just wanted to say how much i appreciate you guys already.

[Freeshadow]

apart from what I said in the K notice already - inform us in time when applications for groupie-status can be handed in

[dreams]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Hi! Just checking in for a minute before bed. Let's see... in the past couple of weeks I've been in a short film, went to a Britney Spears concert, wrote a pile of songs, and then tonight (or rather, last night, but I haven't been to bed yet) I did this while drinking:
(note the first two minutes are mostly silent with some sound effects, the music starts after (you guessed it) two minutes.

Oh, wow, I just caught this! I loved all the comments on screen as it progressed. I'll agree with everyone else, you do have a beautiful voice.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Hi! Just checking in for a minute before bed. Let's see... in the past couple of weeks I've been in a short film, went to a Britney Spears concert, wrote a pile of songs, and then tonight (or rather, last night, but I haven't been to bed yet) I did this while drinking:
(note the first two minutes are mostly silent with some sound effects, the music starts after (you guessed it) two minutes.

Nice!

As usual (I'm a geek! lol ) very interested on the software and hardware part: which program did you use for mixing, editing, etc.

Good job!

[CWatkinsNash]

@ Freeshadow - LOL MR peeps can apply for "early adopter groupie" status by going to the actual Youtube page and subscribing to my Youtube channel, leaving a nice comment on the video, clicking the "thumbs up" button. You know, the usual groupie stuff.

@dreams - Thank you! I'm glad you liked my silly comments. I think that's going to be my format from now on. Some crazy stuff, commentary, then a new song. Sometimes it will just be whatever's going on, but sometimes it will be a specific challenge or goal. For example, this week's song/video will be about MIDI. (Well, not the song itself but the goal.) This is because I have issues with MIDI, so I'm making myself compose MIDI tracks for ALL of the instruments, and I'm not allowing myself to use my Yamaha keyboard - only the onscreen MIDI editor. It's a difficult thing because I'm not any good at it, but I need to get past that issue so it's a trial by fire, so to speak.

I plan to have the next video posted by Sunday night. I'm going to try to keep to a schedule as much as possible.

@JoCampo - Okay, my fellow geek, here's my list:

Hardware

• Computer: Dell Inspiron Win7 64 / 6GB RAM, i5 dual core, two hard drives
• Monitor: 23" HD flatscreen
• Audio interface: Lexicon Alpha 2x2 USB
• MIDI Interface: E-Mu XMidi 1x1 USB <> MIDI cable
• Controller: Yamaha YPT-320 61-key (which I'm not allowed to use this week)
• Monitor Mixer: Behringer 4-channel Pro-XL headphone distribution amp
• Headphones: Sennheiser HD-202
• Mics - SM57, SM 58, CAD 88
• Several guitars & amps but I haven't used them on anything I've done properly yet
• Webcam - Microsoft LifeCam HD - you'll see a clip from it in the next vid, will probably use more video footage going forward. Also have a FlipHD cam. Last week's "wine selection" footage was shot with my Samsung PL210 which is a compact still camera that also shoots short HD video clips.

Software:

• DAW (multitrack digital audio workstation aka the guts of the operation): Reaper 3.77 - it's awesome! And only $40 for the broke-a$$-musician's license.
• Plugins - all freeware, all the time - some of the best EQs, compressors and 'verbs are FREE
• Also using Cakewalk's FREE sfz+ Pro soundfont VSTi so that I can use MIDI soundfonts available all over the internet, also for FREE
• Addictive Drums VSTi from XLN Audio - look it up, it's hard to explain properly but it's a customizable virtual drumkit that works from within the DAW and since it uses MIDI, there's really no limit to what you can do with it. I'm still learning, but I LOVE it. It's normally $300 but Sweetwater Music had it on special for $99 so that's how I spent the check Mommy sent for my birthday.
• Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9 - it's like "Vegas Lite", but it's still a very full-featured video editor.
• Soundforge Audio Studio 9 - came with Vegas Movie Studio
• Acid Xpress 6 - free from Sony
• Several Sony loop libraries - over the last few years they've had big sales as they've switched from CD to download-only, so I've gotten some good deals. They are too expensive to buy at full price.

I think that's everything! LOL

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by orange!

Keep up the good work.

It'll be fun for us to be able to say "I knew her before she was famous" after you get famous.

Just realized I missed your post! Sorry! And thank you! but I'm not trying to be famous. I just want to make music and break out of my shell a little.

ATTENTION EVERYONE:

Bonus Groupie Points for anyone who posts my video in the "What are you listening to right now" thread...

Yes, I am SHAMELESS! I'm Lucifer's Brat, dammit, what do you expect??

[phenomshel]

LOL I had actually thought of doing that, but decided since it was already here, it'd be overkill, LOL. However, if no one has beaten me to it...

