The recording bug has bitten me again
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Posted on Jan 18, 2008 02:41 pm
Tadpui
I am not a crook's head
Member Since: Mar 14, 2003
I hardly believe it myself, but I'm finally itching to record some of my material again. I've recorded a grand total of maybe 3 songs in the past couple of years. It's time to get focused, get motivated, and get to work.
I've got about 11 songs with lyrics written for my long-overdue concept album that I've been accumulating for about 3 years now. I've just been reluctant to actually record it because of a few main things that seem to get in my way of completing projects:
- drums. I HATE step-sequencing drums! To get fake drums to sound convincing takes so much effort, especially when doing it in a grid editor. But I've learned a lot since my first attempts and I think I can do it. But it's going to be hard with the tools I have (no MIDI controller)
- bass. I totally ****** up the truss rod on my SX bass so now its stuck with so much bow in it that its nearly impossible to fret notes cleanly anywhere above the 7th fret. So each bass line takes a LOT of rehearsal to be able to fret every note cleanly.
- vocals. I don't practice singing often enough so my sense of pitch is lacking. Anybody who's listened to my stuff before would readily agree :) Each vocal line takes a lot of rehearsal and usually 10+ takes if I have the patience. Usually I dont so that's why my vocals are so out of tune all the time.
Plus I want the album to really sound like a rock opera, so I'm going to need to come up with interesting transitions from song to song, and probably need to have some repeating motifs to tie the album together. I've never done anything like this before.
I've been wanting to do this for years now, and I feel like I have the material, the resources and the know-how. But all of my projects so far have been singles basically. I've never tried to track an entire album before. I have to admit that I'm kind of intimidated by the notion.
Any advice or words of wisdom to get me off my *** and into the studio with enough gusto to actually complete 11 songs?
Do I track them all 1 by 1, then mix them all 1 by 1, then premaster them all?
How do you fellas tackle large projects?
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BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 18, 2008 02:54 pm Quote:
How do you fellas tackle large projects?
I prefer to work on one or two songs (maybe 3) and take them all the way from beginning to end. It feels like I've accomplished something. I would never be able to work on ..say drums for 11 songs at once. It would seem like an overwhelming task.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 18, 2008 03:20 pm Quote:
Any advice or words of wisdom to get me off my *** and into the studio with enough gusto to actually complete 11 songs?
I'll give you a dollar when you're done. Maybe two if it's good =).
I tracked, mixed, (i won't say mastered) and finished a guy's acoustic-type album over the summer (6 weeks). I think tracking all parts first keeps you in the flow. Like set up times for tracking, and try to get a bunch of the parts in a time frame.
I don't think I could track one song, then mix, pre-master, then go back and start tracking for the next one.
I think I much rather get all the tracking done as a first phase.
also, if you track at different times, the tracks may sound different, from 1 month to the next, after mixing/premastering.
eh, what do i know. the finished product was kinda lacking, so i guess take my advice with a grain of salt =).
Good advice: give yourself enough time to mix / pre-master.
Sounds like you need a producer-buddy to keep you motivated.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 18, 2008 03:30 pm Quote:
Sounds like you need a producer-buddy to keep you motivated
That's exactly what I need!
And I think I agree with you, to just get all of the tracking out of the way in an effort to keep the flow going. I tend to get bogged down in the little techie details of mixing and adding effects. I think that leaving that part out of it at first will help me get more accomplished.
But I like your idea too BH, about taking smaller bites, so to speak. That could make a daunting task seem a bit more down to earth.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jan 18, 2008 03:48 pm Congratulations on getting bitten.
As far as your concerns...(just some words of encouragement here).
1.) Drums. Splurge on a real-time drum program like Drumstix or Groove Agent. Step sequencing is a pain is the rear - especially without a MIDI controller. I'll get Groove Agent running on a beat, and track the guitars etc. Then I go back later and add the fills etc.
You'll thank me for it later...
2.) Bass. Guitars can go widdly widdly, the bass is the anchor and doesn't have to. You can do it all under the fifth fret...Dusty Hill from ZZTop has a forty year career of never wandering off the first three. Solid as an ox.
