My first home recording (mp3)

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T-Bird

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I ran Norton on my G3 last night and optimized this hard disk. It was very fragmented, to the point that of the 2 GIG available, the largest single block was only about 100 MB. After optimizing, the entire 2 GIG was one continuous empty space on the disk. Pro Tools Free didn't give me any more problems once the disk was optimized.

I was able to go straight into the G3 from my DG Stomp preamp with a 1/4" to 1/8" converter. I had to turn up the preamp's output much higher than if I was just listening through the headphones. THe computer was then able to hear the signal. I recorded two tracks, bounced it and saved it as an MP3.

I've posted it on my home page server space. The tracks weren't tweaked in any way. I haven't learned anything more than "record" and "bounce" so far in Pro Tools (I've never recorded anything before, to tape or digital, so it's all new to me).

 
Rhythm track

The rhythm track was my strat in the neck/middle notch position. I set the DG Stomp to the Crunch 1 amp setting but with very little gain. I also used the "American 2x12" speaker simulation. I also used a little compression and the "hall" reverb.

The lead track was the same amp setting, but with a little bit more gain and through the "American 1x12" speaker simulation. I used the neck pickup without any compression, with the "spring" reverb.

Fingers on the rhythm, pick for the lead.

My strat is a MIM 60s Classic with Fat 50s pickups.
 
Whew! Thanks for the thread bump Satch. I downloaded this mp3 at work, emailed it to myself here at home, and couldn't find the thread to post in!!

You did a really good job of capturing the tone of your guitar. It sounds a HELL of a lot like a Stratocaster through a vintage Twin Reverb to me. And then I find out that it's a direct line from your pre into your computer... impressive.

I'd take out that amp buzz at the beginning...

I don't feel completely comfortable critiquing jazz, because I don't necessarily know what the standards are for a jazz recording. I love the warmth of the second guitar, for instance, but you could never get away with that if the recording were of a larger ensemble. One possibility I would consider, would be recording the second guitar in stereo, to give the first guitar (the solo, in other words) a little more room to breathe. I mention this, because I sort of would have liked the lead guitar to be a little warmer sounding, maybe with the tone knob rolled off a little more. But at the same time, I'd be afraid of muddying up the whole recording.

The composition is excellent. I love the chord progression. It made me think of Bill Conti, even if his music doesn't have a lot in common with this. But, you know, sort of a '70s vibe.

Probably the best gutiar piece I've heard on here. Good job!
 
The rhythm track was my strat in the neck/middle notch position. I set the DG Stomp to the Crunch 1 amp setting but with very little gain. I also used the "American 2x12" speaker simulation. I also used a little compression and the "hall" reverb.
Click to expand...

HAH! I'm feeling really good about my ears right about now. :D
 
thanks

Thanks for the kind words. It's my first attempt at "composing" anything. Also my first attempt at recording anything.

I hear you on the buzz at the beginning... that's a result of the direction I was facing. I was near the computer and with the neck pickup I don't get the hum-cancelling that I get in the notch position.

I wonder what my hollowbody Kay (with P-90s) would have sounded like? Well, with this set-up, it'll be easy enough to find out!

And yes, your ear was telling you what I was hoping it would I have a Pro Reverb, which to me is very much like a low-powered Twin Reverb. That was the tone I was looking for. Smooth, round, clean.

The lead track I wanted to cut through a little so I kept the same amp setting, gave it a little more gain, and switch to the 1x12 speaker simulation... going more for a Deluxe Reverb.
 
Also...if you don't mind...what is the chord progression that you used?

I have an Srv Strat, and by far the best-sounding rhythm pickup on any guitar I have ever heard is the Neck-Middle Pickup. So warm and Smooth, yet with attack when you need it.

Nice job on the song.
 
chords

It's all minor7ths (easier to say that once that type it out every time):

D G A

The chorus (I guess you'd call it) is just:
G A D twice then the A to the E

Can I copyright that?? ;-D
 
First recording, first composition? Damn, if this were baseball, you'd be Ichiro Suzuki.

If you can stand it, turn off your computer's monitor when you're recording single coils. It'll cut that hum right out.

Next time you put an mp3 up, make sure we all find out about it!
 
thanks again

I came up with the chord progression a couple years ago. Never got it on tape or anything, but every once in a while it would come to me again. Always figured it would be the first thing I would record given the chance.

As for the monitor, yeah, I could just shut off the monitor. I managed to kill the buzz by facing a certain direction, as well.
Jim
 
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