ALBUM 1 IS ALMOST DONE,ALMOST THERE がんばて！！

Just tracked 99.9% of the vocals down as of tonight,auditioned them and they sound awesomeeeeee. So all that's left is just certain parts and shit but whateverrrrr,that's tomorrow's problem!

Keep a lookout for the first album,perhaps coming out in late january/early febuary!

- Rid

A picture from reflections performance!

Had the best time of my life despite the crowd being a little bit stagnant!:/

But anyway,now it's the album completion time; Vocals.

- Rid

2nd performancee on monday

I'm glad to say that I'll be performing at Republic poly's South Agora at 4.30 pm tomorrow(Monday 29/10/12)with Beats Encore! Excited as hell for this performance!! Will update with pictures and stuff after the performance :)

Flesh Forbades first album update

Recorded all the rhythm and shit like that,now it's the final check and stuff like that before the mixing! Oh yeah,vocal yet to be done yet! gar!


- Rid.

What I've been up to!

I've been recording some stuff up for my recording project FFB! Still loads of stuff to do, getting the chugs tight and right,arrangement and all that stuff. But whatever it is,I'm done with the basic foundation of stuff and I'm should be going at turbo speed since school is starting soon.

And also the next performance I'm do doing is at my school annual event called reflections!! Fck yeah,I'm learning the materials and all that so it's pretty busy month but I love it!

Not to mention I've been jamming with uzi on some materials for the second album of FFB. So fuck yeah,loads of plan here and there and I should really take steps,but whatever it is I'm motivated.


That's all for now.
- Rid :)

Sorry for the lack of update!!

Been demoing out the albums and stuff like that so i barely got time to say anything!
Just thought I'd drop by to update the blog and stuff just so anyone is wondering!

-rid

FIRST EVA PERFORMANCE!!

SOOOOOO,
I had my first ever performance!

Though it was sucky,I learnt a lot - A LOT.
Let this be my first of many performance!
Currently on-going for demo phase 2 for BREAKING THE SKYLINE!
3 songs are done at the moment,gonna have to review them and see what needs tweaking! 

practicing zanarkand!

apparently I got nervous in front of the camera :s

Flesh Forbades,the first album: Breaking The Skylines teaser

Mars

Mars

Have a blast solo cover!

Have a blast solo practice

Practicing Ezio's Family

Love for music.

So I was watching Win Win,a korean talk show whereby they invite guests like actors,musicians and such. Coincidentally today's episode was about the Chung Sisters(The sisters that plays the cello and violin).

Yeah,the talk was amazingly meaningful. The sisters expressed their love for their instruments in a way that I can not put in words - it awes me to no end,literally. And the sentimental me,can relate. I have been playing the guitar for I think over 6 years already(Since 13)? And I have expressed my love for music in a slightest way possible but people fail to see it most of the time,unfortunately. Partly it's because of me not wanting to show off too much or trying to be way too conservative. Which I believe factored to my 3 years long  relationship.

But anyway. Recently,I'm beginning to change;beginning to change the way I think - I love music,and I want everyone to see that. I want the whole world to know that I love my guitar,that I love playing guitar,that I want to do music as a job. Not some part time shit,but a full time musician. To be touring around the world,experience things that way outta my comfort zone. Playing for the people that believe in me.

I love my guitar and everything that entails with it,whether it's soul-less or not.

Hydrophilia(Intro to Hydrophobia) Update 1

Hydrophilia(Intro to Hydrophobia) Update 1

Chaos Reigns

Passenger Solo coverrr

Sea below us (Orchestra ver)

Sea below us (Orchestra ver)

Terminated Clockwork(Instrumental) - xhana

Terminated Clockwork(Instrumental) - xhana

Rest In Peace - xhana

Rest In Peace - xhana

Solving The Mystery - xhana

Solving The Mystery - xhana

First of many orchestra composition to come!

-Rid

Time's Beckoning - xhana

Time's Beckoning - xhana

Metronomoe work

Embrace

Embrace

Time's Beckoning,in the morning

5

As the title says!

First Attempt at electronic music(Some Random FM sounds)

First Attempt at electronic music(Some Random FM sounds)

4

Finally did some adjustments to my strings and fuck,now I feel comfortable playing the solo faster!!
Hurray for internet tutorials!

