Hello there, guys and gals!

Let me introduce myself: I'm new to the forum, but I've been a fan of Devy since my brother played me a little song you may have heard of called Truth, and I've been hooked ever since.
I graduated from Uppsala University, Sweden this summer, and when faced with a rather harsh financial climate when looking for jobs, I thought now would be as good a time as any to start recording at home.

My go-to instrument would be the drums, but I dabble a little with bass and guitar, so I went out and got myself an external soundcard, a mic and a midi keyboard: The best investment I've ever made, probably, because this is just too damn fun! =D
I started calling myself "Fasa" ("dread" or "fear" in Swedish) when putting stuff on Youtube to show my friends and this song that I wanted to run by you fans of teh Devstarr is called "Vessel".
Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pX9CG0WMeA&fmt=18
It went from concept to finished product in a week, so it's a bit unpolished, but I still like it quite a lot, myself.

You'll find the lyrics in the video description to the right, so crank it up a little and listen to the end, if you would be so kind. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated, and especially if anyone could recommend a mastering program for PC - the end result is a tad on the quiet side...

And of course, All hail Ziltoid! (It's weird, isn't it - I really think Ziltoid is Devin's finest work - I never expected something that good when i bought it)

I can definitely tell you are a drummer. The only thing I can suggest is maybe take the "metal" out of the drums in the beginning. It takes away from the calm beauty of the music. Keep it simple.

Otherwise, brilliant stuff man. It's very soothing...I wouldn't mind a copy minus the drums....or with simpler, more subtle beats.

What program do you use? Some of them have great mastering plug-ins. I use Sonar 8 producer, and it comes with a few different ones. Good for demo-ing.

[EphelDuath666]

that's some pretty good stuff there! Really digging it. It's amazing how many talented people are on here!

Went back and listened again...

I am under your spell. I feel the Townsend there, and even some Gilmour. Also, for some reason the verse melody gives me a retro 80's vibe. Haven't a clue why!!

Yeah, with better production, and a more minimal rhythmic approach...this would be damn near perfect.

Very good stuff man.... I can't get the chorus melody out of my head! I do agree with Dan about taking the "metal" out of the drums in the beginning. Other than that awsome stuff... Keep it up!

Whoa, thanks to all of you! Really made my day!

Yup, some people have been telling me to ditch the metal drums in the beginning, and I kind of would have, if it wasn't for the others who like it , but I'll give it a shot and see what comes out.
Disclaimer before anyone points it out: Of course the drums in the track are programmed using good ol' Superior Drummer, but it's purely for practical reasons, since I do not have the means to record for real kit. Everything that's played is what I would have played myself. Also, it helps that I love the samples, e.g. the big Sabian HH crashes and the massive toms, which sound quite a lot like my real drums.

As for the program I'm using, right now I'm stuck with the measly Cubase LE4 (came with the soundcard... *hrm*), and if there are any mastering capabilities in a "Lite" release, I would be surprised. I'm looking for something with which I could put an EQ across the whole track to raise the low frequencies, generally boost the volume, and set some form of channel-wide effect automation, but as previously stated: I'm quite new to recording. ^^
I will look into a replacement, because I feel that LE4 is just too simplified. Any pros and cons with using Sonar, Dan and Ryan Omega?

I was really inspired by what Devin did with Ki when I started getting ideas for this song - especially the wall of sound (not easily reproduced on low-end gear ), and what I caught from the lyrics the first time I heard the title track, which I've gathered are about death, returning to the Earth (or Gaia), and resigning yourself to the inevitability of passing away.
The lyrics for Vessel are about separation - from a relationship, death, or specifically the death of a close one. If there's anyone reading who is not recording their own stuff, I can highly recommend it even if you're not looking to rake in the cash, but because of the cathartic element to it.

Btw - I've checked out the Omega Experiment on Youtube, and it sounds really cool! Proooog!

Whoa, thanks to all of you! Really made my day!

Yup, some people have been telling me to ditch the metal drums in the beginning, and I kind of would have, if it wasn't for the others who like it , but I'll give it a shot and see what comes out.
Disclaimer before anyone points it out: Of course the drums in the track are programmed using good ol' Superior Drummer, but it's purely for practical reasons, since I do not have the means to record for real kit. Everything that's played is what I would have played myself. Also, it helps that I love the samples, e.g. the big Sabian HH crashes and the massive toms, which sound quite a lot like my real drums.

As for the program I'm using, right now I'm stuck with the measly Cubase LE4 (came with the soundcard... *hrm*), and if there are any mastering capabilities in a "Lite" release, I would be surprised. I'm looking for something with which I could put an EQ across the whole track to raise the low frequencies, generally boost the volume, and set some form of channel-wide effect automation, but as previously stated: I'm quite new to recording. ^^
I will look into a replacement, because I feel that LE4 is just too simplified. Any pros and cons with using Sonar, Dan and Ryan Omega?

I was really inspired by what Devin did with Ki when I started getting ideas for this song - especially the wall of sound (not easily reproduced on low-end gear ), and what I caught from the lyrics the first time I heard the title track, which I've gathered are about death, returning to the Earth (or Gaia), and resigning yourself to the inevitability of passing away.
The lyrics for Vessel are about separation - from a relationship, death, or specifically the death of a close one. If there's anyone reading who is not recording their own stuff, I can highly recommend it even if you're not looking to rake in the cash, but because of the cathartic element to it.

