Put on your producer's hat for me.

[RAMI]

....I'm not really putting this up for mix help (though that's always appreciated).

I need to make a decision about the bridge in this tune. I might be asking a lot, but I'd need people to listen to 2 version of the same song. Actually, you don't even have to listen to either of them in their entirety.

There's a bridge that starts at about 2:20. I put up one version with vocals and one without vocals in that bridge. I'm afraid that the vocal part just might be a little too cheesy. The song is called "Bad Vibrations", so I made the bridge into a little parody of the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations", but, like I said, even though the intent is good, it might just be too cheesy.

The second version has no bridge vocals, but still has the theramin and I'm thinking that's enough to get the "Good Vibrations" "parody" across without going total cheese.

You can skip to the chorus at about 2:00 that's right before the bridge at about 2:20.

Vocals in the bridge. Yes or No?

Thanx.

"Bad Vibrations" WITH bridge vocals

"Bad Vibrations" NO bridge vocals

 

[ollie99]

I probably agree with you that it's a bit cheesy, but I feel it's a bit empty when there is no vocals, so perhaps something else could be going on there instead of the vocals

 

[RAMI]

I probably agree with you that it's a bit cheesy, but I feel it's a bit empty when there is no vocals, so perhaps something else could be going on there instead of the vocals

Thanx Ollie. Yeah, if I get rid of the vocals, I'll probably have to put something else in there.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I quite liked the vocals, but the phrasing/timing put me off at 'vibrations'. Like, if I wanted to sing along I'd mess it up?

Either way, I agree it sounds a little empty without them.

If you decide to replace the vox with something, you could just have clean guitar chords, heavy on the tremolo.
Whaddya reckon?



EDIT:
That's a hell of a verse to try and sing! You blitzed it as always, RAMI.
I was humming along two octaves below, and that's not even a joke!!!

 

[RAMI]

I quite liked the vocals, but the phrasing/timing put me off at 'vibrations'. Like, if I wanted to sing along I'd mess it up?

Either way, I agree it sounds a little empty without them.

If you decide to replace the vox with something, you could just have clean guitar chords, heavy on the tremolo.
Whaddya reckon?

Yeah, that sounds good. It probably doesn't need much there, just a little filler. Tremolo guit would be worth trying. I even wonder if just centering the theramin might be all it needs. But I'm leaning towards losing the vocals. Haven't decided 100% yet, though.

 

[ido1957]

Keep the vocals - they're well done and reinforce the song's message

 

[RAMI]

Keep the vocals - they're well done and reinforce the song's message

Interesting. Thanx man.

My fear was that it might have "ruined" an other-wise "serious" sounding song with a part that's bordering on Werd Al-ness (him again )

 

[RAMI]

By the way, Steen, this is the tune I was going to send you to speed up. I still find the verses sound like they need to be faster, but it might just be my imagination.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Interesting. Thanx man.

My fear was that it might have "ruined" an other-wise "serious" sounding song with a part that's bordering on Werd Al-ness (him again )

I think you're OK.

By the way, Steen, this is the tune I was going to send you to speed up. I still find the verses sound like they need to be faster, but it might just be my imagination.

Oh really? I wouldn't have known.
It'd probably cross my mind if I was working on it for a while, but as a first time listener I was happy.

 

[RAMI]

EDIT:
That's a hell of a verse to try and sing! You blitzed it as always, RAMI.
I was humming along two octaves below, and that's not even a joke!!!

Hehe....Yeah, it's up there.

When I feel good, I can belt out some shit. But I have to catch myself when I'm mentally ready to sing it. Sometimes I might be in the middle of doing something else, and I'll say "I can sing that part right now". And I'll have to fire up the program and sing right away.

Problem is, I only feel that way about once a week. So, if I want to go back and re-do a line or a verse, I sometimes have to wait a week before I get the Mojo again.

Singing is 90% mental. The other half is physical.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Singing is 90% mental. The other half is physical.

LOL. Nice touch man.
I do agree with that, though.

Most times when I'm recording vocals, I think I'm in the mood, then I make one mistake and immediately throw the towel in.
I get sick of it very very easily.

 

[RAMI]

I think you're OK.





Oh really? I wouldn't have known.
It'd probably cross my mind if I was working on it for a while, but as a first time listener I was happy.

Cool.

And cool.

 

[VomitHatSteve]

I like the vox. I vote keep 'em.

 

[gecko zzed]

I reckon keep the vocals. They add to the musical interest of the track, and reinforce the point of the title. They also come at the right point, just about where you start to think that the musical story has finished.

Maybe you could consider, though, dropping the level of the theremin sound so that it is almost subliminal. It too reinforces the song title, but, in my view, tends to take over at that point.

Otherwise:

* great track
* clear, crisp recording
* really well performed
* kept me interested all the way to the end.

 

[RAMI]

I like the vox. I vote keep 'em.

I reckon keep the vocals.

OK, well I'm glad I posted this then. I was on the verge of scrapping the vocals and figured I'd post it, totally expecting everyone to confirm scrapping it. Thanx guys.

Maybe you could consider, though, dropping the level of the theremin sound so that it is almost subliminal. It too reinforces the song title, but, in my view, tends to take over at that point.

Good point. It probably doesn't have to be as loud to be heard and accomplish it's task.

Otherwise:

* great track
* clear, crisp recording
* really well performed
* kept me interested all the way to the end.

Thanx a lot, Gecko. Much appreciated.

 

[guitar zero]

I think you should keep the vocals in that part, and ditch the spaceship sound thingy. I think it would sound a lot better. I actually think the vocals sound good and the spaceship is making it sound hoakie.

 

[rayc]

IF you centred the Theremin & kicked it up a db or three it'd be fine.
On the otehr hand I don't think the vocal version does any damage at all to the song. It's GOOD.
If you go vox less it may be worth redoing the theremin section & stomping on a fuzz or OD pedal in the last bit.

 

[RAMI]

I think you should keep the vocals in that part, and ditch the spaceship sound thingy. I think it would sound a lot better. I actually think the vocals sound good and the spaceship is making it sound hoakie.

The "spaceship thingy" is a Theramin, which is used in "Good Vibrations". It has to be there for the part to work. I will turn it down, though.
Thanx.

 

[gecko zzed]

IF you centred the Theremin & kicked it up a db or three it'd be fine.

Aaagh. I can't believe you suggested turning it up!

I understand Rami's reason for using it, and I accept it needs to be there.

But it is a most unmusical instrument that couples a lack of sonic interest with the capacity to be heard through anything.

Its presence will be noticeable even if very quiet, and the enjoyment of the song could be messed up if it is too dominant.

As a side note, from time to time people want sound effects in their songs (e.g. a ship's bell, a storm, city noises, and so on). I am surprised by how many don't seem to grasp the concept of distance in a mix, and that an effect can be more effective the quieter it is. They generally want the effect to be right up there, which serves only to make it an annoying gimmick after one listen.

 

[RAMI]

I think Ray meant to only turn it up if I take out the vocals, to make it a "solo" part, if I'm not mistaken.

I will leave the vocals in, but I also will turn down the theramin. I often get too obsessed with symmetry. Since the vocals are panned left, I panned the theramin right and, probably sub-connciously, tried to match the vocals in volume.

Great help so far, guys. Thanx.