ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
Miscellaneous => Recording - Studio Talk => Topic started by: Zilthy on January 20, 2021, 02:35:32 PM
-
I think I am off to a good start this year, 3rd song and video done. I have mentioned feeling motivated and inspired in another thread, I am going to try to feed and fuel that inspiration through the year. So I decided to start creating some SMART goals for music. (For anyone who does not know SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realist, Timely).
Goal: Complete and publish a music video every week this year. This is definitely a lot more concrete than in the past 'record music and videos and get better at them' and not too taxing, I am not being specific on each song, which leaves me open to style, etc. The idea behind my thinking is that instead of trying to get better, I will actually improve just by doing it. I think this weeks video is better than last weeks, which was better than the one before, etc.
Gear: Also a goal of mine, use only the gear I alread have. And in the case of the DAW, use only what came with Logic Pro even if some of my other plugins become supported. I think at this time, honing skills on what I already have will benefit me far more than anything additional. I definitely have enough music and video gear to do quality productions, it's experience needed. That said, the core gear:
DAW: M1 Mac mini, RME Babyface, Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro
Mics: AT3035, AT2021 and SM57
Guitars: Gibson Les Paul, Harmony H814 Flying V, Daisy Rock Rock Candy Extreme, Zilth Custom
Amps: Synergy SYN-30 with SLO Module in to Boss WAZA Tube Amp Expander
Cabs: Crate 4x12 (Greenbacks and V30s) and ADA Split Stacks
Bass: Ibanez MiKro
Keyboards: M-Audio Hammer 88 and Roland LX17
Violin: Fiddlerman Soloist, Shar Plug'n Play electric
Drums: Roland V-Drums
That's pretty much my studio setup, and I just finished re-arranging it last month and only have a couple of small things to clean up/re-arrange. BTW, 'studio' is a fancy name I am using for 'living room'. :)
Guidelines: I think I have already covered the guidelines I have given myself, mainly do 1 per week, and use only what I have. (Strings, picks, maintenance don't count) but for example, I will only use the SLO module. When I got the Synergy, it was so I could have a bunch of amps and more tones without taking up too much room, but, I think I will take this year and really see what I can get out of what I already have.
That's pretty much it, here's to a fun year, and hopefully learning a few things!
-
I got my second video done over this last weekend, I wasn't sure I was going to, I haven't really felt well this last week, but I did squeak it in over the weekend. The mix came together a lot faster this week than last week, setting up all of the busses and effects chains was much easier this time around, and not taking two months between songs, some short cuts I learned stuck with me. I guess consistency is key here too, just like playing. :D
I am much happier with the sound I got on the bass this week, I made a couple of changes there. I copied the DI bass to another track and then did an amp sim and blended them. Much punchier sound that way.
Listening to them side by side, I *think* this week's overall mix sounds better than last weeks recording, but it's also a couple db louder so it could be that. It's a bit too loud actually, but I hadn't noticed it until I played one after another. And that's another guideline I am adding for myself: Move on to next week. Learn the lesson and continue. I have so many tracks that I have never 'finished' because of this, always tweaking.
I am also getting a bit more used to my new process: Produce, then mix, then master.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkqUFr8I_O4
-
:metal: :metal: :metal:
Very nice again ;D
Nice basswork too :thumb-up:
-
:metal: :metal: :metal:
Very nice again ;D
Nice basswork too :thumb-up:
+1 :thumb-up:
-
Hey Zilthy,
Pretty good there! "Play slow to play fast" is nothing more than learning to walk before you can run! It's all about building finger memory so you can do it without thinking about it.
The bass sounds good too! Next, you'll be doubling your guitar tracks :thumb-up:
As far as getting better as a player goes, I can say this from experience: you'll get better the more you get into the music you're playing. It's not a conscious thing you do, it just kicks in when you are really digging what you're playing, and without thinking about it, you just begin getting more adventurous. We all do it sooner or later. You get caught up in the moment, then off you go!
Your goals are sensible ones, but when you get caught up in the moment, then bend your own rules a little. You're allowed.
