Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Have uploaded a couple o' tracks to me profile http://www.bandmix.co.uk/phil-the-bune/ let me know what ye think? A little softer than I have been doing of late but got a groove.

Initial thoughts are eq on th drums, drop the level on one solo....learn some scales....erm....

Hiya. Welcome to the forum.

Zero Hero - It's okay, but can't stand on its own. This recording takes way too long to get to the solo, if you're trying to show us your lead skills. If you're showing your rhythm skills, it's just too long, imho.

Altered State - This one has some dynamics, something that a LOT of music misses, these days. Once again, it's like you're playing a song without a singer (I'm obviously not familiar with the material). But this is taking too long to get to the point of the lead work, if that's what you're trying to get across.

Your axe work is okay. I'm not a huge fan of the transistorized buzzy tone. I was hoping to hear some warmer or ballsier crunch at some point, but I guess the material doesn't call for it. I was looking for more lead work, since the two recordings are full-length. There is a difference in the two guitar tones, which a lot of ppl seem to flook up.

Overall, you're doing fine on the axe. If this is the stuff that speaks to you, then it's good. The EQ on the drums sounds good enough on my crappy spkrs, which means that it's prolly much better on good ones. I can decipher all the drums parts.

And you're right in that you need a bass.

I can hear your SLASH influence.

Guitar work is ok, but I wouldn't adopt a 2nd guitarist.
Naaaaw, get a good bassist. That will be enough to carry it.

Vocalist? Don't bother with a screamer. Make sure you get a good one.

You don't have that heavier edge, which is good (imo).
Pantera and the like is not something to be emulated, although a good sound for them.

You have something slightly heavier than a commercial metal sound which is easy to sell. I wouldn't change it.

Sit on it, get your bassist and vocalist and you're set.

Thanks for the welcome and input guys
Yep, I should have mentioned the songs are aimed with a vocalist in mind, just haven't recorded anyone for it yet.

Have to admit there is a bass on Zero Hero (though recorded through a PODXT live guitar version) looking at getting the bass pack for that. If you guys coudn't hear it then I should invest, haha.

Tone wise I was aiming at a slight crossover in the rock/metal mode hence the transistory tone (PODXT Live again) but I reckon it's time I had a fiddle with the tones again. Live wise I use a JVM 410h and I do roll the gain off and use more volume for sustain, very tricky to emulate that with a POD, tend to find if the drives rolled back the tone just dies....that or I'm just crap heh heh.

Ta for the Slash comment, I take that as a compliment totally. Just curious though, why no 2nd guitarist? (besides the obvious...he may try to steal my beer...)

If you are any good, a 2nd guitarist just steps all over what you are playing.

You don't need that crap.

Ah, a compliment then!! Many thanks!!!

Yes, nice!

Phil, Philbymon ( oh man I'm confused ) may be right for recording purposes when it comes to the length of your tune. Yet one of our songs that we chopped for recording purposes ( really did not like the way it came out so it's no longer posted ) when we play it live, and usually as our last song people we play the original long version and the place more often than not howls when were done.
That said:
The Cap'n has a good point as well.
However a second guitar can create a thicker wall of sound as well as carry the rhythm while you work the higher register in lead mode.
Very cool indeed with your style.
Has to be somebody that will complement your play & not want to hog.
Best wishes.

Thanks Sanshouheil.

I see what you mean with shorter recordings but maybe playing longer live, will probably depend on the outcome of vocals so will definitely bear that in mind.

Have played in two guitar bands before and have seen the benefits of the second guitar with the fuller sound when working that higher register but, yeah also had the problems of writing a nice riff only for the other guy to "widdle" leads all over it (and the rest of the song). At the mo' I'm the only guitarist in my band so life is simpler plus my JVM has a nice full sound to it, wouldn't mind another geetarist but discipline (and respect for each other) is a must

Fully agreed.

I like both tunes a lot. They both have a lot of potential. Hard to add more without hearing a full rendition.

Thanks Koolin. All being well I'll sort out a vocalist and get something down soon.

P.S. liking the jazz , going to forward your link onto a mate to have a listen he's a jazz bassist who will love it

add a killer vocalist

Would love to, unfortunately, vocalists (good and bad) are a little thin on the ground round these parts, plus there's a shed load of time wasters on t'interweb