The next two weeks were a controlled chaos of construction, deliveries, and wide-eyed anticipation for Alex. True to his word, David Vance moved swiftly. Contractors, vetted by David, descended upon the spare upstairs room. Walls were reinforced, insulation packed in, and acoustic panels – basic, but strategically placed according to diagrams Alex "drew up" (with significant layout suggestions from the [Maestro's Codex] for optimal sound dampening in a home environment) – were installed.
Alex, when not navigating the increasingly surreal landscape of sophomore year, was a constant presence, observing, asking questions, and occasionally offering surprisingly insightful suggestions that made the head contractor, a grizzled man named Sal, raise a curious eyebrow. "Kid knows his stuff," Sal had muttered to David once, who just smiled enigmatically.
Then came the boxes. Glorious, beautiful boxes from pro-audio retailers. The sleek silver casing of the Mac Pro. The iconic box of the Neumann U87. The weighty Yamaha monitors. Alex unpacked each item with a reverence usually reserved for holy relics. This was his arsenal. His orchestra.
Setting up was an intuitive process for him, years of studio experience from his past life flowing back effortlessly. He configured the Mac, installed Pro Tools (the Codex providing a mental checklist of optimal setup parameters for stability in 2015), and calibrated the monitors. The System even subtly highlighted compatibility notes between certain hardware and software versions specific to 2015, preventing frustrating troubleshooting Alex might have otherwise encountered.
His mom, initially a little bewildered by the transformation of a guest room into what looked like a NASA command center, was won over by Alex's sheer, unadulterated joy. She'd bring him snacks and drinks, marveling at the focused intensity he displayed, so different from the somewhat aimless teen he'd seemed to be just weeks before.
David Vance, for his part, observed the burgeoning studio with a shrewd investor's eye. He'd had the room soundproofed more thoroughly than Alex initially requested, seeing it as a long-term asset if Alex's venture truly took off. He also handled the early administrative tasks: registering the business name "Echo Chamber Records LLC" (with himself as the primary director due to Alex's age), opening a dedicated bank account, and consulting with an entertainment lawyer friend about music copyright basics.
"You focus on the music, Alex," David had said. "I'll handle the structural beams for now."
And focus Alex did.
The first song he decided to tackle professionally was "Thinking Out Loud." He knew it inside and out. With the U87 warmed up, its gold diaphragm gleaming, he sang the lead vocal. Hearing his voice, now clearer, richer, captured with such fidelity through the high-end microphone and preamp, was a revelation. The fifteen-year-old vocal cords were still maturing, but the emotion, the phrasing, the nuanced delivery – that was all 25-year-old Alex.
The Codex provided the full original multitrack details for "Thinking Out Loud" as a reference, though Alex didn't aim for an exact carbon copy. He was recreating, not just re-assembling. He played the intricate guitar parts himself, his fingers nimble on his upgraded acoustic (a beautiful Martin D-28 his father had quietly added to the "equipment budget"). For the bass, he initially used a MIDI keyboard and a surprisingly good virtual bass instrument the System recommended as period-accurate for high-quality demos. Drums were meticulously programmed, referencing the original's feel, but with subtle enhancements only a producer would notice.( search ElliotJamesReay thinking out loud short video or from voice kids 2015)
The strings were the trickiest part without a live orchestra. Alex used a combination of high-end sample libraries (the best available in 2015, sourced via the Codex) and his compositional skills to arrange a string section that sounded lush and authentic. He spent days on this, layering violins, violas, cellos, meticulously adjusting velocities and articulations. The Codex would offer suggestions: "Consider a slight detuning in the viola section at bar 32 for emotional swell, consistent with original tracking nuances." It was like having the world's best, most invisible assistant.
Slowly, track by track, layer by layer, "Thinking Out Loud" emerged from the speakers of his Yamaha monitors, no longer a rough demo but a polished, broadcast-ready masterpiece. The warmth, the intimacy, the gentle power – it was all there. It sounded like Ed Sheeran, yes, but it was Alex's voice, Alex's current interpretation. A perfect echo.
He played the final mix for his father first. David sat in the single guest chair in the small studio, listening with closed eyes. When the song faded, he was silent for a good minute.
"Well," David said, his voice slightly hoarse. "If I heard that on the radio, I'd assume it was by a major artist. That's… astonishing, Alex." He looked around the newly christened Echo Chamber Studios. "This investment is already sounding like a very good idea."
Next, his mom. Her reaction was more overtly emotional. Tears welled in her eyes. "Oh, Alex. It's just… so beautiful. It makes me want to dance and cry all at the same time." She hugged him tightly. "You have such a gift, sweetie."
The positive reinforcement was potent. But Alex knew the real test would be the world outside their home.
He immediately dove into "Photograph." The process was faster this time, the workflow more established. He brought the same dedication to its gentle nostalgia, the carefully layered harmonies, the build-up to its heartfelt chorus. He even found a surprising talent for background vocals, the Codex providing him with the original harmony lines and suggesting subtle pitch corrections he could implement.
[ Try cover by José Audisio ]
Within another week, he had professional, mastered versions of both "Thinking Out Loud" and "Photograph." Two diamonds, polished and ready.
Now came the distribution. In 2015, streaming was on the rise but physical sales and radio play were still huge. The System provided data on optimal release strategies for independent artists in this specific year.
[Distribution Recommendation: Hybrid Approach]
Digital: TuneCore / CD Baby for major platforms (iTunes, Amazon Music, early Spotify presence).
Physical (Limited Run): Consider a small pressing of CDs for promotional use and direct sales (enhances perceived legitimacy for radio).
Radio Campaign (Targeted): Focus on Adult Contemporary (AC) and Hot AC stations receptive to new singer-songwriter talent.
Music Video: Highly recommended for YouTube engagement and discoverability. Simple, authentic concept initially.
"Dad," Alex said that evening, presenting his two finished tracks on a memory stick. "They're ready. I think… I think it's time to let people hear them."
David took the memory stick, a weight of responsibility in his hand. "Echo Chamber Records' first release, eh?" A smile played on his lips. "Let's get these copyrighted immediately. Then, we talk about getting them out there."
The silence was officially broken. The first notes from Echo Chamber Records were about to ripple out into this unsuspecting world.
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