Mark Cranford - Acoustic

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1986 450
Recorded in October and released in November 2008
Mark Cranford - Executive Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Drums & Percussion
Jason Bobela - Co-Producer/Engineer/Mixing
Kevin Gintoli - Co-Mixing

Have Hope
Recorded in October and released in November 2008
Mark Cranford - Executive Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Drums & Percussion
Jason Bobela - Co-Producer/Engineer/Mixing
Kevin Gintoli - Co-Mixing

News For Land
Recorded in October and released in November 2008
Mark Cranford - Executive Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Drums & Percussion
Jason Bobela - Co-Producer/Engineer/Mixing
Kevin Gintoli - Co-Mixing

We Are All Related
Recorded in October and released in November 2008
Mark Cranford - Executive Producer, Guitar, Vocals
Jason Bobela - Co-Producer/Engineer/Mixing
Kevin Gintoli - Co-Mixing

You Are Loved
Recorded in October and released in November 2008
Mark Cranford - Executive Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Drums & Percussion
Jason Bobela - Co-Producer/Engineer/Mixing
Kevin Gintoli - Co-Mixing

Tracking Information

Acoustic Guitar: First, we decided to lay down the guitar tracks for each song one after another so we had a consistent foundation to work with. This not only helped speed the recording process along, but it also helped us greatly during mixing. It allowed us to use a basic EQ, created based on the guitar sound alone, which we then modified specifically for each song so it fit with the other elements - There was little to no compression used on the guitars to avoid squashing the dynamics. All of the acoustic guitars were recorded in the live room with wooden walls and floors - 15' x 17'. We used the following microphones and placement below for Mark's acoustic guitar during this session.
- Mic 1: I placed an AT-4033e condenser about 8 inches away from the sound hole, 3 inches out from the 12th fret of the guitar and pointed it straight into the sound hole. This captured the body and warmth of the guitar and provided the majority of the acoustic sound heard in the recording.
- Mic 2: I placed an AKG D440 dynamic mic about 6 inches from the sound hole, right under the bridge of the guitar, and also about 3 inches out from the body of the guitar, pointed at the sound hole. This captured the "flat" sound of the guitar, and most of the treble from the bridge. This helped even out the condenser in the mix, by allowing us to mix in the high-mids and highs of the guitar tone so it didn't sound too muddy.

Vocals: All vocals were recorded using an AT-4033e inside the live room - 15' x 17'. By request, the majority of vocals were left dry, on certain songs, we used a small amount reverb to add depth. We had used very little to no EQ and minimal compression during mixing.

Percussion: All percussion instruments were recorded using large diaphragm condensers at close range in the live room - 15' x 17'. Each element was tracked separately to allow for more control of the volume, dynamics, and EQ within the mix. During mixing, we used very little EQ, only to make sure each instrument wasn't conflicting. There was no compression used on any of the percussion instruments to retain the natural dynamic of the sound.

Recording/Mixing: At the start of the project, Mark explained that he wanted everything to feel natural. He didn't want to EQ or compress anything unless it was necessary and most importantly, he wanted all of these songs to be more about the guitar melody than the vocals or percussion. He requested that the loudest element be the acoustic, with the vocals under it, and percussion just under the vocals.
- The guitars were recorded first for every track. Each song was recorded in 1 take, with no doubling for any parts.
- The vocals for every song were recorded in 1 take and most vocal tracks were doubled. The doubles were mixed very low for most of the songs that had them, they were only intended to add a second dimension to the vocals and as Mark put it, "make people wonder if there is a double or not". Most notably apparent in "News For Land" and "You Are Loved".
- The percussion instruments were recorded last. The percussion is mixed under the acoustic guitar and vocals because it is only there to, "provide a structure and keep the story moving along".

This music is owned by Mark Cranford and is being used for promotion and display of my services only. It is not to be used in any way without proper authorization from the artist. All songs are only available for purchase and resale through the artist.