June Challenge - Deja Vu - VOTE!

V8 · 2016-06-27T12:33:12+00:00

There's only one prize, so we'll be competing in one group - no beginners so it's not entirely unfair... Since, this was a song challenge, perhaps approach songwriting (composition, lyrics) as more a focus than production quality or musicianship? You've got a week and 1 vote. A big up to all the entrants, all the peeps who listen and vote and the guys at [url=http://www.thegearjunkie.co.za/]The Gear Junkie[/url] for the TT-1 mic that this month's hard working muso will receive 8) [b]Stoffeltoo - Runny Tummy Blues[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/Stoffeltoo.mp3 [i]I have had a bad bout of the flu followed by a vicious stomach bug, hence the title Drums and Bass compliments of Digitech trio Rhythm and lead done on Taylor acoustic using Trio effects. Other plans and Ideas I had came to nil, so here is my very late entry[/i] [b]G-Man - June Entry[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/G-MAN.mp3 [i]Here's my entry[/i] [b]Wern101 - David and Goliath[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3/Wern101.mp3 [i]This is a work in progress (for the last 9 months), also a huge experiment with new PC and alternative recording techniques. The song is originally over 4 minutes so had to compress to fit into the 2 minutes. (Which does not do justice to the song IMO) Acoustic Stagg with a pick up. Adonis electric with Behringer XV-Amp multi effects pedal. (and new strings ;-) ) Drum track I did with ‘Simple drums deluxe’ Android app. (yeah). Plugged directly into mic jack of pc. (who knew!) Recorded with Reaper. Reaverb and Reacomp plugins for instruments. Reavoice and Reatune for vocals. In hindsight I probably should have left out the drums (a bit off beat) and I had some interference on the vocals but this will be fixed when I finally finish the song some day..[/i] [b]Studmissile - dig in your nails[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/Studmissile.mp3 [b]Meron Rigas - Austin Bond[/b] http://guitarforum.co.za/gfsacomps/mp3s/V8.mp3 [i]I failed on sprucing up a old entry - but on Sunday afternoon I thought Wern might be the only entry, so I re-visited the genre to see if I could at least give him some company. It's not yet a song, but fun was had - I got to play with the strat, pimocaster and the SS bass.[/i] (old forum) Poll Results: June Challenge - Deja Vu - VOTE! Stoffeltoo: 0 G-Man: 3 Wern101: 0 Studmissile: 3 Meron Rigas: 0

wern101

Stoffeltoo wrote I entered and voted. 8) Sad to see that other forum peeps don't spend the time and courtesy to at least vote >☹

So did I. So that makes 2 votes already. Which means there really wasn't that many 'outside' votes. Rather disappointing...

Meron Rigas wrote For the kids, I can only recommend a electric kit - it's the right kinda musical toy - take a beating and keeps on rocking. Mine has had a plethora of 5 y/o's beat the living <poopy> out of it and it's still in one piece.

I can't abide by the nux/medelli kits, they feel and trigger like something cheeeep ? See if a roland pops up at reasonable $ (6k-ish) 2nd hand - patience is key! I'd say a TD4 or TD6 is a great starter kit, there's other roland options, but those are likely to be good value 2nd hand. There's also the yamaha express kits, but I'm a roland fan.

I don't have space for a normal kit so it electric kit is the best option for me now (plus no noise issues with the neighbours)

I was leaning toward the Alesis Dm6 due to their 'teaching' thingy (lights that show you where to play) - but they had recently been discontinued, so there is risk in not getting replacement parts.

Meron Rigas wrote I had my producer hat on - I think it's worth a go -

You've convinced me. ? Been thinking about doing an Afrikaans song for a while and this might just be the one. Let's see what happens...

V8

studmissile wrote
Meron Rigas wrote I'm easy - what do you guys think?
Thanks guys. Well done G-Man, Nicely played. Actually great entries all around ....Meron I've sent you a message

Thanks for the msg Stud and the option - I hadn't considered the option of rolling the prize over to next challenge - though I think yourself and G-Man's entries are worthy of another round of voting (or a tie breaking vote by Graham - which I'm quite partial to).

wern101 wrote
Meron Rigas wrote I'm easy - what do you guys think?
Seems weird that with over 400 views there were only 6 votes?? Which makes one think that the 'next' round of voting may not get more votes. Maybe let Graham make the final decision? I think that is fair.

Quick question to all who entered - did you also vote? Or were these votes from thread viewers only?

wern101 wrote
Stoffeltoo wrote I entered and voted. 8) Sad to see that other forum peeps don't spend the time and courtesy to at least vote >☹
So did I. So that makes 2 votes already. Which means there really wasn't that many 'outside' votes. Rather disappointing...

Yeaaahhh, the forum is a bit quiet recent- perhaps seasonal - perhaps facebook emigrations. We are averaging around 10-12 voters for the last 18mths.

I suppose that it seems a bit rude that other forumites are not participating in the voting...But I've come to conclusion that if you post a track and ask for some feedback and you have not participated (in any way) in the challenges, I'll likely not listen to your track. You want something, you give something - the essence of reciprocity. It's petty, yes - but that's how I approach it.

I'd guess most of the thread views are entrants checking updates. I don't have a method of checking who voted - perhaps Norio does, but I'd prefer voting to be completely anonymous and -if- you want to mention who you voted for that's your choice.

I voted for G-Man - the guitar melody and composition appealed to me a teeny bit more than the rocking-out Studmissile - but it was damn close - if Stud's vocal melody had been more prominent it may well have gone the other way.

V8

A wee update from me - Graham is willing to cast a tie-breaker if that's what we decide.

I'm not sure about rolling the prize over to next challenge and having another round of voting might work, though I'm not convinced we'll get a definitive result this time either.

