Multiple-track tenor + fretless bass MP3 by me...

[Mike Flynn]

I have been wrestling with Cubase for a short time now and this is one of my early attepts at multiple bass parts, in the context of a 'song'. I used my Warwick NT Thumb, strung A - C tenor bass styleee, and then threw in some fretless 5 Mwah's to pan out the chords. I hate the drums on this, and believe me I have tried to change them but my skills at MIDI editing are zilch at present, I am working on them. The drum parts are meant to have fills, with quiet sections at the start and the end - but the F-ing Groove Agent program is a nightmare when you try and re-do things - hence I have left the drum part very basic for now - just so you guys can hear the tune! I really want to change this but it's going to have to wait a little longer.

On the performance side I really like some of the phrasing, and some of the melodic ideas, in places I think it's too busy, and there definitely some mistakes - but I just really want to get some feedback on whether the over all vibe is happening - or not - Let me know - you've all been extremely generous in the past - so feel free to be as critcal as you like.

<b><a href=http://www.munkio.com/music/Victor/Sketchin%202.mp3>Sketchin' MP3</a></b>

[Whafrodamus]

You're right about the busy thing, but you still did a great job! Nice work man!

[XavierG]

Very nice! Excellent! Hat's off to you.

[Mike Flynn]

Thanks guys, this stuff is very personal to me - writing your own tunes and playing them to people is really scary sometimes - I really appreciate the positive feedback - there's more in tank so watch this space...!

[sargebaker]

I Love you! and I repeat YOU ARE MY GOD! *bows down* This is going on the CD too!

EDIT: which bass is your tenor bass?

[geoffkhan]

Great playing and all that, but the mixing needs a bit of work. At the beginning, the fretless is a bit too far to the side, just put it a bit more towards the middle, especially before the low bass enters.

Also remember to put any backing bass tracks (like the bass playing chords or doing that slap chord thing) as quiet as they can go before you just can't hear them. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but you shouldn't not notice them that much. Slowly turn everything back up to make things get that crowded feel to build momentum.

Great work! Looking forward to more songs/movies from you!

[Mike Flynn]

Hey Geoff, I know, know about the mix man - like I said it's all a bit new to me - my producing and mixing skills still suck a bit - and I have actually thought about completely re-recording that fretless intro, the sound annoys me for starters I have a lot to do with learning more about Cubase, it's not the easiest program to get to grips with, I have a book but it's still frutrating - especially when I am happy with certain bits of my performance but others I'd like to re-do and edit properly - it's all so time consuming!

Thanks for checking it out and giving me some feedback.

M

Originally Posted by sargebaker

I Love you! and I repeat YOU ARE MY GOD! *bows down* This is going on the CD too!

EDIT: which bass is your tenor bass?

OK, I'm definitely not comfortable with the hero worship thing - but thanks anyway - and it's just my normal Warwick strung ADGC - a la Stanley C.

[sargebaker]

Fine I'll tone down on the worshiping, party pooper! but yeah you're still awesome. Isn't it a pain restringing your bass all the time when you want a Tenor?

[geoffkhan]

You're using Cubase? Well, okay, if you find it easy, because it takes me so long to do anything in Cubase. I use Cakewalk and it's really fast. That's what I like about it, because the interface in Cakewalk doesn't get in the way of getting the music from your head or instruments into the computer.

[j-raj]

That sounds really good!

I like the progression and the drum loop.

What are you using as a pre to bring the bass in.... DI or ? What is the chain of gear from bass to track?

[The Beast]

Man, I like this. There isnt anything to be ashamed of at all.
I think the business issues can be helped if you tweak the mix, and after that it is a matter of personal preference. I gotta say it again, this track is killer. If you do any more you should post them.

[dodgy_ian]

ouch, this is sweet dude.

Just keep at it cubase is one of theose things that just takes time!

Dodge

[screwball]

Excellent, really enjoyed listening to that. Can't wait to hear more

[Erlendur Már]

I like it, very cool.

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by j-raj

That sounds really good!

I like the progression and the drum loop.

What are you using as a pre to bring the bass in.... DI or ? What is the chain of gear from bass to track?

Hi Raj,

I'm going straight into the PC via a Tascam US-122 USB interface - both basses sound excellent direct, and I just added the effects afterwards - everything else is done in Cubase. I didn't need to EQ anything too much either and I can get all the tone I need from either the Warwick or my custom fretless - they are definitely sounding good. Groove Agent is my only beat machine at present but I really need to do some homework on the MIDI editing side of things.

Reagrding the progression the last chord in the A section (the slappy bit) is an augmented F major and that raised fourth just gives the thing alot of motion - I love just cycling round and round on things like that.

And Dodgy Ian - I think I have a drum and bass tune in mind for a new recording, I'll let you know when it gets cooked!

Cheers again guys, I'm really pleased you're all digging it.

Bestest - Mike

[dodgy_ian]

sweet, look forward to hearing it matey!!!

Dodge

[Wrong Robot]

Hey that's a pretty groovy track. There are a couple parts where it gets a little too busy for my liking, and there are a couple gaffes here and there, but hey, it's not like you're selling it to the pope or something. That said, The drum loop gets awfully repetitive, understanding that it's not really much more than a plateau for the melody/harmony to work over, it still could use some zing, if you know what I mean. I wasn't feeling it till about halfway through, but, it got pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot, good job!

[Mike Flynn]

Thanks Matt,

as ever you give a hard but fair critique - this isn't a finished tune in terms of production, so just as a side note I have tried to change the drum part, it should start mellow, drop the groove, go to a breakdown in the middle, then groove again before going back to mellow for the end.

I have recorded it like this, but when I tried to edit it, frikkin' Groove Agent was having none of it - hence the current 'bland' version - I'm working on a better version at the moment - I just really wanted some feedback - and generally it's positive.

Cheers

Mike

[j-raj]

Originally Posted by urb_munki

....custom fretless - they are definitely sounding good. Groove Agent is my only beat machine at present ....

Mike,

Two things... I couldn't find Groove Agent in a search (google is probably sick of me by now), could you forward me any info you might have (link...etc.)... And What's the story on that fretless? it's sweeeeet!

-jairaj

[Mike Flynn]

Hi Raj,

The fretless is this one - made by freind Jeff Chapman, a little-known but highly skilled luthier based in Brighton, England:

<img src=http://www.munkio.com/music/basses%20&%20ting/webready/fretless_sun_full_small.jpg>
It's African mahogany, recycled from a shelf he found in the school he works at, the pickup covers are thuya burr and the fretboard is ebony - it has 26 fret markers...and it gets lovlier by the day.

more pics here:
http://www.munkio.com/jeffchapman/br...s_gallery.html

For more on Groove Agent - see here:
http://www.steinberg.net/ProductPage...15&Langue_ID=7

Hope that helps

M