My band just released a single from our debut! I edited the video :D

[alexanderbrevig]

Hi everyone!

I'm super hyped and thrilled about getting it finally done!



I had no previous experience with video editing so probably a lot of noobery around but, at least I'm happy with it

I'm very very grateful for feedback, and for your time if you care to listen and watch
 

[Yansi]

Well.. standard flat ball of zero dynamic  audio noise, unfortunately. 

Video otherwise decent I think.

[alexanderbrevig]

I wholeheartedly agree that it's way too compressed/limited. It's just what the audience expected, and what the mastering guys does. (The audio is the glass master with no post in video)
I'm the only one in the band who wants it to sound good on Hi-Fi and not only in the car or through some ear buds. Hehe.

I apologize for my not vetoing it but yeah. It is what it is.
Thanks for the feedback! 

[hans]

Very brave to post this kind of music on an electronics forum  .

But I like it, it's good. I took a quick listen to your EP as well, sounds pretty nice. I've seen many bands starting out with a lot less production value.

And yes I understand the Hi-Fi sound quality, but please don't take this offensive.. but most metal music is great for grinding at office hours and such. For that I don't want an outburst of rage that gets me ADHD'ed/tired of it quickly, neither a relaxing/heightened spirit that postrock/shoegazing/psychedelic bands can do, not being too distractingly (polyrhythms) complex that some (progressive) metal bands can be (or am I biased by being an addict of /r/progmetal? ). IMO It should be enjoyable to listen to and dynamic enough to keep interesting (mixed vox, keyboards, instrumental bridges, etc.). I think you guys are doing pretty well 

Yes the compression is very typical in this scene of music. Some bands are way worse by the way. Take `Vildhjarta - Shiver`, or almost any 'Djent' band for that matter, it's all the extremely high gain, distorted and low-pitch guitar sound (basically everything is done to kill dynamic range ). Must confess I do listen it quite a lot.
Ultimately deciding on your sound is always difficult. A friend of mine was starting out a band where the second guitarist wanted a very contemporary guitar tuning like some oldschool stuff. They ended up kicking the guy out; and ended up as a thrash/deathcore band (interesting combo), so I suppose the music your make as a band can sometimes be  a compromise (or not).

[John B]

I like it. Compression comes with the territory and "excessive" compression becomes part of the genre, especially with the drum sound. Was there a MIDI trigger on the bass drum? Handling dynamic range is always going to be tricky with a metal drummer.

The mix was clear enough to hear the harmony, and the guitar tone wasn't distorted beyond the ability to hear pitches either. The vocalist has a nice tone and the harmonised vocal lines are a nice touch, especially where the top note is held as a common tone over the shifting harmony and the lower note changes. I definitely prefer metal more towards the "symphonic" metal side.

[alexanderbrevig]

Thank you guys for your feedback!

Really appreciated

@John B
The drums were entirely recorded with MIDI actually. The audio is a processed GetGood Drums sample pack.
The guitars and bass were recorded direct, and we sent stems to a talented mix/master tech who did the final mix for us. We spent a lot of effort making guide mixes for him with effects and balance etc. All in all it was a good experience, but as all outsourcing; some problems arose. Then were fixed I think they were re-amped with Axe-FX II (which is what we use so that's nice).

@hans
I agree, it is a genera thing and I do like it - most of the time. It's just a strange feeling that the music "sounds better" on a mediocre listening environment. I love Vildhjarta and all the rest 'djent' bands. My usual listenting and playing preference is more toward the extreme/tech metal stuff (from fleshgod apocalypse to animals as leaders). If you like prog, you may like my previous band better; IMMETIC on spotify. We were young and did exactly what we wanted. The result? Prog. :p Also, for that album I insisted on Hi-Fi mix, as I was the producer, song writer etc for the project.

Thanks again guys!

[Electro Detective]

FWIW next time please consider to slow down or do less image strobe like switching, 

stick in some nice old school fades and pans,

let's see the guys hands and instruments... and faces (the ladies go for that)  a bit longer PLEASE ! 

more frontal scenes lit up,

A shot from the rear of the drummer displaying the kit and band won't hurt.


It's not my musical preference, though very familiar with the style,

BUT your band is as good as what's out there now, so don't be shy promoting and pushing it

The video quality and sound mix is fine, just leave as is,
a bit of compressed digital flatline distortion is nothing new, everyone does it     

Best of luck, and don't forget that the hard work and fun should always share the stage. 

[alexanderbrevig]

Thanks Electro Detective!

The lights were programmed with DMX (thank you RS485!) and the quick changes and more backlight than front light was a design decision the band did. I tend to agree with you that a few slower and maybe hands/faces would be better. But we're five people and the majority wanted this look so that's what I did.
I'll push them harder toward that next time and even reference your thoughtful and honest feedback.
Thanks again

[Cerebus]

Handling dynamic range is always going to be tricky with a metal drummer.

Sorry, you seem to have "dynamic range" and "metal" in the same sentence. Shome mishtake shurely?

(I know wherewith of what I speak. Many years ago the lead guitarist of a well known New Wave of British Metal band used to be my flat mate. I'm quite surprised that I still have good hearing.)

[Cerebus]

I didn't object to the fast cuts, they fit the song quite well IMHO.

For some reason continually coming back to that front, low angle shot jarred. I don't know why, it just did.

Oh, and get the guy on the right to stand with his legs just a tiny bit closer together, he looks like he's going to go arse over tit if he gets hit by a light breeze. 

[alexanderbrevig]

Oh, and get the guy on the right to stand with his legs just a tiny bit closer together, he looks like he's going to go arse over tit if he gets hit by a light breeze. 

HAHAHA!  Not going to be easy, as I know him quite well. It's me  No idea why, but it just happens.

EDIT: Also, it was a pain getting any kind of balance on top all those cables.

[xrunner]

Good guitar riffs - will be stuck in my head all evening. 

[innkeeper]

looks like you did the video in a comm room or computer room that was being decommissioned.

[alexanderbrevig]

looks like you did the video in a comm room or computer room that was being decommissioned.

That is true! It was an old Siemens facility and this room was the main telecom interconnect for them and their clients. The floors are all raised tiles and there's countless coax running under there.

Kind of cool, right? The look I mean.