Foottapiologist wrote: Please don't choose rap for the next challenge. ?
So I'm not able to vote BUT logged in to high five the enthusiastic participants for efforts involved in the recording and mixing.

I doubt we'll ever do hip-hop (rap) - though I do have a lot of time for it (NWA, Mos Def, some Wu Tang Clan, Red Man, etc...), which (in retrospect) isn't surprising, a lot of hip-hop was influenced by James Brown, Stevie Wonder and 70's rock (Led Zep).

For sure, a massive big up to all who tried, those who entered and those listening and voting - December isn't the easiest time to get a entry finished - the last two years have been impressive that we've had enough entries to have a voting stage - previous years weren't as successful. Take a bow gents!

G-Man wrote:

Foottapiologist wrote: I can't stomach metal and was unble to listen to the end of those songs. It conjures up images of 12 year olds in moms garage and a bloated Rob Chapman practicing in front of a mirror. Please don't choose rap for the next challenge. ?
So I'm not able to vote BUT logged in to high five the enthusiastic participants for efforts involved in the recording and mixing.

These kind of posts really irritate me. Thanks for stooping down to everyone's level to share your opinion, really contributes a lot to the discussion and general discourse of the spirit of these challenges. The fact of the matter is that metal as a genre requires as much skill and practice and passion as any other musical genre out there, even the ones that you can stomach. I know many many musicians who play metal (as well as other styles as well, fancy that...) and I can assure you, they are not kids fucking around in their parents garages.

He's welcome to his opinion...At least he had a listen, which is all we can ask.

Honestly, there is a some contemporary metal I can't stand either - usually it's the vocals that put me off. But, each to his own.

Disclaimer : I have met and chatted to the guys in Bulletscript (although I didn't know J-man was a GFSA'er - his entry was a complete surprise!). And they ALL are ridiculously talented & professional musicians across genre's. And seriously nice guys to boot. The amount of work they put into making music is staggering and inspiring! We can all learn from their passion and dedication, hopefully next year we'll see them at Wacken in Germany (They were the SA runners up this this year to "Zombies ate my Girlfriend", who won the international leg of the Wacken battle of the bands!).

Personally - trying to be a metal bassist has been a most excellent challenge - I've had to work on every aspect of playing and there is no doubt to the benefits for me as a musician. The guys I'm playing with are damn fine musicians - I'm lucky to get a chance to learn in that environment from and with guys who all have a blast making music. The genre just happens to be Djent 8)

G-Man wrote:

Foottapiologist wrote: I can't stomach metal and was unble to listen to the end of those songs. It conjures up images of 12 year olds in moms garage and a bloated Rob Chapman practicing in front of a mirror. Please don't choose rap for the next challenge. ?
So I'm not able to vote BUT logged in to high five the enthusiastic participants for efforts involved in the recording and mixing.

These kind of posts really irritate me. Thanks for stooping down to everyone's level to share your opinion, really contributes a lot to the discussion and general discourse of the spirit of these challenges. The fact of the matter is that metal as a genre requires as much skill and practice and passion as any other musical genre out there, even the ones that you can stomach. I know many many musicians who play metal (as well as other styles as well, fancy that...) and I can assure you, they are not kids fucking around in their parents garages.

Don't feed the trolls or argue with toddlers gods dang it.

Doomsower wrote: Don't feed the trolls or argue with toddlers gods dang it.

Honestly, I feel there is no need to get overly riled up by an opinion.

Footapologist's has made a few posts where I though it was borderline - but I interpreted as sardonic commentary and not an attempt to insult/degrade. It's a wafer think line. If you feel that he is trolling, I'm happy to have Norio mediate (or just click the report to moderator button below his post).

But, in the festive silly season, let us remember that not everyone may be feeling the jolliness...

There was some really good guitar playing done here. Playing with that amount of gain is difficult - keeping it clean. The speed, timing and accuracy is also difficult when playing metal.

I really enjoyed it. We have some talent here. And now have a new banf to look up some info on and try and go to a live show.

Some nice work here, enjoy the tones everyone got. I'm not clued up on the genre at all but I enjoyed what I hear, and I'm sure you all learnt from working on this.

I learnt a lot in my attempt (mostly about programming drums in 5/4 time), even though when the crunch came, spending the day with a new kitten won out over a day recording.

It's particularly cool to see a collaboration again this time around.

