The Spirit Of Alex Lifeson and his
D8B

by Christopher Buttner

Since their
first major album release in 1974, RUSH has established
themselves as the most enduring and interesting of
"progressive" rock acts. Delivering a level of musicality
atypical of the genre, the band remains popular both among
fans and fellow musicians alike. Consisting of drummer Neil
Peart, bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, and guitarist Alex Lifeson,
RUSH is renowned for their complex, if not epic, song
arrangements. Formed in Toronto, Canada, in 1969, to date the
group's recorded legacy includes 16 studio albums and four
multi-disc live albums, as well as four anthology
sets.

Alex Lifson of Rush poses with his
Mackie D8B
digital console.

Induction into a
number of magazines' Halls of Fame throughout the world for Best
Guitarist, Bassist, Keyboardist, Drummer, and Band, attests to
Rush's "musician's musician" status. The band's virtual hero status
in Canada is further borne out by a place on Canada's Walk of Fame
and being the first rock group recipient of the prestigious Order of
Canada medal. Created in 1967 to recognize "significant achievement
in important fields of human endeavor," the trio received that award
as much for their community service—raising over $1 million for food
banks and the United Way—as for their contribution to the arts.
Closing out the century on a high-note, RUSH, by a two-to-one
margin, won the JAM! ShowBiz online poll as Canada's "most important
musicians of all-time."

What's the band been up
to lately? After a three year hiatus, RUSH is anticipating
going back into the studio to record their 17th studio album
in October 2000. (That's right, you heard it here first.) But
most recently, on the "big budget" Hollywood film front, Alex
and Geddy contributed their guitar-layered version of their
country's national anthem for the "South Park: Bigger, Longer
and Uncut" soundtrack. Alex states matter-of-factly, "Geddy
and I recorded 'O Canada' for the South Park soundtrack here in my home studio
standing at attention during the entire recording
process."

Alex Lifeson's home project studio, where 'O, Canada'
was recorded for 'South Park, The Movie. Bigger, Longer and
Uncut.'

Considered the
"scientist" of the band, Alex's extensive home studio has always
centered around a Mackie console that evolved from an analog 32•8 with a 24E
to the fully automated digital Mackie D8B he
purchased in late 1998. "At some point, I was thinking that I might
get another D8B to replace the 24•8 I use for
keyboard returns and have the full 48 DSP returns. It sure would
look cool!"

Alex shares time on the
D8B with his 22 year-old son Adrian. "It's in constant use between
Adrian and I. I have to book time in advance just to mess around
with it," Alex says. "Adrian writes a lot of Electronica; I would
almost call it transient... not really dance music—it's a little
tougher sounding than that. We're actually in the process of putting
some mixes together so we can seek a deal for him."

Discussing the
production process, Alex adds, "The D8B's automation is so friendly
and easy to use. I tend to get relatively complex with the music I
create. Most of what I do is guitar-based, layered with piles upon
piles of guitars that come in and go out all over the place. So to
have the complete automation power of the D8B is a very important
part of putting it all together."

So what was the transition
like going from an analog to digital console? "With analog, you're
mixing on-the-fly and every time you do a mix of the same song it's
always a little different," Alex says. "If you have a very complex
mix things can become difficult. You obviously know where you are
within the limitations of the console since it's all laid out in
front of you. But with the D8B, you're working on four different
levels and you know exactly where you are at any point in the
project. The D8B is very direct, very easy, and very simple for
everything that I use it for—and that includes tracking, overdubs,
and mixing. With the D8B there are no diversionary moves to achieve
a simple goal."

Alex usually has several projects in the
works, all at various states of development. "You can get as complex
as you want developing whatever you're working on especially with
the compression, gain, and EQ—and I use the DSP extensively. Without
total automation there's always a risk of getting so deep in one
project you lose sight of what you're doing on everything else. With
the D8B, no matter how deep I get, I can always just recall an
earlier mix from wherever I am at any point and bring it back every
time—regardless of the complexity of the project."

What about
sound quality? "The sound quality of my D8B is up there with
significantly more expensive consoles. It has a very smooth, natural
sound and is just plain easy to use. I love working on it, and
that's what counts, right?"

All photos by Andrew
MacNaughtan

Articles • Newsflashes
• D8B
Partners • Mackoids • Mackie Products
Blessed Mixings •
Aux Sends •
Aux
Returns • Letterbox •
Reviews
Awards • Tradeshows
• Artist
Relations • Mackie
& EMP • Home

Copyright
©1997-2000 Mackie Designs Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright and other
legal issues.
This website may contain names and trademarks of
Mackie Designs Inc. and other companies.