Dream Views Guitar Wars 2011! (Think Thread)

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 08:01 PM

That's right, DV, we're bringing it back!
There's no mistaking that Guitar Wars was a success, a little over a year ago, but time has continued to march, things have changed and people have moved on. Now, though, we seem to have a whole new generation of DVers and - no doubt - a whole new pool of talent with which to start things up again!

For those whom don't know: Guitar Wars was a weekly contest in which members would compete to see who could turn out the best performance, on an predetermined event. Judging of each event is based on polls, so all DV members are encouraged to support your fellow DVers and vote!! Past events have ranged from improvising a solo to an existing song, to playing a rhythm track of your choice, to completely remaking an existing tune. Anything goes. The purpose of the Think Thread (this one) is to keep track of who will be participating in each event, each week, and to collectively brainstorm on what the following week's event will actually be. Anyone is allowed to join, and everyone's input is encouraged, when it comes to choosing events!

Who knows? Maybe we'll even get some ladies in the mix, this time! Any female guitaristas, out there??

So how about it, people? Who's up for a little "friendly competition," eh? I already know that there are at least 4 people who will be joining in, but I'm sure we can do a little better than that!

The first event has - so far - been decided as remaking an existing tune, to your choice of one of three basic drum tracks that I will be providing. It could be any tune; a rock song, a country song, a show tune, a commercial jingle. Anything. Tomorrow being Friday, I will post the drum tracks here, at that time, and whomever is participating can choose which one to use. I'm also thinking about allowing those with editing software to mix-and-match the beats, to make a more complete song, but I'm not sure yet. Anyone with feedback on whether or not that should be done? You're more than welcome to chime in.

Whatever the case, let's get this thing going! If you want to participate in the first Battle of 2011, simply respond to this thread and let us know. This week's deadline will be Friday, January 14th (you can post it any time that day, before 12:00am Saturday EST). The lengths of time for each event may vary, depending on the event (improvisational events will have a much quicker deadline, etc.), but they are all negotiable...

LET'S GET IT ON!!

List of Past Events:

Week 1 (Could not find link)
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8 (Could not find link)
Week 9
Week 10

And here is the original Think Thread:
Link

**slash112** · 01-06-2011 08:25 PM

I'm in.
For the sake of practice, more than anything else.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by slash112

For the sake of practice, more than anything else.

Absolutely!

The last bit of contests was probably the best practice I've had in...a loooong time. Heh.

Also, since there may be some events that I might not be able to participate in (time, etc), I'll just formally note that I will be participating in this first one.

**ninja9578** · 01-06-2011 08:45 PM

I'll probably get in on this this year

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Who knows? Maybe we'll even get some ladies in the mix, this time! Any female guitaristas, out there??

This made me think of Burns playing guitar hero

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by ninja9578

I'll probably get in on this this year

Interested on jumping in, for the first round?

Originally Posted by ninja

This made me think of Burns playing guitar hero

Oh, man. I still remember that vid. Rawr.

That being said, I miss Burns.

**ninja9578** · 01-06-2011 08:54 PM

Maybe, I gotta dust it off and practice a little. Does it have to be all played at once, or can me have multiple tracks (ie a strumming harmony track and a picking track ?)

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Maybe, I gotta dust it off and practice a little. Does it have to be all played at once, or can me have multiple tracks (ie a strumming harmony track and a picking track ?)

I would be fine with multi-track. Since we've still got time, lets see what some others think.

**slash112** · 01-06-2011 09:11 PM

Multi-track seems fine to me too. Especially since it's going to have at least two anyways, with the beats being there too.

**zebrah** · 01-06-2011 09:48 PM

I'm in. Although I'm slightly confused. Were doing the remake this week and the drum track next week right? How long do we have to turn our songs in. I've already got part of mine recorded.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Zebrah

I'm in. Although I'm slightly confused. Were doing the remake this week and the drum track next week right? How long do we have to turn our songs in. I've already got part of mine recorded.

Well, is yours purely guitar?

I was going to provide a beat with which you can remake any song you wish (the guitar part). The reason I wanted to wait until tomorrow so that anybody that I talked to about this earlier (whomever was in chat) wouldn't have an unfair advantage of being able to start their project early.

BUT, if everyone has access to their own beats, we could just do it that way I guess? You can put your own beat to it (or have it simply with no beat behind it), if you wish? What do the rest of you think? Everyone needs to have an even amount of time to do their project (unless some late-comers show up, in the middle of the week), so I would wait until the actual even starts, before getting to wrapped up in your project, Zebrah.

But, most-likely, the deadline will be next Friday.

