Gazebo
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Posts posted by Gazebo
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Thanks for watching.
You are both absolutely correct. This is my first attempt at a video, and I had no storyboard or theme, just a bunch of video images from my phone.
I had the song and thought there was a thematic link, so stuck it all together. I quite like it, but there are glaring problems on watching again after sleeping on it.
The good thing is I can see a lot of the issues and you have been very constructive in your criticisms, so thankyou very much. It gives me food for thought for next time.
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As I was given a wah pedal for Christmas it was only polite to give it a run out.
This is a song I wrote about my morning walks during lockdown, which were both therapeutic and inspirational. The footage is from some of those walks.
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All of the collaborations I have been involved in have been a two way street.
I may have seen lyrics that inspire me, and have written some music and shared it back. Sometimes my songwriting partner(s) think what I have done is good, add ideas or point the song in a completely different direction.
I tend to do several recorded "drafts" that I share, and we critique and change constantly, and I will also suggest lyric amendments or additions that I think would work.
Sometimes I develop a melody suggested by my co-writer, but I have always had a situation where all parties involved have a continuing interest in the song from inception, with agreed changes along the way.
Those changes can be difficult sometimes, where one or other particularly don't like something, but you have to be honest and allow the power of veto and rely on your co-writers to be both happy to compromise and to deal with contentious changes sensitively.
Honesty is the best policy, but be prepared to accept that it is a partnership and it's not all your way. The end result is always better than you could achieve on your own.
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Synthtopia seems to be aimed at the guys using midi and synths a lot. For me, this is not a big issue. If you posed the same question to readers of an acoustic guitar magazine the results might be markedly different.
Bitwig is completely new to me - in fact I hadn't heard of it before reading this.
I came from a background of cassette 4 track recording initially, moving to a hard disk recorder. My first DAW was Cakewalk Guitar Tracks. I moved onto Home Studio, then dropped out of recording for a while.
When I started again I found Kristal, which was revolutionary for me. So simple, yet powerful, and demanding some creative thinking. (No midi, limited tracks and VST ports). I bought a new interface and tried the Sonar Lite and Cubase Lite versions that came bundled with it, and it whetted my appetite for more features. I tried Reaper around this time, and a friend also introduced me to Studio One.
Just because of the way I like working, Reaper has been the DAW I have stayed with. It's not about features, price or that it sounds different - I just "get" Reaper in a workflow way that I didn't any of the others, and the more I use it, the more things I find in it.
Of course, I am a prone to GAS as anyone, and often look around wondering if the grass is greener somewhere else, but for the moment Reaper does everything I need and more.
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+1 for the Blue Note covers
Simultaneously intense and laid back.
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Assuming that you have a computer already, for under £1000:
- Microphone (SM58 or Samson Condenser) & Stand - £120
- Interface M-Audio - £130 (or if you are a guitarist try the Line 6 POD XT (£79) which is bundled with loads of great sounding guitar amp sims and effects)
- DAW - Reaper £70 or Studio One Free (Free). Lite version DAW's are often bundled with interfaces, and are plenty good enough to cut your teeth, and include enough effects etc to turn out some good stuff.
- VST and VSTi effects - see the thread for the additional free effects you can download on this forum.
- Monitors - I've never had any (space issue) so use either computer speakers when tracking or headphones. Not ideal, but will get you started, no problem.
- MIDI Keyboard Interface - M-Audio Keystation (£105) if you are a keyboard player
Thats enough to get you going - upgrade as you need to when you know where you want to go.
Hope this helps.
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I've got three electrics, an acoustic and a bass - quite a modest collection!
Electrics
- Vintage V6LB (Strat copy) - my go to guitar, seems to be able to do anything
- Coxx ES335 Copy - Lovely tone, was referred to by a friend as a blues-machine. Looks great, but not quite as versatile as the Vintage
- Hondo ES335 copy - massive personal value, was bought with a minor inheritance, so is the one that I will always keep. Looks better than it plays to be honest, but for snarling Britpop sounds or anything involving some overdrive very useful. Not so good clean.
Acoustic
- Made by Vintage - not a big gear-head, so don't know what it's emulating, but sounds good and has served me well for nearly twenty years. I bought it at a music show, discounted because of a slight blemish in the finish. Has never let me down, and I know it so well now that I overlook it's minor shortcomings.
