Remix of Starya's (formerly Tuff Ghost) Collapsing stars using just the vocal stems. All instruments are played live. Real guitar, bass, drum kit, percussion Rhodes piano. Strings are a Mellotron vst.

Tuff Ghost - Collapsing Stars (Leroy3 Remix)

Experimental Track made using a collaborative set of samples.

Sugar Pop (Yolo Challenge)

Captain Fantastic (Elton John Cover)

Video here https://youtu.be/B4kiXxEXb6c

I recently acquired a Focusrite Scarlett audio interface, which came with an into level copy of Ableton Live. This really opens up the possibilities for recording. I've wanted to record a cover of this song but could never make it work as a solo cover.

I like to try and find some new angle on the original and I wanted to learn more about recording, so I assigned myself the task of recording this song, but copying the production of another song. I chose "Low Light Buddy Buddy of Mine" by Iron and Wine. 

https://youtu.be/NunpNdA1SLs

This takes the song away from the loop Elvis uses and gives it something of an arc that builds toward the end. Obviously I didn't get to the level of Iron and Wine, but you can hear the influence in the overall quietness of the mix ,the intro with just bass and drums, the swells from the accordion and strings. I really tried to copy the vocal effects (with little success). 

I started by building a drum loop and blocking out the song in the session view of Ableton. Then added the bass and chords using the built in electric piano sound. I think they call it 'Cheap Electro' but it's really one of the best Rhodes sounds I've heard. Then added some string sounds, which I got by using a string synth and putting a ton of reverb on it. The song was nearly finished before I started recording on camera. The plan was to replace the MIDI tracks with live ones. 

For the video, I set up a camera with a feed from the Scarlett, same as my headphones. So the audio on the camera was everything except the part I was recording. I couldn't manage multiple takes, so I just had to delete on the spot if I didn't like a take or stop recording if I thought it was good. I didn't have the time or storage to evaluate multiple takes, or edit the good parts out of several. So each of those 4 shots is just one 7+ minute shot. 

As I recorded each take I played along with the MIDI driven track and turned off any tracks that were distracting. I also had a bongo track through the whole thing used as a metronome. I recorded the acoustic guitar first, then the electric and vocals in the same take. Then the accordion. Drums were last. 

In the final audio mix I left in the Rhodes sound and a little bit of the strings. Everything else was replaced with the live audio. I used that audio track to sync the 4 videos in a multicam sequence in Adobe Premiere Pro CC‎. There was enough audio in each of the videos that the software was able to synch them up. 

To get the clip with all four shots, I used filters to scale each shot to 50% and offset them into the four corners. Then exported that as a video and added it as a clip to the original multicam sequence. 

Final edit was done by clicking on the clips in the multicam editor while it played. I'm a real beginner at editing, so there are some bad cuts, like cutting to the acoustic right when the electric comes in. I think I was trying to get the part with the dog walking through and wasn't listening to the audio. I didn't really notice that until after uploading. 

Hope you enjoy and I hope to have the time and gumption to do this again.

When I Was Cruel NO.2 (Elvis Costello Cover)

This is a song I enjoyed playing in the 90s. I thought it would be fun to change it up and add a spacey analog synth lead that runs off the rails (maybe a little too much but it's growing on me), switch the guitar to electric, and add a Mellotron flute sound. Because I'm just into the Mellotron lately.

Recorded into Ableton over the course of about a hour while my wife was making a run to Costco and the little ones were parked in front the the TV playing wii games. My house is a house and not a recording studio, so I don't try to make them quiet and it adds some character to the track. Cardiod mic helps.

First take was electric guitar and vocals through my Focusrite 2i2, which is why there are some string plucking noises on the vocal track. The synth lead was next, TyrellN6 set to HS Dyson and leaning on the mod wheel the whole time. Delay is the amazing (and free) NastyDLAmkII. Mellotron is the (also free) Redtron plug-in.

Dr. Bernice (Cracker Cover)

A project we started in 2014. Seems as good a time as any for this song. That's my wife @christianeerwin on vocals and harmony.

America (Simon and Garfunkel Cover)

Assignment to self was; remake this INXS song in the style of The War on Drugs. I mainly listened to 'An Ocean Between the Waves' and 'Under the Pressure' for inspiration. I love the way the drums inch closer and closer in Ocean. I tried to get the piano sound from Pressure for the main synth line. I wanted to have everything build slowly until the music almost covers up the vocals. 

Guitar tracks. 
1. spacey chords with tons of tremolo
2. spacey arpeggio with tons of tremolo
3. buzzy slow lead
4. tube fast lead

Keyboard tracks
1. noise pulsing at 16th notes. I played the notes with my left hand and the filter resonance and frequency on my right with the mouse. 
2. Pad with filter on the mod wheel.
3. Piano with flanger

Percussion is all midi with sounds build in with Ableton. 

One track for vocals. 

War on Drugs 'Under the Pressure'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLOg252KRE

War on Drugs 'An Ocean Between the Waves'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23GdGEzZPvE

INXS 'Don't Change'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLm3Khusq_8

Dont Change (INXS Cover)

Great Gig in the Sky (Instrumental Pink Floyd Cover)

My 13 year old daughter picked up the guitar last summer and this was the first song she wanted to learn. We made this a family quarantine project. She sings lead vocals and we layered 4 tracks of her on the lead guitar. Dad on drums, recording and mixing, and Mom on bass!

I Got Somethin' for Ya Babe (Madd Cover)

Recorded the summer of 2019 while practicing the piano accompaniment for my friend to sing at a Chris Cornell birthday tribute. I would sing along to keep my place. Turned on the mic and caught this. Far from perfect, but there are some nice bits.

When I'm Down (Chris Cornell cover)

Home studio hobbyist making cover songs with unexpected styles and sounds. Everything I've posted is recorded by me. 

Leroy the Third

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