Guitar Effects

[Girl Friday]

This is a first for me! LOL! I've used vocal effects on PS5, but never the guitar effects. I can't remember what it was called, but it's just a little dreamy. I'm playing my Martin Acoustic electric. The song I'm using it in is called Broken Things and is posted first on my MySpace page. Threw in a little strings too.

[chrisr]

Hi GF,

Long time no see !

Song very well recorded, and - as usual - very well played and sung.

The guitar effect goes very well with this kind of song, indeed.

Hey, when will your EP be released, GF ? We're all waiting....(you as well, I guess) !

Chris

[Girl Friday]

Hi!!! I've missed you all! It's been pretty hopping around here! I had a WONDERFUL time in NY. I met some really great people, and the singing experience was lovely. All that's left to do on the EP is finishing touches....but we all know that the finishing touches make the world of difference!! Mixing, mastering, etc. It should be ready by the beginning of summer. I try to keep postings current on my blogs and in my pics for those following my little journey. I posted some pictures from the recording sessions, too! It's been a GREAT learning experience, and SO MUCH FUN!!!! ;D

[sgulley]

Can't wait to hear your studio stuff!
I'm also glad to hear that you're enjoying your music ventures so much!

This song is top-notch:
Excellent vocals, strings, and excellent guitar parts.
The lyrical content sends a great Christian message.
Some really great harmonic sounds also.

The only shortfall is the limitations of the PS5 are evident as well as EQ and stereo-imaging problems. I could see this song placing high on a Contemp. Christian radio station.

[mcarp555]

Very nice, but I agree with Stan that it does push the PS5 to it's limits. The vocals in particular have a bit of harshness to them that sound like the preamp being taxed. It's a common problem with the blue box caused by excessive SPLs on the mic. This isn't the headset mic by any chance, is it?

I'd also like to have some low end to balance out all the mids and highs. A few times when the strings would hit a low note it was a welcome thing. I kept waiting for the drums to come in.

When you use guitar FX, I'd suggest cranking up the NspA filter to take out the hiss. It can clean up a lot of the guitar sounds, and it would take that 'radio static' out at the very end. But you have to do it when you're putting down the track - you can't mix it that way afterwards.

That aside, it's okay. Guitar intro reminds me a lot of one of your other tunes, but I can't recall which one. Bach recycled stuff too.

[Tom]

Hi GF,

Nice song, as always. Well written and well played.

I will confess that, despite having the new Korg MTR, the PS5 (12-string effect) remains in my guitar input signal chain right behind the Digitech pedal. The effects do generate some noise, so I silence the noise as much as possible using the noise gate function as Mike described. I am also careful to have the REVERB setting for the INPUT I am using set to 0, as I think it conflicts with a reverb component of the effect itself to create even more noise.

Congrads on New York gig -- glad you had so much fun doing it.

Tom

[sgulley]

Using the PS5 as an FX box is not a bad idea at all but will limit the dynamic range for your vocals. With guitar tracks it really isn't noticable so you have some good FX choices w/o purchasing a bunch of FX boxes. Yea, dialing in Noise Suppression when turning on the FX button on 90% of the choices is an almost absolute, plus doing some FX tweaks for your sound.

The main thing at this point is to get the best from your mixes that you possibly can, and continue to educate and improve along with your songs. Nothing needs to be said about your song writing and music skills. Those are evident!