-Rid

Practice 3

Geetaarrrrr madness monday

http://soundcloud.com/xhana/aalax
 Did a rough mix on the song galaxy and I'm done with this demo,for now. Time to move on to another song to demo which will be entitled "Time's Beckoning" !

 Also practice session numbah 2 on the Follow the signs solo!
 Still have a mental block here and there,but ah well! I see progression! :D

 

Pardon the "I just woke up" Face,hahah. Omilord I look ugly!


- Rid.

Galaxy - xhana

Galaxy - xhana

A night in the dark

A night in the dark

Guitar practiceeeee 1

Pokemon : Mt.Moon cover

Pokemon : Mt.Moon cover

Demoss

Foetus stage of the track Aphrodite,way too many stuff to be done.

ahaha.

-rid

Incandescent star demo

Live sound mixing meets studio mixing

So currently right now I am writing this post outsde my house with my door mat,of what seems to be my yoga mat. So anyway,I just did a live sound mix yesterday and it was insanely thrilling yet exhausting. It was a feeling that I never thought I would be smiling to since I'm always worried sick whenever I had this feeling in the past. Pretty surprising. Anyway,I was learning how to mix in a live band situation,I felt that it's an extremely valuable experience that I have ever experienced. Especially when you're studying a really extremely-practical module called live sound. Gah. However I gained insights on what my objectives are when you're gonna be mixing in live situations. I feel too that this can somewhat be applied in the studio as well; I remember my teacher saying we as sound engineers have to bring out the moments that are suppose to be the hoghlghts of the perfomance. Solo guitars has to shine as well. And last but not least,we have a to give the audience an enjoyable auditory experience,which I felt that could be super-applicable in studio mixing as well. Just a wonderful time experiencing behind the scenes stuffs. I guess that is all. -rid.

Built

This sums up phase 1 of the tri-medly. Now I have to practice and nail the things down! And make it a fugue! -Rid

Part 2

All new materials Jam

All new materials Jam

The tone isn't so bad, I think that the un-tight playing just makes it seems sucky hahah.
But nevertheless,I felt that the clean tone needs some high mids to get that crisp sound.

The dirty tone seems okay!

- Rid

3 videosssss

I think I've found an awesome way to demo out my originals,and doing performance at home is the way!

Enjoy anyway!

-Rid

Tri medly-esque: Part 1

The sea below us

http://soundcloud.com/xhana/the-sea-below-us

Passenger

Just did a coverrrrr. This riff has a lot of chords extensions/voicing which spices your songs,I figured since it's thrown in with syncopation,might as well!

I'm still having problems with the DAW side of the productions like,how do I bounce the audio without compromising the volume,how do I make everything sound at equal volume,etcetera. It's all apparent in that video!

I'll have to research on that! Nonetheless,enjoy!

-Rid.

Busy busy busy

Hey,anyone.

So I've decided to totally strip off the cover for forsake not the dream. The reason being I really not up to par with the solo,it's really sloppy! sigh,this shows how much I really need to buck up with solos!:(

But anyway,I've been demoing out tones for my recording project's debut album,and lemme tell you - It's hell trying to get a good tone out of a PodHD 400. Goodness,thankfully I could get an above average tone with certain subtractive EQ-ing and A VST: Voxengo tube amp to really warm up the whole tone overall. 

But still to me,it needs shit-loads of work I tell ya. I'm planning to change my pickups to EMGS when I get my bursary money. I think I need the high output for the tone. Ah well,in the meantime - I'll work on my materials,I've got a couple of instrumental up on my sound cloud if anyone's interested!

http://www.soundcloud.com/xhana

Till then! 

-Rid.

58bpm

55 bpm

49bpm

VIsual art blog

www.enzymic.blogspot.com

Synco/Mixing Practice Part 2

Synco/Mixing Practice Part 2

This practice has A LOT of mistakes going on here.
Here's a couple:
- I didn't check the input level for the guitar,which results into a really soft mix
- I didn't really play tight,which is something I really need to pay attention to!

Recording/producing-esque stuff

It's finally the holiday,and I had time to video-blog about this project that I'm in the middle of.
Just outlining certain stuff that I have to let out in this video.

P/S do not alarmed by the thumbnail,ahahah.

-Rid

Rest in peace intro!

Just thought I'd post it up for some references/archiving!
I just love the intro,it's one of the most beautiful tune to me.

P/s anyone notice korean speaking in the background? hahah,I was watching invincible youth 2!

