Eat, Drink and Get Paid!

These days the amount of gear to record and capture a performance is mind blowing. From minidisc to Pro Tools, Garageband to stand alone recorders, technology has made it easier and easier to record audio.
When I started recording my songs, I used a portable cassette recorder. I would record the rhythm tracks into the portable, take the cassette, play it through my home stereo, then with another blank in the portable, add a track with the original blasting behind me. Rinse, repeat until you have a whole pile of sounds on one tape. Yes, it was primitive, but the joy was the unexpected results one would get. True depth of field recording and many surprises.
These days, the element of surprise has been lost with pristine audio and technological advancement.
For the past 10 years I have been using a computer based recording system. What started out as a HP PC running Cool Edit has turned into a Mac G5 running Logic Studio with tube pre’s, software plug-ins, interfaces,…and so list goes on and on.
Lately, however, I have been longing for the simplicity and fun capturing sound was and have been scouring the internet looking for quick, easy tools to write and record.
Before I buy, I have a few prerequisites :

I spent a few weeks reading reviews and checking forums. Browsing all the major online retailers and comparing products. Time to pull the trigger.
Funny, out of all the products I looked at, the most affordable and function friendly ones I found were from the SAME company : ZOOM by Samson

Zoom R24 Recorder : Interface : Controller : Sampler

I absolutely cannot believe how much is in this small footprint of a tool. 24 tracks, built in stereo condenser mic’s, Interface with Phantom Power, Sampler and the the unit can be used as a controller for your DAW – except Pro Tools. I’m running Logic and Garageband so it just works for me.
I’m not going to review the unit, but here is a youtube video of the demo from Summer NAMM 2010 :
Zoom R24 – Summer NAMM 2010
Check it out for yourself – street price of $499.

Zoom H4n – Handy Recorder

Talk about simplicity, the Zoom H4n – Handy Recorder is just that. A field recorder with x/y stereo mics, the ability to record four tracks at once, and use it as a computer interface.
I run a line out of my Bose L1 into the H4n, and record my live performances in pristine digital.
Check it out here:
Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
With a street retail of $299 it doesn’t get much better than that.

Stay musical!!

Vincent Zorn is a professional recording artist/flamenco guitarist that makes a living performing at restaurants and private events in Santa Barbara, California.
To learn more about Vincent and his music, please visit his website at: http://www.vincentzorn.com

So you walk into the restaurant and there is one couple in the whole place. Right next to you. I mean right NEXT to you.
Could be a bit awkward if you let it.
I perform weekly in a place were my setup is almost rubbing elbows with the table next to me. Sometimes I come in and the table is already occupied and I have to set up while they are dining.
First Rule : Dont bug the diners. I know…it’s a tough one because your over there tuning and sound checking trying not to look and sound like a guitarist has just entered the place.
My entrance goes something like this : “Hi guys, sorry I’m late. Thanks for saving a seat.” That one gets a 99% tip and a good conversation out of it while you are setting up. Distraction for them, and you are almost in place by the time they realize you just moved in with them.
Almost always you get ” So, what are we going to hear tonight?”
I am a Flamenco guitarist – so, I say with the straightest possible face ” Oh, a little Flamenco Guitar, some Bossa Nova, and a bit of Rap.”
Then I either get an “oh” and a strange look, or a smile and I’m in.
Reading the room can be challenging, and I will be covering the holy grail of performance in a restaurant in the next week : How to read the room
Everything from set up, what to play when, volume control…you name it, Ill cover it.
Buckle up, school is in session.

Vincent Zorn is a professional recording artist/flamenco guitarist that makes a living performing at restaurants and private events in Santa Barbara, California.
To learn more about Vincent and his music, please visit his website at: http://www.vincentzorn.com