First post. Ballpark opinion requested

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:55 pm

Hello all. I had a whole big post typed up but couldn't get a working file host so here it is. This is a little song I'm workin on and I like the concept so I'd like it to come out enjoyable after its all said and done. I will probably rerecord almost every part over again for the 4th time but thats okay, I'm gonna rearrange it a bit too. I'm using stereo drum loops and a guitar modeller as well as cheap and free stuff all around. I was going to ask for specific critiques but I've had too many beers now and I'm just happy to get a working link. Rip away! Confused

http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/50592/master16.mp3

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:23 pm

It sucks doesn't it? Sad

If it does let me know.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:08 am

Not even a nibble? Sad

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:47 am

No, it doesn't suck. It's clear and clean. The drum loops aren't as good as a good live recording of a good drummer on a good set of drums, but it's probably better than what you'd get if you changed any of the "good"s to "bad."

My basic problem is not the recording, but the song. It doesn't stand on its own as an instrumental. It might work as background noise for a video game, or you could add lyrics to it, but as it is there is nothing that holds my interest.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:05 pm

That host sucks. D/ling at 30KB/sec. Try soundclick.com, that lets you stream stuff, optionally make it available for download. Only limit is 128Kb/sec unless you pay for a pro account.

Thoughts as I listen:
Opening synth is too quiet, even if it starts louder and fades...
The pan near the start should go further left. Comes across as unbalanced.
Seems a little right-sided. Maybe the cymbal is causing that.
Snare is totally wild. Is that a reverb on it? It sounds like the Medic's needle gun in Team Fortress 2.
Nice effects on the guitar.
Around 1:25 it all seems to get out of time.

Besides that, great.

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:13 pm

Codemonkey wrote:

Opening synth is too quiet, even if it starts louder and fades...

Seems a little right-sided. Maybe the cymbal is causing that.

Around 1:25 it all seems to get out of time.

I agree with these comments.

I actually like the snare sound. I hated the annoying stick noise throughout the track.

Not my cup of tea but nice effort.

hope this helps;)

Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:27 pm

I like the sound of the guitars on here. Great tone and a cool melody.

The drums have been covered Smile

.

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:00 pm

I hate to be the contrary one, but I'm not digging the guitar tone. Sounds too digital to me, if you will. You said you were using a "modeler." Is that just like a software amp modeler that you're using with your guitar run straight to line-in? I always prefer a mic'd, analog guitar tone. But that's taste, too.

I did feel like the drums dominated the track, dynamically. I was very often hearing the kick more than the guitar, and for an instrumental, that's not ideal, I think.

There may be something to what someone said about the song not standing on it's own as an instrumental. But hey, depending on how long you've been doing this, that's not too discouraging. You're either off to a good start and just need to learn where the shortcomings are, or if you've been making a lot of tracks like this, you may need to re-evaluate your approach.

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:03 pm

BobRogers wrote:

The drum loops aren't as good as a good live recording of a good drummer on a good set of drums...

Drum loops worked for me for a while but after helping my son record his band, I found a real drummer to be easier to mix into the song with everything else. The loops are what they are and I can't change them much. Bought EZ Drummer. Hope that makes a difference.

Quote:

My basic problem is not the recording, but the song. It doesn't stand on its own as an instrumental. It might work as background noise for a video game, or you could add lyrics to it, but as it is there is nothing that holds my interest.

Mind you this tune is in the works and is a combined effort of building a song and recording it the way it needs to be. Most of the time, a track like this from me would be covered in guitar solos, something I wanted to avoid this time. I'm a Van Halenite by nature but am intrigued by the new styles as well as guitar tones that are out there. Some elements don't gel in practice, most notably the heavily thicker guitar tones while trying to be expressive.

Discrete wrote:

I hate to be the contrary one, but I'm not digging the guitar tone. Sounds too digital to me, if you will. You said you were using a "modeler." Is that just like a software amp modeler that you're using with your guitar run straight to line-in? I always prefer a mic'd, analog guitar tone. But that's taste, too.

No problem. I agree personally about the digitally sound. I use a Digitech Genesis 3 at the moment because it has the most lively sound that I've heard so far and is infinitely customizable. I have tried countless times to mike a good sound but have never ever been happy with the results. Ever. I guess I don't care for that distant, phasy or partial sounding guitar track that I always end up with. Direct is the only way I have found to print the complete tone. Also, after trying a different setup onstage for each show, it was those times that I went straight to the board that people came up to me and complimented my sound. I could see it on their faces, but getting the right sound is hard because the sound of distorted guitar is so subjective and intangible.

Thanks for replying all.

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:10 pm

Just wanted to add that I think the guitar playing and your personal tone are really good. It's just the digital thing that you explained. You obviously have good guitar sense and good note selection, for a lack of a better term. I see where you were going with the tune once you mentioned the Van Halenite thing. Ha!

Keep it going and maybe wax over it real quick with some Halenite lead!

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:23 am

dude get a mesa guitar amp in here, and some vocals, and it will be freaking kicking. i really like the idea, and you have got some great guitar work

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:33 am

brandonlovelace wrote:

dude get a mesa guitar amp in here, and some vocals, and it will be freaking kicking. i really like the idea, and you have got some great guitar work

Is it just me or does anyone else think that amps are outrageously expensive and terribly limited? No matter how much they have controlwise, they are all basically one trick ponies. I did use a Marshall JMP 1 preamp back in the days before modelling came into prominence and it delivered the VH sound quite well, but for all its channels and programmability, it had but one sound.

One other thing that I tend to forget myself. I don't hear as well as I used to. I attribute that to my job, real loud amps and drummers on stage, and family traits. The guy who taught me my trade used to tell me: "I don't understand why they put bass in the music, its the treble thats important". He was deaf much like I am now, and probably for the same reason. These days the first thing I complain about is the excessive bass in music, stereo systems and especially sound systems at all venues. Its also the one thing I have trouble injecting into all my efforts successfully.

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:26 pm

Tonefreak wrote:

[
Is it just me or does anyone else think that amps are outrageously expensive and terribly limited? No matter how much they have controlwise, they are all basically one trick ponies.

Not all and no. Certainly some amps are better suited for certain styles and sounds more than others.

I would say that more guitar players are one trick ponies than amps are. A good guitar player can coax tones and 'ponies' out of just about any amp given their relative ability to control their guitar and playing.

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