AniManGaki 2012 Day 1 (Solo)

Yeah I know. It has been like more than 1 month since the event. But better late than none right? This will be my entry about how I felt relating to my solo singing performance + event. So anyway, here's some introduction of the event:

"AniManGaki is abbreviated from the words Anime, Manga and Gaki (Japanese slang for 'brat'). The event name was coined on 30^th of March at 3.00 am via MSN Messenger Chatroom between Yvonne and a crew member. The light bulb lighted eventually because of Yvonne’s nickname for the crew members. You’ve guessed it right; it’s the word 'gaki'."

And so, AniManGaki is a yearly event that aims to bring together "fans and lovers of anime from all walks of life". Apparently this year's theme was High School theme, so there's more cosplayers wearing school uniform themed costume - My band's keyboardist wore school themed stage clothes too~.

 

I know there's more reviews and walkthrough for this event done by other bloggers, but perhaps this review is a little different since it's from a performer's perspective. I'm happy to say that me (Sakurazuka Minori as solo singer) and my band (The CrestFall) was one of the performers for this event ^^.

 

Poster picture for bands and performances at AniManGaki. This was printed in the event booklet as well.

 

Event schedule for stage activities.

 

I was there in the event hall around 7.45am, in order not to be late for the sound check by 8am. Was not too worried about the sound check for my solo performance because it's just playing from my USB/CD. The main concern for sound check was the band, but the members were late, so...anyway this will be talked about in my next entry for bands~.

 

First I went to the ticket counter to get our stage passes, which was printed "Rock Band Superstar"; kinda funny but interesting. I was searching for Pau as she was the one who liase with me through emails regarding stage activities but she was not around (only met her later). After that I was lead by some helpful volunteers to meet Kenneth (the person who was responsible for the stage). He was a very nice person and we went through the sound check for my solo performance very quickly.

 

 

Stage pass.

 

After the sound check I was just hanging around with my band mates, having breakfast, rehearse quietly as many times as we can. P/S: So sorry I couldn't spend much time with some friends hanging around in the event. You all know I can't really enjoy myself before the performance >_<. Was always too focused on my preparation and warmup before stage.

 

My stage outfit this time was pretty simple. It was the first time wearing pants on stage actually. My band dress code was supposed to be semi-formal (which in the end all of us ended up wearing differently haha), and so I decided to keep my outfit simple. For solo performance I just top my white blouse with a punkish rock vest, braid my hair and decorate it with a mini hat (that'll do i guess haha).

 

Solo performance outfit for AniManGaki 2012.

 

Some pictures taken while I'm on stage. Photo credits to  photography and blue diamond photography.

I don't think I've made much mistakes for this performance, except for my final song, which I now learnt that I should not do a really tough song at the end of my performance (when i was fully exhausted). But oh well, it's always learning from mistakes ^^, will continue to do my best in my future performances.

 

OH but i've meet with several friends (Akiko, Sayoko, Nat and Fishie~). This was the first time I get to stay in the event longer after my performance since Akiko was kind enough to give me a ride home after dinner. Met Sacchin(Sayoko) and Nat while I was having breakfast in McD with my band mates, am feeling so sorry because I've forgotten that I was the one holding their entrance ticket. They had to go all the way to find me for the tickets O.O oh gosh so sorry.

 

This time, I get to walked around the event halls with Fishie~ We looked around the doujin stalls and obviously I'm too weak to resist buying stuff. Bought a pack of Kuroko keychains! I decided to get the entire pack which includes 5 generation of miracles + kuroko +kagami + 1 mysterious character; as I really do not have a favourite character in Kuroko no Basket (I absolutely ADORE them all!).

Full characters! Chibis are always so cute~ There's even Kuroko no2 on Kuroko's head ^^.

 

 Guess what's the mysterious character?
Drum rolls....TADAA~

It's Momoi~ I heard from Sacchin and Nat that there's Takao, would have been happier if I've gotten Takao instead.

After buying 2 sets of Kuroko chains (one for my sis), Fishie and I passed by a stall which erm..you can pay like RM1 (something like that I forgot) and pick a piece of fortune for yourself. And this is what I've gotten:

Quite a fun fortune telling hahaha. But I was not wearing blue underwear that day so I'm safe I guess? hahaha... and after that the booth helpers kinda poof some magic on me to increase my luck or something, don't understand but fun either way ^^.
 

Photo with Fishie + Kuroko no2. Wish I could have walked around more with her, and with other friends. Typing this post made me wanna go walk around events properly seeing booths one by one, wonder if I get to go CF, haha.

After the event, Akiko and I had dinner in Sakae sushi, which we had Sukiyaki and some salmon mentaiyaki (may have eaten more but I can't recall). Sukiyaki in sakae was sweeter than the one I used to had in Bdr Puteri, but still lovely all the same. Thanks Akiko for the ride home (and of course the chats and fun)!~

I'll end this post with my solo performance videos; I performed 4 covers on that day, sit back and enjoy~:
1. Hirano Aya - Lost my Music
2. Younha - Houki Boshi
3. Fukuhara Miho - Let it Out
4. Vocaloid GUMI - Setsuna Trip

 

 

A big hug and thanks for all who came and supported my performance, it really means a lot to me. Hope to have more time to hang out with all of you during events. See you guys in next event!