Harley 8)
-
The bass sounds good too! Next, you'll be doubling your guitar tracks :thumb-up:
I did double track them. :D
-
I kind of thought it sounded a bit thicker than a single track :thumb-up:
-
Falling a little behind on my one video per week, but at least I managed to get one recorded this weekend.
One big change is that I am starting to feel more comfortable talking to the camera. Performing isn't overly
hard, but the talking is new. I still feel like a babbling idiot, but at least a more comfortable one! Hopefully
I will get to the point where I can actually express what I am learning playing/recording going through this
process. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-ShCsFByBI
-
Zilthy, you're doing fine, keep 'm coming !!
-
Really great video! Great sound and goo playing.
I understand the length of time it takes to do a video, it takes me forever. I need to try and make a few more for our bands webpage so people know we haven't died (yet).
-
Good one Zilthy!
You're doing great, but if I may, I'd like to caution you about the word "Perfect." Perfection is just like taste. It's subjective.
The best thing to do is play what you want to hear come from your guitar, and if it makes you happy, and makes you want to keep playing and not stop, then I would say you've reached that which is perfect for you! The next person may hear something totally different over the melody and strive to reach that. That would be perfect for them.
The fact that you're having fun doing this should tell you that you're closer than you think to playing it perfectly. I didn't hear a single sour note in the bunch :thumb-up:
Harley :thumb-up:
-
Your tones are really awesome. Nice playing too, you can tell you're playing a bit looser :thumb-up: Less inhibited
-
Thank you for the feedback, input, and inspiration!
So far I have been close to keeping up with my goal. I have not posted everything to Youtube, some are on Faceb**k and a couple of others are just sitting in the bin, but I am continuing to work on things, and I am learning not only music, but how to use some pieces of software more effectively.
This week is something completely different, it has been years since I have done any artwork, so I grabbed my iPad and went for it! Add a bit of synthesizer background and some video production, and off I go! So many interests, so little time!
The next guitar things will be an interesting challenge, although I absolutely love my current rig, I may end up having to sell some gear. The last couple of months medical bills are piling up, and I may end up making some decisions I would rather not make. One thing I am keeping in mind though, I can still create and express - even cutting down tools are not my limitation! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqApDdnLqy8
-
This last week's song, recording and video were both great and simultaneously a huge letdown for me. I was really looking forward to working on this piece, my new electric violin arrived sooner than I anticipated. I know, the previous post I mentioned selling some gear to cover some medical costs, but in order to cover this I am selling my other electric violin and electric cello.
It arrived, I was going to do an unboxing video and recorded the footage of that (but accidentally deleted, so sad). But, as soon as I took it out of the case, I knew this was the right instrument for me. That was only confirmed when I plugged it in and played the first note. Maybe it's just me, but I tend to put instruments in three categories:
Nope: I'm never going to gel with this instrument. It's not necessarily a knock on the instrument, it just means even if a fine instrument, I am never going to gel with it
Okay: Well, I can get along with it, but I am never going to love it.
Oooh, yeah...: The opposite of 'Nope'. It could be hard to play and need a lot of love and care to get to that point, but it is just right for me.
This fiddle hit the 'ooh yeah' for me. Fortunately, it doesn't need the TLC to get there. And I knew I wanted this week's song and video to be violin based. I am still looking for that sound in my head with it, but I know it's capable of getting there. I did not get what I was going for, but I am not unhappy with what I got. I am confident I will get there in time. I have a bit to learn finding my way around on the technical side of things recording, and the other is on the playing side of things. I need to get better at playing, violin sound, even electric is hugely based on bowing technique, and I need to get more comfortable with that aspect.
What really frustrated me was, I wanted to do some guitar in the mix for backing tracks and I tried to use my Yamaha THR 30 II instead of my Synergy SLO setup. That answered another question though, those are staying. The THR is okay for doing some quick practice with for me, and although it might mean I am inadequate as a player or sound engineer, that or other modeling amps like Line 6, Katana, even the vaunted Axe FX are not going to deliver what I am looking for in a guitar tone or feel. They are convenient, yes. Even on some cost effective, but, I just cannot make them go where I want them to.
