Attention ATS musicians: Interested in collaborating our talents for a 'virtual' band?

Ok, here's a fresh idea. With the advancement of the internet, music applications and latest technology gadgets, one of the most underrated achievements of the early 21st century is the ability to make music with others without ever stepping into a jam spot. No age barriers, no personality conflicts, no rental space and no gear transportation. I would like to propose a new take on the meaning of "jamming" and take it to the next level.

I'm calling on guitar players, horn, bass, drummers and even vocalists whom would like to collaborate together and well, make music. Beginners, intermediate or professional, it does't matter, there is a spot for you. How can this be achieved? With the cloud. I'm sure by now everyone has a smart phone or tablet and with that we can now finally have the freedom to record and upload tracks for others to download and lay down their own. There are a variety of applications to help you achieve this. For guitar players, there's a couple of products on the market that I'm aware of, one of which I already have.

1. iRig by IK Multimedia
www.ikmultimedia.com...

iRig 2 is the new and improved version of the groundbreaking and best selling iRig guitar interface. Featuring everything you loved about iRig, it has powerful sound and streamlined convenience, and it packs essential new features like versatile gain control, a 1/4" amplifier output and Android compatibility into its sleek pocketable enclosure.

2. Jam by Apogee
www.apogeedigital.com...

JAM brings the legendary sound quality of Apogee to iPad®, iPhone® and Mac. Now guitarists can have a pocket-sized, plug in and play interface at an unprecedented price and experience ultimate tone with the guitar amps and effects in Apple’s GarageBand and Logic Pro or other compatible applications.

Here's a quick video to show the product that I use. No lugging of amps nor peddles, variety of different sounds from well known brands and simple plug'n play. The app interface "jamup" is free and will not disappoint. Expansion models extra.


There's another app for the iRig called Vocal live which I have as well. Comes with a built in 4-track and file sharing via wifi to your computer. Great for laying down vocals with pitch ranges and a plethora of other effects. You can plug in your guitar to that too or just record "free air" with your built in mic.

Now with some of the products out of the way, I would like to talk about the possibilities. I would like set up musical collaboration with anyone who has the same interest as me. I would like to hear what you can do and see where it goes from there. Have an original piece you're dying to get out there? Maybe you have a knack for writing melodies and hooks? Perhaps you would like to challenge yourself with a solo? Or maybe you would like to do a cover song? Maybe even have an ATS battle of the bands contest? Just never know how this might turn out, perhaps a one-hit-wonder might come out of this. Make new friends and play with people from the other side of the planet whom you would never get a chance to meet before.

A little about me:

I've been playing for about 25 years. Hardly a pro but I somehow manage to find myself around a guitar ok. I don't get the opportunity to play live or jam with anyone since I moved to my city 11 years ago. My musical influences are classic rock, hard rock and blues. Lately my blues has been taking off. Some bands I like to cover are Foo fighters, Radiohead, Led Zep, ACDC to give you an idea of the range. I play acoustic or electric, just recently bought a new guitar and have been finally been practicing my soloing; haven't had an electric for about 14 years. I can sing ok but my range is limited. Prefer to be in the background anyway. I would really like to do some blues with a raspy female voice so if you've got that I would love to experiment.

Right now I'm working on "ride on" - ACDC and I've pretty much got 95% of the solo down. I've also got Gerry Doucette's "mama let him play" about 99% down (a real underrated song of its time) and I've got a small handful of originals. Easy listening, bluesy type sounds.
To get the show started, here's a link to one I've uploaded. It has just three tracks, drums, rhythm and lead acoustic. The arrangement isn't final but it gives you and idea of what I like to do. Still could use some lyrics and vocals along with a bass melody. It's currently set to private but If you would like to take a stab at it, IM me and I can set it so you can download it and lay down your own track.
soundcloud.com...

So there you have it. I hope this thread is successful and with a little time and momentum, perhaps it will take off once the creative juices and time investment begin to flow.

Cheers.

a reply to: FlySolo

I'm down send me a private message. My main instrument is bass.

a reply to: snypwsd

message sent

a reply to: FlySolo

I have gear to record as well, I would say my skill level is pro. I was signed to a label with my last band. I am always looking for a new project to work on.

a reply to: snypwsd

Pro, well I hope I can keep up with you. Do you want to upload something or work off what I've got?

