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Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 1 2015, 02:51 PM

Hi Socky! Welcome to your room for Gab's Army. Here you are invited to share your music in progress to let me follow your creations and give comments and feedback.

Feel free to post your original music, demos, covers, and also music from other artists that you like.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 1 2015, 04:44 PM

This is for the synthy video-game metal song I showed you, don't know why but I thought it'd be a good idea to rewrite this solo after months of work.

I can play everything nearly full speed except for 3 parts, the sweep and these two.


Originally I had this all picked, but I added in some slides to make it a bit easier to play. I can do it at 120bpm right now. I think this is playable at full speed but I can always rewrite it so it's less 'shred' and keep the 16th note rest theme going.

Does it even sound that good? It's gonna take A LOT of work for me to get this up to 150bpm and I don't really want to spend more than a week learning this. What do you think? Rewrite or try and learn it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2015, 02:11 PM

Hi Socky, as I said previously, this idea is very cool. I'm checking the part that is giving problems and I can say that it's very tricky to play. I can't try it really well because I only have 22 frets on my guitar, but I can imagine that it's so tricky to play it. Honestly, I don't think that it makes sense to keep like this since it's not the best sounding part and it is not very natural to be played. I would re-write it to make it a bit more natural for guitarist's fingers, what do you think?

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 3 2015, 12:41 AM

Well if you say it's tricky, I'll have no chance of playing it. I'll keep it as an exercise or something to work on for later. Changed it up so it's a bit more groove based.

Hopefully I can get this track done before the end of next week. Think it's time to start moving onto other projects.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 3 2015, 08:13 PM

Much easier now! and it still sounds good. Keeping the other as a technique exercise is a good idea.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 4 2015, 11:59 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/solo-test

Here's what I recorded. I'll probably redo the last bit, don't know how I want to end it yet. How's the mix sounding btw?



The bit where I jump from string to string with my index is a little tricky. My timing is a little bit off on that part right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 5 2015, 11:31 PM

Hi Socky, interesting stuff! This solo will be killer once you polish it.

I can notice some parts in the middle (around 00:15) that aren't played totally tight and clean, but you are very close, I think that you'll be able to polish it with some more practice. I still think that your phrasing composition is very unique and not very easy to master. But that's not negative, I consider it positive.

The mix is not bad but from my opinion it could be polished. The rhythm guitar and bass (are there both or is it a synth?) is not clear. I cannot hear it defined so you should find the right frequencies for both in the mix. I would also like more present drums, mostly the kick and snare, which are behind the effect (reverb) and is lacking aggression. Try adding more bass frequencies to both (50/70 hz for drums), (200 hz for snare) and see what happens. The whole drum track sounds over compressed, are you compressing it?

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 6 2015, 10:15 AM

All my mixes sound fine till I start adding lead guitar then it all falls apart from there.

I notice in a lot of my mixes the rhythm guitars tend to disappear, I'll see what I can do. And it's just a midi bass.
Yes the drums are compressed, i'm using a superior drummer preset. Maybe it's time to stop being so lazy with my drums.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 6 2015, 01:47 PM

I agree and can hear everything you described here so let's go for it. Work on these details and share a new mix.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 8 2015, 01:38 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/solo-test

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/solo-mix-test-2

Bass drum and snare are definitely more present, rhythm a little bit clearer. Should probably mess around with the levels some more.

I was listening back to my Linkin Park - Numb cover and there's like 8 different things going on at some parts - quadtracked rhythm, lead, piano, synth etc; everything still comes through clearly and I have no idea how I did it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 8 2015, 03:49 PM

Hi Socky, the mix test 2 needs adjustment. Now the drum and bass are more present but the lead guitar is not there, it's behind the mix. Try putting it louder on this new mix and see how it works.

Backing guitar are also a bit soft. When you turn up rhythm guitars, you'll have to make place for the lead guitar. One trick for this is to lower some frequencies between 1.5 and 3 KHZ where the lead guitar is more present to give place for it. This will allow you to turn rhythm guitar louder without affecting the lead guitar.

This is based on an important concept when mixing that is that every instrument needs its place in the frequency range, so you have to make place on other instrument for it. For example, Kick and Bass low frequencies are close, but in order to make each one clear you need to make place for them. how?

- Use a high pass filter on guitars to lower all frecuencies below 100 HZ.
- Kick bass frequencies are around 50/70 hz / Bass frequencies are around 75 / 100 HZ. Empathize the correct on each one and filter where you need place for the other instrument (for example: amphatize kick bass at 50 HZ, and lower some dbs around 80/100 to make place for the bass)

This should be done at every range of frequencies with every instrument so maybe you'll want to explore more about it https://www.google.com.ar/search?q=instrument+frequency+range&safe=off&rlz=1C1GIGM_enAR563&espv=2&biw=1440&bih=755&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=jj8lVYSIGKS1sQSU0YDICQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ

Another thing that will improve your mix is to humanize more your drums. Use velocity and quantizetricks to make the groove sound more real. For example, the ride sounds always exactly the same and it make it sound like a machine.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 9 2015, 08:50 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/bridge-solo

Gonna take a break from mixing today, listen to it with a fresh set of ears later. Here's a bridge solo in the track, probably gonna change the ending depending on what the guest solo sounds like.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 10 2015, 01:48 PM

Hi Socky, great job with this! I love how fresh your phrasing sound on this bridge. That repetitive slide sounds very "exotic" but tasty for me. I think that this is the kind of stuff that make you unique, keep on this way!

Posted by: Socky42 May 18 2015, 08:29 PM

Hey man, been busy with exams. My other collab is pretty much finished just waiting on one last video. And I've started working on this one with Cosmin; Apologize by OneRepublic.

It's not mixed or anything and the guitars near the end are still midi, but might as well let you know what I'm up to.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 19 2015, 04:03 PM

Interesting! I haven't seen this solo before and it's very cool, I like the overall structure and how he connects the different phrases. Cosmin is very talented!

Posted by: Socky42 May 25 2015, 12:29 AM

I finished my other collab btw, you can find it here. http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=54408

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-midi-demo

So I've started working on this a bit more, ends around Cosmin's solo. End result is going to have the same structure but with another solo section and chorus at the end of it. Still have to rework the vocal melody, so it's still just the original midi.

Do you think the main riff at 0:15 gets too repetitive? And in the clean part, does it sound okay when the piano and Cosmins solo enter? Or is it too sudden?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 26 2015, 02:56 PM

Hi Socky, this sounds promising.

I didn't get the structure, is it a short song? or you will repeat parts for the final section. This 1:28 sounds cool for me, I don't feel there are too repetitive ideas or that the riff starts too early. However, if you are planning to repeat sections, I would re-arrange things to find differences between verse 1 and verse 2... does it make sense?

Posted by: Socky42 May 30 2015, 12:17 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-midi-demo

Here's the full structure of it, still trying to work out a good vocal line. Definitely gonna have to make some changes to fit in with the riff a bit more. But I think it'll turn out okay.

Trying my best to line the riffs up but it might take a bit more studio magic to make those rests at 0:25 sound natural.



Here's the original if you want to compare.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 30 2015, 05:09 PM

Hi mate! Now I got it! I think that the re-version is turning amazing! The original tune has a very nice vocal melody, and our version turns everything much more powerful so I'm really anxious to hear the final version with the lead melody. Are you going to add vocals or other instrument for it?

Posted by: Socky42 May 30 2015, 07:15 PM

Hmm, I was thinking of just doing it on guitar again but I'll look around for a vocalist. Never actually had a vocalist in one of my videos before.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 31 2015, 04:16 PM

I think that it will work with guitar! but it can also be cool if you work with a vocalist.

Posted by: Socky42 May 31 2015, 07:05 PM

I tried emailing a few but doubt I'd get a reply. Unless you know any singers that would be down for this, I think I'll just play it on guitar.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 1 2015, 01:24 PM

hahaha yeah, singer are tricky to find, that's why I always recommend guitarists to take singing lessons.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 11 2015, 12:11 AM

Worked out a rough guitar line for the track, made some tweaks to the melody but I think it's still recognizable as the original.
Now I'm just learning the the solo I wrote for it. Left a guitar pro file to it. The string skipping on bars 3 and 4, I moved up to the B and D strings. And the last 4 bars sound a lot more interesting with the demo I posted before.





Not sure what the 'theme' of this solo is, but it feels bouncy if that makes sense; with the string skipping and harmonized parts on bar 7 and 12.

I notice I end a lot of phrases with sustained notes, so it's feels like lick -> sustained end -> next lick most of the time. It works but I feel it's a bit lazy? I dunno.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 11 2015, 02:06 PM

Hi Socky, this sounds very cool. I like the solo idea. It's true that there are many licks that end with a long sustained note, maybe you could make more use of silences and staccato notes as you did on the last measures. But you have time for this when you record it with your guitar.

Once thing that I like a lot of this one is the tempo and groove, it's perfect and that's not an easy thing to get.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 14 2015, 07:03 PM

Yeah, I'm gonna change some of the fast bits in that solo, they're actually pretty hard to play now that I tried recording it.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-lead-melody-idea

This still needs a bit of tweaking, especially the end of the chorus and maybe some harmonies at 0:22 and 0:54; not sure what harmonies to go for though, when tried doing 3rds above, they don't sound right. Maybe I'll try a harmony below it or just do an octave.

For the chorus, I'll harmonize an octave above just to fill out the sound and change some of the timing.

Any other changes you think I should make?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2015, 02:03 PM

Hi Socky, good job with this solo.

I've heard the audio twice and I marked some week points (at 00:22, at 00:31, 00,38) and then I notice that are the same parts that you want to work and improve so I think that you are being clever by marking the parts that you need to improve to make this one killer. That's why I would really like to hear the new version, when will it be ready?

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 15 2015, 07:29 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-harmony-idea

Harmonized the first transition lick, added in a drum fill. Sounds a bit better, I'll probably go for a big tom roll or something.

I like the screaming 'half pinch harmonic' bend at 0:31 in the last one I gave you but I have a hard time hitting it properly every time, so it sounds kinda weak.

No idea what to replace the last chorus lick with. Got this descending arpeggio idea that could work, https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-chorus-arp-ending

edit: Here's a variation but I think this general idea is what I'm after, I'll keep tweaking.
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-chorus-arp-ending-2

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2015, 01:52 PM

Good ideas Socky. I like how the harmonization sounds there, I think that this kind of arrangement could work in other parts of the solo as well, I think that it fits great with your guitar style and the overall tune.

About the arpeggio, it's not sounding totally natural for me, it's ok, but I know that you can make it better. I can't describe exactly the reason but it's a relation between how long it is and the note choices.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 17 2015, 12:48 AM

I know what you mean but I actually don't know what else to try.

Nothing I play fits.

In the original chorus they just sustain the last note but even with vibrato, doing that on guitar for over 2 bars isn't very interesting and doesn't sound right either.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/untitled-1

I tried just harmonising my first idea.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 17 2015, 02:22 PM

I like this new version.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 17 2015, 10:52 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/apologize-solo-rough

Had to take out the run at the start, didn't really fit. Either going to go back to the original lick or rewrite the bit at 0:10. And I'll be re-recording most of it, just seeing how it translated from guitar pro to audio. Does the transition back into the chorus work?

Here's a guitar pro file of the part at 0:10. It sounds better when it's just the single chord right? I'd go with the original harmonized lick I had, but it's just too fast for me to do it cleanly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 19 2015, 03:25 PM

Hi Socky, this is evolving really good! I like how this is turning and I think that if you practice it enough to make it sound totally tight, it will be mind blowing.

