Critique my first recording

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Paulz

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So I gave my new recording gear (Firepod and a couple Naiant mics) a test drive yesterday and recorded a cover of Halo by Porcupine Tree. This is pretty much my first time recording, mixing and mastering.. so there's a lot to improve on.

Here's what I've come up with so far..

Direct download (192kbps ~5mb)


My own thoughts:
- Snare mic was pointed too far towards the rim, so I had to heavily EQ out the overtones. Sounds a bit weak now.
- Acoustic guitar sounds.. out of tune. Would this be muddiness? Its only a lil' 2 watt amplifier so its not the greatest to begin with.
- Bass guitar is a bit too loud
- Too much room reverb during palm muted guitar part.. need some sound treatment
- Need to tune my drums before recording :)
- China is way too loud
- Some sloppy playing here and there
- General muddiness

Anyway, if could provide some constructive criticism it would be great!
 
Paulz said:
Anyway, if could provide some constructive criticism it would be great!
Click to expand...

Constructive criticism? Sounds like you got that covered with your list already. :D

I don't know the original, so I can't make any direct comparisons between this and the original, but as far as this goes on it's own:

The drums sound pretty good for your first go at it--that's the weak link for a lot of folks. The electric tone sounds pretty good--not too harsh or buzzy.

Question on the acoustic: why are you playing it through a 2 watt amp? Why not just mic the guitar itself.

Ahh...there's the china boy--yep, I'm listening as I type.

Seriously, not bad--I wish my first attempt(s) sounded this good. And like I said, with your list up above, it's clear you're already hearing ways to improve it. Welcome to the process! :D
 
WhiteStrat said:
Question on the acoustic: why are you playing it through a 2 watt amp? Why not just mic the guitar itself.
Click to expand...

What I should have written is "acoustic guitar part". I don't actually have an acoustic guitar, I'm just using an amp model on my Roland microcube.

I've just had a listen to it on my stereo and in my car.. and now I have a whole new list ;). I'm starting to hear the importance of sound treatment as well.
 
I think your drums and distorted guitar sound really good for a first try. The muted guitar riff sounds a little muddy however.

Overall I think it's an excellent first recording.
 
Paulz said:
What I should have written is "acoustic guitar part". I don't actually have an acoustic guitar, I'm just using an amp model on my Roland microcube.

I've just had a listen to it on my stereo and in my car.. and now I have a whole new list ;). I'm starting to hear the importance of sound treatment as well.
Click to expand...

Ahhh yes...the car test. It's very helpful to do that though. I listen to more music in my car than anywhere else. Not that it's the best listening environment obviously, but since I know what all my favorite music sounds like in the car--I know that when I like the way my own stuff sounds in the car, I'm finally getting there.

Good luck and be sure and post a follow up when you remix.
 
If that's your first recording ever, I think I just quit :o I mean, if the drums had been done in a bigger room, I would have used that sample instead ;)
 
Haha thanks mshilarious! Your mics are fantastic, I couldn't have been happier. Not sure if you remember the order, but mine are the 2x XM/T and 1x XD you sent to Perth, Australia.
 
Yeah, I thought it sounded great for a first time too. For a 100th time, it would have sounded good too! When the acoustic guitar strumming comes in I felt it really lifted it up - gave the song a bit of depth.
My only niggle was the sound of the drums. Do they need a bit less treble? A bit more bass? A bit lower in the mix?


intomusic
 
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