New song in progress: first day's mix

[beatlefreak]

Never had a hurricane around these here parts!

Just burning rivers.

[kiramdear]

I use an Apple IMac G5, and my GB is the iLife '08 version. For guitar and bass I use the computer's sound-in jack with a 1/4" mono to 1/8" stereo cord. The keyboard (M-Audio 49e) uses USB but takes its power from the computer (nice). GB finds everything as soon as you plug it in. I don't use a hub or any interface device at all. It's so easy.
The rest is just reading the get started guide and then supplementing my knowledge as I go along with the tutorials, manual, etc. You have to poke around a bit to find out all the effects, EQ stuff, but it's all straighforward once you get going. I'm no genius at this computer recording although I have some friends who know a lot. They tried to get me going with Reason, Logic, Peak and others to no avail. Actually I love Guitar Rig and I want to use it in recording too, but I'm not sure how to manage it with the standalone version that I have. I think I'll need both computers involved.

Here's the latest mix; no new instruments but a bit of fiddling and clicking since earlier today:
http://www.filefactory.com/file/56092b/ ... 08_7PM_mp3

[jps]

I will be a pro in no time, say, uh, what time is it?

[kiramdear]

I wasn't happy with the bass so I redid the part last night. Whole new bass track and I added levels automation on the organ parts, fiddled with the drums and beefed the lower-mid eq on the guitar.

http://www.filefactory.com/file/462490/ ... 8_12PM_mp3

[1965]

Just some thoughts:

Where'd the snare go? it needs to get a bit louder, while the kick needs a lot less reverb. It sounds kind of 80's-esque, which imho isn't good. Also, try a high cut above 12-15000 khz or so on the cymbals so they don't sound as much like a drum machine.

Are you running the guitar straight in? Using a mic would make a big difference for the better, also try cutting the lows below 250-450k to let the bass fill in the bottom. Guitar could probably use a little more mid oomph as well.

Try working with wetter reverb on the organ to make it sound more distant and realistic. Listen to the song "Don't kill yourself baby" on my album. That's just a ****** midi keyboard, but it sounds pretty good I think.

[goofyfoot]

Kira.....Sounds solid so far, man, especially with only a trio of instruments being used. As another member suggested, you might want to integrate that snare sound into the mix a skosh more to give it a bit of an edge. Did you lay down two bass lines? The more evident one has a woody, acoustic quality to it --- cool. If so, I'd also raise the underlying bass line volume a tad. Otherwise, yeah, it's a great, great start! You definitely have gotten the hang of Logic's capabilities. Oh, heck! What do I know? I'm such a sloppy player as it is! Keep on keepin' on. Best regards.....Goofyfoot.

[kiramdear]

Thanks, guys. I'm taking your suggestions to heart. I laid down a passle of vocals today and I'm up to my ears now trying to mix them in. Because I'm such a beginner at this it's one step forward, two steps back. Anyway, new mix with vocals soon

[kiramdear]

http://www.filefactory.com/file/19037b/ ... asic_2_mp3

Here's some vocals and a brand new mix. I threw out the first bass track so all that amazing bass sound is coming from one track, both p'ups direct into the computer.

Whew, I'm ready for a break

[melibreits]

Wow, it sounds cool! It's really taking shape nicely!

I wish I had an easier way to share my works in progress, but my Korg D1200 recording unit is self-contained until I mix everything down and burn it to a CD, which I then have to convert to MP3's.... It's a pain. It would be great to get feedback from people who know what they're doing--I love seeing the process in action here!

[kiramdear]

I wish I had an easier way to share my works in progress, but my Korg D1200 recording unit is self-contained until I mix everything down and burn it to a CD, which I then have to convert to MP3's.... It's a pain. It would be great to get feedback from people who know what they're doing--I love seeing the process in action here!

I never used one of those all-in-one recorders. Sounds great for live or traveling situations. Garage band can send a mix-down directly to my iTunes library for burning, converting etc. in just a few moments. I can't believe how easy it is to create and share my music nowadays.

[kiramdear]

Here's the latest mix. I refined the levels and reverb on the vocals.

http://www.filefactory.com/file/516f5c/ ... asic_4_mp3

[kiramdear]

OK, I'm calling it a good basic mix for the moment:

http://www.filefactory.com/file/2a6e0b/ ... asic_3_mp3

Overdubs coming.

[lcjones]

Well, I for one an seriously impressed! This is great! Man, I love the dischord. Do I detect a John Lennon influence in the melody? It's there in my mind.

I'm a fan.

[kiramdear]

Why does the good mix always come at four AM (yaaaaaawnnnnn!)

I just woke up to find you've made my morning with your kind words. Ummmmm, dischord, what dischord? I'm just off-key

Yeah, I like the mix now. What I need is some tips on how to refine the individual sounds still a bit. The drums sound a bit canned, for example.

I plan to add some drum flourishes and lead guitar today.

[lcjones]

I meant nothing bad at all by dischord! At :43 in, where you start your very cool bass run, the guitar is playing a 7th?? chord which to my ears creates a few moments of unresolved notes against the bass run. It creates an anticipation for me in the song. I love it. When it gets to the end of the run @ about 1:01 you give me the payoff back into the next verse. Shew!