Bass
- Tensor Precision Bass copy - Plays well - traded a Yamaha fretless to buy it, and it sounds good though doesn't have the brand cachet. Not outstanding, but a decent workhorse, and reliable for recording.
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Phew!! That was a close one. I was about to report the Porno player as inappropriate.....
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Really interested in what you have to say on this, John.
I've not really needed to consider the marketing/ sales end of things ever previously, as I have been writing and recording for a very small audience (under 20 people), but I have finished and album that I would love others to hear.
It's on Bandcamp and Soundcloud, and it's a free download, but sales (giveaways!) have stalled after a promising start and I would like to re-ignite the interest.
I'm not a natural self promoter, so very interested in your opinions.
PS If it involves wearing a sandwich board I will have to accept that it's not for me!!!
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Drive by Truckers is the one I wish I had thought of....
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Soundproofing a timber shed is difficult and not too effective. My real suggestion is that you either go electric or find somewhere else to do the noisy stuff and use the shed for the quieter instrumental parts.
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Process often seems to take over. I have done the same spending hours researching plug ins to get a "sound" when what I really needed was a song.
I have just finished doing some recording and have realised that with the exception of an amp sim that I am fond of everything else could have been done with the pre loaded VST's in my DAW.
Lets chase simplicity and inspiration!
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I like your voice and the song is ok, but I can't help thinking that you could do more with it, with the quality of your voice.
I'm not suggesting an all out Mariah Carey style assault, but you seem to have the range and depth to your voice that could build in some more dynamics. I think you could make this better by maybe building up to a big chorus somewhere and letting your vocals go a bit.
I may have totally misinterpreted what you were trying to acheive, and apologies if I have, but my comments are meant constructively. You have talent, and I think you are keeping it hidden.
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I really like your voice and the song.
I agree with Skylark about the effects on your voice, but I think the mix would be great if the guitars were slightly lower and also eq'd to take the very top end down slightly.
The sound reminds me of a favourite album of mine "Shoebox Full of Secrets" by Andy Pawlak. It is an album that is chock full of great songs but I think the brightness and general toppy production put people off.
Look up some of the stuff on youtube about putting some distortion on vocals (on a duplicate track kept at a lower level and eq'd to push the mids) and adding saturation and I think you can easily finalise this with the tracks you already have into something outstanding.
Hope that's constructive, and good luck. Great song.
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Good videos, and some nice considered performances.
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Guys
Is there a prize? For example a feature on the home page about the winner, or a link to their music/ lyrics?
Also, on a forward looking note, what happens next month in terms of who sets the challenge? It would be unfair on Mahesh to have to deal with it all every month.
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If I was to be critical I would say that as a solo it lacks a beginning/ middle/ end, or that a crescendo that would lift it slightly.
On the positive side, well played, great tone, nice composition link with the backing track. I am impressed!
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I am a regular entrant in a monthly challenge on the Two Track Music Forum. Would it be a good idea to join forces to have a bigger competition?
Link below to the challenge that has just closed:
http://www.twotrackmusic.com/forums/index.php?topic=4793.0
Or maybe we invite TTM join in on this one!!!
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I am a cheapskate so up until recently used Kristal (free download) and free vst's only. A while ago bought Reaper and like ti very much, and have tried out Studio One (very good).
All of them do the job for me as I use very few effects and no midi.
Favourite vst's are:
- Classic Series - EQ, Limiter, Reverb
- Modern Series - EQ, Compressor
- Glaceverb - Reverb
- Simulanalog Guitar Suite (Fender Twin is very good)
- Greasetube - Amp Sim
As I don't use midi, vsti's are a bit of a mystery, but I still haven't use more than 10% of the potential available in what I already use.
- Classic Series - EQ, Limiter, Reverb
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Would love to take part!
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Still using Kristal, but have switched from Sonar LE to Reaper. Less crashes and glitches. Getting good results so far.
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Boss ME-50 into a Peavey Transtube amp - covers all bases!
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Cheryl, thanks for your advice.
I don't like the idea of being reliant on tablets forever, so have spent some time looking up diet info, but sadly no curry, no caffeine, no tomatoes, no alcohol. That's not good, but I am aware that some foods affect me worse than others. I am almost relieved if it is just acid, though, as it is repairable.
Thanks again - it is appreciated.
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Who's Online 1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 29 Guests (See full list)
12 albums in a year
in Writing Challenges
Posted
Amazing! I will dip in, not sure I have the time to listen to 12 albums in one go!😅