Archive for February, 2010

 
Feb
27
Posted (Van Santos) in Video on February-27-2010

I wasn’t sure what to make of this movie. Sure, the trailer was “unrated” so I knew there would be swearing, but roughly 1:12 into the video the humor really comes out.

Funny and NSFW.





 
Feb
26
Posted (Van Santos) in Music Downloads, Music Production, Production Work, mp3s on February-26-2010

And here are the songs I was posting about the other day… I am still shocked at this, and they really bring back memories of my old studio, as well as the countless hours spent trying to get a sound *just* right.

The demos are the original arrangements, with very few FXs. While most of the content was found in the final version there were tweaks here and there. None of these were mastered, they are as raw as you can get.

First up, Afterglow.

The demo captures the “thick” phaser sound I wanted on the high hats. It also creates a very big head space, almost giving the impression that this is taking place in a large hall… I remember playing this over and over and over in  my car late one evening.

Download the Afterglow demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

Next up, Morning After.

Little did I know what this song was going to become to me, and so many other people. The main structure is there but the strings are different, the kick is different, all of the FXs are missing, and the tempo is a wee bit slower….

Download the Morning After demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

And finally, the classic Naked.

The programming of the beat took me FOREVER.  This was, actually, the first demo in the entire ArS session and set everything in motion.  The piano arrangement is slightly different, a slightly thinner choice of high hats, a totally different set of strings was used and the bassline was really set to stick out in this…

Download the Naked demo here.  (The final version can be found here)

Now… this is where things get interesting.

I did a number of tracks that didn’t make it into the final release of the EP, here are two that – for whatever reason – I thought were not worth refining/developing into full tracks.

Now, looking back, I have NO CLUE as to what I was thinking.  Both would have ended up as strong songs….

Here is the unfinished Next To You… and the soft, atmospheric, potential filled Your Soft Touch.

Really, no clue what I was thinking with these two.



 
Feb
24
Posted (Van Santos) in Cool on February-24-2010

I happened to be cleaning out my gear closet this evening when I found my old external studio hard drives… on them I have the original – very first and very rough takes – of my first Arrangement for Sex series of songs. To hear what they sounded like with no production and slightly arrangements is really cool.

Also included were a number of other rough demos that I never followed up on but sure as hell should have… Frankly, I’m blow away by the work that I said “eh, this doesn’t have potential…”  I truly don’t know what I was thinking. On that really sticks out to me is called “Your Soft Touch”

I’ll convert the old demos (and “junk tracks”) into MP3s and post them shortly.



 
Feb
21
Posted (Van Santos) in Politics on February-21-2010

No, I’m not suggesting there is an idea of “Common Sense” within society. The Common Sense I am speaking of is written by one of the founding fathers – Thomas Paine

I just picked up the book, and it will be the 1st time I’ve read it in roughly 15 years.  I have a feeling some of the points Paine makes  in “Common Sense” may very well apply today… Just change out United Kingdom…



 
Feb
21
Posted (Van Santos) in Humor, Pictures on February-21-2010



 
Feb
21
Posted (Van Santos) in Humor, Video on February-21-2010

It’s not safe for work, but it looks damn funny… oh, and the song playing in the beginning of the trailer is The Prodigy’s “Stand Up” which contains a sample of Manfred Mann’s “One Way Glass”



And how do you reach them when you need them? =)



 
Feb
16
Posted (Van Santos) in Video on February-16-2010

Here is a good laugh.





 
Feb
12
Posted (Van Santos) in Humor on February-12-2010



 
Feb
11
Posted (admin) in Just Stuff on February-11-2010

…as taught by Archer, and confirmed by Wikipedia: Hugo Boss an official supplier of uniforms for the S.S., Hitler Youth and other Nazi Party groups.

Who knew.



 
Feb
10
Posted (Van Santos) in Humor on February-10-2010