arithmetic

  • Thread starter Thread starter dobro
  • Start date Start date
Damn windows. I really want to check this out, but I think I need IE5 or something, won't let me save or open it! I'll try it from work tommorow and post back.
 
Well- it took you long enough.... :)
I tried the Real Audio version at work; it had some problems (clips) but played OK.
When I got home I D/Led the 128 Kbps .mp3 and dumped it digitally to CDRW, then back into Vegas digitally. Your levels were off the mark by nearly 7 dB! And there was an awful amount of hiss going on. This sounds like what I got when I put the Rodents too close to my PC fan. But the EQ sounded OK and I don't think you need any reverb.

Your voice reminds me alot of Paul Simon, especially in the transitions from vocal to scat. I can't believe it's all the ART Pre's fault. Ed runs everything through these things and doesn't get that kind of hiss.

As to the tune: it got Marilyn out of her box. Why Eb?
Is it just where you feel comfortable singing?
This tune calls out for the kind of resonance you get when you arrange it to take advantage of open strings playing. I had to tune her down and she wasn't entirely pleased with that turn of events.
 
Ok you got me. How did you download the mp3 Drstawl? I only see the option to play. Right click saves a html file.
 
The play option is just an RA feed.
At work on DSL the D/L option didn't even exist! And the Real Audio version crashed my system hard. But I was excited by the anticipation of having rapped with this dude for months about what he was doing without hearing anything so I rebooted and tried again. Real Audio crashed again. So I loaded another Real Audio stream referenced at my site and that worked. Then I retried at GB.com. It worked but it was a 64Kbps RA stream that had a few glitches.
When I got home the extra icon for .mp3 download was there- so maybe you need to try again? Maybe GB.com hadn't updated their page yet.
 
drstawl - uh, I could be wrong, but I don't think that's hiss so much as night noise - it's largely absent from tracks I record during the day (during the day there's different noise). I live in a patch of jungle, remember. That's what it sounds like here. Also, I ran the Rodent through the VC6Q straight to hard disk on this one with mild compression, not the ART.

"Your levels were off the mark by nearly 7 dB!" Hm? What's this about? Off what mark?

Eb: I've been experimenting with different alternate tunings in the last few months, and the Eb tuning happened to be the one the guitar was in when some songs came through. Getting out of standard tuning gets me out of standard thinking and musical habits.

Emeric, Doc - I'm sorry about the problems you're having with GB.com. I trialled it this morning, both real audio stream and mp3 download and it worked okay. I've been spending a lot of time there recently listening to stuff and writing reviews, and it's worked for me every time, so I assumed if it worked for me and netscape, it would work for everybody. Is it one of those bullshit deals where you have to register before it works for you?
 
How do you know it was a big wrench? Maybe the guy is only little.
 
I did realize that the "hiss" was just background noise picked up by the Rodent. The nature of the hiss was much like what I got with that "It's raining in Hell" .mp3 but obviously not nearly as loud. I purposely jacked up the input sensitivity on that one. How far away from your PC was the mic? True enough I did hear that cricket you tried to get to leave the neighborhood- or was it one of his kin? I've pretty much given up on trying to use the Rodents when that hum is going on. Occasionally my neighborhood does get quiet enough, but then I have to scramble to set up my mics and warm up the pre and hope that the noise doesn't return and I don't lose the mood to record.
As to the "mark"- I'm speaking of 0 dB. You have a noticeable amount of headroom in the signal that wasn't used. No peak went past -6.7 dB.
No registration was required at GB.com to get the music.
Even though I'm a registered reviewer there- I didn't log in to get the file.
 
Cool song, I wouldn't touch the verb, except maybe just slightest bit.

This is a personal taste issue, but I'd bring the guitar volume up just a tad, and brighten it just a little tone wise. Seems a little dulled, maybe compressed?

The playing is strong, well rehearsed?

Side note: I remember you saying somewhere that you have a mpx 500. How is that working out for you? I've been thinking about that box for a couple reasons.

-Jett Rocker
 
Jet - I know what you mean about the level on the guitar, but I can't boost it because I did the whole thing through one mic onto one track. :D

MPX: I can't get it to talk with my soundcard (Gadgetlabs, whose tech support have disappeared along with the company). It sounds really good working with analog conversions, so I think it'll sound even better if? when? I get it working with a purely digital signal.

drstawl - I'll try recording further from the computer - thanks for the idea.
 
