Sim Itar:
Subliminal Self

1989

Sim Itar:
Requiem 2000

1993

Sim Itar:
Next

1994

Progtronic:
In The Beginning

2002

Debut project release. Styles ranging from Adult Contemporary to Electronic Dance to Fusion. All with a strong Electronic flavor.

This was an experiment in complete digital production on a computer using only a few music software programs.

Progtronic:
Evolve

2007

Second Progtronic release.

Just as the first release of this project, this album was created entirely on a computer. This time only one piece of music software was used for everything, including the creation of the music and the final mastering.

This album was more focused on Progressive Rock and Fusion styles.

A variety of custom soundbanks were created and used giving this album an edge over the last in terms of quality and choice of instrumentation and sound effects.

Rick's entire sound library was converted for possible use. Sounds and instruments dating as far back as his second SimItar CD.

Many new, convincing, "guitar" patches were programmed and featured throughout this album. More expressive sequencing techniques were explored as well to add a realistic feel to most of the instruments.

Progtronic:
Reason Demo's

2001-present

A collection of demo's using only Propellerheads music software, Reason.

A bit limiting using only the supplied factory soundbanks, but an interesting challenge.

Amaranth:
Emotion

1995

Rick's first, and last, attempt to produce songs for radio. This Smooth Jazz project sold well on mp3.com but never hit national radio.

No Dogs Cry:
Fear of the Dog

1996

Industrial styling's blended with Rick's unique brand of Progressive Electronica.

SPAMCANNON:
Agony

2000

This "Metal" album was actually a compilation of tracks originally created for in-house, game industry, promotional videos.

The client needed some wild, Progressive Metal, styled music.

Rick liked them so much, he gave the collection of work a project name and put them all on this EP.

Rick Richards:
The Best of the Rest

1999

A "Best Of" compilation containing a few popular tracks and many previously unreleased (the rest...) songs.

Rick Richards:
The Early Years Vol. 1

1987

An early collection of Rick's music.

Rick Richards:
The Early Years Vol. 2

1987

Most of the music on these two volumes are 4-track cassette re-recordings of earlier songs.

They were remixed later to DAT (digital audio tape) and enhanced with effects and EQ.

The technology was a step up from Rick's earlier work thanks to the addition of a full hardware midi-studio. This allowed many instruments to be fully sequenced on hardware before ever hitting the 4-track recorder.

Once the sequenced tracks were finished, a stereo mix was recorded straight to the 4-track recorder leaving 2 additional tracks for extra live instruments and effects.

The result was a much cleaner, punchier mix overall.

Rick Richards:
The Day Job

1997

A collection of music designed for industry video, cg animation and interactive software.

The "Loop" tracks have been extended to their original full length and many bonus tracks have been added.

Rick Richards:
Generations Vol. 1

1985

Rick's earliest collection of music.

Rick Richards:
Generations Vol. 2

1985

The tracks on these two volumes were composed and recorded throughout Rick's High School years.

A variety of "affordable" instruments were used including one of the first, fully programmable, MIDI synthesizers (KORG Poly-800), a very early Casiotone keyboard (16 preset instrument sounds and drum beats!) and a toy drum machine (Mattel, Synsonics).

All recorded through the process of overdubbing from one cassette recorder, through a four channel stereo mixer, to another cassette recorder, and back again. Each time adding a new live instrument (and noise) to the mix.

Sometimes the motors in the cassette machines would slow, or speed up causing portions of the song to go slightly out of tune with the previously recorded instruments.

The result was a hissing, humming, out of tune, muddy mix of instrumentation. Ahhh the good ol' days...