1 Topic by Detman101 (edited by Detman101 2009-05-27 19:00:05)

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Topic: Critique please....

Greetings,

    I would like to request that the members here in this wing of the forums check out and critique my playing in my church band. I am asking this because you all know where I am coming from and have probably been there too.

So please...good, bad and ugly...tell me what you think of my playing and what I can do to improve. I am prepared and prayed up for the harshest of critique and anything you can say can only make me a better player.

The song that we are playing is "He's Able" from this past sunday's service.
I'm using my Squier 51 with a Boss BD-2 "Blues Breaker" pedal going straight into the soundboard. I will be trading this pedal for a Digitech Screaming Blues pedal since they play better with soundboards AND amps...lol. I know already that the overdrive sounds artificial and it's the fault of the BD-2.

The song is located here: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=a651 … b9a8902bda
If that one doesnt work try here...
http://www.webfilehost.com/?mode=viewup … id=4586915
or here

http://www.soundclick.com/dm101


God bless,
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

So many views and no responses...

I must be doing good...lol!


big_smile
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT its hard to critique gospel music and I dont want to be fried with a bolt of lightning lol but at the risk of incurring the wrath of the almighty in my opinion the recording quality sound wise was unbalanced but he moves in mysterious ways and I'm sure he was pleased and it seemed all the good folk at the service enjoyed this,there's always room for improvement and with a little more time the mix and recording quality will get better and that includes your playing which was ok but overall you all need to perform and rehearse more smile 

Detman101 wrote:

So many views and no responses...

I must be doing good...lol!


big_smile
Dm

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Thank you Russel. One of the main problems that I've found with our church is that it's not focused when it comes to the music. I hope to submit my ideas to the head of the music department once a head of the music department is identified. This...choir rehearsal once every 2 months...isn't helping  us develop a sound that is cohesive.

I manage the recording/mixer board while playing the guitar and I will be the first to admit that I'm no audio technician. Computer technician yes....audio...not so much. I was asked to do the audio a few years ago when the audio person got shipped overseas. I have no idea how to balance the sound and/or get people to sing into the mics at the same level. It sounds a lot better in person than it does in the recording lol...
But I'm learning as I go on, and with the help and advice of people like you, I will get better.

Thanks again,
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT one of the main things to do before recording is to get a level on all the instruments,singers and especially the drums and to get a better live recording it would be better to have more microphones preferable spaced between so you can isolate (keep separate) the volumes of what instruments and vocalist in the recording and do a test recording (sound check) also once every two months is not enough rehearsal or practice time,when I sang in my church choir we met once a week sometimes more often if we were doing a performance at another church so the more times all of you rehearse improvement will happen and I would suggest record the rehearsals the tighter the sound will be good luck with it russ smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: Critique please....

Russ you are right on,

I am not a great lead player but you need to know where the rythm is going,when listening to it I felt the lead player wasn't always aware of where the keyboards were going.As Russ suggested,practice sessions will tighten up your band  and get your group groovin together.

We have a group that gets together monthly and it is amazing how the more times we run thru a song how the group gets together and starts sounding good.We usually have one person presenting his or her song and that person keeps the rythm and tempo going.

Russ is a Pro and gives good advice,so you have a good critic.

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Thank you. I will continue to press for more practice in our church so that our sound is better.
It's weird to think that with minimal practice we have come this far. We could be GREAT if we practiced once a week. The problem is getting people to come out and participate. I don't think that a lot of the choir have it in their heart to pursue music like the musicians do. I mean, the musicians WANT to practice more, but it's hard without the singers there...


Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • selso
  • selso
  • Senior Member
  • Offline
  • From: El Paso, TX
  • Registered: 2007-07-18
  • Posts: 994

Re: Critique please....

