Jump to content

Your Ad Could Be Here

IShred4Life

Active Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    177

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by IShred4Life

    Mixing And Track Layering

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted · Edited by IShred4Life

    nice a multi-band eq is good for adjusting the different ranges of frequency you can slightly boost or lower them. have you also tryed using a filter or compression?

    I have not, I will now though, once I figure out how to use it properly. The EQ improved the sound of the track A LOT.

     

     

    What do you mean by 'four layers'?  What do you do exactly?

     

    Obviously with one mic you won't be able to spread the kit across the stereo and that's the thing that would bug me personally ...but if you only have one mic then I reckon you could still get a better sound. When I listen to your recording I feel like I'm listening from above, I'm not feeling any kick. Where is your mic placed?

    I literally took the original drum track, added a nice Bass EQ, and copy/pasted the tracks to thicken the sound. 4 Layers of the same track. However now I have an 8 layered version that sounds better.

     

    When we placed the mic, we tried a multitude of spots. It was a tad above the two bass drums and pushed back a little. When we tried placing it lower the bass drums became overpowered and muddy sounding.

    Guitar Strings, Brand, Type, Gauge?

    in Performance

    Posted

    I used to use just Ernie Balls, started with Regular Slinky and then when to Skinny Top, Heavy Bottom or whatever its called, Occasionally use the Ernie Ball Cobalt's as well. For a short time I used the GHS Dave Mustaine signatures. Those were amazing strings. 5 bucks a pop on Musicians Friend. Worked great for my purposes. For the past few months however Ive been using the Dunlop Heavy Core's. I love the sound and the tension is great for everything except the 3 highest strings. Its a tad too thick on that end for me, but anytime I go lighter than 10, 13, 17, My strings go out of tune any time I bend. I don't know what the hell is going on. Its not just on one guitar either so I mean. My primary axe is a ESP LTD V-300

     

    Cheers

    Zack

    Mixing And Track Layering

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted · Edited by IShred4Life

    This is somewhat a follow up to my previous topic in this section of the forums, but covers a different subject in a way, that and figured more people would look if I started a new topic.

     

    Been using Studio One 2 Artist edition. As stated before, money is tight and only had one mic to record my entire eight piece drum set, got decent results but wasn't thick enough of a sound. So I made four layers of the set. Tell me what you guys think.

     

    I have guitar and bass for this, but separated the drum track to really tell what's going on. And also, I don't have as many cymbals as I would like, hence the over use of the crash cymbal. XD

     

     

    https://soundcloud.com/ishred4life/4layerdrumdemo2effectreupload

     

    Also, It feels like it needs more of a heaviness to it, yet Im still trying to figure out how to mix properly. Its a learn as you go thing I guess.

     

    Cheers

    Zack

    Recording A Full Drum Set Vs. Mixing In Digital Drums

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted

    I can hear the elements of the drum kit, -kick, snare, toms and cymbals - and I can hear the guitar and bass.  There's not vocal track.  If you just want to make recordings to capture your practices and ideas, I think this kind of setup will work fine for you, assuming your vocals get captured too.  But, I think you could get a much better sounding demo even with your limited gear.  

     

    I'm assuming you have a DAW with a click track or metronome function.  You say you have one mic, so I'll assume you don't have two and can't record the drum kit in stereo or with two mics simultaneously.

     

    After you've practiced a song as a band and have it worked out, what you could do is this.  First, get a click track/metronome in the DAW (or use a simple kick+snare beat if your DAW has basic drum sounds) that is at the right tempo and time signature for the song.  Then, record all your guitar tracks, the bass track, each of the vocal tracks and the live drums on their own separate tracks by playing and singing to the click track. That way, you'll have separate mono tracks for each guitar track, the bass track, each vocal track, and the full drum kit in mono, and you can record each of those tracks without worrying about having to simultaneously capture some other instrument with the one mic and without having another instrument's sound bleed through into the sounds of something else, and isolating sounds on separate tracks will give you lots more options for mixdown - you could add one kind of reverb to the vocal, keep reverb off the bass, have another kind of reverb on guitar tracks, EQ each track differently, add compression to each track differently, etc.

     

    Another thing you could do in trying to get a better full drum kit mix after you've record one mono full-kit track with your one mic is this.  Make multiple copies of the mono drum kit track in your DAW - it's any easy function in every DAW.  For one track, EQ it so just the lower frequencies pass through, and keep it fairly "dry" without reverb - that can be your kick drum track for further mixing.  EQ another mono drum kit track so that the lower frequencies of the kick and the higher frequencies from the cymbals and snare are reduced, maybe add a little stereo reverb to it and that could be the track for your toms.  Do the same thing with other clones you've made of the drum kit track to try and isolate the EQ for the snare and cymbals, and mix them accordingly.  You can get more flexibility in mixing your one mono full drum kit track this way.

