The Challenge September 2011 - Please Vote

Renesongs · 2011-09-26T14:00:30+00:00

OK thats more like it people here are our challengers for September. There was some confusion to whether the categories applied so I am going to ask you the jury to decide in your own head which category applies. To be fair please ignore the categories that some challengers used decide for yourself and write a comment if you feel strongly enough .Please cast your 3 votes by Friday 30th [quote author=mity88 link=action=profile;u=1880 date=1316582942] Alrity, so i decided to send this to you before i change my mind. i hope this is ok I'ts just two guitars, lead guitar using an E-Bow Beginner category please http://www.box.net/shared/pqa29n0bif3vxjl7mxje thank you [/quote] [quote author=Hammeron link=action=profile;u=3309 date=1316626723] Rene hi. Here is my entry for the September challenge: The Questioning. I wrote this riff a couple of years ago and entered the original recording a couple of challenges back but pulled it because it was too long. Anyway, we re-recorded it with some additions, most notably, the theremin backing. We thought of adding percusion and bass but decided that the theremin and guitar complimented each other beautifully. This is me on guitar and Harold on the theremin. Enjoy! http://www.box.net/shared/hlzppab1lyu2pkpqxkrs [/quote] [quote author=deefstes link=action=profile;u=2979 date=1316684551] Hi Rene, Here's my entry for this month's challenge. Nothing as grandiose as I had originally planned and certainly nothing as grandiose as I'm hoping to hear from other entrants but a fun evening's exercise. Sleepwalk: http://www.box.net/shared/si20jmfqgn0l26z5mxck Cheers, Déwald [/quote] [quote author=doc-phil link=action=profile;u=323 date=1316689790] Here's my entry, a track I post-hardcore/metal track I recorded a few weeks ago. For anyone interested, here is my guitar signal chain: Guitar: Gate --> TSE 808 Tubescreamer --> Nick Crow 8505 Lead --> Poulin LeCab 2.0 with GuitarHacks Impulses (Sneap Edge) --> AcmeBarGig Cab enhancer --> EQ. For the lead guitar I used Aftershock delay module by AcmeBarGig. For drums I used EZDrummer with the pop/rock kit with EQ and compression. Bass I got lazy and just used 4Front bass plugin. FL Studio for the synths and strings. I had fun experimenting with free vst's for the first time, so I hope you enjoy my entry! I don't know if you still do the whole 'Advanced' and 'Beginners' category thing, but I will slot in with the beginners if it is still being used. http://www.box.net/shared/qqbtbqujua0tzazek470 [/quote] [quote author=Seventhson link=action=profile;u=1733 date=1316709631] Hope I am not late. ok This is my cover of seasons in the abyss by slayer. http://www.box.net/shared/4yvhcnun8u6yl948e4sh [/quote] [quote author=G-Man link=action=profile;u=2202 date=1316758953] Ok so it's a cover of the band Pestilence and the song is Twisted Truth. It's 2 guitars and a midi drum track. The solo's are at 0:59 and 2:23 for those that don't want to listen to the whole thing. I entered under intermediate this time if those categories exist for this month. Enjoy :) http://www.box.net/shared/39g6da5ft1h14dqugmlf [/quote] [quote author=stu link=action=profile;u=1728 date=1316895367] Heres my entry http://www.box.net/shared/lxyxxdat55ekzefzksja I really dont know what to say about it. [/quote] [quote author=Jacquesg4j link=action=profile;u=1709 date=1316933931] Here goes. Tried the singing thing, lets see what you all think!! Some time ago I've posted a piece I've written some time ago. So this time around I tried using it with some music! And for all the hard rocking amigos, it isn't a piano song all the way through, stick around till the end!! http://www.box.net/shared/rm3yszad926f130yecs0 [/quote] [quote author=Highway Chile link=action=profile;u=3960 date=1316937733] Hello Rene, here is my entry. I reckon I am an expert. http://soundcloud.com/highway-chile/up-from-the-antarien-skies Here is my explanation. So I picked this JHE cover from the 60's. I have a lot I can say about all the issues recording and mixing it, but in the essence of it being fun and all I'll just say that I had a good time doing it, even though the mix was challenging in it's own way. I tried to stick to almost exactly how the original was done, down to the panning of the guitars and vocals. I took a few liberties in where I placed the rhythm guitar and vocals because I wanted to also try things out. I tossed [i]Antares-Auto Tune 5[/i] on the vocals for a laff. I have never used it before maxed out...the whole T-Pain or Cher effect. I just wanted to fool around. Initially I had it cranked all the way through but remixed it with the blend dropped and also I automated it in and out, so it was a tad more subtle. Besides, I'm not a singer.......so I figured why not.......everyone else who cannot sing does it! :D :P Hope you like it. I wanted to do one more pass remixing it tomorrow morning, but with the time difference etc I would be cutting it pretty fine. I am looking forward to hearing everyone's entries. [/quote] (old forum) Poll Results: No Rules Apply mity88 : 5 Hammeron: 5 deefstes: 10 doc-phil : 12 Seventhson: 4 G-Man: 1 Stu: 8 Jacquesg4j: 9 Highway Chile: 13