Theres not much I didnt like about your playing. There was a point, I think its around the 5 min mark, where the piano and the singer where playing and then you came in. I proubly would have not played there. But other then that sounds good. I love gospel music. Your singer can really sing.
Selso

Everything is bad including me
But being bad is good policy
Reverend Horton Heat

9 Reply by Detman101 (edited by Detman101 2009-05-28 14:17:56)

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Thank you. yes indeed, I listened to the track and youre right, that was a bad spot to play.
thank you for the compliment. And yes, our lead songstress is AWESOME! You wouldn't believe that that soulful voice is coming out of a 105 pound waif. I've got a video of her fooling around before bible study on my youtube page.
She's like the black fiona apple!


=p
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Oooookay.

I have found the solution to my problem...

Wait, let me post a progress report on my sound after micing the amp and recording that way. Well, I went the way of draping a Microphone over the top of the amp and recording that way. The sound was sooooooo much better!! I boosted my mids as recommended and also played higher up on the neck. The tone was much better but I am still having issues with sound as far as effects are concerned.

I played using my crappy Boss BD-2 and it still sounded like I was playing clean. The only time that the BD-2 sounded like it was affecting my sound was when I played power chords. Needless to say, I will be getting rid of it ASAP in favor of the "Digitech Screamin Blues" pedal, which has a much more effective role with digital amplifiers. The Boss BD-2 works great with my tube amp but I use that one once in a blue moon cause it's so loud.

Now onto my solution/revelation...

In listening to myself playing this past sunday (Yesterday) and getting a few of my co-workers to listen as well, I have come to the conclusion that I need more of an "effect" in my sound to even out the "Twanginess" of my Squier '51 (which is more of a telecaster than anything else). It seems that in using the Boss BD-2 I cannot get it to color my sound with the Overdrive effect unless I'm playing power chords...which isn't always acceptable. If I play single notes it sounds like i'm playing clean...which sounds very "Plucky/Twangy".
So it's not really my playing style that sounds that way...it's the lack of effect of my EFFECTS....lol.

I am going to invest in a new Wah-Wah pedal to add more dynamics to my playing. I have noticed that every musician that I like hearing uses a Wah-Wah pedal even if it's not being actively "rockered" to do the wah effect. Some just use it to change the overall tone of their sound and leave it at one setting (Maybe halfway down/up) so that they sound a certain way without having to tinker with too many things.

I have an old Wah-Wah pedal that my boss gave me along with my "Peavey 240 Artist" amp. It's a National ME-40 Wah-Surf-Volume pedal. It used to work but somethings gone rotten with it and it wont respond.
I would rather fix it if possible as it's vintage gear and worth cashola.

**PICS BELOW**
http://img7.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/4049/4049307f43f61552b8e5cb6b865540a46c3e0d4.jpg
http://img7.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/4049/40493083bc44c69395b2491a0d364f7685a2b9a.jpg
http://img8.uploadhouse.com/fileuploads/4049/404930947ba59a9de268494990cb0a7b0cae857.jpg



Thanks everyone,
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT glad to hear your making improvements and scoping out ways to get the job done to produce better recordings, a wah wah pedal is like a equalizer it varies the tones depending on the position of the pedal usually up for low frequencies and down for higher and coupled with a overdrive it offers a greater variety of tones and sustain to enhance your performance and this trickles on down to the other members and they in turn add more energy and inspiration to the performance smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Awesome info, thank you!
My wah pedal is kaput for now due to something being wrong with it. But I just got back from testing out a Dunlop Crybaby wah and it's soooo much worse than my National wah pedal. The effectiveness of the way is such a short area! Whereas with my ME-90 Wah it takes the whole travel of the pedal to create the wah effect. The Dunlop was way too sensitive for my tastes...so it looks like I will have to get my National wah pedal fixed somehow.


Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT look into a cry baby I've had one for over 30 yrs and it still works great just have to open it up and spray some tuner cleaner on the pots and wipe the dust out mine is a Hendrix model you can also plug a 9v adapter into it and save on buying 9v batteries it is in my opinion the best for what I think your looking for smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Russell_Harding wrote:

DT look into a cry baby I've had one for over 30 yrs and it still works great just have to open it up and spray some tuner cleaner on the pots and wipe the dust out mine is a Hendrix model you can also plug a 9v adapter into it and save on buying 9v batteries it is in my opinion the best for what I think your looking for smile

Russel,

     That's the one that I tried. The "Threshold" on that particular model pedal is just too short.
Meaning that the travel needed to change the tone of the sound is too short. I barely moved the pedal a fraction of a hair past the middle of it's travel-length before the wah effect reached it's upper limit.

sad
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

that can be adjusted by opening the back and reposistioning the saw tooth on the roller it changes the degree the pedal plays the tones (more travel before tone change) smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Oh really!?

Hmmm....if thats the case I will buy the Dunlop Wah if it costs less than getting my vintage wah pedal repaired.

Thanks again!!


Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT make sure you mention what adjustment you wish to make BEFORE you buy my pedal is near 30 yrs or better old and they may have changed or upgraded the new ones but there still should be some way to either adjust the mechanical end or reposition or adjust the potentiometer (pot) inside its the same as the one inside your guitar tell them you want more travel or play and describe what you mentioned here about the tone changing to fast from bass to treble smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

OMG!!!! I HAVE FOUND MY SOUND!!!!

I found something that evens out my sound!!!!

AUTOWAH!!!!

OMG!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE ADVICE!!!!

Oh my goodness...I decided to try a few things based on the advice in this column.
So I loaded up my Pandoras Box (PX4D) and went to the EC-WAH setting and adjusted it to match the output of my guitar by setting the sensitivity to 4.0 instead of 3.7 and changed the amp from "UK Blues" to "AC 30".

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! No more plucky tone!!!
NO MORE SUCKY TONE!!
NO MORE LIFELESS TONE!!!

My slides, hammer-ons and bends sound soooo alive!!
And the SUSTAIN!!! OMG! This was the answer to my problem of having to pick every note!!!!
Now I can just slide or hammer-on and the note rings just as loud/the same!!!

I had the most wonderful lunch break today playing to backing tracks with the autowah!!

I bought an Ibanez autowah pedal from one of the members of the Squier '51 board, it should be here by next monday. I can't wait to use that in my live setup at church. I'm literally bouncing in my seat with anticipation!!!

I could have practiced for 5 hours straight today...OMG...I feel SOOOO ALIVEE!!!!!

I truly believe that I have found my sound!!!


Woah...
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website

  • From: A black hole in deep space
  • Registered: 2007-10-28
  • Posts: 7,865

Re: Critique please....

DT happy to hear the news and when you feel that good about practice the hours go by so fast you cant wait to get back to practice because its aFUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!! smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Russell_Harding's Website

  • From: Frederick, MD
  • Registered: 2006-12-28
  • Posts: 851

Re: Critique please....

Well, using the autowah in church this past weekend worked out GREAT!
There are a few songs where it fits in well but my choice in amplifiers has to stabilize.

Saturday - We played out of state for another church in Amelia, VA. Using the Ibanez AW-7 with my Line-6 112 amp on the customized "recto" amp setting sounded GREAT!!! Sadly I didn't get a recording of any of it.

Sunday - Back at our church. I had my little Ibanez 15W amp mic'd. My effects chain went as follows.
Guitar->BOSS BD-2->Ibanez AW-7->Danelectro Reverb->Amp->mic->Soundboard
Here is what it sounded like.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7687386

I don't think that I had the effects pedals in the right order because whenever I clicked the BD-2 and the AW-7 on at the same time the autowah was REALLY sensitive. without the BD-2 in the mix, the Autowah was barely responding. The reverb pedal was the only one that I left on constantly. I switched between the AW-7 and BD-2 depending on the song.

It will definitely require some fine tuning but so far I like it a LOT!!


=]
Dm

"Talent instantly recognizes genius,
but mediocrity knows nothing more than itself."

-Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

Detman101's Website