Critique the gig?

[GuitarFanatic]

My band played at the local community festival 3 towns over, I got to FINALLY use my Fender M80 and my Metal Zone...

[Aceman]

Kudos to you for getting out there, up there and doing it!

What do you want to know about specifically?

[dave74]

That seething tone probably scared all the good folk away,,,,,,,,then it was a fun party after that. Good Vodoo Child at the end.

[Aceman]

From a "Things I'd Improve" perspective, since Dave brought it up...

1. Lose the MetalZone. Wrong sound for that set list. I can see that there could be a little bit of a style developing around metal-ed out Seger, but until you get there, a more conventional overdrive/mild distortion might work better

2. Tame that delay - way too much!

[dave74]

[GuitarFanatic]

Very funny. Well, the reason why I have the Metal Zone on the board is to provide that '80s style gain.. and it worked well, believe it or not someone actually came up to me and complimented my tone.

[Aceman]

Very funny. Well, the reason why I have the Metal Zone on the board is to provide that '80s style gain.. and it worked well, believe it or not someone actually came up to me and complimented my tone.

Family does not count!

A Metal Zone does not give that "80's tone" unless your 80's tone is 90's thrash!

[NegativeEase]

I like a guy who posts his gig for internet critique. I've always hidden behind the whole "**** you, I don't give a **** what you think about my gig" haha

If you want some constructive criticism - I'll bite:

Metal Zone seems to be way too crunchy for the rhythm parts especially for the song selection -except maybe some leads.

Lots of reverb and delay in the solos on songs that never had that -kinda out of place at times

remember everyone can screw up and be fine -except the drummer -drummer's got to nail it everytime.

1st Vocalist, isn't holding notes (seems like he can find it eventually but isn't able to hold the pitch) -which is probably a vocal training thing -pay for some lessons on strengthening your voice and control to resolve this

Jump around, curse, and break some ****, and call some husbands some funny insults in front of their wives. -trust me

[Securb]

Sounds great Nathan. I have an M80 also, while your tone is great I think you would get a smoother, fuller distortion with the onboard M80 gain. The reverb on those amps stellar and would add to your depth. Hope you are doing great drop me a Skype when you get a chance.

[JOLLY]

Not great, but not bad. Keep on playing out live. You're only getting better everytime that you do it.

[Markk]

I enjoy live music and my tolerance is quite high (I even enjoy listening to children learning how to play!) So with that in mind, I enjoyed listening to your band. Props for playing live, and double so for even putting it up for critique.

But if I had to sit down and analyze, I would definitely bring down the delay time.

[Gtrjunior]

I think the tone/delay comments are accurate. If I had to add one more critique....and please don’t be offended.
I’d consider getting a full time singer. The vocals here just aren’t cutting it.
Again, I don’t mean to offend you...I’m no singer myself. I’m fine for some backup vocals and whatnot, but I’m well aware of my limitations.
A frontman I’m not.

[GuitarFanatic]

Sounds great Nathan. I have an M80 also, while your tone is great I think you would get a smoother, fuller distortion with the onboard M80 gain. The reverb on those amps stellar and would add to your depth. Hope you are doing great drop me a Skype when you get a chance.

I will brother!

[Aceman]

I'm actually kind of the front guy for my band - but I am NOT the singer!!!! hahahaha

Seriously Nathan - focus on the important stuff: Getting out there and doing it. For every 100 people here hacking on their keyboards about how to do it, there is one that actual does. You are that 1 in 100. Be loud and be proud!

And - if you want to develop a style around the MZ - go ahead. But you are gonna be doing some punk/thrash high power versions of those songs. Which, IMO would be cool. It would let you get away with some looser/rougher vocals.

I still say way too much delay / verb.

[Gtrjunior]

I want trying to be a Debbie downer with my comment on the vocals...I apologize if I was insensitive.
FWIW, I’m a gigging player and have been for 25 years. Take that for what it’s worth but I believe I know at least a little something on the subject.

[Aceman]

Vocally - I wish I had spent more time singing and playing when I was young. In my revised old-man wisdom on learning to play....

Unless your voice is just crap and you can't carry a tune at all - singing and playing acoustic should be on the table all the time.

