Official Maple Cross Website

We have added a video from studio online on our YouTube site. Go on and check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMapleCross

Now we´ll have a couple of weeks break from recordings just to take a step back and make sure everything recorded so far is as it should be. After that it´s time to record the solos and vocals, but more about that later.

In a mean while, as most of you propably noticed we are lacking a guitar player. Sami left a long time ago and we felt there was no need to rush with the replacement. We basically decided, at the time, to write an record the album as a four piece. So far the plan has worked perfectly.

About the new guitar player. We´ve had a few options in mind and actually talked to a couple of guys, but for some reason, not a single option felt like the right one. That´s about to change though. We are having a meeting with our new (hopefully) guitarist next weekend. We´ll listen to the new material and enjoy couple of beers and see how it works for everyone concerned. This dude is experienced musician and we´ve known him for a while, but we thought he wouldn´t be an option since he doesn´t live even remotely close to Oulu and he´s already playing with an established band that tours alot.

Will let you know how things evolve.

Marco R.J.

K-Sound Studio

At first we had a plan to record the bass tracks before the guitars and I actually took my gear already into the studio to do that. But as all of us don’t live in Oulu, we have day-jobs and there is always a lot of things going on, we had to do some re-arranging on the schedules. I didn’t mind. It is easier to record the bass when there is guitar tracks already laid in anyway. At least it is for me.

Monday 30th of August 2010

So my job began. Setting up my gear was done quickly and the searching for the good sound didn’t took much time either. Good gear can never be underestimated. Ampeg SVT-4Pro amplifier and Ampeg 8*10 cabinet were a perfect choice, I must say. SansAmp bass driver / DI box was also used. And of course my 6-string Amfisound custom bass has a huge part on the sound. I must take my opportunity to praise Amfisound. They really know how to do their job! (www.amfisound.fi). I don’t have much to say about the recording itself. After a somewhat slow start, I warmed up and managed to finish 5 songs in 3 hours. Not bad. We are still in schedule.

Wednesday 1st of September 2010

A good day. I nailed down 6 songs in 2,5 hours. Some parts felt like drinking poison but other parts went just as smoothly as it can. It’s funny that it’s always the same thing: you go to the studio well-prepared and songs rehearsed full of trust on your skills. And somehow it always hits you in the face. The REC button just doesn’t have mercy at all. But I don’t complain. It is always good to get you back to the ground and have a realistic perception on your skills. It really is motivating.

Monday 6th of September 2010

We had to re-schedule again and delay the recording of the last 4 songs. But that’s ok for me. Somehow this time it really felt that this is not my day. I had difficulties to warm up. Everything seemed to be so hard and my hands just kept sweating. I managed to fail the very first note of some parts for a several takes in a row. That was so frustrating. But after all I managed to finish those 4 songs in something like two hours. To complete the bass recordings we gave a little thought on some parts. Maybe a little thumb-bass or such here and there, and that kind of things. We made some re-recordings and gave an over-all look at the bass tracks before calling it a day. I’m done and it feels good. I’m satisfied how I did and so were the other guys… I think.

J. Lehto

Bass player fooling around

Recording bass tracks

Ampeg stack

What can I tell about my recording sessions. There was a little bit of pressure on me since I had to record both guitars at this time around, twice the work, twice the pressure it seems. Luckily we had demoed the tunes well before the actual album recording started. Certain songs I had to listen to again on my mobile player to recall what sort of special things I had planned previously on demo sessions for the second guitar. Some of the things I dug up from somewhere deep in my mind during the lunch brakes and some parts I felt impossible to remember, but eventually they came to me just because I refused to give up on them.

Wednesday 4th of august 2010

After the final drum tracks were record late in the evening we stacked up my gear and started to work on the sound. We all seemed to be somewhere else though, so we decided it would be better to start fresh the next day.

Thursday 5th of august 2010

The perfect guitar sound was found so we were able to start the real thing. We were able to lay down guitars for four tunes.

Sunday 8th of august 2010

It necessarily wasn´t the best idea to have off days, but at least I got a better chance to see what the night life in Oulu had to offer. Three more tracks in the box!

Monday 9th of august 2010

The day the playing felt easy and everything was just perfect! The fastest songs (for example Flame of Pain) were the most comfortable songs to record. 5 tracks completed.

Tuesday 10th of august 2010

The most difficult day during the guitar sessions. We have this really heavy song that turned out to be a really tough one to record and some parts felt like I was playing with concrete gloves in my hand. The last three songs were completed. Later in the evening both hands felt like Hulk had smashed potatoes in the pan with them.

J.Henttunen 11th of august 2010

Recording guitars

Guitar stack

Having a break

It has finally started and I really mean, finally. We have 15 new songs that we´ve worked on for a quite some time now. Everyone in our small gang is really hyped about the material. We wanted to take time to finalize everything, but it took us a little bit longer than what first had in mind. Anyways, next few weeks/months will see the Maple Cross come to life. We still have no idea when this project will be completed, but we will keep you posted.

Maple Cross 2010

Diary pt.1 “DRUMS”

Work on drum tracks started sunday 1st of august. The start was a slow one since some of us went to Qstock festival the day before. Naturally “someone” (J. Henttunen) was a little bit slow, so to speak. Late afternoon the work on drum sounds  begun. We aimed for a natural and raw soundscape and I have to say I think we managed just that. Even though we worked really late we decided to record some test takes. Monday 2nd of august, around noon, begun the real work. After the studio anxiousnes wore off the rec button was in a heavy use. We managed to record drums for 7 songs.

Tuesday 3rd of august, noonish again. Since everything was ready we jumped right away to recording mode, well almost, of course Ike needed to warm up properly. After that little episode the red button was pushed more than once. We actually experinced a few difficulties with some arrangements, but after some brain storming and experimenting we were able to push forward. Again we were able to record drums for 7 songs.

Wednesday 4th of august. We started to work late, because we are ahead of our schedule we wanted/needed to treat us to this small favour. One more song to go and after a couple of takes we were done! After that we listened through the drums a couple of times, just to make sure everything is splendid, right Joni. Congratz to Ike for a work well done. Next up is J. Henttunen.

Drums

Ilkka recording

Heavy metal!

We are happy to let you all know and see that we have a website opened again. We really thought we should get this done ’cause we are about to hit the studio in few days! We have some 15 songs composed and rehearsed and ready to be recorded. Stay tuned for detailed studio diary!