Please visit my FB page for more future updates: http://www.facebook.com/jasmineminori

Studio Recording Offer @ Fastlights Studios

As some of you might know, I was away to Spain and Portugal during the last two weeks of July. It was a very different experience, unlike other parts of UK. Will update about the trip if I have the time.

So, right when I came back from my Spain/Portugal trip, I pretty much rushed through to edit my tracks for Animangaki 2012(AMG) performance; as well as preparing songs to record for my first studio recording experience.

The studio recording deal was an offer I randomly saw at FB – RM50 for 3 Karaoke tracks recording (3 hours) + editing + mixing. It was quite a deal as I think the normal price to record a karaoke track is RM180 with sound engineer and editing. Studio ambience was fine (recording and working room), except that there was no sign board, door locked always and the whole place outside the working room was empty with not much lights, no furniture as well. Plus there’s only one sound engineer there, so it would be better for females to have someone to accompany if you would like to try out this studio ^^.

I have to say the tracks I recorded are only of average quality as I have only 2-3 takes (some small parts maybe more) per song, and there’s a time constraint of 1 hour per song. Perhaps I’m just not used to it as I usually have more than 50 takes per track when I do home studio recording. Editing wise I’ve learnt some stuff thanks to the helpful sound engineer and I believe after more practice I should be able to edit my own tracks better in the future.

To sum it up this recording deal should be suitable for songs that require minimal editing (clear vocals not much effects) and vocalist who can sing perfectly within very few takes (or for those who just wanna have fun recording some songs ^^). If I’m not wrong there should be more recording deals during festive seasons (Christmas, Valentine’s day, Chinese New Year..etc) and I won’t mind trying out for festive songs to have some fun again~

Do check out Fastlights Studios FB for more information regarding studio service and packages:

https://www.facebook.com/fastlightsstudios

Unboxing Samson C01U

I've been wanting to get myself a USB studio condenser microphone for years. And so after surveying, reading all sorts of net reviews and sound samples (and with the help of my friend), I finally found this lovely model to get along with - good quality with reasonable price~

Unboxing and fixing it took some time, and am overall satisfied with the sound recording test. 

 >> Box includes: C01U microphone, USB cable (long enough to stand and sing while attaching it to the computer), tripod desk stand, black pouch (some sort of plastic feel), and also a audio software.

I tried recording some songs partially to test out the recording quality and am so far satisfied ^^. Details are captured well and the tripod desk is more stable than I thought. But I think having a Popfilter is necessary to reduce the "pop" sound. After putting the Popfilter the recording sounds so much cleaner. I wonder if it's the mic or the filter, but there's no background noises (fan, air, etc) so I don't have to worry much about the recording environment.

Wanted to get myself a mic boom but it's already out of my budget, so I decided to purchase the Samson Shockmount first as it's quite a popular product.

Gonna play around my new gadget and hopefully record more song covers~

Kawaii Loli Attack Summer Edition

Yes I know it has been long since the previous update, but fear not, Minori is back from her busy exam schedule!!~~ And will have more time for music now ^^

First of all I would like to promote a international online electronic music event organized by a friend of mine Raev Loli from Italy~

Drum Rolls.....

~Kawaii Loli Attack $uMm&r EdItIoN~
"Kawaii Loli Attack $uMm&r EdItIoN is the 2nd edition of the electronic music event Kawaii Loli Attack, which takes many music genres from lolicore, noise and breakcore to j-core, hardcore and speedcore." (got them from their FB event page)

Date and Time: 21 June 2012 at 8:00am until 24 June 2012 at 9:00pm in UTC+02
Venue: www.RadioAnonOps.com

Here's the event poster and schedule:

As you can see there are many DJs from around the world gathered for this magnificent event. So do listen to your favourite DJ sets today~

*Am involved in recording of some vocal samples for this event so am quite hyper about it ^^*

Enjoy~~~

Blog Reform!

It has been almost a year since I last updated this blog (which is pretty bad) >_<. Since I don't really have the patience to dig out all the stuff that happened for the past year, I decided to give this blog a reform! With brand new blog design which I've cracked my head into doing it. I know it's not difficult but I suck at computer stuff so am really lucky to have friends to help me on the template design part ^^.

Along with the blog reformation, I've finally created my own fan page (!! after so many years), which is related to my music and stage performances. Hope that I can spread my love towards music to more people around the world, and also get to know more people through the page~ And since I'm working more on music for this year, am gonna use this blog and the page to keep a record of my music related works and collaborations.

So, by all means, feel free to check out my new FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/jasmineminori

Stay tuned to more blog updates~