Chordial September 08

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:49 pm

Guys,

I've finally caught up:

http://www.music.ferntill.com/osam/TrackSep08.mp3

I've also had a go at remixing last months.

Cheers Simon

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:36 pm

I like this very much as a rock composition. It has the right punch and the instruments seem very well recorded. The drums are strong and each instrument seems balanced in the mix. As the different parts come in with the leads it sounds even stronger. A nit with the timing though. Seems sometimes the strumming is a bit out of sync with the drums, otherwise I do feel this is a huge step forward in production quality for you. You are definately on the right track here and I'm enjoying the big sound you're getting. Nice job.

DrWho · Post by **DrWho** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 3:42 am

All right - another Chordial Rock story!! You definitely have a style going on here ... I agree with George's comments - nice mix - the instruments are well placed - and I like the organization. Yes - there are some timing hiccups here and there though - especially at the beginning.

Did you program the drums and play everything else?

={> Art

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 9:14 pm

Thanks guys,
The way I'm working this year is everything live, one track at a time.
The drums are added after the guitar, so that explains it.
I've tried it the other way around but seem to lose the feel.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:32 pm

Have you thought of playing with a click track...or do you already?

This has a great feel and would deserve a strong vocal on top! It is very "rock ballad" and has a warm edge that makes me think "there is always a place to come home to, even when things are bad".

Great guitar sounds all around. Everything is a bit centered so I don't feel as much movement as there could be on this song. That is the only issue I have (along with the already mentioned timings). I like the Steve Hackett sound you used on the lead. Very cool.

So what is the name of this? And is it me or is there this long blank at the end of the mp3?

Jon

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:32 am

Ha, I noticed the lack of trimming at the end too

I usually normalise and trim the song before posting, but I was using a PC that didn't have any editing software, I'll fix that in a minute. Vocals would be an added dimension, I was also thinking of vocals for this one, even some some lyrics scribbled down at one point, only a few lines. Midnight sun was a title at one point, something about only having any quality time at that time of night, and that ties in with what you said

Click tracks, drums tracks are great for the keyboard, but as I'm still getting to grips with the guitar they put me off! Tried a few ideas, but seem to lose all the feel and become very mechanical. This one started on the acoustic, just strumming some chords, and trying some variations. It does take me some time to get to the stage where I'm happy to start recording, almost like I have to know the song first if you see what I mean. I wish these were more polished (and I'm always grateful to hear the ideas, advice and critique), but once the basic tracks are recorded as I had imagined, it's normally time to move on. I'm going to try adding compressors/limiters on the input this month to see that that'll help lift the initial recording.

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:50 am

I don't think you will ever get it to work doing freeform rhythm and then trying to sync it to a timed track, you will always have imperfections which are audible and detract from the punch that a truly synced set of tracks will give you. If you can't keep the feel when you have to stick to a fixed beat then how would you be able to play along with live artists who all have to stay in sync. You need to keep the feel and still maintain your timing. Unless you don't need drums, a strictly acoustic song would be fine that way.

JonSolo · Post by **JonSolo** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:02 am

Since I can remember I have locked myself into a metronome. Fortunately most of the software I use offers options to change the time signature and BPM at the click of a button, as well as offer stretching capabilities. Still it helps to have that click. Though I never quantize any of my tracks, when I use arps this REALLY becomes handy.

Still, I really enjoyed what you did here.

If I may make a small suggestion...try to not add compressors or limiters except as an after effect on the track. If you record with effects, you will always have them.

Jon

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:42 am

Funnily enough this one started off as acoustic only, thought about trying the minimalist approach with just the guitar. That seemed to work for a while, but the more listens it had, the more I wanted to add. I still enjoy playing along with some of the Triton combis, but I wouldn't rate my chances with anything else but the keyboard

I was quite pleased with the recorded acoustic guitar sound (sat down in front of my mic), the detail is good, and there's plenty of depth in it's original form. Should have more time to play about with the recording side month too as I have some time off from work next week.

There's also a complete work over of this song, which I hope to share very soon

georgeinar · Post by **georgeinar** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:57 am

Well, Chordial we are all huge fans and just loving your journey here. We are suggesting simply to help along the way, because for me I know how important it is to get someone elses ears going on your piece after you've heard it a hundred times. I can't wait to hear what you come up with next.

chordial · Post by **chordial** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:43 pm

I know and I agree 100%. Without the input from the other guys here it just wouldn't be the same. It is a journey, coming up with an idea or ideas initially, working out a structure, sounds, arrangement, lyrics and then the whole recording and production part. Another really important aspect of osam is hearing the other guys songs, there's such a huge variety of styles and creativity at work, not to mention the technical side too.

jazlover · Post by **jazlover** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:43 pm

Ditto Simon the comments above. The sound being so much more up front is the very first thing you notice. It is nice! The feel is great. This is my favorite so far! I getting ready to listen again.

Thanks Brother!

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:51 pm

Nice guitar work, and a cool concept.
I'm very anxious to hear this completed.
For what it's worth, I ALWAYS play to a drum track, or at least a click.
Even after 40+ years of playing guitar, I still vary tempo without some kind of a guide.

sewa · Post by **sewa** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:32 am

Hi Simon,

I like your guitar playing a lot. The drums are also very good - punchy and with enough variations. I think that the next step on your journey would be to add vocals

sewa

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:24 pm

Hi Simon

Despite the timings and other things that you have to work out a way to fix, the feel and intention of the song still comes through and I really enjoyed it.

After all I just read about playing to click tracks... well, Sept song was my first attempt to record without one, and I certainly wouldn't know how to add a drum track to it, unless I could play live drums (which I can't) and even then I think it would be almost impossible for it to sound in time.

But all things considered I still think you did a great job here, and your guitar playing was very good.

Regards from
Dee