The Walking Shred!!!

[BenoA]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I always dig whatever you post.

Anyway you could share your Podfarm patches?

[fullmetalguitar]

Thanks again guys. I've gotten a lot of people saying that the title track, Breaking Point, is one of their favorites. Not just on this site, but from other people as well. Maybe I should put that one up on youtube.

Kempo, what model Charvel(s) do you have?

Beno, here you go:

-For rhythm guitar I use the Solo 100 Head, Medium Hall reverb, and Noise Gate; 4x12 1996 Brit Celest cabinet w/ 421 Dynamic mic.
-For guitar solos I use the Solo 100 Head, Medium Hall reverb, Digital Delay, and Noise Gate; 4x12 2001 Line 6 cabinet w/ 421 Dynamic mic.
(for Lockdown, I added the green Screamer pedal for the bridge pickup solos)
On some stuff I have also used the Line 6 Spinal Puppet amp head.

Ok, I put up the title track on youtube if anyone wants to check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9CFw...ature=youtu.be

[Kempo Bulldog]

I have the promod wild card #4. I opted for the HSS configuration for versatility and hoped that the JB in the bridge would be good for 80's metal tone. You helped justify that decision.

[horns666]

80's Shrapnel inspired for certain.

Rich, Very nice feel and phrasing ..and when knowing not to over-play. Unfortunately or not, I never had that kinda restraint.

I just play alot of poop as fast as I can..and try to keep the suck factor out.

[Rupe]

Cool song and nice playing...well done! I have the same production issue with this though as I had with your earlier album that you asked for critiques on...the drums sound too clean/pristine and sit too far forward in the mix. You'd be doing yourself and your music a huge favor by tracking live drums or at least mixing the sampled drums a bit better so they feel more integrated into the "whole".

[Hellbat]

Cool song and nice playing...well done! I have the same production issue with this though as I had with your earlier album that you asked for critiques on...the drums sound too clean/pristine and sit too far forward in the mix. You'd be doing yourself and your music a huge favor by tracking live drums or at least mixing the sampled drums a bit better so they feel more integrated into the "whole".

I will second Rupe on this. The drums were a distraction. The bass is fine and the guitar is great but the drums sound like they are programmed using an old school grid style system. The only thing holding this back from being a killer track for me is the drums. You need to hook up with a real drummer to work on these with you.

[fullmetalguitar]

As always guys, thanks so much for listening. I appreciate each and every comment.

About the drums. The drums on this new track as well as all the drums from CD were done with the Alesis SR-16 drum machine. I've had that thing for about 20 years I guess. I'm so used to the sound of it, that it doesn't bother me at all. But I'd be an idiot to completely ignore what others are saying. Honestly, I'm pretty happy with the drums although there are lots of limitations. It is what it is. I totally agree that using a real live drummer would add a lot to the songs. But I guess it's a matter of time and convenience. Music is just a hobby for me, not a career. Going through the process of having real drums would be a lot more time consuming.

What I am interested in is getting better drums that I can still do by myself at home. Unfortunately I don't know anything about what's available. Is there software where you can build a song? Perhaps with "real" drum samples? I'd love some advice. Thanks guys.

[Rupe]

I've used the SR-16 in the past with pretty good results. You're issue is in post-production/mixdown/mastering...the drums are simply too hot and don't sit well within the mix...they sound too "out front" and disconnected IMO.

[Hellbat]

The Toontrack EZ Drummer/Superior drummer line seems to be good. Maybe Rupe's advice is good too, it might just be mixing. I'm no producer, just the drums sounded too machine like for me. Everything is too perfectly on the beat (or quarter or 16th) and there isn't a groove like the guitar and bass have.

[fullmetalguitar]

Well, you guys have helped me to open up a huge can of worms. There are several drum software programs, such as EZDrummer, Superior Drummer, and Addictive Drums. Tons of reviews to read. Too many actually. Some say this one is the greatest thing EVER, and another review says it's horrible. Also, you have to have a DAW with MIDI in order to program the beats and put together your own song. I'm using Guitar Tracks Pro v. 3 which does not have MIDI. I'm still doing research.