Hi everyone,

If you have joined my Facebook page, this week you probably have seen me
mentioning something about my new book and some kind of contest.
If you haven't joined me on Facebook please do so here: Owen on FACEBOOK

Here's the story and the contest details so far:

As you  know, sometimes creative directors or music directors want to license
my songs for TV shows, movies, web shows, etc. Well, recently one of these
folks was very kind and complimented my recordings and he asked the name
of the studio I was using.

I told him I record everything in my home studio. I also happened to mention
that I had stripped my studio down to a very basic set of tools because I felt
I didn't need 75% of the "toys and tech" I had bought over the years. If I had
known the reaction I was going to get from this person, I would have recorded
it for you, haha! He really almost had a kitten.

When I told him how simple I had made recording at home, I could tell he
couldn't decide if I was lying or if I was quite mad as a hatter.

When he was satisfied I wasn't lying, he said...

"You've got to write this stuff down! Do a book
or something. We can't use songs from so many good artists, because the
production and sound isn't good enough. They just don't have a clue how to
record their songs clearly. If they had a simple and effective way of recording
their stuff... well that would be great for them and us."  


So I rubbed my chin and said...

"Hmmm, a book eh? I could do that... I think."


So, here's where we are now:

* I'm about 3/4 finished my book.

* The book is a step by step guide and description (with illustrations
and photos) of my peculiar, simple and effective method of creating
broadcast quality recordings at home.

* I need a catchy and exciting title... that's where you come in

Because many heads are better than one, I thought
I would ask all of you to get involved. (Forward this to anyone who you
think would be game, and tell them to sign up on the FACEBOOK link
above, or the links at the bottom of this page

Put on your thinking caps and win a prize...

Here are some soundbites that might get the wheels turning. They
describe the problems that a lot of musicians have always faced, and
how this book will help:  

* "recording is often difficult and expensive for musicians. This
system makes recording much easier and way less expensive."  

* "by the time you build a studio at home the way the blogs and
product manufacturers recommend, you end up with a sea of cables
and gear and you spend half your time learning how to use it and the
rest of your time fixing technical problems. But with this system, it
shortens the distance between inspiration (writing music) and
execution (recording.) It is so stripped down that very little can go wrong."

* "quicker and simpler recording evens the playing field and allows
talented, but tech-impaired artists, a chance at some of the same
opportunities as more established, or better equipped artists."

A total brain dump?

Yes, this book represents a total "brain dump" on my part. Those of you
who know me, may find that a tad humorous I expect.

But be that as it may, haha, I am doing my absolute best to include
everything. I'm putting it all out there, and I imagine I will ruffle a few
feathers. Good.

Why will it bug some people? Because the idea I am putting forward
with this book, at its most basic, is that "anyone can make a good, or
even a great recording." It isn't the domain of some rarified group of
delicate geniuses who are somehow uniqely able to bridge the divide
between man and machine. Please.... spare me.

How do I know I'm right about all this?

Because... you've heard the expression, "the proof is in the pudding"
yes? I AM the pudding. (goo goo ka choo) Yes, the pudding am I. I have
always been a fish out of water ("now he's a fish?") when faced with a
mountain of gear in the studios I've been in.

I'm a songwriter first, so it always bothered me to have barriers
caused by temperamental equipment between me and my songs.
So I tore them down to see if I could create a recording environment
that I could actually enjoy. Guess what?

My recordings sound even better now.

It's early days, but I thought it would be cool if you all watched this
book thing from the beginning.

Here are those links again, as well as the special Twitter page
I created for this project. Forward it, post it, whatever you want.
Just tell folks to sign up and get into the contest.

More updates soon.

Love love,
Oxo

>>>> Sign up at the Owen Critchley Official FACEBOOK Page

>>>> Sign up at OwenCritchley.com - Put "Contest" in Subject title

>>>> Follow this project on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AtHomeRecording