Your very good at what you do. What's your recording setup like?---Sound waves should be free

[ Reply to This ]

I have 2 old ElectroVoice 757s which I bought to record saxophone yet use
for everything becuz it's what I have (the pianos are recorded with 2 mics
even tho they are in mono on the track). They run thru a Mackie board and
the analogue input goes thru a MOTU 2408 A/D device and into my G4 Mac.

[ Reply to This ]

i could listen tio this to start every morning of every day. wish i was there to
make it a trio. wish wish wish... perfection.

[ Reply to This ]

You're obviously a very good piano player, but as I've said
on a few of these posts, I'm tired of pros trying to sell
their stuff on what should be an amateur site. The fun of
this site is people with limited musical know-how putting
together some pretty interesting stuff. Boring professional
music is just that – boring and predictable. I knew exactly
where your stuff was going and – guess what – it went
there. Some of the weird stuff on this site from non-
musicians – I have no idea. This is not a critique of your
talent – just take it elsewhere.---akvavit

[ Reply to This ]

Akvavit, I am sorry you are bored by my music. I do not intentionally write
music to bore you, but to stretch myself, to say things from the heart, to have
fun musically and lyrically. Please know I am trying, like most everyone else
on this site, to explore music, GB and community in a fun, fair and supportive
way. Also, I don't "use" this site to promote professionally produced material.
What I post here is recorded in my house. It is usually something done either
outside my professional genre (musical theatre) and, thus, an experiment (for
me); or, it is an idea/sketch/demo for something I may fully produce later.
The vast majority of comments I receive (and I also receive a good amount of
supportive email) about my songs is positive. In addition, I have posted over
130 supportive comments to others, and 60 forum postings trying to share
what little that I know about what we are all doing here: Trying to make
music. I learn from comments about my music just like everyone else. I am
grateful that other MacJams members have embraced me as a colleague. I
hope to continue sharing my growth as a musician and a user of GarageBand
software on this site in the future.

[ Reply to This ]

Music rules the universe!!!!!!!!!!!!!(astronomers say a distant galaxy emanating
a low(verylow) Bb hum.....hmmmmmmmm) Thanks for sharing your
tune...you sounded like you were having fun and it came across......To me
that's what music's is all about....saying something....sadness
..joy...pain...fun...and of course sharing those feelings and statements..Long
Live Music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ Reply to This ]

Akavit: please know that we at MacJams.com welcome all user
submissions that are created in part or in whole by Apple's GarageBand
software. The skill level of the artist/user is not at all relevant.

Personally, I find it wonderful that more highly skilled musicians are
using GarageBand. I find their works to be inspiring and helpful as a
more amateur musicians who uses GarageBand. If John Mayer or Sheryl
Crow (not that I particularly like either of those two artists) were to want
to share their GarageBand-created compositions with us, I think the vast
majority users here would find that very interesting and exciting.

We understand that it would be inappropriate for professional-level
musicians to post non-GarageBand made songs in attempt merely to get
air play or "advertise" their work. However, we are quite sure that this is
not what is going on in the case of Tobin.

Toward the future, here are two things to consider: (1) we will be
formalizing our policies on this topic and have them available for
everyone's viewing shortly. (2) we are working on an updated artist
profile page, where you can see an artist's skill level. If you wish to avoid
songs posted by those with a higher skill level, then you can effectively
do that with our new system.

[ Reply to This ]

I'm glad Admin weighed in on this. Tobin has always posted helpfull
supportive comments voted (I'm guessing) honestly on many many tunes.
He's one of the handfull of users I'd say exemplify what a good member
should do.
Take a chill pill, and if you don't have anything constructive (not nice) to say,
keep quiet. If you really wanted to slag this tune on some musical grounds,
fine, I think Tobin would like to hear honest opinions as to what's not
working, as would most members. I've seen a few pros, trolling for attention
with studio produced stuff here, only, Tobin ain't one of 'em.

