[Jared]

Originally Posted by slap_j

I dunno if it's been said yet but you're very APCesque.

Never been told that. I've been waiting for someone to say that, though.

Originally Posted by slap_j

I like Halo and I like the fact that the bass is way out front and not hidden in the mix, but I am not crazy about it's tone. Try going more for a piano type bass sound rather than the fat, clunky sound. Not that the present tone is bad per se, but I really think sometimes it even overshadows the vocals. Another way to fix that would be to UNBURY the vocals in the mix, haha. I think the guitar is pretty close to perfect though.

Understand that the three songs on Purevolume right now are only very rough demos. The vocals will be redone completely when I am not sick (both times we have recorded I have had almost no voice). When they don't suck so badly, they will be exhumed.

I think I could do 2 live performances a day and have no trouble with hitting notes. The studio setting is soooooo boring. No adrenaline.

Thank you for your comments. I will pass along the word about the bass to Bob (he's quite attached to his current tone).

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Jared

I will pass along the word about the bass to Bob (he's quite attached to his current tone).

I like a trebly bass tone as well, but I think his tone is a bit too agressive. I think mellowing it out some will make the song more appealing to the musical palate. I noticed you mentioned using a Bass POD. Those things are really great. You could also go direct and mic a cabinet at the same time and mix those two together for more options.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by slap_j

I like Halo and I like the fact that the bass is way out front and not hidden in the mix, but I am not crazy about it's tone.

I think the chunky tone is grand, myself. It fits the music and the mood perfectly. Plus, I've always just been a fan of that tone.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Jared

Never been told that. I've been waiting for someone to say that, though.

I always assumed it was so obvious that it went without saying. You even used the halo imagery from "The Noose." There is plenty enough difference to keep you from sounding like all-out rip-off, though.

"Inertia" recorded horribly. We might re-record the bass part direct through a bass POD to get the exact sounds we want. It sounds nothing like that live. Also, I'll have time to EQ the guitars. Things will fill out.
We'll have a load of money after this weekend. This time we were on a $200 budget at roughly $50 per hour.

...

Understand that the three songs on Purevolume right now are only very rough demos. The vocals will be redone completely when I am not sick (both times we have recorded I have had almost no voice). When they don't suck so badly, they will be exhumed.

Unwanted bass tone...no guitar EQ...four hours studio time for three songs...sick vocalist...I'm beginning to understand. Considering all that, the sound is incredible. I very much look forward to hearing more clean versions.

By the way, couldn't you just record all the tracks in the studio, burn them to a disc, and then mix them at home? I imagine that would save quite a bit of money, even if you had to buy a new sound card for your PC. In fact, if you have a decent enough computer and sound card, you can probably just record the guitar and bass both at home, so long as you're only using PODs.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Danny

I always assumed it was so obvious that it went without saying. You even used the halo imagery from "The Noose." There is plenty enough difference to keep you from sounding like all-out rip-off, though.

Actually, "Halo" was written prior to the release of Thirteenth Step. I wish I could prove that with copyrights.

Originally Posted by Danny

Unwanted bass tone...no guitar EQ...four hours studio time for three songs...sick vocalist...I'm beginning to understand. Considering all that, the sound is incredible. I very much look forward to hearing more clean versions.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Danny

By the way, couldn't you just record all the tracks in the studio, burn them to a disc, and then mix them at home? I imagine that would save quite a bit of money, even if you had to buy a new sound card for your PC. In fact, if you have a decent enough computer and sound card, you can probably just record the guitar and bass both at home, so long as you're only using PODs.

I began recording my solo project on my home computer, but father dearest has banned such activity. He thinks all of personal activities are to blame for every bug/illegal error/strange sound that comes from our computer.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Danny

I think the chunky tone is grand, myself.

I like how the tone sounds before 0:25

It fits the music and the mood perfectly.

I think it is too overbearing.

Plus, I've always just been a fan of that tone.

It is a tad too metallic and rattly for me and that is emphasized during the softer parts of the song. I think it reminds me too much of Fieldy's tone and that makes me cringe. Oh, but let me say, as someone who knows bass (and I know bass), your bassist is much better then Fieldy. But if I ever hear him slapping with that much treble then I will kick his ass.

---

Originally Posted by Danny

If I may make a critique, Jared, the bass is way too distorted on "Inertia." I don't know, maybe it would sound better with overall cleaner production, but it's just too much, from what I can hear.

And I am actually going to disagree here again. When I first read this I was like, "oh gross" because I normally loathe distortion on bass but after listening to it I think it sounds really cool. Kind of like an angry hornet's nest.

---

After you clean everything up I will sit down and scrutinize every second of every track if you wish. And I know how annoying it can be to have someone outside the band to be really blunt with something so personal as your original music so don't think I am just an ass who knows nothing. I've been in professional studios before laying down my original stuff.

And I also want to say the more I listen to your band the more I like it. Haha, I was just listening to Finale and I was going to thank you for not bringing in the distorted guitar and pounding drums...but you did at the very end! Alas. Have you ever tried writing a song in the major key? Something pop rockish even? And I mean pop rockish in the Beatles vein. I think throwing in a few tracks which contrast your heavily APC influenced sound would be prudent.

