Beach Boys Meet the C1

[BobO]

Great job!

The first thing I did when I got my C1 last summer was "This Boy" by the Beatles...another great harmony song. If it came out as good as yours, I would've posted it!

 

[dachay2tnr]

holy crap! 256kbps VBR!

But Waldo, it's only a 2 minute song It was 2.5 Mb encoded at 160, and only 3 Mb this way. So I went "all the way". And yeah, it might be a tad slow. I actually think it's about the same tempo as the original, but the lack of instruments probably makes it feel a little slower.

BobO - We've actually considered doing This Boy, but we don't have anyone who can vocally handle the bridge. (McCartney probably can't hit it anymore either. It was McCartney, wasn't it?)

CMiller - go for the C1! We were using Shure SM58's prior to this (in fact that's what we used for the "waste" track for this song), and the C1 is quite an improvement. However, you'll notice that you'll now start to hear every friggin' noise in your entire house through this mic (as well as all those nasty lip smacks and other unwanted mouth noises ). So be prepared.

 

[CMiller]

However, you'll notice that you'll now start to hear every friggin' noise in your entire house through this mic

Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of! I'm afraid to get a mic that sensitive with my noise box computer.

 

[mixmkr]

Very good singing, especially the soprano parts at the end. the chorusing makes it *updated* so to speak....but loses trying to actually RE capturing the song. At certain times (especially around 0:58+), the timing gets very stiff without a "[a]swing[version]" feel to it...but the original recording was probably *straight* too...I can't remember. Another fine example that an inexpensive mic can blow your socks off with fine fidelity...Gawd I love the new equipment [and prices] coming out!! fun song!...oh...nice verb too...just right

 

[jgourd]

I liked it. What kind of room did you do the vocals in?

 

[barefoot]

Not thrilled with the chorus effect. I would go lighter on that. Also I would bring up the top harmony parts a bit more in the mix.

Otherwise it sounds wonderful!

barefoot

 

[CMiller]

You might have a point there, barefoot. It could probably use a little less. The vocals are seem pretty dead on, so I would imagine that they'd be tight without the chorus effect.

 

[dachay2tnr]

Again, thanks to all for taking the time to listen and for the feedback. Some responses as follows:

mixmkr - you could be right about the timing in the bridge. We sang to a "straight" click track (the tamborene, which we ended up leaving in the song) and the middle did feel like we had to "hold back" a little to stay with the timing.

jgourd - the "room" that we did the vocals in was an untreated basement. Cinder block walls and all. Might have helped enhance the 'verb

barefoot and CMiller - I'll take your comments about the chorus effect under advisement. On some playback systems (particularly on our 20/20 monitors) it makes the harmony sound absolutely georgeous (at least to my ears), on others, it's a little more harsh and obvious. I'll see what backing off a little sounds like.

 

[jumpingflash]

A great job !

But let me ask you my little doubt : did you use any kind of pitch correction or harmony processors ?

Some pitch changes are ssooo un-human.....

 

[JimH]

Great singing and blending of harmonies. I just love harmonies. Everything was on-pitch to my ears.

The two things I might have changed are minor and subject to taste. I'd back off on the chorus. It's too noticeable. For example, right on the second line: "...I can go and...". It might be better if you dynamically adjust the amount throughout the song to lower it in the places where it stands out. I listened on Peavey 308s monitors. Second, I wasn't crazy about the tambourine. I though it was distracting to the smoothness of the harmonies. Although I'm not sure if dropping is would be ok, or replacing it with something else. But these are picky things. Otherwise, great.

 

[dachay2tnr]

The "remove the chorus effect" crowd seems to be building. Interestingly, JimH, the effect I used is an "automatable" FX from Sonar, so I can adjust the levels throughout the song by the use of an envelope (I love these toys ). In fact, I do that already somewhat - e.g., the unison part in the bridge has no chorus on it at all. I'll play with it.

Well, that's the second inhuman comment. Would that be inhuman good or inhuman bad, jf? Don't quite know how to take that - but for now, I'm assuming you like the harmony.