Syncopation/Mixing Practice

Syncopation/Mixing Practice

Check this out,I was practicing some syncopated riffs and then an idea hit me,why don't I practicing syncopation and then try mixing! Thus,the product and also killing 2 bird with one stone!

Many thing I feel that are still lacking or needs to be cut off though it's a good start.


-Rid.

Practicing the solo of forsake

So this is me practicing my next upcoming cover. It's a REALLY tough one.

The way that I'm approaching with this cover is to be as prepared as possible before I go into recording.
What I've done during the caustic cover was impromptu stuff,which I've come to hate the most because I really can't do anything without preparation.

Analysis of what went wrong and all that:
0:08 - 0:09 - The moment when I start,I made a mistake. So one thing to take note of when entering a solo is to have a good start! 
0:34 - 0:39 - From what I can remember,this part of the solo is still uncomfortable to me because I can't hit the notes as fast. So remember to start slow and then build up,comfortably.
1:36 - 1:38 - This is also the part where it kills,the 8 notes/beat is really a killer. Start out slow and then build up. When you've one to a point where there's this 'belief' that you can do it,be in control of the notes that you're shredding.

Overall what you did good was that you could do like half of the solo already without thinking too much,which is good! Keep practicing to the point where you are not thinking of what you're doing!

MOST IMPORTANTLY,BE SERIOUS WHILE HAVING FUN WHEN PRACTICING. NOT EITHER ONE!!

-Rid.

Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer.

As I hear back this song today,after so many years ( when I was 14;4 years to be precise) . I finally have a better comprehension of the song. What Martin said "summer love that's short-lived". I really could relate to song fully. After so many rejections. After going through so much. I could finally relate to this song that's been lingering in my mind for so long! And yes,it's indeed a sweet sorrow.

- Rid

You lost the connection,a blank interaction

The first piano cover I've ever done. Hahah
When I first heard of this song,the intro struck me like with jolts of attraction to the song. I love the way the intro progresses,they notes that are in this intro. The way it leaves you hanging at the end. I really love the sound of the chords for some reason. Maybe this why I have this natural liking for jazz.
I just love the chords.

In any case,enjoy.

- Rid.

Sweep picking practice

The purpose of this video is to see how much I suck and how I can improve. Both psychological and physically.

Short soloooooo

Short soloooooo

Syncopating

Syncopating

Here's an experimentation of it!

Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace) Intro

Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace) Intro

Here's something that's been in my mind for so long and finally penned down.
I feel that the acoustic guitar would suit this better,but meh.

The need to let it out

It's 12.30 in the night,I've got school tomorrow. Fortunately I've had my nap but I need to sleep soon!

Before that I have to pen this thought down before I go to bed.

So currently I'm currently allowing myself to delve into the world of jazz. Like how Sasuke seeks power from Orochimaru (anime fanboy moment,but whatever). 

I feel that there's a need to improve on so much stuff,

• for example my alternate picking speed needs to pick up speed pronto. 
• My Sweep picking has got to improve in terms of speed as well;My guitar tone manipulation for lead stuff also needs to be better. 
• My knowledge on song-writing needs to expand
• My knowledge on building variation of chords
• My knowledge about performing live 
• My singing; The way I wanna emulate the emotion and bring forth to my audience.

Many many more that's still in my subconscious.

I need to improve,I want to be the best.

Practicing On the backs of Angel solo! Still sucky as shit,but getting to know the solo is a step closer to getting there!

Till then,enjoy

-rid

So here's a short cover of me playing On The Backs Of Angel by Dream Theater.
It's a really catchy riff and I've yet to full comprehend the whole syncopation thing that John Petrucci mentioned in the video lesson.

Tried NOT to hide behind the mix. I think I did okay.

Apart from that,I played by feeling and this is what came out!

Another noteworthy thing I'd like to mention is my dad,
I never really mention about thanking him for buying me that guitar in this video. Hence I feel that I should be thanking him for supporting me in every possible way even though he's really skeptical about me going into this industry.

I really understand that what he fears ( My appearance,alcohol,drugs,etc) and it's something that I feel, should not taken lightly,and that I recognize that it's not easy to let a loved one pursue their interests that they themselves are really skeptical about.

So,I thank you dad. For supporting me in this - and my friends and family,for that matter!

I'm working my way up,I'm working really hard to get what I want and I'm really thankful that there are people out there giving me the positive energy to go on albeit it's just a small support.

