Mr. Torture

Perhaps the instrument itself, but not the previous owner like I said.

I get it, maybe over produced yes, but still completely commercial pro sounding. I'm more in the camp of the musicians lend more to the sound than the equipment.

Samples, from Mike Shipley's personal library. So realistically, using a modern Kemper and drum software I should be able to at least match a studio album from 30+ years ago, or at least I thought..

It's a nice guitar, but no matter who handled it, it's still just an old strat. I carries no soul from the previous player / owner.

Agree with everything you said but this. The Hysteria album was recorded using Rockman's plugged into the console, no room at all.

That's it in a nut shell, sorry I wasn't more clear about it all. With all the technology today and great gear it should be relatively easy to get a somewhat pro mix, that never happened for me. It's really frustrating when you see bands like Def Leppard using Rockman's 30+ years ago that sound better than anything I could produce. Of course having guys like Bob Rock and the late Mike Shipley helps, that and being excellent song writers. Def Leppard was writing great stuff at 16-17 years old, some people are just born to succeed, others like me are born to work a crappy job and never obtain that level. But enough of my pity party, I'm making peace with it all.

You have been very helpful, I also really like your music. Your a great musician, jealous of that fact! I think some people like to poke fun and pile on, it's ok I have thick skin. It's a difficult thing coming to realize that you really aren't that caliber and all the years, work, sweat and tears have basically been for nothing. Maybe in my next life I will be born with a voice like Dio, or the skills of Paul Gilbert.

Please, continue having fun at my expense. It's fine. I know I'm not alone in this. I'm just not afraid to admit it.

Yeah, I think I'm done. It's been sometimes fun, but I could never get the results that I was hoping for. I won't stop with music, I enjoy playing guitar and learning new things. But recording songs and trying to produce them to a major label quality? Nope, just not in the cards for me. Just don't have the talent to make it happen. It's sad for sure, I have spent a lot of my life recording. Hard drives full of unfinished songs, uncounted thousands spent. More lost money on gear than I care to try and remember. But maybe most hobbies are that way? I probably would have been happier restoring an old car, even the most not mechanically inclined can do that and still achieve livable results. Recording is just a different animal. Now I know why 95% of the people I did music with over the years just play cover songs in obscure bands at the local brewery / restaurant.

Lord Tim, did you record your albums using Cakewalk?

Lord Tim, you are a lot better of a singer than mine. My singer would completely agree. That makes it easier for sure when you already have a professional voice. I'm sure it didn't come easy and you have payed your dues. But when the singer isn't confident and clearly not as good to compete, it wipes him out emotionally so he has no desire to try and improve. He's had plenty of time to do so, but never really worked at it like he should have. So we are left with the "All or nothing" mentality, so I guess it's nothing. Thanks for your insight and encouragement, but I am just returning to my practice amp.

I did not intend this as a deep dive into my psyche, trying to analyze why I would continue to stay with something like a battered wife. I simply wanted to get some opinions and thoughts from others in the same boat. I couldn't possibly be alone in wondering why we bother recording and producing music when there is zero outlet for it. Bottom line is nobody cares about my music, I'm not sure if anyone cares about music at all anymore, unless it's something industry generated. All I really wanted was one song that sounded pro to me, I'm not a terrible songwriter, at least I don't think I am. Even if the song was complete crap it should still sound professional. It's not like I am using lesser equipment than some pro bands that do it themselves. I have heard some pretty terrible songs over the years that sound professional, so when people say it's all about the song that's not really true, at least to my ears. Maybe I am completely wrong, that's certainly possible. I like creating, I always have. But maybe I would be better off just playing guitar on my own, learning some new stuff and forget about recording all together. Enough of my pity party, because nobody really cares about that either. I guess I just wish it was early 1980's again.

I've been recording since 1986, I am way past spending a fortune 🤪

Yeah, I could. Means a new soundcard too as mine is PCIe.

Thank you all for your comments, it is a bit reassuring that I am not alone. I think my biggest issue right now is, do I make the plunge and upgrade my computer and continue? Or do I simply liquidate and move on? My computer is about ready to give up the ghost, occasional blue screens of death, popping & clicking, I'm just worn out trying to keep it going. I have a hard time justifying $3500 Plus on a new sled for a hobby that generates zero rewards. The biggest issue is my singer simply has lost all confidence and is too fixated on how great everyone else is (Professional singers) versus himself. It's a real drag when he comes in, sings a couple bars and just hates it all. I figure that I might as well hang it up, sell the recording gear and dust off the old practice amp for the occasional play around. Again, I really appreciate this forum and the healthy conversation this thread has generated.

Good post, exactly how I have felt the past year or so. You are not alone.

Every break I take just puts more distance between me and music.

Ha, I have enough bad songs for every member on this forum!

This is my question I ask myself everyday. I'm not a professional song writer, I don't have a full band, I'm 52 years old. There is no outlet to showcase my music and nobody cares about it anyways. I get the occasional like from a buddy, but I feel my era is long gone. I cannot compete with bands signed to labels like Frontiers and that's the level of quality I expect from myself. I end up with hard drives full of mediocre material. It's a lot of work writing, performing, mixing music. So much that it takes the joy out of it. Years ago I could spend every waking moment working on songs, mixing etc. Now I have to force myself to work on it. Anyone else feel this way? Maybe it's just me and I need to give it up. How do you keep going? Where do you showcase your music? Do you get results your completely happy with? Do people actually like your stuff?

I have Relab as well, that's exactly what's happening.

So, I was getting the cruddy buffer thing again. So I decided to play with the settings a bit. First thing I did was shut off the SPDIF, as I don't use it. Leaving the main in/ out's going on my soundcard. The buffer issue went away and I could record with buffers at 128.. So bizarre...

This is what I did: To disable Windows 10 Automatic Updates: Go to Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services. Scroll down to Windows Update in the resulting list. Double click the Windows Update Entry. In the resulting dialog, if the service is started, click 'Stop' Set Startup Type to Disabled.

I shut off the auto updates, but still cannot get buffers lower than 256 when running 2 audio tracks and one instance of superior drummer. Even with 256 I can hear the occasional quick crackle. I cannot understand how on one session I was able to do it, but now I cant using less VST's. It's become very fickle.. I checked every setting on this computer and googled every setting that can be turned off. Windows 7 I never experienced this issue, I think it's just time to move on from 12 year old tech.

Thats interesting, I will check that out, Thanks!

Well, I'm back again. I created a copy of my session which included a couple audio tracks, superior drummer 3, EZ Bass & a keyboard VST. I removed the keyboard VST and found that I could record multiple tracks of guitar at buffers set to 128, no crackling, no issues. I thought I had found the problem. Last night I started a brand new session consisting of Superior drummer and 2 audio tracks only. I was forced to run buffers at a minimum of 256, other wise it just crackled and popped, the guitar signal sounded choppy and terrible. So why is it that I can do one session with a few VST's and multiple audio tracks at 128, but when I start a brand new session I can only run at a minimum of 256? I wonder could the hard drive be going bad? Could that cause this Intermittent buffer issue?