[Car Bomb] is a mathcore band from Long Island, NY that was initially formed in 2000. Their debut album, Centralia, was released through Relapse Records on February 6, 2007.
w^w^^w^w is the second album from drummer Elliot Hoffman and Car Bomb. It was recorded and produced on Long Island and in Brooklyn, 2011-2012 by Elliot Hoffman and Greg Kubacki. The record was mastered by Elliot Hoffman and was released on September 25, 2012, by Relapse Records. All music was written and performed by Car Bomb, lyrics were written by Michael Dafferner, and the cover artwork/layout was done by Greg Kubacki.
Additional vocals on “Third Revelation” were performed by Joseph Duplantier of Gojira, who appeared courtesy of Road Runner Records.
Some Questions For Elliot Hofman:
SDM: How long did tracking take and how was it tracked? mics, triggers, both, to tape or all digital?
Elliot: This was one of several tracks laid down that day while tracking w^w^^w^w in 2011. Just Mics>Preamps>IO>Cubase. It was played live with no click while Greg played scratch Guitars.
SDM: What’s it like recording in your own studio, verses another studio?
Elliot: I Love it, There is no pressure, and you’re not on the clock. I like tracking in other studios as well but that’s usually because they have better recording gear. I’m trying to change that one paycheck at a time!
SDM: Has anything changed in your setup since this tracking?
Elliot: Yeah a lot of different gear, particularly on the recording side. Mostly different mics and preamplifiers.
SDM: Your thoughts on sound replacement software? wish it never existed?
Elliot: The technology is awesome! In the end, I did mix in some trigger on the kick during the mixing phase of this session but was able to keep somewhat of a live vibe I feel. Ideally, Mix=Yes, Replace=No.
SDM: What’s your favorite old-school raw drum sound? Which band and album or albums?
Elliot: So many great recordings! It really depends on the genre and decade, Let’s say 60’s / 70’s: Bonzo (Led Zeppelin IV), Lenny White (Romantic Warrior-Return to forever), Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa-Joe’s Garage), Tony Williams(Nefertiti-Miles Davis), Elvin Jones (Love Supreme-John Coltrane).
SDM: One piece of advice to younger kids about to record an album?
Elliot: Don’t beat yourself up and take your time! We’re not drum machines. Vibe and feel is more important than perfection. Just try and rehearse the material as much as possible before tracking and let it rip.
SDM: Do you remember the exact gear you were using during this tracking?
Elliot:
Cymbals: Zildian
13″ K/Z Combo Hats (Main)
12” Special Recording Hats (Left Aux on Cable Hat next to right kik Pedal)
16″ Oriental Trash Hats (Right Aux on Cable Hat next to left kik Pedal)
18″ Oriental Classic China (Left)
15″ K Custom Fast Crash (Left)
19” K Hybrid Crash (Left)
8” A Custom Splash (Center)
12″ A Custom Splash with 8″ LP Ice Bell inverted on top (Center)
22′ K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride
19″ K Hybrid China ( Right )
17″ A Paper Thin Crash ( Right )
Drums: Brady (Jarrah Ply)
(1) 22″ x 16″ Bass drum (Evans EMAD)
8″ x 6″ Rack tom [Evans EC2 Clear(Top) G1 Clear(Bottom)]
10″ x 8″ Rack tom [Evans EC2 Clear(Top) G1 Clear(Bottom)]
12″ x 10″ [Evans EC2 Clear(Top) G1 Clear(Bottom)]
14″ x 12″ [Evans EC2 Clear(Top) G1 Clear(Bottom)]
16″ x 16″ [Evans EC2 Clear(Top) G1 Clear(Bottom)]
14″ x 6.5″ Brady Jarrah Stave Snare
10″ x 5.5″ Yamaha Maple Custom Snare (Aux on Left)
Microphones/Pre’s/IO:
5x Sennheiser 421’s on Rack & Floor Toms
AKG D12e inside Kik
Yamaha Subkick Outside Kik
2x Shure SM57’s (Snare Tops)
2x Shure Beta98’s (Snare Bottoms)
2x Groove Tube GT55’s ( Left & Right Hats)
2x Rode NT1A’s ( Overheads )
2X Trident S100 8×6 Mixers ( Daisy Chained )
2x MOTU HD192 A/D D/A Converters
1x MOTU 2408 MKIII Interface
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