I believe one day,this will all pay off. This I swear.

-Rid.

Tremolo-Djent moment

Tremolo-Djent moment

Just got into periphery and I started noticing the guitars locks in with the kick drum. Hence the excercise.
Really amazing.
Just doing the basics first,the complex ones later on in the future.

p/s I like the guitar tone!

-Rid

Guitar tone /Drum test

Heavy Metal Guitar Tone Test

Just did this on an evening,I thought that I should be improving on my knowledge on trying to make midi drums as human as possible and the guitar tone to be heavy yet nice

Trying to not hide behind the mix

Doing my routine-ish practice covers!
Pretty melodic solo, thought it's easy I tried to take it seriously; not trying to hide behind the mix but still some parts are sloppy!

Nevertheless enjoy.
p/s enjoy my yawn face. hahah!


-Rid

Hyrdrophobia

Hyrdrophobia

I had to make this from a visualization to reality in order to make progress with the song, I often find myself playing the things that I came up with over and over. Hence the lack of productive sessions. Tada,here was roughly what in my mind for one of Flesh Forbades's original song.

-Rid

Rain Waltz

Rain Waltz


Watched immortal song 2 yesterday night and I was captivated at how the singers really bring forth the emotions in the songs to the audiences. And it's not what everyone is good at,even though you're a good singer. And I was specifically interested in this performance:



A sad waltz.
I'd like to delve into this dimension of music,improve upon it, and hopefully able to apply it to my music which I'm currently composing right now.

-Rid.

Practicing some growls

I did this a while back ago. Just thought I'd put this up!
I sound super hilarious,but I've a couple of good ones in there though.
I'd like to see what I'm capable of with screams,and I feel this is a testament to what I'm capable of.
It can be better,though.

Anyway,I just went to The Philippines and did 2 episodes:
Just thought anyone might wanna check it out here

Sad Love - IRIS

Soooo,I'm here again with a cover!

BTW,this is NOT the IRIS GooGoo doll.

Being a fan of the korean drama "IRIS",I decided to make a guitar cover from one of their OST when some dramatic thing happens,haha.

It was shot when I having a "hiatus" back a few weeks ago. Finally I had some time to edit and all that.

Special thanks to my good friend, Danial - Amazing piano player,to this date blows my mind at how he plays the piano so fluently.

The guitar sounds super vinyl,which fascinates me - perhaps it was the strings being slightly rusty?
meh,I digress.

Check him out:
http://www.reverbnation.com/danialariffin
http://www.twitter.com/danialariffin

Caustic Are The Ties That..

Finally, after 3 fucking long weeks - I am done with this cover.

This cover encompasses my every flaw in terms of the musical and technical/production aspects that could possibly be thrown at you while your tracking guitars.

I learnt so much,sweat probably too much, yet it's still flawed. However,I'll use this as a stepping stone for   my future works; I'm leaving every fuck ups there is to this video!

I wanted to say so much,but I can't find the words! haha.

Oh,this is dedicated to my friend: Jason! I love yo face!

Till then,enjoy.

-Rid.

CLICK Go go go.

Suicide,I've already died.

Yet another cover for this week - Not entirely happy with this one,the process of making it and such.
Here's why:

1. Not much preparation made,So I probably butchered the song I guess.

2. Filming process was really tedious,I had so many fuck ups to the point I might lose it!

3. Trying to even find a suitable guitar tone is already a chore ( What more can I say? hah. )

However,no matter how hard it is Imma still continue making this kind of videos ; they're good alternatives since I don't have a band at the moment - Thank goodness for superior drummer and all the simulators.

Anyway,did I forget to mention that I have an album of the pictures I take? Not all of it is uploaded at the moment,but give it some time,I'll be done with it!

Till then.
- Rid.

First Cover of the Year

A little about this blog: I guess this blog's is going to be everything about my musical/artsy journey.

So finally a cover after like 2 weeks of trying out different songs. At first I was planning to cover Caustic are the ties that bind,but believe me it wasn't that easy. Long hours of sitting lob-sided on my office chair,trying to record and following to the metronome whilst to the drum ,at the same time; really a hard thing to do.

Eventually I decided to something a little bit easy and Built To Fall was it.

Thus,I present to you my built to fall guitar cover! Not the best of sounds,but Imma invest in some emg solderless pickup, I think it would do the trick!

Toast to the many of covers to come this year. (Oh,originals too! )

- Rid