So this week ended up with just some synth tracks for backing. I am getting the stack setup again and looking forward to not only getting some guitar tracks recorded with that setup, but also trying the new fiddle through that setup also. And doing a lot of playing and practicing... trying to master playing guitar takes a lot of time, adding violin, piano/keyboard, bass and drums so much more so. It is rewarding though, and rather than trying to approach virtuoso level at any I am going for feeling and competence at the level I am at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1kfwkgid7M
-
Hey Zilthy, nice one :thumb-up: I hear what you mean about the bowing technique, and maybe add a bit of left hand vibrato (like violinist seem fond of, me too BTW), just to add a bit more drama and feel/energy to the notes (hey easy to say, I can't even play violin LoL). Recording seemed fine to me. Sound was good, notes were in tune (no so trivial on fretless instrument).BTW I like your 3 categories, I never really thought about it like that before, although I realise (after reading your explanations) that I probably am similar albeit with me it's been more I like it or I don't. Good on you for having a go, the more you do it the better you'll get.... :headbanger:
-
Hey Zilthy,
Life's a Journey, not a Destination.
Exploring and experimenting along the way is what makes it interesting. You're on the right track. Just keep on doing it and you'll eventually stumble on something really cool that you didn't expect.
It's a good rendition of this song, especially for a first go at it, nicely done! :thumb-up:
Harley 8)
-
Just following up with a bit of an update. I have fallen behind in my original goal of doing a new video every week, but in a way, I have kept up. I have done some recordings, mostly have been original, but not what I consider 'complete' and also new drawings and art. I am really enjoying the process! I would love to do some full animations, and working towards that, but wow, doing cell animation solo to music is a *lot* of work for one person to try and do.
All that while working and practicing and trying to get better on guitar, violin, bass, keyboards, drums and drawing, as well as trying to take care of myself and get bike riding in. But, it is a good year so far. Musically my main focus is still guitar, but violin is riding up there too.
Though not what I would consider performance ready, or production ready, here are a couple of things that I have been working on. I tend to push out to Sound Cloud or google drive for feedback from a few people before I do videos.
Definitely out of my wheelhouse, playing around with some ambient stuff and trying to incorporate some guitar on it
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/dreamscape (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/dreamscape)
Was really starting to get in to the ambience, and decided to dive in more and let go of guitar a bit, and just really start experiencing ambient keyboards:
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/the-haunted-forest (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/the-haunted-forest)
And finally, back to some guitar a bit, and toss out a bit of 80s. I was testing out a new piece of gear, and did a fallback to a Ratt song I like to use for some tone testing
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/reactir-test (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/reactir-test)
-
Hey Zilthy,
You're not the only one who is out of their wheelhouse when it comes to ambient music, I'm right there with you. I wouldn't know where to begin.
I liked the last track though, great tone, cool chops :thumb-up:
Harley 8)
-
Yeah me too, the sound on the last track was killer !!
-
What you give is what you get the last song, is totally great good job. One of my favorite Ratt tunes.
-
Well, I didn't keep up with a video a week as I planned on, but I did do some recording each week. A lot of little short things like this one that I am not really sure what to do with. So I decided, I am just going to start finishing them up, amuse myself in the process, and put them out there.
On another note @MarshallJMP this is my first rack using the JCM800 module for my Synergy amp. I'm kind of digging it. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGr_1NmaTBc
-
Nice :thumb-up: , the JCM800 module sounds good.
-
Sounds very good but not what I expected from an 800. Did you use a boost pedal or is this the sound that's coming out of it? It does have a lot of gain ;D
-
Hey Zilthy,
Definitely a groove going on that video. 800 Module? I would have guessed that on the solo tracks, because that does sound a lot like I would dial in a JCM800 myself. There's a lot more beef to the notes than what I usually get from a Marshall. The power chords have more of a Mesa Boogie kind of tone to them.
