When Something Stands for Nothing

Milkman · Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:11 pm

Okay, a cover tune to hone some recording/mixing skills.

This is a cover, originally by Headstones, that I'm sure [mention]TVvoodoo[/mention] [mention]Rollin Hand[/mention] [mention]jam[/mention] [mention]Kerry Brown[/mention] and other Canadians here will have heard a time or two.

Drums were put together using MT PowerDrumKit (free-ish... I've actually paid for it).

The only electric guitar I used was my go-to... a bone-stock HH "Blacktop" Mexi Strat.

In a change of pace, I recorded all guitars using VST amps and effects. For the bass guitar, I used Ignite Amps SHB-1 amp (free), and Ignite Amps NadIR for the cab sim (free). There are a few guitar tracks using the Ignite Amps NadIR cab sim VST again, paired with either the LePou Hybrit amp (free) or Ignite Amps NRR-1 amp (free).

The feedback part in the bridge comes from my Traynor YCS50 through a cheapo Pyle PDIMIC78 (SM57 knockoff). I used the same mic to record my Simon & Patrick cedar top acoustic guitar (bought in 1994!), in combination with a DI from the cheapo piezo pickup set I got from Scamazon for a whopping $28 CAD.

I like that cheapo little mic so much, I used it for the vocals too! Also... all my other decent mics are elsewhere. A little tip for this mic, which may work with an SM57 too - I got a spare SM58 grill and wedged it on the business end of the mic, then jammed a foam sock over that to minimize popping, and I think it worked out pretty well - I'm a pretty plosive popper.

All mixed up in Reaper using stock plugins or free add-ons. I think I'm getting better with the subtle art/science/witchcraft of EQ and Compression. Now, I just have to learn to play an instrument.

Rollin Hand · Tue Oct 27, 2020 4:36 pm

Liking the mix on that, and your vocals are improving. Keep it up!

Man I wish I had time to do that type of thing. I'd have fun.

uwmcscott · Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:05 pm

I love this one. I can't really place my finger on what it reminds me of, but it definitely sounds like someting that is appropriate for heading down the road with your windows rolled down, or on a bike - your photo is appropriate.

fullonshred · Tue Oct 27, 2020 11:30 pm

What a Great Job! Thanks for the share!

Milkman · Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:11 am

Thanks guys. I had a lot of fun with this one. I feel like I'm getting some decent quality out of my home set up now.

I just have to practice playing guitar more. And learn to play drums. And get drums. And learn to record drums.

jhull54 · Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:03 pm

Love it!

And I have that same mic. It's a fantastic microphone for guitars and vocals. I think RLP turned the board on to that mic a while back, and it's definitely a keeper.

Great work in Reaper with the mix.

Forecaster · Thu Oct 29, 2020 12:52 pm

I hear "China Grove" (especially in the intro) and Gary Newman-without a piano so it might be Warren Zevon (vocal parts) going back and forth. Nothing wrong with that at all. thanks.

Narsh · Thu Oct 29, 2020 2:40 pm

damn, that sounds freaking great!

jam · Fri Oct 30, 2020 10:12 am

Those vocals are great! I actually heard words that I hadn't before. Nice!

doc-knapp · Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:33 am

Loved it. Reminded me of a mix of Warren Zevon and Lou Reed circa 1989. It had a "Dirty Boulevard" feel to it.

Mossman · Sat Oct 31, 2020 12:13 pm

doc-knapp wrote: ↑Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:33 am Loved it. Reminded me of a mix of Warren Zevon and Lou Reed circa 1989. It had a "Dirty Boulevard" feel to it.

That's exactly what I though when the vocals came in.

Nice job with the mix [mention]Milkman[/mention]!

I have the same Pyle mic, but I haven't used it for anything yet (I just bought it because it cost $14

). Have you rewired it to make it balanced? I've been thinking about adding an SM57/58 transformer as well: https://www.fullcompass.com/prod/268771 ... c-and-sm57

Milkman · Sat Oct 31, 2020 1:12 pm

I haven’t balanced it [mention]Mossman[/mention]. Just haven’t gotten to it because it’s functioning pretty well for my needs right now.

nomadh · Mon Nov 02, 2020 2:25 am

Totally pro. I hope to pull something like this off someday. Beginning to end and all the filling. But I'll probably watch tv instead

RockYoWorld · Mon Nov 02, 2020 9:18 am

Soundcloud says it can't find the track, so I'm assuming you pulled it down. Reply to this thread if you decide to put it back up!

Milkman · Mon Nov 02, 2020 9:19 am

Hey [mention]RockYoWorld[/mention] , I didn’t pull it down... still appears there for me (?).

RockYoWorld · Mon Nov 02, 2020 4:50 pm

Milkman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 9:19 am Hey @RockYoWorld , I didn’t pull it down... still appears there for me (?).

It's available now. Sounds good! Great job and thanks for sharing!

Milkman · Mon Nov 02, 2020 4:56 pm

Thanks everyone!

Mixing in the digital age really is a blessing and a curse... I could only dream of results like that back in the early 90’s (on a Tascam 4 track).... but, the easy, unlimited do-overs can really mess your head!

I’m not gonna touch it, I’m not gonna touch it....

Rollin Hand · Mon Nov 02, 2020 8:17 pm

Milkman wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 4:56 pm Thanks everyone!

Mixing in the digital age really is a blessing and a curse... I could only dream of results like that back in the early 90’s (on a Tascam 4 track).... but, the easy, unlimited do-overs can really mess your head!

I’m not gonna touch it, I’m not gonna touch it....

You're just getting in touch with your inner Mutt Lange.

"One more! The 189th time is the charm! Then we can start layering in the downtuned mandolins."

Milkman · Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:10 pm

Hey [mention]Mossman[/mention] , you bumped my memory about balancing the Pyle microphone, so I cracked it open and found that it's already done! I got one of these when they first appeared, so I don't think it came balanced, I'm pretty sure my unbalanced brain simply forgot having done it.

Mossman · Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:55 pm

Milkman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:10 pm Hey @Mossman , you bumped my memory about balancing the Pyle microphone, so I cracked it open and found that it's already done! I got one of these when they first appeared, so I don't think it came balanced, I'm pretty sure my unbalanced brain simply forgot having done it.

Some of those mics came balanced from the factory. From what I understand, if it comes with an XLR to XLR cable, then its balanced, but if it comes with an XLR to TRS then it's unbalanced. I just bought mine about a year ago, and thought I would get a balanced mic, but it came with the XLR to TRS cable. I haven't even taken it apart to look at the wiring yet, though.

tlarson58 · Fri Nov 13, 2020 3:40 am

Four on the floor.

I don't know what that means but I've heard it somewhere and it seems appropriate for this song. Strong work.