Student Original

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GuitarLegend

GuitarLegend

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My 17yo male guitar student asked if I would record one of his originals. This is the recording. I used an AKG D7 dynamic and an AKG P170 condenser to record the acoustic guitar. An AKG D7 dynamic captured the vocals. My student played guitar and sang, I played electric base and acoustic drums, which were miked using (AKG) D7, P170 and D11 mics

Sorry about the bass-drum-mounted tambourine :/

View attachment Adam Preston - Dreamers.mp3
 
Hi Guitar Legend

Didn't mind the bass drum mounted tambourine (that was a new one for me). I couldn't really hear the bass drum though. Would have liked the bass guiitar to be a bit less muddy and more prominent. The guitar in the centre had a bit too much plectrum sound, it came across almost like another percussion instrument, it may have been better panned over the right.) Liked it though.
 
Thanks Toad, I added the bass to give the guitar a bit more depth without taking the show away from it. Just wanted to get the student's playing. Even the drums were more or less an add on just to make it more complete. Yeah, the tambourine is made to mount on the cowbell mount. Sometimes it adds noise, other times it fits well. There are some that mount on the hihat but this one was a bit big for that. Thanks for the feedback :)
 
Although I've played lead guitar in bands I see myself as a bass player so I always listen for some bass. Maybe I should have been listening to the song rather than the production. On second listen it's a good song, I like the hook, performed with passion and feeling. In fact the sparse production gives the song an edge, and as you intended it doesn't detract from the song or the singer ( I don't often go for over produced stuff anyway). It's better than what I was writing at 17.
 
Thanks Toad, I agree with looking at the production. Every musician will listen for his own instrument and they should all be done well. I think that pick noise and string screech is present in any quality guitar recording and are good evidence of an actual instrument being played, although I know that both of these can be added artificially to a synthesised guitar to add realism. I was pretty happy with the guitar though. I cant think of a way I would care to change it.

I also thought the bass drum was fairly prominent. If I brought it up any more it would be in your face. There may be places where I am simply not kicking it at all or at least very lightly. The tambourine tracks that so its reasonably easy to hear where a kick should be present. Still its good to listen with other peoples' ears. Thanks again
 
Considering the simplicity and repetitiveness it is not boring and kept me tappin' throughout. Any chance for some harmony vocals? They would add a nice touch. It's a thick guitar mix and I like it that way. Some might like some more snare but I think the guitar keeps it goin'. Nice one!... :D:D:D:D
 
Nice singing voice. Guitar sound is a little boxy, but I thought it worked pretty well on this one.

Little pop at :17. Like a bad punch or edit.

A tempo issue here and there with some of the guitar stabs.

I'd bring the bass up - I don't think it will distract from anything else.

I agree that harmony vocals would be a nice addition.
 
TripleM said:
Little pop at :17. Like a bad punch or edit.
Click to expand...

That was well spotted. There was an anomaly with the original recording where he got out of temp by half a bar and I had to cut the section but I didnt think it showed... We had done three takes and he couldnt resolve it in that time so I didnt bother doing a fourth. He said he would work on it but he has been too busy to get back here. I will check out some harmony ideas. Thanks for the feedback
 
TripleM said:
Nice singing voice. Guitar sound is a little boxy, but I thought it worked pretty well on this one.

Little pop at :17. Like a bad punch or edit.
Click to expand...

Ok, pop cleaned. I don't really understand "boxy". I have heard it mentioned before but not really sure what boxy means and what "not boxy" sounds like. To me, it sounds like the original acoustic guitar. I could use some advice on avoiding or treating the boxiness bit...

Ignore that, I've got the idea now. Just read another post that describes it pretty well.

View attachment Adam Preston - Dreamers.mp3
 
LeadPaint said:
Lots of dynamic compression, you like it that way?
Click to expand...

Are you looking at the waveform? I take it as high as possible without degrading the dynamics too much. I clip maybe 3-6db off the top to get the loudness up a bit but thats all

It looks worse than it sounds unless you think it sounds bad. I appreciate your comments
 
GuitarLegend said:
Are you looking at the waveform? I take it as high as possible without degrading the dynamics too much. I clip maybe 3-6db off the top to get the loudness up a bit but thats all

It looks worse than it sounds unless you think it sounds bad. I appreciate your comments
Click to expand...
Yes, I was looking at the waveform. Maybe this accounts for some placebo effect too, but I think it sounds rather compressed. It seems to make the track sound somewhat 'nervous'.
Anyway, this could be just me. I like lots of dynamics. :)
 
No, I trust your ears. It was a bit compressy (is that a word?) Did you listen to the uncompressed version?
 
You are very observant.... his solo went for like ten bars, it got to me... so I cut one out

The drums... acoustic set, I had three mics on it, one on the bass and two overhead. It was mainly to add a beat to the song. The drums are Yamaha Stage Custom with Sabian cymbals (2 crash, 1 ride). I provided them for dummers to use so they didnt have to go to the trouble of transporting and setting up their own but I didnt exactly have a fortune to spend on them. I imagine I could do a whole lot better
 
GuitarLegend said:
You are very observant.... his solo went for like ten bars, it got to me... so I cut one out

The drums... acoustic set, I had three mics on it, one on the bass and two overhead. It was mainly to add a beat to the song. The drums are Yamaha Stage Custom with Sabian cymbals (2 crash, 1 ride). I provided them for dummers to use so they didnt have to go to the trouble of transporting and setting up their own but I didnt exactly have a fortune to spend on them. I imagine I could do a whole lot better
Click to expand...

I must say, I couldn't make it sound as good as you did. I just pay much attention to dynamics.
 
I appreciate that. If you ever looked at the credits at the end of a movie and the mind-boggling number of people whose various abilities went into the production, you get an idea of the value of collaborating strengths. I think some of the reason for posting here is to get criticism for parts you tend to overlook. It's all improvement... thanks again :)
 
I think the last version sounds better to my ears. The vocals sound warmer and more natural.
 
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