Ball Of Dirt - New song I been working on :D

[FoulPhil]

I caught a little cold last week and have been doing better the last few days. I think I still might sound a little nastily though. I'm having a real hard time with vocals and it's kind of pissing me off. I wish I would of arranged the lyrics and vocals better to suit my voice, but I wrote this song a long time ago and now I'm stuck with it like this in my head lol... What you guys think?




Mix 2



Mix 3

 

[dobro]

It's too dark. It doesn't have to be this loud, either. The panned guitars have to come way down relative to the vocal. It's a great vocal. Why bury it?

But I really like it. I was down the shop today trying out nylon string guitars in part because I've been listening to your delicious stuff.

BTW, did you write it?

 

[Supercreep]

I like this song. The lead acoustic guitar might be a little hot occasionally.

I think I like the tom figures at the beginning more than the kick/snare stuff that behind the verses. Really super fantastic flourishes at the very end. Gnarly lyrics, phil. Bravo.

 

[gecko zzed]

It's a very rich, syrupy sound. Maybe vocals up a bit up?

And maybe examine frequencies 120hz or an octave up at 240hz (I'm not sure which) because that's just a bit boomy on my system (which also could be my room).

 

[rayc]

You may be nasally but it works for this - reminds me of the singer in PAW.
Dark? For dark work - yes!
I like the track - well done.

 

[FoulPhil]

It's too dark. It doesn't have to be this loud, either. The panned guitars have to come way down relative to the vocal. It's a great vocal. Why bury it?

But I really like it. I was down the shop today trying out nylon string guitars in part because I've been listening to your delicious stuff.

BTW, did you write it?

Weird because I thought the vocals might be too loud. I guess I'm not hearing things right. I'll work on it. Yo, but keep in mind I'm playing a steel string guitar on this stuff. You might not want a nylon lol. Yes, I wrote this song. I have a bunch of other songs with different influences, but they all work together as an "album" I think.

I like this song. The lead acoustic guitar might be a little hot occasionally.

I think I like the tom figures at the beginning more than the kick/snare stuff that behind the verses. Really super fantastic flourishes at the very end. Gnarly lyrics, phil. Bravo.

Yeah I did have a few problems balancing some things out. The drums are just a basic time keeper. I'm hoping to get some real drums eventually. Thanks for checking it out

It's a very rich, syrupy sound. Maybe vocals up a bit up?

And maybe examine frequencies 120hz or an octave up at 240hz (I'm not sure which) because that's just a bit boomy on my system (which also could be my room).

Thanks. I did use a sort of crunchy effect on the mastering part, probably a bit much lol.

You may be nasally but it works for this - reminds me of the singer in PAW.
Dark? For dark work - yes!
I like the track - well done.

Thanks so much. I was thinking about recording it again next week, but I think I'll take some time to see if it grows on me lol

 

[heatmiser]

Sounds pretty good to me Phil. I like the panned acoustic rhythm guitar sounds quite a lot.

The drum sounds don't excite me, but I don't mind them, and at least you went with something fairly simple and mellow which fits the mood of this track I think.

As the song moves along, some of the middle verses get busier, which is fine, but I thought your delivery seemed rushed at times to get the words in.

Probably your best non-fart-metal track I've heard.

 

[K-dub]

Dobro nailed my thoughts on it. Loud and on the dark side. I'd really back off on the compression and let the sound breath more. I very much liked the performance and the material.

 

[FoulPhil]

Sounds pretty good to me Phil. I like the panned acoustic rhythm guitar sounds quite a lot.

The drum sounds don't excite me, but I don't mind them, and at least you went with something fairly simple and mellow which fits the mood of this track I think.

As the song moves along, some of the middle verses get busier, which is fine, but I thought your delivery seemed rushed at times to get the words in.

Probably your best non-fart-metal track I've heard.

Hey thanks. Agreed on the drums. I don't think I can find any better replacement just yet. So, it's a good time keeper. About the vocal delivery, it's just kind of how I memorized the song. It's really weird... When I first wrote it, sounded amazing to me... Over the last few years it seemed to get harder to play and sing LOL. Not sure how it slipped so far away...

Dobro nailed my thoughts on it. Loud and on the dark side. I'd really back off on the compression and let the sound breath more. I very much liked the performance and the material.

Thanks a lot. I will dial it down on the next version. I'm trying to think of some kind of back ground vocals or something I can add to it and I don't feel it reached it's climatic point effectively. I'm still working on it

I should buy a bunch of little stringed instruments. Like mandolins, ukeleles, dulcimers etc. Imagine the power it would have after the introductory section and it builds up into the busier verses if all kinds of cool accompanying instruments kicked in. Maybe even some lap steel guitar

 

[Schwarzenyaeger]

It sounds very full but not overbearing. Interesting. Very warm. Kind of like a fatty roast beef.

I think that the vocal was a bit quiet in comparison to the acoustics.
I would have personally liked a bass with more attack but it's good this way too.



You posted an instrumental version of this a week or two ago, no?
It sounded like an Xmas song back then, now there are 3000 babies dying!

 

[FoulPhil]

It sounds very full but not overbearing. Interesting. Very warm. Kind of like a fatty roast beef.

I think that the vocal was a bit quiet in comparison to the acoustics.
I would have personally liked a bass with more attack but it's good this way too.



You posted an instrumental version of this a week or two ago, no?
It sounded like an Xmas song back then, now there are 3000 babies dying!

