Dream Theater clip (7 string, Mark III)

[philb]

So I'm learning how to use my new mastering software (Izotope and Har-Bal) and I'm also learning a DT song (the Dark Eternal night from Systematic Chaos), so I thought I'd record a *very* small sample for your listening pleasure. It's the song outro.

Before I get too excited on the mix though, I thought I'd share it here and get some feedback, tone, mix, levels, etc...

All I can say is Izotope beats the Yamaha master package hands down. Plus the Har-Bal software is great to tweak the mix.


http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=24884

 

[Ultron]

sounds killer man! Are those MC90's? I just got my III back from Mike B....man, that amp practically plays itself....it kicks much ass!

 

[philb]

sounds killer man! Are those MC90's? I just got my III back from Mike B....man, that amp practically plays itself....it kicks much ass!

Thanks ! No I have V30 in the cab. I'm thinking seriously of sending my Mark III to Mike B. I'm pretty satisfied with the tone I get now but I know Mike could improve it some more.

 

[ke2]

Damn, that was one meaty guitar sound, Phil!
I think it sounds really good, it`s my kind of sound

 

[Ultron]

sounds killer man! Are those MC90's? I just got my III back from Mike B....man, that amp practically plays itself....it kicks much ass!

Thanks ! No I have V30 in the cab. I'm thinking seriously of sending my Mark III to Mike B. I'm pretty satisfied with the tone I get now but I know Mike could improve it some more.

Those V30s sound great. My III Blue Stripe had been modded, Mike told me. The previous owner had removed a cap, making it brighter, bitier. I liked the way it sounded, so he left it. I just love the way the III responds to picking.....it's almost like the note comes out before you pick it.

 

[Code001]

If you ever send it to Mike B., let us know how it turns out. As far as the clip goes, it seems like you have too much gain. Have you tried backing down the gain and boosting the amp? During that portion of the song, JP was boosting his IV with a ZW-44.

 

[Ultron]

....too much gain....

DOES NOT COMPUTE

 

[philb]

If you ever send it to Mike B., let us know how it turns out. As far as the clip goes, it seems like you have too much gain. Have you tried backing down the gain and boosting the amp? During that portion of the song, JP was boosting his IV with a ZW-44.

Yeah, I thought the gain was a little to high as well. I would try reducing the gain on the lead channel first and see what that does.

 

[philb]

Damn, that was one meaty guitar sound, Phil!
I think it sounds really good, it`s my kind of sound

Thanks Knut !

 

[Digital Jams]

Well if you are shooting for JP levels yeah a tad less gain but screw that crap......freaking sounds awesome Phil

 

[amiller]

Damn! dat was fat!!!

I've got a copy of Har-Bal but have yet to get it to make any real improvements...guess I need to work with it some more.

 

[philb]

Well if you are shooting for JP levels yeah a tad less gain but screw that crap......freaking sounds awesome Phil

Thanks Scott! There's a lot of interaction to get the sound just right and make it still sound good after mastering.

 

[philb]

Damn! dat was fat!!!

I've got a copy of Har-Bal but have yet to get it to make any real improvements...guess I need to work with it some more.

Thanks Al,
I use Izotope first to get the levels just right . I then tweak with Har-Bal with a reference file.
Have you tried using the reference file? I create a file using a song that has the same attributes level and style wise and match the curve using Har-Bal to match the reference file. It gets very close.

And you can hear while playing to clip in real time what the changes are doing.
It's pretty cool!

 

[Digital Jams]

Well if you are shooting for JP levels yeah a tad less gain but screw that crap......freaking sounds awesome Phil

Thanks Scott! There's a lot of interaction to get the sound just right and make it still sound good after mastering.

Oh I am learning...slow....but learning.

Yeah.....the low end mutes could be tighter and sharper perhaps but the overall voicing is great!

 

[philb]

Well if you are shooting for JP levels yeah a tad less gain but screw that crap......freaking sounds awesome Phil

Thanks Scott! There's a lot of interaction to get the sound just right and make it still sound good after mastering.

Oh I am learning...slow....but learning.

Yeah.....the low end mutes could be tighter and sharper perhaps but the overall voicing is great!

The low end is kinda mushy on the lead channel, the voicing is what I like about the Mark III and is great (as you mentioned).
I have to see if I can improve it on my own before I break down and send it to Mike B.

 

[amiller]

Damn! dat was fat!!!

I've got a copy of Har-Bal but have yet to get it to make any real improvements...guess I need to work with it some more.

Thanks Al,
I use Izotope first to get the levels just right . I then tweak with Har-Bal with a reference file.
Have you tried using the reference file? I create a file using a song that has the same attributes level and style wise and match the curve using Har-Bal to match the reference file. It gets very close.

And you can hear while playing to clip in real time what the changes are doing.
It's pretty cool!

Hmmmm...I'll have to give the reference file method a try...sounds promising.