What's Going On

What's Going On?

11/24/07
I have finally received the radio reports from Acoustic Rainbow concerning the tracking of my submitted song. I'm happy to report that my tune (track #10 on Volume 28) is being played on over 300 radio stations across the world. Pretty cool. I spent some time during my Thanksgiving vacation preparing thank you postcards with the offer of sending out full CDs to any station that requests one. If your station reported results concerning my track, you can expect the offer.

I've also started working my way through archived audio recordings that have matching video tape. I would love to be able to put together a video or two to post on the web.

Thanks again to all of the kind folks who have offered me gigs and opportunities to perform.

2/10/07
I now have two new music sites where you can listen to my tunes. I stood up a site at myspace.com and another at ezfolk.com. Check them out and if you are a member of myspace.com, add me as a friend.

1/19/07
I have just finished completely re-working my site - I hope you like the new look and feel! Much has happened since the last update. I have a new job, and we moved out-of-state and then moved again when we found a house. Sadly, that means that my music has taken a back seat during that time. That will all be changing soon. Over the next few weeks I will be promoting my latest CD Radio Flyer in full earnest.

I have been asked to be part of an upcoming Acoustic Rainbow CD. The folks at Acoustic Rainbow selected Thermalling as the song they will be sending out to their radio stations. So, be listening for that on your favorite acoustic-based radio stations. I will also be taking advantage of the OASIS TOP package.

I've gone digital! You can now purchase individual Radio Flyer tracks from iTunes and other online digital retailers.

Excerpts from recent reviews have been posted to my Reviews page. The feedback from Radio Flyer has been very positive to date. I can hardly wait to get it out to a few more ears.

9/19/06
It's about time! My latest CD is now available. Samples of the 15 tracks can be heard on my new CDBaby site. For those of you who have made other arrangements with me to get your music, they will be shipping shortly (be patient, I have a day job ;-) Too much has happened to provide an update for everything. I have graduated, have my Masters degree in Computer Science (with an INFOSEC emphasis), and I'm now a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). I'm in the process of creating a new web site so expect a whole new look in the future. In short, I'm entirely too busy...

1/07/06
I missed a chance to get with my engineer and work out the remaining items with my new CD. I can say that I was able to spend time reviewing/listening to what has been done and I'm quite happy with the results. Unfortunately, my final semester at James Madison University begins on Monday and that likely means that no further progress will be made with my music until late spring or summer. We're close, so that's really a shame, but that's just how things worked out.

School has been extremely demanding - especially last semester. I didn't believe that the amount of work required could get worse, but it did. If I had the ability to just squeek by or only give 70% effort, I'd likely be able to fit music into my schedule. But, anyone who knows me, knows that simply isn't possible. It has been a long and difficult two years, and I'm very much looking forward to finishing my degree, getting my CISSP, and having a life again!

My music will be back - just give me a little more time!

6/25/05
Just a quick update for now. My next CD is in progress. Technical issues are currently being worked out and the graphics are underway as well. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to get it on the street before school starts back up in August.

I have a new site where you can listen to my tunes. All of the music from my demo CD are available there as well as a couple of songs from First Of All. You can even download most of them.

My new site can be found here: http://www.soundclick.com/stevendilon

1/02/05
Did I mention that my Master's degree program at James Madison University is difficult and extremely time consuming? I haven't had time for anything but school since I started almost a year ago now. I've got another year and half to go, but I am going to try to put out two new CDs during that time.

I finally had time to go visit Kim Person's studio. She has an amazing set of ears and is very good at what she does. She will be providing the engineering for both CDs and will be working on tunes for my next CD during this upcoming semester. The plan is to get back together with her during Spring Break and get the mixes dialed in. She'll use her guy to do the mastering and then I'll provide the art work, graphics, and everything else required for duplication. It's possible that the new CD could be ready for the streets by this summer, but it is more likely that it will be Fall before everything comes together. A big part of that will be how much time I have this summer to devote to my music.

I used the time between semesters to get caught up on things around here that pile up during the semester (I had a long TO DO list). I also listened to all of my recorded songs (I was able to record 33 of them) and put together a layout for the two CDs. That was kind of fun. I hadn't heard any of what I recorded for almost an entire year.

Look for more details about the new CDs as things progress. I'll try to keep this page a little more up-to-date when I have some news about my new music.

5/15/04
I'm in between semesters right now. I've been mixing tunes and selecting effects for the last week. I've got a pretty good start with 7 tunes that have an initial mix. Mind you, those have not been tested anywhere - they are just studio mixes. I'll take them to the car, my cheap home stereo, the computer, etc. soon when I have a full CD of pre-mixes done. I think that's pretty standard. You get a mix that you are at least happy with in the studio and then you take that to various players around the house and see how it sounds on each one of them. If it sounds good (or at least acceptable) on all of the various machines (each with a different quality of sound reproduction), then you know that your mix is about as good as it gets. I've been using Don Ross's Passion Session as my baseline sound for the mix. Don captured such a fantastic acoustic guitar sound on that CD. I'm not trying to get my sound exactly like Don's, but it does give me a target sound to shoot for.

