General Music Chat

Craig it’s a great tune, yeah I agree with Jimmy it sounds a lot like Asia.

(...)

Wow Train is a good tune as well, actually all great stuff.

Thanks brother!

Craig you using a DAW or all hardware?

Everything is done on a Roland Fantom-G keyboard/synth. This keyboard also has a multitrack recorder on it, which is a basic DAW, and has very good effects, and you can loop, copy tracks or parts of tracks, etc... like a computer-based DAW. Even the vocals are recorded in the keyboard. It has basic mastering features as well, and also automation, for volume and pan (though I haven't tried to learn them yet, as I should)

The drums can be better in several ways, and I just need to FORCE myself to learn them better, on this keyboard. It plays MIDI drum files, but also I can upload WAV DRUM SAMPLES (snare hit - cymbal crash - kick drum, etc...) and create my own kits, and have the MIDI drum tracks play the SAMPLES rather than the internal ones provided (haven't done this yet) or I can upload full WAV DRUM LOOPS, like are used in Looping programs like Sony's ACID, etc...

I just haven't taken the time to learn more about these options. But I REALLY need to do this, and then find WAV drum libraries to use, and I think that would mae a BIG difference.

Thanks for your input, advice and the kind words!

I have an older Fantom S and a Juno-g. The juno uses the Fantom-x engine but I wasn’t thrilled with any of the samples off any of my keys. A lot of synth kits, not enough acoustic sounds. Hey Craig I don’t know about the virtual instruments but the session drummer we used, we played directly from the R-5 through MIDI. The program might be worth the price just for the samples? I’m not sure if they are wav files.

That sounds like an amazing keyboard. Just checked it out (Ouch!) Ut oh feel that G.A.S. kicking in. I couldn’t even contemplate it, I’d end up waking up with a knife in my back. The wife pretty pissed off from my last music purchases.

I have an older Fantom S and a Juno-g. The juno uses the Fantom-x engine but I wasn’t thrilled with any of the samples off any of my keys. A lot of synth kits, not enough acoustic sounds.

I looked at the Juno for a long time too! Budget constraints made it pretty attractive! LOL - But I am VERY lucky that I got to have the "G", because, for me, and for what I do, it is the BEST Keyboard DAW on the market for the price. The screen is large and LCD color.... just beautiful! And it has more features than ANYTHING ELSE in it's price range.

Hey Craig I don’t know about the virtual instruments but the session drummer we used, we played directly from the R-5 through MIDI. The program might be worth the price just for the samples? I’m not sure if they are wav files.

I'm going to look into that. I appreciate the suggestion!

That sounds like an amazing keyboard. Just checked it out (Ouch!) Ut oh feel that G.A.S. kicking in. I couldn’t even contemplate it, I’d end up waking up with a knife in my back. The wife pretty pissed off from my last music purchases.

I hear ya brother!

My wife bought this for me... but she bought it at AMS (http://www.AmericanMusical.com) and if you have a credit card, they will let you break up the purchase in 5 payments. Still steep, but I didn't have $2,500 to spend, but $500 per month for 5 months, was possible (barely) LOL!

It was like God was smiling on me, because she just happened to buy this keyboard for me, maybe 2 months before my former band stuck knives in my back, and all major organs!

It has allowed me to stay viable in music... as a songwriter, if nothing else. Cause as you can hear, this thing creates pretty damn decent demos, when you learn how to use it. It blows my mind every day! I have had it for over a year, and STILL, haven't been able to learn EVERYTHING it can do.

I'm very grateful, I can still make music!

This hits me as a strong B-side, Craig. it's well-recorded, played, & sung (even with the cracking!), but the melody just doesn't grab me like Train. It almost comes across like an after-school special kind of song, save for the deep male voice. This needs some high b/u vox, man. You can't do everything yourself, sometimes.

the melody just doesn't grab me like Train. It almost comes across like an after-school special kind of song,

LOL - It's a little better than that. But I'm not surprised you make that comparison. It is a little more modern (read younger) than my other stuff. The melody is PURPOSEFULLY more bouncy. And it turns out I got that part right... the kids around here who hear it like the "Fearful of everything, staring at the enemy" part melodically. That's the part I hear them singing most, when they get the song stuck in their heads that day.

I wrote it with a young band in mind. Kind of like All American Rejects or similar.

This needs some high b/u vox, man. You can't do everything yourself, sometimes.

Yeah. I wish I had some vocalists living around me. I'm teaching my step kids, but they aren't there quite yet. You know what's funny though? My mom had a dream a long while back, that I was on the road with my 3 step kids and we were all in a touring band together... ala... "The Partrgidge Family"! My youngest step son does sing, and has gotten more serious about practicing, and he wants me to buy him an electric guitar, so he can learn lead. The other two step kids like drums, but my step daughter could learn bass instead. And she wants to be a professional singer/entertainer when she grows up. She's been singing all the time lately, practicing. So... Hmm... you never know. Neanderpaul has a family based band going.

What stands out for me are the guitar melodies and the vocals, especially the vocals. You have a really strong, rich voice.

It's a good number. You need to get yourself in a band bro!

First off, I liked it.

I agree with colors about the intro... needs one more go-around. (Kind of makes me feel dirty to agree with him for some reason, but agree I do)

Shorten the break by one go-around.

