MatthewW
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contemplation
Hi all- it's been a while since I posted anything in this part of the forum, I think it's good to put youself 'out there' for constructive feedback
now and then, it always helps. Just got myself some recording gear and learning how to use it with the oud so the sound may not be the best quality
until I get better at it.. this one I dubbed 'contemplation'. regards, MW
Attachment: contemplation.mp3 (802kB)
This file has been downloaded 190 times
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Reda Aouad
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Is it a mic that you attach to the oud's face?
You played well. I am not in the music of such music now.. so I will not comment on the impro itself, but I wanna tell you that the recording is too
bassy and the sound is dry. Usually mics of that type (if I guessed well) need some post-recording work.
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fernandraynaud
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I can't tell what is intentional, as various kinds of effects are considered desirable, but it seems the signal at times is overloading, not to where
is cracks and breaks up, but to where it "rattles". That can happen if the microphone is literally rattling, or if there's a compressor/limiter in the
path but the oud's natural "mother of all resonances", which usually falls somewhere around 200 Hz, saturates the circuit. Maybe back it off a bit and
EQ a notch around 220 Hz. What kind of oud is it? Musically it seems a little busy for a contemplation, maybe a matador's contemplation ;-)
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nasrudinjeh
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contemplation
Thanks for sharing your contemplation - I enjoyed listening. I think you have a deft trouch and a really rich sound; I also liked some of the melodic
ideas you're pursuing here. To my ear, you'vre alreadfy getting fine sounds out of your new electronic gadgetry - perhaps especially at that
sometimes precarious-seeming low end, although threre's no gainsaying the real sweetness of your midrange which surely must owe as much to your
technique here as to pickups etc. I shoppe we can loo forward to some more from you, Matthew; meantime, thanks again giving us a listen to your new
set up and an engaging tune.
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MatthewW
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You are right Reda, I was trying a mic that attaches to the top of the oud. I'll need to get used to using different mic set-ups and my equipment to
obtain different EQ sounds for the oud.
Fernand- I did study flamenco guitar at one time, perhaps that is where your 'matador' comes in?
Nasrudinjeh, your kind words are very encouraging.
thanks again guys for your feedback, MW
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francis
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Salut Matthew.
I like the sound, may be not perfectly professionnal, but sweet and confidential. The way tune gently flows is rich and pleasant, you let space for
the mind to look around your purpose....
Bien joué, l'ami.
Content de te retrouver de cette manière.
Francis
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fernandraynaud
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Btw, I like the piece, and the playing, I was just saying that the title suggests a slower pace!
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MatthewW
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Salut Francis, ca va bien? merci pour les mots agréables, tu es trop aimable
regards, MW
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charlie oud
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 Thanks for sharing Matthew. A definate Spanish flavour in the style of this
one, so nice to hear on the oud. You have a nice touch and I enjoyed the improv, keep it up.
Best Wishes, Charlie
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MatthewW
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Hi Charlie, thanks for the feedback mate. I think the oud lends itself well to Spanish influences, it's only natural considering the great centres of
music that existed in Moorish Spain- Al-Andalus, the most famous having been in Cordoba.  regards, MW
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Ararat66
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Hi Matthew
I really like your playing but think your recording isn't doing your playing justice and you need to tweak your equipment a little to get a good
recording of that wonderful oud of yours!! Your playing has progressed from last time I heard it, more delicate and sensitive to my ear, much more
'udi' than 'guitary' and some lovely passges developing there. Contemplation isn't always an entirely slow or quiet occurance so I think it is an
appropriate title.
I'd love to hear more, what is your recording setup? - I recently got a Sony pcm M10 recorder which has a very good quality to my ears. I just need
time to get down to practicing more and recording some stuff myself.
Cheers
Leon
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MatthewW
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Hi Leon, good to hear from you bud, and thanks for the encouraging words. Yes, I do need to tweak my recordings more, and that is something I'm
working on!
Initially I was planning on getting something along the lines of the Zoom H4- something relatively small yet able to record well. However I got
big-headed and started dreaming about recording and then thought hey I'd like to try recording more adventurous musical compositions, not only solo
oud, but oud with a varity of instruments in various world musical genres. So I ended up buying a slightly used Macbook Pro 13" laptop with Logic
Studio (Pro 9) software installed and Cakewalk EA25 soundcard/interface off a friend.
The problem is now how to use all this! Logic is a powerful programme, and I'm a novice at computer based recording.
I've been having fun getting nice midi generated sounds from within Logic, things like drums, strings, horns, syth pads, the usual stuff, but haven't
tried any external instruments yet, So I tried the oud with some stick on mics, and I wasn't too sure how to get the best EQ; it didn't sound so bassy
on my system. I did get some good advice from Reda who is pretty up on most all things recording, and next time I record the oud I'll have a good mic
and more of an idea of the ins and outs of recording.
Hows it going with your recordings? cheers, MW
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Ararat66
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Hi Matthew
Nice to hear from you - I'm doing fine but very busy with our artwork business for the next few months (in a good way) so I'm desperate to sit down
and try to get some pieces together.
I really enjoyed our last session with Nizar Rohana, I learned a lot from that. Here's a suggestion based on personal experience, I do this all the
time and it is sort of a form of procrastination. I'll think of something simple to achieve like recording something or putting together some simple
piece from which to develop, then my mind will leap to a far more complex and frankly unattainable idea ... and before I know it I've so much more
extra to learn and have gone way beyond the initial purpose ...
to play simply, well and record in a straightforward but good quality way. I suspect you may find yourself in this place given the intricacies of
software etc.
Why not get hold of a zoom H2 or similar device anyway, you'll be surprised at the results and they are pretty straightforward to obtain. You can
then use it as an audio notebook to carry round with you, and 'sketch' musical ideas, either played or hummed. Chances are the sound quality will be
fine for putting into the pc and mix with other sounds etc if you ever get chance ... at least you'll be recording , playing, and developing actual
ideas you can listen to.
On that note I have to report that I too haven't eliminated procrastinitis from my life which is why the forum isn't flooded by sound files from me.
My girls are getting older so I am finding fatherhood easing somewhat so it will come 
Leon
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rojaros
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Hi Matthew,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful playing.
As to recording, I think getting a Zoom H2 is a good advice. Its got very cheap nowadays and it's absolutely a 'no-brainer'. push the button and
forget you're recording. I feel its very helpful not to be forced into a 'tech mode' when recording yourself.
The recording quality of the H2 is really more than sufficient.
best wishes
Robert
PS your improvisation might get even stronger if you stay within the modus or modulate to related modi ...
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francis
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I entirely agree with the H2 defenders corporation!
Francis
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MatthewW
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Hi Robert and Francis- thanks for the kind words Robert.
I'm starting to see your views on the Zoom, the recording gear I got is really like jumping into the deep end, I think something simple will be more
useful!
best wishes my friends , Matthew
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Edward Powell
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Sounds and feels great to me, bravo Matt!
ps, where are you from actually?? Don't you have some Arab BLOOD in you? (sure sounds like it!)
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MatthewW
Oud Junkie
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thanks for the nice comments bro-
actually I'm from the holographic starship Maqam 99 
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