Kevin Fitzpatrick - MUS308 - Final Project
Pt. 1 - Studio Production
TACO is a 4-piece student rock band from Boise Rock School. The students were commissioned by the Idaho Dance Theatre in Boise, ID to write and perform a series of live songs to be synced to choreography and dancing.
In preparation for TACO's performance at Boise State University's Special Events Center a professional recording session captured the 3-song setlist in the Morrison Center Green Room (BSU C117) on February 25, 2024. Being the band’s first time recording in-studio, they learned audio production techniques and how to prepare their music for studio recording.
Boise Rock School + Boise State University
'Hats Off' (Trilogy) - 2.25.24
'TACO' in the Green Room
Morrison Center (C117)
Recording Process
The band was recorded live (in-room, semi-isolated) through an eight-channel pre-amp directly into Studio One for digital tracking. A natural bleeding of instruments occurred in each of the room microphones developing the sound of the recording.
For drums we used a dynamic kick and snare mic with two condenser overhead mics in stereo. Each guitar and keyboard amp used dynamic mics. Overdubs were recorded with direct inputs, condenser and dynamic mics.
Telescopes
Featuring arpeggiated rhythms on electric guitars, accompanied by a bright background of electric snyth bells. Sound clips, static and effects are added to give the feeling of vastness.
Lunar Disease
Featuring a wash of magnetic energy from the electric guitars, accompanied by an expansive duo of grand piano and dense viola sounds. Delays are added to give the feeling of unsettling nature.
Route 1/2 .5
Featuring a scorching electric guitar lead meshed with driving rhythm guitars and deep octaves of electric piano. Static effects reveal a lost transmission from outer space.
Listen to 'Hats Off' Trilogy
Studio Credits
Producers
TACO (Boise Rock School)
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Alex Wargo
Engineers
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Dr. Derek Ganong
Mixers
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Musicians
Isaac Rogers (Guitar)
Grant Marsh (Keys)
Thomas Finlay (Guitar)
Kevin Fitzpatrick (Drums)
Pt. 2 - Live A/V Production
The collaboration between Boise Rock School and Idaho Dance Theatre culminated in four live performances by TACO and the IDT dancers at Boise State University's Special Events Center from March 14-17, 2024.
Boise Rock School + Idaho Dance Theatre
'Hats Off' (Trilogy) - 3.16.24
Live @ the Special Events Center
Boise State University
Recording Process
The entire band was recorded live (on-stage, non-isolated) through a Yamaha DM3 digital console directly into Studio One. The drums consisted of a dynamic kick mic, a dynamic snare mic and two condenser overhead mics in stereo. Each guitar amp consisted of a dynamic microphone. The keyboard amp ran through a direct-input box. There was minimal bleeding of instruments into each of the room microphones due to distance of players and size of stage.
Pre-Show
- Produce, record, mix and master 3 separate studio songs
- Mix the three separate songs into a blended trilogy in Studio One
- Create a Bandcamp website to release finalized audio tracks
- Create promotional band photos and biography information
Show
- Rehearse for the live performance at Boise Rock School and Special Events Center
- Perform four nights in a row, synced to choreography, in front of an audience at Boise State University
- Capture live performance via audio and visual equipment
Post Show
- Edit captured video footage to match live audio recordings
- Release the live performance via YouTube
- Release Bandcamp website with recorded audio and live audio tracks
- Wrap up project with proof of process
Listen to 'Hats Off' Trilogy (Live)
Show Credits
Theatre
Stage Production
Yurek Hansen
Video Production
Yurek Hansen
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Audio
Production
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Engineering
Kevin Fitzpatrick
Dr. Derek Ganong
Trey Bledsoe
Choreography
Nathan Powell
Performed by
Idaho Dance Theatre
Orchestration
Isaac Rogers (Guitar)
Grant Marsh (Keys)
Thomas Finlay (Guitar)
Kevin Fitzpatrick (Drums)
© Copyright 2024 TACO (Boise, ID), Idaho Dance Theatre and Kevin Fitzpatrick