Recordings

Chapter 13

It was already the 22nd of February. Founders week was amazing. They made lots of memories together especially Jeffrey and Danna. The band was already preparing for their first ever recording session in the studio. They rode Carl's car in order to get there. Stephen's classmate accompanied them because it was also were he lived. On the way, they saw a very beautiful beach up until they reached his home.

When they got out of the car, Danna immediately jumped out and stepped on the white sand and started playing with the waters. Stephen yelled his name and Chester sat on the sand. Jeffrey and Carl parked the car together with Stephen's classmate. They went out and joined the others as Stephen's classmate goes inside and calls his father.

Danna smiles at Jeffrey and invites him to play with her. Chester starts building a sand castle and Carl watches them play as he smiles. Stephen's classmates calls them and tells them to get inside. They slowly walk as Danna looks at the sea once more before she gets inside.

"So.. this will be your first time recording right?" The owner asks them.

"Yes. But I'm sure we will be doing a great job." Jeffrey replies.

"Well then. Let's hear your song and we'll see if I can suggest something." He shows them the studio and they proceeded preparing their things. Stephen sits in front of the drum set and tests the sounds.

The owner approaches Danna and she looks at him, "So you're the vocalist of the band?" He asks.

Danna gives a quick smile. "No. I'm just here to watch them record." He points at Jeffrey, "He is the vocalist."

"Oh.. Well, my bad then."

Each one were exercising on there specific instruments and Danna grabs her phone to film their rehearsal again. By the time they were ready Jeffrey nods at each one of them as Stephen counts. "One... Two.. One Two Three Go1"

After finishing the rehearsal the owner nods in astonishment and claps his hand. "Very good." He comments. "I think you'll be ready for the session." Everyone smiles and starts making a group hug.

The owner turns on his PC and opens the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) also known as the program where he records. "We should start recording the drums first since this would be the basis of the structure of the song."

"Yes sir." Stephen stands and proceeds on the drums.

"You know how to use the metronome right? Will everything be okay if you can't hear the other instruments yet?" The owner asks.

"Of course sir." He brags. "I've memorized this song piece by piece."

The owner hands Stephen the headphones and Stephen uses this. "Well then. Let's start." He says. Danna again films the recording with her phone. The metronome starts and as Stephen listens, he times his drumming perfectly. The owner was surprised upon seeing this. He didn't expect Stephen to commit no errors the first time he records.

"Ta-da!!" He smiles as he finishes his part. "I'm finished, who will be next?

"That was an amazing take." The owner comments. "There were no errors given that this was your first time." Stephen only smiles as a reply.

"So... Rhythm and bass will be next." The owner says and Jeffrey and Carl stood up and went to their places. "We'll record this together then next would be the lead." He implies.

"Okay sir." Carl replies.

"You ready?"

Carl and Jeffrey nods and the owner starts the song. They did well on the take and again, committed no errors. The owner was amazed at this and starts smiling.

"Lead please." He calls.

Chester stands and moves to his designation at shakes his hands. "My turn. I hope I won't be committing any errors." He adds. "Gotta catch up with all of you." They all laughed as Chester signals the owner to start. The owner plays the song and Chester plays this amazing guitar riff. They were all fascinated, it was their first time seeing him so serious.

As expected, he commits no error as well. This was getting quick, only 40 minutes was consumed and the song is already halfway there.

"Do you still need to add other instruments?" The owner asks.

"Yes." Jeffrey replies. "Some piano and synth parts. Will it be okay?" He asks.

"Sure, this is a recording studio after all." The owner prepares as Jeffrey sits in front of the keyboard. He places his fingers gently on the key and nods at the owner. The owner starts playing the song and hears this magnificent piano accompaniment. It was soft and melodic but it compliments the heavy music so well.

Before realizing it, Jeffrey finishes his part and now proceeds with the synth. The owner could already hear the finished product. It was beautiful, it could be the next big hit. Jeffrey finishes the synths and now is time for the vocals.

"You sure do know a lot of things." The owner compliments as Jeffrey prepares his voice. He gives a quick smile and puts his headphone on. Everybody was quite. They were excited. When the owner starts the song, Jeffrey gives a loud scream.

Jeffrey starts to sing.

Promises that have been exchanged

Will try and take away our future today too

Even if I obtain what I wanted

I wonder why I still cannot smile naturally

Whatever moment, whatever fate

I've learned that only one thing is certain

Thinking to myself, from being lost in this moment

Tomorrow, I'm going to go forward

Always wanted to think

How my heart is after all that

I can't switch it

Always ruined the unchangeable future

I can see the unsurprising melody

The owner was astonished at the song. All that was needed was the mixing and mastering. The band thanked him for the offer and he thanked them as well.

"Maybe after a week I can send the song via e-mail." He said.

"A week?" Carl exclaims. "Sir, I beg that you please do it a little faster please." He pleads. The others looked worried given how much time it would take.

"I'll try my best." The owner replies. "I can't promise you anything but I'll try my best."

"Okay sir. How much will it cost?" Jeffrey asks.

"Since I support your performance today. I would do this for free." He smiles. "What's the title of this song?"

All were shocked and they jumped out of joy.

"Life"

They thanked the owner again and bade farewell. They proceeded to the beach with big smiles on their faces.

"Success!" Stephen shouts.

"At last we finally recorded our first song." Chester adds as he plays on the sand.

Carl picks up a piece of shell and puts it inside his pocket. "A remembrance for today." He smiles.

Jeffrey and Danna smiles. "Maybe we'll come back here soon." Jeffrey says. Danna crosses her arm on his and rests her head on his shoulder.

"We will."

Everybody continued playing on the white sand beach as the day goes by. Smiles on their faces. It was a beautiful day, 2 weeks before classes returns. 1 week before the song will be finished.