And this should be your chorus:

But I'm sorry now
Maybe you could learn from the enemy
Waiting on the other side

and the variation:

Don't be sorry now
Babe, when you could learn from the enemy
Waiting on the other side

Thats the biggest hook in the song to me, so you dont need that whole chorus block that your wrote out.

You could do a retrospective comment on the subject or something as a bridge if you wanted to add more words.

So then youd have:
Intro
Verse
Verse
Chorus
break
Verse
Chorus
Chorus
Coda

OR:

Intro
Verse
Verse
Chorus
break
Verse
Bridge
Chorus
Chorus
Coda

But if you are going for shorter, change the chorus like I suggested, extend the intro, shorten the break/solo, and ride it out with the 'dont beeee sorryyyy nowww...' melody with guitar in between for an outro.
Call and response.
Fade out.


lol, you're probably ready to throttle me by now!

But I do like it.
I swear.

My 10 cents

P.S. Dont Hang up has really grown on me.
I think its the best one you have posted right now.

I've been waiting a while to give you some feedback my man. I wanted to give it real attention. For me that involves a listen or two, get away, and come back. I'm now 3 days and 5 listens in. I'm addressing some thoughts on quick listens vs multiple listens in another thread asap. It's been on my mind a lot lately due to Hale Amano's album.

First things first. What in the world is that "donk" at 2:40?!?! It sounds like a windows default "no" sound. Like when you've got a box open that demands a response and .....
Sorry, researched it. It is the windows "critical error" sound. You can hear it here at :21 and :23.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez5z9rcvZC8
Sorry had to get that out.

OK, intro - great chord progression! The little pause between the 2nd and 3rd chords make it. Glad it repeats later. Like colors and GTzip I wanted it to be 2 times through.

The melody and corresponding harmony at :22 is clever and unique. The fact that it is unique is good but it doesn't own me. It's not as tight as your usual melody/harmony matching. It's fine but not awesome for me.

Yes the drums are cheesy but like you said it's fine for a demo. The fact that the drums are programmed with appropriate fills helps them to be totally tolerable.

Your synth guitar leads are tasty and convincing as always. Your bass parts never do it for me. I've just never been convinced by them. Tone or melody. They are just kind of ambient and noncommittal. That's the bass player in me being a purist. I like the sound of a bass guitar!!

The first time I listened I found my mind wandering away from the song. That really surprised me. If there is one consistent thing about your songs it's that they are memorable. That's why I waited to critique. I wanted to give this track a chance to hook me. It never did. A few parts do but overall it doesn't stand up to "train" for instance.

The bridge starting at 3:47 is SO close to bliss! But something is missing for me. The upper guitar melody needs to be more deliberate and louder in the mix.

Your vox are strong as usual except for 2 flat spots (which I heard on the first listen but somehow I can't find now ) I like the vulnerable cracks. It makes you more accessible without losing ANY of your big league sound.

BTW are you still off the cancer sticks??

My problem is, that I have a FEW "signature sounds" and this one, is a little more modern, less bassy and growling, than my harder rock, and different from the blues or southern rock I sing. This tune goes well with my song "Don't Hang Up" I think.

This is where it might bite a little. I think that you have a signature sound (seems we all agree on that) but that you really have just one sound. The variations you hear in your own styles are not anywhere near as apparent to the rest of us. Even to us singers.

The old Southern Mischief song "wearing down"? The one with the line "my heart bleeds for you" had the same synth lead sound that reminds me of the X-files theme song synth lead sound. And it's in a lot of your material. As is a distorted rhythm and many other repeating overall sounds. The drums in "train" are a true standout for me in your overall sound. They were both unexpected and tasty in contrast to the song itself and your overall sound. Other than that your sound is very congruent. That is not a cut. It's simply an observation. Your vox always sound like strong straight Craig Maxim.

That thing at 3:47 doesn't strike me as a bridge .
Maybe it's all about what your definition of bridge is.
Or is is.

All your songs are great Craig. I assume your aim is to create a "big" sound in your use of reverb. You have a huge powerful voice and it's "big". I kind of agree with Neanderpaul's assessment. The one thing I'd love to hear you do is try a song with a more intimate sound, perhaps just an accoustic guitar and absolutely NO reverb on your vocals, like you were sitting in my living room playing a tune. Too bad I don't live nearby, I'd lay some real bass lines on your tunes. I know you had a bad experience with your last band, but you deserve really talented musicians around you, ones you could trust obviously.

Thanks Bob!

All the thoughtful critiques are apprdciated. I have been offline for a few days, and won't be on steady again until next week, so I can only give a brief thanks right now. I appreciated everyone's comments and suggestions, and I'll resond in more detail next week.

Thanks guys!

First things first. What in the world is that "donk" at 2:40?!?! It sounds like a windows default "no" sound. Like when you've got a box open that demands a response and .....
Sorry, researched it. It is the windows "critical error" sound. You can hear it here at :21 and :23.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez5z9rcvZC8
Sorry had to get that out.

Welcome back Craig. I REQUEST AN ANSWER!!!

Awesome song! Awesome vocals! great recording! I loved it!

Awesome song! Awesome vocals! great recording! I loved it!

Thanks brother!