When you guys buy an album...

[Stratboy151]

Specifically instrumental guitar stuff, what makes you buy it? The tunes? The melodies? The tones? The chops? The album art? Im just curious as im recording my solo project, and trying to create something that appeals to a wide range of people.

 

[mightyjoeyoungxnj]

Specifically instrumental guitar stuff, what makes you buy it? The tunes? The melodies? The tones? The chops? The album art? Im just curious as im recording my solo project, and trying to create something that appeals to a wide range of people.

I like the whole package, but it honestly starts with the player(s). I will hear a tune online usually, or a sample, and will buy based on that song. If I dig it, I definitely need to have it.

But, when bands also have great tone, awesome packaging, cool layout, it is the icing on the cake. Two prime examples for me are Plankton and Guthrie Govan. I don't listen to a ton of instrumental stuff, but these two are my absolute favorites. Pro recording, great tone, cool artwork/packaging, and tasteful licks.

In the end, if the playing is great, people will receive it well it my opinion.

Good luck with the disc!

-Joe

 

[Digital Jams]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............................

1. Has to have some diversity, maybe some atmoshere type stuff, burn down the house chops, etc......
2. Chops
3. Production....guitars sounding big, good sounding drums, etc.....


That said when you get your disk out I am buying that no doubt I needs me some Jazz Metal!

 

[Gainfreak]

Specifically instrumental guitar stuff, what makes you buy it? The tunes? The melodies? The tones? The chops? The album art? Im just curious as im recording my solo project, and trying to create something that appeals to a wide range of people.

All of the above accept for the Artwork (could care less actually!)

Ever since the Shrapnel days, Im more of a stickler for tone because most of those guys had shit for tone and it was unlistenable at times.

here is what I Think

Great melodies will appeal to non musicians as much as Musicians and will separate you from the many shred head guys out today who can't write a tune to save ther lives.

The tones will separate you from the other guys who neglect that aspect. There are more guys out now then ever who are satisfied with the POD nbasic tone without tweeks and there music suffers because of it. Great Tone is very powerfull and will set you apart. There are lesser players who will hit you harder because of there sound.

Great chops will appeal to the guitarists. Put the chops in the context of a killer song and it will separate you from most of the shredders.

Production is another key and will have an affect on how people perceive your CD and playing. Listen to VanHalen 1 and then listen to VH III


all the best!!

~R~

 

[mrp5150]

Great melodies will appeal to non musicians as much as Musicians and will separate you from the many shred head guys out today who can't write a tune to save ther lives.

+1

 

[Stratboy151]

im gonna have to borrow a bunch of gear from all you guys! i need more than my mark iv..

 

[mentoneman]

i have a theory about more and more "self produced" music.

when artists used to rely on veteran producers who new the business and the craft, and work in real studios, you'd end up with an end product that was both sonically superior and musically complete. tastefully and artistically thorough. an artist enjoyed the benefit of simply seeking an inspirational performance, and the producer brought their years of experience (reliably recording the takes and managing tracking notes and media---helping manicure songs and arrangements---how to motivate the performers---which support players to hire---which mic works best with which pre/comp--how does it fit the performer's style---how will that project through to the final mix---how to create a unity and flow to the overall project) and hyper critical listening stills to the project to create reliably perfect results.

i've been in four major studios in my life...conway, record one, warner brothers, and A&M, and just being there is inspirational, and comforting, knowing that every possible tool and resource is at your disposal.
i've also been to several smaller professional studios in orange country and riverside, and several very well designed and outfitted home studios.

nowadays rookies are *recording* in their home studios by themselves with no training except some internet rhetoric, no vision, no experience, no sounding board, impressing themselves with the outcome, and then experiencing very limited response. conversely, it seems that truly talented musicians overcome several obstacles like these and manage to wind up with pretty decent end results.

sometimes i'm shocked at how bad a cd sounds when the artist is very gifted, sometimes i'm shocked at how great a cd sounds coming from a musician i don't particularly find all that talented.

do yourself a huge favor and at least talk to a real studio in your area about possibly tracking some music there and how much it would cost; at the very least you'll gte a tour of a nice facility, and also seek out a mastering studio and get some info about that end as well. mastering engineers are very helpful in regards to avoiding common pitfalls with respect to what it is they are looking for from clients...formats, levels, media...what it is you should be aiming for in your final mix prior to mastering.

i have a very simon cowell approach to all things musical.

