The History of An Electronic Christmas Card

This CD is a compilation of traditional Christmas tunes as well as a few my original compositions. Each instrument and percussion part was recorded one track at a time using a variety of synthesizer keyboards, that respond to the way in which they are played. Take Clarinet, for instance. In a trance-like state, I would deeply immagine that I was really playing a Clarinet as I played the touch sensitive keys. (Listen to track #16) You'll notice the feeling and inspiration going into the Clarinet sound. Listen to the string sections and violin parts throughout the CD as well. Percussion, such as Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Snare rolls, Timpani rolls, Hi Hat, Crash Cymbal, Cymbal rolls etc. were all played on the keyboard as well.

Many of you will recall, I produced tracks 3-11 on An Electronic Christmas Card back in 1988. I used only 3 synthesizers to complete the entire project. Then again in 1992, I produced tracks 12-22 for An Electronic Christmas Card 1992. Technology had advanced a bit more and I had added another sound module to the system. The new module added much more realistic percussion and solo instrument sounds to my existing keyboard set-up such as: Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Violin & Cello.

Looking back, I find It hard to believe I recorded each track using only the built in sequencer (MIDI recorder) on one of the keyboards. The timing resolution was so poor, only 24 clock ticks per quarter note resolution as opposed to 960cpq resolution, I now get with the computer! (Kind of like watching the jagged motion of an old movie, compared to smooth motion video we have today.)

As most of you know, I had also taught myself to play the Bagpipes in 1992. Promising God if I ever got a set of pipes, the first tune I would learn would be “Amazing Grace.” I had just finished learning the tune and it took me 3 days to finally be able to play it straight through, without stopping, when I recorded it. Well, Technology has sure come a long way since then. Perhaps some of you have my album, Take To The Field, which I finished production in 1999. The St. Andrews Pipes & Drums of Tampa Bay has been a great blessing to me since I got involved in the band in 1994. The production took almost 4 years, recording the pipe band and orchestrating an entire marching band around it, using the latest technology in keyboard synthesizers as well as a huge pipe organ at the church where we practice weekly. You will hear this same organ on tracks 1 & 2 on this CD. All other organ and instrument parts throughout An Electronic Christmas Card are synthesized.

* original compositions by Michael Lo Bue

**Peace Bells is an origional composition by

Michael Lo Bue & Pat Lundergan

Instruments, Keyboards & Sound Modules used in this recording:

1988
Ensoniq “Mirage,” sampling keyboard
Ensoniq ESQ-1 keyboard synthesizer
Yamaha TX81z FM tone generator expansion module.
(I can't believe I made all this noise on just these 3 instruments!)
1992
Added a Roland U-220 sound module
Oberheim Matrix 6 keyboard synthesizer
Grainger Bagpipes (made in Edinburgh, Scotland)
2001
Casavant/Reuter Pipe Organ, located at
Peace Memorial Presbytarian Church,
Clearwater, Florida
(Click here for photo)

©2001, ©1992, ©1988


Cover photo by Sheryl Lo Bue

Michael's email: digiwave@tampabay.rr.com