Blake Clifford Music and Lowell Music Conservatory

From the Front:

"Since I handle most of the music performances for the session work and collaboration I take on, I was able to get rid of my mixing board and upgrade to two channels of JDK audio. Those two channels consist of the R20 two-channel microphone preamp, R22 two-channel compressor, and the R24 two-channel 4 band equalizer. I love the rugged military looks of the units, but the sound of the JDK audio units is what really stands out.

"I am currently tracking a guitar solo for an original tune titled 'The Road', written and performed by Eric Ryan Olsen. So far, I recorded some of the tracks using a Shure SM57 microphone positioned directly in front of a Fender Blues Deluxe and a Mojave MA-300 for the room sound. I was able to run each microphone on its own channel using the JDK audio 2-channel audio chain—the R20, R22 and R24. The sound I achieved was smooth and unprocessed. However, the R24 EQ afforded me the opportunity to add some sound-pigment, which I tweaked to get a rootsie-colored tone. These units performed exceedingly higher than what I expected!"

About Blake Clifford and Blake Clifford Music:

Founded in 2008 in St. Joseph, Michigan, Blake Clifford Music has since moved to its current location in Lowell, Indiana. Says owner Blake Clifford, "The studio in Michigan was in a commercial location. However, when we moved down to Lowell, the house we purchased had a terrific room for the studio. It's not large—actually quite cozy with a fireplace." Clifford was working as the Corporate Director of Operations for a company that "experienced significant impact" during the most recent economic crisis. Never one to waste lemons when there's lemonade to be had, Clifford spent his newly freed-up time at home with his family, and "began utilizing the audio and music equipment I had acquired over the years to do session work, writing, recording, and collaborating with some fantastic songwriters and musicians."

Clifford writes and records music in addition to teaching "guitar, singing, piano, drums and bass online and at my studio. I have been a professional musician and teacher for 20 years." Clifford won the Presidential Scholarship in Classical Guitar Performance while studying at the American Conservatory for Music, and a full-ride scholarship in Classical guitar to the Chicago Musical College. He has studied classical, rock and jazz guitar, as well as voice at both institutes. Clifford is currently a doctoral student at the University of New England, where he is studying educational leadership with an emphasis on transformative leadership.

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