LOL. It's statistical data that I rounded off. I'm talking about the 3000 babies in different stages of development that are aborted every day in the USA. The song isn't about abortion or even anti-abortion. It's more of an example of how much I can't relate to mainstream society. I'm not down with all that kind of bullshit going around

 

[rockexotic]

I really like the warm acoustic quality of your recording.
I read a couple other comments on levels.
While I was listening at a pleasant low volume the vocals could use a slight push. Very slight.
My only input would be to remember to check the mix at a low volume with headphones.
It's good to double check the vocals at a low mix volume and bass at a higher volume.

Low end sounded a touch saturated when everything comes in together, but still warm and musical.

All in all a really warm and pleasant sounding capture.
To be honest, and in reply to your comment to my demo, I would like to track with real acoustic instruments and would be content with a nice warm sound like this.

I'm not so much on the lyrics but they are what you feel.
I do like the way you phrased them and fit them to the music.
The vocal track is relaxing and has a subtle expressive quality.
Nice acoustic guitar embellishments. Especially at the end.

Anyway, I'm a new member and I did post a reply to your last comment.

Thank you for posting your track.

 

[robgreen]

Nice playing Phil, you've got some nice technical ability that you're showcasing on here! I thought you were all metal, and would be too far removed from anything I know, but I'm impressed.

Nice warm tones on both the vocals and the guitars, and some cool melodic ideas. I agree with other comments about the mix being dark and some of the phrases being a bit crowded. I don't know if you could weed out some of the lyrics to fit the meter a little more. Some bleak words in the tune Phil, made for a fun,macabre listen

 

[HugoRibeiro.Com]

Good song. I actually think the drum sound fits the type of song. I think they should be dry and a little bit back there in the mix as they are.
This is a type of guitar and vocals tune. The rest is just supporting. My opinion of course.
Great guitar work.

cheers

 

[FoulPhil]

I really like the warm acoustic quality of your recording.
I read a couple other comments on levels.
While I was listening at a pleasant low volume the vocals could use a slight push. Very slight.
My only input would be to remember to check the mix at a low volume with headphones.
It's good to double check the vocals at a low mix volume and bass at a higher volume.

Low end sounded a touch saturated when everything comes in together, but still warm and musical.

All in all a really warm and pleasant sounding capture.
To be honest, and in reply to your comment to my demo, I would like to track with real acoustic instruments and would be content with a nice warm sound like this.

I'm not so much on the lyrics but they are what you feel.
I do like the way you phrased them and fit them to the music.
The vocal track is relaxing and has a subtle expressive quality.
Nice acoustic guitar embellishments. Especially at the end.

Anyway, I'm a new member and I did post a reply to your last comment.

Thank you for posting your track.

Thanks for you comments. I'll take them all into consideration. Something I should mention is what you're hearing is a quick mix immediately after recording the vocals and doing a bit of editing. They say you should wait till the next day to edit and mix lol, but I say F it. I'll have spent weeks on it by the time the final version comes out, but I can use this advice now towards other similar tracks I'm working on.

Nice playing Phil, you've got some nice technical ability that you're showcasing on here! I thought you were all metal, and would be too far removed from anything I know, but I'm impressed.

Nice warm tones on both the vocals and the guitars, and some cool melodic ideas. I agree with other comments about the mix being dark and some of the phrases being a bit crowded. I don't know if you could weed out some of the lyrics to fit the meter a little more. Some bleak words in the tune Phil, made for a fun,macabre listen

Yeah I'm not only a metal guy. I like every kind of music. Thanks for the listen and comments. I think the dark is coming from too much delay on everything. It's completely dry now, but I'm fixing to record some doubled vocals and maybe some kind of harmony vocals as well. Not sure just yet, but I'll put up an updated mix when I have get it somewhere I like.

Good song. I actually think the drum sound fits the type of song. I think they should be dry and a little bit back there in the mix as they are.
This is a type of guitar and vocals tune. The rest is just supporting. My opinion of course.
Great guitar work.

cheers

I hear that buddy, thanks for listening Hugo.

 

[FoulPhil]

Sorry for the double post. Here's a new mix

 

[GONZO-X]

i like this tune...
it grows on me.

i like the original mix the best,
but the new mix does add a nice clarity to the vocal that was missing on the first.

the new mix is more dynamic,
so if you crank it up, it sounds better than the first....



so many variables, sometimes it's best to just stick with your gut on some things.


if you would consider a shorter version,
i would simply end the song at the mid point (2:35 or so......) with that last line being the fade out....

 

[FoulPhil]

i like this tune...
it grows on me.

i like the original mix the best,
but the new mix does add a nice clarity to the vocal that was missing on the first.

the new mix is more dynamic,
so if you crank it up, it sounds better than the first....



so many variables, sometimes it's best to just stick with your gut on some things.


if you would consider a shorter version,
i would simply end the song at the mid point (2:35 or so......) with that last line being the fade out....

Yeah I don't know. I'll keep trying some things. I'll end up mixing it 100 times while I work on other songs as well lol. Not sure about shorting it. Not even sure why I would want to lol. I like the ending too much and also it's not like it's going to be a hit song and everyone's going to take the time to listen to it. So, might as well keep it within the realms of my vision for the music

 

[dobro]

The solo guitar from 1.08 is getting buried a bit. Partly frequency masking, partly levels. Probably the easiest fix would be to turn down those wing guitars.

 

[FoulPhil]

The solo guitar from 1.08 is getting buried a bit. Partly frequency masking, partly levels. Probably the easiest fix would be to turn down those wing guitars.

ok try this one