Here's a talk through on the irig HDA PC app

a reply to: smurfy

Pretty slick stuff coming out now eh? I haven't got Amplitube but it looks like it may have more default features than jamup. I just laid down a hard rock piece I came up with, trying to figure out how to export it now. Would like to get it up ASAP. If a few members here already have these toys, could be fun...

originally posted by: FlySolo
a reply to: smurfy

Pretty slick stuff coming out now eh? I haven't got Amplitube but it looks like it may have more default features than jamup. I just laid down a hard rock piece I came up with, trying to figure out how to export it now. Would like to get it up ASAP. If a few members here already have these toys, could be fun...

Well, what you could is upload the piece, or patch and normalise it for the 'net onto your own URL if you have one, open a new page on it, save it but don't publish. That way you only need to give someone the URL when you want to.

Neat idea .. i would but plan on purchasing the recording software in a few months. So i will comment now and keep this thread for the future.
Eta . What kind of musical style you have in mind

a reply to: smurfy

Sounds like a pain.

Here, got the next one up. If anyone feels up to working with it, it's a free for all. I like it kinda catchy if you listen to it enough times. But that's me.
soundcloud.com...
soundcloud.com...

eta: I deleted the first one in the OP by mistake. Both are added here now.

a reply to: freedomSlave

Anything that sounds good Catchy hooks, melody, variety.
I'll be slowly adding tracks to this thread. After a few you'll see what I can do.

originally posted by: FlySolo
a reply to: freedomSlave

Anything that sounds good

Catchy hooks, melody, variety.
I'll be slowly adding tracks to this thread. After a few you'll see what I can do.

DUDE!!!!!!! I really Really like untitled wave 6. I really enjoyed it, I want to jump on that one for sure when I get home

a reply to: FlySolo

Who will do the mixing? I got the software to mix and master plus I got melodyne.
I'm no pro, and if some one else wants to do it I'm cool with that.

I have experience mixing, I have mixed and recorded most of my bands demos, my own recordings and friends songs as well.

We must record to a metronome and at the Sam BPM in order to make the songs just that much better!

a reply to: snypwsd

If you have mixing programs then you can handle it if you like. Otherwise all the tracks can be mixed together within the app I've got, once done.

Glad you like untitled 6 It came to me after learning the Pretender. I've got that one down too but it's a bitch with the timing. Hard for me to lay the second track without messing it up somewhere.

Guitar here, I'd be down for this. I would need some guidance on the recording, file transferring and such . I have an Apogee Jam Interface with Jam Up, Pocketamp, Ampkit, Garageband and Amlitube modelers that works with my phone. Logic and Garageband for my computer with a few different modeling amps. I've worked in Logic a little but kept getting frustrated with it. So......... I would need some help if anyones patient enough to help me through it.

a reply to: mtnshredder

It's simple. Can't speak for the other interfaces but Jamup lets you transfer your file directly from your phone to your computer via itunes if you're using iphone. Open up a soundcloud account for free and upload it there. I'm sure all the other products are similar.

a reply to: FlySolo
Going to dinner now but I'll check it out when I get back. I'm sure there's probably a Youtube vid on it.

originally posted by: mtnshredder
Guitar here, I'd be down for this. I would need some guidance on the recording, file transferring and such . I have an Apogee Jam Interface with Jam Up, Pocketamp, Ampkit, Garageband and Amlitube modelers that works with my phone. Logic and Garageband for my computer with a few different modeling amps. I've worked in Logic a little but kept getting frustrated with it. So......... I would need some help if anyones patient enough to help me through it.

What aspects do you need help with... I don't run logic I use reaper and or cubase. They are basically all the same. So I could help with that. If we all get drop box. You guys can email me so I have your email to create a folder on there where we can all share everything. Its very easy to use its a click and drag site. It would be easier for me if I do the mixing. That is what was used when I was with hmp recording, and it was simple you just log into the site and you click and drag what you want to add or download.

Edit: you guys would have to create an count on drop box (if you haven't done so already) first, I know FlySolo does.

I also have an electric drum kit too. Its a Roland, I'm not that good of a drummer but I have a buddy who is better then me. I can talk to him and see if he will be down to lay down some tracks too. If he is down I'll get home to join ATS too so we can all be in contact through here and that way it stays an ATS band

a reply to: snypwsd

Electric drums really makes this even more of a robust way to make music digitally. The apps are very restrictive, they do the job but you really need to do it manually.

Sent you an IM about that dropbox

a reply to: FlySolo

I am thinking about buying a Boss BR 800 recorder. Do you think that device has all the features needed to compare 'notes' with others over the net?