My Bass Playing - Your Opinion?

[mulepods]

http://www.danatkinson.net/demos.htm

The link above is my demo page. I'd love some opinions from bass players. All instruments/vocals done by me. I'm trying to get a publishing deal (I have no delusions about my singing ability).

Listen to Down, Confession, and Drifted in particular. Both "Down" and "Confession" were done with an Ibanez SR500 straight into Cubase with the Ampeg SVX plugin. "Drifted" was done with a Schecter Studio Elite into an Ampeg B-100R amp (I actually mic'd it). I try to do a Sir Paul impression on that track.

Thanks for any input.

[BuffaloBass]

I donnow, I like your voice. Nice playing, nice tunes! Good luck and break both legs!

[DWBass]

Very good. Extremely tight and polished. A lot better than some of the stuff posted here. A welcome change. If I had one critique it would be to simplify the basslines. There seems the tendency to busy them up but for this style of music, simple is better. Don't be so inclined to show your chops. Did you play the drums as well? Are you using anything to 'pitch' the vocals? If not, you seem to have perfect pitch.

Bottom line......[Randy Jackson voice]"That's hot, dawg!"[/Randy Jackson voice]

[BlackLake]

I like your tunes, and your voice suits them perfectly.

I do agree that the basslines are a little too busy for the style. But you did ask us to rate your bass playing...very good!

Best of luck to you.

[mulepods]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Very good. Extremely tight and polished. A lot better than some of the stuff posted here. A welcome change. If I had one critique it would be to simplify the basslines. There seems the tendency to busy them up but for this style of music, simple is better. Don't be so inclined to show your chops. Did you play the drums as well? Are you using anything to 'pitch' the vocals? If not, you seem to have perfect pitch.

Thanks! I agree, the bass parts do get a bit busy. I might go back and redo them to simplify a bit. It's tempting for me to get very "walky" when it isn't really necessary.

The drums are all totally fake. I programmed the drum tracks using FruityLoops. I used one-hit drum samples for everything, programmed the beats, then shifted the timing of random notes to avoid sounding too precise. I think it turned out decent.

And yes, I did use some pitch correction on the vocals. I wish I didn't need it!

[Possu jam]

That's great stuff! It made me feel good and I liked the overall sound too. Those are, for me atleast, very important factors.
Keep it up, you have a fan in Finland!

[bookmd01]

I'm new to the bass (but I liked it!), though I'm not new to music...great overall sound...my only suggestion (and who am I to be telling you?!?) is that at times the treble seemed a bit much...I messed with my equalizer, took down the top just a bit...bumped up the middle just a bit and it sounded a little more balanced...?

btw...who cares if you get help with your tone...if you didn't, you'd be in the minority these days!

[improvpwnd]

Production Critique:
I would use compression (or heavier compression) on the bass...especially in the beginning of 'Down'

Songwriting Critique:
Solid pop.

Style Critique:
Not into it, but I am sure other people would be

[Shovelbone]

Originally Posted by mulepods

http://www.danatkinson.net/demos.htm

The link above is my demo page. I'd love some opinions from bass players. All instruments/vocals done by me. I'm trying to get a publishing deal (I have no delusions about my singing ability).

Listen to Down, Confession, and Drifted in particular. Both "Down" and "Confession" were done with an Ibanez SR500 straight into Cubase with the Ampeg SVX plugin. "Drifted" was done with a Schecter Studio Elite into an Ampeg B-100R amp (I actually mic'd it). I try to do a Sir Paul impression on that track.

Thanks for any input.

Very nice tracks Dan! I really enjoy the tasty basslines in Confession and Get Away.
I have heard alot of independent stuff lately and yours is definitely top shelf!
I like the lyrical content and your voice fits right in with the songs.
Kudo's to you my friend!

Steve

[ryan(MAIDEN)]

youve got some solid songwriting skills there... a little to poppy for my liking but hey you did an excellent job

[martyman5000]

The kings of Alt pop for me are Third Eye Blind...

Edit...Drifted is a very nice song. Nice bass playing and vocal, still sounds safe and predictable.

[Mark Jacobs]

Very good! (And I very rarely post)

[Masher88]

Well written songs, but why do you whisper all the vocals? open up, man! Belt it out! With a bit of production, this could easily be on the pop charts

[jsbass]

I like the bass, I don't think it's too busy. It fills a lot of the space, which is good. You definitely got some chops.

[XtreO]

I don't agree with those saying your basslines are busy. They are not. It's relaxing really, I like it.

[WRBass]

These are great songs! I really like the bass lines. They fit perfectly.

[squidmaster]

nice work, and theres nothing wrong with your voice

[Bassist30]

Good luck with it. I like it.

[jordan-z]

i was diggin the bass lines, i say you leave them the way they are.

[Eric Perry]

I love them, from every angle!

I would agree to either compress your bass a tad or watch your dynamics while playing.