GH Musicians roll call!

[daerid]

All right guys, chime in if you love making music. Tell us what kind of music you make, how long you've been playing, what instruments, favorite gear, whatever!!!

Me, I'm mainly into hard rock and metal, been playing guitar for 21 years, drums for 16, and have been recording and engineering for about 8 years now. I've had a record-deal (small one), been on tour, worked at a triple-A studio, and currently have a publishing deal with Epitaph Records.

I played guitar and drums on Falling in Reverse's The Drug in Me is You, did drum editing for blessthefall's Awakening and FACT's Burundanga.

Right now I'm just taking it easy in the music biz and just concentrating on writing material for Epitaph and putting together my home studio. I have two guitars, a Dean Dime Shadow ML w/ a Lace Alumitone Deathbucker in the bridge, and an old beat-to-hell Epiphone Les Paul Special II that plays like a champ with a Duncan JB in it.

I have a Sure SM7b mic for vocals, and a ****ty Squier P-bass. I do everything in Avid Pro Tools via an Eleven Rack on OSX.

What about the rest of you? There's gotta be plenty of musicians here on GH, speak up!

(Apologies if this thread has been done before!)

[esoomenona]

I like singing songs on Skype just low enough so people question what it is. Does that count?

[SmallFry]

Meeba makes purdy moosick!

[WhiteFireDragon]

I have a very wide range of music interests. I play the piano, trombone, and a little bit of trumpet and guitar. I can't read guitar tab, but I can read real notes.

What I enjoy listening to: trance and house, hip-hop, classical, band/ensembles, and my current favorite is symphonic metal. Anything except mainstream radio stuff, aka tailor swift or justin beaver, etc...
 

[funkymeeba]

Who is meeba? He sounds like a jerk.

I am more a drummer than anything, especially now that I've got my kit setup with mutes so I don't get the cops called on me. I make electronic stuff, as well. I stick to slowed-down techno beats, because house has less room for experimentation, trance is cheesy, and DnB is too cookie-cutter (odd, I know). I work with the following music gear:

• Rode NT1-A mic
• Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard (my only in-use synth, this thing owns)
• Elektron Octatrack DPS-1
• Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1 mkII
• Mackie 1202-VLZ mixer
• PreSonus Firestudio Mobile interface
• Latin Percussion Aspire cajon
• Taye RockPro drums (yeah, yeah, I've had them since I was in middle school)
• Zildjian ZBT 16" Crash (getting replaced this summer with a K Custom Dark 18" Crash)
• Zildjian AMIR 14" hi-hats
• Zildjian K Custom Dark 20" Ride

As for listening, I love deep and dubby techno (think Andy Stott or Moonwalker). I am also way into psychobilly and hellbilly lately. Good stuff! Hoping to get a band going this summer doing some rockabilly stuff.

[GeorgeStorm]

I can play the piano, trumpet and french horn, started learning the organ for a bit but just didn't have the time/money to continue it really

Listening-wise, I'll listen to almost anything, I've recently got back into kpop

[i3oilermaker]

I try to play guitar...not very good.

[CPTBadAss]

I played violin for 7 years and guitar for 5. I can read guitar tab and treble clef notes. In college I picked up a bit of piano but it was so painful because I couldn't read bass clef notes at all. So my right hand was like 5 bars ahead of my left hand T_T.

OP, that's awesome. I'm really into metal as well ^__^

[bavman]

I played clarinet in elementary/middle/high school. I got a guitar sometime and tried to learn. I wasn't very good, but I learned a couple songs

[tipo33]

I play the guitar, not well.  I have picked up and experimented with an accordion several times,  I would not say I play it.

[esoomenona]

Back in middle school, I played the tuba, percussion (snare, bass, xylophone, cymbals, etc.), bass (string), and guitarron (mariachi). I don't know why I wanted to play so many instruments, because I didn't really put much effort into it...

[ComradeSniper]

Been playing drums for a little over a year. I do all sorts of rock, I'm not that good but it's a lot of fun.