That part at 00:10 sounds great on the guitar pro file, what is exactly the difference or the things that makes it tricky on the real audio track?

The connection with the chorus is cool for me.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 19 2015, 10:59 PM

I don't know what the problem is anymore. I think I had some ear fatigue when I posted, it sounds fine now that I've taken a break. Definitely need some more bass/low mids in the mix though.

I don't find anything tricky in the one you just listened to. The only difference is in the rhythm guitar, to me it seems a bit out of place but maybe it's because I've gotten used to listening to older versions of the solo?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 20 2015, 08:50 PM

hahaha yeah, this usually happens, when we are composing music and we feel blocked, we need to give it a rest, give some time and get back with our ears fresh. Again, I think that the arrangement is amazing mate.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 24 2015, 11:52 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/shake-it-off-basic-midi

Still very simple but here's a quick midi idea for my next video; Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. Start off with some clean/soft piano part then build up to the chorus. The chords at the end of 0:45, I'll use different staccato chords to make it more interesting and for variation; awkward when the progression is Am -> C -> G -> G.

http://www.guitarworld.com/holcomb-mania-mark-holcomb-building-chords-single-note-riff-ideas-video
I'll steal some chords and ideas from here. He talks about substituting power chords with more interesting chords.

And for the verse around 0:52, probably some bass fills in-between the rhythm guitar rests.

After this clip ends, it'll go into a solo section then finish with a fade out chorus.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2015, 03:08 PM

Hi Socky!! Great job! This sounds very promising. I checked the first minutes from that video and I have to say that the tips are fantastic and that can be totally applicable in your style so I'm sure that it will open new horizons.

Can't wait to hear this one with real guitars!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 27 2015, 11:21 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/shake-it-off-basic-midi

Got the solo section done, just need to start practicing and hope I can play everything. I'll need to tweak some of the faster runs but nothing seems too hard.

Kinda wish I could write solos like this without doing it all in guitar pro. Think that'll be my big goal for next year.

Any harmonies seem off?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 27 2015, 04:59 PM

Hi Socky! This is evolving really good! I like the "oriental" feel that the harmonies are giving to this. There are some little moments where you could tweak a bit the harmonies, but as the overall has an exotic feel, I think that it's not very dramatic. Just identify those parts that go too off and try if making it more "tonal" helps. If not, I think that you can go with this since it makes the track sound very original to me.

Keep on the great job!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 27 2015, 11:01 PM

I can hear the oriental influence now that you mention it! Guess that's what happens when you use pentatonics. I normally mix harmonies pretty low anyway, so it should sound fine. I'll tweak it when I record it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2015, 02:32 AM

So it won't be a problem... it will work as an effect...

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 29 2015, 07:25 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/shake-it-off-intro

Here's what I've got for the intro so far. Reversed the audio on the clean rhythm guitars for that ambient feel. Not too sure on that clean tone for the melody though.

Very hard to get a lead tone that cuts through but also isn't very trebly and 'pops' a lot, especially with a pick.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 2 2015, 02:19 PM

Hi Socky, I honestly think that this sounds great! I love the arrangement and the overall sound. Great job mate!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 3 2015, 02:16 AM

At around 0:03 in that clip, there's this sound in the right side that comes from the piano and guitar at the same frequency or something, can't really figure out how to get rid of it. Maybe a different piano sound.

It's not there when I solo each part and when it's just the strings and guitar.

Anyway, I've got this new chorus idea, first half is the original idea and the second half is the new one. Took the sliding thing from the video I showed you earlier and use them as fills between chords. Not sure if I want to stick to how it is in the guitar pro file - having the two halves or just repeat the new idea twice.

Very close to finishing the arrangement of this, just figuring out what I want after the solo; recording shouldn't take long, had a couple run throughs of the solo and it's surprisingly easy to play.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 3 2015, 04:52 PM

Hi mate, I think that both versions of the chorus are interesting so I would use both in order to let it grow along with the song. I don't think that the chorus should be always exactly the same and this two versions are really cool.

Great to know that the arrangement is close to be finished. Keep on rocking!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 14 2015, 09:34 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/shake-it-off

Got a bit sidetracked with the other video, but I Just need to record the leads then mix it. Quickly did the start of the lead just so you can hear what it sounds like. Forgot to turn the effects back on before I exported it but you get the idea.

Ignoring the volume, is the intro too sudden?

At 1:18 when the verse comes in, I'll definitely need to lower the rhythm guitars a bit. Added a quieter chorus part at 2:35, then when, it'll just end with a fade-out chorus.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 15 2015, 03:36 PM

Hi Socky! Good job with this one! I like the overall groove, and sound. About the intro, yes, I think that it should be a bit louder, I had to turn up my soundcard to hear it. The other sections sound good to me, I'd like to hear the leads!

Looking forward the progress of this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 21 2015, 11:08 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/verse-variations

Just a quick question; they'd probably both sound good if I mixed the levels a bit better and weren't sloppy takes but first impressions, which one of these verses do you prefer?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 22 2015, 02:38 PM

Hi Socky, I like both variations. I feel that both could go together if you decide to repeat the verse section. The second could be the first and the first that has more notes could be the second.... both sound very good!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 22 2015, 05:16 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/shake-it-off

Yeah from 1:18 in this clip I showed you before, is going to be one half of a verse - and the second verse variation is what i'm going to play over this staccato riff part.

But if you like both variations of the verse, that's great! I'll just play them one after another. I was just worried that the melody timing would clash with the rhythm guitar fills.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 23 2015, 03:21 PM

Hi Socky, I feel that this track will be a hit. It makes me feel happy while I listen to it and that's a good signal. I smile with the vibe but also with the quality and overall sound.

I think that both melodies will be good together but it would be good to hear it on the track.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 23 2015, 05:07 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/transition

Hey man, everything's pretty much recorded on the audio side. Still need to mix it properly and film the video later.
Does this transition sound okay from chorus to solo?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 24 2015, 01:48 PM

Hi mate, it's not totally clear. I think that the problem is related to timing which is not perfect, this combined with the weird rhythm can make things don't work. Try to make it sound totally tight to see if this work, if not, you can go for a more natural idea.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 24 2015, 03:00 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/transition-2

I know what you mean. Re-recorded the part and tried fading the two parts differently, how about now? I think it sounds a lot smoother like this.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 25 2015, 04:50 PM

yes! It's much better. There is still room to adjust timing but this sounds clearer now.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 25 2015, 10:45 PM

All done, don't think I managed to make the transition as smooth as I'd liked, but it works in the video. Should be up tomorrow.



Gonna try and finish up one more video in the next two weeks, then I'll be busy moving out of my apartment. It's a song called Lilium, think I'll go for a fingerpicked, ambient intro then metal up the second half. It's got a very strong melody, so shouldn't be too hard to do.

The song jumps between 3/4 and 4/4 a bit, but I didn't really notice till after I finished transcribing half of it; it'll be a bit messy but do you think it'll matter if I just keep it all in 4/4?

Just a very basic transcription right now, getting the melody down and figuring out chords, I'll put a solo in somewhere too.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 26 2015, 07:46 PM

This is awesome Socky. I'm impressed of your discipline, focus and hard work. If you continue like this, you'll build a very consistent career as musician. This videos and arrangements that you are creating are top level and your work here very inspiring.

This new song has really cool melodies, I'm sure that your version will rock. Looking forward the first demos.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 29 2015, 06:05 PM

Hey man, almost finished arranging. Just not sure how I'm supposed to harmonize passing notes from outside the scale? It always sounds a bit off to me.

e.g. In bar 2 of this guitar pro file. I'm pretty sure the song is in F# minor and there they use a D# in one phrase of the melody.

And then the same thing happens at bar 10, but my problem is finding the right chord to use in the rhythm.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 30 2015, 02:54 PM

Hi mate, I'm a bit lost with the guitar pro. Could you please write here the chord progression and notes from the melody that you want to harmonize?

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 30 2015, 03:17 PM

Second bar, it goes D, C# then D#. Only chord behind it is a D5.

And I already figured out the chord thing.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 30 2015, 07:48 PM

and what's the tonality?

When harmonizing a chromatic note, you can try harmonizing it in parallel but if this doesn't sound good over the chord, you could try repeating the previous or the next note that you'll play.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 30 2015, 08:30 PM

I think I've got something that works. I'll figure it out.

I'll try to get the whole thing recorded by this weekend and release it early next week.

edit: A MIDI mashup of what I have so far for the second, metal half of the track to the ending, drum fills still need a bit more work. In the original track, there's a lot of parts where sections end on a sustain e.g. 0:19, 0:32, 0:57, 1:07 in this clip; do those parts sound fine in my arrangement? Because they happen a lot and they're really close together,

In the original the melody is all done with a choir and an octave on both sides to thicken it out, so I've harmonized nearly all of the lead in this, do you think it's too much?

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/lilium-midi-demo

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 3 2015, 03:35 PM

Hi Socky, great to see you progressing with this one.

I think that the arrangement is going on the right track but the midi sound combined with the harmonization makes this rec sound a bit oriental, and it confuses me. It would be good to hear this with real guitars. The sustained parts that you've marked sound good here, but I'm not totally sure about the harmonization.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 3 2015, 11:20 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/lilium1harmonytest

Hmm I see what you mean; here's what it sounds like recorded. I think it's better with the harmony a lot lower than the main melody, might even drop it down more.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 4 2015, 01:36 PM

yeah!! It sounds KILLER!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 5 2015, 10:54 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/liliumrough

I'm going to Germany for a few days, so I think I'll wait till after I'm back to finish it. Here's everything so far except the solo at the end. I'll probably re-record the clean with a tone thats brighter, so the transition from clean to distortion is smoother and change the lead guitar tone to suit the rhythm better.

How does the transition at 0:51 and everything after 1:25 sound?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 5 2015, 01:53 PM

Hi mate! The arrangement is really cool! I t has some neoclassical feel that mixed with the harmonization makes me remember to Marty Friedman old solo stuff.

I think that a different EQ for the intro clean guitar is a good idea.

I'm not totally convinced about some notes choice for the harmonization starting at 1:56, and from there to the end. Please re-check it, or maybe turn them lower in the mix.... or maybe try octaves?

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 5 2015, 02:54 PM

Good to know the arrangement is fine! I've never really fingerpicked before; very tricky getting the bass note to ring out while reaching for melody notes, so I've got a synth sub bass in the background helping me out a bit. And sometimes I'll pluck the higher string too hard and it's way too loud.

Yeah I'll change some of those harmonies to octaves, think I'm just trying to do too much when I should keep it simple.

I think in terms of tone my rhythm tone is exactly where I want it - with no eq, it sounds perfect with my bass and drum sounds. Just need to make my lead and clean tones more mix ready. Right now, they have a lot of post processing on them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 6 2015, 07:07 PM

I agree with everything you've said in the last post mate. The audio and mix of your last video published is killer so I'm sure you'll get something great with this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 14 2015, 11:32 PM

Hey man, I finished up recording a take of the solo at the end; I think the some of the harmonies need re-doing for timing and needs some more mixing but I'm almost done.

I tried changing the clean tone but it wasn't really working out, I wanted it brighter but it just makes the string noise pop out even more; I'll stick to post-eq for now.

Also replaced some of the harmonies with octaves like you suggested earlier.