     

    *  If you had a second mic, you could then maybe record the drum kit at least a bit in stereo, and with track clones mixed and played back in mono and separated EQ-wise like described above, you might even be able to get some separation between toms left and right and cymbals left and right, and be better able to first isolate and process before re-blending the different sounds coming from the kit.

    I do have a DAW, what we did originally was just record the drum beat separately on its own (We didn't use met because our drummer had to leave rehearsal early) and once we had a nice enough drum track we just recorded the guitars over it. (Honestly I thought the guitar and bass lines were sloppy takes, but I got out voted to redo them for just the demo XD) Vocals had to wait because our vocalists voice was acting up a tad. So I'll probably end up doing what you said and mix them separately. Additionally Ive been doing research in the digital drum department as well. Found some program called Addictive Drums, looks interesting.

     

    As for separate mics, what mic would you suggest? A condenser mic or an acoustic mic? That way I know exactly what would be best to pick up.

     

    Thanks for all the help,

     

    Zack

    Recording A Full Drum Set Vs. Mixing In Digital Drums

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted

    I'l be interested to hear it. I've never attempted it with less than 3 mics. Even then, results vary greatly with the types of mics.

    Good luck!  :thumb23:

     

    Tom

    Here's a rough recording we did. Ive never recorded anything but guitar before so please excuse the sloppiness as I am new to audio mixing and recording and this is just meant to be a demo to test everything out. It sounds a lot better with the proper speakers in person XD

     

    https://soundcloud.com/ishred4life/psongreupload

     

    I still cant get the stupid sound cloud player in my posts. Tried pasting the url, share link, and embed texts. I don't know why it's not showing.

     

    Cheers,

     

    Zack

    Recording A Full Drum Set Vs. Mixing In Digital Drums

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted

    Recording Drums without adequate mic's and a mixer can be quite a challenge.

     

    If you only have two mics you might want to set one overhead to pick up the sound coming from the top of the kit and a separate mic in front of the kick.

    It won't be ideal.  

     

    Tom might have some better suggestions.

    Rehearsal going on as we speak. We played around with it and found a decent way to record it until we have more funds. I'll post a recording we did on here later tonight.

     

    Cheers,

     

    Zack

    Soloing And What Scales To Use

    in Performance

    Posted

    Zack

     

    7th fret G string is D not E

     

    and D is not in the Phrygian scale of B. So you either mean the 9th fret (E) or the 8th (D#).

     

    It never occurred to me to use this key-scale combination. If it works though, go for it.

     

    I'm puzzled at the notion of being stuck at one position on the neck. Why cant you just continue to use Phrygian elsewhere on the fretboard? If you havnt learned the finger positions just figure out where the notes are and practice them. up & down the fingerboard.

     

    Here is a vid I came across showing Phrygian. It demonstrates it the way I explained Dorian.

     

     

    I get the impression that you are ambitious, full of energy and ready to take on anything.

     

    Really, Just1L had the best advice. Trust your ears. If it sounds right then it is right. No-one is going to stand up and shout 'Hey you just played a wrong note'. Mistakes aside, if it sounds great to you, it will sound great to most everyone.

     

    Musical rules are not rules at all. They are guidelines. Ragtime broke almost all the rules, and now Jazz has formalised most of those broken rules into new rules. It will be broken again. Its part of how music moves forward.

     

    From Phryian you can move on to any other scale. If you are using the scale over E then I assume you mean Emajor. In that case change to any scale that can be used in E major. It will work fine and the change will probably sound dramatic.

     

    good luck

    Rudi

    Crap I apologize, I got my fingerings messed up. How embarrassing... And my knowledge of scales and theory is very mixed. I apologize for any confusion. Thanks for the help and Ive been working on it a lot

     

    Zack

    Recording A Full Drum Set Vs. Mixing In Digital Drums

    in Music Production and Recording

    Posted

    Hey guys, Zack here,

     

    So my band is coming over for rehearsal tomorrow and Im pretty pumped. But I've run into a slight hitch.

    I own a full 8 piece sound percussion drum set, but I don't have an amazing way to record it.

     

    The recording gear I use is an AudioBox USB 2x2 system that came preloaded with Studio One 2 Artist, It works great with my guitar and vocal recording, but what I could find digitally in the drum department was less than savory..

    Alternativly, I do have a mic I can record with and worst case scenario just record the whole set with one mic by adjusting the mic placement. But I have not yet tested that theory out yet nor am I positive it will work.

    And I don't really have the cash to purchase digital drum sounds that sound great and I don't know of a place I can download free ones that sound good.

