Close as I could get to pop

[cephus]

This is really the first song I recorded from scratch on PC. I wrote it for my wife last valentines day, but it was probably influenced a bit by napoleon dynamite.

I really would like to know how it sounds on other playback equipment. I don't really have access to anything better than the oem stereo in the car. Does anything stick out? I still think the solo is too hot on this mix.

Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide, bass, drums, vocals and written by Boo Mitchell. I can blame no one else.

I've Got Your Back

[SnakeDog5050]

Hey, I'll tell you what I hear on my system. My system is not that great, but it's another system... another opinion.

Yeah it actually sounds very good. Nothing really sticks out. Good catchy song too. I don't really hear anything to adjust. Good job

[Dogman]

Guitars sound good at the start. Vocals are good and clean. Seem to sit well in the mix. Drums are decent. Actually, you seemed to nail it. Very good sounding song. Everything seems to have its own sonic space, and is pretty clear. I'd even say the song is well written. Not my fave, but you kept me interested the whole way through, and I will listen again. Nice playing all around. Slide solo is pretty cool. Fit the tune well, and nice tone.

Good tune dude.
Ed

[Insightnsound]

Cool song, fun lyrics. The only thing that does not seem be sitting well is the kick drum, it's not all the time just during the quieter sections. It may just be me but I'm thinking the kick needs a different sound. Again, this is just me talking and your way ahead of anything that I've recorded!

[cephus]

Thanks, guys. My "studio monitors" are some crap NEC powered speakers, so this was mixed using headphones. I used a few different ones to try to expose any problems, including stock Ipod earbuds.

Good ear on the kick. It was one thing that I heard jump out on different playback equipment. I couldn't get the real kick to sound like anything except for a squeak, a slap and a wet cardboard box mixed together. I dubbed in the bass drum with a keyboard midi'd into an old yamaha drum machine that had a sound that was called "bass drum medium". it did punch up the bass guitar a little, but it may have gotten a little busy at times. I may pull it back and try to EQ it. Put a little ketchup on there. I'm not a drummer, but I have a kit. I had t play the drums in 3 passes becuase I have no chops. Couldn't do hihat and BD at the same time.

[andyhix]

I dig it. I really like the little country-style guitar fill. I might have tried to get just a little more sparkle in the ld. vox and maybe turned down the backing vox in the chorus just a touch, but that's just a preference thing, not something that needs to be fixed.

Interesting style. It sounds like the love child of They Might Be Giants and Gordon Lightfoot.

[apl]

Very cool, boo!

I'm listening on buds at work, and it sounds fine.

[aspiring]

Very cool song. Nice sounds. I'd be happy with that. My "system" is my work computer on poxy speakers. So certainly no better than yours. But isn't that how half the world listens these days?

Thanks for the smiles
aspiring

[SGPIANOMAN]

I think it sounds great. I would agree on the drums, I think the kick may need to come up or just add some boom at the lower end, but not alot. Its great though!! I'm nodding my head

[chrisharris]

Pretty cool. Personally, I think the slapback delay on the vocal gives the tune more of like a rockabilly feel, but it's cool.

[Todzilla]

Great lyrics, great narrative, which allows the song to be a 4 and a half minute song without seeming too long.

I have issues with the drum parts. The hats are too busy IMO during the verses, I'd recommend dropping the kick stuff during the naked (3rd?) verse. I'd go with much straighter drums during the chorus and strengthen the harmonies.

Also, you need to sing with more of a twang, if you can muster it.

I hope this helps.

[Monkey Allen]

Sounds good, especially for mixing on headphones. You must have covered a few different sets with success.

And...happy jesus day

[cephus]

Originally Posted by Todzilla

Also, you need to sing with more of a twang, if you can muster it.

It's interesting that you mention that. I was recently having a discussion about how it ingenuine it is that alot of these new country guys lay on this heavy southern accent in their songs when they don't talk that way naturally. Keith Urban is a good example. I can't really deny my appalachian heritage, but I don't feel right misrepresenting myself. Just trying to keep it real.

There are definitely alot of suggestions I'll take to heart for the next one. It's hard to find "studio" time at the house. I can't record vocal tracks if the missus or the kids are around, and they definitely grow tired of hearing a guitar part played 20 times till it's just right.

I've been pricing some studio monitors, because I think it'd be a good investment at this point. I have found after popping my CD into every stereo I've come across that headphone mixes end up light on bass because headphones have so much, and heavy on the top end, since the overwhelming bass masks the hihiats.

Anyway, thanks for the listen. I enjoy this forum and have listened to a gazillion posted MP3s to get a better idea of how this is done.

[Todzilla]

I dunno man, I just look at it this way: it's not me singing, it's my character.

Hell, the British love to point out how Americanized all their singers' enunciation is.

[cephus]

I guess I came off like a dick. I didn't mean to. My band, which incidentally plays music that is not represented by that tune, has this whole schtick where we dress like farmers and do kind of a "hee haw meets reverend horton heat" bluesabilly thing. I guess I was trying to make this a bit more my own. Like Janet Jackson on "Control" :^)

The character comment is well taken. Thanks for the advice.

[Incanus]

Great song!!

I listened on headphones, so. . .

I really, really like the slapback on the vox. Fits this song perfectly in my opinion. The harmonies are great. Vocals really make this song.

Nice guitar work.

The drums: the only problems I have with this recording/mix is the drums. The fact that you did them in several passes sort of ends up 'showing' in the final result. They don't all sound 'of a piece'--the sounds kind of sound like they don't 'belong' with each other, if you follow me. Some of the hi-hat is a bit sloppy, not exactly on time. And I pretty much don't like the snare sound at all, but it's a preference thing: too much reverb, and the initial sound is maybe thin(?) or something.

But, I realize you're not a drummer, and the vocals and the song itself go a long way towards forgiving these minor blemishes.

Thanks for posting, and keep it up!!!!

[ido1957]

Originally Posted by cephus

This is really the first song I recorded from scratch on PC. I wrote it for my wife last valentines day, but it was probably influenced a bit by napoleon dynamite.

I really would like to know how it sounds on other playback equipment. I don't really have access to anything better than the oem stereo in the car. Does anything stick out? I still think the solo is too hot on this mix.

Electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide, bass, drums, vocals and written by Boo Mitchell. I can blame no one else.

I've Got Your Back

How's your back after moving the sofa lol... Great harmonies on the bridge/chorus. Cool riffs on the guitar... Catchy and sometimes hilarious lyrics....wish I could play the slide like that - all I get is some screechy noises. Mix is cool too. Good one man.

[true-eurt]

Nice one! A country ballad flavour to it! I am not crazy about the snare sound. More kick drum to hold the bass line in.....don't mind me, I talk out of my head all the time!!


I like your song, though and my head is talking 'in' now.