I have a style picked for this on my Audya but it's not recorded yet. This is a rough guitar/vocal work demo. Recorded on ONE track on Tascam DR-07.

Warning: sappy love song
http://www.ttmbandroom.com/index.php?t=audio_player&song_id=1177

As always, feedback, good or bad, helps a songwriter.

By the way, this was played on a $200 guitar that I just got in, doesn't even have new strings on it... I think this git is a keeper... bought it cuz I couldn't stand NOT buying it at that price. Still need to sell some others, getting crowded here.

Hi Bill, gotta admit when I first heard your music years ago I wasn't drawn in by your songwriting talent, but your more recent song postings have really drawn me in and moved me, both lyrically and in your honest vocal delivery & instr accomp. On top of that the recording quality sounds spot on. That $200 guitar's definitely in the right hands.

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 12-01-2010).]

Bill,

I loved the song and listened to it twice. Great lyrics, and as usual, outstanding pickin'.

Ironically, while you were singing this another song came to mind. Your vocals and picking sounded very familiar. Then it came to me. It's one of the few benefits of being old--old memories come sneaking out from the cobwebs of your mind. THIS was the song that brought tears to me eyes when I was young.

Thanks again old friend,

Gary

Bill,

The one thing I forgot to as you to do is post the details on how you recorded the song, recording device/software, etc.. Your recordings are outstanding to say the least, and the balance between vocals and instrument are perfect at all times. Your vocals and instrumentals are very crisp, clear and smooth. Give us the details on how you achieved this.

Thanks again,

Gary

Thanks Scott, Gary. Gary, you are not going to believe this... what are the odds two dudes like us would have a moment with Puff The Magic Dragon lately... but...

About a week ago, I was thinking of folk songs that got my attention as a young teenager when I was first discovering music. I was searching for a sing-along cover song for acoustic folkie gigs. And Puff... I decided that might be the perfect choice. What a classic that is.

Glad you guys like it. I write so much, it's hard to tell sometimes whether a song is exceptional. (And you guys see only a small fraction of what I write.) This one, I had the general story in mind and a couple of key phrases because this story is true. But I had to really work to get a good lyric and melody. As of last night when I (hopefully) completed it, I was satisfied that it is a good song. I bet I get some sugar tonight, haha, as I will see her and play it for her. Hot off the press.

Gary...

1. Roll side table to edge of bed.
2. Stand shoebox up on its end on top the table.
3. Arm Zoom H4 or Tascam DR-07 to record using the interal stereo mics.
4. Place recorder on top shoebox such that it is about 1 foot from my mouth.
5. Play/sing.
6. About 20 takes, cuz I always screw up a word or lick somewhere.
7. Import .wav file into laptop.
8. Import into Kristal free software.
9. Add touch of reverb, compression, limiter and slightly adjust eq to make sure vocal is clear.

As I have said many times on here, I am blown away by the quality I get out this setup. I must be doing something right because people ask me this all the time. What I have yet to do, assuming I can do it, is record the guitar on a track using the internal mics, then sing the vocal on another track using the same internal mics. That way, I could adjust guitar or vocal independently. The way I do it now, I suppose I just get lucky and play at the right level. Sometimes, the guitar is too hot and I have to turn my body so sound is not so front on.

I have a recording I did at a Paul McCartney concert on a Zoom H4 and it will blow you away. And that is with ZERO software tweaks. Just me boogyin' down at the concert holding that Zoom. Mind-blowing quality. Sounds just like you are THERE at that concert.

Bill, I agree with Scott; your recent songs show tremendous improvement. It's probably because you hang around with me.
That's a joke, ya'll.
Anyway, you will probably get lucky for sure tomorrow night.
Make make me a copy of the McCartney recording. Please?
DonM

nice sound, good song. i'm impressed!

Bill ... another great job ... but, as I've said in the past, I've come to expect that from you ...

Recording one track at a time is easy with the H4 ...
On the MENU page scroll down to 'MODE' and select 'MTR' ... you can then select the track you want to record ... record the guitar say on track 1, then 'de-select' track 1 and select track 2 ... track 1 will play while you record the vocal on track 2 ... each track has its own volume control ...
Make sure you 'rewind' track 1 to the beginning before you record track 2 ...
It's all in the manual ... although that manual isn't the easiest to understand ...
t.
PS ... any problems, e-mail me ...
t.

OH MY, Tony, if you are telling me I can do this ONBOARD the H4, I am going to be mad at myself! I am overwhelmed with technology, for sure. I even posted this very question to several recording forums about the Zoom. Now that you mention it, something is ringing a bell... maybe even a comment you have made in the past... but... I bought a Tascam and its USB is about ten times faster than the Zoom and I started using the Tascam a lot more. But if the Zoom can do it, I am sure the Tascam can, too. Anyway, thanks, I will dig into that, that will help me a lot if I can do it. I think. Haha.

Go for it !!! ...
t.

Hi Bill:

Outstanding. Simple backing, honest vocal and a lyric with melody that really work well together. John Denver comes to mind in your vocal. Anyway, nice work. Enjoyed it alot. Dave Rice

Really enjoyable. Well done..!!!
Wish more people would post originals. Loved than.

Kind Regards
James