As the sun sets over the Maryland countryside, the creative office of h.o.n.u.r transforms into a recording studio where acoustic melodies ring out. Inspired instrumentals, covers uniquely arranged and interpreted, captured through motion and sound, visceral and honest. Each track is recorded in a one hour session which includes just a few takes and mixing, and then it is sent for distribution and cannot be touched again. It lives in the wild as music in the key of life at that moment. The Acoustic Evening Project celebrates the love of music and all those who dare to take part in creating at any scale.
The Studio
A fourteen foot by twelve foot sun drenched bedroom used as a creative space for nearly two decades, transforms into a recording studio. The space is acoustically unique with natural hall-like reverb and echo. A large inset window heated by the sun during the afternoon acts as a natural loudbox. The ceilings almost vibrate, creating ambience while sustaining a distinct downward bell-like ring into recordings. Acoustic treatments include offset three inch thick foam panels positioned to limit echo in traditional points while retaining the rooms bright character.
Instruments
Two Fender CD60-SCE dreadnought six string acoustic guitars built by P.T. Samick in Indonesia drive the sound of the project. A solid Spruce top and solid Mahogany top, respectively. Both guitars have been further modified for improved sound and playability. Ox bone nut and saddle's replace stock composite units, and African ebony wood bridge pins replace original composite units as well. Stock Fishman CD1 pickup/preamps remain installed, while the addition of a second passive Fishman Neo-D single coil sound hole pickup hardwired to a Fishman Switchjack End Pin jack were added. Modifications to neck angle and components were made to aggressively lower actions as well.
Equipment
As a small space, equipment placement is as clean as possible. At the far end of the room is the control/mixing area. Driven by a modified Macbook Pro and peripherals including JBL 104BT reference monitors and a PreSonus Eris 8BT sub, running multiple DAWs including Ableton. Picking up sound is a MOTU M6 audio interface at the player's location with a 20ft run of TRS cables and a USB cable to the mixing area computer/speakers. Multiple mic options can be used as needed individually or in unison. In use are two Shure SM57 dynamic microphones and a Marantz Pro MPM-1000 condenser microphone. Stereo mounted or arranged against the Fender Acoustasonic 40watt amplifier. The MOTU M6 allows multiple monitoring options for the player and sending back to monitors. A second Macbook Air is used for on-the-fly ideas, to quickly record off shoot into Garage Band via an M-Audio Solo interface.
Gear Rundown
- Fender CD60SCE Solid Spruce Top
- Fishman CD1 Pickup/Pre amp
- Fishman Neo-D Passive Single Coil Soundhole Pick/Fishman Switchjack
- Fender 11-52 80/20 Bronze Wound Acoustic Strings
- Ox Bone Nut/Saddle
- African Ebony Wood Bridge Pins
- Fender CD60SCE Solid Mahogany Top
- Fishman CD1 Pickup/Pre amp
- Fishman Neo-D Passive Single Coil Soundhole Pick/Fishman Switchjack
- Fender 11-52 80/20 Bronze Wound Acoustic Strings
- Ox Bone Nut/Saddle
- African Ebony Wood Bridge Pins
- Fender Acoustasonic 40W Acoustic Guitar Amp
- MOTU M6 Audio Interface
- Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
- Marantz Pro MPM-1000 Condenser Microphone
- JBL 104 BT Reference Monitors
- PreSonus Eris Sub 8BT Subwoofer
- Intel Macbook Pro & Intel Macbook Air
- AudioTechnica ATH-M50x Over Ear Monitors
- Ableton, Logic Pro, Garage Band, DigitalPerformer