Btw - I've checked out the Omega Experiment on Youtube, and it sounds really cool! Proooog!

Thanx for checking us out! Ya know, we have a song called "Terminus" that could really use a voice like yours. We never shut the door on new prospects and possibilities. I'd like to see what you could do with it. It is very mournful in the beginning, and totally explodes after a long soothing passage haha. You would be great for the soothing part. But if you would be interested, keep in mind....we are picky muhfuhkas.

Anyway, if you aren't afraid to pirate, or have friends that do it...You can find Sonar or any other program on any torrent site usually. I don't find many cons with it, it is the most user friendly of all the programs I have tried. I can't afford Protools, but I have worked with it, and I hate it. Maybe I am just impatient. The plug-ins and sound quality are great though.

That's a very flattering prospect, if I may say so.
I'd love to give it a go, and of course I will do my best. Yes, I take it for granted that you are muthas of the pickier kind, so my feelings won't get hurt if you decide it's not what you're looking for.
If you would want to give it a shot, you could send me an mp3 that I could import and track over (with some form of scratch vocal track, separate or otherwise, to know the melody; lyrics, and so on), so I'll PM you and send you my e-mail (I'm a healthy paranoid concerning most things Internet ^^).

It's been fun watching your behind-the-scenes footage, so I applaud you. GG m8s, as teh nürdz would say.

That's a very flattering prospect, if I may say so.
I'd love to give it a go, and of course I will do my best. Yes, I take it for granted that you are muthas of the pickier kind, so my feelings won't get hurt if you decide it's not what you're looking for.
If you would want to give it a shot, you could send me an mp3 that I could import and track over (with some form of scratch vocal track, separate or otherwise, to know the melody; lyrics, and so on), so I'll PM you and send you my e-mail (I'm a healthy paranoid concerning most things Internet ^^).

It's been fun watching your behind-the-scenes footage, so I applaud you. GG m8s, as teh nürdz would say.

Will do.

Just wanted to draw a bit of attention to this guy here. I sent him an Omega Experiment song called "Terminus", to see what he could do with the beginning for vocal ideas. What he sent me back was nothing short of chill inducing. It was pretty rough...but after all the quirks are worked out and it comes album time, I feel like it is gonna be mind-numbingly awesome.

Check his stuff out if you haven't already.

Thanks Dan! A pleasure working with the song, 'cause it's already chill-inducing stuff to begin with!

Oh, and btw, I realise I painted myself into a corner when I named this thread, because I'd like to direct you guys' attention to this little song I made these last two days while arranging a choir piece for a friend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1w0v3gPS0E

It's called "The Enchanted Cavity of the Drejgon Queen" , and is to be the intro to a song that shows my love-hate relationship to metal (a little bit like Devin's, it seems). I think it's better than the title suggests, since I think novelty lyrics need a strong song for it to be listenable. I managed to squeeze in some Rhapsody-esque bad English (note: intentional, as far I'm aware of ) and choir lyrics in Latin... Oh yeah!
What do you guys think?

Feckin' awesome dude. You should win a damn award or somethin'...

How creative you are! I am seriously glad to be working with you. I hope people take notice of your music...you deserve it.

Good stuff, friend, you have talent for sure. I like your vocals and sense of atmosphere a lot, nicely done. Hehe... The second track gave me definite Rhapsody/Luca Turilli vibes, used to listen to lots of that stuff a number of years back so I totally 'got' it. The only thing that sticks out to me is the DFH drums, I never particularly cared for the sound of them but that's more a personal thing really.

Excellent work, keep us updated please!

~Josiah

The reason I use DFH is mostly because I don't have the opportunity to track the drums myself at the moment, since I don't have the mics or a room to play acoustic drums in...
When that changes, though, I'll be taking over the drum seat, although I have to say I'm quite partial to the sound of DFH, myself.

Rhapsody is one of those bands I would pay good money to see live - not just because of the hilaaarious lyrics, but because the melodies are rock-solid. I've doubled over with laughter every time I've heard one of their new songs, but I would never pay to see something like Brokencyde or Wierd Al Yankovich etc. just because they make me laugh. Rhapsody makes me really rock out, but it's the dorkiest genre on the planet.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they do call their own music "Epic Hollywood Fantasy Metal", right?

The reason I use DFH is mostly because I don't have the opportunity to track the drums myself at the moment, since I don't have the mics or a room to play acoustic drums in...
When that changes, though, I'll be taking over the drum seat, although I have to say I'm quite partial to the sound of DFH, myself.

Rhapsody is one of those bands I would pay good money to see live - not just because of the hilaaarious lyrics, but because the melodies are rock-solid. I've double over with laughter every time I've heard one of their new songs, but I would never pay to see something like Brokencyde or Wierd Al Yankovich etc. just because they make me laugh. Rhapsody makes me really rock out, but it's the dorkiest genre on the planet.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they do call their own music "Epic Hollywood Fantasy Metal", right?

"In the name of Holy Thuuunderrrrrrrr FOOOOORRRRRRCE!!!!!!!!" Hahahaha.....LOVE that song.