ngc2440nucleus

I'm not the biggest fan of power chords, but when they drop out after the intro, it starts to sound like something is missing. Just my two cents.

Youtube: Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/darianharman/mega-man-ii-metal-man-theme-guitar-cover

You can either watch the music video/playthrough on youtube, or just listen to it on soundcloud. This was my first time attempting something of this level of technicality, and also my first time ever editing video. Critiques and opinions are welcome---my skin's pretty thick. Anyway, here are the links: https://soundcloud.com/darianharman/mega-man-3-wily-stage-boss-guitar-cover

I don't have proper studio monitors, so please let me know if this is too bass-y. I'm trying to strike some semblance of tonal balance with the setup that I currently have, because I have no money to spend on equipment right now. As it stands, I have to wrap my computer in a blanket every morning just to make it boot (yes, I have disassembled the machine and re-applied the thermal paste to no avail). It is what it is...

Regarding the ending, it was supposed to just be a fade-out, but when I went back and made some changes, I forgot to re-enable the automation like an idiot! (Didn't notice until last night. Always proof-listen, kids!). I'll take your advice into consideration, though. It's just that I noticed on some laptop speakers that the higher harmonics of the guitar were really, really cutting through. I did some slight subtractive equalization on said harmonics, but I couldn't really drop them more than 2-3db without taking away some of the "air". I'll listen to it on a few more sets of speakers. The reverb on the kick is probably getting squashed into the kick drum, making them almost one instrument. I suppose I could either drop some wetness, or EQ-carve the reverb. I need to start using the Convolver for my reverbs since it comes with its own built-in EQ. Or maybe it's just that, at that particular part, both the toms are being hit at the same time, along with an alternating kick. I guess that's a lot of low-end! And, yeah, I always try to keep the tracks almost exactly the same, give or take a few drum embellishments. I like these old tracks so much that I don't have the heart to make any changes to them. The composers are geniuses, and I'm just a nerd. I'll sleep on this for a few more days, finish another track, then give a listen to the things you pointed out.

I actually store every EQ change in a spare state for A/B comparisons once I get deeper into a mix, but thanks. The objective, here, is to create another mix with some wide-Q boosts 3khz and up, HF exciters etc, export, and A/B both wave files in my DAW.

Hmmm, I'll tinker with the drum bus a little, I guess. The individual pieces of the kit are all quite bright, individually. If you listen closely, you can hear the snap of the kick, snare and toms, but I probably didn't bring the highs up enough in my drum submix which has Maximus powering (see: obliterating!) the drums. I'll mess with it a little more, and see what I can do. Perhaps even an exciter like ThrillseekerXTC or something might do the trick. In fact, I almost put that on the master channel for some subtle, last-minute texturing. Thanks for the input.

I give up on this. I've tried everything I know, but I just don't think it will ever sound the way I want it to. For better or worse, I decided to post it here in case anyone might enjoy it, or perhaps share any critique they might have. Personally, I think it sounds compress-y and whoof-y. I tried everything to get the bass to sit properly in the mix, but it just doesn't. In this version, I used a multi-band compressor to stereo-separate the mids and highs of the bass, whilst keeping the low-end centered. Despite the fact that the center guitar (which is also stereo-widened) doesn't have too much below 200hz, the bass guitar is just cutting through, even though I carved at about 800hz on all guitars to make room for the bass. GRRR! It's been a month since I started recording this, and that's too long to be working on one thing, in my opinion!

Just a faithful, guitar remake of this awesome track.

Thanks, man!

I was unable to find a 100%-exact replica of this classic (one without power chord progressions, pinch harmonics and string bending), so I made one. This may not be the final mix, as it is my first time experimenting with multi-band compression via Maximus, and I have quite a bit to learn regarding that tool. https://soundcloud.com/darianharman/contra-stage-1-jungle-guitar-cover

Thanks, man. I did toy around with using some delay as a makeshift reverb for a bit, but I ended up attempting to create a super-crisp guitar tone. I do think the intro harmony needs delay, though---that's one thing that bugs me just a little bit. I think having you point out the dryness will prompt me to go add the final-final-final touches. I think I'm just a little snake-bitten by the brightness of another track I did last week (but never uploaded), so I probably over-corrected and ended up with a sort of lo-fi type sound on this track. As for structurally rearranging video game tracks, I'm not interested. Nothing against the people who get their jollies from "remixing" other people's compositions---it's just not for me. I feel like I would be stepping on the original composers' toes by going too far with their work, so I just try to give them the same respect that I would give Bach or Ravel. Remember when Kenny G dubbed himself soloing with Louis Armstrong? It's like, "wait, who do you think you are?". If you're some super-established, brilliant composer like Olivier Messiaen, then I feel like you're "allowed" to mess with other composers' works via "variations on themes", etc. As for me, I'm nobody; and if I'm going to get all "creative", it'll be with my own music. Adding power chords to Contra tracks and shred solos over Bloody Tears or whatever---I just feel like it ruins the original music. That Jean-Luc Ponty track had Holdsworth on guitar, didn't it? It was either him, or a very, very good impression of his phrasing. Going to have to check that out. Makes me want to blast some old Soft Machine. Also reminds me of Lye By Mistake's "Fea Jur" album, which obviously came out way later. I'm just referring to the "looseness" of the musicality. Really good stuff.

Two guitars via Guitar Rig 5. Slap-style bass. Programmed drums. Executed entirely in FL Studio 11.