Ok..so...it's harder than it looks - new respect for producers, engineers, and ya'll

Wife went to Chicago for the week and finally got to spend my first real time recording.
Found a free program called DRUMTRACK a while back and got it working for my current purposes. Some latency and funkiness but it works for straight-ahead beats while I'm gettin' my feet wet.

I posted a clip of a new tune...just the concept.
I Put the Bottle Down (But I put it down empty) (http://soundcloud.com/tapollok)

Here's my question:

I layered 3 rhythm parts, just different levels of gain...does it sound too full to you? Does it need some "air"? I just can't hear it anymore...too close to it now...dynamics will come later when I lay down vocals, harp, and a guitar outro.

My set-up is limited: Couple Tele's...Pod Studio UX-1...Audacity...Free drum-maker.
I even had to play the bass part on a Tele with an octave effect so there are a lot of funky artifacts from that...gonna borrow a bass and lay that down later this week.

I would just like some opinions on the general sound...please don't knock any perceived SRV influence...it's the best I 'got right now.

This really puts the work of engineers and producers in perspective for me...'course I know I'm just talkin' out loud...don't have to tell you all that. :rolleyes:

Thanks,

Tom

Sounds good to my ears.

good start... is there a bassline in there yet?

Franc Robert

good start... is there a bassline in there yet?

Franc Robert

Well, there's a "faux" bassline, but it was played on a Tele with an octave effect to drop it down.

If you're not listening with headphones or speakers with some bottom, you may not hear it.

That's what I mean about my new-found appreciation for recording...
the bass is a little too prominent in MY headphones...and barely there on my crappy computer speakers.

Gonna borrow a bass and lay it down this week.

I've found that it's much easier when you're making the decisions about someone else's stuff.

I know that's not particularly helpful, but it is my experience. There may be those out there who can hear something in their head and translate that into a polished recording. Never quite works that way for me.

Good luck with it - sounds like you're off to a great start!

Cheers,
Geoff

I can hear the fake bass clearly, doesn't seem to cause problems. The rhythm gits are thick, but that's the way you wanted it, right? ... The lead's pretty wet, but you may be you're going for an amp-reverb effect. I'd say it's a good first effort and will improve greatly as you develop it.

well played!

Guitar tone is okay but the guitar seems too compresssed for me, like it is being squashed. Sort of reminds me of it being 2 dimensional, instead of 3 dimensional and alive. Personally, I'd like to hear it much more dynamic. Is that the UX-1 Pod thing doing that or are you adding extra compression? The extra rhythm layers seem to be okay for the fullness.

I thought the pseudo-Tele bass was great! good job!

Seems to be all there, bass included. A real bass will make a difference to that bottom end which means you may make changes to the guitars but all good for now. Great start.

good start... is there a bassline in there yet?

Franc Robert

Franc - that's some awesome slide you got goin' on rawt thare!
Funny you're playing Ka'Tiki...we're staying in Treasure Island from the 28th thru April 3rd...always spend some time with the locals there...sorry we'll miss you. You playing anywhere beachside that week? or, can you recommend a cool place for blues close to Treasure Island?

I can hear the fake bass clearly, doesn't seem to cause problems. The rhythm gits are thick, but that's the way you wanted it, right? ... The lead's pretty wet, but you may be you're going for an amp-reverb effect. I'd say it's a good first effort and will improve greatly as you develop it.

Woodman...does your "wet lead" comment refer to the first or second clip?
No lead in the first, that's why I ask...appreciate the input greatly.

well played!

Guitar tone is okay but the guitar seems too compresssed for me, like it is being squashed. Sort of reminds me of it being 2 dimensional, instead of 3 dimensional and alive. Personally, I'd like to hear it much more dynamic. Is that the UX-1 Pod thing doing that or are you adding extra compression? The extra rhythm layers seem to be okay for the fullness.

I thought the pseudo-Tele bass was great! good job!

64Strat...to both you and woodman - the guitars are compressed in the second clip (Take 1) partly because I haven't yet dialed in the overdrive I'm shooting for, and partly because I can't play the riff without a fair amount of saturation. Yes, I am going for a spacey, delayed effect on the lead...haven't dialed that in either. Thus my title regarding appreciation for the guys on the other side of the board.

In the first clip (I put the bottle down), there are no effects on the guitar, not even reverb....same part played 3 different times with 3 levels of overdrive. It sounds compressed or chorus-like 'cause the timing is out of sync. (due to my inability to strum with even tempo):shock:

Those clips were recorded directly thru Pod Studio..just a noise gate and a model of an AC30.
I'm gonna record some live amps and see if I can get the sound
that way.

Man, this is great....thank you all

Sounds good. Keep workin' it.

A Cold Shot of originality will go a long way too.http://www.thefenderforum.com/forum/images/smilies/hidesbehindsofa.gif

Sounds good. Keep workin' it.

A Cold Shot of originality will go a long way too.http://www.thefenderforum.com/forum/images/smilies/hidesbehindsofa.gif

Couldn't resist could ya :mrgreen:

:grin:

Woodman...does your "wet lead" comment refer to the first or second clip?

I said "lead" when I should have said "fills" ... but you explained it in a subsequent post.

First recording? Say goodbye to life you once knew.

The problem with recording at home is that you can always do it one more time.

First recording? Say goodbye to life you once knew.


Hahaha! That's classic. :lol:

First recording? Say goodbye to life you once knew.

The problem with recording at home is that you can always do it one more time.

I've found that it's much easier when you're making the decisions about someone else's stuff.


Well, I needed somethin' to occupy the four hours a day I don't spend working:shock:

For me, there are a couple things in play:

First, Martin, though a new world has just opened up for me (maybe it will be a wormhole) I have no illusions about my abilities, or unrealistic aspirations.
Second, an architect by training, I now own a company that manufactures architectural cast stone...that monster requires daily care and feeding and my wife holds its leash...I don't feed it...she lets go:mrgreen: I could loose a finger...