[CWatkinsNash]

The website is live!! Okay, it's kind of in beta but this place is full of early adopters, right? I bare my soul in that blog so be gentle. But I really just want everyone to go the link so they'll see the pic I put there.

Holly Street Noise

This thread is starting to look like "me, me, me!" so somebody needs to start talking about something else and soon. This is the only thread I still get email notifications for.

Yours truly, still and always,
Le Brat

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

The website is live!! Okay, it's kind of in beta but this place is full of early adopters, right? I bare my soul in that blog so be gentle. But I really just want everyone to go the link so they'll see the pic I put there.

Holly Street Noise

This thread is starting to look like "me, me, me!" so somebody needs to start talking about something else and soon. This is the only thread I still get email notifications for.

Yours truly, still and always,
Le Brat

Very nice! Love the pic. Continued success, hon!!

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

This is the only thread I still get email notifications for.
Le Brat

Just felt the need to bump this thread in the hopes LB would give us an update.....

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by GoSharks

Just felt the need to bump this thread in the hopes LB would give us an update.....

Here i am! Posted a song on my site on the 6th but nothing since. Trying to get more day job stuff going on to help pay for my music gear. I am sending this from my phone. Awkward. Miss you guys!

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Here i am! Posted a song on my site on the 6th but nothing since. Trying to get more day job stuff going on to help pay for my music gear. I am sending this from my phone. Awkward. Miss you guys!

Hey honey! Well, I won't say I miss you, because I probably talk to you about six times a day, LOL. But it's good to see you have a minute to poke your head in here.

[Freeshadow]

you're right sharks - it's somehow more cofortable to chatter here than leaving comments in the blog.
and besides: One needs to click her from behind to enter the blog - I'm a bit afraid I might get sued for sexual harassment if I do that too frequently

[orlok]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Here i am! Posted a song on my site on the 6th but nothing since. Trying to get more day job stuff going on to help pay for my music gear. I am sending this from my phone. Awkward. Miss you guys!

Miss you too.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

you're right sharks - it's somehow more cofortable to chatter here than leaving comments in the blog.
and besides: One needs to click her from behind to enter the blog - I'm a bit afraid I might get sued for sexual harassment if I do that too frequently

Hahaha! I promise not to sue you, but yes, it is more friendly to drop in here and chat a bit.

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Hey honey! Well, I won't say I miss you, because I probably talk to you about six times a day, LOL. But it's good to see you have a minute to poke your head in here.

Yes, I just wish it was easier to do from my phone. Maybe as I get used to my phone it will be easier. It seems like if I'm at any of the computers these days, I'm working on something. Dropping in on Facebook is easy (and as you well know, I do it all the time these days) but forum browsing requires a little more attention. Now that I have this awesome phone I can do more stuff when I'm not at a computer. We need an app for that!!! With all the geeks in this place I can't believe we don't already have one.

Originally Posted by orlok

Miss you too.

Miss you too Orlok!! Listened to any good music lately? A new and very special friend has gotten me listening to Marc Broussard and I <3 his music. I moved some music to my new phone last night, and I can tell you that the 2GB memory card they sent with it isn't going to last long. I definitely need a bigger memory card.

I don't know if I've said this before, but you are all welcome to hit me up on Facebook. Just add a note with the friend request so I know who you are over here. I consider you guys to be real friends, not just anonymous peeps on the web. I'm pretty sure I'm the only Christa Watkins in Nashville on Facebook, but if not, my profile pic is currently me in my cowboy hat and Ray Bans holding onto my red guitar, so you should be able to find me if you decide to look me up.

Hey Sharky! Teddy Bear had his annual checkup yesterday and he's 100% healthy. We're putting him on Advantage Multi starting today. (He was on Comfortis till now, long story, but I'm relieved to finally have him on a heartworm preventive without having to worry.) He's still put out about the trip to the vet but he's getting over it.

Hopefully I'll drop in again soon. If not, well, posting here gets my attention! When I've got stuff going on, I have no concept of time so sometimes I don't realize how long it's been since I stopped by.

Love you all!

Le Brat

[GoSharks]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

Hey Sharky! Teddy Bear had his annual checkup yesterday and he's 100% healthy. We're putting him on Advantage Multi starting today. (He was on Comfortis till now, long story, but I'm relieved to finally have him on a heartworm preventive without having to worry.) He's still put out about the trip to the vet but he's getting over it.

Love you all!

Le Brat

Glad to hear the burly boy is tip top....and I presume his 'important bits' have not had any more encounters with the local bug life (though Advantage should help!)!! When you get a chance, send along any new 'John' stories, we could use another round of Ice Fairy humor!
Keep the updates coming! As I don't FB, this is my only source...