Any other parts that you think need re-recording or changing up?

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/liliumrough

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 15 2015, 05:29 PM

Hi Socky! Great work mate!! This sounds killer!! I enjoyed the whole arrangement, and for some moments reminded me to the greatest Blind Guardian guitar harmonies. I also think that the solo at the end is the only part that needs some polishing to be at the same level than the previous parts.

Great work mate!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 15 2015, 09:45 PM

Alright, think I've fixed the end solo harmonies, just a problem of latency where my harmony was off by a bit. Quick question about the clean parts, do the little squeaks and sliding noises (e.g. 0:41) impact the track negatively in any way? Am I just being too much of perfectionist to try and get rid of them all?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 16 2015, 07:19 PM

Not even close! I don't find the slides notable as a problem. One thing that I've noted now that I could listen to the track in my monitors is that the first section (clean + atmosphere) has too much information in the low frequencies. I think that it's between 200 and 400. The problem is also enhanced by the guitar reverb and clean guitar eq, so put some attention on "cleaning" that range in this section.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 17 2015, 08:12 PM

All finished and uploaded now. Moving out of my apartment this weekend then going to Germany for a year to study. I've got a custom guitar on the way, so I'll just get that shipped over and should be able to keep making videos.



This'll probably be my next video; keep it simple and put my own spin on it. I'm not happy with the Charlie cover I have on my channel now so might as well do another one of his songs.

Not too sure how to do the harmonics thing at 0:27 and 0:39 though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 17 2015, 09:39 PM

I've just found your video published. Congrats mate!

This is a really cool song to cover. Those are artificial harmonics, as the other ones he is doing. They should sound if you try with a tone similar to the one used by him.

Posted by: Socky42 Sep 7 2015, 05:16 PM

Hey man, just a small update. I've finished moving to Germany and should have a guitar and the rest of my gear in the next couple of weeks.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 7 2015, 09:52 PM

Cool! What are the next musical plans?

Posted by: Socky42 Oct 8 2015, 02:46 PM

Sorry for the lack of updates man!

I've received my guitar but no interface, so I can't really try it out yet, but it seems to be in good condition and feels nice. I'll post a thread with it later, still missing the whammy bar which is getting sent over. I think when I get everything up and running, I'll focus on just practicing (not played in over a month) and getting some good tones with software plugins before working on videos; didn't feel like getting my Axe FX sent over.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 8 2015, 04:02 PM

Hi mate, it's good to see that you are slowly getting back to guitar! Thanks for your update. I've been missing your amazing arrangements.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 1 2016, 11:32 PM

Finally found a place to record, but I have to get used to using software amps again. I think I did a decent job with the mix.


https://soundcloud.com/socky42/falloutboymedleytest

And I've got a midi version of what I want to do next, it's a Fall Out Boy Medley. Originally I had three songs in there, but transitioning between songs is always so tricky.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 2 2016, 04:24 PM

Hey mate! Great to see you back here and at youtube! You new video sounds great. I've noticed that the original creator shared a good comment there! Congrats mate.

I've checked the new medley and it's VERY promising. I like how you transposed vocal melodies to midi guitar. This will be definitely a success. About transitions, I think that the first one works ok (I would mute abruptly the synth sounding in the first song when the second starts, make the transition smoother) and the second is not bad but I don't think that you need to let that silence between the end of song 2 and 3, the new one could start just after the first one ends. Try it.

Ok mate, I wish you have a great new year full of great music and happiness.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 17 2016, 12:07 AM

Hey Gab, here's what I've got so far for the track; got a bit of ear fatigue, so I'll give it another mix later.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/fall-out-boy-medleytest

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 01:02 AM

Hi mate, this sounds really good!

I love the arrangement, not only your guitar playing (which is great, your phrasing is really fresh and modern), the strings arrangements are killer! I also think that connection between songs is smooth and natural now. It REALLY works!

I cannot give specific feedback about mix because I'm not at the studio now, but in my headphones I notice that you can work better the EQ range for each instrument.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 18 2016, 09:33 AM

EQ range is definitely a problem, mainly coming from the strings taking up so much space. Then I ended up using the same guitar tone, drums, etc. for the entire song, even for parts without the strings.

I'll just have to be less lazy with my mixing and start automating EQ.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2016, 01:50 PM

yes, it's very tricky to mix Strings in Rock/Metal. I think that the best is to make place in your strings channel for guitars in order to clarify the overall mix. I also think Bass needs some polishing to sound clearly...

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 24 2016, 06:41 PM

Hey man, I've finished the video.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=56525

Gonna work on a solo for a video a friend of mine is making, then start on a Babymetal medley. They've got some pretty catchy songs that I think could work.

After that, I have no idea what videos to make.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 25 2016, 01:22 PM

Awesome! Congrats mate! I'll check the new video now.

The new idea sound good! I'm not very into Babymetal but I know that they are really popular so it can be a viral video. What songs would you like to connect?

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 5 2016, 12:40 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/babymetalmidimedleytest

Here's a very rough version of what I have so far, just basic midi right now. In order of songs -

Iine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVdBBOpSoN4
Megitsune - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUkzu1IJW4w
Gimme Chocolate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKqgE4BwAY

Then back into the bridge/outro of the first song. Think the biggest problem right now is the length, no one really watches 5 minute videos all the way through.

I've already cut every song down to their main themes/chorus. At around 4:02 there's a verse part that I've tried to take out but couldn't make it flow. I could cut out an entire song, but I think the choices I've made are good; all have a different element. One's synth heavy, one has the asian instruments and one is just guitar focused. I'll need to find better samples for the asian stuff though, ones I have now sound super fake.

Not really changed the songs much from the originals other than add two solos at 3:06 and 4:13. I'll probably re-do the second solo a bit, arpeggios up and down aren't that interesting.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2016, 05:28 PM

Hi Socky,

This sample is VERY promising. You ave done a great job arranging this stuff and everything connects great (I'm not totally sure how the change at 2:49 but I'd like to hear it with real guitars).

I also think that it can be a bit long, but everything depends on how cool your video, guitar tone and mix is so maybe you can record real guitars, start mixing and then decide if you want to cut some sections.

This one has a lot of potential so take your time to make each of those elements the best possible.

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 23 2016, 12:34 AM

Made a short video to try out some new tones and just to keep the channel active - I feel my high gain rhythm tone doesn't have the low-end oomph that my AxeFX did but Bias Amp does get pretty close to how I normally have it; would love some feedback on tone, I'm still having to experiment a lot during mixing.

For the Babymetal Medley, I think I'll try and get some guest solos in to make up for the long length, maybe that'll get people watching to the end haha.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 23 2016, 02:22 PM

Hi mate, nice solo! I love the lick at 1:11, very cool!

I also think that you have better tone in your other videos. This one is lacking low end, you definitely need to continue experimenting with Bias since I've heard great things recorded with it.

About including guests, it's a great idea!

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 29 2016, 10:14 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/introtest

Finally getting started on this video! How's this for rhythm tone? I know it's a short clip, but if the intro doesn't sound good, no point doing the rest yet.

I'm probably gonna add a lead part to 0:13 to 0:25, doing something similar the synth. Just to make it less of a full on cover and have some stuff of my own too.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 1 2016, 06:10 PM

This sounds VERY promising! For any reason your tone remind me to Nightwish. There are some lows that could be added to your guitar tone, or maybe mix..

https://youtu.be/B-ALlPLAEbs

In flames is also a good reference: https://youtu.be/KTiQ75HY0DA

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 2 2016, 11:06 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/test-2

Okay, slowly getting there! How did I do on this riff? I normally only play in 4/4 so the timing was a bit tricky for me to get down. I have a floating trem, so didn't want to tune to Drop C just to play this one part, made it a lot harder for myself having to palm mute the 1st fret instead of just the open string haha.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2016, 02:36 PM

I think that your sound would improve a lot if you use a drop C guitar... the riffs are not very defined. I've recorded riffing music with this trick in the past and the results are not the best ones...

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 7 2016, 10:16 PM

Managed to fix the definition problem, my midi bass was overpowering the mix, so I EQ'd out it's high end a bit and let the guitars cut a bit more.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/leadtest

My lead tone sounds a little off, but I'm not sure how to make it fit into the mix more. Got a bit of ear fatigue, so any tweaks I make right now will make it sound even worse.

Take a listen and lemme me what you think.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 8 2016, 02:21 PM

Hi Socky,

I like this but it needs some adjustment. The overall sound is very modern, but I have the feeling that it has too many elements. You need to continue polishing the EQ and also try to make the rhythm and drums go VERY tight. If you make it sound totally tight this will be epic. The style sound like industrial, electronic so it's good to make it sound extremely adjusted.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 9 2016, 08:55 PM

You're right, it's already got all the synthy elements, might as well edit my guitars and drums to be even tighter. I didn't want it to seem too fake, but it fits.

One of the guys doing a solo in my medley is away for 2 weeks, so I'm quickly throwing together a video. Starships by Nicki Minaj, here's a short clip.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/starshipsdrop

Having a lot of fun chopping up the riffs and vocal stems for the drop in the song. Still needs some adjustment though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2016, 01:21 AM

Hi mate, this sounds AWESOME! Everything sounds tight and aggressive on this other tune. You need to make the other sound like this one!

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 11 2016, 11:07 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/starshipsdrop2

This version of the drop is in-between verses; experimenting a bit more with panning the vocal stem. I'm planning on playing lead guitar over the vocals, mirroring the rapping of the song. (Only the parts at 0:17+) I'll have to wait till I record a bit of it to see if it'll fit, don't want the mix to get too crowded.

Think the drops sound good with just guitars + vocals.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2016, 03:03 PM

Hi mate, this is a bit better but I still think that there is too much info in this track so it requires more mix work to sound good. The arrangement remind me a bit to skrillex so maybe you can check his more "rocker" songs to see how he makes everything fit in his mixes.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 12 2016, 12:11 AM

Ahh I had heavy compression on the glitchy vocal bus and wasn't full panning, so everything was leaking into the other side. A lot more space in the mix now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2016, 09:26 PM

Great to know that you've found what was happening! Looking forward your new mix.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 14 2016, 10:30 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/starshipstest/s-BLF8E

Thought this would be a pretty simple track to record and mix but it's been tough making everything fit. I'm just gonna record the video, then re-mix/re-record anything that needs it later with fresh ears.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2016, 02:19 PM

Hi mate,

wou! That's a really complex track. I think that your decision is wise, you need to give some air to your ears and work on the mix on different days. While you do it, you can work on video, edition and other stuff.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 14 2016, 05:51 PM

Do you have any general things in the mix I can work on? I know the lead tone is a bit too harsh, but if I blend it more with the octaver, it should be fine.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2016, 02:46 PM

Yes! Here are some things that I hear:

- The clean guitar played twice is one of the things that it making everything sound weird. It sounds too open (pan 100%) and as for any reason each channel sound different (not sure if strumming is not precise or what, but it sounds weird). I would try editing it or playing it again to make both guitars sound totally tight, and try with less open pan, (around 68) and maybe with a bit less reverb.

- I feel something similar with distorted rhythm guitars which also could have less drive/distortion to sound clearer.

- I can't hear the bass guitar, there is a whole in your mix around 100 hz, where bass should be.

- Your guitars EQ is high in general, I hear frecuencies that are not nice to hear, maybe around 2.5 khz, but you have to seach them.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 23 2016, 08:59 PM

My classes start again next week, so I won't have as much time to make videos. But I've been trying to pump out more videos in the time that I do have.



