Threshold: Updates from the studio...

[Brian Dobbs]

I want to see If your computer sucks that bad, or I do!

HAHA.  But yeah, cool piano part.  i'll have to listen a few more times later.   sigh... off to work now..

[phyziczteacher]

That was funny Brian 

I figured it out Jeremy: she followed the bass line when she played the piano parts (we soloed the bass line), because she wasn't comfortable yet playing with too much at once. So, I noticed that was why she was off of the guitar a bit, because...ahem, you were the one who played the bass line. J/K. Remember you put that down at the last minute before we were done.

So, not to worry my friend...your guitars are just fine. It is interesting how one instrument can make another seem off.

I'm really digging the "extra measure" of intensity the piano adds too. I am seeing a lot of potential with her!

And, as Brian said: sigh...back to my real job 

[GuitarHero]

So Tim, i'm trying to get this "new" section of music ready for this weekend,  thinking maybe Sunday sometime early day you can come over and we can work on some music!  I need to badly work on replacing my volume and tone knobs (huh huh!!!)    ... on my guitar, so I can still do my volume swells in more of my solos.  That, and I my need some input from anyone that reads this on cheap, and good (if those words can go together?)  effects or pedal systems that I could use.  I wish the ol Beringer could take more than the simple channel up/down ped's, it has lag time, and a slight pause in signal!  I guess for now, I will continue being creative with my existing setup   ... fun!  I'm ready to throw down some good music!   

[Brian Dobbs]

volume swells rock

[phyziczteacher]

again, i'm definitely digging the string work.  I love keeping the groove in the songs, so i'm hoping this turns out that way, once all is said and done.

Our pianist played some amazing stuff with that string work you like. The groove is definitely going to be revisited in a major way in the song!

[GuitarHero]

Hey Tim, that crappy part i was talking about?  is no more!  I love the new harmony parts i put down with the guitar today, and the pianos rock, i'm lovin it!  Well over 5 minutes long already, I cant wait to see where the rest of Systematic Breakdown goes, i'm overwhelmed by how well this song is developing.  Can't wait to show everyone!

[Brian Dobbs]

hell yeah guys.

[GuitarHero]

Tim, I was listening to Systematic Breakdown last night, I think my solo where the piano begins needs to be rerecorded, I can do better!  Other than that, the songs sounds increadible!  I think I may have a great idea for the next section.  Tripelet 1,2,3 ; Tripelet 1,2,3; (up half step in key), tripelet 1,2,3 ; tripelet 1,2,3 ; then back a few measures, then 1,2 tripelet; 1,2, tripelet.  I will try to write this to the program to show you this week.  I dreamed it up while I was driving between jobs, we will see.    I think it also has great piano potential!   Tell me what you think!  I belive it starts in a 3/4 time, then goes to a 2/4 or half time!  Fyi, tempo is around 119!

[Aswepe]

Unfair!!!

You guys have worked on the tune & haven't shared with the rest of us.

Foul!!!

Unfair!!!

[GuitarHero]

You will have to hit Tim up for that A.     That, and I want to get with Tim and rerecord a solo section in the song before he post it again!  Once that has happened, I for one will be completely satisfied with what we have so far, that and I can promise, at that point, it will be so worth it.  Tim is the more technical one on the computer than I am, so the pressure is on him!!!

[phyziczteacher]

Unfair!!!

You guys have worked on the tune & haven't shared with the rest of us.

Foul!!!

Unfair!!!

Don't get your panties in a bunch    Screw waiting Jer, A' is having withdrawals. 

(Jeremy, I'm not sure what solo you are talking about, but it sounds definitely good enough to post now, so I'm gonna. Also, I tagged on the clear part to the very end, and it sounds good to me).

And now for the song:

This is of course the skeleton, which means if you are listening to a section and think it needs more there, or it gets a little boring, there will be something put there. We'll stay faithful to our style from Portal and add in the appropriate ambiance, synth sounds, and solos where needed.

Also, the entire middle of the song (from the last thing you have heard to the beginning of the clear section again, is in 5/4 time) I cut and pasted the drums, so I know once I put live drums to it, accent the 5/4 time, and give it better grooves, the song will be even better. As is, I think it is very cool.  All in all, it is proggy goodness! 

www.imacphysics.org/systematic%20breakdown.mp3

Rock on!

[Brian Dobbs]

sweet...listening now.

[Brian Dobbs]

wow guys, nice to see how full this song feels now.  really digging the piano work.  I am really interested how the live drums will fill things out.

[Aswepe]

Don't get your panties in a bunch   

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are.

Seriously. almost 3 minutes of additional tuneage to savor. Listening as I type.

May have commented about this earlier. The bell hits on the cymbals are devastating. The Piano mirroring the bass line is astonishing & adds so much depth it isn't fair. Love the string stabs throughout the new section. Then when the piano jumps in at 3:44 with the same part - love at first listen. Key change - oh yeah Baby, ya got my attention for real now. Feels like the tempo slows slightly at 4:40 - the string section alone. The keyboards add to the mix in so many ways. At 5:36 we get back to stuff we've heard before  - a very nice but of composition from all involved.

Major Kudos & for what it's worth - The Official A'swepe Seal of Approval!

[phyziczteacher]

Thanks for the comments, and the official seal of approval! (Which is worth a lot!)

Brian: I can't wait to hear how my drum parts are going to elevate this song either!

