Byrds covers (9 songs)

[beatbyrd]

Hi, I just published my website. It has my covers of mostly 60's tunes. I do all the music and vocal parts. There are 9 Byrds songs, as well as some McGuinn, Petty, and others. Some are pretty close approximations; some not so close. Let me know what you think. The site is: http://www.beatbyrd.com
Tom

[kvalois]

Very nicely done-- great Rickenbacker!!! Do you use a Janglebox?

Karl

[jimk]

Hey Tom, can I join your band?
JimK

[beatbyrd]

Hey Tom, can I join your band?
JimK

Sure, Jim, although it's gonna double the size of the group... I need someone who actually can play guitar, like the solo on 8MH or Spaceman. I'm just a bass player hacking away on that 360.

I use a Janglebox 2 on a fairly new 360/12. I don't how much toasters would improve the sound and make it more authentic, but I might try them someday.
Tom

[paologregorio]

I think it sounds fantastic. Nice, lush 12 string sound. I'll learn any song you want to sign me up for.

[Folkie]

Tom,

Impressive work! I myself recorded a program of Byrds songs a few years ago, but my vocals and the drum tracks just weren't up to snuff. I'd like to go back and try again, by I haven't gotten around to it. A few questions: What recorder and drum machine did you use? Did you mic an amp or run the guitar and Janglebox directly into the console? How many vocal and guitar overdubs did you do on each track? Did you figure out the songs by ear or with online assistance?

Robert

[8mileshigher]

Tom ---- sounds pretty good !! You've been hard at work recording.
Thanks for posting the web link.

[beatbyrd]

Tom,

Impressive work! I myself recorded a program of Byrds songs a few years ago, but my vocals and the drum tracks just weren't up to snuff. I'd like to go back and try again, by I haven't gotten around to it. A few questions: What recorder and drum machine did you use? Did you mic an amp or run the guitar and Janglebox directly into the console? How many vocal and guitar overdubs did you do on each track? Did you figure out the songs by ear or with online assistance?

Robert

The recorder is a Tascam 2488. Everything recorded, mixed, and mastered on that. No computer edits yet, but maybe in time. The drums are all done with fingers on a keyboard; no drum machine. That explains the occasional timing variances and the rather poor drum sound. I don't own an amp. Everything is (indirectly) recorded direct (various combinations of compressor, preamp, analog mixer, effects unit, stomp boxes). I'm not a very good singer, so I usually double track all leads to fatten 'em up. The number of tracks depends on the song and what I think it needs. I usually don't bother with the Crosby guitar parts. Some of them, I just don't like. I find basic rhythm tabs on the web and start there; everything else is by ear. I have no formal training. It's amazing to me that you can now get a CD quality 24 track recorder for $625. I spent many frustrating years limited to 4 tracks and large tape expenses, turning out noisy garbage. Now, recording is actually fun.
Hope this helps. Tom