3.) Vocals. Just keep practicing. Record a rough take, and then you'll see where your pitch problems are.... It's all to do with comfort levels. I'm far more comfortable singing than I was a year ago, and a millions times more comfortable than where I was two years ago. Just give yourself a break. You don't have to be the best singer in the world if you "sell the song." It's all about feel, not talent.
4.) Transitions. Have a little listen to "The Completion Backwards Principle" and "Remote Control" from The Tubes (they've got the whole Rock Opera/Concept Album/Theatrical thing down). Both the albums mentioned have little tag lines that repeat that keep the feel of the album in familiar waters. Alternatively, try a spoken word segue. You don't have to make it "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" (Small Faces with Professor Stanley Unwin doing the narration "Are we all sitty two square comftybold on our botty?"), or "War Of The Worlds" but just a line or two might help. Just an idea.
5.) Working. Don't get overwhelmed by trying to get the whole thing finished. I usually will just work on a song and leave it at various stages of completion. Then, when I have some time I'll sit and listen to one or more and just tweak levels and such. Do this a few times and you'll, say, get bugged by a bass part so you know you'll have to re-record it. That kind of thing. Before you know it you'll have 11 songs tracked in various stages. The more 'tweaking' sessions you have the closer you get to the finished article.
Good luck with this one.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jan 18, 2008 05:19 pm Nice post TC. Makes me inspired =).
Tad, I think of larger projects like filming movies. They shoot all the shots before anyone really does any editing. Get all the raw footage, then go back and make it shine.
On a drummer note, I looked into EZdrummer a bit ago, and it looks really easy, and full of useful sounds.
I've also looked at jamstix2, and was pretty impressed with that too.
Not that I'm knocking TC's ideas, but I just looked at those recently, and figured I'd chime in as well.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 18, 2008 05:28 pm Great post TC. Hey, just to add to the concept album thing... we did one a couple of years ago. I enjoyed doing it a lot. One inspiration came from Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime. Of course PF's The Wall and The Who's Quadraphenia all played a part as well. Remote Control by The Tubes rocks! Actually funny story... they have a song called Turn Me On on that album and back in the day when it came out, tv's were remote controlable by using high pitched frequencies (no IR back then). They integrated some tones into the song. When I first got the album of course I turned it up....well the tv turned on and started changing channels etc... had a great laugh over that one.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 18, 2008 06:04 pm Hey thanks for the input TC. I'll definitely check into those drum apps and the Tubes.
My inspiration for this (somewhat loosely organized) concept album was largely from The Moon & Antarctica by Modest Mouse, Good Morning Spider by Sparklehorse and OK Computer by Radiohead. I was listening to those albums a lot when I wrote this material.
I have a 3-day weekend this weekend so I think I'm going to try to get started on a few simple scratch drum tracks so I can at least get started on a few songs. I'll see where I'm at come Tuesday morning!
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Jan 18, 2008 06:30 pm Drumstix = Jamstix
TC = CRS (Can't remember sh**)
The Tubes are one of my all time favourite bands. I'd never heard of the high frequency control thing. That's great!
If anyone gets the chance to see them please take a chance. They are so good.
Prairie Prince is a fantastic drummer and Fee Waybill has an amazing voice (plus Quay Lewd is back from 'the dead').
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 18, 2008 11:36 pm Tad, I'm the same on bigger project. Lay the smack down and just get it tracked without messing about. Re-tracking is right then and there if it is an obvious boo boo. But most times it isn't an issue.
But in all honesty, I drink heavily the night before. Then get up feeling like crap and come in here and lock the door. Everyone leaves me alone and I just truck straight through.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 19, 2008 01:03 am Awesome Noize, that means that I'm 1/2 way there already since I've had a few beers tonight :)
I got a scratch track done tonight for a song. it has a tempo change in it (that I just found out about tonight, never played it to a metronome before hahaha). So I'm sure that's going to complicate things with Fruity Loops.
But hey the initial setup of a project is always one of the most offputting things for me so I think I might just power through and get the tempo and final arrangements down for all the songs first off.
I'm pretty sure that's going to be the best way. Get it out of the way up front so that the rest of the process will be much more fun. It'll be much easier to move from song to song so I can jump around if I get bored or frustrated with a song too.
*gulp* I sure hope I stick with this, I really want to see these songs materialize at long last!