1. It's what most people want form a guitar player vocals & chords, not shred
2. It isn't hard - if you practice
3. Decent singing rhythm guitar player worth 10,000 not singing Yngwie/Satch/Vai's in a band

Most people can find a voice and some keys it works in for a number of styles. You may never be Dickinson/Halford/Tate/Mercury.....but you can be good enough to be enjoyed.

[Powdered Toast Man]

I skimmed through after reading the rest of the comments above. Here's my take:

The critique of the Metal Zone: It's not that you're getting a bad sound out of it. On the contrary your guitar tone is pretty good considering it's that pedal. HOWEVER, the problem is it's the WRONG tone for the material you're covering. It was hard to tell you were doing Old Time Rock n Roll until I heard the vocal melody in the chorus. So the problem is that you've got the wrong tool for the job. You're trying to use a hammer when you should be using a screwdriver.

The delay: lose that thing right now. It makes your solos sound like a muddy confusing mess. Unless that's your goal then go for it.

If you're used to these two effects and have used them heavily for a long time they may have become a crutch. I see enough players who hide sloppy technique behind high gain, heavy reverb, and huge delay. I'd say these two things are holding you back rather than helping.

Vocals: your voice doesn't have an unpleasant tone to it. But, take it from a guy who though he was a lost cause when it comes to vocals - Take. Voice. Lessons. Now. It's not hard and if you already are a musician it will not take long to learn. It is a skill that can be taught. Some people just sing naturally and others of us need some help along the way. You're one of the latter. It's an investment in yourself and your craft and the confidence you gain will come through in your performances.

But the band is tight and it wasn't bad at all. I'm just trying to give you constructive criticism to take it to the next level. The foundation is there, just fine tune these few details.

[Ben1962]

I want trying to be a Debbie downer with my comment on the vocals...I apologize if I was insensitive.
FWIW, I’m a gigging player and have been for 25 years. Take that for what it’s worth but I believe I know at least a little something on the subject.

You werent, he asked didnt he?

[Jacew]

I skimmed through after reading the rest of the comments above. Here's my take:

The critique of the Metal Zone: It's not that you're getting a bad sound out of it. On the contrary your guitar tone is pretty good considering it's that pedal. HOWEVER, the problem is it's the WRONG tone for the material you're covering. It was hard to tell you were doing Old Time Rock n Roll until I heard the vocal melody in the chorus. So the problem is that you've got the wrong tool for the job. You're trying to use a hammer when you should be using a screwdriver.

The delay: lose that thing right now. It makes your solos sound like a muddy confusing mess. Unless that's your goal then go for it.

If you're used to these two effects and have used them heavily for a long time they may have become a crutch. I see enough players who hide sloppy technique behind high gain, heavy reverb, and huge delay. I'd say these two things are holding you back rather than helping.

Vocals: your voice doesn't have an unpleasant tone to it. But, take it from a guy who though he was a lost cause when it comes to vocals - Take. Voice. Lessons. Now. It's not hard and if you already are a musician it will not take long to learn. It is a skill that can be taught. Some people just sing naturally and others of us need some help along the way. You're one of the latter. It's an investment in yourself and your craft and the confidence you gain will come through in your performances.

But the band is tight and it wasn't bad at all. I'm just trying to give you constructive criticism to take it to the next level. The foundation is there, just fine tune these few details.

I don't have much to add to good advice given. And probably not skilled enough either....

But speaking of myself "anyone can be thaught to sing" is quite probably false. It's one thing to learn to hit the notes, but when your range that you can hold and sing for more than a song or two without fading is less than octave it gets quite difficult.

I still sing sometimes. With attitude!

[astrozombie]

You know man, as a singer guitar player myself, I feel you. It can be hard to juggle everything cause you’re thinking about your two different functions

If you want my honest but not offensive point of view, because it’s easy to rag on someone and *****, I’ll help you out.

I think you have the right gear for the job but you might be better served if you lower the volume on the delay pedal. Try to keep it at around 4-5 repeats only. I would also lower the gain.

I find that with loud guitar playing less gain is usually better.

Other than that keep practicing! Work on that vibrato! I’m working on mine.


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