MrMaxEllery Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, My band is named Paperboy have released two songs which I would love feedback on! I am the bass player so would love input onto ways I could improve my playing. [url="https://soundcloud.com/paperboy-band"]https://soundcloud.com/paperboy-band[/url] Edited December 4, 2013 by MrMaxEllery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Good songs, well performed, very good singer with some personality in his voice. There's a little something missing for me but it's hard to put my finger on, I think it's the mix - it's lacking punch and attitude, it could be that it's an honest recording reflecting what you sound like live. But there's some excitement missing, I'm not getting drawn in. Otherwise both songs are very good, your playing is fine, it's just a bit polite to my ears, but that just might be me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Good tracks with great variation. Have you thought of playing your bass on the off-beat? Take a look at Robbie Shakespeare - one of the reggae bass greats [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jusaci34o1U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jusaci34o1U[/url] IMHO playing a synchopated beat gives reggae it's bounce. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Basically what the two fine gentleman above me have said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaxEllery Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 Thanks for the feedback guys, I agree with you, we're trying not to dive too deep into reggae and ska. Could a mastering bring out more oomf? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) [quote name='MrMaxEllery' timestamp='1386251405' post='2297710'] Thanks for the feedback guys, I agree with you, we're trying not to dive too deep into reggae and ska. [b]Could a mastering bring out more oomf?[/b] [/quote] Possibly, but a remix might be more appropriate. I think the presense of the bass and drums could be more immersive, more up front, maybe a little compression in the mastering of the mix. It's hard to say as only you guys really know what you want to sound like. I think I can crystallise my thoughts a little more now, it sounds like you were all trying to get good takes and concentrating hard, rather than being more in the musical moment and really feeling the flow of the music. Edited December 5, 2013 by xilddx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1386252959' post='2297737'] I think I can crystallise my thoughts a little more now, it sounds like you were all trying to get good takes and concentrating hard, rather than being more in the musical moment and really feeling the flow of the music. [/quote] This! This can be one of the main problems when recording. You don't get the natural vibe of your band thru being try hards. Producers play a big role in this too when trying to get what is the best take for them to work with. There's a story in David Lee Roth's autobiography. He says when making the first album on the first day of recording vocals he stayed away from spliffs and fizzy drinks, maybe beer, to help his voice. Ted Templeman (producer) after a couple of takes asks him why his voice sounded different. DLR told him so Ted sent him out for a Smoke and a Drink. My band usually has a drink or two before and during gigs, sometimes even a spliff (sshh don't tell anyone). So i make sure we do the same when recording...... and practising.....and after practise at the pub. It helps with the vibe! Someone people may boo hiss but that's part of the bands vibe. we like to be lightly buzzed. Nothing hardcore! Edited December 5, 2013 by Lord Sausage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 I'm not advocating drink and drug use by the way, ha ha. It's just serving as an example as to a band being true to itself. I'm not saying getting wrecked will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 [quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1386254432' post='2297769'] I'm not advocating drink and drug use by the way, ha ha. It's just serving as an example as to a band being true to itself. I'm not saying getting wrecked will help. [/quote] It won't But learning to relax and feel the music without stimulatory aids is the key. You need all your physical faculties to play properly, the more smoke and drink, the higher the latency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sausage Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1386417152' post='2299843'] It won't But learning to relax and feel the music without stimulatory aids is the key. You need all your physical faculties to play properly, the more smoke and drink, the higher the latency [/quote]i wondered why the drummer was always a song behind the rest of us. I thought he was being experimental With the couple of drinks thing its just in the rock band. With other gigs I'm usually jacked up on coffee....hardcore me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaxEllery Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Thanks again for the comments, I think you have really just described our recording process. As a new band it was very daunting getting in the studio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaxEllery Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) Sorry for double posting but just released a new one, can you give any feedback to the vibe of this song? Were just trying something different with it and tried to be more groove/ambiance orientated. [url="https://soundcloud.com/paperboy-band/come-and-see"]https://soundcloud.com/paperboy-band/come-and-see[/url] Edited December 19, 2013 by MrMaxEllery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 [quote name='MrMaxEllery' timestamp='1387466117' post='2312316'] Sorry for double posting but just released a new one, can you give any feedback to the vibe of this song? Were just trying something different with it and tried to be more groove/ambiance orientated. [url="https://soundcloud.com/paperboy-band/come-and-see"]https://soundcloud.c...nd/come-and-see[/url] [/quote] Much better! That has vibe! In the slow sections I found the bass and drums a little stiff and not mixed loud enough, try to relax when you're recording. I think the bass line could be much simpler, and for that song I would play with the drums and vocals more, rather than with the guitarist. Look for the key timing accents that give the song and feel its personality, and play with those perhaps. Look at the harmony opportunities too, there are parts of that song where you could add one note below the chord and really bring out the vocal melody - of course that's a matter of taste but the singer might love it if you really bring out a vocal note or vocal line occasionally with a low harmony note, but do it carefully and subtly if you fancy trying it, do it from emotion rather than theory, see where your mind takes you. The ska section is wonderful, you sound like you're really enjoying it, the whole band does. Love the singer's occasional tremolo in the slow parts, very emotive. The mix needs to be warmer for me. And the drums and bass should come up in the mix a little. It's a real improvement on the previous ones your posted, and I would be very proud considering you were very nervous and it's a new band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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