Our new album is finally out!
After many months of intense work, the Concerto for Piano and Electric Ensemble is finally completed!! The album will include a bonus DVD with the recording sessions. As I mentioned before, due to the nature of the concerto, we had to do the recordings in a studio that had an appropriate grand acoustic piano. Of course, once you made that decision, it was foolish not to record the drums as well. And then, why not record guitar and bass as well? So one thing led to the other and we decided to record it live in a very nice studio in downtown Madrid. The result was so good, that it deserved a good mastering as well, so we invested much more than was previously anticipated in the production of the album. Things always turn out for the best. We decided to reach to our fans in order to help us finance the manufacturing of the album. I think it is a good way to involve the Kotebel community – it gives a feeling that everyone has been part of the release of the album. We are confident, with your help, that we will be able to manufacture the album in just a few weeks!
Hello, I’m a fan from the U.S. with a few comments – first of all, the band has never sounded better. Listening to the preview, I really like that all 5 players get equally represented in the mix. Even the bass pops out and is able to be treated as an “equal” and not hidden in the background!
Second, I hope that the loudness on this album is not overdone. As I’m sure you know, for digital sound to be louder compromises have to be made on the sound quality. “Omphalos” pushed the limit and had some distortion in places. “Ouroboros” was better in this regard (about 2 decibels quieter) so it seems you are heading in the right direction. I really hope the sound was not compromised just to compete with the market. There are some rock artists that are releasing their albums without compression or limiting – see Steven Wilson’s latest release.
Third, I have pre-ordered the album and can’t wait to get it.
Hello Joe. You definitely have a point. We have been very careful with the mastering of our new album. We wanted maximum dynamic range, and therefore you will note that the loudness of the master is at least 2 dB’s below the standard. You are also correct in saying that (fortunately) many people are going in that direction and are reducing limiter/compressors in order to preserve dynamic range and a more natural sound. I hope you like the production of our new album and look forward to your comments once you have the album in your hands. Thanks!
Concerto for Piano & Electric Ensemble is by far the best cd
I’ve heard so far.Amazing work by Carlos & Adriana Plaza and all the other band members! Nice to see another femal artist in the prog world along with Elisa Montaldo (Il Tempio Delle Clessidre) and Virginia Peraza(Anima Mundi)!!!
Thanks for great music!
Philippe Beaudoin
Le Vieux Mellotron 89.1 CHUO FM Ottawa,Canada
Philippe, apologies for taking so long to approve your comment. I had to filter relevant messages among over 2000 SPAMs and I just couldn’t find the right time to do it. Thanks for posting and I will definitely mention you remarks to Adriana.