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 19, 2008 05:26 am I'm looking forward to hearing the album, so you better quit talking about it and get in there and get to work! :)
I agree being able to jump from song to song will keep it interesting and you'll be more likely to get them all done, 11 in a row is a big project!
Dan
Jan 19, 2008 12:35 pm I would suggest audio loops for drums using Acid Express (Free) to create the track. Absolutely the easiest and least stressful way to do it. Jamstix and Groove Agent are promoted as easy to use but they are far from it. You can get a track out of them easily but getting a good track is just as hard as any other route.
Izzy Dutch'The Flying Dutchman'Member
Since: Jan 11, 2006
Jan 19, 2008 12:57 pm Quote:
How do you fellas tackle large projects?
_____________________
As soon as I have around 12-14 songs demoed I'll record them for real in just a few sessions. I'll start on a afternoon by tracking rhythm guitars of all the songs, then another afternoon the other rhythm guitars, then bass, then solos and then vocals. In four days I've recorded all of the music.
This way when I have a good sound going on it's on all songs. Gotta find that good sound first though :p Also when mixing I pretty much just have to mix one song and I can use the settings on all the others. I don't like to record songs one by one cause it's not worth the effort setting all the gear up etc. cause I usually record in 1 or 2 takes. Also when doing 12 or more songs in one afternoon it's a lot of fun and prevents overkill recording of one song for me, this way it's fresh and fun hopping from one to another song.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 19, 2008 02:54 pm Funny this just got me a little tweaked again.
I've got about 30 gigs of SparQ cartridges, much like Iomega's 1 gig cartridge drive that are full of idea's and half started projects. I finally found drivers that will work in XP and have been just slacking as far as getting them hooked up and transfered to the PC HD.
Your ambition might just put a bug under my hat and make me hook it up and dig those old projects out to open up some new old idea's.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jan 19, 2008 10:00 pm to get your vox back up to scratch try, if its available to you, doing some full band rehearsals where you can belt it out a bit, so when it comes time to record you dont feel like you gotta hold back, by that i mean, it gets you openening up and feeling comfortable with each song.
If you dont have a band on hand, just cranky up the stereo and run through some stuff, maybe "your" album songs pre vocal. Man its always worked for me.
For drums, dunno if your into loops, but there is a site called "Beta Monkey drum loops" that wich is awsome and has lots of different styles. they have files with rolls, fills, and separate single drum hits and cymbal hits set up for hell easy cut n pasting.
i even cut up loops n make my own.
Jan 20, 2008 12:58 am [quote]I HATE step-sequencing drums! To get fake drums to sound convincing takes so much effort...
I totally ****** up the truss rod on my SX bass so now its stuck with so much bow in it that its nearly impossible to fret notes cleanly anywhere above the 7th fret...
I don't practice singing often enough so my sense of pitch is lacking. Anybody who's listened to my stuff before would readily agree...
Any advice or words of wisdom to get me off my *** and into the studio with enough gusto to actually complete 11 songs?[/quote]
Quit acting like Herb by citing all of the reasons why you can't do it, and focus on how you can.
Good luck!!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 20, 2008 07:26 pm Hey thanks for all of the encouragement guys. And thanks for all of the suggestions as well. You all are such a great resource for this stay-at-home-musician :)
I've got 7 or 8 scratch tracks done now. Makin' progress!
I may even have to call out for some collaboration in order to add some diversity to my instrumentation and arrangements.
Noize I sure hope that in some small way I contribute to you finishing some long-lost material!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 20, 2008 07:50 pm Tadpui, funny enough I just finished digging out the Drive and PSU for it as well as a couple of old parallel cables for it. Dug out the cartridges as well and am getting ready to hook it up and try to install the drivers and see what happens. I am debating though whether to just hook it to the old surf box or try it on the studio machine. Either way it all ends up on the studio box.
But ya, we shall see if it works and then if it re-kindles the flame it had when I jotted em down.
Jan 31, 2008 08:03 am Hey Tad, just checking in with you. How have you progressed since your last post of January 20th?
I'm anxious to hear your results...just thought you might appreciate a gentle nudge knowing that some of us want to hear what you come up with!
