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Two Stones Thrown Before Taking Vacation
By joseexist in Musings On Muses
December 12, 2011

11-9-2011

It’s not often that I update anything in the studio where I lose myself in musical creation. What I recently did however, was long overdue. The main workstation where everything comes together was situated on an old corner-designed computer desk. There were components of a live sound system taking up a lot of space as well as a closet packed with obsolete packing materials and outdated electronics.

The first thing I addressed was the closet. Half of its contents I removed. Much of what came out was thrown away. Some items are now hovering in a standby zone to see if my mom wants them back. After that, whatever is left will be properly disposed of. The live sound equipment fit nicely into the back corner of the closet and I still have room for more storage. (Yes, I “high-fived” myself!)

The second task took a good two days to complete, or rather get nearly completed. Everything had to be disconnected and every cable had to be marked and stored away. Then with the extra space in the main room I assembled a brand new desk. Once that was standing on its rollers I moved equipment onto it and proceeded to dismantle the old desk. Glenda seems to want that so it is now leaning against a wall as out of the way as I can get. Next I moved the drum station and keyboard around until I decided where it would best function. By trial and error I found out how long a lot of the A/C cables are. Guitars, on stands, found a new home on a heavy duty coffee table along one wall. Three fit and I’ve still got one on the wall and two in cases.

The Crate stack is still in its corner and the handful of smaller amps are floating nearby. I have yet to decide where, when, and how to set them up for quick use.

The extra space in the studio will change the acoustics of the room for sure but that is probably something it needed anyway. There are still about three feet off one wall that need my attention but for now the space is breathing easier.

The new desk looks great and I now have 8 rack spaces into which I can bolt gear. One piece I need is a Furman power module. It’s like a power strip on steroids that will fit into one of the rack spaces on the desk. I’m also thinking about a rack for the small amps. If I go that route the big stack will move to the other side of the room. I might even put both large stacks side by side once again on that side of the room. Screw in hooks might make it into the ceiling to hang cargo blankets from for sound proofing during vocals or speaker cab isolation. Small thought out steps are always the most fun in the end when doing such things.

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Did I mention I sneezed almost non-stop during all this work? That room probably lost a ton of weight. Thirty years of guitar magazines and catalogues went out. I shrugged them off with only a slight tinge of melancholy. They served me well and my subscription is still current to Guitar World!

11-11-11

My current mental state is simply one of stoic frustration. The date is 11-11-11. From my current position I am poised to move in a finite amount of different directions. The path, or paths, I choose all look promising but the act of setting out is something I will not take lightly.

The music is calling me with its’ usual fierceness. The re-arranged studio promises a new wave of creativity thanks to new furniture and electronic tools. Life in general is also screaming like a two-year-old, as usual. My frustration gives way to optimism yet a tug of war between the two easily ensues. Questions flood my mind.

I caught the tail end of what I consider to be a great documentary last night (11-10-11). “The Decline of Western Civilization”, is a deep and informative chronicle of Heavy Metal music that brims with lessons worth learning. It was good to hear John (Ozzy) Osborne speak legibly. The decadence of the metal scene back then was something I never quite got to enjoy as much I would have wanted to.

When I look back I see an endless parade of great artist both accomplished and struggling. I also see a great many troubled souls that were throwing every fiber of their being into their belief in what they were doing. I was almost that dedicated back then. Maybe that’s why I’m still alive. Maybe that’s why LEGASYS is defunct. The hooks of reality have always set themselves deep into my soul. I gave what I had within me and enjoyed the wave of appreciation from fans that yearned to have fun as much as I did.

Here in the twenty-first century, I still could care less where music might take me. The crux of my desires where music is concerned is to have fun making tunes. If people like to listen that’s cool. If not, that’s cool too. As long as my day job pays the bills and keeps strings on a few guitars I’m happy. I’ll have an eleventh album to release soon but there are no misconceptions, much less aspirations or expectations in me about that. Friends and family have a few favorites out of this new batch of fifteen tracks and so do I. If it soars or dives is something I leave up to the listeners, worldwide.

Have A Great Week Dear Readers! Image