Time Machine: 1993 - New Tensions Rising

In 1993 I assembled the tracks of my first album/collection, New Tensions Rising (NTR).  NTR was made entirely with a Tascam 4 track multi-track recorder (424 or 464), that used standard cassette tapes.  As I remember it, I used the 2 stereo tracks to record the accompanying sounds from my Yamaha PSR-500 and the main vocal, using a Radio Shack (Realistic) microphone, while the other two tracks held backup vocals.

These songs were performed at school variety shows and community events.  My favorite of the bunch was Our Love Begins Today, but I don't recall getting the reaction I expected from it, even with two girls dancing (choreographed) on stage.  Maybe rural Iowa wasn't ready for it!

I've hand picked some of my favorite NTR tracks for your streaming pleasure:

Title Track: New Tensions Rising, Copyright 1993 Richard Thomsen

Arms of Love, Copyright 1993 Richard Thomsen
Our Love Begins Today, Copyright 1993 Richard Thomsen

Reflections on Reality Past, Copyright 1993 Richard Thomsen



End of the Road, Copyright 1993 Richard Thomsen


Background Details:
The Yamaha PSR-500 keyboard that generated the sounds for these tracks had a MIDI 5-pattern recorder that allowed me to cook up verse/chorus type parts by simply picking a style and playing chords.  The PSR-500 helped me create a relatively consistent sound for NTR.

I can't remember what I used for the reverb I applied to my vocals.  I went through several effects units: first a Zoom multi-effects unit, then a Digitech multi-effect pedalboard, then a small Sony box that I used for the next 5 years.

I sweetened the recordings with a BBE Sonic Maximizer.  I don't recall what happened to it, but I think these recordings sound pretty good given the equipment I used.  The other thing to keep in mind was that I was a high school student in rural Iowa (population 2000) and do not remember getting any guidance on recording beyond the product manuals.

The labels were printed on the family inket printer, an HP Deskjet 500, using the Microsoft Publisher software.  I remember my father carefully cutting those sticky labels as we prepped them for the cassettes.  I sold NTR for 5 dollars each.   I recall distributing about 100 copies to family and friends, but many of those were freebies.