Back to the studio.....

3/6/04
I'm in school and just as busy as I've ever been! The INFOSEC program is challenging to say the least! As I write this, I'm officially on Spring Break (though I do still have some school responsibilities until Sunday).

My music has taken a back seat to school, and, yes, I miss it! I completely rearranged the studio so that it will be easier to mix my new tunes. Speaking of which, before school started, I was able to record every new song that I have. Yay! And, what's even better is that I captured everything in single takes again! I wasn't sure I could pull that off given that I had been studying so hard for my GRE's and not playing as much as I would have liked to. I've got enough music for at least two CDs and maybe even three - cool! Lots of folks have been asking when they will be able to hear some new music from me, and believe me, I'd love it if I had something ready to distribute today, but.... I'm probably going to need at least the remainder of the summer before I get anything ready for production. The plan is to start now while I'm on break and at least try to get a feel for my new effects box. Then as soon as this semester is over, I'll start mixing tunes for the next CD. From the way my school schedule looks (I have Summer school too this year and next), I should have a couple of good weeks in between classes to get my tunes mixed and begin the production process.

Speaking of my new effects, I just got a Lexicon MPX-1. So far, I'm quite impressed with it. I believe it has a ton of capability and it seems to have a real good sound (at least for the patches that I really listened to). I think I'm still going to try to use the Q20 (initially anyway), so I'm going to go get a digital coax cable today so that I can chain the two processors together. The reason I had to go this route was that the TCE SCF was clipping when getting input from the board. I'm not sure why. In fact, everyone I talked to thought it was pretty strange. It almost seems that the SCF is a tad too sensitive. Still, it's the BEST chorus box on the planet - bar none! I don't like the idea of swapping out effects after the tunes have already been written, but I really have no choice. I'm going to try to get as close as I can to the original sound that I had in mind when writing the songs. Who knows, maybe the end product will be even better than what I started with.

12/6/03
Well, it certainly has been a long time since I've had any news worth writing about. I studied for my GRE's. I have not yet received my test scores yet, but I think I did all right. I have applied for admission to James Madison University for their Masters in Computer Science with an emphasis in Information Security. It is a distance learning program, so, if I get in, I will be taking classes that are taught over the internet (pretty cool!). The program is REALLY expensive (it's also one of the best), and I can't afford to go without help from my day job. I have applied for a extension to the normal amount of college funding that the company will pay for. So, there are a couple of things that could keep me out of school - not getting in and not getting the funding I'll need for it. Otherwise, I'll be starting in January and I won't have much time for my music.

I've been setting up the studio to try to get everything, that I have not yet recorded, on tape. I've got a whole new set up this time around. Stereo amps and I'm going to fill every track (on my 8 track ADAT) without doubling anything. I ordered my final piece yesterday (an Audio Technica 4033 Large Diaphragm Condenser). I've stepped up my playing schedule back to two sets per day (like it used to be before my hands/wrists went out on me). So far, my hands/wrists are holding up pretty well. My fingers are a little slow sometimes and they need about 15-20 minutes to break loose and warm up (even after I do my stretches and warm up routine). I have been enjoying it though! If I get into school, it is going to be hard to put music away - again... It's been such a HUGE part of my life, and I really do love to play and write.

If I don't get into school, the plan is to finish recording everything and then start looking for opportunities to play out. I have a couple of offers at Open Mic Night venues around town (one at a grocery store in Virginia Beach and then locally on the peninsula). I would love to get back on a stage again and play some of my new music for some folks..

5/30/03
Some mixed news for this entry. Let's start with the positive stuff, 'kay? I've just signed with another label. I have signed with Mark Greer's Private Collection label. It is a real honor to be selected as a part of this first class independent label. Mark has a lot of great ideas for where he can take our music and I'm looking forward to a bright future with this venture.

Now for the bad news. The Open Mic Night gigs never panned out. The week that I was going to perform lots of bad luck got in the way. The first and most distressing was that my CTS & UTS have returned in full force. My hands/wrists are in as bad of shape as they have ever been in. It is pretty serious. The condition hasn't improved for weeks, and I'm afraid I may have to retire. I knew that this day would come sooner or later, but I always thought that I had more time. Then the guys that were running the OMN decided to cancel it due to economic reasons so I lost the only venue that I could have even played at locally. Not that I could perform right now even if I they were still hosting it. I have decided to stop practicing my performance songs and just concentrate on perfecting my new songs that haven't been recorded. I really want to capture my new tunes (I've got enough written for two new CDs), but I don't know if my CTS/UTS will let me. I'm hopeful that my condition will improve at least enough to get my tunes recorded, but I've actually been considering what I would do if I retired. I've been thinking about going back to school for my Masters in CS with an emphasis in InfoSec. Music has been such a huge part of my life for so many years that it is really hard to imagine living without it, but I've already been through a mourning stage of sorts. I was depressed for several days straight. Sad, indeed....