Oh, and Finale reminds me of a few Dream Theater songs sans the operatic vocals, haha.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by slap_j

After you clean everything up I will sit down and scrutinize every second of every track if you wish. And I know how annoying it can be to have someone outside the band to be really blunt with something so personal as your original music so don't think I am just an ass who knows nothing. I've been in professional studios before laying down my original stuff.

It's not annoying at all. I haven't cringed or taken offense yet.

Originally Posted by slap_j

And I also want to say the more I listen to your band the more I like it. Haha, I was just listening to Finale and I was going to thank you for not bringing in the distorted guitar and pounding drums...but you did at the very end!

It's much more thrilling live. It's the finale.

Originally Posted by slap_j

Alas. Have you ever tried writing a song in the major key? Something pop rockish even? And I mean pop rockish in the Beatles vein. I think throwing in a few tracks which contrast your heavily APC influenced sound would be prudent.

The majority of "Finale" is dominated by majors. "Stillborn," "Maternal," "New Skin on the Bathroom Floor," and "Ribbons, Bows, and Tourniquets" are all in major keys. "New Skin on the Bathroom Floor" and "Stillborn" are especially poppy.

Originally Posted by slap_j

Oh, and Finale reminds me of a few Dream Theater songs sans the operatic vocals, haha.

Gah. I would rather you liken me to Scott Stapp.

[Jared]

By the way, I'm replacing "Inertia" and "Finale" with "Skinful" and "Maternal" on the purevolume site.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Jared

Gah. I would rather you liken me to Scott Stapp.

I wasn't talking about your vocals. I mean the songwriting.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by slap_j

I wasn't talking about your vocals. I mean the songwriting.

OH! OK. I can deal with that. I've actually delved into alot of DT lately. I have always had a mental block against listening to them for more than 4 minutes at a time, but then I heard "Dance of Eternity."

If they would shoot that LaBrie guy, they'd have something.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by slap_j

I like how the tone sounds before 0:25

Blah. It fits with the guitar part there, but it would be far too jazzy/bluesy sounding for the rest of the song. Not that that's inherently a bad thing, mind you, but that's clearly not the sound they're aiming for.

I think it is too overbearing.

I don't see how. It's clearly meant to be the lead instrument of the verses. Kind of reminds me of (APC's) "Thinking of You" in that respect.

It is a tad too metallic and rattly for me and that is emphasized during the softer parts of the song. I think it reminds me too much of Fieldy's tone and that makes me cringe. Oh, but let me say, as someone who knows bass (and I know bass), your bassist is much better then Fieldy. But if I ever hear him slapping with that much treble then I will kick his ass.

Your personal distaste for that style of bass playing doesn't really say much about its objective quality or how well it fits the music. Fieldy takes things to extreme with his tone, but that style of bass playing is as popular as it is in rock music for a reason.

And I am actually going to disagree here again. When I first read this I was like, "oh gross" because I normally loathe distortion on bass but after listening to it I think it sounds really cool. Kind of like an angry hornet's nest.

We obviously have very different music tastes. Haha. Anyways, maybe I'll like it more once they refine the recording.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Jared

By the way, I'm replacing "Inertia" and "Finale" with "Skinful" and "Maternal" on the purevolume site.

Awwwwwww. Replace "Finale" if you really must, but really, I like "Inertia" a whole lot more than either of the other two songs, despite the recording quality.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Jared

Actually, "Halo" was written prior to the release of Thirteenth Step. I wish I could prove that with copyrights.

Oh, wow. Great minds think alike, I suppose.

I began recording my solo project on my home computer, but father dearest has banned such activity. He thinks all of personal activities are to blame for every bug/illegal error/strange sound that comes from our computer.

[slap_j]

Originally Posted by Danny

Blah. It fits with the guitar part there, but it would be far too jazzy/bluesy sounding for the rest of the song. Not that that's inherently a bad thing, mind you, but that's clearly not the sound they're aiming for.

*tsk tsk*, grasshopper. Jazz (and/or Blues) is a playing style distinguished by the selection of notes, syncopation, etc. Not tone. Anyway I do not see how you could come to such a conclusion since many many rock songs have similar bass tone.

I don't see how. It's clearly meant to be the lead instrument of the verses. Kind of reminds me of (APC's) "Thinking of You" in that respect.

Maybe it is just the rough quality of the demo.

Your personal distaste for that style of bass playing...

My personal distate for that style? Are you talking about my dislike of Fieldy's tone or how I hate when he slaps with the treble cranked so high? The tone is not a style of bass playing at all. It's just a tone. As far as slapping, the man can't do it very well anyway. He shouldn't even touch the bass as far as I am concerned. And no one should should ever ever slap with so much treble because it completely defeats the purpose plus it sounds like shit. The purpose of slapping and popping is to emulate the kick and snare. With so too much treble it sounds like a metallic racket. Also, I never said that Bob's particular tone was bad. I just said I wasn't crazy about it because it is kind of reminiscent of Fiedly's tone, it is too metallic and rattly for me, and I think it is overbearing.

doesn't really say much about its objective quality or how well it fits the music.

Are you trying to insult me? That's basically like saying, "your opinion is meaningless"

Fieldy takes things to extreme with his tone, but that style of bass playing is as popular as it is in rock music for a reason.

I've never heard anyone with his tone besides him. Partially because Korn tunes so freaking low. And it isn't as popular as you seem to be implying.

[Jared]

I feel like the secular music forum has been recreated here in the Six Degrees thread.