Still have the Babymetal medley to finish later next month, when my collab partners aren't so busy. Then I'll be a bit stuck on video ideas! Maybe more pop to rock stuff, maybe more video game stuff, I don't really know.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 24 2016, 03:03 PM

You did it again! This new video sounds great! Your arrangement is top level, and your playing is so inspiring and fresh as always. The faster parts are killer, you can shred but keep sounding cool, well done!

Congrats friend!

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 29 2016, 02:39 PM

Okay, going to try and work on this rhythm guitar EQ problem. Here's a part of my last video with lead and then just rhythm. Is it a case of me having lead tones taking up too much of the same frequency space? When it's just the rhythm, I think it sounds fine but if the lead is there it starts becoming hard to hear everything clearly.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/rhythm

I'll try tweaking my rhythm tone some more, see if I can get a more low-mid range emphasis without losing articulation in chords. I've tried in the past, but always end up with a tone where I can't play chords without it being a muddy mess in the mix.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2016, 03:29 PM

I usually do a hole in the high mids section of my rhythm guitar to make some "place" for lead guitar or vocals. EQ is usually based on filtering frequencies to give place to each instrument. I also think that maybe you rhythm guitar has too much distortion, try lowering a bit the quantity of drive / gain ans see what happens...

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 18 2016, 02:07 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/smash-mouth-all-star-michael-mac-remix/s-HtZlw

Sorry for the lack of updates, unfortunately I've been very sick these past couple of weeks. I really need to get a regular schedule going.
Here's the track for my next video, it's All Star by Smash Mouth. I just need to film it, re-record some bits I'm not happy with and mix it. Any general comments on the mix/arrangement? The lead guitar doesn't sit well enough in the mix and I still need to tweak my guitar tones.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 18 2016, 03:17 PM

Hi Socky, great to hear a new track coming from you!

The arrangement is amazing. As always your phrasing is fresh and that clean moment in the part C is so beautiful. I'd like to hear more clean stuff from you!

The mix is not bad but I feel that your guitars could sound "bigger". I notice that there is too much mid range (frequency) stuff in your EQ. Your style reminds me a bit to polyphia so it would be a good idea to use a song from their last album as a reference for mix and overall EQ.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 18 2016, 07:06 PM

For the clean part I'm using Valhalla Shimmer, it's such a good reverb plugin, gives it that huge ambient feel. https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-shimmer/

Hmm I think I know where the mid-heavy mix comes from, I used a mid/side EQ plugin over the whole mix to try and get some more stereo separation. I'll just take it off and not be so lazy with EQ haha.

Not too sure how to make the guitars sound bigger but I'll keep experimenting with cleaning up other instruments, maybe the drums take up too much frequency space. Biggest problem I have right now is I can make my mixes sound great on my own headphones but nothing else!

Only started to test mixes on laptop speakers and my iPhone earbuds recently and noticed the bass in my last couple of videos overpowers the whole mix on earbuds, how does the low-end sound to you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 19 2016, 02:24 PM

Hi mate, I don't remember now the low end and I'm not at the studio. I'll check it later.

About mixing drums, here you can find an expense but totally recommend tutorial on mixing drums step by step. I recommend you to dedicate time to this which will improve a lot your mixes.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 24 2016, 08:43 AM

Okay, sorted out the mix for the other video and got the audio for another track recorded.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/the-rains-of-castamere-michael-mac-remix/s-2xXUP

How's the arrangement? I'm still working on the mix.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 25 2016, 05:36 AM

Hi Socky, the arrangement is great as always! Nothing weird happening except by some timing issues in faster licks. This new track is very promising. I also think that your guitar tone for rhythms is much better than previous mixes.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 29 2016, 05:03 PM

Alright, finally finished this video. Now I just need to get some more video ideas..

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 30 2016, 11:23 PM

That's so cool mate and I can see that you are already receiving excellent feedback at youtube! Congrats on a new great guitar remix!

About new ideas for future videos, I wonder, what are you listening nowadays?

Posted by: Socky42 May 13 2016, 07:20 AM

Been getting lazy again.

Don't think I've been listening to a lot of music lately - I really should though, just to get some inspiration and not sound too samey every video.

I've been working on a guitar remix of Barbie Girl by Aqua which is going okay. After that, I think I'll do this song; pretty popular game soundtrack on the internet and it's got some groovy/rhythmic songs.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 14 2016, 03:15 AM

yeah, listening to some new music can add a good fresh air into our music. The idea for the next reversion sounds very good. I don't know it, but I'm not very into video games, even after my last medley.

Posted by: Socky42 May 17 2016, 08:40 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/barbiegirltest/s-P9p5F

All lead guitars are still midi, what do you think of the arrangement?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 17 2016, 01:33 PM

hahaha this will be a hit!! I love the arrangement and the song is so popular. It's a very promising tune.

Posted by: Socky42 May 19 2016, 06:26 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/chorustest/s-mCJG2

How's the mix on this? Trying out something different with drums, felt like the room mics were taking up too much space and my kick/snare weren't cutting through enough in mixes.

And how is the transition to the verse around 0:33?

Still need to figure out rhythm guitar clarity or just have less busy arrangments.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 20 2016, 02:50 PM

Hi Socky,

the mix is turning well. I still think that kick and snare could be clearer in the mix. You need to make place on rhythm guitar and synths for them. It's time to adjust details regarding mixing to find the right place for each instrument. But you are very close.

That transition sound good, but I would accentuate it with any drum fill or louder over heads.

Posted by: Socky42 May 22 2016, 03:20 PM

All done. I could've spent hours tweaking the mix till the kick and snare were clearer but I already promised I'd have a new video this week.

I'll just focus on that for my next video!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 22 2016, 04:53 PM

We are getting very strict, which is a good thing, but this video looks and sounds great. It's a new great arrangement that promises to be a hit at youtube. Congrats on your killer job mate.

Posted by: Socky42 May 28 2016, 03:37 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/deathbyglamourtest/s-zTPoH

Alright, gotten started on my next video; it's the game song I showed you earlier. Going for some funky thing for the intro. Does the pick slide and distorted rhythm guitar in the intro sound weird to you?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 28 2016, 05:26 PM

It sounds SO fresh man! Weird in the good sense of the word. This is VERY promising. I'm glad to see you experimenting with sounds and new rhythms... keep going!!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 1 2016, 01:16 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/deathbyglamourtest/s-ch2Rd

Reworked the intro a bit, was missing a few bars from the original. Do the lead guitars come in too suddenly or are they fine?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 1 2016, 04:58 PM

Hi Socky, everything sounds great! It reminds me a bit to Steve Vai's Ultra zone album... Keep on working!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 1 2016, 09:32 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/deathbyglamourtest/s-BfZEU

Okay verrry slowly getting there with this track , it's a very busy arrangement so I'm constantly having to adjust my original ideas.

Does the effect on the lead part at 0:27 work? I know I want some kinda phaser/changing stereo field thing going on with the lead so it's further back in the mix.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 2 2016, 02:40 PM

hehe it's evolving fantastic! I like it a lot.

The effect at 00:27 works, but it guitar sounds softer there... you need to pick stronger, or add a compressor. And off course, then, be careful with timing.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 3 2016, 10:16 PM

I'll record more of it over the weekend, how's the arrangement of it?

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/deathbyglamourtest/s-QcD8w

0:13 to 0:37 will be a guest verse with solo so the MIDI is just a placeholder for now; no idea what it'll sound like. And then 1:51 to 2:04 will be another guest solo.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2016, 05:15 PM

Hi Socky, the arrangements is killer! There is nothing sounding out of place for me by now. If we talk about the overall sound and mix, I have things to say, but as you are at the arranging stage, I reserve my feedback. Keep on the great job!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 6 2016, 06:23 PM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/deathbyglamourtest.mp3

So this is what I've got so far, my guest solos have gotten back to me, might take a week or two for them to get it all done. I know some of the guitars are too bright but I'll wait till they finish their parts before tweaking; work it around their tones.

That means I'll have to make another quick track in the meantime..do you wanna collab on a video? You're always helping me on stuff anyway Only if you have time though.

Just came up with a pretty cool idea, we could do the theme from Doom.
Start off the with old one - http://youtube.com/watch?v=uf47DQj_2Gg then have a bridge with the slower, dubstep/metal mix of the new one that came out a few weeks ago. - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qTms5jpsfP8

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2016, 01:45 AM

Hi Socky! I love the idea! I'm totally in!

The second version is totally mind blowing, I've never heard it before. I would have done something like that on my videogames medley something like "Skrillex goes Doom"! But the good news are that we can do it now...

Let me know when you have any demo or how to work on this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 7 2016, 05:33 AM

Awesome, glad to have you onboard! Got some rough ideas of what I want, I'll work on a quick midi demo tonight, won't be able to record till tomorrow anyway.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 7 2016, 02:42 PM

Cool! Looking forward it!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 8 2016, 12:23 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/doomintrotest/s-y9zN3

Bit trickier then I thought, I've not worked with synths and stuff in a while.

Thought we'd tease the new theme a little bit at the start, cut into the old version slowly incorporating some electronic elements into it. Then close it off with the full on new theme, maybe with some djenty version of the riff/aggressive synths.

https://soundcloud.com/alansachalaskow/every-hour-kills-almost-human

Was always amazed by this song a guy on the Axe-FX forums posted a while back, something similar to that but slower of course.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 8 2016, 08:48 PM

Wou!! It's starts really cool! I like it! What software are you using to record it? Maybe we both can have the full project.

That Djent track is killer, it has blown my mind. The rhythms, and the production are superb! It's a cool reference for this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 8 2016, 10:10 PM

I'm using Logic Pro X for the project, but I can just bounce out stems and midi files so you at least have the outline of the project when I'm done with the rough arrangement, should be able to get the first half to you Thursday/Friday for you to start writing and recording some parts.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/doomintrotest/s-lmAMN

So for the collab part of it, we can do all the rhythm parts together, e.g 0:28 you'll play the full main riff and I'll slowly come in with the staccato riff and there's some harmonies in the riff later on.

I've left gaps at 0:45, 0:53 etc. they're the fast little licks in the original song; was thinking maybe you could write those fills.

Don't want to change the original song too much since it's such an iconic track, but once we transition into the 'newer' half, we can start experimenting with riff ideas.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/bridgetransition/s-bP6Ei - Kinda what the transition will sound like, automated the tempo to slowly go down. I'll find some other drum samples to use once we start working on that part.

Might try and find a bass player to collab with too instead of using midi all the time.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 9 2016, 03:45 PM

Your version made me smile of happiness. I love it, the riffs with staccato sound SO aggressive, I love it.

I'll write the parts that you suggested off course. I'll be on tour from Friday to Sunday, so you can use the weekend to continue polishing the arrangement and send me everything on Sunday night, or Monday.

Getting a real bass player is a great idea! Do you have anyone in mind?

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 9 2016, 05:30 PM

I know a couple of other guys on youtube that play bass but I'll wait till after I finish arranging till asking, no point getting a real bass if I'm just gonna bury it in a busy mix later.



