Cell Phones and the Recording Studio

Here's some advice I read about in the Hot Tips section of the Harmony Central newsletter:

Turn Off Your Cell Phone

You probably know to turn off your cell phone ringer during a session—the last thing you want is some weird ringtone intruding on a killer acoustic recording. But you may need to go even further and actually take out the battery. When cell phones update, and sometimes when they receive a call, they may generate "hash" that can get into signal processors, amps, pickups, and other electronics found in the typical studio. What's worse is that this may be recorded without your actually hearing it, until you play back the recording. So, if you're involved in a crucial session—particularly if it's a live recording—you can probably do without your cell phone for a bit if removing the battery ensures you won't get any nasty interference.

—Craig Anderton

Welcome to Hell. Jacket Required.

I had a surreal moment at Dodger Stadium last night when it hit me that 1) Joe Torre's wearing a Dodger uniform, 2) Manny Ramirez is up to bat as a Dodger, and 3) my friend Jeff who's wearing a Yankee cap is yelling "Come on Manny!"

A few years ago, these three things coming together would've been a sure sign that hell has frozen over.

Blood, Sweat, but no Tears

Trail of blood I left on my keyboard after my organ solo in Voodoo Chile. The band was ROCKIN' today!

What's in a Double Entendre?

Does my horoscope telling me I'm going to "kick ass" mean that I'll have a good day, or that I'll get in a bar fight?

IANYAN Mag Article

Musician Armen Chakmakian Composes Song for Neda
By Liana Aghajanian on June 27th, 2009


The ongoing protests over a rigged election and freedom from a 30-year regime in Iran have inspired Grammy-nominated musician Armen Chakmakian to compose a song for Neda Agha-Soltan, the woman who died on the streets of Tehran from a single gunshot wound, yet has been a symbol of this new, brewing revolution and garnered an outpouring of support from all corners of the world.

“She lost her life in the street, and over and over and over again on video on the internet and news programs,” Chakmakian said on his blog.

“I didn’t use the word ‘die’ on purpose because she is alive in so many people’s hearts now, and has been an inspiration to many…giving courage to those who continue to fight for their freedom in the streets of Iran.

Watching her pass before my very eyes for something she so strongly believed in, and being so willing to put herself in harm’s way was moving beyond words.”

Chakmakian posted the demo version of the song, “Neda’s Calling,” as a free download. The song includes audio from the video of Neda’s passing, as well as a video I included in this post of a woman yelling at Basij forces violently patrolling the streets.

Chakmakian is the former keyboardist for Grammy award-winning band Shadowfax. In addition to releasing two solo album on his label TruArt Records, two of his tracks appear on the popular “Buddha Bar” compilation albums. He has also worked with composer John Bilezikjian as well as Djivan Gasparyan. Recently, Chakmakian toured South America with Circque du Soleil’s show Saltimbanco as a keyboardist. He has also exclusively composed music for televion shows “Showtime at the Apollo,” “The People’s Court” and “Extra.”

Neda's Calling - Video Tribute

A video tribute to Neda Soltan. I created this video to go along with the music I composed for her. If you'd like a copy of the music, you can download it for free from the previous post.

Download video:

Small (iPhone) | Medium (iPod, TV) | Large (TV, broadcast)

"Neda's Calling" - New Music

I've been riveted by the news and happenings in Iran over the past couple weeks, and feeling moved by the passion of the citizens of that country. Most of you by now know the name Neda. Neda Agha-Soltan was the 26 yr. old Iranian woman who was out on the street with her music teacher when a sniper shot her in the chest. She lost her life in the street, and over and over and over again on video on the internet and news programs.

I didn't use the word "die" on purpose because she is alive in so many people's hearts now, and has been an inspiration to many...giving courage to those who continue to fight for their freedom in the streets of Iran.

Watching her pass before my very eyes for something she so strongly believed in, and being so willing to put herself in harm's way was moving beyond words.

I composed a new piece of music for her. This is the demo version that I just finished writing, recording and mixing in my studio a few minutes ago. It's a free download. Please feel free to download it, share it, remix it, etc.

Neda's Calling (<- "save as" Free download)



Info:
In the beginning of the track, you'll hear audio from the video that was aired around the world. WARNING - the video extremely graphic:
YouTube Video

At 1:21 you'll hear a woman yelling at the police (military?) who are beating innocent people walking the sidewalk. She's yelling to them to beat her instead. Audio is from this video:
YouTube Video

Her translation from the youtube page:
"Hit me. Not hitting me now that Im filming?
Come on hit me. Hit me once. Weren't you just hitting me before?
How many people have you hit?
Hit. Hit him.
Yes, yes you must hit them."

They Say They Want a Revolution

Godspeed citizens of Iran.