Seventhson

Highway Chile wrote
chris77 wrote Downloaded the lot (apart from Highway's. No download button or am just blind?)iast night.
I disabled downloads at SoundCloud 'cos it's a cover. I didn't want to push my luck and have a problem with my account. It is also a very big file.

Anyway....... I just enable downloads.

I have the Box link if you want that. Is that okay to post a link other than the competition link? There is a 6.7mb mp3 version at SoundCloud as well.

The SoundCloud file is a .wav and it is about 45mb. The Box.net is 6.7mb and it is the exact same file as the SoundCloud file except I pushed the volume up a dB or two....nowhere near as loud as seventhson's ? (which is a killer level...nice and hotttttt! )....maybe about the same as Doc Phil or a bit softer than stu.

Hammeron.... I did post a day or so before I wrote that post saying I picked you. But somehow I also remember you being at 3 before I voted. Strange!

Hahaha. thanks man. I wish old slayer could hear it. I think kerry king would love it. Was the first track I recorded with drums and so many guitar parts.

doc-phil

Highway Chile wrote The SoundCloud file is a .wav and it is about 45mb. The Box.net is 6.7mb and it is the exact same file as the SoundCloud file except I pushed the volume up a dB or two....nowhere near as loud as seventhson's ? (which is a killer level...nice and hotttttt! )....maybe about the same as Doc Phil or a bit softer than stu.

I'm still learning about mastering... I compressed the hell out of my track, so the waveform just looks like a solid brick wall haha. I'm trying to figure out how to make it loud without killing the dynamics.

Highway-Chile

Yeah DP.....when I say I mastered mine....I use that term loosely. LOL!!! I have a great deal of respect for a good ME.

If you have the funds....check out Ozone 4 by Izotope. This is what I use.....and don't judge it on my submission. I had a rough time with that and it is 100 miles from what I would consider a good sounding mix.

They have a full functioning demo at Izotope. Try it. Grab the Preset CD Master and play with it.....or Strong Midrange Tape Saturation if you really want to slam it. Leave the initial macro faders alone and hit okay or whatever it is to select the preset and then play with the individual controls.......multiband EQ, Mastering reverb, Loudness Maximizer, Multiband Exciter, Multiband Dynamics (Compressor) and Multiband stereo imaging.

Take the final mix of your song and open it in a new session, create a master fader and place Ozone 4 across that.....WATCH the level...turn down if you were previously mixing loud.

Even if you don't buy it it will give you a juicy taste of what it can do.

The trick is MODERATION.........don't overuse it....don't just use it to max loud the thing. Try learn from the git go to use it musically.

I personally start with a preset and tweak from there. It is very deep but intuitive to use. I browse the presets with my mix playing and find one that seems to suit the vibe I am going for......then I play with it and use my ears.

But like I say......forget this mix I did. It is not a good example. Actually....if you listen to version 0 and version 2 at my Soundcloud...you will hear the difference it made with different tweaking on the same file.

doc-phil

Ok cool I will have a look at Ozone, thanks for the tips ? only problem is that my funds are seriously depleted after having just bought my new POD, so getting the full version will have to wait!

Squonk

Well done to all the entries.

Deefstes - your arrangement is fantastic and the tones you get from a Cube! Excellent. Not an easy song either, man I might just come along and see you play at TJ's tomorrow!

Seventhson

So I can't come and play at TJ's ?

Squonk

Seventhson wrote So I can't come and play at TJ's ?

No offence 7th, Deefstes mentioned in the TJ's thread that he was playing there tomorrow.
Would be great to see you there as well ?