There's a video of Mick Gordon, who wrote the new soundtrack, talking about how he modernized the original track at around 1:00. Gonna do more experimenting with the 4 main notes of the riff. Then in that section you could write some dissonant reverb-heavy stuff to compliment it.

edit: I think I'm done with arranging, https://soundcloud.com/socky42/doomtestarrange/s-XgCn8

Added some sound effects from the game to give it a bit more character and trying out some subtle synths in the back for a more chaotic feel. I think 3 minute is long enough.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 11 2016, 03:21 PM

Hi Socky, great stuff! I'm here on tour with my band. I could do some preview of the arrangement and I can say that this is very promising. I'll be able to analyse it better as soon as I get back home. That vid also looks totally interesting, I'll watch it complete too.

Thanks mate!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 12 2016, 11:57 PM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/GabDoomCollab.zip

Here you go man, the files for the collab. Hopefully you can open the MIDI file, you can record all the parts on there; double tracked DI would be best, I can layer it onto mine for a beefy quad track in the final mix. I left the little licks in the MIDI but write whatever you want of course.

And you're playing whatever harmony I didn't play at
1:29 to 2:03. I can't check right now.

The glitchy end part you can leave out. I'm gonna be chopping that up anyway.

150BPM for slower parts and 220BPM for the faster, original part.

And a video in 720p but you can record that separately later.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 13 2016, 12:31 AM

Awesome!! Thanks a lot!! I'm now dowloading this one. I'll will mount the project tomorrow and be back with news.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 13 2016, 01:09 PM

Cool lemme know if there are any problems, I'll keep working on the mix.
You don't need to play the slow-down riff part if it's too much trouble. Ended up just splicing together different takes to get it right.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 14 2016, 07:09 PM

Project mounted and everything working great! I'll start trying things tonight. I have to re-check where and what I'll play. If you have some minutes please summarize your ideas in a new post to be sure that I work on everything.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 14 2016, 09:54 PM

I messed up some bass notes in the version I sent you but that's not too big of a deal; the MIDI guitar notes are 100% correct though. I only have 136 bars so I'll go by time instead.

Rhythm

You're doing the intro chugs from 0:09 to 0:28.

Then only do Rhythm C from 0:28 to 0:45.

Next Rhythm L and R from 0:45 to 1:19 - This is exactly the same as what I've played already.

At 1:21 to 1:28 you only do Rhythm C again.

From 1:29 to 2:03 you're playing the higher rhythm harmony, should be able to see the notes in the Rhythm R midi file but you can do whatever you think sounds good.

Then 2:34 to 2:49; it's just the original riff but slower.

Leads
The one bar lead fills at 0:45, 0:53, 1:02, 1:19, 1:28, 1:37, 1:46, 2:03. You don't have to write 8 separate ones, pretty sure in the original they repeat anyway but it's up to you.

And anywhere from 2:15 to the end you can try experiment with some ambient sounds; maybe some distorted/heavy reverb stuff. You can also just leave it blank if you think it'll be too messy then.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 15 2016, 04:11 PM

Excellent! Thanks Socky! Unfortunately the monitor of my studio computer is dead. I'll try this stuff on my laptop until I get a new one which should happen at the end of this week.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 15 2016, 07:30 PM

Alright can't wait to hear it!

The audio doesn't all need to be in one take btw, you can do it section by section, overdub leads separately etc. Then just combine takes into a "Rhythm L DI", "Rhythm R DI" and any other tracks you do.

Neither does the video, I do a lot of cuts in my videos to keep it interesting anyway. You can combine all separate videos into one then I can cut around it with my own footage.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 18 2016, 07:50 PM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/DoomTest2Synth.mp3

Here's what I've got with the mix so far, redid my kick and snare sound so they cut through the mix a bit more and added a glitchy synth to the bridge part at 2:21.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 21 2016, 06:29 PM

wooooooou!! This is one of the most amazing tracks I've ever heard man!! It's totally killer. And the mix sounds GREAT in my dynaudio monitors!! You'll receive news from me soon.

The bridge part appearing in the end is fantastic.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 21 2016, 07:53 PM

Haha thanks man! Picked up a lot of awesome mixing tips from a youtube channel called Death Culture Metal Production! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etDQXwwTIpY

Gonna see if I can incorporate some subtle synths into the older theme without making the arrangement too busy to differentiate it from the original a bit more.



Started editing the video just to save some time later, there wouldn't be any footage in the bass-only part so I found some footage of the games loading screen to glitch into.

Think you'll be able to get it done by the end of this week/early next?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 21 2016, 08:30 PM

Cool! Thanks for the link! I'll definitely check those production tips.

I think that I can have it among those days that you've said.

Is your video shot with the black background? I can do the same thing to make it look similar, or I can try any other thing like the roof of the building where I live...

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 21 2016, 08:37 PM

Yeah I've shot with a black background, but do it from the roof, that'd look awesome! And I think it'll be more interesting for people watching to have some contrast.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 22 2016, 10:58 PM

Hi Socky,

Here you can download my audio files: http://tinyurl.com/jzsouby

I've recorded 3 options of the lead fills. You can use all of them or you can choose one and repeat it. I think that I'll record my video by this Friday so please let me know how you organize the fills.

Check my files and let me know if everything is ok, and if I missed anything.

There is an extra wav file without amp simulator, in the case you prefer to use the same amp that used for your takes.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 23 2016, 01:22 PM

Awesome job man!

I've just rendered a quick video guide for you, still need to mix it properly. I've used each lick, then only repeated the first one before the slowdown part. Then I'll just get some more transition hits like at 0:45 to fill out some of the blanks.

Does the transition at 0:45 sound too sudden?

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/GabDoomVideoGuide.mp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2016, 02:48 PM

Cool!! I love it! Everything sounds great mate! That transition at 00:45 sounds very good.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 23 2016, 03:34 PM

not totally convinced of this but in the case you need it...

 Gab_Ending_Fxs.zip ( 4.73MB ) : 61

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 23 2016, 05:52 PM

Yeah I probably won't use that. Already wayyy too busy at the end.

edit: Here's the latest mix: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/DoomLeadTest.mp3
I think it's pretty much done, just some tweaking with levels here and there will fix it. Do you notice any major problems with it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2016, 11:17 PM

Hi Socky! It sounds great!! Days have been grey this weekend, I hope to be able to record my video on Monday or Tuesday.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 25 2016, 11:38 PM

I've nearly finished editing the video, just need to insert your footage. You can just record it indoors if it's easier and quicker.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2016, 03:24 PM

Hi mate, I'll record it today, no matter days are still rainy here. It's a pity that I cannot record it outside but maybe the next one!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 28 2016, 05:12 PM

Yeah we can always collab again in the future, I go back to my old setup with the city in the back in September; so the two city look would be awesome then!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2016, 05:22 PM

The sun promises to appear a bit tomorrow but I wouldn't trust on weather forecast...

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 28 2016, 07:29 PM

Weather's been crazy here too haha, one day is really hot and sunny then a week of rain. I look forward to seeing it! Should be able to get it edited together and uploaded by tomorrow!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2016, 01:13 AM

Uploading it now!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2016, 03:50 AM

Link here: https://www.wetransfer.com/downloads/08f43d37afd735d19b3a95634b21ce8720160628231005/e8cdcab3dad3379924afe3cf83fba24120160628231005/404da7

Please choose the best parts, and add some filter to make it look cooler, and maybe some kind of background blur if it's possible.

Let me know it I missed anything or if you need anything more.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 29 2016, 03:52 AM

Awesome, I've got a bunch of filters and effects to use, should be okay!

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 29 2016, 02:10 PM

And it's finished! I really need to start sticking to a schedule but at least I got one video out this month.
Got a couple of new video ideas and the other collab video already recorded, waiting on the other parts; so I should be good in July! One video a week seems like the normal amount for music channels but I don't think I can work that fast.



Already got some of the arrangement done for Vampire Killer from Castlevania; this versions already a remix of the original but I think I'll base it on this just to separate it from other covers.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 29 2016, 09:09 PM

AWESOME!! I love the final result mate! It's totally amazing. I'm very proud of being part of this fantastic arrangement.

When are you going to publish it? I'd also like to share a short part (1 minute) at my instagram and add the link to the youtube video if you agree.

I believe that you work VERY fast, so it you can find the way to have many projects in progress at the same time you'll be able to submit at least 2 per month and sometimes 3. Maybe you can combine this monster arrangements with any other stuff lick short tutorials, or how to play the arrangements.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 29 2016, 09:44 PM

You can share it wherever you want man! I'll publish it tomorrow, around 3PM BST, so I think that's 11AM for you. I'll share it on twitter then; they've got an official Doom twitter, would be awesome if they saw it haha.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 30 2016, 10:58 PM

Great!! The people response is very positive, congrats!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 7 2016, 10:34 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/vampire-killermidiarrange
Started arranging the next track, this is pretty much it. No idea how I'm gonna mix the orchestral strings with distorted guitars yet but I'll figure it out.

Any major problems with the arrangement?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 8 2016, 06:21 PM

Hi Socky! The new arrangement sounds very cool! I really like this theme. It's also part of my video games medley and it's one of my favorite melodies. I don't find any part of the arrangement that isn't working. It sounds very promising.

I'm impressed of the quantity of view that the doom arrangement had at youtube. Congrats!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 16 2016, 11:18 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/pokemontest/s-qhiAx

Managed to record the whole track in two days then gonna try to film it tomorrow; so I know I can manage simple remixes in about 3 days if I work reeeaal hard.

How's the mix and arrangement? Any obvious things that need fixing?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 19 2016, 01:54 AM

Hi Socky, this sounds KILLER as usual!

Regarding the mix I think that everything is clear, you could just give it more low end. I can't hear the low frequencies of the bass guitar. It would make everything sound bigger. Other than that, this sounds great!

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 25 2016, 08:21 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/death-by-glamourguest/s-eFZcZ

The collab from like 2 months ago is nearly ready to go. Just need to remix it with the new drum and bass sounds from the DOOM remix.

Their solos are at 0:39 and 2:18. The second solo transition pretty smoothly, but I'll have to figure out how to get the 1st one in; maybe a huge tom drum fill. Then the bit at 1:05 will be tough.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 25 2016, 10:28 PM

Awesome track mate! Yeah, I think that with some polishing this one will be a new hit. The arrangement is great, and the guitar solos are very interesting. Looking forward to hear the final mix of this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 29 2016, 08:59 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/vampire-killerrhythm/s-qmdlm

Recorded the rhythm guitar for the Vampire Killer cover, I think I can make the orchestral and distorted guitar work. The staccato part at 0:26 will be tough to mix in though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 30 2016, 03:31 PM

Wou! Awesome riffing and harmony arrangements! It's really interesting how you move the chords to the dark side at 00:27.

I think that the strings need some more polishing. It sounds like delayed and not defined. I don't know if this is related to the staccato thing that you talked about but I definitely thing that the song could sound much better with strings that have more attack.

Other than that, this is killer.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 31 2016, 03:20 PM

Recorded the lead for the track; https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/Vampire%20KillerMixTest.mp3

Think I'm just gonna have less of the orchestral stuff in the arrangement, sounds way too busy and it's almost impossible to mix properly.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 1 2016, 03:22 PM

Hi mate,

yes, the lead sounds great but I also think that the overall sounds too busy. You need to omit some instruments or maybe use smaller groups of strings. Also, setting your rhythm guitar with less distortion can clean up a bit everything.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 1 2016, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the pointers man! Luckily I can release my collab video this week instead and I'll have some more time to tweak this track.

Gonna be able to use my Axe-FX again in September, where my rhythm tone was a lot more organic sounding. Bias FX is fine but I've definitely been missing my old patches haha. Was listening to some of my videos from last year and can't wait to use those tones with the drum and bass sounds I have now.