[Acetrak]

I play drums, and all sorts of different percussion. I liked drumline a lot, I also like playing funky shiz. GH jam sesh??

[sth]

in order of ability... drums, guitar, bass, piano/keyboard instruments. been playing drums since i was 10 or so, no formal instruction on anything except guitar -- learned some chords in middle school. self taught on drums, carried over guitar stuff to bass and just kinda learned to peck on keyboards here and there over the years. i would love to learn trumpet but my roommates would hate me.
i also used to make a lot of beats. i love finding samples and chopping them up.
i mostly play in hardcore/sludgy/metallic hardcore bands -- drums only, because we're too rare a breed for me to get the chance to do anything else i really want to play in a poppy melodic hardcore band AND a 90s emo / early screamo band but the bay area hates everything that isn't either pensive, droning sludge, angry man crust or drunkpunx.
my favorite style to play on my own is jazz/gospel/breaks though. hardcore drumming is cool and i love getting ripped and playing blast beats but it doesn't feel as good as getting 'arty' )
old band: torero.bandcamp.com
band i am currently in: oaklandconnoisseur.bandcamp.com

[noisyturtle]

I've played the harmonica for about 14 years now. I am told I'm good at it.

[IvanIvanovich]

Started playing synths in 1988, Bass in 1993. Played in a few punk bands in the 90's then moved into black metal in the late 90's. Recorded several records and a few large tours along the way. Nearly got signed to Moonfog before the band imploded over other members drug issues. Taught myself guitar and drums and did a few black metal demos where I played every instrument while looking for some new members which never happened. Got frustrated and quit the band scene and have not played live music since. Became a DJ about a decade later. As a DJ I don't get much gigs but have done an Eastern European tour once. I do strange blends of Italo, Electro, Pop, House, Hip-Hop, dance punk, etc. with strong emphasis on using music theory in mixing. I mostly am just interested in mixing in such a way that you can't tell where songs end and begin, just keep it simple and flowing.

[ApocalypseMaow]

Self taught drummer. I toured about 5 years with the first band I was in, recorded 6 albums, and played in a bunch of local bands. As of right now all I do is play drum by myself in my free time.

[sth]

Started playing synths in 1988, Bass in 1993. Played in a few punk bands in the 90's then moved into black metal in the late 90's. Recorded several records and a few large tours along the way. Nearly got signed to Moonfog before the band imploded over other members drug issues. Taught myself guitar and drums and did a few black metal demos where I played every instrument while looking for some new members which never happened. Got frustrated and quit the band scene and have not played live music since. Became a DJ about a decade later. As a DJ I don't get much gigs but have done an Eastern European tour once. I do strange blends of Italo, Electro, Pop, House, Hip-Hop, dance punk, etc. with strong emphasis on using music theory in mixing. I mostly am just interested in mixing in such a way that you can't tell where songs end and begin, just keep it simple and flowing.

any interest in an internet blackened grind collaboration?

[ZoGxll]

I'm a drummer.  Got my first kit in 2001, I was 11, and took lessons for years.  I was the drum captain at my highschool and toured a bit in a few rock bands in highschool as well as playing for my church for years.  Then I taught lessons to help me pay for the first year of college. I don't get to play as often as I would like anymore but I am trying to remedy that soon, maybe trying out for the drumline at university.

[tauburn]

https://soundcloud.com/epres-1/ng

[whiskerBox]

I like to play guitar. I have been playing since I was a kid. I have my ups and downs with gear but I would say my favorites have always been fenders. My two favorite guitars are my 69' comp mustang and my custom shop strat. Other than that I like pedals a lot too.

[IvanIvanovich]

How would internet collaboration work sth? Just pass tracks around and have various people add their parts? I guess it can work if we all agree on what format to use. I have some slightly dated copy of cakewalk something around here.

[inteli722]

I play a bit of guitar. Not extremely good, but it's fun to pick it up and work out a song (and by work out, I mean going on the internet and looking up Tab and Chords.)

