Both our PCs were pretty useless at the time. There simply wasn’t enough computer capacity (CPU) in them to run Cubase. They were too slow and the more recorded tracks we added to a song, the worse it got. If we used a reverb insert on a single track, the programme slowed down and broke up, making it impossible to hear what was being played. Because of that, most of the effects we used were guesswork, as we couldn’t hear them. Mixing was a nightmare because of this. We were also unaware that we could export the mixes directly to a file.
Instead, we mixed in real-time, listened to the finished mix, heard things that needed adjustment, and then mixed again. In real-time. Which took forever. I hadn’t learned to use compressors, or even equalizers (EQ). It was many years later that my nephew Ben mentioned the mysterious phrases “low-pass filter” and “high-pass filter” and explained what they were. Oops. But what the hell, it was still fantastic fun despite my massive ignorance.
Most of the album was made using programmed drums. Not because we wanted that, it was simply for practical reasons. We couldn’t record more than two tracks at a time, which in my head made recording live drums not an option. In retrospect, we should have tried that anyway, but I honestly didn’t even think of it. But that’s exactly how drums on pop records were recorded in the 60s, which I found out on the internet when searching for tips on miking up a drum kit! Instead, we used electronic “ddrums” played by Björn Hammarberg on a couple of tracks, but I was not particularly happy with the sound we got.
Niclas Carron also guested again on a couple of songs, coincidentally Rest & Relaxation and Ultra Violet. We persevered despite the difficulties and again it took about a year and a half to complete the album, which we released in 2001 with a nice CD-insert designed by Herbie. Personal favourites from the album are Rest & Relaxation and Herbie’s standout song, Slow Boat to america, the “hit” from the album, and a song we’ve played live several times with Tuckers Lilla Kapell and the Tuckerettes choir. Magic!