I've heard from Stud, I'll poke G-Man with a PM and keep everyone updated.

In the meantime...idea's on the next challenge? Format (length, E.g. Mini, full) and topic?

G-Man

Have you considered "farming out" the vote to social media? Like Facebook or something?

V8

G-Man wrote Have you considered "farming out" the vote to social media? Like Facebook or something?

I didn't consider it - but I have thought it would be nice to pop a post via the GFSA FB page to 'advertise' the challenge and voting threads and to post top track(s) up for non-GFSA'ers to hear

Not sure about FB voting - perhaps because I'm against the challenge potentially becoming a popularity contest. Which I see all too often on social media. I'd rather have 6 votes from people who listened to all the tracks than 200 votes from people that only listened to one track?

G-Man

Yes that is a good point, I never thought about it like that. Screw Facebook then ?

studmissile

Meron Rigas wrote
In the meantime...idea's on the next challenge? Format (length, E.g. Mini, full) and topic?

Blues Fusion - Take any genre and blues it up.
Open Mic - You and a microphone, one track only
Acoustic Rock - Rock out using an acoustic only
Drop D Tuning - As the title says

Also been thinking about a two-parter like looper again - that got a lot a newcomers and interest - maybe a
single backtrack that everyone has to create their own solo for?

G-Man

studmissile wrote
Meron Rigas wrote
In the meantime...idea's on the next challenge? Format (length, E.g. Mini, full) and topic?

single backtrack that everyone has to create their own solo for?

This ?

Great ideas Stud.

I was thinking off the top of my head :
Drum Track - Everybody makes up their own song to play over a basic beat,
Free for all - Whatever floats your boat, anything goes (as many tracks as you want, as long as you want, any genre)
Effect madness - go wild and use as many effects as you can

keep em coming everyone

studmissile

G-Man wrote
Free for all - Whatever floats your boat, anything goes (as many tracks as you want, as long as you want, any genre)

Brilliant! That would be fun!

wern101

studmissile wrote maybe a single backtrack that everyone has to create their own solo for?

Yup! That sounds like fun.

G-Man wrote
Free for all - Whatever floats your boat, anything goes (as many tracks as you want, as long as you want, any genre)

And this. Should make for some very interesting entries.

peterleroux

studmissile wrote ..
Drop D Tuning - As the title says
..

I'd be keen for alternate tunings generally- some weird stuff to be found if you re-tune and lose your familiar, safe box patterns

V8

studmissile wrote
Blues Fusion - Take any genre and blues it up.
Open Mic - You and a microphone, one track only
Acoustic Rock - Rock out using an acoustic only
Drop D Tuning - As the title says

Also been thinking about a two-parter like looper again - that got a lot a newcomers and interest - maybe a
single backtrack that everyone has to create their own solo for?

G-Man wrote I was thinking off the top of my head :
Drum Track - Everybody makes up their own song to play over a basic beat,
Free for all - Whatever floats your boat, anything goes (as many tracks as you want, as long as you want, any genre)
Effect madness - go wild and use as many effects as you can

peterleroux wrote
studmissile wrote ..
Drop D Tuning - As the title says
..
I'd be keen for alternate tunings generally- some weird stuff to be found if you re-tune and lose your familiar, safe box patterns

Great topics gents! I'm liking the Acoustic Rock (I havn't touched a acoustic in 8 mths), Free for all, Open Mic and 'Alternate tunings'. Reckon alternate tuning would be the most challenging - I get rather lost when someone takes away my box... ?

3 votes for "free for all" - which is fairly similar to this last challenge? I'm easy, although I will suggest two things : 1. a gentlemen's agreement on length (+/- 4mins), if your's is longer no worries - but bear in mind you'll want to try & keep the listener engaged. 2. I reckon the extended deadline for the last one didn't make much difference to the entrants? I'd keep the deadline at around 4weeks.

G-Man

peterleroux wrote
studmissile wrote ..
Drop D Tuning - As the title says
..
I'd be keen for alternate tunings generally- some weird stuff to be found if you re-tune and lose your familiar, safe box patterns

Yes this is also a tempting one

V8

Popped into Graham and the Junkies today, got them to vote a tie breaker : Studmissile is our winner this month!

Guys, thanks for keeping the faith and all contributing to a grand vibe around the challenges. We make it fun to enter!

Honestly, the low voting turnout doesn't bug me - they way I approach challenges is mainly as a deadline (playing with toys or executing a idea) and I'd far rather get a few honest ear's worth of feedback on something I'm refining - than a pile of votes.

Just a thought I had while comparing my very first entry against my last one...imo, listening to tracks in the challenge context naturally lends itself to developing certain production skills (E.g. critical listening and giving feedback) - and my musical efforts have definitely benefitted 8)

wern101

Well done Stud!!

Thanks Meron for your efforts as well. Good to know that there are people that, as you say, properly listen to our tracks.

My skills and knowledge have also increased since joining this forum. :applause: :woohoo:

deebee

I'v missed the boat - I know, but all 4 tracks were very cool, Meron, you got my vote with your Jeff Beck, meets Colloseum, with Tony Greeves on bass, he was with Parrish and Gurvitz if I remember correctly. Loved it.

V8

I've popped up a separate thread with some idea(s) on the next challenge(s). Basically for the home studio hammer-chewers, we get "No Limits" challenge and the peeps with existing studio recordings, are in a "Professional" challenge.

deebee wrote I'v missed the boat - I know, but all 4 tracks were very cool, Meron, you got my vote with your Jeff Beck, meets Colloseum, with Tony Greeves on bass, he was with Parrish and Gurvitz if I remember correctly. Loved it.

Thanks deebee - never too late for feedback. Reckon you are being far too kind, but i'll take it!

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