Rob Astor

Hello everyone, ***** A few days ago, my quarterly ASCAP statement came in the mail. I learned that three clips of music appeared in two History Channel programs last summer. "Neptune - The Mystic" and "Venus - The Bringer Of Peace" from my AD ASTRA album were in a program called "Fly With Me". "Mercury - The Winged Messenger", also from AD ASTRA, was in something called "Miracle On Ice". ***** Hopefully this is a sign of bigger and better things to come in 2009! ***** Rob

This blog, intended to cover months worth of work, obviously will not include every detail. Suffice it to say, I’m glad 2008 is over and I sure hope 2009 is millions of times better. ***** To put it bluntly, much of 2008 was rotten! Most of the year between March and the end of December was devoted to ironing out computer issues and dealing with my grandma’s health. She had a shunt inserted in her head back in March, to ease the water pressure on the brain. Unfortunately, something else is going on that is affecting her memory, communications, motor skills, and the ability to stay awake. I have to constantly prompt her to do things. The decline really began about three months ago. Before that, she was making great progress at getting back to normal. On December 11th., she broke her right hip. What a few days that was! She came through the surgery really well and she’s presently in rehab at a nursing home for a few more weeks. However, they had to quarantine the place because of the Flu since last week. If any of you know some special prayer I haven’t already tried, please say it for her. I would be so grateful to get her back home and more active. ***** My computer nightmares began in the middle of April. It would freeze up with no warning and sometimes not even come back on. I was told it could a power distribution to or in the hard drive. I was told it could be the power supply or the processor. I made many calls over the period of about a month. It was suggested the RAM went bad. So, I tried that. I got replacement RAM and the computer worked fine, So well, for four months, I had no issue. ***** In that time, you already know, I was able to record another Christmas album, ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS STAR. (Sorry I didn’t get all the details posted.) Then, the issue came back. I switched the RAM again. The trick worked for four days. Well, I took it to the nearest Apple store, over forty minutes away. The guy there was absolutely sure that my power supply went bad. (I thought the power supply was the cord and the plug in the back. Foolish me! There’s a great big battery of sorts that sits on the bottom of a desktop tower that can go screwy.) He said it had happened to him and it was all the same symptoms. So, I trusted him. Guess what? The power supply it was not. It was now a toss up between the processor and the logic board. To fix the logic board, it was going to take around $850. The processor was roughly $400. Reluctantly, I told them to try the processor first. ***** In the meantime, having lost all my faith in Apple’s so called geniuses, I made more calls and found a rebuilt computer, almost identical to the one I had. This one came with a larger hard drive and a dual processor, but, it was basically the same set up. I called Apple and stopped the work order and picked up my heavy piece of stainless steel junk. Then, I went over and got the rebuilt tower for the $800 (it came with a year guarantee, the same thing Apple offers on new computers). ***** After another weekend of frustration getting the system tweaked just right, I then had to go through and reinstall a lot of software, sometimes up to four times. (Complete and utter nonsense!) In fact, I still have residual issues from time to time on that front. ***** 2008 was just really bad. I know that I normally don’t write depressing blogs, but, this last year really took it out of me. It’s time for a lot of good to come my way! ***** And, some of it has begun to happen. I was able to get three CDs released; ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS STAR, AD ASTRA, and YESTERYEAR CLASSICS. I’m doing a collaboration with another really talented artist. I’ve been getting some tracks played on Internet radio and I’ve seen a gradual boost in sales through iTunes. As I write this, I’m setting up a page at Soundtrack.MTV.com. More videos were created during those times when I could get work done. There’s eighteen on YouTube at the minute. Look for some more in the coming weeks. In March, I’m aiming to release BELLATRIX’S MUSIC BOX. So, there’s a lot of good to look forward to in 2009. ***** I’ll try to write blogs more often. You have my word. My wish for all of you is to have a safe and prosperous 2009! ***** See you back here soon! ***** Rob

http://www.soundfuturesdirect.com NEW PROGRESS REPORT COMING SOON!