[Playtrumpet]

Playing trumpet at conservatory right now. I play piano more often, but not quite as good. Also make music. I'm really good at not finishing things though. I have an Ableton folder full of about 100 unfinished ideas, but I'm pretty sure composition is my actual calling. Besides food.

I've gotten very into realistic samples. Once I upgrade my computer I'll actually be able to combine my best samples in single projects rather than go by the tedious process I currently have. I've put off making so much music because it's too CPU and RAM heavy for my current little rig.

[sth]

How would internet collaboration work sth? Just pass tracks around and have various people add their parts? I guess it can work if we all agree on what format to use. I have some slightly dated copy of cakewalk something around here.

i'd say until mixing, just have the drummer start with a countoff or something then send WAV files and let people drop them in and record their own track.
it was just a thought -- might be a bit until i get settled into a space where i can set up drum mics. it would definitely sound kvlt... i'm not much of an engineer

[ping111]

I'm mainly just a vocalist.  I have an alright range, from soul to jazz to opera falsetto and all that (and death metal, if you don't mind laughter in the background ) I think it would be fun if we all made a song together with out talents, of course using KB's as percussion/beat.

[daerid]

How would internet collaboration work sth? Just pass tracks around and have various people add their parts? I guess it can work if we all agree on what format to use. I have some slightly dated copy of cakewalk something around here.

i'd say until mixing, just have the drummer start with a countoff or something then send WAV files and let people drop them in and record their own track.
it was just a thought -- might be a bit until i get settled into a space where i can set up drum mics. it would definitely sound kvlt... i'm not much of an engineer

It also always helps if you just agree to a BPM and don't do many tempo changes. That way collaborators can set up their own click track. Just gotta agree to a common count-off. I always tend to use a 8-count in before starting the song.

[sth]

How would internet collaboration work sth? Just pass tracks around and have various people add their parts? I guess it can work if we all agree on what format to use. I have some slightly dated copy of cakewalk something around here.

i'd say until mixing, just have the drummer start with a countoff or something then send WAV files and let people drop them in and record their own track.
it was just a thought -- might be a bit until i get settled into a space where i can set up drum mics. it would definitely sound kvlt... i'm not much of an engineer

It also always helps if you just agree to a BPM and don't do many tempo changes. That way collaborators can set up their own click track. Just gotta agree to a common count-off. I always tend to use a 8-count in before starting the song.

few or no tempo changes? boring doesnt sound like grind to me.

[pexon]

Hmmmm Grindcore, born in my hometown 

[daerid]

few or no tempo changes? boring doesnt sound like grind to me.

Yeah, true. If you wanna do tempo changes it's even more important to have an agreed upon count-off and tempo map. Unless you're just kinda going for the whole "just feel it" thing

[YoungMichael88]

Started playing piano for about 4 years as a kid. Then got drums 13 years ago and took lessons for 5 years and got pretty good. Moved onto guitar and bass as well as vocals harmonica etc. I consider myself a well rounded musician. Loved making music and wanted to learn to record professionally so I enrolled in a private school at metalworks studios in Mississauga for audio production and sound engineering and learned to use all kinds of analogue rack gear and well as SSL and Neve consoles and also learned editing on tape. Played with a few bands in highschool and right now I just write and record in a small home studio I have set up for myself and just do the solo thing now.
That's a good chunk of my stuff. I have another drum set at a friends with some other stuff. I record on pro tools via a 003 factory console as pictured above.
I mainly play indie/folk rock type stuff.

[sth]

Finally got around to chopping up some samples and making a couple starts on some new beats this weekend. check em out!

http://nvsbl.org/creeper.mp3
http://nvsbl.org/inandout.mp3

[Flyersfan1]

I try to play guitar...not very good.

Pretty much me, I taught myself some basic chords, but that's pretty much it.  I look at tabs of songs I like and try to play them but most of the ones I like are for more advanced players unfortunately.

[Rayne]

currently have a publishing deal with Epitaph Records.

that is so sick! Do you know or have ever met Brett Gurewitz, the founder? if so I am Super jealous! I am such a huge Bad Religion fan, as you can tell from my avatar.

