Tell me what you think!!!

**porterhouse** · November 23rd, 2004, 04:58 AM

Hey, I just recently put up a website. It still needs some polishing but I've got a bunch of audio and video samples under the music tab. I wanted you guys to check them out and let me know what you think...honestly. I'm totally cool with critique. Hell, I want to hear it! Thanks

www.chuckbarchuk.com

cjbdrm · November 23rd, 2004, 05:12 AM

A wise man once said:

"you never get a second chance to make a good first impression..."

Lose the drum "demo tracks", bro'. Trust me on this one. There are plenty of "play-alongs" or "music minus drums" stuff out there.

My advice to you is to pick 4 or 5 play-alongs that showcase your strengths- practice them like hell, then go lay down drum tracks on them. I would either bring in a more experienced engineer or go somewhere else completely. That's about as nice as I can put it. A good recording can make you sound better than you are, to some degree. In your case, it's just the opposite.

I think your playing on the Nathan Davis demo tracks is solid, interesting, and for the most part, appropriate. But the drum sound and overall mix makes me cringe to listen to it. It sounds like the drums were recorded with 1 radio shack mic from 25 feet away.

Just trying to help....you can thank me later!

[img]wink.gif[/img]

[ November 23, 2004 01:14 AM: Message edited by: cjbdrm ]

**porterhouse** · November 23rd, 2004, 06:01 AM

cjbdrm, thanks for the input man. Honestly the main reason I posted solo drum tracks was display versatility in other styles cause I simply didn't have any 'good' recordings of me with bands playing those specific styles. It kind of sucks but I hear where your coming from and some play along tracks would of been a good idea. I wish I go back and do a good recording with those groups. So I figured it was the next best thing. But I'm going to put more group oriented stuff on there as I go. And man your like the 7th person to tell me the drum sound is terrible. I don't know what kind of mics he used but I'm getting the feeling like I should get me money back lol!!! The studio has produced some nice stuff for many different groups. I dunno, I'm starting to feel a bit cheated! But I appreciate the feedback nonetheless. Peace

[ November 23, 2004 02:04 AM: Message edited by: porterhouse ]

[ November 23, 2004 02:07 AM: Message edited by: porterhouse ]

**porterhouse** · November 23rd, 2004, 06:13 AM

I almost forgot. Dazz, the hip hop example was basically a swing hip hop feel or a swung funk type of thing and your right I did think I overplayed during it a bit but I wasn't playing to music so I guess I sort of looked at each style as a groove/solo type of thing. But I'm totally with ya on not playing too many notes. Now it obviously depends on the style. I mean a fusion type of thing will be busier than say maybe a straight ahead rock feel. I love the space in between the notes too man. I totally dig it. But your words are well received. Peace

**juanexpo** · November 23rd, 2004, 06:53 AM

Chuck, you are going to win the CRITICS ARE WELCOME price.
As far as the sound. Maybe the "problem" is not in the mics, but in the mix. So, maybe you can back to the mixboard and do it again. If the sound doesn?t improve, then...another studio.
The playalong work is a good idea, if you haven?t recordings that represent your playing in different styles with bands yet.

keep the good work.

[ November 23, 2004 08:37 AM: Message edited by: JuanExpo ]

**Dazzler** · November 23rd, 2004, 10:47 AM

PorterHouse... [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/music.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]

**Sweep** · November 23rd, 2004, 11:08 PM

Great site..... I agree with alot of the things people have said above.....

I just wanted to post to say how great it is to read your positive replies to constuctive criticism.....

[img]cool.gif[/img]

**porterhouse** · November 24th, 2004, 06:09 AM

Hey sweep,

thanks man. I'm didn't post my stuff to say "hey I'm the greatest in the world!" I wanted some constructive critique( Is that spelled correctly, I've had a few beers tonight!) from some of the greats on this website. You are all bad ass players and I wanted your input...period. Thanks again

**Gary Linieres** · November 24th, 2004, 12:21 PM

Ah Porterhouse.....you are a man indeed. I echo everything Daz and others have said....

If you are using the site to showcase yourself to potentialbands/artists then just publishing drums is definately not gonna put you in the shop window as well as some tasty snippets of different music styles...with the music.

I think you have good technique in there....you just need to dress it up in the appropriate clothing.

Nice to see someone who has the poise to debate this stuff without getting the nickers in a twist.

Others take note....you know who you are.