Feeling motivated this month, got two tracks pretty much done already and hopefully I can get another two done for a video a week in August.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 2 2016, 06:59 PM

Awesome stuff mate! I've never used Axe but it seems to be a killer device so I can imagine that you've been missing it.

It seems that you are on a very creative period, enjoy it a lot!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 11 2016, 07:28 PM

Managed to get the two videos out and I've started on my next cover. I've got the rough outline of it done and tweaking the final arrangement before recording.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvi6c8toWJM - here's a link to the original

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/csgotest/s-StKWs - what I've got so far

What do you think of the intro? I wanna put my own spin on the track without losing sight of the original. The original track is a bit empty, so I've got a lot of room to work with.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 13 2016, 02:58 AM

Hi Socky, I love your version. It's totally groovy, modern and catchy.

About the intro, I'm missing the aggressive staccato arrangements that are included in the original. I would try to emulate this aggressive cuts. Can you get what I mean?

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 15 2016, 10:12 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/csgotest/s-xNaKX

Definitely need more of that staccato flavour. Not sure how to do it yet though, here's what I've recorded so far. Gonna finish up the leads, then I'll figure out the staccato stuff. Maybe a synth or a brighter sounding string sample. Doesn't sound too good with just guitars, like at 1:10.

Also going to find more transition 'hit' sounds to smooth out the sudden changes.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 15 2016, 07:42 PM

That's sounding really good Socky! I still think that you need more aggressive strings with more staccato and attack, and maybe at a higher octave. Besides this, the overall arrangement is really cool. I'm impressed on how you are managing industrial percussion in your newest tracks.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 15 2016, 08:54 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/csgotest1/s-xNaKX

Okay, I've tried adding some higher octave strings as well as a staccato choir part.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 16 2016, 08:25 PM

That's getting better and better! I love the overall arrangement mate. This will be a hit!

Also, your guitars sound bigger than usual. Good job!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 17 2016, 08:24 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/csgotest1/s-JW17q

I think this is the final version in terms of arrangement, just needs some tweaking on the mix and a video. With the guitars, I've started putting in some more low-mids, definitely been missing in the last couple of videos.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 18 2016, 11:08 PM

Awesome man! It's a very cool track! Your guitar playing reminds me to Polyphia. Do you like them?

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 20 2016, 05:05 AM

Here's the full video,


Yeah I love Polyphia, had their album on loop a couple of months back. Definitely where I picked up the stop/start solo thing from. But I have a limit to how much instrumental guitar music I can listen to, it sounds interesting at first but gets a bit 'boring' after a while and I have to take a break from it. Doesn't help that I also record nothing but instrumental stuff.

Planning on doing one more short video before my year abroad finishes and I move back to Manchester. Maybe like a TV show theme that I can spice up and add a solo to.

Our Doom remix went a little viral again last night btw, around 100k more views.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 21 2016, 01:06 AM

Congrats Socky! This new video is really cool! (as always ). It's awesome how much interaction you have in your videos. Well done!!

And the Doom thing still amazes me! The response is totally awesome. 98% of the comments are positive which is a lot for a viral youtube video. We will have to do the Doom music world tour! haha

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 23 2016, 08:46 PM

It never stops, YouTube Gaming just shared it on their Twitter with like 800k followers.

Just gotta finish up arranging my next cover and record it. Should have a rough draft of it by tomorrow; some music from the game Overwatch, huge game right now.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 24 2016, 02:20 PM

That's totally awesome mate!! Congratulations!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 25 2016, 07:16 PM

It's only the first 1:10 of version of the track with a solo. Then at 1:30 it'll all be clean guitar with heavy ambient reverb/delay.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/overwatchdraft/s-nx5Zg

Slowly getting there with the arrangement, I think the guitar stuff is fine; just need to tweak the transitions and the bridge/electronic section; some synths, a glitchy guitar.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 26 2016, 01:38 PM

Hi Socky, this is really cool! Your arrangement it totally killer man! I'm once again amazed by your percussion work. What do you use to get those sounds at 00:40? It is so cinematic!!

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 26 2016, 01:54 PM

Good to know I'm heading in the right direction! I used a Kontakt library called DAMAGE; it's what I use every time I do the cinematic drums, like in the Doom cover. It's a little pricey now but there's normally a sale on it around US Thanksgiving. There are a bunch of different loops that you can split up into individual parts too; so if I like the kick sound from one loop there's an isolated version of it, then I can tweak it and copy & paste it to make my own drum beat if I want.

And they have the glitchy, panning sound effects; transition hits; anything you could want in the industrial/trailer music style that's popular right now.

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/orchestral-cinematic/damage/

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 27 2016, 07:28 PM

Awesome! It seems that I need some NI stuff in the near future!

I use Massive and it's really good.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 27 2016, 09:42 PM

Tweaked the bridge section a bit more, added some synth parts and an EDM style kick. The original had some electronic elements in it so I thought I'd get some it in there too along with a sound effect from the game. And for the string transition I added a pulsing pad to tease the electronic sounds later.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/overwatchbridge/s-LlcmO - Everything else is the same before and after.
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/overwatchdraft/s-nx5Zg - So you can compare it from 0:35.

I feel like the energy in the bridge section is perfect for the arrangement right now, just gotta figure out a subtle guitar part for it when I record so it's not just a blank screen during the video. Maybe some chugs with glitchy panning scratchy stuff.

Do you think I should add some electronic/synths to the section after the bridge, before the solo? Or will it be too messy with the melody?

Definitely adding another sparkly pad sound to the clean outro though.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 29 2016, 02:01 PM

Hi Socky, good job!

I think that this is turning great as usually. I think that the part that you are asking, just before the solo, could sound great with an extra synth. By the way, I think that having real lead guitars could be better to decide final arrangements and sounds.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 29 2016, 07:19 PM

Yeah I'm gonna focus on getting everything recorded first then I'll start tweaking tones and polishing it with extra pads/synths.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/overwatchrhythm/s-xClJh

Recorded the rhythm guitars so far and I'll do the leads tomorrow. How's the glitchy bridge guitar? Still need to mess around with the levels a bit. Not done a lot of EQing so it's a bit messy but I think it'll be okay in the end.

Posted by: Socky42 Aug 30 2016, 06:28 PM

edit: Finished recording the lead, the notes at 0:35 sound a little weird, I'll find a synth or something to cover it up. Levels are all over the place and the clean part at the end is a bit empty. Anything else I should fix?
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/overwatchleaddraft/s-Zlw6y

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 31 2016, 09:18 PM

Hi Socky, That's cool! I don't notice any issue to fix on this new take. I only notice that mix can be polished:

- I can't hear bass guitar.
- Drums can sound clearer, try to give more presence to kick and snare.
- I think that maybe rhythm guitars and cymbals need some filter to let other instruments appear.


Some random inspiration. I've heard this amazing album and I think that you will enjoy it.

Posted by: Socky42 Sep 1 2016, 07:20 AM

Yeah I'll look into the bass guitar midi and bounce another take, doesn't have the bright rattle that it normally has to cut through. And I'll do some more filtering to clear up the mix.

I've listened to Sean's stuff before, love the phrasing in his leads!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 1 2016, 02:19 PM

Great!

Posted by: Socky42 Sep 1 2016, 06:32 PM

Think I'm 90% of the way there; got some nice pads in the end with a bunch of reverb/delay. Gonna film the video then add some final touches to the mix. Not sure on the intro whoosh sound and how's the transition to the solo at 1:13?

Tried a brighter bass sound but I didn't like the way it cut through, I think it's audible enough but lemme know what you think.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/overwatchdraft.mp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 2 2016, 03:22 PM

Hi Socky, this sounds great! I'm listening it with my headphones and everything sounds balanced. I'll give a try at my studio with the monitors later.

The transition that you as sounds good to me. Maybe you can add some kind of fast face in of a chord, that volume effect with a chord... I don't know how to explain it. The correct description is a fast fade in chord. By the way, it already sounds good.

Posted by: Socky42 Sep 9 2016, 02:29 PM

Taking a small break from video making, moving back to England on Tuesday. Luckily I got a free iMac from my university, I'm gonna move all my stuff from my laptop to there. And I'll be able to use my Axe-FX again so I don't need to open 50 copies of Bias in every project.

Thanks for your help these past couple of months, think I've really grown as a musican in that time!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Sep 10 2016, 06:11 PM

That sounds awesome mate!! You've grown as a musician, producer, arranger and mixer! It's awesome to see your progress.

Posted by: Socky42 Oct 10 2016, 01:17 AM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/test.mp3

Hey man, finally getting back into making some music.
Was asked to do some music for a game, so I'm focusing on that for now. Could you give a listen to this and let me know what you think of the guitar tone?

Just need some general pointers to get me in the right direction - more bite/high-end? more low-end? etc.

Very hard to get it to sit in the mix with the orchestral strings and epic drums but we can focus on that later cause I wanna re-do the drums. And could you listen to it on monitors and let me know what the bass sounds like? I use a boomy sub kick and want to make sure it doesn't overpower everything.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 10 2016, 02:52 PM

Hi Socky, I'll be able to check it in my monitors later today or tomorrow. Could you please send me a PM to remind me?

And congrats about the Video Games job! That's a dream man!

Posted by: Socky42 Oct 12 2016, 09:18 PM

I sent you a message. No rush, get back to me whenever.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 13 2016, 11:29 PM

yeah.

Posted by: Socky42 Oct 15 2016, 08:48 AM

Had my video featured by Blizzard, got over 100k views in a day.

Gonna give the tone thing one more shot then I'll just get my parents to bring my other guitar whenever I see them next.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Oct 17 2016, 03:41 AM

Wou mate! Lots of congrats!! This is getting bigger and bigger! Keep going.

Posted by: Socky42 Oct 17 2016, 11:00 PM

PM'd you another track.

Posted by: Socky42 Nov 28 2016, 08:15 PM

Back working on another cover.
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/test-3/s-DOkm5

Here's the original track.


What are your thoughts on the arrangement and is there anything I should change?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 28 2016, 09:02 PM

Hi mate, this is a cool idea!

I think that the idea of the arrangement is on the right track but there are some groove elements that doesn't convince me. These are some thoughts or reasons why maybe I have that feeling:

- Is tempo too fast?
- There are many drum grooves that have weird groove that doesn't flow naturally.
- As the overall thing is like "nervous", I would avoid nervous drum loops, or tempo changes.

Posted by: Socky42 Nov 28 2016, 10:12 PM

Yeah I get what you mean, it sounds a little weird. I'll replace some parts with a more simple guitar riff, maybe even just normal chords.

edit:

I think I've isolated the problem areas;
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/problemareas

I've muted the parts that I'm going to focus on changing at 0:07 and 0:19. You can hear the strings in the background, do the chords/harmony fit?

Also at 0:37 onwards, does that part work? I've pretty much just copied the original but an orchestral track is a lot different to something with guitars.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 29 2016, 12:42 PM

Hi mate, the link is not working.

Posted by: Socky42 Nov 29 2016, 02:00 PM

Whoops, here you go!
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/problemareas/s-34gzo

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Nov 30 2016, 01:20 PM

Good. Everything sounds much better even with the parts muted! It just needs simple ideas, or maybe some silence?