Another month has come and gone. So many things to report on! ----- First of all, my grandma had the shunt inserted. She’s doing well. Now it’s a matter of watching the process reverse itself so she’s back to as close to normal as possible. It’s been a long and bumpy ride, to be sure. Some days are filled with absolute insanity, while others are so close to normal, you really couldn’t tell the difference. As for what I’ve been doing musically, here comes the rundown. ----- When I last wrote, my work centered around music for the Sonic Remixed 2008 project. “Collision Chaos Past” was finished and sent off. The next track I recorded is a combination of two versions of “Sandopolis”. The first part is the music similar to how it sounds on the Virtual Sonic CD. It’s slow moving with heavy Percussion and has Electric Guitar thrown in. The second half of the track is very much like the music from Sonic & Knuckles. One of the problems plaguing the track was distortion. While arranging and mixing, some of the layers were taken out simply because they really added nothing to the track as a whole. A lot of correction went into the Drums and Cymbals for the same reason. Magically, the distortion issues disappeared. This allowed me to tweak a few Guitar parts and one of the Basses, allowing for a louder level. In the end, the track works great pieced together with an Electric Guitar fade. Unfortunately, unless the project later requires additional tracks, “Sandopolis” will not be on the Sonic Remixed 2008 release. Seems like a lot of work for nothing right? Not really. It’s all in the learning process. ;-) ----- The next Sonic track sequenced was “Volcano Valley”. The beauty of this piece of music is the many layers of instruments. With so many, the creation of a Classical hybrid arrangement became possible. In doing so, the music transforms and transcends. Video game music seems to be lumped into some sort of disposable category for the most part. When anyone can go in and take the music to a whole new level, the depth and creativity not only become more apparent, the true talent of the writers emerges more clearly. ----- For example, switching a Synthesizer to Strings created a Neo-Classical base to launch from. Adding a lowered Guitar part as a layer of Cellos sealed the deal. “Volcano Valley”, in this newly created setting, sounds more like movie soundtrack music while retaining its identity. Look for it later this year on the Sonic Remixed 2008 release. ----- The last track prepared for that album is another incredibly fun piece of music, “Panic Puppet”. It’s wild to begin with. When passing my way, it became five times more so. The ending was restructured to have a pause before launching back into the main part of the music. This effect makes the tune more aggressive. Using Electric Guitars for the main instrument backed by a throbbing Rubber Band Bass sound set the music on fire! It’s my plan to try to create a video around this one in the near future. For several days, searches have been conducted to find good Sonic video clips. If you know of any, feel free to send links. ----- From Sonic back to tidying up loose ends. Some of the leftovers from “Technosaur” went through transformations of their own in preparation for use in the World Record track being created at the Electromagnetic Impulses network site. What happened to the music was a matter of coming up with varying sounds to add texture. So, the same piece was recorded in several ways; Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Cello Pizzicato, Violin Pizzicato, Tremolophone, and Xylophone. Those all sounded the best to me. ----- At this point in time, I once again, foolishly, thought all the music I wanted to create was finished. My sights were turned on setting up a page at SoundSugar.net where I still need to add music. Trouble is, every time I try to upload a track, my browser crashes. MusicForte continued to be my best outlet for physical CD sales. I took a few days to make up another batch of my XENOPHOBIA album to send off to them. ----- By this time, creative urges began nagging me once again. For a few days, I kept hearing “On The Beautiful Blue Danube” in my mind. The urge was for me to record this to fit on AD ASTRA. As I pondered the notion, I realized the urge was so strong because of the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. This music plays in the scene where the space shuttle is docking with a space station above the Earth. ----- As I went off in search of the music, another thought occurred to me. Nothing on AD ASTRA, either by Holst or anyone else, was written for the Moon. Earth’s Moon has a very powerful effect in astrology, leaving an obvious hole for me to fill in some way. Remember, Holst wrote his “Planets Suite” about the astrological meanings attached to the planets. ----- While seeking out the music for “On The Beautiful Blue Danube”, I also went out in search of songs about the Moon. One I had hoped to find was “Fly Me To The Moon”. However, this song didn’t have the right feel. The more I searched, the