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[b]Please Note : This months must challenge has been carried over to May[/b] You therefore no longer required to vote but have a good listen to the entries they are good.

We have 3 contestants for the Rock N Roll Challenge so there are no categories. You get just one vote this time, please vote before 1 May 2012 [quote author=WEM link=action=profile;u=5182 date=1333750386] I'd like to enter the following song for the April competition. It's in my archives, written & recorded in 2002, pure Rock & Roll, it got great feedback whenever I played it, and I think it's time to re-record it this year. Bear in mind, this was recorded way back when :) Drugs - http://www.box.com/s/c7fbf206e7c8f0a9c3d8 [/quote]

[quote author=V8 link=action=profile;u=1415 date=1335249844] Here's my entry in the intermediate category : https://www.box.com/s/8464e52758f7646e4142. Wrote this on sunday as a demo for a mate who is busy working on a new A/V intro for 'Tomz' (science program for kids on SABC). He was looking for a +/- 30s piece with a house/kwaito feel. I tried laying down a bass line with my newly setup bass (thanks VintageVibe) and ended up with something a bit too rocking for the brief - Then I saw the GF comp on Monday morning and it all made sense...=D Yeah, it's a bit more rock than roll, but I got to try out my properly setup bass, upgraded drum kit and spent more time on mixing/mastering (sorely lacking in my last entry) so it was a good practice for me. Enjoy! [/quote]

[quote author=doc-phil link=action=profile;u=323 date=1335294497] As mentioned, I went for a hi-gain sound and a very ballsy kinda rock 'n roll track with a modern flavour. I'll slot in on the Advanced category this time. I've never managed to win the Intermediate, but oh well! Guitars: Poulin Hybrit VST, Classic Series delay and reverb Drums: SSD4.0 Bass: 4Front Bass VST Mastered with Izotope Ozone https://www.box.com/s/54791d22f1303fec53d5 Enjoy :) [/quote]

(old forum) Poll Results: Rock N Roll

  • WEM: 1
  • V8: 2
  • doc-phil: 1
    Neon Gecko wrote: mmm, I can't seem to access V8's entry...
    Link fixed.
      X-rated Bob wrote:
      Neon Gecko wrote: mmm, I can't seem to access V8's entry...
      Link fixed.
      Cool, thanks...
        WEM

        Great track ? at 3:54 you kinda overstretched the 2 minute limit haha! Guitar tone was nice and solid and the vocals reminded me quite a bit of oasis/the verve.

        Only complaint was the drums.. they are very repetitive and the hihat is a bit loud in my opinion and sounds very triggered.

        Otherwise really cool ?

        V8

        Only 0:38?! I wanted more!

        This is a very interesting piece and packs a lot in such a short space of time. Bass tone was interesting and the leads were great. As I say, it could have gone on for a lil bit longer. What you submitted would fit very nicely between a minute and a half of tight rhythm playing ?
          Awesome entries guys, it was tough choosing as per usual!

          I went with V8 because it had elements that reminded me a bit of a Sublime or/and White Stripes song (can you do that?! lol) Bit short though :-\

          WEM: would have got my vote , but you gotta watch the time limit of the track! ? I liked the vocals, I agree with doc-phil on the Oasis/The Verve comparisson (no offence intended of course ? )

          Doc Phil: Very polished , really liked it too, it just had a slightly clinical feel to me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just felt a bit too organised if that makes sense? Great track though.

          /2c
            Eish. Guys, you're gonna have to excuse me but I will not be voting in this one. These recordings are great, each one of them. Seriously, I'm impressed, and if the theme was "hard rock" I'd have found it extremely difficult to cast a vote but, truthfully, not one of these sound like Rock 'n Roll to me.
              deefstes wrote: Eish. Guys, you're gonna have to excuse me but I will not be voting in this one. These recordings are great, each one of them. Seriously, I'm impressed, and if the theme was "hard rock" I'd have found it extremely difficult to cast a vote but, truthfully, not one of these sound like Rock 'n Roll to me.
              Yes. I'm with deefstes on this one. "Rock" is not "rock 'n roll".
                As happy I am to receive any entries at all to the monthly challenge, I am inclined to agree with Deefstes and Bob in that none of the entries sound like rock and roll to me. My understanding of rock and roll is a I IV V progression (major, not minor or dominant) played at a quicker tempo 130-180 bpm with the melody lines and improvisation centering on the major or penatonic major not minor or blues scales.

                I could let it stand or rerun the challenge for May. Post your opinion here or PM me if you wish to be anonymous. Those of you who elect a rerun will be expected to submit an entry in the rerun challenge.
                  I feel the same way. Not rock 'n roll. I knew exactly what deefstes had in mind when he posted the challenge. I also agree that the entires were all very good, they just did not fit the criteria of the challenge.

                  I really wanted to enter but I ran out of time, as I usually do....just pipping it at the post to get an entry in. I actually thought I had until the 27th and di not realize it closed on the 25th....my bad, I just did not pay attention to that.

                  So I'd say re-run it if you want. I will do everything in my power to giz a go.

                  I can try out my new used DrumKat 3.8...... once it comes back from the factory getting new triggers and a once over.
                    Heh, using "Rocking all over the world" (Status Quo) as a reference track did give me a clue that I was 70's rock and not 50's rock 'n roll - being somewhat of a Berry fan, I do appreciate the difference :?

                    For sure, carry the challenge over, I'll try and enter something closer to the challenge topic.

                    However, it was not time wasted - thanks to Doc Phil & WEM for their entries, I had something to reference my noobie efforts at mixing/mastering. After hearing them I immediately got a trial copy of Izotope and educated my ears somewhat!

