"Surf Song" In Need Of A Listen...

[Robertt8]

Hey people!

Here's a song that we tracked out for our new CD we're hoping to release soon. Take a listen and let me know if you've got any mixing/EQing suggestions.

http://www.bagoftoysmusic.com/surfsong/surfsong.html

I believe we're actually sending this song out to a professional mixer within the next week or so, so maybe i'll post a comparison at some point. I'm kind of hoping he pulls out some magic on this.


If anyone cares, here's the gear I used...
=================================
Mics: Studio Projects C1 and B1...Audio Technica Pro25 (only on bass drum), Shure SM58 (on snare)
Pre-Amp: M-Audio Audio Buddy (2)
Outboard Compressor: Behringer Ultra Dyne Pro
Recorder: Roland VS-880EX
Guitars: Big Baby Taylor (main rhythm), Larrivee LV-03E (leads)
Bass: Modulus
Bass DI: Behrninger Bass V-Amp
Drums: Whatever that his set is...just bass, snare, high-hat, 1 tom, 1 cymbal

Let me know what you think.

Thanks!
Robert Tait

[ender4trackmind]

Well, if generic vocal content makes it surf related...guess you have a surf song. Outside of that reminds me more of Sugar Ray or something. So nice production and it should be marketable for you...just stay away from the surf description unless you want people going " What?"

[Robertt8]

Originally Posted by ender4trackmind

Well, if generic vocal content makes it surf related...guess you have a surf song. Outside of that reminds me more of Sugar Ray or something. So nice production and it should be marketable for you...just stay away from the surf description unless you want people going " What?"

huh? (now you got ME saying "What?") the NAME of the song is "Surf Song." It's just what I call it. It is not meant to describe the "sound." This is NOT some Dick Dale, Ventures or Mermen ripoff. I'm not trying to say it is, so i apologize if that's what you thought you we're going to get...it's just the name i gave based on the content of the lyrics I wrote.

now that i've cleared that up...thanks!

[ender4trackmind]

No need to apologize to me... If anything I hope I dint insult you by running with the ball to the wrong goal :P

[rweiss]

Pretty good song I guess. Not my style (I like more music-oriented stuff), but it works. I can't really give any legitimate critique because I'm listening on these crappy pc speakers, but from what I hear everything sounds good and tight. Seriously, I think you're good to go. MAYBE turn up the kick or try to bring out its "feeling" more, but I don't know because these pc speakers are horrible. I just couldn't really hear ot that well (but I'm a drummer, so I know the beat easily enough, dunno how easy it is for others to "feel" though).

Okay I'm done.

[Tifstorey]

Very nice track, well produced and the instrumentation is really tight. The only thing i would say is to get those drums up a bit more so you can more into the beat. I was tapping my foot all the way through it Very nice, especially the bridge.

Good going

[grn]

way too much reverb

[Robertt8]

ENDER4TRACKMIND: No prob man! Honestly, thanks for listening and responding!

RWEISS: Thanks. What is "more music oriented stuff?" yeah, i think i need yet another mix of this tune. i hate doing submixes. it's hard to hear everything together.

TIFSTOREY: Thanks! Thanks for checking it out!

GRN: I think you're right. It's kind of clouding everything up a bit. I tend to either not use enough reverb or way the hell too much. how do you balance that?

[Laynestaley]

Not bad

bass could be a little more distinct, less muddy
snare sounds kinda 'hollow"

[ender4trackmind]

lol my silly ass thought it could have more reverb...yet note lots of my stuff swims through seas of reverb :P

Not posting this to counter anyones post, just to show...damm can things get subjective

Beyond that this might sound crazy...this topic has one of the better vibes ive felt in a topic in some time. Maybe cause were not all trying to kill each other hahaha

[famous beagle]

It's a pretty clear recording in general; everything is pretty audible. I think the kick drum is fine. It sounds fine on my speakers. Nice double on the vocals during the chorus. Good job overall.

I know you asked specifically for mixing suggestions, but I thought I would throw in a few other suggestions as well:

1) It's really hard to understand a lot of the lyrics. I don't know if that's a concern for you or not, but just thought I would point it out. The chorus is easy to understand, but some of the fast lines in the verse, I was thinking "who'sa whatta gigga huh?"

2) The solo tones are nice, but the note choice stuck out to me. On first listen, I kept noticing that the lines seemed to not be going anywhere and didn't really seem to be taking the song anywhere. On the second listen, I discovered what it was: You keep resolving to the tonic note (D) on the V chord (A). So it always seems that you haven't really gone anywhere when you get to the end of each phrase. That's just my opinion, anyway. I think if you structured the solo a little differently and chose different notes on those phrase ends (like E or C# or A, or really just about anything other than D), the solo could be much more effective and have more of a sense of direction.

Anyway, good job and good luck. Keep it up.

[K-dub]

I hear this done by an Australian Mountain Jug band. Replace the guitars w/ didgeridoos, use logs for rhythm, and have the vocals translated into native Aboriginie.

Other than that, sounds pretty darn good.



K-

[Robertt8]

***I'VE POSTED A NEW MIX OF THIS TUNE ON THAT LINK*** It's got the same name, so feel free to let me know if you think it's any better.

LAYNESTALEY: Hopefully this bass mix sounds a little better. let me know what you think.

ENDER4TRACKMIND: Yeah, my mixes are getting dryer and dryer these days. I've actually done another mix that's even dryer. feel free to check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks for the "good vibe" comment!

FAMOUS BEAGLE: Like i've mentioned, I've remixed this one and replaced the file on the link. hopefully the lyrics are clearer...actually, i hope everything is a little clearer over all. I couldn't really do anything about the guitar solo, but i'll mention it to our lead gtr guy and see what he thinks. you might have a good idea. thanks!

K-DUB: That sounds pretty damn cool! I'll have to check those guys out! thanks!

[Robertt8]

no comments on this one since i remixed it?

[amra]

I think he means surf song as in the new kind of surf music, as in Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, G. Love & Special Sauce, etc. It sounds like the stuff that they are playing down in Corpus Christi, and Austin here in Texas and I imagine in California and other party places.

Amra.

[Robertt8]

Originally Posted by amra

I think he means surf song as in the new kind of surf music, as in Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, G. Love & Special Sauce, etc. It sounds like the stuff that they are playing down in Corpus Christi, and Austin here in Texas and I imagine in California and other party places.

Amra.

yup... however, that is in fact what i've titled the song... "Surf Song". Mostly because the entire song is lyrically written about surfing.