"Taking It All"

  • Thread starter Thread starter GONZO-X
  • Start date Start date
It's pretty busy guitar-wise, so I guess the drums could come up just a touch, but not much.
During the acoustic intro, there's too much vocal reverb for my tastte (but that's just me)
I don't like the guitar tone of the shredding guitar lead that starts at 2:30, don't think it meshes well with the other guitars at that point.
 
Cool song! I think its well done. Good voice. I really like the part at 2:48.

Whats your setup for recording the acoustic parts?
 
mjbphotos said:
It's pretty busy guitar-wise, so I guess the drums could come up just a touch, but not much.
During the acoustic intro, there's too much vocal reverb for my tastte (but that's just me)
I don't like the guitar tone of the shredding guitar lead that starts at 2:30, don't think it meshes well with the other guitars at that point.
Click to expand...

yes, i'm on the fence about just running the vox dry or not.....

and i guess the guitar tones are just what i wanted to stand out against the other guitars!
but again, just a subjective decision.......

thanks for listening!
 
Bruthish said:
Cool song! I think its well done. Good voice. I really like the part at 2:48.

Whats your setup for recording the acoustic parts?
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appreciate the comments, bruthish....
the acoustics were very simple,
a single mic (probably a AT4033 or ADK Hamburg) pointing at the base of the neck,
thru a tube pre, and a dbx compressor.

it's a Taylor 414
 
For one thing, you've convinced me to finally pick up the Taylor 414 that I play every time I'm in Guitar Center. What a beautiful f***ing sound.

-The only major thing I would change in this song is the drums, particularly the snare. The toms are plenty loud, and the overheads sound like they're at the right spot. The kick drum is a pretty good sit with the bass, too, though it could lose some of the boominess and bring out the beater a bit (around 2khz, but I'm sure you know that). But the snare is just lost. Bring it up a good 3-4db.

-I do like the verb on the vox, and verb tends to be a rather personal taste. So I think do what you want with the verb.

-I also agree that the tone of the shred guitar at 2:30 took me by surprise. It felt too harsh against the other guitars.

But seriously, you this song rocks and I would listen to an album from you. Thanks for sharing man!
 
Nice job - lots going on, but I think I can hear it all. I would like to hear the lead vocal a little more up front, maybe with less or different reverb. Maybe less compression on the snare? I'm out of my depth - I doubt I could mix all that very well. I for one, like the lead guitar sound at 2:30.

I've never liked to play Taylors, but they seem to record very well.
 
Holy crap...........frikkin' awesome man!! I love it! I really wouldn't change anything...........if I had come up with such a gem............but since you asked. The main vocal and hamonies are fine the way they are. The verb fits the song. Around 2:30 the twin guitars are bit too loud and I agree with Brian that the bass drum is a bit boomy.......if not sort of mushy. And I'd also rethink the sound of the snare. It's ok the way it is but it sounds just a tad bit boxy and could have more bite to it. Not much....just a bit.

Anyway......as I mentioned.........you could leave it as it is and it would remain awesome. Thanks for the listen !!
 
Btyre2013 said:
what happend to the link?
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it's not the link,
it's sound cloud.

i actually hit the link, got the notice of 'degraded performance' that they are working for,
it sat there for about 2 minutes, and then played fine.

maybe North Korea again?

:)



. i would just download it anyway,
sounds WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY better. LOL
 
Brian Miller said:
For one thing, you've convinced me to finally pick up the Taylor 414 that I play every time I'm in Guitar Center. What a beautiful f***ing sound.

-The only major thing I would change in this song is the drums, particularly the snare. The toms are plenty loud, and the overheads sound like they're at the right spot. The kick drum is a pretty good sit with the bass, too, though it could lose some of the boominess and bring out the beater a bit (around 2khz, but I'm sure you know that). But the snare is just lost. Bring it up a good 3-4db.

-I do like the verb on the vox, and verb tends to be a rather personal taste. So I think do what you want with the verb.

-I also agree that the tone of the shred guitar at 2:30 took me by surprise. It felt too harsh against the other guitars.

But seriously, you this song rocks and I would listen to an album from you. Thanks for sharing man!
Click to expand...


thanks for listening brian....

i really dig my taylor,
but it can be super bright....or super bassy....
just depends on how well you mic it.

drums, well , they were recorded at another studio, and the tracks are what they are.
i will decide whether or not to leave them natural (where they are mostly now, except too low in the mix) or,
really process them in a modern in-your-face method,
i'll probably do both versions, and decide later.

same with vox, and i might just re-record the solo guitars, i have some different ideas now than i had then..
 
Wow, this is one GREAT song! This is really ass-kicking stuff man. I think the mix could be improved a little, some of the distorted guitars are too loud and too harsh. Especially compared to the vocals. And I think the solo guitar lacks a clearly defined attack, which is a shame cuz the solo playing is great. Sorta Vai-ish during Zappa.