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 3 2016, 11:17 PM

I gave up on that track for now. I'll just keep it in the ideas folder for now.



https://soundcloud.com/socky42/test-3/s-6fA3A

Same game but picking a different track. Was a lot easier arranging and recording this, trying out a new drum and bass sound too.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 4 2016, 05:42 PM

That's a clever idea! Sometimes it's better to give some time to a song, sometimes it's not the best song to arrange. So it doesn't make sense to feel frustrated.


This one is very promising! The arranged is very natural for you. It's really powerful and catchy. I don't know if these are the final guitars but I feel that they sound too high, I would like to hear bigger guitars for this one.

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 4 2016, 07:24 PM

Yeah I definitely need to tweak the guitar tone. My old bass sound had a lot more distorted midrange to it, might add that back in. Been monitoring my mixes a lot more on 'bad' speakers and find I'm missing overall clarity of instruments compared to pro mixes.

After long mixing sessions I find myself adding wayyy too much treble to everything haha.

Also do the cymbals sound okay? I've noticed from 1:15 to 1:25 the high end is almost a little too much. Probably gonna automate the volume on that section.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 5 2016, 12:36 PM

Yeah, that was my feeling, too much treble when listening this at my studio. I'm not there now so I can't re-check the cymbals but I'll do it later. By the way, it is a good idea to automate.

When mixing, it's important to give our ears some time so avoid last time adjustments and finish mixes the day after if it's possible.

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 11 2016, 08:47 PM

Gonna be busy with doing papers and stuff for my final year of uni, but I think I've got my next track idea.



Doing a midi sketch of it first, then gonna mute elements, move stuff around and see how to incorporate guitars.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/Apocalypsis%20Noctis%20MIDI%20Sketch.mp3

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 12 2016, 04:05 PM

That sounds great man! This is VERY promising. I'm impressed of the choirs and violins of your track. It sounds brilliant!

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 15 2016, 10:42 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctistest

Still a way to go, but I've got a basic arrangement. Getting a friend to do some percussive acoustic stuff from 0:24 to 0:58 and some guest solos at 1:35 to 1:55 and 1:55 to 2:19.

Figuring out what to do for the outro at 2:19 onwards. Gonna be tough but I think I can make a decent arrangement out of this.

I've got some MIDI rhythm guitar ideas in there, not sure if I want to replace the melody of the track with a lead guitar. Having an orchestra/metal hybrid seems better.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 16 2016, 02:10 PM

Hi Socky, this arrangement sounds killer. You keep on making this works better and better. Your creativity and talent are infinite mate. I think that this one will be a bomb at youtube. I have nothing to add, just congrats.

The ideas for guest solos and percussive guitar will make this one even more attractive.

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 18 2016, 02:33 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctistest2

Done some more sound design stuff just to fill out the sound and modernize it a bit; transition noises, bass drops, big subby drum hits etc.

Left the other one up so you can compare and see if I'm actually making it better or not haha

Kept the ending guitar pretty simple; don't want to many complicated parts going at once.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 19 2016, 02:41 PM

Hi mate, this one keeps growing. I think that it will be a monster. Did you record every orchestral part or used any pre made midi?

Posted by: Socky42 Dec 21 2016, 01:54 AM

I used someone elses basic midi and adjusted it. Definitely wanna get a midi keyboard after New Years and start doing some original orchestral stuff. Always enjoyed the production side of things.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Dec 30 2016, 10:09 PM

That's a great plan. I think that you have a big potential as a composer / producer, as well as a guitarist. Go for it!

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 12 2017, 09:05 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctisintroguitar

Started recording guitars for it - sticking to just power chords for the intro to keep it cleaner, too many moving parts already. How does the mix sound?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 13 2017, 03:54 AM

Nice! I think that you still need to dedicate time to find the right place in the mix to each instrument. I feel that the instruments are sharing frequency specter and the overall isn't clear. I also think that the master is lacking some high end.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 13 2017, 09:34 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctisintroguitarbrighter

Think I'm getting closer, gonna be pretty tough to get this right. Maybe I'll try a different guitar tone that's naturally more bright, so there's less fizzy post-EQ on it.

And I added some high end EQ on the master; normally don't do that but I have too many tracks to do it individually.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 14 2017, 09:51 PM

Hi Socky, this is getting better. I can hear a clearer mix now so you are on the right track. In this new mix, the guitar tone is the main issue, as you've said in your comment. It's not clear, it's lacking presence, and its fuzz characteristic is disturbing other instruments.

It can sound dramatic, but just some precise changes on guitar tone will improve everything a lot.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 15 2017, 04:48 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctisbridge

I'll re-record the intro part tomorrow and try out some different tones. How does this bridge section sound? There'll be an acoustic part that sustains into this.

The palm muted single-note part at 0:04 was originally power chords but ended up too messy. 0:10 is still MIDI, tried recording it but I think I'll need a different tone for that part.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 16 2017, 03:39 AM

Hi mate, the arrangement sounds totally killer. The mix is ok, but it's lacking some low end to have more power and impact. Are you going to add any bass or synth bass?

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 17 2017, 02:03 AM

There's a bass in there but it's tough finding the right frequency range for it when I'm still trying to find a good guitar tone. Problem is I make my tones 'mix-ready' in a normal band context - with the drums and bass covering up the low and high end.

I removed the choir so you can hear the guitars more with other elements, I'll poke holes in the choir to fill out the mix once I get the guitars down. Definitely need to work on levels too.

I tried recording 'fuller' tones into this mix but I have to EQ the hell out of them in my DAW anyway since there's so many different elements. So I think I'm gonna stick to what I have now then keep EQing away till it works.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctisnochoir

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 18 2017, 12:33 AM

Hi Socky, this is getting better.

I think that the guitars are getting clearer but there is still room to make them sound more defined. I would reference a bit with Rhapsody's albums. I remember their third one sounded good and had lots of elements while guitars always keep clear.

From what I hear I think that the guitars need:

- less drive
- more compression
- more high mids
- less reverb? I don't know if you added reverb to the channel but it sounds like if you've done it.


That's what I can hear from here. I have a new desk at my studio and my monitors are responding much better than in the past.

Another reference could be Plini's new album?

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 19 2017, 03:07 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/noctistest-1

Gonna take a little break on this for a day but it's getting there I think. Just leave some general notes on the mix and I'll fix them later.

The game project I told you about a while back is getting closer to release, so I'm gonna go back and re-mix them.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2017, 12:57 AM

Congrats on the game thing mate! Can't wait to hear it or maybe to play it!

The mix is getting closer. I feel that the extreme panning of some elements needs some work, it confuses a bit. I would pan things 100%, or I'd try panning the reverb of this elements to the other side to give a more real feel to the mix.

The elements are clearer on this, I can enjoy the arrangement now. Well done.

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 20 2017, 04:55 AM

When I sent in the tracks for the game, their audio engineer told me all he had to do was add a bit of mastering EQ and brighten it for it to sound fine. Which is the same thing you told me about this track, so I'll definitely have to keep that in mind for future projects. I'm always scared of tracks becoming too bright and tiring for the listener but it looks like I can get away with more.

Might have to do a bit more tweaking but he'll get back to me if I do.

Yeah there's still something 'off' about the mix. I think it's because the orchestral libraries I'm using are recorded with instruments panned in a room already then I'm adding my own reverb and panning on top of it.

Maybe I'll try making some of them mono then panning them and automate the reverb volume.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 20 2017, 06:08 PM

Well, detecting that about your mixes is a good first step. I would dedicate some time to compare the high end of your mixes with some released top level songs in a similar style to see the differences. You could also use any frequency analyzer to see exactly what's happening in those . frequencies. If you dedicate some time every day to check this, your ears will be trained and you'll be used to the balance that you need to hear in your monitors to create a balanced mix,

Posted by: Socky42 Jan 27 2017, 02:46 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/eddieacoustictest

Bit of a challenge fitting in the acoustic guitar and added some ambient stuff. How does it sound? Buried the rhythm acoustic stuff in the background to fill out the mix more.

The source sound for the lead is a bit trebly but I think it works in the balance of the mix; all the low to mid-range stuff is already covered by the choir and strings.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jan 27 2017, 02:07 PM

Hi Socky! I like it! I think that the guitar can be more compressed and a bit louder in the mix. As it's very different to the synth strings and other stuff, it can use its own place in the mix without disturbing other instruments.

The EQ is ok, I would like it with more "body" but this one sounds like a keyboard emulating harpsichord which is cool for this track.

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 9 2017, 06:36 PM

Think I'm finished with the track, just waiting on some guest solo parts. Instead of compressing the acoustic lead, I'm manually automating the volume for more control instead since it's only a 30 second part.

Here's the basic MIDI arrangement for my next track. How is the overall development of the track? The original is very repetitive song but I didn't really want to change the melody too much, so I changed the orchestration around it instead. Might add a solo to it but I don't think it really needs one.
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/silenthill2reprisearrange

Based on:

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 10 2017, 01:58 PM

Hi Socky, I like it. I think that if you continue polishing this one, and making the backing more interesting, it will work. Are you going to play the lead melody with guitar? If so, you can also work on expression details to make it keep interesting, and you could also add some harmonised lines in some parts.

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 16 2017, 10:09 PM

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32870324/SH2Test.mp3

Still needs a little bit of polish and work on the levels for the orchestral parts. Tried out some harmonies, wasn't really feeling it other than one right at the end for impact.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Feb 17 2017, 02:14 PM

Hi mate,

this is GREAT! I think that the heavy part needs more polishing. I like the artistic decisions about sound, but the type of guitar distortion and the drums treatment need some adjustment to sound more consistent.

Some EQ, compression, and ambience adjustment would do the job.

By the way, this arrangement is brilliant.

Posted by: Socky42 Feb 28 2017, 12:18 AM

Hey, sent you a PM for some final mix advice on a track.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2017, 09:35 PM

Hi Socky, I've sent my feedback yesterday. Let me know if you've got it.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 3 2017, 05:44 PM

Yeah I got it, thanks for the feedback! Think I'm good to go with mixing that track; just waiting on a final video file before I can release it.

Gonna start working on my next video after it's out. Probably gonna be this song, a lot of people have covered/remixed it already but I think I can put my own spin on it.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 4 2017, 08:00 PM

Hi Socky! Great choice! I think that you'll be able to create a killer version of this track.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 10 2017, 10:53 PM

Instead of using a midi file for the base like I usually do, I think I'm gonna try transcribing it all myself. Doesn't seem too tough of a track and it'll be good ear training.



Think I'm gonna hold off on releasing this publicly for a couple days, there's a new update for the game coming out soon and it'll get more attention then.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2017, 03:23 PM

Hi mate! It sounds and look great! I loved the submits done by all those guests! I also think that the lead melody sounds more present and clearer now. Saving this to be published after the game stuff is a good move.

I had a nice meeting with an old friend, and he told me that he was working making music for video games, and that he was doing an online course offered by Hans Zimmer about making film score music. I've checked some parts and it's really interesting. Have you seen it?

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 12 2017, 02:07 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/ffvii-test

Only done the first couple sections but how is this for the basic feel of the track? Tough to write drums that fit at 0:18 to 0:23; once I add in some transition sounds it'll flow a lot better.

And yeah I've actually got a copy of the Hans Zimmer Masterclass haha. Not watched every part yet but it's interesting, goes through his mindset when writing more than technical "use this chord and these notes".

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2017, 11:20 PM

Hi Socky, the overall feel of the arrangement is great. The transition sounds weird now. I can't imagine how drums will be to make it sounds natural. What's happening with tempo there?