Also, you've inspired me to get back into the recording arena as well. A while back I sold off a bunch of my "dust collectors", but have recently made strides toward gearing up again. I've given up on recording the band I'm in, it'll never happen given the tight schedules and everything else. So...it's going to have to be a solo album.
Anyway, get off your *** and hit the studio!
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 31, 2008 08:58 am Wow, thanks guys!
Ok, this is self centered, but, I have often grumbled about working with a bunch of half hearted musicians on projects etc. Looking at it from youre perspective, it is a pretty simple task for me sequence my activities on a large project. I simply go as far as I can with what I have recorded.
My frustration comes toward the end of each song. When you know there's something snafu and you have listened to it 1.8 kabillion times and you just want it gone! Then there's the "when is it done" syndrum. When to let go as the little voices say "it could be better...it could be better", and I'm saying "I can't listen to this thing again, I just can't".
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Jan 31, 2008 12:25 pm I know exactly what you mean Walt. I tossed and turned in bed for about 2 hours the other night because I couldn't get this damn song out of my head after listening to it probably 150 times in 4 days!
Jim, thanks for the nudge! I've got scratch tracks (acoustic guitar & vocals, click track, any tempo changes, and final arrangements) for about 8 or 9 of my 11 songs. A couple of them will have to be redone but its a start. I still have a couple of songs that are in a pretty disorganized state but they're coming along.
I started tracking electric guitars and vocals for my first song last weekend, and I'm probably 75% done with it. The vocals and drums are just placeholder tracks so far, and I still need to come up with a bass line.
So at least I'm making some early progress. Thanks for asking! This weekend will probably be a dud as far as recording, with the super bowl and the wife not feeling well. Maybe that'll be a good opportunity to do some drum sequencing since that's a quiet activity.
Good to hear that you're getting some new gear lined up Jim. It seems like you needed to simplify judging by your latest blogs :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 31, 2008 10:46 pm Glad Jim nudged ya. I finally moved some of my vinyl in here and uncovered the turntable after not using it for awhile. First thing was Tuna sat down and started digging through the shelves. So we dedicated about an hour and half to listening to stuff he though he might like. And guess what? The little beggar sat down and started messing about with a couple of beats.
Now he is stoked to crank up some more tomorrow and try and work out some synth parts. I may just sit back and let him go. Then just start mixing while he is sleeping and try to work something out of whatever he come up with.
Man its like when he was little. I would turn him loose and just hit record. Lotsa good little ideas came from those years.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 01, 2008 03:26 pm A little sneak peek. Very rough, with placeholder drums and vocals. Guitars are all out of phase, no bass yet. so basically no real reason to listen other than morbid curiosity LOL.
www.aarvid238.com/tadpui/...P)/universe.mp3
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 03, 2008 01:11 pm I like it, and yes it was morbid curiosity that got me.
Actually it was just plain wanting to hear were you are with it.
I liked the guitar part so far. It sound like it should be an interesting piece when you are finished. I kind of want to hear how it progresses from here myself.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Feb 03, 2008 02:22 pm I really like it. Love the chord progression and I think the guitars sound really good myself, don't know about out of phase, they sound fine to me. :) Really looking forward to hearing it finished up, along with the others your working on.
Dan
Feb 05, 2008 02:03 pm Hey... I really like that!!! Let me guess...Pavement fan at all? I think the voice is good...don't obsess!!!
Questions-
1.) effects on electric guitars- did you add those after in your mixing software? GREAT rhythm distortion sound! either way, what'd you use?
2.)What kind of drum prog did you use?
Thanks for putting that out there..when I figure out how to do it, I'll try!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 05, 2008 02:57 pm Noize, OldDog, GrossDaddy, thank you all for the compliments. I can't tell you how much it means.
GrossDaddy as far as the guitars go there are no effects on there other than my amp's distortion and some stomp boxes (Ibanez TS9, Boss CS3). The guitar on the verses is double-tracked, with one track using the neck pickup, lots of distortion, and the CS3 cranked up; the other track using the bridge pickup, less distortion and more mids. Then they're panned about 50% each direction.
I didn't get my mics set up properly so they're out of phase (you can hear the comb-filtering on them all). I'll fix that once I bounce each guitar to a single track.
