Welcome to ProfJeff.com
An Electronic Music Composer,
Professor of music technology & the recording arts,
Story Writer, Published Poet, Conceptual Artist, & Guest Lecturer
In Studio
In The Beginning
In the Spring of 2003, Prof Keith Hatschek and I co-taught MMGT96 Sound Recording Fundamentals. At that time the Owen Hall recording studio was just a dream. The class lecture was given in Buck 123 with hands-on studio lab-learning in the Conservatory’s small recital hall. With a couple of Shore microphones, a 12-channel Mackie mixer connected to a TASCAM, cassette recorder and CD burner, we setup our gear in the recital hall lobby. Running cables from the lobby to our mics on the stage, MMGT96 students recorded conservatory student performers.
Buck 123 - MMGT96 Classroom
Small Recital Hall Lobby
As a conclusion to the semester, Keith Hatschek arrange for a recording session at Paradise Studios in Sacramento California. For one full day, all the MMGT 96 students were given the experience of working in a professional recording studio environment. This would be the first of the Rock Labs. Megan Slankard, an Indy rocker and singer songwriter from San Francisco was contacted by Prof Hatschek to bring in her band to work with our MMGT96 students. “Riley” was the song recorded.
Full disclosure, the B3 organ track was written, performed and recorded at a later date by me, along with mixing and mastering.
The Rock Lab
Throughout my 17 years (2008 to 2025) working as manager and recording arts instructor for the Owen Hall recording studios, I’ve had the honor and privilege of teaching and working with students interested in recording studio production. For the most part, the students were enrolled in Sound Recording Fundamentals, a course that offered computer lab lecture learning Pro Tools, while receiving hands-on studio experience. Under my production guidance, students recorded basic tracks, overdub rhythm and lead instruments, recorded vocal parts, and mixed the completed song. Each song was recorded at the end of the semester as part of the final studio lab, known as the Rock Lab. The rock lab was held on the last weekend of the semester. An 8-hour, all day recording session was scheduled and within that time period, an original song was tracked with student mixes required as the final assignment.
Owen Hall Recordign Stduio R207 - 2008 to 2023
Owen Hall Recording Studio R207 -2024
Owen Hall Sound Studio R203 -2024
Here you can listen to a few of the rock lab songs the students recorded. Note how each song has a unique sonic signature, demonstrating the difference between each student production team. Keep in mind, none of the students nor the artists were professionals. In most cases, recording sessions were a first time experience and purely academic for both the students and artist. The purpose of the rock lab was not to produce a hit single but rather learn how to record and produce a song in a recording studio environment. Full disclosure, as mixing a song Is an extremely complex and experienced-dependent process, the songs below were mixed by me, ProfJeff.
Please note: To the best of my knowledge, these Owen Studio tracks were never publicly released and are not for distribution.
What You Got – Avon Union
This song was recorded in May, of 2008, and was the first Rock Lab to be recorded in the new Owen Hall recording studio as part of Sound Recording Fundamentals.
Guitar Man – The Cossta Brothers
This song was recorded in May 2011, and featured brother musicians who performed all the tracks in the song.
Young At Heart – Unknown Artist
This song was recorded in May of 2013. The unknown artist and the band were well prepared for the recording studio session. This song could easily be the outro song for a Netflix love story.
Take My Sole – Kyle
This song was recorded in May 2014. The recording session was unique as the drummer has to unexpectedly leave before recording the basic tracks. When he came back 4-hours later, the entire song was tracked in the remaining studio time.
Say Goodbye – Brandon Passion
This song was recorded in April 2016. The recording session was last minute as the team was unable to find an artist. Playing in the Layer Friday night, Brandon agreed to be the lab performer. On Brandon's track, he played guitar, bass, piano, and sang all vocals. A studio guitar player was brought in for the arpeggio and solo.
Break me Down – Melv Swenson
This song was recorded in May of 2017. Anything can happen in a recording session. Guitar strings may break, bass speakers may blow, and even a vocalist can have a bad day. However, if you’re in the right place at the right time, you may find a vocal opportunity.
Light and Dark – Peter Hackett & Zach Silver
This song was recorded in Dec. of 2023 and was performed by two local Stockton musicians. Peter Hackett is a producer and songwriter, and Zach Silver vocalist. The song was inspired by the COVID19 lockdown.
Disappear – Alex
This song was recorded May of 2024. This rather fatalistic song is in the style of contemporary Christian rock. Unfortunately, it offers no solution, only warning to the crisis we face as a species.(Synth parts by ProfJeff)