The Beta Sessions

Hey Xid, musically this stuff really rocks. I would love to hear you find a singer with a gruffer sound (give you a blues based hard rock sound). Keep up the great work.

Thanks!  I've got another vocalist slated for the next project.  We'll see how his voice works with the music.

That's very cool music you have made Xid.

Xid wrote:

Thanks!  I've got another vocalist slated for the next project.  We'll see how his voice works with the music.

Cool beans, if he doesn't sound like Mark Lanegan or Tom Waits get him to gargle some razor blades first!!!

I like this a lot better than the instrumental stuff.  I like some instrumental stuff, but usually get bored with it pretty quickly.  I haven't played any of my Jeff Scheetz stuff in years!

Having one singer would definitely make this more of a "band" sound.  Also, getting this properly mastered would make a huge difference.  Want an affordable person to do this?  Get in touch with Brad Windlan at www.guitarjams.net.

I will take a longer listen later.  If you haven't got my Mission Of One CD yet, it might be a good time for a swap.

I love instrumentals.  I'd could listen to them all day. Having one singer is definitely better.  Times changed and I didn't have access to Darren's vocals so my son, Draylen lent his voice for Opposite Extremes, Out of Reach and The Pavilion.

Brad Windlan?  Is that Pastor Brad?

Too bad you don't still live in the Western Washington area, I would come to your studio and show you how bad I can sing.

Xid wrote:

Brad Windlan?  Is that Pastor Brad?

Yep, that's him.

Staybrite wrote:

Too bad you don't still live in the Western Washington area, I would come to your studio and show you how bad I can sing.

Xid wrote:

Brad Windlan?  Is that Pastor Brad?

Yep, that's him.

I thought I recognized his name!

I sing some things really well and most things really badly.  Maybe we should hold a Scary Vocal Contest.

I'd be in for that contest.

I'm sure I would win by a mile   

I think I would be a strong contender in that fight as well!

We could get Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Carrot Top to judge.

That's one thing that I am definitely going to change on the next Mission Of One album.  I am going to use a different singer next time.  I need to focus more on writing and recording.  Having a better metal vocalist could help me gain more exposure.

I actually have a great singing voice--if you happen to like CCM or hymns.  My natural singing voice is much more like Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, Mac Powell of Third Day, or Jeremy Camp.  Sadly, I can't write songs like that!

The songs you've written are awesome too.
Hope you can find a good vocalist for Mo1

Getting that good, unique vocalist is tough.

True, but I will do it even if it takes four years or more to complete the project.  It won't be the first time it has taken me that long.  LOL

After listening to your project, I must say that I like the gruffer singer the best.  It gives your music more of a Saint feeling.  Some of the songs didn't seem to fit in with those tracks.

As I said earlier, I don't really care for instrumentals.  I ended up skipping through to the next song after a couple of minutes in each instruemental.  That's just my personal listening tastes coming through and not meant to be a critical statement of your work.  I just don't really care for instrumentals.

Lastly, you've got to find a way to do two things:  A)  get a real drummer instead of the machine.  It adds so much to your music to have a live drummer.  I still need to find a way with my own music to fatten up the sounds of the electric drums I use with a live drummer to make them sound a bit more realistic--especially my cymbals.  My earlier albums definitely suffer in the drum area, so I know about these issues firsthand.

B)  You've got to get the project properly mastered.  Mastering takes a good mix and makes it great.  It will make your music sound fuller and richer as well.  You think you can't afford decent mastering?  You cannot afford NOT to.  Besides, you can always get Pastor Brad to do it.  Just hit him up for a quote at www.guitarjams.net.  He did "Hostile To the Gospel" and an earlier project together for me...for only $150.  It would cost me three to four times that to get Cliffy to do it and even more if I used the mastering houses in Nashville.  Even if you have to do one track at a time because of finances, do it.  You will hear the difference and so will the people buying your music.

Oh, since this has become more of a discussion about your new project, I am moving this to The Buzz so more people see it.  I think you'd appreciate others sounding off and giving you some pointers at this point.  Also, I think more people would listen if they knew this was out there.

Good point, these part of the forum get's much more traffic.

Thanks for the feedback and input!

I've learned a thing or two at the tail end of recording The Beta Sessions that will certainly be applied to the new project.  I've got a real drummer to help with the programming this time around.  We're also looking into borrowing an electronic kit for him to use so we can get the live feel.  I have a vocalist slated to work with.  He's working on his own album at the moment but that's all right.  I have 6 songs arranged, 4 partially recorded, 1 halfway arranged with unfinished music and 3 that are still in the writing process.  Looking at a 2015 release.

Great news!

FYI - The Beta Sessions is now on iTunes and Spotify.  Other Digital Outlets are coming online.

If anyone would like a free download of The Beta Sessions, send me a PM and I'll get you a link and code.

^Only 1 has taken advantage of the free download.  Would anybody else like one?

Sorry to revive a way old thread.  I've gone back to my old music and redid the drums and remixed the songs.

Each song, as well as the album as a whole are available for free download.  Just enter 0 for the price.