The drums are the Natural Studio NSKitFree (samples are free, I love 'em, grab 'em here: www.naturalstudio.co.uk/bb/viewforum.php?f=14). I just loaded them in Fruity Loops and set up some simple patterns. More involved and dynamic drum parts are to come once I get a MIDI controller (soon!).
Thanks a lot guys, much obliged for the listens!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 25, 2008 12:11 pm That is pretty nice TAD. I need to be sitting around during the evening, probably with a cigar and a nightcap for a real listen :)
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 25, 2008 02:08 pm Thanks Captain. I whole-heartedly encourage cigar smoking and alcohol consumption while listening to my music ;)
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 03, 2008 12:12 pm A little more progress on this one. 4 vocal tracks added, but not mixed or anything yet (they won't all be going all the time when finished). I've also got some work to do on getting all of the consonance and plosives lined up because they're all staggered at the moment:
www.aarvid238.com/tadpui/...ory-mixdown.mp3
Mar 03, 2008 03:35 pm Tad...thanks for the updates on your progress. The samples sound great, and I can't wait to hear more!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 03, 2008 09:35 pm Listened to them both tonight. I gotta agree with Tripps on the cigar and a beverage while listening. This is killer for just dropping a cocktail and putting on the headphones to simply tilt back and listen.
I'd buy a Cd full of this stuff for sure. It would make killer driving music as well.
To be very honest here I had a quiet listen tonight but the vocals as they are on the second one sound very cool just as they are. It adds a really cool feel to it, kinda live like. Prince used to do vocal tracks like that and it always sounded great. Its the little bits being off that tiny little bit that make it feel so much fuller to my ears.
Oh ya, and the lead part, that is a very trippy sound for sure. I really liked it.
I'm gonna have to listen a bit louder tomorrow as it sounds like it is begging to be cranked up.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Mar 03, 2008 10:27 pm I'll be giving a listen a bit later tonight, I'm in the middle of cleaning fish tanks and the water's about to overflow!
Dan
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Mar 03, 2008 11:27 pm Ah yeah. :D The vocals I was expecting show up in the newer version, nice work Tad! I like the song alot, from the first 2 you've posted I think I'm gonna like this album alot. Always have liked the sound of your voice and your style of writing.
Nice tone on the guitars, the song is shaping up very nicely. Good stuff indeed!
Dan
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 04, 2008 09:12 am Thanks for the kind words fellas! Your encouragement is the main fuel for this endeavor.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 04, 2008 07:38 pm Ya, Ya, Ya!!!
Listened again tonight a bit louder. I'm not sure what anyone else's opinion is on lining the vocals up but I am serious about leaving them as is. It really adds a huge dimension to the sound they are adding. It really gives them a thick sound and fills in the vocals very well. In this world of digital perfection I think some of us, myself included have taken things too far in getting that absolute perfect set of tracks going. And honestly I think some music has lost something along the way.
The way the vocals are now sounds very natural and full, like a room full of 6 of you all singing at once.
The rest of the tune is great arrangement wise. I really like the guitar sounds and the drums are killer. I am thinking you might have a keeper here after you tweak and master it.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 07, 2008 05:05 pm Hey thanks Noize! It gives me warm fuzzies to elicit exclamation points from you :)
Here's a vocal-less first attempt at another one.
www.aarvid238.com/tadpui/...ted-mixdown.mp3
I'm just sitting down to retrack the guitars to make them work together instead of working against each other. I tried one of my MXL 993 SDC mics on my amp and I didn't like the results. Back to the 990! I should have a better attempt posted tonight. I'm just about to get the mics in position and let 'er rip. Then come the vocals (but its cold here and I share the basement with our central heater so vocals may have to wait till a warmer day hehe).
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 07, 2008 05:17 pm Oh and I forgot about this one too:
www.aarvid238.com/tadpui/...-%20mixdown.mp3
So that's what, four? I guess it's a start. I feel like I still have miles to go, not only on these songs that I've started but on the ones I haven't!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 07, 2008 08:04 pm I'll catch both of these a bit later this weekend. Probly on Sunday. I fighting my first cold of the season and my ears are plugged at the moment.
Mar 07, 2008 08:40 pm Holy crap! I'm working on a new CD too, but I might as well throw the whole thing in the recycle bin! This is good stuff Tad! I'm listening to the last one right now. Great song and great guitar playing. Solo kicks ***!
