Check out my composition.

WillBuckingham · #1 12-20-2006, 11:10 PM

www.soundclick.com/willbuckingham

You have to click on "music" at the top of the page and then the "hi-fi" button.

This is a piece I originally wrote as a ballad but decided it worked better as this samba/fusion thing. I did the recording myself with my University's equipment and a band I put together. It's a live take with no musical edits. Looking for some feedback and questions regarding my writing, playing, and recording/mastering. Unfortunately I'm stuck hosting it as an mp3 after hours in the studio tweeking everything to get it just right. Oh well!

-Will

Warning: Electric Jazz Content.

WillBuckingham · #2 12-23-2006, 12:24 PM

Well, 43 people read the post. Did anyone listen? If you don't like it you can tell me, I won't take it personally . . . this is my first stab at recording my own composition (and recording in general), any feedback is appreciated.

There's a lot of white noise on the drum mics. I don't know how it got there and I couldn't get rid of it, anyone know why that would happen?

Jason Carota · #3 12-23-2006, 12:30 PM

Grumblecakes is a great song! Nice groove to it. Your levels could have been a bit higher, imo. The overall recording sounds good, though.

Wademeister63 · #4 12-23-2006, 01:09 PM

Very good I think, especially after a second listen. It felt right to me. How much was composed and how much improv?

BillytheBassist · #5 12-23-2006, 01:29 PM

Sounded great.... I agree that your level needs to be up a hair and maybe a little less on on the sax.

Basshole · #6 12-23-2006, 01:33 PM

Not bad. Overall, the recording is well done. Stickover is a bit too hot, bass could use the slightest touch of chorus, and as others mentioned, the sax is too hot.

Also, send the drummer on vacation to Brazil...please. He was a tad tough to listen to.

WillBuckingham · #7 12-24-2006, 12:41 AM

Thanks for the responses! I was afraid the levels on the sax were too LOW. I'll definitely keep that in mind for next time and it probably could use some more bass in the mix. I went DI with my Pedulla and didn't eq or compress it or anything, as I was very happy with the tone. I'll definitely think about adding chorus next time I go DI.

The drummer has some great chops. He spent a lot of time recently studying with a Cuban percussionist, and I got the feeling at this session he was really trying to cram in all this stuff he'd learned. I would have preferred something with a more straighforward, driving feel.

I composed a 64 bar (AABA) melody with chords. We play the "head" at the beginning, each solo over the changes (1 chorus each), and then play the head again to close it. The sax player elaborates the melody a lot (improvised), so it's easy to lose track of what's going on.

Hope I got to everything here . . . Thanks for listening and commenting!