Formspring: Music Software & Home Recording

Hanz Sapitan: Hi Sir Francis.. When doing your demo, what kind of software do you use, and as of the drum tracks.. do you also write/program the drum tracks? is there a free site to download free drum tracks for accompaniment?thanks po. more power po

i have a Macbook so i mostly do demos/jingles with Garageband and Reason :) if i’m in a hurry, yes i use drum loops and the ones in Garageband and in Rhythm Pack are pretty excellent. if i’m seriously working on my own stuff, i program the drums myself, specially if there’s a roll or accent that i hear in my head :)

Stratmangler: Hello sir kiko!Good day. I need your opinion to help me choose a guitar interface. I have my eye on two line 6 products. The guitar port with rifftracker and line 6 UX 2. Im even considering their base products like the GX. My head is spinning from reading all these reviews from the net,and I can’t believe Im reading reviews from 18 yr old kids… talk about to much info! So sir kiko can you please give me an advice on which product is the best for recording guitar tracks and at the same time user friendly in writing and arranging a whole tune in my computer.

Well, what i recommend is the Line 6 Toneport KB37. if you’re planning to do complete arrangements, and would like to program drum patterns as well, that would be your best bet. the interface is fantastic: 2 line inputs, 2 microphone inputs, 1 guitar input, and phantom power in case you use a condenser mike in the future. Plus 2 analog outputs and monitor inputs. it has 37keys as well so if you want to put a keyboard part or a bass line or something, you can do so. the action of the keyboard isn’t great: it’s plasticky. but it’s a minor concern. its really a UX2 with a keyboard :) i’m pretty happy with it; Jazz Nicolas of the Itchyworms has the same set-up. i’ve done every single project and demo in the last year or so with it and i can pretty much do anything :) but if you don’t need keyboards or will just use drum loops, the UX2 or the rifftracker will do just fine and they all come with Podfarm anyway.

Donnie: got another question, i planning to set-up my own home recording and rehearsal studio…which can accomodate a five pc band. So aside from the instruments and amps…can u give me an advise which is to be added like mixers PA system etc.. and how strong they should be…Thanks

Yeah a mixer, and a PA system with high headroom (meaning something that won’t distort or ‘clip’ easily), plus microphones and mike cables. if you’re planning to record basic stuff live, maybe get a mixer with at least 6 inputs. maybe get a rackmount compressor too, and basic processing gear like a good reverb. it’s quite a bit to talk about, but basically start with a good room with nice acoustics. if the room is too ‘live’, you know too much natural reverb, and you’re going to record a band playing live, trying to mix everything will be very difficult. also, try to have a separate room for the recording gear, and invest in good studio monitors (M-Audio has nice affordable models).


You can send me more questions about music, guitars, photography, travel and what not HERE

rosarioko:

Good night. :)

Dream light.

rosarioko:

Good night. :)

Dream light.

Sunburst dial

taken from my HAMER Standard

Sunburst dial

taken from my HAMER Standard

Someday… The real thing…

Someday… The real thing…

Sample photos can be found on the link above.

Please message us on multiply or on twitter (francisbrew) if you are interested. Thanks.

Formspring: Tools of the trade

From Donnie: Which guitar, amp, and effects do you have? which are your favorite? and why? which specific model you dream to have but for some reason you can’t?

guitars: Hamer Vector XT and Standard XT (I hope i’m still an endorser…); Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet; Yamaha LP400; and Line 6 Variax 700.

effects: MXR/CAE boost/overdrive; Z Vex Fuzz Factory; T Rex Dr Swamp; V2 H20; Line 6 DL4; Korg KP3. i also have the Zoom G9, and Digitech Red Special which i’m taking a break from

amp: Vox Valvetronix Ad50VT

i don’t really have favourites (except the Variax, for personal reasons heehee). they are all tools and i like the sounds they produce, for now.

i have a lot of dream gear… the Moog Guitar, the Gibson Dark Fire to name a couple. Affordability is always the issue hehe. but i’m very happy with what i have right now :) that’s most important.

From Srsly, this is required??: Your chosen tools of the trade? In photography I mean.

my partner and i share a Lumix LX3 and Canon gear :)

my dad is a photographer and at one point he had three or four Nikon SLRs. i was thinking of getting a Nikon DSLR years ago but Canon is pretty ubiquitous and i knew serviceabilty won’t be an issue: there seems to be a Canon service center everywhere. i don’t like worrying about where to go should i have equipment problems. Nikon and Canon both have equally awesome cameras and lenses, so the decision to go Canon was pragmatic.

kae: Hi francis brew! what’s inside your camera bag?

on normal days, just the LX3 and a lens cloth :) on heavy days (LOL), a Canon DSLR, a Canon 50mm 1.4 lens and a spare battery, always! ;p my gf and i share the gear, and she loves the Sigma 20mm f1.8 lens that i’ve begun to like only recently.  we also have a really nice 70-200 we bought from Niño Avenido; it’s really great for sniping, like catching people nose-picking at a distance hehe, and a 100mm f2.8 Macro lens as well.

You can send me more questions about music, guitars, photography, travel and what not HERE

My Playboy Bunny audition pic
The photographer has been missing ever since.

My Playboy Bunny audition pic

The photographer has been missing ever since.

rarivera:

saabmagalona:

veronicaperalejo:

paointhemirror:

pinoytumblr:

joycerica:

joserizal:

colorfulmusic:

Thanks for the laughs, the tears, and everything in between. You made me, and I’m pretty sure a shitload of other people, smile like fools. Peace, much love, and cheers.


You sir, shall be dearly missed.


my favorite actor. :( RIP johnny delgado!


Rest in Peace, sir.

rarivera:

saabmagalona:

veronicaperalejo:

paointhemirror:

pinoytumblr:

joycerica:

joserizal:

colorfulmusic:

Thanks for the laughs, the tears, and everything in between. You made me, and I’m pretty sure a shitload of other people, smile like fools. Peace, much love, and cheers.

You sir, shall be dearly missed.

my favorite actor. :( RIP johnny delgado!

Rest in Peace, sir.

She who makes me happy to be alive and loved :D

She who makes me happy to be alive and loved :D

Guess who’s in the Darth Vader helmet?

No peeking!

Green Bulb guarding me...

Green Bulb guarding me...

i'm a prisoner in an off-planet colony

i'm a prisoner in an off-planet colony

"Hmm... the bawwoon isn't fiwwed."

"Hmm... the bawwoon isn't fiwwed."

"He weally needs to be punished!"

"He weally needs to be punished!"

"Sowwy, not for you to see..."

"Sowwy, not for you to see..."

"Get that camewa outta here!"

"Get that camewa outta here!"

"Heehee! a wet fart weeeeheeee!"

"Heehee! a wet fart weeeeheeee!"

every balloon has my LPG

every balloon has my LPG

Liquefied Poop and Gas

Liquefied Poop and Gas

kids love it. great for Farties; pop one

kids love it. great for Farties; pop one

Guarded by Green Bulb

Episode 2: The “LATE” Kim Marvilla

This is my version of a very public OFFICE MEMO. Fun for the whole family!

Watch Episode 1 here

and In The Raw theme song here

Also listen to the video to find out the schedule of the Rock Awards Special on MTV!!!

i held auditions for this but only one person showed up… so sige na nga!

Gelo…for shadow black skin… ;p hehe we love him :)

Watch Gelo sing the In The Raw theme song here