new user "hello"

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RDuke

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Lots of nice message areas here. I need places like this on sloow workdays like today. Hope I'll learn some things as read more in the future.

I'm a recording veteran of about nine months. With no prior recording experience, took the plunge with Tascam 788 end of last year and have been spending more GAS $$$ and having fun ever since. I'm an acoustic guitarist with a couple Taylors (314 and 614, the latter of which I recently purchased), sing a little, and write some original material.

If you're bored (like me today!), you can listen to some of my tunes here, or use the home page link. I'm gonna revisit some of the early mixes RSN and ease back on the reverb; it's the prevalent criticism I've received elsewhere. Started out with a single mic (AKG c1000s) and added a Rode NT1 for stereo miking the last few songs. My 614 maple Taylor made it in the last couple instrumental tracks, and everything else was with the 314. Maybe my best overall effort is Had to be You, but everyone seems to have their own preferences. Anyway, the end of this project is in sight and I can move on the next phase, whatever that ends up being.

Rick
 
Welcome Duke-meister.

I listened to Carolina Day. I picked it because it was the first original in the list that had vocals. Many times people will specifiy a song or two that they really want feedback on.

I thought C-day was a fairly nice song. I like a little bluegrass now and then. I was tapping my toes. Good sounding guitar and a decent singing voice.

My biggest impression was that there's some pretty wet reverb. This is kind of a simple arrangement, and should be quite a bit more dry.

The other suggestion was that you could get some really cool 7th chord harmonies going on this one.

Was that little stutter-stop with the guitar at about 2:45 intentional?

Just thoughts.. Take 'em for what they're worth.
 
Welcome RDuke,

I listened to Second Son I think. Very nice, dreamy yet classic feel. Mix sounds good, but I agree with TripleM, the vox have some pretty thick reverb. Overall great job though.
Explore some of the forums here, I think you;ll like it :)
 
Welcome!!

I am at work so I cant listen to your music right now, but I am looking forward to hearing it tonight. I just wanted to stop by and say welcome. Stick with this forum as all of these folks around here are tremendously helpful. I have learned a lot from these guys and I learn even more everyday. It makes for some interesting reading and the music posts are better than ANYTHING that you will hear on the radio today...anyway, as usual I am rambling...Glad to have you as part of the extended family!!!:D
 
E X C E L L E N T... I downloaded a bunch of the fingerstyle instrumentals. Top notch. I'm primarily an acoustic fingerstyle player myself. What kind of pre? What tuning did you use on Blue Heaven? What was the compression settings on Touch the Sky? Seemed a bit over squashed. But the performance and tune were most excellent. Nice work all around. These tunes are going into my fingerstyle rotation.
 
hello rduke

i spun "second son", pretty cool song!! very original. i really like the harmonic intro!! maybe a little heavy with the flange on the git.. welcome aboard.


peace

rick
 
Welcome Rick,

I listened to It Had to be you,since you recommended it.
Really nice guitar tone,and your playing is just great!

Your voice and music reminds me very much of Seals and Crofts,very nice.

Thanks for sharing,
Pete
 
Hey, thanks everyone. Like I mentioned, my tendancies thus far have been to over-effect, so I'm working on it. Think I've got enough quantity now to justify a full CD compilation, so I'll be revisiting many of the tracks.

Compression used is all internal to the 788...Stereo compression, 4:1 ratio is what I normally use on all my tracks. Preamped with a Midi Man Audio Buddy, starting a third way or so down the list. First few were just 788's onboard preamp.

Blue Heaven tuning: CADGBD (open G with dropped C). This one was really my first attempt at a nonstandard tuning, besides Drop D. Recently rerecorded, but haven't posted. I'm a slut for harmonic intro's in case you can't tell.

Touch the Sky was just a short piece I came up with recently. I was looking to build my own intro to Poco's Crazy Love, and it just kind of became its own song.

Glad others of you like Second Son. Though it's going to be the title track (and not necessarily the best), I've haven't received many comments on it. It's in Drop D. I'm not a keyboard player at all, but used a Boss DR-5 for some backing...actually playing it like a darn desktop calculator. I know nothing about drums, and haven't gotten around to learning how to program it yet, if ever.

Carolina Day was just an attempt at something blue grassy and country, and I am southern, afterall.

Other stuff is equally different. I don't seem to fit tightly into any one genre...good or bad (?).

Bull City Blues is R&B with some local appeal. Actually resurrected my old strat copy on it.

Had to be You is jazzy folk, playing predominantly off Maj7th chords...straight on down the major scale. Love playing lead against chords like that.

The River just flows through different sound personalities, much like a river would. For some reason, I think Pat Metheny when I play it, though I probably don't sound a thing like him. Wishful thinking...

Maple Run was inspired by my 614 purchase.