                    WEM : Enjoyed the song approach, agree w/Doc on the drums (I tend to neglect the drum track)

                    Doc Phil : Rocking, many thanks for the insight into the tools you used mixing/mastering, I really was impressed with the 'space' your recording had - exactly what I was trying (and failed) to get, applying the Izotope "Rock Arena" preset was just what the Dr ordered.... 8).

                    Funny thing is that the client liked my arrangement and asked the house track's arrangement to be tightened up like the rock track was...that did make my day!
                      I feel a bit bad for the three guys who have taken the time and effort to submit entries but I would also be in favour of rerunning the challenge. I had a great idea for my song but there were just too many other things happening this month and I never got around to recording it. I'll try my level best to record and submit it should the challenge be rerun.

                      I don't think we should rerun the challenge though if we don't have a commitment from more people to enter than there have been entries for this one.
                        I'm all for a re-run on the condition that there are more entries and more votes (for me) ?
                          Thank you WEM, V8 and doc-phil for your entries and for being a good sports. The consensus seems to be that we run the challenge again. I do hope that you will modify and resubmit your entries in the rerun as I do all those who shared the consensus that the challenge should be rerun. I, as well, will endeavor to find the time in my busy sleep schedule to submit an entry in the rerun. 8)
                            Of those three tracks WEM's was the one for me. It had a great 60's psychedelic vibe about it.... a heavier Strawberry Alarm Clock or Status Quo as mentioned. I liked the track and see promise in it...developing a band around that sound would be a killer retro way to go actually. Large use of germanium fuzz boxes etc. I just couldn't post a vote because of what we have discussed.

                            But yes....as said.....you guys lost nought by entering, even though the songs missed the category. The act of sitting down and writing, recording, mixing etc and then having the balls to put that out for people to listen to and critique..........this is a very awesome exercise. Extremely beneficial on all levels.

                            Please do have a go at the repeat of the challenge. Rock 'n Roll Part Deux.

                            Tell you what.....just for fun I am going to throw a nod to WEM and give him my vote.......now that we know the real deal is going to repeat.
                              Could someone post a few youtube vids of this mystical 'rock 'n roll' genre.. for I fear without some guidance I may miss the target again.

                              I will do my best to record a new entry, however, it just depends on my work schedule so I can't promise anything ?
                                doc-phil wrote: Could someone post a few youtube vids of this mystical 'rock 'n roll' genre.. for I fear without some guidance I may miss the target again.

                                I will do my best to record a new entry, however, it just depends on my work schedule so I can't promise anything ?
                                There's a wide spectrum of what could be considered Rock 'n Roll. In fact, I think it could be a little confusing as the name lived on after the genre and now refers to a culture or a state of mind moreso even than a particular style of music. One would be brave to try to define Rock 'n Roll too rigidly but I would personally speculate that, in the 70's Rock 'n Roll was replaced by Disco as the dominant genre. Of course there are many recent examples of Rock 'n Roll such as Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" or Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" but this is not the age of Rock 'n Roll anymore.

                                For true Rock 'n Roll you'd probably have to go back to the 60's or even earlier, like Marty McFly did:
                                =

                                Like I said though, there are many subgenres that would classify as Rock 'n Roll and I'm not sure I can accurate describe them but almost anything by Elvis Presley would probably sort under Rockabilly.
                                =

                                You can go back as far as the 40's where Swing and Boogie-Woogie were the early forms of Rock 'n Roll. Here's a song that contains elements of both:
                                =

                                But for the most part, if you have any uncertainty, go doodle around in the 60's and you're bound to find Rock 'n Roll. If you're imagining a dance floor full of people dancing the Jitterbug or the Twist, then you're listening to Rock 'n Roll.
                                =

                                Then there are plenty of peripheral styles which were either precursors or derivatives of Rock 'n Roll such as Doo-Whop and Surf Music, all of which can be argued to fall under the Rock 'n Roll banner.

                                So really, you can let your imagination run wild.
                                  So it's back to genre, within a genre, within a genre, within a ....
                                    It's good to know that Rock & Roll is still as controversial as ever! You got to love it! Thanks for the vote of confidence guys, I now eagerly anticipate the challenge re-run, and thanks for the video links as well. You guys really have re-instated some passion into my good old days of 'Marshall Amps turned just past the level where you can't hear the ringing in your ears anymore cos the whole thing is way too loud and the neighbours dog, the annoying one, has a white flag hanging on it's owner's fron porch'...alright, perhaps that's not Rock & Roll, but you gotta love guitars nonetheless...

                                    I liked the other entries, very inspirational and extremely well played. There honestly is so much talent in this country ?
                                      WEM wrote: ...my good old days of 'Marshall Amps turned just past the level where you can't hear the ringing in your ears anymore cos the whole thing is way too loud and the neighbours dog, the annoying one, has a white flag hanging on it's owner's fron porch'...
                                      Hahaha, classic! Reminded me of when my neighbour (owner of the Veterinary clinic across the road) came across one fine saturday afternoon waving a metaphorical white flag (his exact words), begging us to turn down - My Marshall 100W stack was on "1" and barely warmed up yet...

                                      Had a good think around rock 'n roll yesterday, using Berry, Jerry and Presley as the reference tracks - aside from their penchance for ladies of questionable ages :?, there was a lot of piano/keys in the tracks and the guitars (by today's standards?) sported more of a clean tone than overdriven/distorted and sound a bit thin in the mix (to my noob ears)

                                      Anyone else remember "Sha-na-na"?