Okay so here is the final version.
This was a tough song to mix, as simple as it was.
Here’s why:
The Guitars, Drums and Bass where recorded as a lesson to some young musicians who were telling me that they could not make a good demo cd because they had crap gear. So I went over to their place with a mobile recording rig and used their gear to record a song.
The guitar and basses were Rogue by Squire (cheap <$100 guitars from Musicians Friend).
The drums where a cheap Tama set.
The Amp was my 25 year old Peavy 30 watt transistor amp and the mic was a radio shack $20 dynamic.
The mic pre and bass DI was a Art Tube MP ($30 mic pre)
Plugin used were freeware or stock plugs.
The results where decent enough for what is was. Until I showed it to Allen, it was just going to be a “when I get to it song” as far as vocals.
Once I recorded Allen, I had a problem. Do I re-track the parts or work with what I have? I chose to work with what I have. It made mixing very hard. None of the tracks would take EQ very well. Compression brought out strange things and getting the vocals to sit right was a chore since they were recorded with a bit higher end chain.
I probably could have re-tracked everything with better gear and spent half the time mixing.
Overall I am pretty happy with the results.
Crunchy preview of mine and Allen’s next tune.
I may retrack the guitars on this. I think this should satisfy those that wanted something with a little more grit in the music.
Just cut the fist vocal pass last night. Will probably have a revised vocal cut next week sometime. Then I will add some ear candy.
This probably should be in the rawcuts since it is not finished yet.
Yeah, she’s a rawcut so far, but I like to pulsate on the structure you’ve created, I’m an appreciater, but also a ‘deer in the headlights’ learner,.. it sounds pretty good to me so far DC,.. one of the drumbeats during the breaks sounded a bit like a gunshot/cannon to accompany the riff which I think is pretty effective, (like that of "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel),… I’d keep that in your final cut. Good stuff mate, sounds like I’ll be boppin’ like a parrot when you swing her around and park her in the garage in due time.
Hey Dc, yeah this sounds interesting, i like the fact that there is more grit evident like you mention in the description, i'm a big fan of having a raw edge on a solid melody, i think personally it makes for a great match….this still sounds very preempted and clean despite the nice step up in distortion…like the synth adds throughout, adds another dimension a gives a polishing feel…would like to hear where Allen goes with this if you guys keep going with it, oh yeah, also i didn't realize it should be a rawcut but am happy to move it over there if you give the nod…
We cut final vocals last night. I plan to mix and edit this weekend so maybe Monday I will have a finished songs. It is very USA patriotic and a somewhat "pissed off" song. Very anthem like in its delivery.
No synths in this one. Not sure what you are hearing lol. All guitars, although some are very FX heavy.
I suspect the "synth" daves referring too is the short fills at 1:15 & 2:40. Does sound kinda synthy with all those effects on it.
Gotcha. I like using FX on guitars to really bend them differently.
Okay so here is the final version.
Don't You Tread On Me (well, whenever it gets posted that is)
This was a tough song to mix, as simple as it was.
Here's why
The Guitars, Drums and Bass where recorded as a lesson to some young musicians who were telling me that they could not make a good demo cd because they had crap gear. So I went over to their place with a mobile recording rig and used their gear to record a song.
The guitar and basses were Rogue by Squire (cheap <$100 guitars from Musicians Friend).
The drums where a cheap Tama set.
The Amp was my 25 year old Peavy 30 watt transistor amp and the mic was a radio shack $20 dynamic.
The mic pre and bass DI was a Art Tube MP ($30 mic pre)
Plugin used were freeware or stock plugs.
The results where decent enough for what is was. Until I showed it to Allen, it was just going to be a "when I get to it song" as far as vocals.
Once I recorded Allen, I had a problem. Do I re-track the parts or work with what I have? I chose to work with what I have. It made mixing very hard. None of the tracks would take EQ very well. Compression brought out strange things and getting the vocals to sit right was a chore since they were recorded with a bit higher end chain.
I probably could have re-tracked everything with better gear and spent half the time mixing.
Overall I am pretty happy with the results.
Hmm.. I'm really not a fan of this song mate. I cant really pick anything wrong with the recording or the "cheap equipment" that was used, it sounds bloody good to my ears. It's the song itself that fails to grab me.
The music is very cookie cutter, which may have worked for me if the vocals were more dynamic and proudly led the way. Unfortunately they were much like the guitars – very repetitious and a bit stale in melody and delivery. The vocal style just didnt gel with the lyrics i guess. The verse's have potential, but needs something more vocally gritty/emotional to make me feel singer actually believes in the lyrics he's singing.
On the positives – the bass sounded really punchy and filled the low end beautifully and the guitars have a nice mix of clarity and crunch.
I actually really like the drum sounds. Kinda loose and rocking. I wouldn't be able to pick this from a really good quality kit going for a classic rock sound.
I really hate commenting negatively on anyones songs, but without honesty, all comments are pretty much pointless.
This feels wrong DC, but knowing your stellar song writing abilities and Allen's great voice, I've gotta give this go around a lowly 55%
Maybe I just missed the boat on this one..
Sorry!
I agree the music is cookie cutter and simple.
Interestingly enough, I had another person tell me they would like to hear the vocals more gritty or growly. Maybe I can get Allen to gargle some Drano! LOL
I was more worried you Aussies might not appreciate the subject matter itself. 🙂
Thanks for the feedback.
Well, usually, I find,.. the verses have a bit to be desired,.. this time, I think it's a rare opposite,.. it's the chorus that, I felt let the song down a touch,.. really like the music, and the verses, liked it when Allen sang gritty and passionate in the verses too,.. it really is the chorus,.. it doesn't quite gel, different lyrics for the chorus would put a cow lick on a pretty face I guess,.. but as you can tell by the way I write, I'd be the last person who could help with that…lol
A chorus fix,.. then you'd have a pearl in the oyster.
With everything else considered, it's still good though, nice structure, music, verses, built up well, sung well,.. just the chorus needs re-wording and re-threading in my opinion.
72%
Nice work on recording with other peoples cheap instruments and getting a decent sound, i think the guitars sound cool, drums have a nice hard hit about them, maybe making nice use of some compression there? in any case i have tried and failed to record standard kits many times so big ups there…bass also fills the range nicely…the one thing that throws me is Allens voice doesn't seem to suit the track for me….its very casual and clean, the opposite from what i was expecting for this style…over all i think the melody is ok, a little generic sounding but i totally get the angle you guys were working there…overall i think its decent and ultimately not a style i listen too much, but think the experiment with recording cheap equipment and being able to get a decent sound really stands out as something cool and interesting for me….:
67%
Still im glad you have national pride..AFTER WHAT AMERICA HAS DONE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT!Ha ha na..this is a funky catchy song and i thing is cheeky..I think you 2 work together better than that hands song.Seriously what the fuck?. Anyways it was edgy wasnt over sung. Had a little pink floyd background clips in there..I think this song delivered everything it set out to do.. nice work once again dc 8.5