My Hobby, My Life
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* This is one small corner of my studio, where I spend a LOT of time *
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I hit the master switch
And all the lights and racks come on at once
The mood lights overhead, the rack equipment, flashing, glowing
Keyboards, amps, mixer, recorder, effects, EQ, sound mods, sequencers
Screens, laptop, pedals, playback system, and reference monitors ...
All with their own sets of colored LED's shining, flashing
Seems a silly thing, but my heart surges whenever I hit that switch
For that is IT to me ... there's nothing I do that brings me more satisfaction
Recording and producing music that I've written
Arranging and programming the drums and percussion
Layering the keyboard and guitar parts
Piano, electric piano, organ, strings, horns, synth sounds
Building the rhythm tracks around the melody and vocals I know are coming
And, ultimately, adding the vocals, the lead first
Then the background vocals, layering harmonies to support the lead
Often a solo section last, a guitar or sax or synth solo, but always after vocals
That's the frosting on the cake for me, to wind it together
When I'm satisfied with everything, individually, I do the final mix
This is the key, and the most delicate and precise part of the process
Very often I'll take days on the final mix alone, for it must be PERFECT!
It goes to the mastering boys at 'Bernie Grundman' when I'm done
That's an expensive process, so the least amount of clock they use, the better
If there are issues with my final mix, everything slows down
That raises costs, so I HAVE to be sure of the final mix.
That studio, and everything it holds, is my refuge
Yes, it's my work as well, but even if not, it would still take most of my time
That's why I consider it my hobby, too
I'd be doing it anyway regardless, and it's what I love the MOST
The whole creative process, from writing the song until it's off to mastering
THAT'S my joy, and those little lights are like Christmas for me
That studio is my heaven, and I feel better each time I'm there
No matter WHAT life brings my way, no matter how dark
I shed the clouds when I hit that switch and that equipment goes on
My joy, my hobby, my work, my life
There's little that compares.
Written and submitted on February 24, 2019
For the "Hobbies" Poetry Contest
Julie Leigh Rodeheaver, judge & Sponsor.
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2019
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