General Music Chat

I hear a lot of us complaining about the problems we are having finding a band to play in. Most of us want weekend jobs close to home playing for free or close to it. But I hear some real good stuff lately coming out of a few guys on the mix site. Perhaps theres a chance a real good band could be formed from different parts of the world put together thru a long distance relationship and finally meet in person to sell a kickin project / album . I see a few attempts at doing some online recording but I dont believe its taking off too well or maybe Im just out of touch again. I told my boss I need a vacation.

I know mail order brides work for some lonely men. Why not a mail order band ?

I guess its all what someone is willing to do to get what they need.


And its another day in Paradise !!!

And the point of this thread is... ?

I think the biggest problem with on-line collaboration is that the software just ain't making it possible, or too few of us have it.

Still, I think it would be possible to get something going using snail mail, after you've established some sort of trust with your writing/recording partners. Record your part onto CD in a compatible format & send it. Seems rather simple, yet time-consuming, to me.

Philby, I think it could be done better by collaborating online using the mp3 formats for sending the ideas, but both (or all) parties involved keep all of their wav files so that when it is a finished project, then use snail mail to send the wav (or whichever format is decided on) to whomever is going to do the final mix and/or mastering. That would save time during creation, but still preserve the quality. I have been set up for it in the past, but right now, I have to change a lot up on my computer to get ready for it again. Hey, maybe we'll put something together!

Rat.
Send me something off list to my Email address.
It might take away some boredom today. I'll see what I can add to it yeah?

Philby, I think it could be done better by collaborating online using the mp3 formats for sending the ideas, but both (or all) parties involved keep all of their wav files so that when it is a finished project, then use snail mail to send the wav (or whichever format is decided on) to whomever is going to do the final mix and/or mastering. That would save time during creation, but still preserve the quality. I have been set up for it in the past, but right now, I have to change a lot up on my computer to get ready for it again. Hey, maybe we'll put something together!

It's easy for me to connect the PC to my digital recorder, record the stereo track directly from the source (bmix, whatever) onto 2 tracks, then add my own track(s), master the mix, and then convert it back to mp3 (from WAV) and upload it back to bmix profile.. the problem is that most people don't have the gear to do the same thing.

For instance - I wanted to take part in a guitar-part contest recently, but the original tracks for bass, drums, vocals, etc.. were all separated and I don't have the software to import them and sync them together, and I'm too busy (and lazy) to bother downloading (or buying) software, learning how to use it, etc.. just for a single purpose... so I think the thing that kills most of these types of projects is the lack of a universal medium that's easy, effective, and costs little to nothing. I've heard of a few web sites that do something like that, but again.. it's just too much effort.

I like the quick download, record, slap a track, convert, upload, all in less than an hour method.

Aint nothing like the real thing baby!

I don't have the software to import them and sync them together, and I'm too busy (and lazy) to bother downloading (or buying) software, learning how to use it, etc.. just for a single purpose.

Check it out Kramerguy. It's free and really easy to use. Has everything you need for editing and mixing tracks with 4 fx per channel and works with lots of free plugins. I tried it and it worked great with XP.

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index. ... n=download

A wink might be as good as a nod but when all you have is a plate full of notes and no one to share them with it's an option right?

Aint nothing like the real thing baby!

I'm in!!

Since my entire CD will be done this way... I think its a great idea... at first it can be intimidating but once you get the right setup it goes good.

I do have to say, it will cost a couple hundred in some cases to get the basic equipment needed to get a GOOD recording at home. The cost will vary depending on what you play... but it can really be done online..

Here is a starter kit:

multitrack software
Audacity = Free

monkey's Audio
.wav compression tool (smallest w/out loss)

Goldwave
/wav/sound editing tool

Optional
Direct box or 2 channel audio interface
(must record dry raw audio, no effects)

If you’re a vocalist... buy a mic.. a GOOD mic, it will make a world of difference!

For guitarists and vocalists the #1 challenge is how to get that raw vocal track onto the PC and have effects to listen too at the same time. You just can't give a decent performance w/out hearing a processed signal, it sucks... it will pull the inspiration right out of you... So... you must split your signal so the PC records dry while you listen wet... Or purchase an external recording interface that has that feature.

Drummers... well, there is no inexpensive solution for acoustic drums... it requires the same good mics as a regular studio... so that’s a bummer for you guys.... The E-Drummers have it easy, but the sound.. well, it works for some people and is certainly better than a machine.

If you can get some good raw tracks from everyone you can produce a good mix with your PC and some vst plugins... the good ones are not free but you can get a pretty good arsenal of decent stuff for free. Once everything is good and you want a polished project, you can hire an engineer with a studio to do your final mastering.

I am glad someone else is suggesting this... of course that is what I am doing here... looking for a singer and a bass player for my "virtual band" and CD project.

So... I say good for you and go for it.... I really want my stuff recorded so I can get it out to thousands of peeps... I love gigging... but the small local clubs are not going to help me if the stuff isn't on a CD... big fish in a small pond and the songs get lost forever..

I want to be a small fish in the big pond!!

ok, ok.... we have already established I have issues!

X!

I can put down vocals (lead or harmonies) for you. I'm a bassist as well.

www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
www.myspace.com/445175001

e-mail is blunderingeye@yahoo.com

"my dog is a bitch"

I appreciate all the thought you have given my post. I was reading an article in bass mag and an interview with one of the guys talked about how the entire band lived in entirely different parts of the country. The way they did it escapes me but they write, collaborate, and put their stuff together before they even take it to the studio. Once done they promote it as a band and do their tour. Me I like jamming with my freinds every week and it would seem strange trying this sort of project , but it seems if you cant find what you need in your own town or state this is the best option you might have. Where I was going with this whole post is I would love to see what happened if a group of bandmix players gave it a real college try and put a decent album out there. I might have no part in it but would support it any way i could . The talent on this site is off the hook. And I know anything is possible .


And its another day in Paradise !!!

I knew you were such a darn gosh thoroughly good all round Egg Hayden

I can put down vocals (lead or harmonies) for you. I'm a bassist as well.

www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
www.myspace.com/445175001

e-mail is blunderingeye@yahoo.com

"my dog is a bitch"

Just thought I'd mention here's a couple more freebie recording software available:

http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/
available for Linux

http://ardour.org/
available for OS X, Linux

......and as someone already mentioned the following program:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux


If you are interested in seeing what the linux version of Rosegarden is about without installing, the following site has a LiveCD available (DVD too but, IIRC, not a live edition):

http://www.musix.org.ar/en/download.html