In collaboration with Pipay Warren, we present
Two-Layer Abstraction
Pipay Warren – Bass, guitar, vocals
John Perez – Drums
Two-Layer Abstraction is a two-piece online band. We record tracks in our home studios and as an online band, the challenge is to preserve quality and consistency of sound and performance, despite the lack of physical interaction. Through the power of the internet, we make music.
Warren and I have been working for more than a year, and this band has been in the works eversince. That is now about to change with Two-Layer Abstraction’s rendition of Trapt’s “Skin Deep.” Despite the track at its rough draft, this is the time we emerge.
If you want to read on Pipay’s side of things, visit her LiveJournal for her scoop. View Pipay’s LJ here.
This track is one of the most fun projects I’ve worked on. Difficulties abound, though. Prior to recording “Skin Deep,” the studio was in shambles due to a previous project. Putting the studio, drums and mics back together, resetting mixer settings and resetting levels took a significant amount of time. Rust settled in my hands after not playing for months, so getting back in the groove takes some time.
As far as drums are concerned, I believe that the drum track was more of an interpretation than a cover. I changed quite a few things. One, I don’t crash ride. I prefer to use the ride cymbal exclusively. Two, my biggest influence is Neil Peart. So adjusting to Aaron Montgomery’s style was challenging. Neil Peart kept his drum parts fluid, mature and sequential, but Montgomery’s playing was more apt for grunge and metal.
As for the drum sound itself, the snare and bass drums are works in progress. Stay tuned for further experiments in future tracks.
I hope you enjoy the track as much as Pipay and I did. Have fun!
Percussion equipment:
1. Pearl Forum Series Drumkit
2. Pearl Omar Hakim 13″x5″ Mahogany Signature Snare Drum
3. Evans Coated G2 on toms
4. Remo Coated Ambassador on snare
5. Evans EQ3 on bass batter and resonant with Kevlar patch
6. Zildjian 14″ ZBT Hi-hats
7. Zildjian 16″ A Custom Fast Crash
8. Zildjian 14″ A Custom Fast Crash
9. Zildjian 20″ A Custom Ping Ride
10. Pro-Mark 5A Drumsticks
Drum Recording Equipment
1. Yamaha EMX860ST Powered Mixer
2. Samson 7-piece drum mic kit
3. Derby balanced oxygen-free cables
4. Sonar 7 Producer Edition
5. Personal computer as digital audio workstation
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