General Music Chat

i think the track was a good representation of what you want.
in this context it was complete, and sensible
a little compression and reverb , and it is a good demo.
most bands over estimate the requirements of a demo.
go with it.

Thank you for the listen and the comments.
I do appreciate the time you all take to share you knowledge and opinions.
That is the reason I came to Bandmix.
That is the reason I stay here.

honestly
I don't think it's really that hard to decide whether you like a song or not,
I really don't think adding $10,000 worth of production will make a bad song good.

honestly
I don't think it's really that hard to decide whether you like a song or not,
I really don't think adding $10,000 worth of production will make a bad song good.

Well said.
Outside the musician community, where people don't know delay from reverb anyways.
The average consumer likes a song or they don't.


Still the various inputs are beneficial to a growing musician like myself.
It gives me "options" as I search out my own musical identity.

honestly
I don't think it's really that hard to decide whether you like a song or not,
I really don't think adding $10,000 worth of production will make a bad song good.

Well said.
Outside the musician community, where people don't know delay from reverb anyways.
The average consumer likes a song or they don't.


Still the various inputs are beneficial to a growing musician like myself.
It gives me "options" as I search out my own musical identity.

very true,
there s a big difference between creative collaboration and production advice.

honestly
I don't think it's really that hard to decide whether you like a song or not,
I really don't think adding $10,000 worth of production will make a bad song good.

Well said.
Outside the musician community, where people don't know delay from reverb anyways.
The average consumer likes a song or they don't.


Still the various inputs are beneficial to a growing musician like myself.
It gives me "options" as I search out my own musical identity.

very true,
there s a big difference between creative collaboration and production advice.

Yes, the difference is about $10,000.00

I don't believe it's an issue of $10,000 or of money at all. It doesn't cost a lot to double rhythm tracks, or add harmony tracks to vocals. It's a question of integrity and honesty for George. That is commendable if that is the main reason for recording the CD - to present an honest face of what their music is about. Again this could be accomplished by a good live recording. There are two ways to look at it - a live performance is an interpretation of the recorded music, or the recording is an attempt to capture the live performance. Both are legitimate and useful for different artists.

Hell I'll produce if for $5000! LOL!

just kidding around George.

I used to feel like my recordings had to be exactly what I can play live, over time I have tryed to really thicken recordings up, to make the special and an event unto themselves.

I really dont think you are cheating your audience by enhancing the recordings, as others have said, if you just want a live deal, then figure out a way to record your performances live and use those, forget spending time in a studio.

Thats just me

My main advice to you as a guitarist is to use some variations of your base chords in order to give the songs some different sonic sounds instead of the same pattern over and over. I guess Im lucky in my band cause I am in charge of the guitar sound, and my guys dont care what I do, so I change chords all the time trying to find something to spice it up, something to give me something to do, and also something for the listener to wonder what is he doing there. Its the same chord but it doesnt sound or feel the same.

I understand in your area of music, its mainly about the lyrics and praising God, so to me the lyrical content is the most important part of your guys songs. But that doesnt mean you cant mix it up a little on guitar, as long as you remain true to the spirit of the song, then you are good to go.

Im not the greatest God guy, but I know he wouldnt want you to do anything half ass, he want you to give anything you put out there for him 1000%.

Keep on Rockin Man, you guys as Ive said before have come a long long way, and Im amazed that you have been able to hold a group together as long as you have, thats a miracle from God in itself.

Jimmy:

In reality we are doing a "live" recording as everything except the vocal track is coming right off the board.
Though we are doing the recording in our home studio so that we can "fix" any of the little bobbles that inevitably occur in front of an audience via "punch in".
It is absolutely an issue of "honor" to the core members of the band.
I'm not saying that JAX wanting to double back and do his own harmony tracks is "dishonest", actually it's a good idea.
It's just not an idea that's time has come with the other members of the band. Though we would welcome with open arms another vocalist to join our ranks ( as long as the same level of psychotic commitment is in evidence ).