4/26/03
Well, there has been a whole lot going on since my last entry! I have been diligently searching for an Open Mic Night venue. I am going to sign with Wood And Wire Music (an independent label). I got an endorsement from John Pearse Strings. I've been getting used to my new Huss and Dalton. I've been trying to develop a decent OMN sound using a Yamaha Acoustic Stomp. And I've been trying to perfect my tunes for the next CD.

The Open Mic Night situation in this area is looking pretty bleak. I thought that there might be at least one place that I would be able to play locally, but it looks like that is all done now too. I may be forced to look further from home - potentially traveling for an hour and half one way. I don't really want to drive that far to play for free, but it may be the only way I can get some more experience on stage. As soon as I find something or lock down a regular gig, I'll update my gig page.

I am sending an agreement to Wood And Wire Music to sign with them this week. The newly formed independent label's vision is that of an early Windham Hill. This is an exciting opportunity for me. The label will be producing a sampler soon and the current plan is to use Solar Eclipse for my entry.

I've been endorsed! This is probably the most exciting news I've got in years. I truly believe in the product and so that just makes it sweeter. I have been using John Pearse strings exclusively for nearly 4 years now and I'm quite proud to be officially recognized as an ambassador for his products.

I'm now fairly comfortable with the new guitar. I believe that it is exactly what I need to be able to get back on a stage again. I had some problems with the B-Band pickups (long story that I won't go into), but the company's rep. really tried his hardest to make everything work. I think they are a good company to work with and wish we could have found the problem - I loved the harmonics that they were able to pull off the guitar. Also, they refunded my money which puts them in fine standing with me. I would recommend their pickup to anyone who asked. Alas, we decided to go with the Fishman Natural II, and I have not had any problems since.

I plan on bringing my Ultrasound amp to OMN's, and so I've been working hard trying to find a sound that I would be happy with. I bought a Yamaha Acoustic Stomp (which is a mic modeling, all in one, stomp box) to help produce a decent sound. I've become way too used to the chorus and delay that I use in the studio and without it, I was having problems feeling my music. The AG Stomp isn't great, but it's good enough and it has some real nice features - it's also a tad on the expensive side.

I am going to continue to hunt for OMN venues, but I'm also considering starting to record tunes for the next CD. I need to anyway so that I can have "first cuts" to be able to make decisions on which songs should be in or out (having too many songs for one CD is actually a pretty good thing). As soon as I get another Ultrasound amp, I'll be able to run in stereo again and produce that fantastic sound I had going when I was borrowing Mike's amp. When that happens (should be soon) there won't be anything in my way of getting the recording process started. Well, with the exception of my hands/wrists going out on me from putting too much strain on them...

1/02/03
I met with Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton at their shop in Staunton this afternoon. I took my CM up there so that Jeff could take measurements on my neck width and profile. They are building me another CM. This one is going to be fairly "custom" since it will be using the headstock from an MJC. I'm also trying to decide what pickup to go with. I'm really leaning towards the B-Band again. I have some concerns regarding the A1 and UST combination, but I think they've pretty much been laid to rest. I also feel that I can look at this as an opportunity to see if B-Band has the right sound for me.

I was hoping to use my vacation time to get some recording done, but my BAD luck has struck once again. My amp started to die on me just after Christmas. The sound is randomly cutting out and back in again. This appears to happen more frequently when the amp has been on for 15 to 20 minutes. I'm not sure what's wrong with it, but I'll either upgrade it or get it fixed soon. I'm going up to Mike's Saturday and he's going to let me borrow his for a while.

For more exciting news, I've partnered with a couple of folks from MP3.com on some efforts that they are developing. The first is a project that Elliot Randall (former Steely Dan guitarist) is putting together with Mark Greer. It is called Private Collection Music and features "New Age" musicians. Very cool! The second is Jim Goodin's Wood And Wire Music label. Jim maintains an MP3.com radio station that was one of the first to include my music. His visibility has grown considerably since then, and he is now at the point of starting his own label. He sees it as an early Windham Hill! I'm proud to be associated with both Mark and Jim!! This could be the start of something good. Look for links on my links page and updates concerning both of these projects in the future...

It's time to get my chorus sound back. I had forgotten how much I missed it until I plugged into the Fender while testing my amp problems. I'm going to order the TC Electronics Chorus box and give it a chance. I'm not sure it is going to be as good as the sound and flavor that the Acoustasonic Jr. produces, but I sure hope so. It is stunning how much better my sound is through the right chorus - better harmonics too!

I have added a link on this page for Archives. The What's Going On page was getting a little too long since I've been keeping this "diary" for a couple of years now. I didn't get rid of the old entries, I just moved them to the Archives page. So, if you want to catch up or read about stuff in the past, click the link below..

Archives