Mike - Composers' Forum

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Mike replied to Lennart Östman's discussion What's your workflow like?

"I compose directly into Sibelius when writing for ensembles outside of guitar, bass and drums.
when composing for guitar based music I often start in my DAW and just improvise around an idea with a metronome click. when I have a bunch of music down…"

gregorio X replied to Mike's discussion 2 new songs

"yes, a live band… That live interaction could spark things… This is a beautiful piece. It deserves a live band!
(i am sure you understand, that i meant to have that 'lift' about 2/3's was thru, to set a bit more contrast when 'coming back')."

Mike replied to Mike's discussion 2 new songs

"you right on about needing "an emotional lift (intensity)" I wonder if playing with a live band would help that."

gregorio X replied to Mike's discussion 2 new songs

"Hi Mike,
On morning mist - you have a very expressive and subtle way of playing. I like the spacing of the melodic phrases, and the carefully chosen notes.. very minimal and poignant! Very nice harmonic movement. I like the vibe a lot.…"

Mike replied to gregorio X's discussion Jabberwocky!

"I really enjoy this. I like the wild intro most. and the fuzz on the guitar solo was delightful. the only critique (and I have to try extremely hard to find one) is the tone of the violin. it gets a bit lost in the mix. should EQ it to try and cut…"

Mike replied to Mike's discussion My new sounds

"thank you for the compliments.
speaking tone wise any thoughts?
I worry about the mix not sure with my hearing lose hahha"

22b8n9x97ddrd replied to Mike's discussion My new sounds

"Regarding 'Get Yer Ass Home,' in my opinion, this forum could certainly use a good deal more of this kind of music.
Hell, man, you're really making me want to dust off my old Standard and start rippin' it again.
Love it. Keep putting up some more,…"

22b8n9x97ddrd replied to Mike's discussion My new sounds

"Smooth as silk throughout. Very self-assured, laidback playing and vibe. Being an old picker from way back, I can tell you this is some quality stuff. Understated but effective, of the sort that will grab the attention of an audience straight off…"

Juan Bauti replied to Mike's discussion My new sounds

"Excellent. nice jazz vibe. "

Mike replied to Mike's discussion My new sounds

"one more
this harmony guitar funky jam uses a homebrew fuzz pedal I made
09-Get 'Yer Ass Home Funk.mp3"

Mike replied to Mike's discussion disasters and why you need to backup your stuff

"it was a mobile home.. when they burn it is hot and fast.. 100% loss. thank god for the red cross they put my family up in a motel and got us in HUD housing and the boys club donated us clothing.

but losing 10 years of music is the most heart…"

James Burnon Ross replied to Mike's discussion disasters and why you need to backup your stuff

"Sorry to hear of your loss. Especially a house fire. That must have been pretty damaging to a lot of stuff not the least of which would be the house itself."

James G. Watson replied to Mike's discussion Love to hear your thoughts on this one

"I agree with Doug on the guitar sound - cut the treble. Or if are re-recording it, you can re-amp it, perhaps use either a very fat and warm Van Halen style distortion, or the more blues/crunch on the neck pickup sound.
I found the vocals…"

Vincent Avila replied to Mike's discussion Metal Song from my new band

"Didn't listen to it yet, but I will....soon.
Offensive lyric's I can deal with, the amerikan evangelico organizations ARE offensive and should be exposed...Speak truth to power."

Doug Lauber replied to Mike's discussion Love to hear your thoughts on this one

"The first thing I do when I track an instrument, is EQ it, by rolling off the bass frequencies. You can make that raspy guitar sound softer by rolling off some of the highs, adding a little reverb, and lowering the level a bit. Your composition is…"

Mike replied to Tombo Rombo's discussion Attack of the Hippy Robots

"I love such random cocaphony

I like the robots =)
bravo"

More…

Gender

Male

What have you composed for? Or what medium do you work around?

Orchestra, Small Ensemble, Big Ensemble, Songs, Contemporary Ensembles, Other, web, multimedia

What is your favorite genre or style of music?

Heavy Metal, Jazz, Rock, Outlaw Country, Classical, the list is almost limitless...

Is music your main income source?

Sort Of - Music Related

Where do you live?

South Dakota, USA

About Me (Must include at least one paragraph of biographical information about you as a composer) - blank or minimal answers on this line will cause your request to be rejected. Include a link to your website if you have one.

I have been playing music sense I was able to hold a guitar. I began singing even before I could put together complete sentences. My folks surrounded me with music and they played in a gospel country quartet. My first musical performances were with them singing along with dad. I learned guitar by playing along with his records and reading his sheet music. I always have enjoyed classical music but really got into that when I was in elementary school. The Book Mobile (a library on wheels for rural school kids) carried many records of classics from Beethoven to Stravinsky. But what really got me hooked was Wendy Carlos Switched on Bach and the Switched on Brandenburgs. I was about 12 when I fell in love with Heavy Metal. one major reason is how Metal is so similar to the classical composers in respect to the use of modes and many of the phrasings used by the guitar players I grew to love. Once I got into High School I began playing guitar in the jazz band and it was then that I really began growing as a musician and started to really learn the fundamentals of music theory. I currently play solo acoustic guitar in local bars, trying to turn it into a small group (3 or 4 piece), and am working with a death metal band called Dark Nation. It has been only sense around 2007 or so that I have begun composing for other than guitar based music. I am really enjoying all that I have learned about it thus far and I cant wait to learn more. -Mike

Website:

www.bhphotoworld.net

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Comments

Doug Lauber September 25, 2010 at 7:13pm

BTW, Wendy rules!
Doug Lauber September 25, 2010 at 7:12pm

Thanks Mike! No VSTs!!!! Ha. The synth parts were played and recorded directly into my UA 2-610 preamp, into my MOTU 828, into my PC Sonar DAW. Other stuff was recorded with mics, like Seth's drumset. Sax was mic'd (Chris Alpiar in Atlanta) I played everything except sax and drums, which were recorded remotely. I sent them wav files and they mailed their parts back to me. I mixed it all. You can see photos of my equipment. I buy a little bit of gear every year. I'm old. Yeah- lately I am into the Fusion thang. I hope to complete and album of similar material, with the help of my friends. If you record with mics, I highly recommend getting a decent mic preamp. Enjoy the forum- a lot of great composers here.
Doug Lauber September 25, 2010 at 6:14pm

Tasty! I really like your rhythmic punctuations. Like you, I started out doing rock, Beatles, Cream, Hendrix, and branched off into ELP, Yes, Jethro Tull and others. I heard Brahms' Piano Quintet and it sounded like rock to me. Dynamic. Brahms and Beethoven led to other classical composers. Welcome to the forum. What's your equipment list? I have a Peavey Classic 30 for sale... Keep up the good work. -doug
Andrew Wonders September 25, 2009 at 5:35pm

Great stuff Mike! I like your harmonic structures a lot, and your melodies are quite pleasant :) I especially like "Song For Helen", though your "Duality" series is impressive... reminded me of some of the Russian masters (Prokofiev, Stravinsky). Keep up the great work!
Daniel Marshall June 3, 2008 at 7:47am

Welcome Mike! Good to have you here.