Check it out!

[TheGreatBongChicken]

Hey guys, this is only a clip of my first complete song that I wrote and produced.

I have been working on it for a while and this is an instrumental clip.

if you go to http://www.myspace.com/jamesharmermusic it's the first song, and it's called "Breathe Life Clip"

I would like input on the mix, particularly the drums and bass... and also the performance. It sounds kind of repetitive cause it's just the instruments.

All feedback is appreciated, I'm really trying to obtain a professional sound!

As well, I played all the instruments and recorded it myself. I think most of you who know me know that by now.

-James'

 

[TheGreatBongChicken]

Another link to the song!

For some people the MySpace player doesn't work well... I have it up at www.jamesharmer.com too.

Here's the link for download,

-James'

 

[generalchaos316]

Since I am still learning the mixing basics, I can't offer much by way of advice but here are my few critiques:

0:38 - The drums here are drowned out...they don't really seem to "kick things off" like they could.

0:46 - Drum fill throws off the groove a bit.

2:00 - Could this just be an artifact during bounce? Threw off my enthusiastic head bobbing.

...all this is just nitpicking, really. I dig this song's composition and you did an excellent job on the performances...very inspiring indeed. Hurry up and slather some vocals on that puppy!

Edit: Oh, and specific to drums vs. bass...I would bring the bass down a bit and crispen up the sound. It feels a little 'foompy' to my ears. The drums seem to sit well with the guitars though.

 

[Jessyeatworld]

question about guitar recording

(I'm frenchman, so I do some mistakes when I speak and write English... sorry)

Yeah, it sounds great !

hihat and cymbals (OH) are maybe a little bit too present vs the snare drum (you can bring it to front I think), but the snare sound is really nice.

The mix is good, I really like the sound of your guitars, it's huge and right in four face, congratulations ! Did you use your head and cabinet ? How many mics did you use and which one ? I'd like to get this sound, I'v got some problems with guitar recording, it's always too far...

Good job by the way !

 

[ido1957]

I agree that the drum pattern is somewhat "different" towards the beginning. Not timing, just pattern. Guitars sound excellent throughout, write down those settings. The intro seemed long although without vocals it's hard to tell when they would have come in. Hmmm the foopy bass - yes I would try and dial in some definition. Pretty cool writing overall, vocals would be cool....

 

[Xeries]

Definitely a good sound, James. I get a little U2 feel from it. Expecting Bono to start singing. I like the exaggerated verb on the snare about :30 in. Going in the right direction, I'd say.

 

[TheGreatBongChicken]

I know some call it blasphemey, but I actually did not mic the electric guitars.

I used a Cab/Mic emulator. It simulates a cab of choice, and has a "virtual Mic" that I can move around and place where I wish. I allways have it where I would if it were a real mic... up close, and dead center. When I do record with my amp and mic it, that is what I do. But in this song and instance, I just used cab/mic emulating.

The sound really comes from the Digitech RP100. It's a great little pedal, and cheap. It has the Cab/mic emulation built right into it, and that is what I use. I just go direct out of the pedal with the emulation on and set how I want it. I would say, if you find a sound you really like from your amp... use an SM57 up close and center on the speaker to get the least modification, at least that is what I have found is the case. I know that the issue of where to place the mic is a big thing, and I personally think it depends on how bright the speaker in the amp is. Moving the mic away allows for more room sound(sometimes good, sometimes bad) and moving the mic off from the center makes it more dark, or "mellow". Some people like it a little off center... I just don't, and I don't generally favor room modification.

But hey, try out a Digitech RP100! If you like the sound I got in this recording, maybe that's what you need?

PS: sorry it took so long to reply, I have been a very busy individual.

-James'