Mix Online Article

Colin Elmore Records New Album in Ardent’s New SSL Duality Studio C

David Goggin February 16th, 2012

Engineer/Producer Wes Leyshon Tracks Analog for Acoustic Project

Pictured (L-R) in Ardent Studios' new SSL Duality-equipped Studio C are Caleb Franz, mandolin, banjo, backing vocals; Savannah Franz; Audra Mohnker uprightt bass, backing vocals; Emmet Franz, dobro, backing vocals; Colin Elmore lead singersongwriterrrr, acoustic guitar, piano; David Fiser, photographer; Mike Wilson, assistant engineer; Olivia Jahnke, fiddle, piano, backing vocals; Wes Leyshon, engineer/producer; and Adam Jahnke.

Memphis recording engineer and producer Wes Leyshon has teamed up a second time with Indie roots star Colin Elmore for his forthcoming “This Side of the Sun.” Tracking to analog tape in Ardent Studios’ newly rebuilt Studio C, the project takes full advantage of the SSL hybrid analog/digital Duality console.

Wes Leyshon previously worked with Elmore and his band Berch for 2010′s critically-acclaimed “Before and After the Fall.” For his new album, Elmore says he was looking for the “warm and slightly dirty” sound that called for analog tape and a studio renowned for work with legacy artists ranging from James Taylor to Led Zeppelin.

Leyshon tracked with Ardent assistant engineer Mike Wilson to record Elmore and his band, consisting of Emmet Franz and his family playing a wealth of acoustic instruments, including guitars, dobro, upright bass, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. Additional instrumentation called for Hammond organ, cello, French horn, flugelhorn, trumpet, piano and accordion.

Leyshon remarked, “Mike Wilson was everything I could’ve hoped for in an assistant. I love the new SSL board in C and the great assortment of compressors and outboard gear I had to mix with. The mic choice I had was a dream. The live room is amazing and we made good use of it. All of the Ardent staff seemed excited and encouraging about the whole project. I really hope to be back here in the near future.”

For a sneak peek video of Colin Elmore and Emmett Franz performing an acoustic version of one of the album cuts in Ardent’s Studio C visit:http://youtu.be/9QmceAlchFI

Colin Elmore with the Franz Family

This week has been crazy fun. Colin Elmore (lead singer from the late great band, Berch) came down from Springfield, MO once more this time with the Franz family and we recorded and mixed 9 tracks in 3 days! The second greatest thing about this is that we did the whole project at world famous Ardent Studios in their newly remolded Studio C (see pic) all onto tape. No computers or digital equipment were used during this process. It was a really fun learning experience. I feel like this is how music is supposed to be made. The album, "This Side of the Sun" will be released next weekend!

Ian McClellan's Worship More EP

Hey people, I'm very excited about my good friend Ian McClellan's new project that I had the honor of producing, recording, mixing and mastering. Hope you all get a chance to check it out and support him! Here is a link to stream the project http://vimeo.com/29382185 and here is a link to help him raise money with Kickstarter to support it. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ianmcclellan/worship-more

Let me know what you think!

Selena Gomez's "When the Sun Goes Down"

Hey everyone, I've very excited that my friend Steve Sulikowski co-wrote the title track to Selena Gomez's new album "When the Sun Goes Down". It's at #4 on the U.S. Billboard top 200 right now. Steve sent me Selena's demo to mix a few months back and Selana and her record label loved it. Check it out if you like.

Hey Folks, This is the project I recorded in Central America back in 2006. All the proceeds go to help the missionaries down there.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mision-hispana/id205188250

Update and Maurice Mosby's New Single

Make sure to check out http://themosbybrand.com/ to stream Maurice Mosby's new single! This Memphis worship leader has a heart to see God's Kingdom come on earth! I guess it's an acoustic/pop/gospelish song that I recorded, mixed and mastered. You can buy it on www.cdbaby.com . Let me know what you all think.

Also I'm very excited about Ian McClellan's new ep that I'm mixing this week. Ian and I meet back in 2004 at Visible Music College. He was actually one of the 1st songwriters I've recorded! Now we are putting the final touches on indie/rock worship ep . I'll let you know when you can hear it. The single should be released soon!

Well since I'm talking about worship music news. Make sure you check out Jeremy Horns new cd "Sound of the Broken" http://www.jeremyhornmusic.com/listen - produced by good friend James Joseph.

Also Josh Smith's project Cities Apart http://citiesapartband.blogspot.com/

Their music has been encouraging me the past few weeks worshiping in the car.

Here is a link to learn more about Caleb Sigler's project that I produced last year. It's a project I'm proud of mainly because ALL of the proceeds go towards helping orphans in Swaziland affected by HIV and poverty through an organization called Children’s Hope Chest. http://ilovememphisblog.com/2011/02/meet-memphian-40-musician-caleb-sigler/

Thanks for reading the latest Avowal Music Production news. Now you know Memphis has professional producing, recording, mixing and mastering for anyone who needs to create a good sounding musical project!

Caleb Sigler's new album available on iTunes!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/caleb-sigler/id416646586

Please check out and if you like, help support Caleb Sigler and Children's Hope Chest! Hope you enjoy the new music.