A: Definitely know what you are talking about with the slowing down. We'll fix that of course. That whole end section with the instruments coming in one layer after another (before the revisit to the clear section) will have a lot more to it. I envision a very grandiose climax there, and while listening to it on the way home, I had some epiphanies. I can't wait to see how they sound 

After several listens, I see where some parts need more, or just need to be better, but as you said Brian: it's all a work in progress!

Thanks guys, and A': I promise not to write more music and not share it 

[Aswepe]

Tim, I'm just being selfish. You share what you want to share when you want to share it & I will be happy to listen.

I don't find it to be the case here but I know that I've been guilty of rushing stuff out the door when I should have taken more time with it.

You have to like it before I can.

[Brian Dobbs]

You have to like it before I can.

wise statement.  :-)

[phyziczteacher]

Tim, I'm just being selfish. You share what you want to share when you want to share it & I will be happy to listen.

I don't find it to be the case here but I know that I've been guilty of rushing stuff out the door when I should have taken more time with it.

You have to like it before I can.

I totally know you are kidding around, so don't even give it a second thought bro.

Rock on!

[GuitarHero]

Tim, thank you for satisfiying our faithful listeners!  I almost felt cornered!    I would like to ask everyone, if we need a little more presents in the guitars though?  I'm glad Brian and A. have such interest in this, it helps us make what we do have that "outside", yet "inside"  opinion that we need to make our music that much better!  By the way, it's Tim's fault, if you guys don't get any recognition on our next alblum.  Just kidding! 

[Aswepe]

By the way, it's Tim's fault, if you guys don't get any recognition on our next alblum.  Just kidding! 

Just list me as a FAN. Yes I'm gonna buy the CD - I'm just a lazy old cuss.

Tim - my real point was: make sure the product you put out satisfies you. Don't ever feel rushed by the rest of us.

I really think this In-Progress song-writing approach has some appeal - at least from the listener's (My) point of view. I just don't want you guys feeling pressure to put out an update before you're ready to.

As always, all comments, criticism, etc. are offered in the spirit of Honesty with the understanding that you, the artists, are free to ignore them at your whim.

[phyziczteacher]

I totally dig where you are coming from, and appreciate your sensitivity towards us with regards to "feeling" like we have to post something.

Don't worry though. I don't feel that way, and I know Jeremy doesn't either. I think it is fun to share the progress and get the honest feedback. I don't think we will do it for every song, because we have to have some surprise right? 

You are a good man A'.

Rock on!

[GuitarHero]

I do, agree with Tim!   Besides, our rough copies will be great for everyone to compare to our final product to.  I'm excited for everyone to see how much polishing we will actually do before this takes place!  For example, I felt the Portal alblum was sounding great a year and a half ago, but Tim insisted on tweaking it over and over again.  As frustrating as you could imagine that was for me thinking that it was perfect, it wasn't!  I spoke with Tim the other night, and he didn't think my guitar work needed improvement, I guess we should both be so greatful that we are both "perfectionist"  ( or at least, something close to that!)    I think everone will start to notice towards the end of this song writing, little changes, but better quality sound!  Take note in this, I guarentee, and now, totally understand and support Tim with the time that will be involved in making our songs the absolute best we can!  We are trying something new, by working solely on one song at a time.  Your input A. and Brian, and for that matter who ever else that reads this, is valued.  Thank you again!

[Aswepe]

It goes without saying the in addition to getting it right for yourself, you owe it to the fans to put out the very best product you can.

[phyziczteacher]

It goes without saying the in addition to getting it right for yourself, you owe it to the fans to put out the very best product you can.

Amen to that!

Plus, if your next product isn't better than your last, you need to start over! 

[Aswepe]

Plus, if your next product isn't better than your last, you need to start over! 

Just remember why you started making music in the first place - to get girls!

Seriously, most of us still dabble in music because we LOVE it. when it stops being fun & starts being a job I will stop making music.

[GuitarHero]

Hey everyone may be happy to know that I am working on another song Idea right now, I absolutly love it, but I want to get a little further with it befor introducing it to Tim, and everyone else!  It had a "kinda" dark intro, that will turn into a more agressive feel as the song progresses!  I have left it on the burner for the last few days, as I have found out that it helps to do so when writing something that you know where you want it to be, but can't come up with the perfect part.  I'm going to try to have something for Tim in the next couple of weeks, to show for it and get his approval.   
           As for the new section of Systematic Breakdown, Tim, I'm sorry I haven't taken the chance on adding guitar tracks to it yet, hopfully this weekend, I still want to listen to it a few more times before adding guitar to it, I love the existing parts so much that I want to absolutly nail a perfect part with it, may be more complex than i hoped for, but im sure it will still rock when i get finished with it! 

[Brian Dobbs]

nice to hear GH, keep us updated.

[phyziczteacher]

Hey all,

Sorry I haven't been on in awhile. I'm the scholars bowl coach and we just took second at Regionals and are preparing for the State Tournament this Saturday, so pretty much all of my energy and time has been put towards preparing our team.

After this week, I'll be able to devote some more time to listening to other people's music, and work on our new stuff some more.

Till then,

Rock on!

[Aswepe]

Tim:

Take no prisoners at State. Best of luck to the team.

[phyziczteacher]

Thanks Dave!

We'll try to kick intellectual butt!