Monthly Recording Challenge 60 - "Open Mic Night"

[UncleHammy]

This month's theme comes to us from  @Randy120.  

Theme:  Open Mic Night 

Description:  Any song, any genre, any style, any lyrics, any thing goes.  The only rule is you have to play at least one track of the song on guitar. 

Deadline: 11:59 PM PST  September 30, 2018

1.  @Randy120 - "Learning to Fly"

Learning to Fly

2. @Wim VD - "Ride On"

3. @IanD - "Sound of Silence"

------------------< RULES >-------------------------
SUBMITTING: To complete the challenge, record an eligible song and reply to this thread with your your direct-linked or embedded track (Soundcloud's great) before the end of the month.

GUITAR REQUIREMENT: You must play at least one real guitar track heard in the mix.

GEAR: All content must be recorded with your home studio equipment. You may use BIAB or loops as long as you play the majority of the song with your real guitar. This is a guitar playing challenge not a sampling/recording challenge so keep that in mind.

TIME: A recording made at any time before the entry deadline counts, but do not enter a recording in more than one challenge.

ONE ENTRY per person or collaboration. But, I doubt anybody will complain if you want to share another on-theme track too.

NEXT THEME: The person to choose next month's theme will be chosen randomly from those who complete this challenge. 
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Have fun, try something new, and give us something to listen to!

Edited September 30, 2018 by UncleHammy

[colder]

I don't want to derail the thread, but what do you guys use to record acoustics? 

[UncleHammy]

I use a condenser mic (AT2020) plugged directly into my laptop.  I use Sony Acid music studio for mixing.  

 

[Randy120]

21 hours ago, colder said:

I don't want to derail the thread, but what do you guys use to record acoustics? 

I have recorded acoustics many different ways. I have used stereo microphones with one pointed at the sound hole and one pointed at the 12th fret. I have used my Fishman Loudbox Mini DI (Direct) amplifier output because the sound is great. Finally I have plugged acoustics into my limited pedal selection (Chorus and Delay) directly into the audio interface which also had good quality. Microphones can be tough unless you have a very quiet area to record in, and playing loud enough for the microphones. Better microphones mean better recordings. 

[Randy120]

Here is a new version of Tom Petty's "Learning to Fly".

Learning to Fly

[Nutty 1]

Excellent Randy, your guitar playing is superb and the vocal tracks are brilliant. That is great use of backing vocals,  I must learn how to do that.

Well done! ??

[Randy120]

@Nutty 1 Thank you! The background vocals can really be fun to do. You really need a good sense of timing. I listen closely to the original song to get the background parts in the right place. Backing vocals really add to the track. Have fun with it!

[IanD]

Great job Randy. Superb vocals!

Ian

[UncleHammy]

Great stuff @Randy120 and @Wim VD, thank you both for sharing.

BTW this is the second month in a row that people have had problems replying to this thread.  I am not sure what is going on, but if you have something you want to share you can message me with the link and I will make sure it gets posted.

Sorry for the inconvenience. 

 

[IanD]

Here's a very late entry from me. @Blue Dog suggested a while ago that I try this song. He'd been listening to the excellent 'Disturbed' version though, so I'm not sure if this is what he expected. I recorded this in the bathroom to see if the sound would be any better... apparently not ?.

Ian 

 

[UncleHammy]

Well done @IanD my wife is sitting here signing alone while I am listening, that must mean she likes it.

 

[Blue Dog]

Cool Ian, You did a great job!  I really Liked that. I liked the way you Builted it up as the song went on . Great

[Fretless]

1 hour ago, IanD said:

I recorded this in the bathroom to see if the sound would be any better... apparently not ?.

Ian, I grew up on Simon & Garfunkel and know this song well. You did a great job with it. If I wanted to be really picky, it would not be with your guitar but with not holding some of the sung notes long enough - but I couldn't do this anywhere near as good as you so I can't really criticise.

Regarding the bathroom sound, the situation is that the sound reflects off the walls and arrive at the microphone so soon after the original, direct sound and that creates the sound of being recorded in a small room. If you can find an echoey corridor, like some schools have, or a traditional church building which would have a sound like a larger version of your bathroom, then you would get the bigger sound naturally. Studio recordings usually go the opposite way: record in a nearly anechoic room and add the reverb electronically.

Edited September 30, 2018 by Fretless

[Nutty 1]

Great guitar playing on this from you @IanD, I love the way that the guitar part builds.  You have a superb singing voice.  I agree with Fretless, holding some of the notes longer would have enhanced the song.  I couldn't do it but I bet you can! 

Edited October 1, 2018 by Nutty 1

[Nutty 1]

Well played @Wim VD I have never heard that song before, very enjoyable. 

[Randy120]

Well done @Wim VD and @IanD keep the music coming.