more frustrated I became until ideas of my own began to bloom. My original composition to plop with the others down alongside of Holst’s “Planets Suite” was named “Luna - Mirror Of The Soul”. The title comes from astrology where the Moon is a reflection of the inner self. ----- As I searched for songs about the Moon, I came across a song written sometime in the 1600s by John Playford entitled “Goddesses”. I thought I’d also give this one a try since its sound and arrangement were very similar to “Hymn To The Sun” and “First Delphic Hymn”. With three more tracks to work on, my recording sessions really weren’t finished after all. ----- With a renewed sense of energy, I dove into the beauty of “On The Beautiful Blue Danube”. The first alteration I made to my version was to create a dreamy Keyboard opening leading into Guitars and Orchestra. Some of the other tricks used included using a Harpsichord in the Horn Section, and an Electric Bass with the Bass Section. This created a wonderful play of Electric to Strings and back throughout while, at the same time, lending power to the underlying waltz rhythm. With rare good fortune, this piece of music came together far more easily than I had expected. ----- Where “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” once again serves as an orbital docking point for AD ASTRA, “Luna - Mirror Of The Soul” combines lower pitched spots to contrast the light and dark and eventually lead into the powerful juggernaut of “Mars - The Bringer Of War”. ----- “Luna” had a few issues for me to work though, the first being Tempo. It changed a few times before I liked the mood. The second was length. The track ran back and forth between light and dark, to the point of too much repetition. The music took a good editing , leaving only the very best parts in. The first idea I had was to close the music on a punctuated note. But, the more artistic side of me won out in the end. The track closes with a sustained fade that sounds like stardust trailing off in the distance. ----- Opening with deep Strings, “Luna” flows into New Age Synth layers and Electric Guitars. The music majestically sweeps along like a ship across the ocean, combining sound textures with atmospheric moods. Much like a full moon, beauty is the order of the day. Several days’ worth of work went into getting just the right sound and keeping the track on level with Holst’s music. ----- The last planned track at this point in time was the John Playford composition “Goddesses”. For the sake of length, I rearranged the structure slightly. Only one problem part came up. Part of the Percussion reminded me of the sound of clopping horses. Removing that part worked really well because the music sounded better there with Acoustic Guitar and Flute. Once again, I had reached the end of my recording sessions. ----- For those of you keeping track, here’s the new final track listing for AD ASTRA: ----- Disc 1----- Tiamat (by Rob Astor)----- The Planet Krypton (by John Williams)----- Hymn To The Sun (by Mesomedes, c.130 A.D.)----- Mercury - The Winged Messenger (by Gustov Holst)----- Venus - The Bringer Of Peace (by Gustov Holst)----- Transit Of Venus (by John Philip Sousa)----- First Delphic Hymn (from 130 B.C.)----- Goddesses (by John Playford)----- Earth - The Home Planet (by Rob Astor)----- On The Beautiful Blue Danube (by Johann Strauss)----- Luna - Mirror Of The Soul (by Rob Astor)----- Mars - The Bringer Of War (by Gustov Holst)----- The Asteroid Field (by John Williams)----- Disc 2----- Jupiter - The Bringer Of Jollity (by Gustov Holst)----- Galilean Satellites (by Rob Astor)----- Saturn - The Bringer Of Old Age (by Gustov Holst)----- Uranus - The Magician (by Gustov Holst)----- Oberon Undoes The Spells (by Mendolssohn)----- Neptune - The Mystic (by Gustov Holst)----- Pluto - Bringer Of Change (by Rob Astor)----- Hydra (by Rob Astor)----- Eris - Bringer Of Discord (by Rob Astor)----- Sedna - Inuit Mother (by Rob Astor)----- Nibiru - Planet Of The Crossing (by Rob Astor)----- Orpheus In The Underworld (by Jacques Offenbach)----- The rest of what I have to tell you is all about the busy work. ;-) You MySpace readers probably saw that I put six new tracks up in my MySpace player. Be sure to leave your comments! The rest of this past week, I’ve been working on getting the rights to legally release cover material. It’s an involved process, and it entails some expense. But, I think it will all be well worth the effort when I can release some of my favorite music, made over in my musical image. I just know you’re going to love it as much as I do! ----- We’ve reach the end of another blog. Funny how a month’s worth of time can be summed up in a few pages of text. I’ve been really discouraged lately with my grandma’s health and this grind to try and get things on the right track to release cover music this year. If you can find it within your means to send some good vibes my way, I’d really appreciate it. I’ll try to post another blog soon. Until then, I hope the world is treating you far better than it treats me. :-) ----- Rob