FAQ
What is The Simple Carnival?
The Simple Carnival is a "band" (more like an ongoing studio recording project) led by Pittsburgh singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jeff Boller. That's me over there on the right.
Up until the current project, Smitten 3D, I played all of the instruments and sang all the parts on The Simple Carnival's recordings. I'm still playing most of the instruments, but I've been incorporating other musicians into the mix as well.
What is Smitten 3D?
Smitten 3D is The Simple Carnival's second full length album. However, instead of being an audio CD or an album meant to be heard without images, it will be a 40-minute animated movie... in stereoscopic 3D!
Yes, that means you'll need to wear those funny glasses. And you'll see/hear near-complete versions of the videos on this site as they are made.
Imagine a low budget Yellow Submarine in 3D, and you're halfway there.
Why a 3D animated movie?
Why not?
Who's making Smitten 3D?
Primarily me. However, there are other folks contributing things as well. This list will get bigger as more of the project is completed and put online:
- Chris Belin - Drums, timbale
- Missy Kulik - Cartoon artwork for the web site and packaging
How will Smitten 3D be released?
Right now the aim is a 3D blu-ray release. An anaglyph (red/cyan glasses) DVD release will be considered if there's enough interest. Smitten 3D is being created with theater projection in mind, so there could be showings on the indie film circuit -- we'll see. But whatever format(s) it ends up in, there are no plans to release the music on CD.
Why no CD release?
CDs might not be dead, but they sure smell funny.
What about digital downloads?
Yes, there will indeed be digital music downloads, the first two of which are available now!
There won't be Smitten 3D audio downloads on iTunes or any other services until the complete project is done (sometime in 2013, perhaps?).
Is there a plot to Smitten 3D?
There's several themes that weave through the songs and visuals, and there are videos which have self-contained stories, but there's as much overall "plot" to Smitten 3D as there is to Fantasia -- which is to say, none.
When will Smitten 3D be complete?
Maybe 2013, though it's very likely to be later.
Can you hurry it up?
Absolutely. Just send me a lot of money so I can offload some of my real life responsibilities for a while.
How can I be notified when a new video is posted?
The best ways are to follow The Simple Carnival on Facebook or Twitter. Or, sign up for The Simple Carnival's mailing list.
How are you making Smitten 3D?
I'm using a combination of hand-drawn and computer animation. Some of the hand-drawn artwork is rotoscoped (traced) onto paper from video footage that I've shot. I'm going through a lot of paper and black Sharpies.
Software-wise, it's Anime Studio for computer animation, Paint Shop Pro for 2D graphics, Sony Vegas Movie Studio for video editing, and some custom software that I wrote to facilitate the 3D workflow.
What kind of 3D glasses do I need?
You'll need red/cyan 3D glasses, with the red filter over your left eye. The 3D glasses with gray filters from your local movie theater will not work with the videos on this site.
There are plenty of places online where you can find these glasses.
Are the songs written?
All of the songs are written. Most of it is recorded. The remaining parts are being recorded simultaneously with working on the movie.
Are you going to post demos of the new songs?
No, but the final DVD/Blu-ray/whatever will contain bonus material like demos and animated storyboards.
3D gives me a headache. Are you going to release a 2D version of the movie?
Yes, on the final blu-ray. You can switch to a 2D version for some of the videos on YouTube.
Are you really performing all the parts on these songs?
Prior to Smitten 3D, yes. On Smitten 3D, please see the ever-evolving credit list for who's doing what.
What else has The Simple Carnival done?
If you like what you hear in the Smitten 3D project, check out the 2008 debut album Girls Aliens Food. It received rave reviews and made a number of critics' "Best of 2008" lists.
Earlier in 2008, the Me and My Arrow EP was released. It consists of three slightly edited tracks from the then-forthcoming Girls Aliens Food album, plus the title track -- a cover of the Harry Nilsson classic.
Beyond that is 2006's Sonic Rescue League Vol. 1, an odds-and-ends EP of early Simple Carnival recordings, and 2005's Menlo Park EP, a just plain odd EP with hardly any singing at all.
Does The Simple Carnival play live?
No. Maybe one day, if it makes financial sense to do so.
Where does The Simple Carnival record?
In my basement.
Do you want to collaborate on my music project?
Unless you're a good friend, probably not. I barely have time for this project, and I can't imagine taking on something in addition to Smitten 3D.
Are you really playing all the instruments and singing all of the vocal parts?
Other than these exceptions, yes. Every note you hear on The Simple Carnival's recordings is the result of me repeatedly overdubbing myself. Most modern production touches (samplers, loops, drum machines, AutoTune, harmony processors, etc.) are avoided or not used at all.
While I'm not opposed to modern technology (I use a computer for recording and mixing), I tend to stick to only the recording techniques that were possible before 1980.
With a few exceptions, it's all "real" instruments recorded and layered one part at a time.
What instruments are used in The Simple Carnival's recordings?
This is not a complete list. Upright tack piano, spinet tack piano, Hammond organ, Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, congas, flute, a homemade marimba, clarinet, violin, cello, Electro-Theremin, glockenspiel, ARP Omni, Sequential Circuits MAX, circuit-bent toys, hacked up cassette players, various percussion doodads, lots of homemade gadgets, thrift store finds, and dollar store toys.
What gear do you use to record?
This is not a complete list.
Currently: Neve 1272s, LA-2A, UREI 1176s, Neumann U87, AKG 451s, Shure SM57, AKG D112, MD421s, LYNX-TWO sound card, Reaper, reel-to-reel tape decks, Soundcraft Spirit E8 mixer, Dunlop Cry Baby, MXR Phase 90, custom-built sample and hold/autofilter, T.C. Electronic M300, Lexicon MPX 110.
VST plug-ins include: Sonalksis SV-315Mk2 Compressor, Sonalksis SV-517Mk2 EQ, Voxengo Elephant, Kjaerhus Audio Classic Chorus, Cockos ReaComp, Cockos ReaGate, Christian Knufinke's SIR.
For everything prior to Smitten 3D: Digidesign Digi 001 audio interface, Pro Tools 5.3.1, RNC 1773 compressor, Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum bass preamp, R0de NTK, AKG C535 EB, EV PL77A, EV N/D 2578, Studio Projects B-1, MXL 990, The Sound Professionals stereo mic.
What is Songs and Sonics?
Songs and Sonics is my blog on songwriting and music production.
How can I contact you?
You can reach me (Jeff Boller) at jeff@simplecarnival.com.