 

[ratter]

Great melodies will appeal to non musicians as much as Musicians and will separate you from the many shred head guys out today who can't write a tune to save ther lives.

+100000. Case in point, Satch.

The last instrumental guitar cd I bought was Nicola Costa. Good combination of tunes, chops, and tone. In that order - that's what I look for as a listener. The last one before that was Andy Timmons - Resolution. Same story.

Good luck with it!

 

[Meathead]

Great melodies will appeal to non musicians as much as Musicians and will separate you from the many shred head guys out today who can't write a tune to save ther lives.

+1

+2

Just a bunch of noodling with average tone has been done way too many times.

not saying that's what you would do...nudge, nudge

 

[Stratboy151]

i have a theory about more and more "self produced" music.

when artists used to rely on veteran producers who new the business and the craft, and work in real studios, you'd end up with an end product that was both sonically superior and musically complete. tastefully and artistically thorough. an artist enjoyed the benefit of simply seeking an inspirational performance, and the producer brought their years of experience (reliably recording the takes and managing tracking notes and media---helping manicure songs and arrangements---how to motivate the performers---which support players to hire---which mic works best with which pre/comp--how does it fit the performer's style---how will that project through to the final mix---how to create a unity and flow to the overall project) and hyper critical listening stills to the project to create reliably perfect results.

i've been in four major studios in my life...conway, record one, warner brothers, and A&M, and just being there is inspirational, and comforting, knowing that every possible tool and resource is at your disposal.
i've also been to several smaller professional studios in orange country and riverside, and several very well designed and outfitted home studios.

nowadays rookies are *recording* in their home studios by themselves with no training except some internet rhetoric, no vision, no experience, no sounding board, impressing themselves with the outcome, and then experiencing very limited response. conversely, it seems that truly talented musicians overcome several obstacles like these and manage to wind up with pretty decent end results.

sometimes i'm shocked at how bad a cd sounds when the artist is very gifted, sometimes i'm shocked at how great a cd sounds coming from a musician i don't particularly find all that talented.

do yourself a huge favor and at least talk to a real studio in your area about possibly tracking some music there and how much it would cost; at the very least you'll gte a tour of a nice facility, and also seek out a mastering studio and get some info about that end as well. mastering engineers are very helpful in regards to avoiding common pitfalls with respect to what it is they are looking for from clients...formats, levels, media...what it is you should be aiming for in your final mix prior to mastering.

i have a very simon cowell approach to all things musical.

im not doing this at home.....

 

[dstroud]

I guess for me it's all about the song. I consider Satch an average player with average chops and just below average tone, but I've bought more of his cd's than anyone else just cause I like his songs so much. Album art doesn't matter, but if there's gear pics from the recording process, that's always cool.

 

[Digital Jams]

I bought The Cars Candy-O due to the HAWT betty on the cover

 

[griff10672]

I bought The Cars Candy-O due to the HAWT betty on the cover

your not alone

 

[Meathead]

I bought The Cars Candy-O due to the HAWT betty on the cover

The Cars - The Cars is better!

 

[PeteLaramee]

I usually go for melody, but when I hear something that involuntarily makes the hair on my neck stand on end I'll buy it in a second.

 

[danhops]

the Shrapnel days, Im more of a stickler for tone because most of those guys had shit for tone and it was unlistenable at times.

That always bugged the shit outta me with those albums. Some great players and some of the worst tone ever on CD. It wasnt always just the guitar either. Its almost as if the people working on them went out of their way to make em sound like shit.

 

[dstroud]

the Shrapnel days, Im more of a stickler for tone because most of those guys had shit for tone and it was unlistenable at times.

That always bugged the shit outta me with those albums. Some great players and some of the worst tone ever on CD. It wasnt always just the guitar either. Its almost as if the people working on them went out of their way to make em sound like shit.

Even Schenker's tone is really bad on his Shrapnel recordings. And I don't think it's his amp, because UFO Walk On Water has an awesome tone.

 

[Stratboy151]

i will have good tone i promise you all!!! well......good to me! haha, a perfectly overdriven strat sound may not excite you guys like it does me, so maybe we have some different opinions on that area.

 

[tweed]

release date?

 

[Stratboy151]

release date?

well to tell you the truth i havent started recording it yet lol. but i have finished the hardest part, and thats writing all the tunes. now i just need to re-record them in the studio with some good players.