Im fairly proud of this one, "Edge of Sanity"

[gemini8026]

Thanks ToeJam.

A lot of you may be peeking on my webpage and saying "what the hell is this other crap". Basically, since I got my gear, I have been trying a little bit of everything. Some indy style, some rock style, and some "im trying to impress chicks style"

However, with these last two songs, I feel proud to play them and I like the style. It's not cheese, yet it is relatable. I have written them after various emotions I have felt in the last little while.

Anyhow, after hearing all these nice comments, I have sat all day working on some new riffs. I have some great stuff thats on the way, and if anyone wants to collaborate, Id be more then happy too!!! It is REALLY tough to be original. I play a riff and think THIS IS GREAT, only to realise it was some Jon Schaffer wrote, or one of Steve Harris's barinchildren, etc. etc.

As for bands and albums.... I live in a small community, I have enquired about playing with people, but there is no one around so I am forced to work and play alone.

Hearing stuff like "I enjoyed that" is payment enough for me.

I'll be posting something new soon!!!!

[gemini8026]

p.s - I have received a few emails regarding how I "get my sound"

Im sure a lot of you have messed around with Cubase, but there are two things that completely do the trick for me.


Waves SSL plugins featuring the Chris Lord Alge presets (popular mixer) and Izotope Ozone for basic mastering. When I tried out some various alge presets I finally found the "sound" I hear on the radio. From there, the stock presets in Ozone help a person master and level out the song. It's not rocket science, and for those of you looking for a more refined sound, it could really help out!

Other then that, it's cheap gear. 100$ M-audio card, and a 100$ M-audio preamp, 100$ Mic.

Oh, forgot to mention I use Guitar Rig 3 for Guitar and Bass. My bass tracks always sounded like ass, and Endrik gave me some great tips a while back regarding my tone. It's still not perfect but a lot better!!!

[delt]

Listening again, very good song. I wish i could sing even half as good as that, or write lyrics that make sense. For "not being a good soloist", you came up with a pretty decent lead break in this one

My bass tracks always sounded like ass, and Endrik gave me some great tips a while back regarding my tone.

Please share with the rest of us clumsy wannabe-bassist guitar players

[Sunbane]

This kicks ass. Even though the Maiden influences are very tangible, you can tell that it wasn't written by Harris - and I mean that in a positive way. I think it has a little bit of punk flavor to it, actually. Btw - great melodies, and a memorable chorus!

[StukaJU87]

Listening now. Friggin' rock, bro. I may be off base here, but to me, it has a Boy Sets Fire feel to it. Powerful, melodic, cool.

[Endrik]

for such gear the results are pretty decent man, and you wrote some hooks too.

If you want to make the drums sound less like a drum machine durning the fills you have to change to volume level of certain drum samples to add humanlike dynamics.
It would be great if you can use mics when you are recording the drums, you don't have to use the miced tracks at all, but you can use them as guides how to adjust the volume level on your samples.
Humans are not perfect, every hit has a different volume level, that's what makes a good live drummer on a real drumkit sound great and expressive.
If there's a certain fill/motif/phrase/lick or whatever wich consists of many notes/hits (on snare and/or toms) then those notes can't have the same volume level.
If you record with a mic, then you see on a wave how some hits are stronger and some are weaker.
You just adjust the sample levels after the wave file.
When the wave peak is very high, then the sample's volume level should be about 100%, when the peak is very low, then the sample's volume should be about 10% or 20%, when the peak is in the middle, then the sample's volume should be about 50%.
You can do it without the mics and wave track too but then you have to guess the humanlike uneveness.
Let's say there's a snare fill of five 16th note hits, then you would do something like this, the first hit sample volume level is 100%, the second hit volume level is 80%, the third hit volume level is 90%, fourth is 65%, fifth is 85%. Or something like that.

[gemini8026]

ahh, good tips Endrik, Ill play around with such ideas, and see if I can get a more Human effect!

[horns666]

Jeff , I've listened to both. Very good job man!! The maiden inflence is obvious , but you have your own style. Adding double kicks would put you in Helloween territory. I like the vocals a little better in "Letting Go", grittier I guess..which I like. Endrik is right about drum machines. But your recording didn't sound blatantly obvious like many quality recordings I've heard. In fact, I'm wondering about doing that myself. I want as perfect meter as possible, and that would do it...hmmmm.

Nice writing, playing!!

Bill Z

[gemini8026]

thanks bill, I appreciate you taking the time to listen and post! Now we just need to get the epic "Bed of Nails" professionally recorded in the studio and start a JCF compilation CD!

Im already half done a great new tune, dedicated to the JCF

[Flametop]

I hope you don't take this comment in a bad way, but....
I just clicked on the first song link (Edge of Sanity) while sitting here in the dark in front of the glow of my monitor and kept reading the thread. As I was listening and reading, I was thinking that this would be a perfect song to hear at the end of a kick ass movie on the big screen. I'd probably bet that wasn't the vibe you were going for. But as a musician, I hope it's some satisfaction to know that you move listeners to think in different directions. I liked it a lot. Good job.

[gemini8026]

Thanks Flame. Truthfully, Im flying high the last few days since Ive heard some of these comments. I've posted a few songs in the past, but Ive heard the few generic comments, but this stuff really makes it worth it. I have no major aspirations of being a performer, so these kinds of compliments make it all worth it.

These two songs are my "building blocks", here's a few more I did, the rejection one was kinda lame, but as mentioned before, I am experimineting with different sounds and styles. The returns one is an epic tune that was inspired by Iced Earths "Dracula"

http://www.kainziw.com/returns.html

http://www.kainziw.com/rejection.html

these arent as good, but since people are taking an interest, Im happy to post them.

I wont lie to you, I post these songs on my shitty little web page, and they get mebbe 20-30 hits. In the last few days I have had over 300 for the two songs posted above.
Ive also experimented with "chick songs" in hopes of meeting some and suckering them in, but it has failed and gotten me nothing.

http://www.kainziw.com/ii.html

http://www.kainziw.com/onemoretime.html

Those are GAY, but I now know what style I want to stick with.


Anyhow, I'll refrain from pawning off more of the average music, and get back to working on the next tune!

Once again, big thanks guys, you've made my holiday season!!!!

[///MK]

ROCK ON

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD SONG ROCKS. IF YOU WERE IN A BAND IT WOULD BE THAT MUCH BETTER. (REAL DRUMMER ETC)
\m/

[MikeStrat]

I like it. Great job! I hear Maiden, Twisted Sister and a few other influences in there.

[stevieb91]

Just listened to the first two and my only complaint is that I can't listen to them in my truck on the way to work. Awesome all the way around..

[Nuclear Vampire]

Wow, that is killer! Traditional Metal with a bit of a punk gang vocal. Nice. The mix and overall sound is fucking great. I poked around on your site and listened to a few songs and I am very impressed. I like Letting Go as well. You're one hell of a talented dude. Keep it up!