Seventhson

Squonk wrote
Seventhson wrote So I can't come and play at TJ's ?
No offence 7th, Deefstes mentioned in the TJ's thread that he was playing there tomorrow.
Would be great to see you there as well ?

Lol I was just joking. My style in music does not allow me to play at such places?

stu

YOU ARE ALL FOOLS!!! >☹ >☹ >☹

Squonk, I might just see you there. I forgot about TJ's. I think I should go again.

Squonk

Hey Stu, I enjoyed your entry! It really rocks ?

7th - you could easily play at TJ's, there have been some renditions of Opeth songs and various other "darker" pieces.
A good place to expand your playing, I am a Prog Rocker at heart but toned down completely for TJ's, got rid of the Plectrum and started using my fingers for the first time, and I was pretty crap at first but I am improving! And when I get home I still pull out my Electric and turn up the distortion and let rip.
A real good place to embrace different genre's and playing styles, I have learned a lot from the guys there. have a go you never know!

deefstes

Yeah man, come along Seventh! I've only been there once but I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of styles represented. There's something for everybody. And even if you don't hear death metal on the night, you're in with a good chance of feasting your ears on some bluegrass or lap steel which, even if not your style, isn't the kind of thing you get to see live every day. Certainly enjoyable to watch for any guitarist.

Besides, it'll be good to meet you. I'll buy your first beer ?

Squonk, Stu, I reckon you guys should definitely come along as well. You'll have the misfortune to hear my guitar in conjunction with my voice but hey, I'm sure someone else will cheer you up ?

chris77

Okey Dokey, vote's in!

I don't like commenting if I didn't enter myself, but aagh what the hell - here goes ? :

Mity88 - Good stuff man. Very athmospheric. It has this lekke 70's rock balad intro vibe going for me.
Kept waiting for the Van Morrsion style vocals to fall in ?

Doc Phil - The most polished of the lot to my ears. One can tell that you put a helluva lot of work into it hey. I have fond memories of playing Need for Speed Underground to music like this.... ? And ja, beginner my big hairy baboon like butt! You're way better than beginner bro.

G-man - sadly I don't know the song ☹ Some really good, tight playing from your side though and the solos are great! Well played hey.

Seventhson - Don't know this song either! :-[ Buuut, it was worth the download ? Nice in your face playing. The song has a few dull (yes, metal can be dull as well folks...) parts, but you stuck with it and the solo at about 4:10 more than makes up for the chugga chugga parts. Good stuff man.

Deefstes - Slow dancing with a girl, smelling her hair and breathing her in while you swear to yourself in you'll never let her go.... Many a sixties teen boy would have felt puppy love for the first time to a song like that. Excellent man. Wow, well done. :applause:

Hammeron - Very vissual playing. Seriously, while listening to this I actually pictured this bleak barren winter landscape with a veiled heroine walking along this cobbled path. Being chased or something, I don't know, but lifes k@k where she was and things arent looking much better where she's going hey... Would have imo been perfect if at some stage you kicked in with a big ass heavy riff to release the drama a bit. Still very nice though. Really enjoyed it. Keep coming up with stuff like this and we'll one day be saying to folks how we knew you before you got famous ?

Stu - ? ? ? Killer hook and catchy as hell hey!! Well done. I am a sucker for tunes like that, and your playing is great as well hey. The most fun entry of the week! :goodtimes:

Jacques - Bonus points for singing, and very nicely so as well I might add. First thought was cool, but where's the guitars??? Good save though ? Can be a very nice song if you decide to plump it out a bit hey. Good playing as well hey. BTW, was that the Parker?

Highway - :applause: My overall favourite entry. No idea who Kramer is or even JHE actually, but me likey what you did there. ? That was nice man thank you. (O ja, and one last thing, if you don't post pics of that 64 strat you played with soon, I will never vote for you again. Ever. ? ? )

Highway-Chile

Chris77, thanks a lot man, I really appreciate it.

This is going to be a long post....sorry, just trying to address everything.......and I have some free time......not good, me and free time....... I need constant supervision!

JHE stands for the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The song was written by this guy........... ? ? .........lol.......just having fun with it...

The Kramer part of it would be Eddie Kramer who was Jimi's engineer and producer who some would argue is responsible in great part for Jimi's groundbreaking studio sounds etc. He has also recorded Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Robin Trower, Spooky Tooth, Kiss, Bowie, Triumph, Santana, Frampton.......etc etc

What many people do not know is that Eddie Kramer was born in Cape Town! He moved to England when he was 19.