     

    Does anyone have an Idea of what I should or could do? Any and all suggestions appreciated. If there was already a topic on this and I overlooked it I apologize. But I figured it would be best to post my own new topic. And if anyone needs to know we play metal and different things like that. I just need a thick, heavy, classic drum sound if I were to do it digitally. That and I have no experience using digital drum machines or drum machines in general.

     

    Thanks in advance,

     

    Zack

    Soloing And What Scales To Use

    in Performance

    Posted

    If it sounds good, and how you want it to sound, then you've done it correctly. Unless you're getting graded for a school project on proper scales, there is no incorrect way to do it, as long as it sounds good.

    I just don't want to start any bad habits. Im the kind of person that if its explained to me how to do something I can perfect it in a day after several hours. But that's a good way to look at it. Thanks!

    Soloing And What Scales To Use

    in Performance

    Posted

    No. It looks like John has taken down all guitar articles/tutorials. I can PM him if needs be.

     

    Its probably not neccessary as you are obviously pretty advanced anyway, and my ones were aimed at earlier leaners.

     

    Essentially my method is to extract other modes & scales from the major scale. Doing things this way is initially confusing but it will save you from learning several different types of fingering for each scale/mode.

     

    If you can play 2 octaves of a major scale, you can extract minor, dorian, mixolydian etc. from it. Maybe you know this?

     

    If not, here is an example:

     

    Play 2 octaves of the C major scale. To extract the Dorian mode from it do the following:

     

    Begin playing one full tone up from C, which is D. Continue playing the scale, this is D, E, F, G, A, B, C (D) and stop at the D octave. You have just played the Dorian Mode in the key of D.

     

    The point is you have used a familiar scale to play a less familiar one. You can use fingering you have already learned. The only difference is that you begin & end from a different point within the major scale. In this example 'D'.

     

    To figure this out when you need it, you need to reverse the thinking. In other words, if you have to play Dorian in the key of 'A', then the major scale you need for this begins one whole tone down from 'A'. This is 'G' so as long as you play notes from the scale of G major, you will be actually be playing all the correct notes for 'A' Dorian Mode.

     

    The other guys in the band will be playing in D obviously. You will have to end your phrasing on one of the notes (D F A) from Dm to finish though.

    That helps out a lot. I would still like to learn the fingerings for each scale, but this is a good way for me to wrap my head around it.

     

    I have another question though that's kind of off topic. Now I understand the way music theory works, except when I play guitar I couldn't always tell you exactly what I was doing, its like second nature and I just do it. I'll try my best to explain, I apologize if I confuse anyone.

     

    So lets say Im playing in a B Phrygian scale starting on the 7th fret of the Low E string. Okay so Im playing in the scale form, and I understand how to solo within that mode, but if I want to move around the neck to different modes or keys how do I know what keys and modes I can use? The piece I have that I do this with is kinda a ballad instrumental and its in the Key of E, but I can play in the B Phrygian scale and it works fine. I start on the 7th fret of the G string (E) and work from there and the whole scale seems to work. But I don't know where Im free to move around without hitting a sour note and ruining the flow. I hope this makes sense, if not I'll make a recording to better explain. It gets boring to the ear when staying in one position on the neck.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Zack

     

    Soloing And What Scales To Use

    in Performance

    Posted

    Hi Zack,

     

    Lost or feeling bad about what youre doing? Its common to go through periods of feeling useless and then elation when your playing goes well again.

     

    Practicing scales shut away somewhere can be pretty miserable. Maybe you dont, but it sounds like you're in a rut.

     

    I have a few quick suggestions.

     

    1/ Find someone to jam with. Another guitarist or bassist. Keys or even a drummer. Maybe find a jam night at a nearby bar. Preparing to go public can really inject some energy into your practice, and more importantly, order your thoughts.

     

    2/ Get a project. compose a tune & record it. Use it as a backing track. Practice along to the radio. A new song every few minutes will test how quick you can find your way into it.

     

    3/ If 1 or 2 are out for now. Formulate a different practice routine. Practice something simple. Something you know and dont have to struggle to play. In other words try to enjoy your playing. A major scale is fine. Some blues is fine. Try to put some feeling into it.

     

    I rarely practice just scales, but I tend to use mixolydian and dorian mode more often when I do. The reason is simple, it fits more tunes than most other stuff.

    I like to play along to a chord pattern and change the scale along with the chords. Its a change from modal playing and more like a jazz approach. It also gets you thinking.

     

    Good luck with breaking out of this slump & finding some purpose. Let us know how you do.

     

    Rudi

    I've got number 1 down. I have a friend who knows quite a bit about all the different scales. We jam together quite often and its pretty great when we do.

