Dream Theater Finishes Smoking Barbecue!! - Album in Food Warmer!

[Addy]

Perhaps a dumb question, but why are we assuming that an 8-string guitar would be strung with two strings tuned below the low-E on a standard 6-string guitar?  Why not string it, e.g., BEADGBEA?

Same reason we assume a 7 string isn't tuned EADGBEA. DT have generally used things as they are intended.

Well...wait a minute.  "as intended"?  As intended by whom?  The limited amount of googling I did on the subject indicated plenty of folks who have expanded in both directions.

By the way, I play a 5-string bass tuned EADGC, so....

People have been experimenting with adding higher pitched strings, though it is not popular on electric guitars, cause this string needs to be thinner and it makes it less break resistant. Imagine like 0.06 or 0.07 string gauge for E A D G B E A. Lots of interesting alternatives though, like open tunings (Devin FTW!) or B E A D Gb B E (like B Standard with added high E).

[mikeyd23]

As much as JP regularly experiments with and plays in alternative tunings, I think it's kind of silly to assume any given tuning on the new album, no matter how many strings are involved.  I also think it is equally silly to react strongly against the possibility of him using an 8-string before we've heard even a note of either any of the new material or him playing an 8-string in general.

I would say he experiments with a lot of dropped tunings but I didn't think he got into many alternate tunnings. Could be wrong though? Would be cool to hear him play in some open tunings and such.

He really doesn't do a lot of alternate tunings. Most of his stuff is standard, drop D, seven string standard, or a couple where the guitar is tuned down to C standard or drop C.

To my knowledge, he's only used (with some examples):

E standard (most songs)
D standard (Forsaken)
E flat standard (I think SOC and TROAE)
Drop D (Home, ONW)
C standard (ANTR)
A standard (These Walls)
A sharp standard (Panic Attack, Wither)
7 string standard (most 7 string songs)
7 string down a whole step (Illumination Theory)

It's possible I missed one or two, but I think I covered it. So mostly, he uses variations of the 6 and 7 string standard tunings, with the occasional drop tuning. But he doesn't use do any crazy alternate tunings like the Periphery guys or Mark Tremonti. I think it could be extremely interesting though if he tried. I use a couple of open tunings, which are extremely fun, and also very expansive for my writing. If I start to get writers block, grabbing a guitar in a different tuning really helps. In a way, it almost feels like picking up a different instrument which is fresh and exciting.

Yup, I think you're right - basically he just uses standard or drop D style tunings tuned to different keys. I agree that some open tunings might be cool.

[Cool Chris]

So.. any are there any non-musical nerds here other than me who want to talk about aspects of the new album other than string tunings?

[pg1067]

So.. any are there any non-musical nerds here other than me who want to talk about aspects of the new album other than string tunings?

Sure....given that the album hasn't even started recording (as far as we know), what aspects of this non-existent album would you like to discuss?  ;-)

[Cool Chris]

Pretty much anything that I can understand would be great 

[bosk1]

Pretty much anything that I can understand would be great 

The album cover will likely have pictures on it.  It will have words too, but don't fret over that.  They aren't that important. 

[AngelBack]

I hear the cover will be in drop magenta hue.

[Cool Chris]

Pictures and Words would make an awesome title for an album!

[cramx3]

 

watch this be DT's Black Album, neither pictures nor words

[Bertielee]

Pictures and Words would make an awesome title for an album!

Or Images and Terms.

[Renzo]

watch this be DT's Black Album, neither pictures nor words

I bet the cover's prevalent color will be black

[Renzo]

Pictures and Words would make an awesome title for an album!

Or Images and Terms.

Pictures and Terms (legit) 

[Bertielee]

Pictures and Words would make an awesome title for an album!

Or Images and Terms.

Pictures and Terms (legit) 

Yup!

[RMGadelha]

Pictures and Words would make an awesome title for an album!

Or Images and Terms.

Pictures and Terms (legit) 

Burgers and Chicken Wings.

[Madman Shepherd]

watch this be DT's Black Album, neither pictures nor words

None more words.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Now THAT was an awesome update.

John P on the DT FB page.

[RMGadelha]

Now THAT was an awesome update.

John P on the DT FB page.

Yep, that answers my question about tracking xD

[Bertielee]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

Was that a single bass drum I saw?

[DTA]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

Was that a single bass drum I saw?

Easier to mic, takes up less room, and can still utilize a double pedal. I really hope the drums sounds great on this thing.

[Mark Levinson Jr.]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

Was that a single bass drum I saw?

Easier to mic, takes up less room, and can still utilize a double pedal. I really hope the drums sounds great on this thing.

Me too... it's time for MANGINI UNLEASHED!

[Adami]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

Was that a single bass drum I saw?

For recording, single kick is much easier. 

[erwinrafael]

I've been given Top Fan badge by Dream Theater on Facebook. Now every comment and post I make on their FB page has me labeled as a Top Fan. Huhuhu. Their fan interaction for this album is amazing.

[gzarruk]

They finally started recording!

It's interesting that we still have no clue on who's engineering/mixing the album. Might be a pleasant surprise and they want to keep it a secret for now...

[Cyclopssss]

Are they back in Bear Track?

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

Are they back in Bear Track?

I think I remember hearing that Bear Tracks was torn down. Can anyone else confirm?

[TheCountOfNYC]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

I know he's just warming up in the video, but if it's any indication of what the drum parts will sound like on the record, this might be Mike's most groove oriented album performance since he joined the band.

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

And also :

https://twitter.com/i/status/1019339256412758016

I know he's just warming up in the video, but if it's any indication of what the drum parts will sound like on the record, this might be Mike's most groove oriented album performance since he joined the band.

On top of that, listening to the video on my studio monitors, the snare sounds like it could be promising!

[cramx3]

I like how he mentions the studio and the seclusion and how that's important to this album.  It wasn't the first time he said it, but he keeps saying it, and I feel like this is really going to pay off.  The way they are talking to the fans and the look on JP's face, just looks like he's excited and it's making us all excited.

[mikeyd23]

I like how he mentions the studio and the seclusion and how that's important to this album.  It wasn't the first time he said it, but he keeps saying it, and I feel like this is really going to pay off.  The way they are talking to the fans and the look on JP's face, just looks like he's excited and it's making us all excited.

Yup totally agree. My original comment about recording where they demoed everything was that they couldn't because that place wasn't equipped for professional tracking, so DT proved me wrong by basically bringing in gear to outfit the place to be able to record there. 

Looks like a nice setup, pretty clean and streamlined, some outboard gear, nice studio monitors looks fun. Also, MM recording with one kick drum is good, IMO. Easier to get good kick sounds with just one drum. They also have a good variety of room mics around the kit, hopefully some of that room vibe translates into the recording.

Great stuff from the band to keep us continually updated.

[erwinrafael]

You know what would be cool? For DT to release a full drum track of a song as a preview.

[mikeyd23]

You know what would be cool? For DT to release a full drum track of a song as a preview.

Hmm, that would be different for sure. Not sure if I'd like that or not.

I definitely like having the option of purchasing stems in an album package when the record is released, but as a first taste, I'm not sure.

[TAC]

You know what would be cool? For DT to release a full drum track of a song as a preview.

That would be awesome.

[lucasembarbosa]

It makes no sense. It's like asking for a painter to preview a painting in the works, but just showing the brushstrokes of a certain color. It's incomplete and doesn't reflect the purpose of the entire project...

[Evai]

People would be straining their ears to try to hear the song through MM's headphone bleed