Very good song. Musically interesting; lyrics are engaging.

I would bring the guitar way up; it's just the guitar and vocal (and you are an accomplished guitarist). That's what should fill some of that empty space. (I agree with drstawl -- To put it another way, 'twasn't loud 'nuff.)

The vocal has kind of the "swishing" sound -- is it overcompressed? Maybe less compression and some eq at 12-15k, and/or maybe a little eq on both the guitar and vocal at about 5K. I don't think you need any eq lower down, your voice is solid as it is. (I don't know about adding reverb; reverb's still pretty much a mystery to me.)

I also had some problems getting it to play (I also was not even given a download option). It crashed the first time. Also, it took a long time for the site to load. I was doing this at 5:30-6 pm EST; maybe their server just gets overloaded sometimes.

I enjoy reading your posts and it was nice to hear the music coming from that brain.

-Slim
 
Ok, I got the file. You have to be a member and logged on to the site to get mp3.

I agree with most of everyone elses comments, the guitar should come up a bit. The whole track could be louder, but that's no big deal, to me anyway - move a fader. The background noise is pretty evident, it's unfixable without retracking so it's a non issue. I sorta like the ambience it creates. You record outside or what?

Very competent guitar playing, nice sound as well. Nylon rocks. I like the singing. Some of the vocalizations at 1:03 bug me a bit - At that point I'd be tempted to add some variation in the mix. via another guitar comming in from another pan perspective, and a change in volume/effect on the vocals. But that's irrelevant, if your idea is to keep it guitar and vocals, I think you captured it well enough. The song comes across, and that's important. I can hear the Beatles influence in there especially Paul which is a good thing(you know that).

Good stuff, look forward to hearing more.
 
Okay, I've read what all of you have said, and I've drawn some conclusions.

Much as I like the less focussed sound of doing everything through one mic, I'm going to track with two mics instead of one so I've got some purchase in the mix.

I'm going to get a mindprint envoice and an ace mic.

I'm going to continue to record here in my living room in the jungle for the sake of polishing the performance and putting together the CD for the copyright registration. If I want something for commercial product, I'll do it in a real studio, with people who do this for money and are accountable.

I've seen other people say how useful feedback is on what they've posted here, and I thought it was just etiquette, being polite, but a lot fell into place while I was reading your comments. I've retracked it with two mics, and will go with the mix from that. Thanks.
 
(applause)

Well worth the time to join g-band have a listen. Nice unique vocal style, dobro, I bet if you got on a roll you would be hard to stop, as this piece seems to find you somewhat restrained. Tight tune and musicianship ! Bring the vox down and the geeter up a bit!
 
Dobro,

Had a listen to lo-fi Real Player it hardly ever pops up. Really can't judge the mix. But really liked the tune. Very nice voice, nice easy going sound, very cheerfull.
 
dobro,

finally got this thing going. I saw your post several days ago and I too, had trouble figuring out how to hear the song. Well, I heard it. Cool song man, really. Folk Blues it is. I liked the guitar in the tune a lot, and the vocals really had it's moments. You're gonna think I'm crazy but I heard a sound nuance around 2:03 or so, might have been a string whistling off of your fingers or something but it made me want to hear you go into a flute solo from 2:04 to 2:40 or so. Any chance of that? Not that many flute players out there I guess but anyway, I liked the tune, I listened several times when I finally it going. Definately left me wanting to hear more from you dobro, just to see where you're coming from with this.

Enjoyed it

Ray J
 
Hey a dobro song!...my first experience with garageband site....those things are called reviews?????.....

Scat worked...vocal worked, period....yes yes bring that guitar up in the mix...nite noises worked too....

make more dobro music right now..........gibs
 
I listened to this song a few days ago, but I've been having some problems with realplayer so I D/Loaded it tonight..I really liked the way you did the song, my daughter was in the room she liked it as well.

The playing was fantastic! I would of liked to of heard a bit of verb on the vocals, but just a cunt hair mabey. The simplicity of it all is great I think. Got me wanting to hear more of this dobro stuff! Keep us posted!
 
Back
Top