Recent content by Simon Beck

First, a mock-Irish ballad, "The Ballad of Cormac O'Nissen", with lyrics co-written by my sons Thomas (15) and William. (12). All instruments and vocals by myself. Percussion was programmed in HammerHead 1.0 and looped in Audacity. Ukulele and mandolin are both in low-G uke tuning. "Tin...

Had a fun recording session with my elder son Thomas today. He is 14 and a keen folk and blues guitarist. He decided to record the classic New Orleans song "Iko Iko" - he recently heard Dr John's version and really liked it. The first track was vocal and rhythm guitar. Thomas has a late-1960s...

You wanted pics? Well, here is pretty much ALL my gear, keyboardy and otherwise:

My 14-year-old elder son and I have three ukuleles between us as well as WAY too many guitars... Thomas's: Mine: And yes, we really do own two identical mandolins! Thomas bought one recently with some saved-up pocket money. It arrived damaged (the neck wasn't properly attached), and the...

Here is an experimental instrumental I recorded - I was going for a 1960s-style spy-movie theme, and I decided to see what it would sound like if I actually used all the tracks available on my Fostex MR-8. As always, I mixed it to mono (it's just my style of working). 1. Percussion was...

Here is a fun project from last year - four songs from "The Sound of Music" performed in a variety of punk styles. Music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein Guitar, bass, Farfisa organ, rhythm programming, all vocals, arrangements and production by Simon Beck Rhythms were programmed in...

What is your favourite type of electric piano sound?

Just had the idea of squeezing as many first-generation tracks as possible out of a Fostex MR-8 by recording four mono tracks, transferring them to Audacity, putting a rough backing mix back on the Fostex for the next set of four mono tracks, and eventually ending up with perhaps 24 or 32...

Hi! I'm new here, but I've been home-recording since 1985, originally with a Fostex X-15, then a Fostex XR-3, a PC running Audacity, and most recently a Fostex MR8. Music, lyrics, arrangements, all instruments and vocals by myself. This song is called "Genie" - it's a satirical look at modern...

Not sure where you are, but there are a handful of experts (I regard myself as an "armchair expert") who can help you. Looks like you have a very rare 110 or 112, among the very first Wurly pianos. In the USA and Canada, the best place is Vintage Vibe in New Jersey. Ask for Chris Carroll and...

Anyone else use one of these? I've got a Stagg EDB 3/4 in blue, and I enjoy playing it so much that I hardly ever play bass guitar any more. I have modified it with a damper in front of the bridge, which gives a more acoustic sound.

My 14-year-old son Thomas has even more guitars than me...

1. 1958 Framus Capri archtop acoustic, brown sunburst 2 1995 Squier Affinity Telecaster with through-body stringing, rosewood f/b, Daphne Blue 3. 1999 Squier P-Bass Special, rosewood f/b, British Racing Green 4. Luna Athena thinline semi-acoustic, two mini-humbuckers, Aqua Mist Then there's a...