First Project in Cubase w/ pretend mastering

[docman]

Here it is, my very first project in Cubase LE. I used this instrumental to try to begin to learn the software. This took me about a week to record and mix down.

First things first: Cubase (even LE) kicks ass over my Roland 8 track!

MP3 Link:
SoundClick artist: Josh Hantman - page with MP3 music downloads

I just got Cubase Studio 4 Upgrade yesterday so I'm psyched!

When I compared the final mixdown to my reference songs, it wasn't loud nor bright enough. So I compressed the crap out of it and added highs on the 2bus until it had similar tone to my reference songs (Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc.,).

In order to get the volume I had to push it so it read as distorting on the 2bus level meters in Cubase, but just a hair below the level at which it got obviously distorted.

Please critique!

[jdaug]

it sounds like you picked up cubase pretty well! this song is cool. it had plenty of volume and brightness, so I guess you fixed that on the 2bus. overall mix sounds really good, I can hear all the instruments no problem. I dont like the choice of bass tone or style (was this sequenced or real bass?), but thats personal pref. I do like the tone of the distorted rhythmn guitar. it sounds really compressed, like in a cave. Unique tone. Did you record the electric guitars direct or mic'ed? Either way they sound good. I dont know if this song is just a scratch pad for cubase practice or final version, but I found it was either a little too long or a little too repetitive. All the performances were well done though.

you are going through the exact same gear evolution as I did about 10 months ago. I had a roland VS880, then got cubase LE, then upgraded to studio 4 after about 2 months with LE. Studio 4 is great and I cant see needing anything more unless I need to record in 5.1

Nice work!!

[docman]

Thanks!

I had a hard time getting the bass tone I wanted for the song. I ended up using my electric bass through my guitar amp miced, with a little overdrive. I tried a cleaner tone going direct, but it didn't sound good to me. Maybe part of the reason is that the song is in D tuning, so the low E was flopping around all over. Much of the bass is playing in unison with a distorted rhythm guitar.

I'm curious what type of bass tone you would use, something cleaner?

The electrics are all played through my Crate guitar amp miced with an SM 58. Almost all the electric parts are doubled either by playing the same thing twice or by copying the track.

It does seem to get a little tedious, (especially for the non-guitar player I bet). It's hard to keep an all-guitar instrumental insteresting for more than a few minutes.

[jhall]

Nice!! I liked it a lot. I can't seem to do as well as you. The guitar tone is awsome!!
Almost sounds like a talk box. I found the bass to sound fine. All my recordings ( I suck at bass anyway) seem to be very muddy in the lows to me. That isn't a problem in your recording at all. I'm kinda jealous actually!!
Congrats on a good mix!

[docman]

Thanks dude, you made my day with your comments!

[Laura]

Originally Posted by docman

Almost all the electric parts are doubled either by playing the same thing twice or by copying the track.

It does seem to get a little tedious, (especially for the non-guitar player I bet). It's hard to keep an all-guitar instrumental insteresting for more than a few minutes.

I really enjoyed this track!!! "Prog-rock isn't dead after all, or maybe it's making a comeback." By which I mean, rock that is well-composed and goes beyond the cliches.

I'm curious if this is a whole band or just you. I am just learning to record, and I haven't played that long either. The hardest thing I have found is getting the parts in sync. I spoze if you practice them nonstop for 24 hours or so...

Your composition reminds me of one of my fave instrumental bands, Fourth Estate. Keep up the good work!