But this is really a GREAT song man.
 
Great song Gonzo. Good to see a familiar name.

I love the song and the performances are just fantastic. Natural, flowing and tight. Great swagger and confidence to your vocals. The way you sing gives this almost a theatrical feel, which is sooooooooo cool.

There are aspects to your playing that remind me of some of my favourite guitar players. You have your own style, but I appreciate that I can hear influences in you that I have always admired. Your songwriting is varied and creative, but I particularly like your up tempo hard rockers.

There are some great guitar tones here. 1:46 in particular are beautiful, rich and deep.

I think the bass and the drums are a little too low in the mix compared to the guitars and vocals. I understand focusing on elements, but I think the balance is off here. The clarity is good, just levels. Not sure how my ears feel about the kick and snare. They are a little too buried to make a good judgement on them. I am guessing that if you feature them a bit more you may need to tweak them a touch.

On my 5th listen... great tune.
 
antichef said:
Nice job - lots going on, but I think I can hear it all. I would like to hear the lead vocal a little more up front, maybe with less or different reverb. Maybe less compression on the snare? I'm out of my depth - I doubt I could mix all that very well. I for one, like the lead guitar sound at 2:30.

I've never liked to play Taylors, but they seem to record very well.
Click to expand...

thanks for listening, chef!

those taylors, they do record well.
but can be a bear to dial in the right mic setup,
and once you find it, you can't move!!!
LOL
 
Mickster said:
Holy crap...........frikkin' awesome man!! I love it! I really wouldn't change anything...........if I had come up with such a gem............but since you asked. The main vocal and hamonies are fine the way they are. The verb fits the song. Around 2:30 the twin guitars are bit too loud and I agree with Brian that the bass drum is a bit boomy.......if not sort of mushy. And I'd also rethink the sound of the snare. It's ok the way it is but it sounds just a tad bit boxy and could have more bite to it. Not much....just a bit.

Anyway......as I mentioned.........you could leave it as it is and it would remain awesome. Thanks for the listen !!
Click to expand...

alright mickster!
thanks for checking it out....

seems everybody is on the same page with the basics as far as things to change....
i'm gonna get that kick right!
LOL
 
are the lyrics about illegal downloading? I liked it a lot!

really good guitar playing, maybe the weakest thing in the mix (for me) are the drums, bass drum is a little soft, snare seems very dry and the hi-hat is a bit on the harsh side.
 
MysticNetherlan said:
Wow, this is one GREAT song! This is really ass-kicking stuff man. I think the mix could be improved a little, some of the distorted guitars are too loud and too harsh. Especially compared to the vocals. And I think the solo guitar lacks a clearly defined attack, which is a shame cuz the solo playing is great. Sorta Vai-ish during Zappa.

But this is really a GREAT song man.
Click to expand...

alright mystic, thanks for the listen!

you know, any guitars that sound harsh, are probably going to be re-done with a more modern approach....
or, a way-more old school approach!

LOL

one, or the other, don't know which yet, but it will be smoother......
 
kindafishy said:
Great song Gonzo. Good to see a familiar name.

I love the song and the performances are just fantastic. Natural, flowing and tight. Great swagger and confidence to your vocals. The way you sing gives this almost a theatrical feel, which is sooooooooo cool.

There are aspects to your playing that remind me of some of my favourite guitar players. You have your own style, but I appreciate that I can hear influences in you that I have always admired. Your songwriting is varied and creative, but I particularly like your up tempo hard rockers.

There are some great guitar tones here. 1:46 in particular are beautiful, rich and deep.

I think the bass and the drums are a little too low in the mix compared to the guitars and vocals. I understand focusing on elements, but I think the balance is off here. The clarity is good, just levels. Not sure how my ears feel about the kick and snare. They are a little too buried to make a good judgement on them. I am guessing that if you feature them a bit more you may need to tweak them a touch.

On my 5th listen... great tune.
Click to expand...

fishy,
thanks for listening, and especially thanks for the words of encouragement.

i have a lot of guitars layered here,
and to get to more clarity,
i MAY elect to really strip down the mix here,
maybe just one guitar,
and put a bit more room on the drums, and give em some room to breathe.....
 
Btyre2013 said:
are the lyrics about illegal downloading? I liked it a lot!

really good guitar playing, maybe the weakest thing in the mix (for me) are the drums, bass drum is a little soft, snare seems very dry and the hi-hat is a bit on the harsh side.
Click to expand...

heheh, i never thought of it like that!
no, it isn't about illegal downloading...

but it could be!

LOL, i'll roll with that if it's catchy.......

those drums were exceptional playing, but not exceptional capture....
i can tweak them more aggressively for sure....and will.
 
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