---
Beauty should be edible, or not at all.
-- Dali

[ Reply to This ]

Tobin, I'm glad everyone here has jumped to your defense. Your comments have been appreciated (when someone can like "Ode to an Intruder," that person either has to be really nice or has an ear for potential creativity :)), your critiques are appreciated, and most important, your music is appreciated. I not only like hearing from other newbies like me, I like hearing from pro musicians.
I typically enjoy stuff out of your genre, but I took a jazz class about 5 years ago that has opened my eyes (or should I say, my ears) to stuff I would normally turn away from. Translation? This was a really, really good piece. I like jazz even if I can't always determine who the author is.
Ok. Done rambling. :)---
Doofy Music

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

[ Reply to This ]

akvivt or whatever it was, it seems like you are in this for the competitive
side, many people are. But that's not mostly what this is all about. It's about
getting your music heard and listning to other people's creations. Music
should not be a competitive sport. This is a community of musician's ranging
from pure amatuer to professional grade. The genres are of endless variety.
This is a place where you can be inspired. Don't be a negative
nancy..........cause that's what you are, a negative nancy. Great job Tobin,
always a pleasure hearing your music.

---
"Yeah, I slept like a rock that hasn't slept in a long time............."

[ Reply to This ]

I did not see a note saying "amateur musicians only". If there is then exclude
all the predictable Loops. I for one like to here any recording by anyone since
I want to hear how well garageband can be used. I have played guitar since I
was 12 (48 now) and been in a few bands but I have very little musical
knowledge I tend to play by intuition, I visualize my music then create it. I am
not an amateur or a professional I am just an artist doing many creative
things. Setting rules regarding who can submit songs is silly.
I like minimal ambient pieces that are predictable because they are supposed
to be predictable and I am sure some people do not, that does not mean I
should not be able to submit them because some do not like them. The same
goes for any song here on MacJams. Predictability is a matter of taste and
taste varies between individuals. I like listening Tobin James Mueller just the
same as many other people on MacJams because you can learn in some way
from every song you hear. Most artists are not being creative to please other
people they do it for their own development and desire what others think is
irrelevant unless it is "constructive criticism".
Getting a professional sound out of Macjams is something I want to hear. I
also do not mind hearing amateur songs done by non professionals that just
use loops created by "professionals". It can be fun to arrange those loops
created by "professionals" because you learn to arrange and EQ a tune. But I
do not rely on loops much since I think they are "predictable" but they can be
a good way of learning how a tune is structured. I want a sound that is mine
so I avoid loops but that is my choice.
Professional musicians posting songs or amateur musicians using loops by
professional musicians, it is all good. Listen, learn and create. Leave the
censoring to the fearful.
Thanks Brian

[ Reply to This ]

I haven't read all the posts just yet......
But sometimes I actually say of my stuff "That's Irritating" - "But I like IT"
Then I say "Hey- you gotta hear this piece, it'll rattle your cage!"
One day we'll all be perfect - Tobin is a excellent composer, in his own
Realm!
That means = i don't always like "Show songs", But that doesn't stop me from
listening to them.
Oh - and on being perfect, that's as in living a perfectly Human existence,
Born-Lived-Died.

---
--- I Try to Be Fair - when Rating - & I consider My Critiques to be Constructive, I Hope You take them as such.

[ Reply to This ]

Tobin, I think this is very very good. I appreciate some of
your more... original (off beat?) creations. This is maybe a
bit more traditionnal in it's style, but it's very well
executed. It's a keeper. Thanks for posting it!---
Thierry Daigneault

[ Reply to This ]

Tobin,

Looks like there are some folks out there that don't want you to dream your
dream.

Keep dreaming.

