Back from the dead...

[rustyfingers]

I thought that this song has been deleted from the face of the earth but found a CD with all the tracks last night. It seems my 10 month old had stuck the CD in a file cabinet. Anyway give it a listen if yu get the time and make any suggestions or comments.

Thanks
Dennis


"Isn't it a wonder"
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1945&alid=-1


Alternate link

Thanks Again

 

[rustyfingers]

Shit...

Is it that bad Oh well after listening to "Monkey Feet" for the 10th time I'll have to agree that this one needs to go. What does a 10 month old know anyway

See Ya
Dennis

 

[Guernica]

Hey Dennis,
Im not exactly sure what im hearing. Some aspects of this are coming through real clear and some sound like they are remnants of a missing area in the stereo field. .....or something . Maybe its a problem w/ the mp3. The vocals are really clear and nice. What gear are you recording with? btw: i used the first link ....check it and see if thats the way it was recorded. Its cool if it was..... just need a place to start. ....thanks for the nice words man


g

 

[rustyfingers]

Thanks for the reply. I've really tried to mix this thing properly but it seems to always come out sounding like s&*t. I think there's something decent in there I just don't know what to do to get it out.

Recorded on a 788 and then mixed on a pc (laptop).

I mixed the drums (fruityloops) seperately and then pulled them into CE2 with the rest of the tracks. Maybe I just need to post a dry version and then get some help from there, I don't know.

BTW: "Monkey Feet" was great ! I downloaded it and everytime I hear it I like it even more. Good work !

Thanks
Dennis

 

[Guernica]

Hey Rusty,
....monkeyfeet was also recorded on a 788. Mixed there too. Yeah, it sounded like there were some good tracks back there somewhere. Maybe you could run down exactly what you did following recording the tracks.....

......it'll get there damnit

g

 

[rustyfingers]

I just realized that mixing this tune is kinda' like mixing a cake using bad ingredients. No matter how you mix and bake the cake it always comes out tasting like crap.

No matter how may ways I mix and master this song it's always gonna' come out sounding like crap. Bad tracks = Bad song... no matter how it's mixed.

I think I'm gonna' start over with some new ingredients.

Thanks for your help, I'm truly grateful.

Dennis

 

[fprod south]

Hey Rustyfingers,
You don't have bad ingredients (except the drums). I think a better analogy is that you're mixing good mushrooms and good ice cream.

You've got a really good song. I like the lyrics a lot. The "matter of fact" way you delivered them with your vocal style and phrasing fits perfectly. That's not easy to do.

The problems I have with the song are the drums first. The hard panned snare that lacks body makes it hard to listen to the song. Pan that thing center. I don't know how to work with synth drums, but do something to give it more body.

As far as the rest of the parts, it sounds like a band where the members aren't listening to each other. I'd love to hear this song done again, but think more strategically with the different parts.

Try some unisons and some counterpoints. As you lay down one part, think of how the next part needs to combine with it to create "one sound". Also, try some instrumentation buildup. You have everything kicking in all at once. Maybe the accordian doesn't need to come in until after the second verse. The electric piano sound might start very simple and get more complex as the song develops.

But I think you've got a great song. I'd love to hear it again with a more thoughtful arrangement.

 

[Toki987]

these guys know eons more than I about mixing and I agree with what they are saying. The idea and flow of the tune sounds fine to me, its just way busy on the instruments.

 

[Guernica]

Hey Rusty,
First off, I totally respect your willingness to retrack everything. When you do, if you feel a little uneasy about where to go from there, post the dry tracks for critiqe. People here are way cool and will offer up all kinds of helpful suggestions that will lead you on the right track. Way to go man!

g

 

[rustyfingers]

Thanks everybody...

GMan I'm still having a hard time believing you tracked those drums on a Triton(Monkey Feet). I have an LE76, that I use live, and would have never considered using it for tracking drums. I'm ordering some HartDynamics in Feb. so hopefully my drum parts will get better. (Hope my wife doesn't see this)

See Ya
Dennis

 

[mixmkr]

I'm hearing horns?, keys, and a guitar rhythm that sounds like they were tracked, without listening to the other tracks.

massive confusion. The others were kind with there comments, but this borderlines almost on "is this a joke"? Is this what you wanted? I'd like to hear your comments on the music bed..your thoughts, intentions. Personally, I don't think equipment is your problem...or software, whatever. You need to let the instruments interact with each other, rather than having it sound like a cat fight.

 

[fprod south]

I don't think this is borderline "is this a joke?". This is a very good tune that has been going through my head all morning.

But definetly listen to mixmkr about letting the instruments interact with each other. Chaos can be controlled if you do it right. Listen to some early Springsteen like "Blinded by the Light". Be very thoughtful in how the instruments work together. Ask yourself what each part is supposed to be accomplishing, and make sure that the answer to that question includes the name of another track.

 

[rustyfingers]

I'm hearing horns?, keys, and a guitar rhythm that sounds like they were tracked, without listening to the other tracks.

massive confusion. The others were kind with there comments, but this borderlines almost on "is this a joke"? Is this what you wanted? I'd like to hear your comments on the music bed..your thoughts, intentions. Personally, I don't think equipment is your problem...or software, whatever. You need to let the instruments interact with each other, rather than having it sound like a cat fight.

Thanks....

No is wasn't a joke, but has turned into one. I'm gonna' redo the whole thing... beginning to end. Thanks for your painfully honest comments. Sometimes "tough love" works.

Dennis

 

[mixmkr]

ya know, I've been acused for a lack of tact a lot of the times, and on the other hand, also appreciated for my honesty. I hope our "tough love" between us will only ripen into a truely frutitious relationship that will endure the many posts to come. Nothing like a ripe tomatoe to slice into!

you're a champ, Dennis.
keep rockin'