**zebrah** · 01-06-2011 10:30 PM

If the beats you give us work then I'll use them. If not garage band has tons I can use.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-06-2011 10:35 PM

K. Sounds good.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-07-2011 07:07 PM

Alright, we can do it like this:

For anyone entering, who has the means, can use their own beat, or a beat from some other source. If you don't have access to one, I can provide a drum track for you. Seems to me like the simplest solution.

So, we have until next Friday to come up with something! Once again, anyone who might be participating this week, reply to this thread, so that we have an idea of who all is competing!

**Jeff777** · 01-08-2011 12:08 AM

Can't wait to see the vids you guys post.

**slash112** · 01-10-2011 02:07 AM

I wouldn't know the first thing about making/finding beats.

**Medevila** · 01-10-2011 04:10 AM

I'm definitely in. For Week 1 are we doing anything we want or do you got a stylism/genre you want us to go for?

**Armistice** · 01-10-2011 04:18 AM

I suck, so be prepared for general chords as well as power chords

It sounds like we'd have to mix in a track. I don't know how I'd do that, but I'm sure I could find a way

Though I know there're better people on here, I'll join in for the sake of practicing

**StonedApe** · 01-10-2011 04:46 AM

I'm in. Is it also acceptable to not use a drum track?

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-10-2011 06:08 AM

A beat isn't necessary.

The event is just to remake any already-existing song/tune/jingle, to make it your own. Good to have some more people on board. I'm kind of upset, because I'm having trouble with my electric guitar, but I might be able to throw something together with the acoustic.

**Armistice** · 01-11-2011 03:10 AM

Proving to be a little harder than I thought with my original idea, haha. Plan B... sandbag, lol

EDIT: DL'd a free version of WavePad Sound Editor. I've tried to record what I play, but my speakers hiss. Is there a cord I could hook up from my computer to my guitar, or would I have to get cords to go from my speaker to my computer?

**Armistice** · 01-12-2011 02:32 AM

I'm going to bump this. I thought there'd be more talking in here maybe

Anyway, I think I finally got the gist of what I want. I now need to figure out how to get the Guit 1 and 2 parts together

Also, I'm trying to go for a rock/ metal sound, but have no pedal, just the gain on my speakers. Any advice how to get the sound or am I just stuck?

**ninja9578** · 01-12-2011 03:05 AM

Where are the drum tracks? I don't know what song I want to play without knowing what the drum beat is like.

**Armistice** · 01-12-2011 05:14 AM

I was thinking that as well. Worst case, I don't use it

Just finished tabbing mine out, thought the tabs are jsut for reference and practice as I change it up for the finished song. Just have to add the chords in

**Oneironaut Zero** · 01-12-2011 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Armistice

EDIT: DL'd a free version of WavePad Sound Editor. I've tried to record what I play, but my speakers hiss. Is there a cord I could hook up from my computer to my guitar, or would I have to get cords to go from my speaker to my computer?

Hmm. I'm not sure. You say you don't have a pedal? You could get a cord that goes from the guitar, and to the computer, but most likely, any cord that you get is going to have the larger prongs on the end. You can get an adapter that would take it from the 1/4" prong down to the 1/8 inch. (one of these).

Originally Posted by Armistice

Anyway, I think I finally got the gist of what I want. I now need to figure out how to get the Guit 1 and 2 parts together

Also, I'm trying to go for a rock/ metal sound, but have no pedal, just the gain on my speakers. Any advice how to get the sound or am I just stuck?

Audacity might help you out, as far as mixing the tracks together. As far as getting the distorted sound, I'm really not sure.

You might be able to Google around for "guitar fx apps" or something like that, but I don't know how else you would get that kind of sound, without a pedal.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Where are the drum tracks? I don't know what song I want to play without knowing what the drum beat is like.

Ok. Was just waiting for someone to let me know they actually needed them, before posting. I will get some uploaded soon.

**Armistice** · 01-12-2011 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

Hmm. I'm not sure. You say you don't have a pedal? You could get a cord that goes from the guitar, and to the computer, but most likely, any cord that you get is going to have the larger prongs on the end. You can get an adapter that would take it from the 1/4" prong down to the 1/8 inch. (one of these).

Audacity might help you out, as far as mixing the tracks together. As far as getting the distorted sound, I'm really not sure.

You might be able to Google around for "guitar fx apps" or something like that, but I don't know how else you would get that kind of sound, without a pedal.

I'll stop into the local music shop and see what they have. Right now, I record off my headphone's mic, and it picks up, but also picks up my pick's strumming, lol

WavePad will let me mix, but I have to find out how to get the timing. I have to save as a file, then rerecord another track and then I can mix it. Will Audacity let me keep both tracks open and do a copy paste mix when I'm satisfied with the timing? That's my only concern is that I get both tracks done, but they don't line up :\