Tim Corpus
Tim Corpus Tim Corpus
Menu Close
Listen

Studio Update 1 – Summer 2022

Back in March I talked about how I was moving to a new space within Chicago that was going to include moving my studio into a new room in my house. Since then, I’ve been working in this new space and it’s been awesome.

The new space is a room that is only 10′ x 13′, but it’s a more isolated space than I had before, so it’s a huge step up. I’m still working out where everything lives, but it takes time to really feel out the space, the air conditioning, and the sound of the room. I still have a bit to adjust, but the best part is not having to pack up my gear at the end of each day.

Acoustic Panels

I built some sound absorption panels for the space and that helped a lot. I’m in a 3-flat, so I have neighbors with kids, so controlling sound was important in this space. The sound panels were really easy to build, and after all the total costs, six panels cost me about $20 each. I used Rockwool Comfortboard which was easy to work with and just cut up some wood for frames.

I also have some foam sound panels up and around the corners to help with bounce in the space. Then I have some additional thicker 24″ x 24″ panels I’m building to help with a few last spots. These panels will remain portable so I can move them into other rooms when I record in other spaces, and also attach them to my door when I’m recording.

Additionally, I have thick 1″ gym matting that goes under a rug pad which is under an area rug. So ya…lots of sound absorption!

New Hardware

I’m doing quite a bit more recording now in this space too (especially with my new cello). So with all this recording, I decided to upgrade my interface from my Komplete Audio 6 to a Focusrite 18i20.

The big reason for this upgrade was leaving a large mixer so that I could just work with an interface. I really needed 6 inputs and this seemed like the best option for the space I have and the inputs I need.

I love having a big mixer around with real faders and EQ knobs to play with. To me, it really enhances the composing and mixing process. However, I have very little space in this room, so sacrifices had to be made. Right now the only “real faders I am using are on my Icon Qcon G2. I’ve been talking with a few friends who are engineers and we have plans in line to make me a custom MIDI controller, but more on that later.

So far this Focusrite interface has been terrific. The pre-amp in it is definitely better than the Komplete Audio 6, but I still am picking up a new pre-amp for my next project. One of my favorite bits about this new interface is the inclusion of alternate speaker outputs. I’m able to A/B test on “crap” speakers vs. my Yamaha’s and also instead of turning down the main volume on the monitors, I can just mute when I move to headphones.

I am most excited that I have space for a lot of the gear to stay out. I’ve run cables along the walls from the interface, so I have inputs for different instruments around the room. This still needs to be cleaned up, but it’s good progress.

One of the biggest surprises was USB ports and lengths. Because I have so many different USB devices, I needed to pick up a new MIDI port which has 7 USB ports and 3 USB charging ports. I have quite a few on the back of my desktop too, so I’m running a lot of stuff. I had to pick up some longer cables as well which I really didn’t expect when I first planned the space.

I’ve spent about four months in this space and so far, so good. I’m excited to see how it cleans up over the next few months/weeks, especially in regards to lighting. I’d love to get some fancy mood lighting in here!

Tim Corpus is a composer with a genuine lyric impulse. He writes music that is at the same time challenging and appealing - which should be the ideal of any composer. He has a wonderful ear for sound and for shape. This is a composer with a real and important voice.

Henry Fogel Retired Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts and CEO/President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

...`{`Three Pieces for Five Timpani`}` is an outstanding addition to the literature for timpani and great for advanced recital programs.

George Frock Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas

Tim Corpus is a wonderfully skilled composer who has important things to say with his music. His debut album, Breath, is extremely impressive. Beautiful and exciting music to be sure!

Larry Alan Smith Composer

Tim Corpus' music is complex, original and steeped in tradition. His Three Pieces for Five Timpani is clearly an extension of the composers, such as Elliott Carter, that came before him. The pieces are challenging but fulfilling to learn and perform. Possibly the most important thing about Tim's timpani writing is that audiences will enjoy listening to his compositions. He is taking solo timpani writing to the next level.

Ed Harrison Timpanist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago

The melodic gestures in Tim Corpus' masterful piece for strings, ``Breath``, are paced so that a listener’s respiration pattern aligns itself instinctively with the slow and even pulse of the piece. Breath creates a powerful performer/listener symbiosis, a remarkable accomplishment on the part of the composer.

Steven Gryc Composer

Tim Corpus’s music is beautifully lyrical, nicely voiced and technically well-realized. In person, he is a pleasure to work with. We very much enjoyed recording his first two string quartets and hope to see more from him in the future.

Jen Leckie Violinist, Grant Street String Quartet

I recently had the pleasure of conducting the premiere of First Flight. It is artfully written, fresh, unique, and best of all – a beautiful piece of music! Tim is a major talent with big things in store for his future. It clearly deserves a permanent place in the repertoire of any serious wind ensemble. I can't wait to program it again!

Stephen Squires Conductor, Chicago College of Performing Arts Wind Ensemble

I have worked with Tim Corpus as a performer, composer and teacher. He brings passion and energy to his craft. He is a young lion who is making his mark on the Chicago music scene.

Kevin Miller Retired Band Director, Schaumburg High School

I've had the pleasure of knowing Tim for years now, and I learned very quickly that his passion and talent as a performer and composer are unquestioned. Everything he does is handled with a rare combination of intensity and care, and his works display such attributes. His lyricism in particular, along with his rich, beautiful harmonies and intricate polyphony set him apart from many of his colleagues. In a world littered with simple, non-intellectual music, Tim is breaking through and creating a new, exciting, accessible, and, most importantly, intelligent style of music that is imperative to the future of our art form.

Matt Bronstein Axiom Brass Quintet

Breath is very professionally produced, and the overall impression is of a lyrical and rhapsodic voice. I think Breath is a great starter, very ample and serene, even ecstatic. The second quartet is lively and engaging throughout.

Dr. Robert Carl Composer
Cart

© 2024 Timothy Corpus.

Share This

Copy Link to Clipboard

Copy