Please listen and critique my music

[jonbird79]

Hey guys,

I've got a few songs uploaded on my myspace page. The problem is I can never tell if people genuinely like my music or they are just being polite. I need real feedback.. good or bad. Please take a moment to listen to some songs at the following link.

Thanks!!

Jon

http://www.myspace.com/simplejonmusic

[sedativechunk]

If you want an honest strict critique on your songs, that is what I will give you.

First off, need to work on your mixing and mastering in your songs. A good example of your not-so-good mixing skills is in your "A Demon Bliss" song, along with nearly all your other songs. It always sounds like the guitar is draining out your voice and it makes it hard to hear the vocals. Make sure all the levels are well balanced and near equal on the mixer.

Next, let's get to the guitar and "the stereo spectrum". I've been playing guitar for nearly 6 years and I'm a record-a-holic with the guitar, so I can give you some good pointers on kick ass guitar recordings. Let's talk about the stereo, first.
All your songs sound too centered. The vocals and guitar is all in the center of the stereo spectrum, this is partly a blame for your vocals being drained out. I will give you some good tips on guitar recording. Something that the professionals do that I do is, record your guitar parts twice. Set one guitar recording's panning like 50% to the left, and set the other 50% to the right. Put them to play together at the same time with the volume at 50% on both of them and it should sound beautiful. Already, your songs will drastically improve. Make sure to set both guitars to one mixer channel if possible, it depends on what software you are using to record, but if you try to equalize two guitars on 2 seperate mixer channels, the guitar will be too loud. If you assign it to one, you can adjust the volume of both.
Before I end talking about the guitar, I would say you could recording some nicer playing and make sure the guitar is in tune. Some parts sound the slightest hair out of tune. A normal person won't notice,but someone who plays guitar and isn't tone deaf will! Fret the frets solid, get the guitar in tune as good as possible, and record your guitar parts multiple times. In recordings, there is no room for mistakes.

Now let's get to your vocals. You are in no way a bad singer, but you definitely need some work. You go out of pitch on nearly all your songs by the slightest hair and you need to work on your dynamics. Too many of your songs get boring because the vocals are monotonic. By the way, I also use to do vocals and had years of learning in school, I was a orchestral choir as well.
Your influences were Johnny Cash and Metallica, I can definitely hear it in your songs. I'm going to be honest, though, I think you need to experiment with your vocals more. You don't got that deep ballsy voice that Cash had, you may or may not nail it, but try some different styles of vocals, cause it sounds kind of fake...

I went hella picky on your songs but you wanted a serious critique. I have to say, your acoustic guitar recordings sound much better than any I have tried, I'm an electric person more than anything. The guitar parts also sound very solid, just follow the tips I gave you on recording and tuning.
Lastly, you got balls making this kind of music, I could never do this kind of stuff, vocal and guitar, it's very difficult. Keep it up, you are on your way. Focus on improving your recording and vocal skills and you may some day get a record deal!

[jonbird79]

Thanks for the feedback!! It re-affirms exactly what I already knew.. that I'm a good song writer that sux at recording!! I will definitely put your ideas and suggestions to test and re-record things. I appreciate it!

[Bops2000]

I didn't read sedativ's response, as it looks like he did some math.

Don't get discouraged, and by no means, adjust the things you find absolute in your opinion.

As well as always seek the fringe of ideas of the known, and take those ideas further.

To know the art, is nothing more than to know the artists before you.

To create, is your own absolute, (you have no choice here), where, your resemblence of the masters you hold true to the execution of your art may or may not be within your endeavor, (again, you really have no choice here).

You are defined by your field of vision, the best you can do to, is to expand your field, and enjoy your paths of choice with confidence.

You will never, ever please anyone through art, you should be able to please most through your genuineity.

I shaddup now

[jonbird79]

Too-Shay my friend.. appreciate the words. I will keep at it!