Yet ANOTHER famous South African....ex-SA whatever. Point is, he started life in SA! Why don't you hear more about that? I mean he was only a constant part, even 'til today, of the career of the most famous guitar player of all time.

Here is my 1964 Strat that I bought in Durban in 1970. Faithfully at my side ever since!

Messed with this one in Photoshop.

Messed with is one in Photomatix Pro....... HDR Software.

Finally......LOL....... I really should NOT do this to myself....... but here is the original.

G-Man

chris77 wrote
G-man - sadly I don't know the song ☹ Some really good, tight playing from your side though and the solos are great! Well played hey.

Thanks, I appreciate it! I've been playing for a year and a half so I guess I shouldn't be expecting too much from myself. Glad somebody commented on the solo's! I thought the monotonous main riff had scared everyone off before then. ?

Back to the wood-shed I go ?

Bob-Dubery

domhatch wrote i'd like to imagine we'd get more entries on a 'do whatever you want' basis, although these do take a bit longer to put together. but from what i've seen, there are still pretty cool entries on the themed comps. so what about two months of themed comps, with the third being do whatever, and so on?

just a thought, use it don't use it
dh

I'd prefer to see stronger application of the "no covers" rule. That forces participants to be creative rather than imitative. Technical proficiency should count for something, and I tend to get quite grumpy about entries that have timing issues, but I'd rather see an emphasis on good musical ideas or instincts.

Problem is that my approach rules out creative covers where the idea is to re-interpret a piece and put a new spin on it. That can still be creative. However I'd rather we erred on the side of requiring the composition to be the entrant's own.

Jacquesg4j

chris77 wrote
Jacques - Bonus points for singing, and very nicely so as well I might add. First thought was cool, but where's the guitars??? Good save though ? Can be a very nice song if you decide to plump it out a bit hey. Good playing as well hey. BTW, was that the Parker?

Thanx dude! Yeah the initial idea was to just read the poem over some music because I never wrote the poem to be lyrics... But after recording the talking, it didn't sound nice, so I just sung it with very simple melody lines. AND after I sung it, I had to add another verse because singing was taking much longer, and I didn't even put in the final verse. So yeah, it turned out quite long!! Might add an extra chorus in there somewhere...

But yeah I recorded with the Parker through the ac30(QUEEN) setting on Pro-Tools for the solo at the end. (For those that don't know, the extra line in the interlude after the first verse is actually guitar that I dialed to sound like piano... bwahahaha). But yeah I only had a few hours to record this while my fiance was out looking for brides maids dresses on Saturday morning. Mot nearly enough time to fiddle with everything! The vocals were done in one take etc. But I'm happy... It's still no song, but it might work!

singemonkey

Highway Chile wrote
Here is my 1964 Strat that I bought in Durban in 1970. Faithfully at my side ever since!

This one's by far the best ?

Thanks for sharing this. What a treasure. Looks in good nick too. I imagine the tone on this baby doesn't suck.

Highway-Chile

Jacquesg4j wrote....... I recorded with the Parker through the ac30(QUEEN) setting on Pro-Tools for the solo at the end.

Are you using Eleven Rack or do you have the full (or lite) Eleven plug in? I don't recall SansAmp PSA-1 having a setting like that.

Truth be told, since I have Eleven Rack, I have never used the Eleven Free plug in just to see what it is like. I should try it out sometime.

Jacquesg4j

Highway Chile wrote
Jacquesg4j wrote....... I recorded with the Parker through the ac30(QUEEN) setting on Pro-Tools for the solo at the end.
Are you using Eleven Rack or do you have the full (or lite) Eleven plug in? I don't recall SansAmp PSA-1 having a setting like that.

Truth be told, since I have Eleven Rack, I have never used the Eleven Free plug in just to see what it is like. I should try it out sometime.

Wish I could tell you honestly! I only have Pro-Tools essentials with whatever plug-ins it came with (So it should be in your's too). But I know it is through SansAmp PSA-1 and under the factory settings. Another nice one is the JMP one. Hopefully I am getting a full version wit LOTS AND LOTS of plug-ins from a friend tonight!

Jacquesg4j

doc-phil ... I just listened to your again and WOW dude! Really love it! And I am not even a metalhead! Very nice detail! Like the stereo thing just before 0:30 and the little electro turn down somewhere near the end! Awesome dude! In my books you won this challenge! Send it to someone like "Straatligkinders"!

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