On a different note, I went back and listened to your sound cloud uploads again, and an idea came to mind. The keyboards have laid down a good base, so what if you tracked some haunting solo melodies with the violin and the guitar? Maybe trading back and forth between them? Just a thought.
Harley 8)
-
@rnolan Thanks!
@MarshallJMP I did use a boost, and MXR Classic OD. Level around 3 o'clock, Tone 2 o'clock, gain barely on. I just dialed in what I like, and that OD is super thick, I love it. I tend to almost always use an OD with my gain tones, but I'll probably do some stuff without it sometime too. I think I drove that 800 harder than I've heard in most other demos I've heard of that one though. :D
@rnolan I think a lot of the beef comes from that OD. It doesn't roll off quite as much low end as a TS does, and definitely has a fatter but less pronounced midrange. As far as violin and guitar lead, that is probably where the direction of things is heading. Still just playing and finding myself musically, I think this last one is getting closer to where I am heading.
-
Ok, good to know, and like Harley says, it doesn't have the mid range of the 800. Strange that the od makes it fatter, usually it the other way around. Maybe the 6L6's have something to do with the mids too. But nice sounding anyway.
-
Hey MJMP,
I suppose it all comes down to what kind of OD you use to drive an amp with. I think I tried that MXR once, but that was going into a clean amp, and to my ears, that setup had a kind of raspy sound to it. So I could see it doing something like Zilthy says with the gain rolled all the way back. I think a similar OD would be the Bluesbreaker which has a warm, thick tone, but doesn't add a lot of distortion. I have one like that that I've been having a little fun adding it to a crunchy amp setting.
Like Zilthy says, a TS style OD will cut back a lot of low end, but that's because they tend to favor the upper mid frequencies, which with a JCM 800, can get very close to harsh.
@ Zilthy, May I suggest you take a listen to some of the solo projects of Jean-Luc Ponty? I love his work.
Harley 8)
-
Yeah, a lot of other ODs I've used have made the sound thinner too. I had a Horizon Devices Precision Overdrive before the MXR. It was a decent OD, but what it did to the sound wasn't what I was looking for, even using ver conservative settings that supposedly should have been in the tube screamer range. The MXR OD might not be for everyone, but I really like it. And if it's good enough for Zakk Wylde, it's good enough for me. :)
But I'm sure it's part the 6L6 power section, part my cab and speakers, possibly my pickups. I tend to favor Alnico II which at least to my ear ends up being very different with the upper midrange and highs.
And Harley, familiar with Monty. I like his work too. :D
-
I always use the old SD-1 as a boost for my JCM800 or JMP 2203. My JCM800 uses JCM800 cabs loaded with 12G65 and my JMP uses cabs with celestion G12M25 blackback speakers. The 65's have a bit more high end than the blackbacks but you EQ that out. Now I don't like to have to much bass, that's for the bass player ;) and I like the midrange I get this way.
I searched a long time to find the matching cabs for my JMP and I found a pair of them about a month ago, paid 600 euro for both cabs. The A cab has 75Hz blackbacks, the B cab has 55Hz and both are dated march 1979 and the JMP is from 1980, so only a year difference. I was super happy when I found these at a great price.
-
@MJMP,
You didn't buy those cabs, you STOLE THEM :lol:
-
@MJMP,
You didn't buy those cabs, you STOLE THEM :lol:
+1 O:-) :whoohoo!:
-
Yeah you're right, I did have a great deal. ;D You don't find them a lot of here, so I wonder what the price for these actually is.
-
Hey MJMP,
New Marshall cabs, similar to what you have go for around $1600 USD. Used ones are still pulling around $1000 -$1200 USD in good condition. Those you have there, if they still have the original speakers, would probably go higher than that because they would be considered "vintage" over here. That automatically doubles the price of used gear because people here are greedy and kind of stupid ;D
Harley 8)
-
Those black backs sound interesting for sure.
Right now running 2 Greenbacks on top and 2 V30s on the bottom, like it, but considering going full greenback or maybe even EVH/20W greenbacks.
