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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Odysseus Quest 2014
Posted by: Darius Wave May 4 2014, 06:02 PM
Hi! As some of You Already now I started to make order with the demo material I've prepared before. I'm doing improvements on different fields - mix and arrange.
Here is a little presentation of "almost album" version of my original song - Odysseus Quest. I still need to make some work with drums (it really takes a hell out of time to draw all the dynamics etc. I'll be also fixing some parts in solo guitar. But it will all sound like this:
https://soundcloud.com/dariuswave/odysseus-quest-2014-work-in-progress
Posted by: Monica Gheorghevici May 4 2014, 08:02 PM
First of all, I hardly wait to see your album finished 
I can say that I'm your nr one fan I know every beat and every note from all your original songs, demos, lessons, competitions entry, etc. Of course, it was nice if I was able to play all these, but.....
Odysseus Quest is one of my favorite song from you. Actually you already know my top 5 Darek original songs. So, this make a hard job for you because I like very much the previews version from each song 
Now, returning at the Odysseus Quest new version. I will talk about the difference between demo version and this one.
How I already told you on FB, I like the idea with that "ambient" sound on back and the drum intro (as pattern and mostly that drum break intro). Also I love the mix sound, because has an open sound (I hope you understand what I mean). For my taste a good mix must have all the instruments in a right place. If I want to make a tab for each instrument, to be able to hear each instrument. Because I don't know how to make a good mix, this is my reference point (until I will start to work at mixing with you ). I can make this in your song, so this is great for me 
I will wait to hear the final version for this song and the next song in working progress
Posted by: Hajduk May 4 2014, 08:30 PM
Really looking forward to your album, love your music
Posted by: SeeJay May 4 2014, 10:18 PM
Man,
It can be a super detailed job drawing in all the intensity values for drums, but it really makes the difference.
I was just listening to a track on my laptop with the volume pretty low and my buddy next to me said "why do sampled ride cymbals and hi hats sound SO BAD?". I said "it's not that they sound bad, its just they are all at the same velocity the whole time. Probably 100%".
What's your strategy for getting a good sampled drum sound? What has worked really well for me is to start everything at about 85% (depending on what the samples are sounding like) and just going through and making sure the notes aren't consistently the same values and then making the BIG hits higher velocities. (Air drumming is key in my book)
Sounds great!
Here is a little presentation of "almost album" version of my original song - Odysseus Quest. I still need to make some work with drums (it really takes a hell out of time to draw all the dynamics etc. I'll be also fixing some parts in solo guitar. But it will all sound like this:
https://soundcloud.com/dariuswave/odysseus-quest-2014-work-in-progress
Posted by: DeGroot May 5 2014, 01:45 AM
Hey Darius, this is such a entertaining track! I really like all the twists and turns throughout.
Do you have any plans of releasing a whole album or EP?
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2014, 06:25 AM
What a killer track Darius! I love the composition and your playing. I like the fact that you can create uncommon melodies and phrases and keep providing tasty, easy to hear music. This is not something that many guitarists / musicians can do. I think that recording your solo album is an excellent idea. I know that there is still work to do with drums, I hope that you work them enough to give more life to the track. I honestly would recommend you to go for a real drummer, but if this is not an option, dedicate time to make those drums sound real and this will be an epic album.
Keep rocking my friend!
Posted by: Kristofer Dahl May 5 2014, 07:51 AM
VERY promising Darius. It's unpredictable, dynamic, crazy and melodic - yet still sounds like a song. Well done!
Posted by: Darius Wave May 5 2014, 09:04 AM
It can be a super detailed job drawing in all the intensity values for drums, but it really makes the difference.
I was just listening to a track on my laptop with the volume pretty low and my buddy next to me said "why do sampled ride cymbals and hi hats sound SO BAD?". I said "it's not that they sound bad, its just they are all at the same velocity the whole time. Probably 100%".
What's your strategy for getting a good sampled drum sound? What has worked really well for me is to start everything at about 85% (depending on what the samples are sounding like) and just going through and making sure the notes aren't consistently the same values and then making the BIG hits higher velocities. (Air drumming is key in my book)
Sounds great!
Thanx for the feedback SeeJay. I know it and this exactly what will happen next. I know how important is velocity. I had to remap the drums first and dynamics will come as a next step
I have a brother who's a drummer so I had I lot of time to see that "they haven't got 5 hands" and "they do not play 100% hit strength all the time"Here's an example of my drums programming with finished dynamics:
Kris, Gabriel, DeGroot - Thank You guys!
This is the moment when most part of the guitars arrangment is done so I can focus to put myself in drummer or basist shoes
Ill keep You updated
Posted by: Marius Pop May 5 2014, 12:20 PM
Hello Darius, after hearing your song i don't need to drink coffe today , it has a lot of energy that can be a real inspiration for all of us.
