Nitebob
Constructive criticism please:
Please be gentle, it's my first time. My first composition, and my first home recording. It is afrikaans. Please don't listen to the other recordings on my soundcloud profile...their horrid, and I haven't figured out how to delete tracks from my smartphone...enjoy!
Manfred-Klose
not to bad for a first time.
things you have to look at it is, getting the music a bit more in time, playing along with a metronomme will help alot, specially for the drums. look at recording a guitar guide track first, and then ad the drums, after that redo the guitars again.
The drums is a bit loud in the mix and can be turned down so that the vocals and the guitars can come out a bit.
it will get better each time you record , its a process you just have to get use to.
Bob-Dubery
Work on your timing! Even with the drums behind you you're getting off the beat some times.
This is a key aspect. If you have chops up the wazoo but you're timing is not steady you sound like a mess. If you have less in the way of chops but your timing is good then you sound tight.
Otherwise, well done! You've made some music happen all by yourself.
Nitebob
Thanx guys. I know timing is my biggest problem. I've tried laying down drums in a loop. then deleting and livening up after. I've tried laying it down with a guitar then adding drums. I can't seem to get it right... I even tried with a metronome, but I just ignore it (especially if I want to lay down the basis with a guitar) /// ☹
Manfred-Klose
what recording software do you use ?
you can sample the drums and program it in, or just get in a good drummer to come and play the tracks for you? will solve a lot of problems
Nitebob
I use ableton. Drums are done on a keyboard, so I don't really think a drummer would help.
Manfred-Klose
I use ableton. Drums are done on a keyboard
just put on snap to grid mode, it will put everything in time, the drums that is.
then you can move a drum hit to the closest beat, so it will never be out
Bob-Dubery
Maybe learn some simple fingerstyle stuff, with the "bouncing" thumb. The thumb becomes your metronome. On the forum there is a lesson built around Stephen Stills 4+20. That's got a nice steady bass part played with the thumb.
Nitebob
Thanks Manfred. Tried that tonight. A lot more time consuming, but I'd rather get it right than get it quick... XRB: I love fingerstyle playing, unfortunately I'm not good enough to pull it off on anything but a balad...fortunately I've got a very good tutor and will get there eventually...Thanx again for all the input guys
TomCat
In order to record properly one needs to LEARN to play to a metronome......takes a lot of time and practice but it can be done.
Try rehearsing with the metronome playing in your headphones with your guitar coming through as well (Monitoring)
The trick is to "not hear" the metronome when you are in time as your brain will combine the two together....when you hear the metronome it means that you are either ahead or behind it.....over time you will get the timing right and all will be good......Make sure you balance the levels properly between your guitar/vocal level and the metronome.....if the balance is out you will battle.....
Manfred-Klose
nitebob, i am not sure how ableton works, but normally oyu can highlight the midi notes and hit the button to snap it the closest beat, it should not take longer than a few seconds, and then just check if there is anything else you want to move manually, if it sounds too robotic there should be a randomize or humanize function to shift the notes around just slightly and make it sound lekker robotic
Nitebob
Good tip thanx Manfred. Will explore that. Could save a lot of time like that.
Thanx Tom. I'll practise more with the metronome. Maybe ableton just haz a crappy metronome. Cause I've found if I lay down a simple 'kick snare' beat, and make sure it's 100% on time, I stay on time with the other instruments.
TomCat
Nitebob wrote:
Good tip thanx Manfred. Will explore that. Could save a lot of time like that.
Thanx Tom. I'll practise more with the metronome. Maybe ableton just haz a crappy metronome. Cause I've found if I lay down a simple 'kick snare' beat, and make sure it's 100% on time, I stay on time with the other instruments.
I was going to suggest that......some people use a hihat/snare combination as a metronome......we've done that on more than one occasion.....use whatever works for you....
Nitebob
Thanks again for all the pointers guys... Much appreciated