Which is silly, because I am actually pretty happy with my tone these days. :)
-
My Plexi module arrived so tonight's entertainment is trying to dial in Mick's tone from Shout at the Devil. Getting close, but sheesh, I think they used some crazy EQ shenanigans recording that album. It almost sounds like a cocked wah, but not quite. I might have to break out another EQ to throw in front of the amp to get this tone.
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/looks-that-kill/s-ezkQdFybxmP?si=05f9008d2af44a8cb2b4e1d281293556 (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/looks-that-kill/s-ezkQdFybxmP?si=05f9008d2af44a8cb2b4e1d281293556)
And of course, a moderately famous Plexi player
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/plexi-vh/s-owUg5Fkr1sJ?si=75a81a5be1274bbeba3bf14f8051b64e (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/plexi-vh/s-owUg5Fkr1sJ?si=75a81a5be1274bbeba3bf14f8051b64e)
-
Hey Zilthy,
In response to your first post about your speakers: Why mess with it? If it's not broken, don't fix it.
About your 2nd post regarding Mick Mars' tone. It's not a stock plexi. His amp is a modded Marshall head that was done by Jose Arredondo, and it's not a particularly good sounding mod. That head was recently sold by Mick. I saw it and got to hear it a couple of months ago. It's definitely that tone, but not one I would enjoy playing through TBH. To my ears, it has a kind of grating quality to it.
Here is a link that might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlfr4xq2ZzY&t=1180s
Harley 8)
-
I saw that video, I've watched it a few times. :)
But even in Pete's video there it doesn't have what's going on in Shout. Going to play around and try a couple of EQ's as I mentioned, see where I get. I think my tone is pretty close in that vein, just missing that "Marshall with a cold" thing Shout has that none of the other albums seem to.
Ah, the ways I try to amuse myself. :D
But, it has been fun trying to dial in some exact tones, and also learning a lot about production, which has a *huge* impact in the final result. And I actually have an idea for a video series, I just need to see if I have the drive and ambition to carry it through. :D
-
I remember when I had my old Super Lead 100, which was a 1973 model BTW, I used to get that tone no problem. Of course, I was also using a Marshall cab with it too. We used to play "Looks That Kill" in one band I was in. I think I had one of my Big Muff Pi pedals on the board with that rig.
If I did, then I know I had the distortion backed way down on it. That amp didn't really need a distortion pedal on it at that time, because I cranked it up, and got most of my distortion from the amp.
Just remember to compensate for the 6L6 tubes you have in the power amp.
Harley 8)
-
Well, it's 2022. I didn't get as much recording last year as I had planned though I got a lot started. A lot had to do with career and a new job, which has been really great so far for the last few months. I liked my previous job, but it was becoming quite a challenge financially.
2022 is off to a bit of a slow start recording, but I am still working on it and playing as often as I can. I did put together a little something this weekend, a song I've always loved. I knew the main riff and some stuff, but digging in, there is a lot more going on than I thought and it's pretty quick. Still need to tighten it up but it's a fun start.
Mainly it was something to see how the ZIO works in the mix, and I really like it. It is definitely a lot more transparent than some of the other drives I have used, and I really like how it leaves a lot more of the raw tone and clarity of the amp, even with some fairly heavy gain.
https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/toys-in-the-attic-1?si=505c31aa11264b399e11b5efccb3a89b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing (https://soundcloud.com/user-485788768/toys-in-the-attic-1?si=505c31aa11264b399e11b5efccb3a89b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing)
-
Zilthy,
I think you're on a good run even if you feel like you're behind. I wish I had the time/energy left over after work to mess around and do something creative with my DAW.
Keep it up! Waiting to see/hear more of your stuff.
-
Zilthy,
I think you're on a good run even if you feel like you're behind. I wish I had the time/energy left over after work to mess around and do something creative with my DAW.
Keep it up! Waiting to see/hear more of your stuff.
+1 :thumb-up:
-
Zilthy,
I think you're on a good run even if you feel like you're behind. I wish I had the time/energy left over after work to mess around and do something creative with my DAW.
Keep it up! Waiting to see/hear more of your stuff.
+1 :thumb-up:
+1 :metal: