Piano and Vox

[bozmillar]

I'm trying to put together some examples of songs I've recorded/mixed/mastered so that I can actually try making money recording for people.

I recorded this song a few years ago for someone for free, and remixed it tonight to try to get it in good enough shape to showcase. Does it sound "professional" enough to use as a demo recording that might actually attract people? If not, what needs fixing? Please be as critical as possible of the recording quality and mixing/mastering.

http://www.bozrecords.com/mp3s/MattS...wn2Master2.mp3

[Marcadiablo]

I think it sounds beautiful, man. I would maybe, and just maybe bring up a little the back vocals and roll off then some in the high freqs. They have a little sibilance. Other thing, delete the parts before his voice comes. I can hear his lips smacking. This is great work.

[bozmillar]

ok, perfect. I will remove anything where he isn't singing. Is the sibilance on the background vox or in both?

[Xeries]

I think this is a great capture. It's pretty stark with only a piano and vox, but I know this is your intention. I would have liked to hear a rosin pad swell here and there, but that's just me. I think this is a feather in the cap of your recording skills. The man obviously has a wonderful voice and you presented it very well.

The sibilance didn't bother me, although I noticed that it was there. Sometimes it's better to leave in some of the human aspects of vocals like taking in a breath or perhaps even lips smacking. Just my opinion. HTH

[Marcadiablo]

Originally Posted by bozmillar

ok, perfect. I will remove anything where he isn't singing. Is the sibilance on the background vox or in both?

Like Xeries said, its not terribly prominent, but I hear them mostly in the background ones.

[WhiteStrat]

Yeah, this is definitely worth "showing off." I think most "outsiders" assume the voice is a pretty simple thing to record, while those of us who actually do this know that it can be the most challenging part. And you've done it wonderfully here.

And I agree with Xeries on both counts--the little artifacts just make the vocal that much more intimate. And a touch of pad here and there could really add to this piece--but if choose not to, don't sweat it, it stands just fine as it is.

Great job!

[bozmillar]

yeah, I agree with the pad thing. I've considered adding a cello part to it, but my celloing skills aren't that fantastic. I guess it's worth giving it a shot though.

I took out some of the lip smacking on the long pauses, but am leaving any breathing sounds in there.

Thanks for the help. On a similar note, has anybody had any luck actually making money off a home recording studio? I find people usually think it's a joke when they walk in to find it's just a normal living room with computer. I know nothing sells like a bunch of blinking LED's, probably even more so than music samples, but if anybody has any tips on how to get people in and recording, I'm all ears.

[WhiteStrat]

I gotta tell ya, my studio building pursuit has been all about creating this lab where I can craft my own musical vision like I hear it in my head. The only work I've gotten from recording others (and that hasn't been much) has been when musician friends get turned on by what I've what I've done with my own stuff--and they want me to do the same for them.

So I've literally "stumbled" into what little outside work I've found. Don't be afraid to sell yourself even without all those blinking lights though! I think you're on to something by assembling some showcase pieces. Develop an audio portfolio and let people hear it. Some of 'em will still want all the blinking lights--but others will see (and hear!) the value of your knowledge and realize that that's more important!

[rayc]

Until the third syllable it sounded like Harry Nilsson doing Without You.
I'm listening with H/phones - is it some sib that gets spat out to wide stereo by reverb? It's quite noticebale with h/phones.
Reverb is often quite savage in creating over wrought sibiliance.
Pretty nice capture & mix ,ate - the lyric/story is a bit cloying compared to the arrangement though - though that's not what's to be on show I know.