Speaking to both your points - Geoff, rare is the creator who easily creates for himself...mainly because you see everything as an option and an opportunity. In architecture, it's the clients' limitations (budget, taste, gravity) that are the great ally of the architect...they reduce options and opportunities and get you to the church on time. In engineering circles, it's known as "freezing the design"...knowing when it's time put the pencil down and send it out the door. I've made a life doing that.

Cheers,

Tom

Forgot to add...as it applies to Geoff's point:

THE EASIEST THING TO BE IS A CRITIC!

I've frequently been on both the giving and receiving ends;

I don't know which requires greater temperance.

knowing when it's time put the pencil down

That instinct will serve you well in recording too!

I went in this morning to fix two bad guitar notes in a rhythm part...Three hours later after experimenting with parallel compression I had "re-eq'd" the drums.

How's this pencil thing work?

That instinct will serve you well in recording too!

I went in this morning to fix two bad guitar notes in a rhythm part...Three hours later after experimenting with parallel compression I had "re-eq'd" the drums.

How's this pencil thing work?


Unfortunately, I believe the "instinct" is to keep wearin' the pencil down.
Puttin' it down and leavin' some lead comes with the experience of necessity.
Deadlines and empty bank accounts provide such necessities:mrgreen:

Unfortunately, I believe the "instinct" is to keep wearin' the pencil down.
Puttin' it down and leavin' some lead comes with the experience of necessity.
Deadlines and empty bank accounts provide such necessities:mrgreen:

I think it was George Massenburg (mighta been Martin though) who said something along the lines of ... there are no finished mixes, only abandoned ones.

Sounds about right!

Cheers,
Geoff

I think it was George Massenburg (mighta been Martin though) who said something along the lines of ... there are no finished mixes, only abandoned ones.


Or to use the old military term, "declare victory and pull out"!

Good term about putting the pencil down. I find this to be my biggest problem listening to any recording of myself.

I just recently got started with Garageband recording and wanted to submit something to the on-line collaboration. The problem is, we are our own worst critics fact came into play. Every time I listened to what I recorded, I could always find something to improve upon. It became a big stumbling block for me and I never got something I felt was worthy of submitting. I hope to overcome this problem....soon!

recently retired attorney friend of mine has an uncanny ability to put the pencil down early.
For a project deadline of 8 weeks, he would be proofed printed and bound in 6...and he is that way with everything...never rubbed off :mrgreen:

I think the problem is the complexity with music creation/recording...they are 2 separate but intertwined arts....more complex than painting, sculpting, etc.

here's a less flattering observation:

I use to think I was brilliantly creative when working in that manic state under a looming deadline.

I now think it's just a heightened state of focus weeding out options and opportunities more quickly. :rolleyes:

Tom,

I'm playing an acoustic show over by the St. Pete Yacht Club in downtown St. Pete (place called the Bayboro Cafe) on April 1st, 12 Noon start... obviously, they've got the right fool for this gig!!! Ringside Cafe on 4th Street is usally good for blues as well, I'd also look up www.suncoastblues.org and check the calendar on there (this is the Suncoast Blues Society website, of which I've been a long time member).

I'm having another listen to it now, with my speakers properly setup in my studio, and I gotta say I can hear the bass fine now, it's not overpowering in the mix... but geez, is this thing compressed!!!! Almost knocked me out of my chair!!! I was listening to a Duke Robillard CD (Guitar Groove-a-Rama) just really digging how nice it sounded on my setup, and this cut just stomped all over it!

Biggest thing I'm finding, time and again, is to (a) record the music cleanly and (b) have good monitors you can trust when you mix... I had just recently bought an old pair of Tannoy PBM 6.5s in really nice shape, and I've been playing familiar music through them to get used to their sound. This will help me when it's time to mix my own stuff, and hopefully, I'll figure out when to put the pencil down... :lol:

Franc Robert

Tom,
but geez, is this thing compressed!!!! Almost knocked me out of my chair!!! I was listening to a Duke Robillard CD (Guitar Groove-a-Rama) just really digging how nice it sounded on my setup, and this cut just stomped all over it!
Franc Robert

Thanks for coming back to this Franc...but, methinks you might assume I know more than I do...I've never heard of Duke Robillard.

Until three weeks ago, I was recording riff ideas on my cell phone across the room from my amp...I laid my guitar down in 1987 and only opened the case a year and a half ago.

I'm at the newbiest newbie stage with recording...I bought a Pod Studio Ux-1, a $30 pair of headphones, and downloaded Audacity and a free drum app. My intention 3 weeks ago was just to be able to lay down some backing tracks and record my guitar playing for the purpose of improving my playing skills...but it seemed like there might be more to be done with this...very limited tools at the moment...proverbial "brain surgery with a butter knife"

I would write more here, but it would bore everyone even more.

I don't understand what you mean by "stomped all over it", but I gather it's not a GOOD thing.

To the point, I can use all the help I can get...not looking to you all to pull me up, I can reach my bootstraps. But I intend to come along quickly and be able to contribute here...that was the point of my first post; just to show what could be done with the Pod Studio in short order...I was unaware of the depth of this group at the time. I've been a TDPRI'r for nearing 2 years...this particular group is the most interesting to me.

...knowing when it's time put the pencil down and send it out the door.
Recording is just like that. I have many times said "that's it" and left a part I'd like to screw around with because the nitpicking was starting to kill the mood of the piece.
I just move on in the knowledge that there is a lot more music to record and I don't have to get every idea into every song.
You are going to love the whole adventure.

You are going to love the whole adventure.

I'll vouch for that! :mrgreen: