  Alex is one part Janis Joplin, and one part her own unique sound, offering up some very powerful songs.  One of her songs (recorded at OMP) has been picked up by an Indie movie producer.  The movie has completed production and is expected to be released in 2011. More on this as we know more.

Randy's Song "Hard Decisions" remained in Top 10-Rock Funk, on Broadjam.com for many weeks.  "My Ordinary Life" spent time in Country Top 10, Top 10 California, Top 10 Production, and Top 10 Male Vocal.  We've posted several new songs in addition to these two on Broadjam, including Art's new song, "She Rocks My World," so listen to them if you have a moment.

Nedi finished her new CD, "Mystery and Mischief," recorded and mixed at OMP, and it has now been released (see below).

More on Lynn Semelsberger:

An Orange County-based voice teacher and vocal coach with years of performing and teaching behind her, Lynn now exclusively refers her students to OMP for recording of demos.  She specializes in state-of-the-art singing techniques employed by many of the biggest stars, as well as by anyone who wants to improve his or her voice, both children and adults.  In fact, Lynn is particularly effective with children.  She has several students who are under 10 years old. We at OMP have seen some astounding results when they have come in the studio to record a demo.  Lynn is in the process of revamping her website, and when it is completed, we'll post a link.    

More on Nedi:

Nedi is a singer-songwriter, voice and piano teacher who has performed in coffee houses and other venues for many years.  She is a talented songwriter and OMP is currently working with Nedi to record, mix, and master her latest album.  Be sure to check out Nedi's website for more on her projects and creative endeavors at nedisings.com.

Milestones last year:

June 13, 2009 - the Barnstormer Productions/Weekend Explorer short the "Tide Pool Scene" was awarded an Emmy. This 7-minute segment educates kids (and adults) on visiting tide pools without damaging them. The short is a collaboration with Laguna Oceans Foundation, Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau, and "Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders."

Birdsong (Cheryl Procaccini) recorded the song "Tide Pool Scene" here at Omega Music Productions, and Randy Rusk laid down the guitar, bass, and drum tracks for the song.  Watch the Emmy-winning video by clicking this link!

We're thrilled for Cheryl and Birdsong for winning this award.

OMP Projects

This past fall we recorded the teen rock band "Unlabeled" performing their original song "Set Me Free."  The band comprises electric guitar, bass, and drummer, and a full-band performance laid down in two takes.  Good isolation of the tracks was achieved through miking and physical separation, preserving the live-energy while still allowing for post production of individual tracks.  The drums were captured with nine mics, the bass was recorded using a direct box, and the electric guitar was miked at the amplifier.

We finished recording, mixing, and mastering a new album for NYC-based performers, Andrew Schulman, a virtuoso on the 8-string classical guitar, and Wendy Sayvetz, a vocalist reminiscent of Judy Collins but with a style all her own. The album, entitled "The Cloths of Heaven" is finished. It's terrific.

Nedi brought in a Sarod player (similar to a sitar), and a Tabla player (similar to bongos), both from India, to lay down rhythm tracks for her album.  It was a challenge to get just the right mix of mics, preamps, and processing to get the effect Nedi was after.  It came out very well.

As shown above, Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders (Cheryl Procaccini) CD, "If I Were A Fish ," a children's album celebrating ocean life and educating how to be better shepherds of the oceans is doing well in educational circles and beyond. Cheryl, dba "Little Ones Music," recorded most of the album at OMP.  You really owe it to yourself to check out their music...it is terrific and timely, and now one of the songs off the album is part of an Emmy-winning short.

Prior projects of note:

In 2008 Sasha Evans cut nearly two dozen demo songs of her original music at OMP. Sasha is playing to live audiences and continues to bring her "wow" factor to the stage.  To a person, those who have heard her music say the same thing, "That could be on the radio!"

Nick Martus recorded six songs at OMP for hs demo.  He is compelling, both in musical style and vocal performance.

Our Music

We've been busy recording several new songs written by Randy for his new album, "My Ordinary Life."  The lyrics are well crafted and thought-provoking, and the music, as always, is inventive and professionally performed.

Take a listen to Art's song, "Flight 19" on Broadjam.com.  It has been redone in in a little faster tempo, which makes it have a better feel.  "Flight 19" is a history lesson about the Navy squadron lost over the Bermuda Triangle in 1945.  He has compiled a CD, entitled Break the Mold, which is available in digital download through CD Baby . The songs off the album are now available on iTunes as well.

As to Broadjam.com, the large Indie Music site (see link above), here's the latest with respect to our music-- Four new songs have been posted: Wind to a Fire, Game Over, My Ordinary Life, and Hard Decisions.  All but one of the four sport background vocals sung by three very talented Laguna Beach-based singing artists, Carolyn Miller, Beth Wood, and Sue Bredice.

Over the last 24 months, Randy's song, "A Woman's Heart" enjoyed many weeks in TOP 10 FOLK; "Frankenstein in Eden" was in the ROCK Top 10 for a number of weeks as well, reaching all the way to #2; Rainbows in the Mud spent a time in the "Jazz-Fusion" Top 10. Art's Songs: "Ode to the Hummer" was also in the ROCK TOP 10 for several weeks, as well as regionally (California); "Flight 19" spent a time on the Top Ten list "Fan Picks, 25 to 36 year olds." "Break the Mold" rode for two weeks in FOLK-ROCK TOP 10 in the Spring;

Randy Rusk's acoustic album, "Make Up Your Own Mind," is finished and songs off his first album, "Innocent Grace," are available for download (see below).

So, how about YOUR music?

Even if you don't play a musical instrument (or play it well enough to record it live), we can make your song happen, efficiently and economically.  Randy is a real pro in nearly all types of music on guitar, bass, dobro, guitanjo, and keyboard (via MIDI), plus he'll add cool drums that are indistinguishable from a well-miked drum-set played by a live drummer.  If you have a song you've recorded, but you're not happy with the finished product, or if you have a song rattling around that has yet to be recorded, contact us. 

Have a splendid September everyone!