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 13 2017, 02:31 AM

Nothing, tempo stays the same and notewise I'm sure it's the same as the original, I've been transcribing so it matches an mp3 of it; maybe I'll just take out that weird stop-start riff it has and try something else.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2017, 02:29 PM

Yeah, there is something weird sounding there. Try to work on that transition to make it more natural. The other parts sound great.

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 15 2017, 11:53 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/ffvii-test2

It's getting there, I'll add a solo section after this and another repeat of the main section and that should be it.
Still got some drums to write but I think I've got the basic structure down.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2017, 11:43 PM

It's totally fantastic! So you've recorded the arrangements or used a midi track?

Posted by: Socky42 Mar 17 2017, 12:04 AM

Most of it is recorded by me, single note melody's and bass notes are easy enough. For percussion I record a rough track then clean it up with a mouse and add in extra notes. I struggle a lot with transcribing chords, had to use a midi file as reference for the stacked horn parts at 0:19 to 0:22.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 17 2017, 01:49 PM

VERY interesting mate!

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 2 2017, 01:24 PM

Putting this on hold for now, trying to get some videos out for some more recent things; shows, games etc.



Think I can do some hybrid orchestral/metal version for this anime opening.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 2 2017, 09:53 PM

That's awesome! The tune is so EPIC, it's very power metal style.

Have you thought in inviting a singer for any of your arrangements?

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 6 2017, 06:25 PM

I have considered vocalists just to make some different types of videos rather than guitar ones but I don't really know any.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/testop

How does this sound? I know the bit where everything cuts out around 0:56 sounds weird, still figuring out how to make that work.

And does the guitar tone for the transition at 1:11 work?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 7 2017, 01:41 PM

Hi mate, how are you?

I couldn't check this at my studio yet but from what I can hear here, I don't note any problematic areas. The arrangements sounds consistent and even the part at 00:56 feel good, and it maybe need any mixing trick to make it sound more interesting.

This sounds promising.

About the singers, what about start contacting singing youtubers? Maybe you could do some kind of collab in the future. Also, Kristofer Dahl is a great singer.

Posted by: Socky42 Apr 14 2017, 04:19 PM

Gonna be away for a couple weeks then have my last exams at university but I'm gonna keep an eye out for some good vocalist tracks to do. Nothing on the radio has really caught my ear yet though!

Want to do some more movie score remixes too while I'm at it, just so I can practice my orchestration and sound design stuff a bit more like this track from Requiem for a Dream.


My custom Skervesen guitar should be arriving around June/July time and to demo it I thought I'd do this track from DOOM. Originally on an 8 string but I'm sure I can tune down.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Apr 17 2017, 02:13 PM

It's awesome how powerful a soundtrack can be. I listen to that Requiem for a dream tune and I get chills. That movie is so deep and good. I think that it's a great choice.

It's also exciting to know that your new guitar is coming and that you already have a project for her.

It's awesome how powerful a soundtrack can be. I listen to that Requiem for a dream tune and I get chills. That movie is so deep and good. I think that it's a great choice.

It's also exciting to know that your new guitar is coming and that you already have a project for her.

It's awesome how powerful a soundtrack can be. I listen to that Requiem for a dream tune and I get chills. That movie is so deep and good. I think that it's a great choice.

It's also exciting to know that your new guitar is coming and that you already have a project for her.

Posted by: Socky42 May 4 2017, 11:01 PM

I've begun arranging the Requiem for a Dream track; gonna have some ambient heavy reverb/delay clean guitar in the intro. Still need to figure out what I want for the rest.
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/requiemdreammidi/s-0zMpr

Probably won't be able to finish this till the end of May, have exams all month unfortunately.

Finally got a new update on my guitar; finished the painting process!
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?s=&showtopic=57517&view=findpost&p=747376

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2017, 02:25 PM

Hi Socky, it's awesome how cool your guitar is looking! I love the painting finish. Congrats!

The arrangement sounds very promising. Keep going.

And good luck with the exams.

Posted by: Socky42 May 12 2017, 09:58 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/requiemdreammidi/s-aA86x

Got the intro and first 'theme' sections done. Do you think it lasts too long from 0:38 to 1:13? It is a pretty repetitive melody, added some staccato groove to it to make it more interesting. Drums are just looped with no fills right now but that's the general feel I'm going for.

Think I'll keep it mainly to just Guitars/Bass/Drum Kit and only use the big orchestral hits/fx to emphasis the beat like at 1:14 onwards. Keeps the mix cleaner.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 13 2017, 12:27 AM

Hi Socky, I like it!

If I'm enjoying the midi version, I'll surely love the real guitars one. I don't thing that any part becomes repetitive. It's very promising.

Posted by: Socky42 May 18 2017, 10:38 PM

Finally done with all my exams and university tomorrow. Since it's been a while since my last video, I think I'm gonna re-do all my bass, drum and guitar sounds just to freshen things up a bit. Also try and learn some new video editing tricks and maybe After Effects.

Maybe I'll start making a video a week/every two weeks since I have so much free time; problem is coming up with new ideas and tracks to do.

Right now I've got Requiem of a Dream next and the Final Fantasy battle theme from before that I need to finish up. After that, maybe more classic movie themes like Back To The Future, Ghostbusters etc.

Lemme know if you have any other song ideas!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 20 2017, 06:45 PM

Hi Socky! That sounds great!

I always enjoy modern pop songs arranged for lead guitar, something in the style of Polyphia or what Asato usually does. Also I think that it can be good to go for the viral possibility.

https://open.spotify.com/user/spotifycharts/playlist/37i9dQZEVXbMDoHDwVN2tF

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 2 2017, 09:44 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/requiemtest/s-681T4

Should be able to finish it by this weekend. Had to change some stuff around, some parts were too busy, some parts just sounded better in MIDI vs. a real recorded guitar.

Couldn't really find a good clean tone that fit upfront in the intro so I made it more ambient with some panning to tease the main melody.

Biggest challenge will be balancing high end of the distorted rhythm and lead guitars; tried making my lead a bit darker than usual.

Lemme know if there's anything that needs changing!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 3 2017, 03:32 AM

Man, this is amazing! I love the arrangement. It pure magic!

I think that the mix needs some more work. The main thing I feel needs polishing is the panning, which seems too wide for me and confuses my listening. I also think that there is some kind of rhythm guitar edition remaining to make everything sound tighter. But I'm not sure if this feeling is just because of the panning thing...

Other than that, this is killer.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 3 2017, 10:41 PM

Hmm I'm using the same mastering chain as all my other tracks and some mid/side eq on my rhythm guitars but I do that anyway without an issue.

Gonna try and find what's causing it. Does it sound weird when it's just bass/drums and rhythm guitar?
https://soundcloud.com/socky42/rhythmonly/s-bdMOo

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 4 2017, 04:39 PM

Hi mate, this sounds killer in my headphones. I have a similar feeling of extreme panning but it's not disturbing on my headphones now. I like it. I'm not at my studio to check with monitors.

I don't think that it's related to mastering, this seems to be more related to panning in mix. But again, it isn't an issue on this new audio.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 15 2017, 08:08 PM

Not sure if I managed to fix the stereo image issue but I released it anyway, didn't want to spend too long on a single project.

Finally got my new guitar, plays great, sounds great and should hopefully get a video out using it by next week.
https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=58266



Started working on some more tracks from the DOOM soundtrack; this is from BFG Division. I couldn't tune my guitar low enough to match the original so I'm just playing it at a higher pitch. Not recorded any guitars yet other than some glitchy stuff between 0:13 and 0:37. Still figuring out the arrangement I want; here's both tracks for you to compare.

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/doomintro

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 16 2017, 02:27 PM

Hi mate!! Congrats on your new guitar!! It's so beautiful!! I love the finish and shape. It's a piece of art. If I'm happy by looking at the pictures, I can't imagine how you must feel. You really deserve it mate.

I think that "Requiem" video is great! I like that tune a lot, it makes me get back to the movie's feel (dark) and your arrangement is perfect. The mix sounds good at my monitors, I don't notice any relevant issue.

And about the song in progress... promising.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 23 2017, 04:03 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/doomtest

Here's a short clip of the track with just guitar/bass/drums, there's another synth that goes on top of this but I haven't made it yet.

How do the guitars sound? I don't think I've ever actually done this djent style of guitar before.

And there are little fills in-between each riff (1:07 in the original video), I can't actually figure out how to make a similar sound; I think it's a synth and a guitar part. Do you have any ideas on how to re-create it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 25 2017, 06:31 AM

Hi mate, your demo sounds killer. Your playing is very tight and the tone is perfect. I like it.

About that arrangement, I don't have my guitar here with me but it seems to be doable on guitar with some king of slide, and maybe adding some synth. It's doesn't sound like a synth, it sounds like guitar, but the video shows a synth move so it's confusing.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 26 2017, 05:59 PM

I asked someone else that did a cover of it and they automated a pitch bend to shift it up an octave, so I'm gonna try that.

Now I'm trying to figure out this riff (0:27 to 0:44):


Not the chugs but the guitars on the left side then the riff after that.

He just hits an open string and it bends a bit like half a step? Do you hear that bend too or am I way off?
I know if you have loose strings and you pick hard enough that can happen, not gonna work on my guitar but I'll just manually add that in if that's the case.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 27 2017, 04:38 AM

Yes, I can hear the half bend in that riff. I can't try it because I don't have a 7 strings guitar but there is a bend or at least fast trill happening there.

Posted by: Socky42 Jun 27 2017, 07:07 PM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/ripteartest

I gave up trying to make it exactly like the original, it's close enough.
Spent time giving all the glitchy guitar parts at 0:20 more of my own style than just copying the original.

Think I've finished recording everything, just need to polish the mix, some transitions and overall arrangement. Right now it's about 4 minutes 30 seconds, do you think that's too long for a video?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jun 28 2017, 02:03 PM

Wou! That's killer mate! I love it.

4 minutes? long? I don't know. The quality of this 20 seconds sample is outstanding.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 11 2017, 12:57 AM

https://soundcloud.com/socky42/miditone

Started working on another track, just a stupid song from a show.

But I'm struggling to find a guitar tone that fits, I've muted different parts from the tracks so you can hear the individual parts better and just drums and bass at the end.

I don't know what genre this is exactly but I've got an 80s drum machine/synth sound going on, what type of tone do you think would fit? Distorted? Clean?

Also the vocals are ripped from a youtube video and just eq'd out the other instruments the best I could but I think I have to keep a guitar in the middle to cover up some of the instrument bleed.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2017, 04:34 PM

Hi Michael, sounds interesting.

While I was listening to this, I was thinking that using a clean sound can make this sound fresh and modern. Something in the style of Paramore's new album could work great.

A more obvious choice would be to go for some kind of Polyphia style tone.

What do you think?

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 12 2017, 05:20 PM

I'd have to give the Paramore album a listen but yeah I was thinking a Polyphia coil-split type tone would work. Like a clean but breaking up/slightly overdriven tone so it cuts through but still has note definition.

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Jul 12 2017, 05:52 PM

That Polyphia clean would be also good! By "obvious" I meant to their more high gain sound.

Posted by: Socky42 Jul 12 2017, 06:30 PM

I think I'm just gonna have to try everything anyway.
It's such a different sound to what I'm used to making that none of my normal tones will fit, which is good. Gets a bit boring making metal all the time.