Foottapiologist wrote: I can't stomach metal and was unble to listen to the end of those songs. It conjures up images of 12 year olds in moms garage and a bloated Rob Chapman practicing in front of a mirror. Please don't choose rap for the next challenge. ?
So I'm not able to vote BUT logged in to high five the enthusiastic participants for efforts involved in the recording and mixing.

I wish I was half as good as Rob Chapman or even most of the people who started jamming when they were 12 in mom's garage.

Please try and provide constructive feedback in the future.

It was fun trying though.
Time to remove those embarressingly thick strings. Anyone need some fairly fresh thick strings?

Well I have had some time to properly listen. Thoroughly impressed y'all. My votes are in. ?

And in the style of our competitions, here is my 25 cents worth of comment on each entry:

Warren – Really nice tone. Personally I think the song should have started with your riff – which was very cool! That first bit doesn’t do justice imo. I get what you tried to do with the vocals, but it feels like two different songs when the vocals start? Well done though. Nice sounds man!

Doomsower and Richard – nice one gents. A bit short though. Was aching for a few riffs! Nice ‘dark’ lead tone and plenty heaviness to the rhythm. Well done.

Exsanguinator – wow! In my opinion the most ‘metal’ of the tracks. Really digged it! Amazing lead playing! Well done.

Stud – typically your ‘sound’. Really enjoyed it. Please quit your day job. I will buy your CD! Loved the lead, as always.

J-Man – well, clearly in the band category. Jislaaik. So much happening in that song. Amazing how you guys pull all that together! Seriously well done!!

Could I ask a favour – if everyone could give a hint as to their settings, amp use, effects use etc – whatever you did to generate your tone. I think this will help. Much appreciated.

Bring on 2017!! :bopping:

warrenpridgeon wrote: Then I played drums on my keyboard using a vsti in reaper and the virtual midi keyboard. Lol.

Please explain this to me as I have yet to figure out how to do this on reaper. :'( or maybe a link or an instructional vid?

wern101 wrote:

warrenpridgeon wrote: Then I played drums on my keyboard using a vsti in reaper and the virtual midi keyboard. Lol.

Please explain this to me as I have yet to figure out how to do this on reaper. :'( or maybe a link or an instructional vid?

I think the best way would be to add a drum VSTi like MT Power Drum Kit.

From there you should be able to follow the steps at:

wern101 wrote: Warren – Really nice tone. Personally I think the song should have started with your riff – which was very cool! That first bit doesn’t do justice imo. I get what you tried to do with the vocals, but it feels like two different songs when the vocals start? Well done though. Nice sounds man!

Mmmm... I could have started with the riff. I originally came up with it in the lower register and tried to create a form of build up by starting with the chord sequence. It felt like too much all at once starting with the riff... but metal is supposed to be "brutal" isn't it? hehe.

I did feel like a couple of the parts of the song felt "disjointed" though. I'm still very new at writing and composing so I'm pushing myself to do stuff in these challenges and try submit them. I really like "making music" but have a lot to learn. Think I'm going to sign up for some song writing courses online. I sometimes battle to get two sections to "work together" if you get what I'm saying and then I end up with "dead stops"/gaps or mismatched parts (leading to the "two different songs" feel).

These challenges are really helping me learn though and I feel like I'm improving so I'm going to keep trying to get stuff in.

Doomsower wrote:

wern101 wrote:

warrenpridgeon wrote: Then I played drums on my keyboard using a vsti in reaper and the virtual midi keyboard. Lol.

Please explain this to me as I have yet to figure out how to do this on reaper. :'( or maybe a link or an instructional vid?

I think the best way would be to add a drum VSTi like MT Power Drum Kit.

From there you should be able to follow the steps at:

Please check this thread http://www.guitarforum.co.za/guitar-lessons/vsti-drums-in-reaper/
I created a quick clip showing you how I did it.

just finished casting my votes. just really glad i didn't miss the deadline this challenge.

really amazing to hear/see okes from Bulletscript sending a track in. thats just really cool/awesome man. otherwise, some really nice entries in amongst the choices. it also sounds like quite a few of you guys really upskilling on the recording technology/production side of things. good for you all, you guys be sure to keep at it.

exsanguinator : Shades of Sepultura? Super tight playing, drums killer and I thought the composition flowed really well through the sections. Solo & leads great! Thought the tone was maybe a bit retro (Ala Troops of Doom), guitars seemed a bit muffled initially and when the solo starts, was a little piercing in comparison - but that's just my taste. Great work!