Also I have been playing guitar for about 5 or 6 years. Iv never really played in a band or anything, I took lessons when I was first started, but I have to my anxiety to play in front of other people lol :x

[HaaTa]

I played piano all throughout highschool. Also considered going to university for opera (did quite well it a number of competitions, 2nd place in BC once). But singing doesn't pay that good, so it was engineering for me

[Thimplum]

#shamelessnecro

I've played piano since I was 6 and violin since 12.

How can you call this other stuff....

music?

[linziyi]

Me plays Piano

[Thimplum]

Me plays Piano

Yiss!

My necro worked!

[linziyi]

Currently playing Liszt and Chopin, we can exchange some experience sometime

[Thimplum]

Currently playing Liszt and Chopin, we can exchange some experience sometime

Nice! Which pieces?

I'm really loving the Beethoven sonatas.

Working on Appasionata and Tempest ATM.

[linziyi]

Chopin No.7 Op.61 polonaises and Liszt Transcendental Étude No. 2

[Thimplum]

Chopin No.7 Op.61 polonaises and Liszt Transcendental Étude No. 2

Wow! How are you liking those octave jumps in the Liszt?

The Chopin Op. 61 is a very lovely piece.

It is an accomplishment to play.

If you miss a single note...

The magic is all gone.

[sth]

#shamelessnecro

I've played piano since I was 6 and violin since 12.

How can you call this other stuff....

music?

like this: it's music

[CalmB4tehPwn]

I've been playing guitar on and off for about 14 years, and bass for about 12. Being in the Military, and recently having a kid, I haven't had as many opportunities to stay in a band as I'd like. I tend to play Bass in metal bands, and keep my guitar work to myself. Unfortunately, I split up with my old band a month before they got to open for The Human Abstract. We were going different directions musically, and they didn't have a place in the band for a bassist who liked melody. I kinda wish I stuck with it a little longer, they won a talent show, and the prize was opening for tHA.

I've got a John Jorgenson Signature Gitane. Gypsy Jazz acoustic guitar. As well as an Alembic Epic, which I run through two 8 ohm Acme 4x10 cabs. GK 2001RBP Pre-amp, and a Crown XLS 2000 power amp. It's a monster rig. The GK, Alembic and Acme cabs produce the clearest, most unaltered sound a rig could make. I've got nothing against putting some stank on a bass, but that's definitely not my sound. This baby sounds huge, open, and pure. Like an upright on crack.

[HaaTa]

Hmm, about 7 years on the piano (only played here and there for the last 7 though due to constant moving and not being able to carry a piano with me; I prefer the real thing, even though keyboards are fun).
Also have about 6-7 years of classical voice training (read, *HaaTa can sing opera*), and did well in competitions. But over the past 7 years, really only helping the occasional choir out and karaoke
For a time I seriously considered becoming an Opera singer instead of an engineer...but I like having money
Also played Alto Sax for a year, but ended up stopping to focus more on piano and singing.

Fortunately, my constant moving is finally coming to an end this summer so I'm looking to buy myself a piano (hopefully a grand if I have space). I also really like pipe organs (so once I feel my piano is not incredibly rusty, I'll probably learn to play the organ).

[linziyi]

  I want a grand piano, baby grand is fine.

I can easily pick a very good baby grand up here in new york for about $2000, but I am poor 

[HighhBrid]

I like to play guitar and bass on occasion. I'm in a local band called Volatile.

[Puddsy]

I play bass, and I can beatbox. I've been in that beatboxer vent server a few times, but it's not really my sort of thing.

[CalmB4tehPwn]

Anybody in the Twin Cities area? Once I'm done with my tour of Korea, I'm out of the Army, will be looking back to getting back into the world. I don't care what you play, Piano, Classical vocals, Guitar. We can jam.

[tormentor]

I play air guitar. I have aspirations to become Air Guitar World Champ. It's real, look it up. Seriously the only thing I can play is the triangle.