The remaining are just covers I find most appealing...longtime Yes and ELP fan.

I'll shut up now...

Rick
 
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thanks for posting the tuning. I am now going to steal that tune. i am now running away and laughing with an evil grin....

Seriously though... I'd love hear what you came up with in some other tunings. DADGAD is a pretty popular one and easy to navigate. EADEAE is one of my newer favorites that I'm exploring. So hurry up and come up with some new stuff, damnit!
 
Yeah, I'll try some others soon enough. It's easier when you have multiple guitars.
 
really nice playing... a lot of reverb too...and I AM the reverb KING!!!

I want to know...what kind of differecnces do you notice between the 314 and 614...and why did you decide to get a 614? maybe obvious answers, but I'd like to hear yours.

welcome, btw.
 
"Blue Heaven"

Way cool stuff there Rick. Yeah, those harmonics are sweet... nice folky tune. Would be cool to hear someone like Cat Stevens croon to this. Thanks for sharing your songs.

BTW if you're a slut for harmonics in the intro, Puddle of Mudd ("Blurry") must be a group of crack whores :)


Chad
 
Hey RDuke -- Welcome aboard...I listened to some of Maple Run (well, the first few seconds anyway) ... Unfortunately I can't listen to the entire thing because it is only in hi-fi (and I can only listen in lo-fi)...but wanted to welcome you, and also say that the beginning of that song sounded great with a very cool folk quality about it ...
 
Lovely playing! I too listened to Carolina Day... The guitars is just tasty, and you have a comfortable, homespun voice. if I were to offer any critique it would be that the whole thing is a little 'verb-saturated for this genre; it takes away from the natural roots feel. You've got the comression about right for my ear though; it's rich and warm and still clearly defined.

Very pleasing stuff!

Oh, and welcome! I'm a newbie to this forum too!


Cheers!
Phil "Llarion: The Jazzinator" Traynor
www.llarion.com
 
listened to Had to be you and Blue heaven

very good playing and sound ... I have a 615 but realy would like a smaller body guitar also for fingerstyle stuff

again great playing and voice
cheers
 
Thanks again for all comments.

Llarion: I love smooth jazz and I look forward to listening to your stuff; I still lack broadband at home so I'll have to try from work. I like your home page, too. Very well done, and the cats are way cool! Got three ourselves, though two are about at the end of their lifespan with us.

Mixmkr: I chose the 614 because of maple's balanced sound. Good for recording and live performance, though I'm not a live performer yet. I'm still getting to know the sound differences against the 314, which is a thinner, less overpowering sound. I also use Elixer X-lights on the 314 (.010), and the 614 currently has Elixer custom lights (.011). Still will be a while before I know which is more appropriate for a given song. So far the 614 seems to be the better choice for fingersytle and the 314 for strums and flatpicking.

Fed: I like the smaller bodies of the x14's. Best of both worlds, IMO.

Rick
 
Awesome!!

I just listened to Blue Heaven, it is KICKIN!!!
I could listen to that all day. My husband is a lead man he bought a Takamine about 4 yrs ago. It's his pride and joy.
I'm trying to adapt your fingerstyle of CADGBD on Blue Heaven to my keyboard/piano. It's sounds pretty tough. Going to listen to Carolina Day and Second Son now. Excellent work!!
 
I also use Elixer X-lights on the 314 (.010), and the 614 currently has Elixer custom lights
Click to expand...

Hey,
I play a 410 ce and recently had some Elixer custom lights put on (after I had the git box go to the doc for a set up after the Mn summer).

I like how they record but, if FEELS like I'm playing with lotion on my hands!! I can deal with it on simple strumming songs but, when I try to cope a fill or lead........I feel like I'm slipping all over the place.................is it just me and my never ending ego reasons why I suck a the git or.......am I noticeing a true give and take of the strings?



Sorry to streamline a ? but, you have more talent and git time than I. Plus, you own TWO Taylors. You must be an expert :D :D

Thanks and damn nice playing,

Theron.

Oh.........and on "Carolina Day"

I'd push the intro and "lead" git to the left some, pull the right git more towards center and cut a full on lead after the vocal cues such as "pick it", "swing your partner roun'" and "bring it on home"..........You've got the chops! Now, get it in the mix. Right smack down center as loud as the vox (well, maybe 1 db less).

Just some simple thoughts on your mix, mind you...:)
 
Thanks again everyone for the constructive comments. Spent the better portion of the weekend in my studio remixing, punching, and generally drying things out. Hope I can finish up the remaining tracks over the next couple weeks.

M-Lane: You might find alot of keyboard freedom in Second Son. Any ten-year-old can outplay me.

TheRon: You think two Taylors are excessive? I know folks that own several (and more!) and they can't possibly play them all. Hows that for gluttony... ;)

Rick
 
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