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To This Day - Thanks to http://www.megadeth.com
1/21/99-Megadeth in the Studio
Megadeth is back in the studio recording the follow up album to Cryptic Writings. They loaded all of their
equipment into the studio on January 3rd and began working on the first tracks January 6, 1999. When asked
about the what happens during the first stages of the recording process, Dave M. replied, "We usually start
with the four of us and Dann Huff (producer) sitting in the main room (see Picture Archive) and we work on
the song parts. That goes onto a micro cassette recorder, and we live with it for a while. Then we play it
together until we get an arrangement. Once we have an arrangement, we have Jimmy play along on drums. We tape
this on cassette. Next, after going over this, we track it for real on the big board and go in to listen to
any last minute changes in the arrangement."
He continues, "We track the settled upon arrangements live, and then Jimmy will go back over the scratch
tracks that we make on guitars and bass, until we get a 'keeper' drum track. He is blowing everyone's minds
out here, how fast he is, his playing, and his ideas". They have done this for 11 songs so far, and according
to Dave, "We have one more song to finish arranging and then we go into bass world after tracking the drums.
The bass tracks will be played along the 'keeper' drum tracks, as well as guitars, etc".
2/5/99-Megadeth in the Studio II
Megadeth is now several weeks into the recording process, and with the drum and bass tracks down, the next
step is to start tracking guitars. According to Dave M., "Right now we are going over the scratch tracks and
relearning the new parts that we made last minute changes to, basically refreshing ourselves before the red
lights go on (meaning-recording in process), We search around for tones and eventually start to track along
to the 'keeper' bass and drums. On some of the songs I have just recorded two tracks, others there have been
two tracks of one sound, a third of another, an octave of one of the parts in a different sound, and some
chords to support the chorus' in yet another sound." Dave has completed this on four songs, and is close to
finishing his fifth at this time. He stated, "We still need to get Jr., and Jimmy back here to track the last
three songs. We can't get over the sick stuff that Jimmy has done with his feet, Dann Huff keeps commenting
on how he plays drum fills with his feet. My solos and Marty's guitar parts won't start for another week still.
The solos will be after all Marty's parts are done. Vocals, background vocals, and percussion will be last."
2/25/99-Megadeth in the Studio III
The megamen are progressing through the recording process, and the stage they are in now "...is deep in vocal
land" according to Dave M. He is doing both guitar solos and singing each day, and he says he has done some
stuff he hasn't done for years. As far as the vocals are concerned, he stated "I have been singing lead vocal
tracks, harmony and spoken tracks, and the background vocal from the fan fair New Years day is on the track
and it sounds great. For those of you that haven't heard about the vocal he mentions here...Megadeth held a
"fan fair" for CyberArmy members at the new Cooperstown Restaurant in Phoenix on New Years Day. At the fair
Mustaine had cybersoldiers yell, "Crush" and "Crush 'Em" into a microphone for use in a song called "Crush 'Em"
that will appear on the new album. As far as what is happening with bass, drums and percussion...Jimmy will be
returning to Nashville when David does, which according to Dave will be in a week or two.
3/17/99-Megadeth in the Studio IV
Once all of the vocal tracks are completed, and the bass, guitar and drum tracks are done...the next step in
the recording process is to mix and master the songs. Megadeth will begin mixing the new album during the first
week in April, and it is quite a complex process. When asked to summarize exactly what happens when an album is
mixed and mastered, Dave M. replied "To summarize exactly would take a very long time to explain. Suffice to say,
there is a lot of equalizing and fine tuning all of the parts, some of the songs are played hundreds of times
until the sound of each instrument or track is perfectly equalized and has the right volume to sit in the track
properly. Then it is turned on and off at the precise moments to feature its place in the song. Each track has
to be equalized, balanced, and turned on and off at the right times. There are anywhere from 72 or more tracks
per song." He continued, " Mastering is doing the same thing all over again with the final mixes, and the final
mix is usually just two tracks of equalizing. Do this for 12 songs and you have a record". After this process is
completed, there are many logistical aspects to the release of the album. After the album is mixed and
mastered they "Set up the record with all of the artwork, release campaign, distribution, radio, televison,
and so on" according to Dave M. The megamen started pre-production for the new record back in the fall of 98,
the actual recording process began in January, and the scheduled release date for Megadeth's 8th album is late
July, 1999.
4/07/99-New Album Info
The band is about ready to do the photo shoot for the new album, which has a working title of Risk. A design
concept has been agreed upon for the album cover and artwork has begun. Vic will make a discreet appearance on
the cover. The band will be reuniting soon to finish work on the album and is slated to tour with Iron Maiden
starting in September. They are currently reviewing dates prior to that for the start of the US tour. The first
single should be out in June or July with the album release slated for July or August.
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