FAQ

• What do Mixing and Mastering Mean?

  Writing and recording a song is only half of the production process of music. After the recording is complete, a Mixing Engineer balances all of the song's recorded tracks into two-channel stereo sound. A Mastering Engineer then processes the mixed audio into a final, high-quality product. Without these processes the audio can sound muddy, distorted, and unbalanced.

  Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney's Mastering Engineer, Matt Forger, stated, "Mastering is part science, part craft, and part alchemy," he says, "just like songwriting, singing, performing and recording." Both mixing and mastering require highly trained listeners and specialized equipment.

  Since Small Dream Ada features such a lush array of carefully recorded instruments - from a classical brass quintet to a vibraphone played by spoons - their project cannot be completed without the special care of a Mixer and Masterer.

  Last updated: Sunday Jun 5, 9:42am EDT
• What is a Chapbook?

  A chapbook is a small (less than 40 page) book. The chapbook originated from Early Modern England and was distributed by Chapmen - or book traders. The chapbook originally featured folkloric content - ballads or popular tales.

  The Limited Edition, 'Golden Propeller' Chapbook will be approximately 8 pages, hand sewn binding, with a card stock cover.

  Last updated: Sunday Jun 5, 9:28am EDT
• What is Indie Chamber?

  Small Dream Ada is a hybrid of musical influences - from indie rock, jazz, folk, and chamber music. Their self-imposed titled, 'Indie Chamber,' is meant to represent that amalgam.

  Tyler Gilmore and Alaina Ferris both received formal music educations. In the vein of their University and Conservatory lineage, Small Dream Ada writes Chamber Music - music performed by a small ensemble, intended for an intimate space, with the aim of presenting new art.

  The term, 'Indie,' comes from 'Indie-Rock' or rock music produced independently by the musicians without the budget or influence of a major label. You can hear rock overtones in Small Dream Ada's music via their heavy use of the drum-kit, percussive sounds, and electronic effects.

  Last updated: Wednesday Jun 8, 8:51pm EDT
• What kind of typerwriter is in the Video?

  A Smith-Corona , Classic 12.

  Last updated: Sunday Jun 5, 10:02am EDT
• The song says it's 'acoustic,' but I hear electronic sounds. What are those?

  In the Music Video Clip, we said, 'an acoustic version' with tongue in cheek. In truth, the Music Video Version of the 'Stalk of Grain' is just a simplified, living-room-recorded version. We chose to rerecord the song this way so that it would match Steven Harrington's Music video concept - which was shot in Alaina's studio in Brooklyn with only available lighting, props and equipment.

  The Music Video Version of the song is mostly acoustic. We recorded an upright piano with a single Rode K2 microphone, also in Alaina's studio. The voice was recorded on the same microphone.

  The electronic sound at the beginning of the song is a looped sample of a vibraphone recording from the full-length version of 'Stalk of Grain.'

  The effects (delay and distortion) on Alaina's voice throughout the song are, admittedly, not acoustic.

  Last updated: Sunday Jun 5, 10:21am EDT