Back to da drawing board...

[Shaky Tee]

So, this weekend, after reading the comments of all my compadres here at ye old Mixing clinic, I went back and redid my song.

I lowered the key.

I created a melody track for which I sang along. I think I rehearsed the song for about an hour and a half.

created another mix so that I could adjust the instruments to something I felt comfortable with.

Instead of using my US-224 to record, I used my VXPocket2 for both recording and monitoring, and just used the US-224 as a control board. I think this has made QUITE a bit of difference in both my ability to sing along with the track, as well as my ability to record on it.

I recreated my tracks using Audio Compositor. I ended rendering the files a little louder, which means that I had to redo my backing mix (GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!). I also added some reverb and Eqing to the drums (yeah, they are getting to me too).

So, at this point, although it's far from a finished product, I think the worst might be over. At least I'm on pitch enough of the time so peeps won't run away screaming (tho' I'll admit to hitting a bum note here and there). My only concern with this right now is that I sound a little too much like Mary Poppins!

I'm having a friend of mine do the drums, so the next version of this will have mo betta beats.

In the meantime, have a listen to what I've got so far on my artistlaunch page, and let me know what ya think!

http://www.artistlaunch.com/helens

Thanks again for ALL of your help, everyone!!

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

The on-key vocal is a huge improvement!




I know you said this was unfinished, and it does sound like it -- this song will shine with some good production. Additional rhy tracks, and percussive "ear candy" in the background.

Also, the solo break sounds really strained and hesitant, as if you weren't sure what note you were going to play next.... you need to get a smoother-sounding for that to work...

Drums at the end are still off-time (but you said you're re-doing the drums anyways....)

Getting better though Shaky!

 

[Shaky Tee]

Hey Bruce!! Thanks!

I should probably look for some shaker soundfonts somewhere (then again, I just got myself a copy of Fruity Loops, so that problem MAY be solved).

Then again, my buddy MA wants to do additional drum tracks on this. He may even bring in his friend Mike to redo the solo. He's been kinda busy tho'. I may just end up redoing those myself (i.e. the aforementioned Fruity Loops).

But, well, we'll see what happens.

I'm gonna go do some tweaking, upload it again, and take a break from it for a while...

 

[Kramer]

I posted in the original thread about how much this song improved from the first mix to now.

It must have had a lot to do with the key you were trying to sing it in(or the lag prob you decsribed),because you have a GOOD voice Shaky and hit all the notes on pitch with feeling this time around.

Good job on the vox/rework and key change!

 

[participant]

Wow... interesting reverb on the piano synth... sounds like you're getting close to falsetto there, but it comes off well... that's just your normal singing voice? Very distinctive. Hmm... very European (electronic) sounding with that synth (?) bass. Some of the instruments go out of rhythm at times... the bass and even voice, noticeable in the fade out.

Reminds me of Kate Bush a bit. Sounds like it's building to something. Backing vocals would help too; something to smooth out the stacatto-ness of the overall rhythm. Would like the pace to pick up somewhere, even if the song slows down a bit later -- but that's just a preference

Keep goin, good luck


Chad