JW:

You will see some evidence of your advice in the future.
Perhaps not today or tomorrow but I have always taken your suggestions to heart as a musician because I know it comes from your heart.
Musical "big brothers" are a God send as well.
All of them.




A lot of my time these days is spent working ON the studio not IN the studio and my playing has not progressed as much I would like in both the rhythm & lead roles:
However for us to progress as a band the work on the physical plant is necessary and at this time a priority.

As a side note my wife will start on Monday in her new RN position.
( she has been self employed for sometime outside of nursing )
This should free me to spend more time and resource towards music.

It pleases me greatly.

Jimmy:

In reality we are doing a "live" recording as everything except the vocal track is coming right off the board.
Though we are doing the recording in our home studio so that we can "fix" any of the little bobbles that inevitably occur in front of an audience via "punch in".
It is absolutely an issue of "honor" to the core members of the band.
I'm not saying that JAX wanting to double back and do his own harmony tracks is "dishonest", actually it's a good idea.
It's just not an idea that's time has come with the other members of the band. Though we would welcome with open arms another vocalist to join our ranks ( as long as the same level of psychotic commitment is in evidence ).

JW:

You will see some evidence of your advice in the future.
Perhaps not today or tomorrow but I have always taken your suggestions to heart as a musician because I know it comes from your heart.
Musical "big brothers" are a God send as well.
All of them.




A lot of my time these days is spent working ON the studio not IN the studio and my playing has not progressed as much I would like in both the rhythm & lead roles:
However for us to progress as a band the work on the physical plant is necessary and at this time a priority.

As a side note my wife will start on Monday in her new RN position.
( she has been self employed for sometime outside of nursing )
This should free me to spend more time and resource towards music.

It pleases me greatly.

George, working on the studio is just part of being a musician. Life sometimes gets in the way of music. The studio needs work, overtime at the day job, illness. Being a musician is the same as anything in "life". The ebb and flow will always increase or decrease your ability to improve your skills as a guitarist.

As far as adding things that won't be there during a performance. Recording is an Art. Back in the day they used to call them recording artist. I'll use ZZ Top as an example. Most of their records have rythm guitar under the lead solo. They are 3 piece and even though with todays technology that could be covered with a looper. They still don't have that rythm guitar live. I wouldn't say that is a dishonest recording. I know if I were Jax I would feel somewhat stifled if I weren't allowed to do the best I could as the vocalist on a recording. Besides vocal harmonies are the fun part for a singer!

If you're "fixing" mistakes (punches) and doing the vocals seperately it is NOT a live track. So if you're already going down that road you might as well make the recording sound the best it can. It's not being dishonest or deceitful, and as you well know most people don't know the difference or wouldn't care if you told them.

Perhaps it's just me ( or US as it were )

When I first began to "study" music to learn to play Bass back thirty some odd years ago I discovered what ZZ was up to.
And despite enjoying both their recordings and the many live shows of theirs I attended. I lost some respect for them because of that fact.

Yes Jimmy, your right of course in the full meaning of the term "recording live" as in one take before an audience . . . we are not.

But still IMO to have you come in and play on our recording ( as cool as that would be ) and not be on stage with us.
You bet your a$$ someone would notice.

The problem is well-known and dealt with in various ways. Some people expand the band (i.e. Springsteen), some people strip the arrangement down, some people use backing tracks or technology. I try to go for a middle ground; make the studio recordings sound the best that they can, and play the most important parts live. I would LOVE to have another guitarist in both of my bands but I can't find anyone willing and able.

The problem is well-known and dealt with in various ways. Some people expand the band (i.e. Springsteen), some people strip the arrangement down, some people use backing tracks or technology. I try to go for a middle ground; make the studio recordings sound the best that they can, and play the most important parts live. I would LOVE to have another guitarist in both of my bands but I can't find anyone willing and able.

Ditto that on the vocalist . . .

If you have a vocalist that isn't 100%, try getting 1 more voice to sing with him or her.

Maybe harmony? Your ears will thank you in the long run.