J-man/Bulletscript : 01:15 the drop into the triplety chug is so damn good. And from 02:38 when the drums go into overdrive till the end, I just love it. Great track, even better live. Not entirely convinced by the mix - vocals great, but I thought it was better live - maybe the drums sound a bit flat, dunno. Favourite Bulletscript track for sure - many thank you's for entering and giving us a listen!

Stud. The rhythm guitar was country metal! Had a beeg smile during your monstrous solo, epic! I'd say the tone was a bit more single coil hard rock than metal, but I hear Country Metal is a growing genre ?. Nice one Stud!

Warren : Vocals had me thinking 70's Prog rock - cool! Digging the duelling guitars before the lyrics started, good stuff.

Wern : Best intro!!! Reasonable tones for a steel string acoustic? Lead was a bit loud compared to the rhythm guitar, but nothing a touch of mixing couldn't fix - well done for taking on the challenge.

Doomsower and Richard : Doom metal? Digging the chuggyness of the track, bass and guitar sat together nicely and the synths worked very nicely...but I think needed some reverb &/or delays, especially during the breakdown to glue instruments together in the 'sonic landscape'. I'd say it was my 2nd favourite track after the Bulletscript track - well done!

warrenpridgeon wrote: Please check this thread http://www.guitarforum.co.za/guitar-lessons/vsti-drums-in-reaper/
I created a quick clip showing you how I did it.

Thank you! Replied and thanked!

Meron Rigas wrote: Wern : Best intro!!! Reasonable tones for a steel string acoustic? Lead was a bit loud compared to the rhythm guitar, but nothing a touch of mixing couldn't fix - well done for taking on the challenge.

Thanks Meron. The intro happened by accident and then I went with it. Was played on the electric. One day when I am all grown up I'll have a guitar with a proper pickup. Preferably a humbucker. ? I tried turning up the rhythm but then it just became distorted noise... ? Still learning the mixing thing, but this challenge was a stretch. Glad I did it.

congrats exsanguinator. Well deserved. You now have the honour of choosing the next challenge topic. ?

I only got 2 votes and would appreciate some feedback from the members. Was it because it wasn't 'metal' enough? Or was the sound bad? Any advice would be appreciated.

Nice one gents,

Congratz to exsanguinator, warren and doomsower/richard for 'winning' their respective categories - it's a kinda booby prize, now y'all get to suggest the next challenge topic (and format) 8)

And finally - A big up to J-Man & Bulletscript for the entry, cool to hear what SA bands are up to in the genre. You can find them on bandcamp (have a listen to their previous album) & look em up on facebook to see what they be up to.

Stoffeltoo : AFAIK, their singer doesn't use any fx - it's a natural growl that doesn't shred his vocal cords. How he does it I do not know!

Wern : I wouldn't worry too much about the votes, intermediate/beginner had the most competitive entries, two votes is doing good. I've had my fair share of easter eggs (zero votes), not to say my tracks were bad (ok, some were), but the others were better/more appropriate to the genre. For me, there was a lot you could have done with the mix - especially guitars.

Well done exsanguinator, superb metal entry, as well as J-man/Bulletscript. Nice to hear some new entrants.

I found the intermediate section quite difficult to vote for? All were deserving. Well done!

Meron Rigas wrote: Nice one gents,

Congratz to exsanguinator, warren and doomsower/richard for 'winning' their respective categories - it's a kinda booby prize, now y'all get to suggest the next challenge topic (and format) 8)

And finally - A big up to J-Man & Bulletscript for the entry, cool to hear what SA bands are up to in the genre. You can find them on bandcamp (have a listen to their previous album) & look em up on facebook to see what they be up to.

Stoffeltoo : AFAIK, their singer doesn't use any fx - it's a natural growl that doesn't shred his vocal cords. How he does it I do not know!

Wern : I wouldn't worry too much about the votes, intermediate/beginner had the most competitive entries, two votes is doing good. I've had my fair share of easter eggs (zero votes), not to say my tracks were bad (ok, some were), but the others were better/more appropriate to the genre. For me, there was a lot you could have done with the mix - especially guitars.

Anyone have any ideas?! I thought "motivational track", but that tends to lean back to where we've just come from. Then I thought maybe something silly like 1 string challenge. But then... have we ever had a "dance song on guitar" challenge?
Obviously it would be "easier" on electric because you can add effects and stuff....

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