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Posted by: thefireball Feb 24 2012, 02:54 AM

Here is it, guys. I am posting this here for feedback. What do you think?
The chorus is my most favorite part. It sounds like the song is done, but I plan on adding something more at the end of the thunderstorm.
We have a lot of tempo changes here and a few time signature changes too. In this song I have so far: 4/4, 6/4, and 7/4. This was really fun to work on.

http://soundcloud.com/fireball100/surge-2. I has nothing on it - pretty bare - but it will have some stuff soon I hope.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Feb 24 2012, 09:38 AM

Congrats Brandon! Awesome tone and riffing! When I said I'd take you along on stage, I really meant that I posted this on my Facebook page so I hope you don't mind t'was too good not to

Posted by: JTaylor Feb 24 2012, 11:24 AM

Great job Brandon! You sure you've only been playing 3 years?!

Posted by: Ben Higgins Feb 24 2012, 11:31 AM

That is super strong composing Brandon.. really enjoyed that ! Love it when the keyboard kicks in

Posted by: mad Feb 24 2012, 12:56 PM

Brandon, that's an amazing piece! Yeah, the Keyboard is cool and I like the solo before the thunderstorm-ending
Congrats and subscribed!

Posted by: thefireball Feb 24 2012, 01:47 PM

Thanks a lot guys! Means a lot. I'm honored you placed it on your facebook page, Cosmin. I have learned so much about music and how composing this stuff works here at GMC. If I had never joined, I think I'd be one who just plays chords on the guitar. Hey Ben, glad you like the keyboard. I remember hearing these sweeping and arpeggio patterns in my head and thinking...I can't play that!! But!! The COMPUTER can play it! So..that was the result. I just programmed the notes one by one with my mouse, using my guitar as a tool to find what note I should play next. But I also found that I heard the scales in my head. You know, even my mom enjoyed the keyboard thing.

Thanks for the subscribers!! I have been dreams for that channel when we lift off.

Posted by: Gitarrero Feb 24 2012, 03:01 PM

Congrats Brandon, that was freakin' awesome! I could tell from your latest youtube videos that a killer song is in the making, but it turned out even better.
Keep it up my friend, your guitar achievements are truly inspiring

Christian

Posted by: ElHombre Feb 24 2012, 03:14 PM

real or virtual drums?

Posted by: superize Feb 24 2012, 03:25 PM

Wow man your composition skills are amazing

Posted by: dark dude Feb 24 2012, 03:32 PM

Enjoyed it - nice work

Posted by: Ulrik Feb 24 2012, 03:46 PM

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaauw

Posted by: WeePee Feb 24 2012, 03:48 PM

Hell of a song Brandon !!

Posted by: thefireball Feb 24 2012, 11:27 PM

Thanks everyone!! You guys are the ones who keep me going. I'm glad you like it. I began writing the next part over lunch.
@ElHombre: Virtual Drums -- EZdrummer Drums From Hell expansion.

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 25 2012, 02:59 AM

Great stuff man, really. Although that kick needs more beef to it, as does the snare. Have you already done a compressor and EQ on the track?

Also, the keyboard bits could benefit from being humanized a bit. Set the midi roll in reaper to disable locking and slide the notes around so its not always perfectly in time (just BARELY slide them) also, make sure they are not all the same velocity.

Posted by: thefireball Feb 25 2012, 07:04 AM

Updated Surge 2 track.

Thanks Brett. I haven't done any thing major for the track. Mainly trying to get the levels right. I have added some more humanization to the keyboard. I just hit the "H" key inside the MIDI piano roll and tweak it afterwards. I used EZmix to change the sounds of the snare and kick. I hope they sound a bit better than the settings I had. The snare is the gated selection to give a tighter sounded. I also changed a few of the cymbals inside EZdrummer. I'm not sure what to EQ and compress. Tony says not to do anything to the bus unless you know what you are doing - I don't. I learn mostly by doing and reading articles helps but just doesn't give me the confidence. however, this is all a learning process...so any help from the guys here will be great. I took this thing in my car and it just doesn't have that 'thump'. I guess that is in the mastering process.

Posted by: eMGie Feb 25 2012, 11:22 AM

It's really, really good.
I love the keyboard thing!

Posted by: thefireball Feb 25 2012, 04:54 PM

Thank you, man. I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting. Welcome to GMC. My name is Brandon.
I'm glad you like the keyboard as well. When I programmed in the notes, I temporarily slowed the track down to 100 bpm and muted the rhythm guitars so I could hear all my notes. The first time I sped it back up to original speed and unmuted everything, I was like "WHOA!!" It's nothing like I've ever written. I am calling it my musical breakthrough. I got the idea from the band http://hopeforthedying.com/. I took http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H63ubkf4nS0 on adding arpeggios to a potentially boring chord progression.

Wow that turned into a long reply.

Posted by: thefireball Feb 26 2012, 03:00 AM

My new artist channel is up!! A new video was uploaded on it too. Spread the word!

I created the background work and avatar all by myself! Took a bit of research, extra plugins for GIMP, and much trial and error. Nevertheless, it was a great experience and so cool I did it for free.

http://www.youtube.com/user/analyzedwithin

Posted by: The Uncreator Feb 26 2012, 05:42 AM

Yeah, Tony's advice always rings true. I didnt start messing the the bus for about 2 years. Even then my first attempt was actually quite a mess which he helped me clean up . Best to use whats inside the host itself to get the best sound possible, regardless of how much control over the bus you have.

Posted by: TylerT Feb 27 2012, 07:35 AM

WOW!

...

nothing short of AMAZING dude! Your transitions are so awesome!

Posted by: thefireball Feb 27 2012, 02:49 PM

I'm glad somebody commented on the transitions. I am always apprehensive about the transitions. Does that flow well? I ask myself. Which is good. I'm glad I'm a guitar player who is willing to admit he might have some issues with his composition, instead of saying I know it all. There are still some parts I don't really dig - but it could be that I just have my own style (duh). It's not going to sound like everybody's else riff, cuz it's my riff of course. So long as people enjoy my riffs, then I will be sure to keep on writing them.

WeePee commented on an earlier version of the song (at soundcloud) at a section of the song he really liked. I'm glad somebody liked it. I did at the time, and then wondered later if it was such a good idea after all. I think the composer (talking about me in this instance) can be too critical and pick apart a composition so much that it becomes ridiculous. After I finish this song, it will obviously need mastering, provided that I have a good mix.

What do you guys think of http://widekmusic.bandcamp.com/ music? He offers mixing and mastering services. Do you think his stuff is good quality that I should check into getting my stuff mastered by him? Just listen to a few of his latest tracks. If Tony sees this, I would be interested in his opinion since he is a Master man.