The solos are crazy, I love the rifs a lot, as they sound and as they are built.What gear are you using?
This is real music and i really think that you need a real drummer for this, not that you couldn't write the drums, but in my experience when i recorded my first album, after the drummer played i realized that it's more easyer this way, even if i worked the vst to sound like it was a real drummer,still a big difference.
Keep on rocking mate
Posted by: huargo May 5 2014, 12:46 PM
Very good song!
It's going to be a new album this year?. It would be glorious....The last demo and lessons videos with the sapelli guitar are great!!
thanks for share your music man! 
Posted by: Darius Wave May 5 2014, 01:45 PM
Thank You guys! Yeah...working with real people instead of machines is something absolutely different. I will reconsider this...of course depending on the budget...
You know...I was also thinking about a budget, long distance solution - buying myself electronic drums to my home studio. Not for me playing but to invite drummers friends to record the track via VST. A have some cool drummers within friends but none of has the ability to record drums at home.
Anyway...thanx for sharing Your thoughts....I need to reconsider all this
Marius - For home recording I use mostly plug-ins from Poulin. here we have Legion and Hybrit (solo). I love catharsis cabinet impulses but I make my own as well
Posted by: Darius Wave May 5 2014, 02:16 PM
Huargo -I'm not sure will I make it with all the publishing process but I hope to end whole audio production till the end of this year
Posted by: klasaine May 5 2014, 03:46 PM
Great and interesting track - melodically, rhythmically, etc.
You're a fantastic player. I too feel that with 'live' players you can set yourself apart from the huge morass of fusion/metal guitar music that's out there.
Posted by: Darius Wave May 5 2014, 03:56 PM
Thank You Ken!
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 5 2014, 04:10 PM
You know...I was also thinking about a budget, long distance solution - buying myself electronic drums to my home studio. Not for me playing but to invite drummers friends to record the track via VST. A have some cool drummers within friends but none of has the ability to record drums at home.
This sounds good Darius. Getting electronic drums to invite drummers is a very cool idea and it would give your tracks a more natural/human feeling.
Posted by: bleez May 5 2014, 09:01 PM
darius that is really amazing. I love the different parts, they really flow into each other. Mega interesting to listen to. Crazy and melodic at the same time, there are a few sections that I cant even imagine how you got your guitar to make those sounds!
Posted by: Darius Wave May 6 2014, 11:45 AM
Thank You bleez. You've pointed great aspect of listening to a music. Those days when You listened and wonder "damn...how did he do this" are now covered by modern sikcness of "watch the fingers rather than listen". Now it's easy to find tons of vids and everything seems to be so obvious...but I love to remind the days when I had to wait months for a live gig or late night rock concert in to see guys like Van Halen and catch some details of how they do some tricks It was awesome
I think it does refer to reading books vs watching movies as well listening same as reading work more on Your imagination
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 6 2014, 12:25 PM
I also think that working with a real drummer would be a great thing to do If you are thinking about recording with people abroad, I have at least three friends who could be absolutely stunning additions on your record. And I am sure you could find a clever working routine, in order to manage the projects and overcome distance.
Last but definitely not least - great music dude - it's alive!
PS: Around min 03:00 - I can hear an Eklundh vibe
Posted by: Jim Seekford May 6 2014, 05:38 PM
So many nice things to say about your track but it's quality of sounding fresh is what most stands out. After listening to instrumental music at the highest level for many years it can become a challenge to entice a listener. I usually know by the first few notes if I'll like it. Nowadays I look for groove, strange hooks or something I can say I never heard before. With Darius his playing is rather motivational and you can tell he puts much time in his process.
I really liked the long legato runs, the layered muted scraping lines and the nice melodies in the bridge sections. Lastly I enjoy his tone. Clean and precise. Well done man!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 7 2014, 01:41 PM
Darius, has a lot of aces up the sleeve I am really looking forward to hearing this album!
Posted by: Ben Higgins May 9 2014, 10:02 AM
This is gonna be great ! I didn't realise you were so into fusion style runs - very slippery
Very unpredictable !!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 10 2014, 02:41 PM
I think this expression describes things very, very well as a general aspect of Darius' playing. In my opinion, he has some of the most unexpected turnouts in his music, that I have heard so far
Posted by: Darius Wave May 16 2014, 12:12 PM
Well...I usually try to search for some concepts that are not twisted too much, but at the same not just A/B verse/chorus backing + melody. I mean I really like pleasant, melodic music but there is already a huge community of people doing it this way so...I try to make things different Thank You all for sharing Your thoughts and listening to my stuff
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu May 16 2014, 01:44 PM
Thank You all for sharing Your thoughts and listening to my stuff Best of both worlds is always a good approach
Looking forward to hear more
Posted by: Darius Wave May 17 2014, 11:11 AM
Thank You Cosm!
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