Keep it up!
Izzy Dutch'The Flying Dutchman'Member
Since: Jan 11, 2006
Mar 08, 2008 05:44 am Yeah great songs! They sound awesome man, cool guitars and sound
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Mar 08, 2008 02:58 pm Sounds great Tad, going to be awesome songs I think when you get them finished up. Nice solo lick's, I really like the guitar tone you've gotten both rythm & solo. Looking forward to hearing some vocals on the one as well.
Dan
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 09, 2008 08:22 pm Wow, that first one rocks indeed. I love the guitar for sure, really moves it along nicely. IS there a bass in there yet or my ears still a little plugged? I love the tremelo effect on the main guitar part for sure it really adds killer feel to it. I can't wait to hear it with vocals.
The second one is tight as hell as well. Your voice fits the music you write so well. I loved the guitars in this one as well, especially the little riffed one in the chorus, nicely done for sure.
You have got some momentum going now for sure, keep it going!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2008 12:41 pm Wow thanks guys!
Noize, no bass in that one song for now. I just haven't learned to play the part well enough for a "keeper" take yet. You can see what I mean:
www.aarvid238.com/tadpui/...ted-mixdown.mp3
Lots of mistakes, and I'm still trying to figure out what to do on the chorus. I'm not that good at fingerpicking either so riding 8th notes at 150 bpm is proving to be a challenge! Plus my crappy bass has action abut 1/2" off of the fretboard from frets 7-15, and that's the exact range I use for this song. I'll get it eventually though.
Say, speaking of that tremolo effect, I used Chopper from MDA. Do you know of any other plugins that I could use instead to get the same effect? Chopper introduces a weird clicking sound that I don't like. Maybe I would be better off using a leslie simulator and just turn the depth way up to get the same effect.
Mar 10, 2008 12:51 pm I can't really judge this well, because I'm away from my JBLs and my office sub is boomy as hell. But it is pretty tight, and it sounds like you're getting there!
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2008 03:13 pm Hey thanks for listening Herb. If its any consolation, all of my monitoring setups have funky bass responses. My main headphones have a hole in their bass response and they tend to convince me that I need way more bass than I really do. Then my studio "monitors" are just speakers from an old Sony pro-logic setup and have a strangely exaggerated 80Hz hump. My 5.1 system in the computer room has a similarly boomy subwoofer to your office setup (I wish I had a sub in my office! Then again, I'd have been lynched by my office mates since I work in a cubicle farm). My truck doesn't have a sub and tends to under-represent anything below 80Hz, and my "consumer" headphones at work don't really thump either. So if I can find a bass line that satisfies even 1/2 of these setups I consider it a win!
Thanks for the encouragement, I'm gonna keep trying it daily until I nail it one of these days. this is what I'm enjoying about this approach of doing the entire album as a project...I like being able to let a song sit, come back to it later, and try again. I get several days to listen to each song on several different systems, pick out the things I like and don't like, and then I get to try tracking it again armed with a clearer idea of what I'm going after.
Its slow as all hell, but I think that patience has been a key missing factor in my recordings up to this point...they've mostly been done all in 1 sitting, or at most in a week.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Mar 10, 2008 04:34 pm On the last song posted - I'm on crappy work speakers, sounds pretty good really, guitars are great. Only thing I'm not partial to is the few snare hits during the intro. It's a good tone but really up front, when it starts rocking harder it fits better. Once again, might be the speakers.
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Mar 10, 2008 04:42 pm Plus there's no reverb or any other treatment to the snare yet so it does stick out in several spots to me as well. Hopefully once I get each piece of the kit on its own track I can do some work to help the snare blend where it needs to and really crack when it needs to.
Thanks for listening Tripps!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Mar 10, 2008 05:52 pm Ahhh, that would make 100% sense then :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 12, 2008 08:44 pm Hey, just got a chance to listen to the version with bass in it. Sounds really good here, nice and thumpin'.
Its kind of funny I'm not the best bass player and seemed to turn to programing the bass line with a synth over the years. But now with the new 5 string it is just more comfortable and sounds better.
But ya, I can kinda see were your going with the bassline, I think it'll sound great when its done. I really like this track for sure. Can't wait to hear it when its finished.