---
Kind regards,

TT
--
www.fosod.com

[ Reply to This ]

Its great to hear a paino in all its glory - I've always wanted to mic up a piano properly to capture all those rich tones and you've certainly done that here.Its the kind of piece I would be pleased to sit and get plastered to in a late night underground bar after a hard week in a factory.I did this once - what a night,it was Billie Holiday with the Duke Ellington orchestra.Ahh crazy days...Many Thanks,Paddler---paddler.nu3.net

[ Reply to This ]

the dueling pianos. Kept my attention all the way through
(though maybe the ending was a little dragged out, I'll
have to listen again). As far as the whole 'too good to play'
comment, I find your stuff a refreshing break from a lot of
the 'first GB song' posts on here.
Rock on.

[ Reply to This ]

Extremely impressive. Thanks for making this available to
us. ---Music is universal.

[ Reply to This ]

Amen.

[ Reply to This ]

An absolute pleasure to listen to, thank you Tobin for
sharing this with us.

As for the negative comments, forget it.. they should take
there crap elsewhere or go practice... Good music is
always a pleasure to hear.. keep it coming.



[ Reply to This ]

You should be a pro. You should be recording this
properly and getting payed a hell of a lot for it!

Don't let me ever hear that you stopped doing this, coz If I
do, Ill be screaming in your ear, so goddarn hard you'll be
needing a hearing aid!

[ Reply to This ]

Tobin

Your music is comparable to your writing... Awesome.

Arielle

[ Reply to This ]

I've never considered myself a fan of jazz-but absolutely
love this one-could make me into a believer.

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks. Maybe its the mix of R&B that makes it better for you, or that it is
melody driven and doesn't become a mix-and-match sort of jazz that has
solos that could appear in any number of songs and has no relation to the
theme. I try hard to make sure everything that happens in one of my songs
relates to the themes.

[ Reply to This ]

Sounds like Sunday morning, coffee and sunrise, and a
kiss from the one I love. Beautiful.

KF

[ Reply to This ]

Wow, what a great compliment. Thank you. And happy Sunday morning to
you too.

[ Reply to This ]

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.



Peaks my interest into R&B. The Jazz transition about half-
way through was nice but noticeable -- as in the shift of
the rhythm in the middle seemed a bit
awkward. But maybe I just don't understand it...yet.



You've also done a great job at promoting/commenting
on musician's (amatuer or otherwise) on this site!



Thanks for sharing your thoughts and music.

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks. I really like this community and have really enjoyed watching its
growth. I like that there is a nexus like this between professionals and
newcomers, and a place where players of one genre can try their hand at
experiments into other genres. I really appreciate your comments.

[ Reply to This ]

This is a great tune of heart and soul (I was constatntly moved to smile, dance in my chair, shake my head in agreement, and smile again), intellect (it moves through a half dozen genres without a hitch) , and virtuosity. Bravo, man. Bravo.

[ Reply to This ]

What virtuosity! That's one awesome number. Thanks for letting your nephew and friend have at it!

As for a 'pro' being a member of this site, that's fine by me. The more, the better. How else can a player (pro or am) gauge the quality of his work and get good insight into areas of music and production? I learn by listening, not only playing.

Keep it coming, Tobin! I always look forward to your posts.

Scorp:)

[ Reply to This ]

Thanks, Scorp. Brothers in music. I dislike most every dividing lines in any
aspect of living.

[ Reply to This ]

This terrific.
I read a post further down. Actutally I've read many of
your posts. But sorry for the lemon one.

What this site is all about from my standpoint, many of us
are trying to slowly get towards your level of excellence.
Whether we accomplish this are not is not so much the
important thing. It is knowing who we can emulate.

This is one of the best pieces of music here at MJ.



[ Reply to This ]

Thanks. Moments like this one are precious. I wish they happened more often
in my life.

[ Reply to This ]

That's all I can say. Very inspriring.

[ Reply to This ]

makes the world a better place

[ Reply to This ]

Tom, thanks for the lift. Tat is something I actually try to do with my music,
make the world a better place, for one instant. Change the air. I love that
you say that.

[ Reply to This ]

i gotta say tobin...this song never fails to put that
warmth in the center on my chest. especially this
version.

[ Reply to This ]