     

    As for number two, that's my biggest slump Id say. Ive practed creating riffs and playing them for so many years that Im confident in my abilities in that department. But When I go to solo I get stuck. Even learning solos by other people. I never know if Im doing it correctly and it bothers me. So its even harder trying to write one. I know a decent amount of music theory, but Im no expert. So its hard for my to pick and choose what scales I work with.

     

    One a quick side note, there is one tool I use and so does my jam buddy that has helped us tremendously and it may come as a shock to some...

    Rocksmith 2014

     

    I assume you may know what it is, but its basically a game that teaches you almost everything you need to know about guitar. Its how I learned the majority of my scale forms. If youre interested I suggest checking it out. Its basically Guitar Hero meets real guitar. Because you use your real guitar.

     

    Number three, is what I usually do. My only problem is Im not sure what Im doing correctly and incorrectly as I stated before, so I get frustrated easily. Its like, the solos I want to create, use a lot of different pull off techniques and advanced things, and Im not sure where to start to learn how to do and apply those techniques.

     

    Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to keep you guys updated, with some recordings for you all too maybe.

     

    Best of luck,

     

    Zack

    Soloing And What Scales To Use

    in Performance

    Posted

    Hey guys,

     

    I've been feeling kind of lost lately, in my soloing that is. There's just so many things you can do and I have no clue where to start. So I thought Id post here.

     

    So when you guys solo, (If you solo), what scales do you use? And does it ultimately matter? Are you a fan of pentatonic? Aolian, Phyrgian, Phyrgian Dominant, Mixolydian, or any of the others I can't remember? Or do you guys even know what I'm talking about? xD. I'm primarily a rhythm guitar player trying to switch over to lead, and it's extremely difficult for me. I wish I had a book that taught me how to do all the different soloing techniques you can do and how to apply them, but alas I have not yet found one. So honestly this topic can be for any and all talk soloing or scales or theory related. Im curious and looking for a bit of guidance because I don't know where to start.

     

    Thanks,
    Zack
     

    Which Do You Let Do The Talking? The Music Or Lyrics?

    in Musician's Lounge

    Posted

    Are 'Qui' mentioned, both important depending on what type of music you're making. 

    Personally, i'm not much of a singer, so I tend to give or at least Try to give - my melodies some sort of... 'twist' in the melody.

    And as Kel mentioned "There is an old expression, that nobody whistles a lyric as they walk down the street."

    I think lyrics speak more to the person, it becomes something more of a personal thing. 

    Let's say.. Me, as a depressed guy, I easily get drawn into the more 'morbid' & 'depressed' parts in the lyrics out there.

    Because I have sort of been in the same situation as expressed in the 'lyrics' and therefore I can relate too it. 

    This is something Melody can't do. 

    However, something that Melody can do and sometimes is extra strong at... Is the fact that

    it speaks with just tunes and melodies.

    Sometimes it awakens and releases my inner repressed thoughts and sorrow. 

    In which lyrics never managed to do. 

    That's something that just intrigues me a lot~

    Gotta love music maan!

     

    I understand completely. Interesting to see everyones thoughts on this :)

    How Many Guitars Do You Own?

    in Performance

    Posted

    As of right now, at the age of 15, I have 5. Four electrics, one acoustic.

     

    -Green First Act Electric

    -Epiphone Les Paul Special II

    -Epiphone Goth 1958 Explorer

    -Yamaha thin body acoustic/electric

    -ESP Ltd. V-300 Electric

     

    That ESP is my pride and joy :D

    Which Do You Let Do The Talking? The Music Or Lyrics?

    in Musician's Lounge

    Posted

    So basically, when you write a song, do you focus on a colorful lyric with basic chords behind it? Or do you fully express yourself through the music with lyrics that double the intensity? Or a mixture of both?

     

    Personally,I think the music almost ALWAYS comes first, with a few exceptions. The music that inspires me is rather complex pieces, that wouldn't need lyrics to express emotion but add lyrics to intensify the song. I mean The lyrics could be great for some songs, but if the music is crappy, who's gonna stay to listen? On the other hand, alot of mainstream music is rather simple with good lyrics to back it up. (sometimes songs like that piss me off... lol. But only if its a crappy song :P) 

     

    Which do you think is better? Or are they both equally effective? A great example of a complex song is Megadeth's Holy Wars... The Punishment Due. I suggest looking it up. But a great example of a simpler song that was equally popular was their 1992 Symphony Of Destruction. (I suggest that one too)

     

    What do you all think?

     

    ~ Zack

    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By continuing to use our site you indicate acceptance of our Terms Of Service: Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy: Privacy Policy, our Community Guidelines: Guidelines and our use of Cookies We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.