BLACK DOG as per your suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter rayc
  • Start date Start date
Digging the vocals. Crispy amp. Looking forward to hearing the final product. :)

Best regards,
PK
 
Hey Ray, The song sounds vaguely familiar, not sure if I commented on it before.

There's a couple of things going on which I think has room for improvement. The one thing that sticks out the most is the doubling of the guitars and vocals. There's a lot of competition for the listener's attention. With the continuous strumming on the guitar, I don't think it's necessary to double it up. It doesn't add to the song, just adds a distraction from the lyrics and singing.

Same with the vocals. Although, here I think you're on the right track with backing vocals. I think they are too close to the lead vocal rather than a supporting role. They are also not so tight with the lead vocal, so there's some unintended slapback effect between the lead and backing vocals.

The vocals sound as though you were whispering when you recorded them, then used a lot of compression to bring the levels up. Honestly, i don't understand what you're singing.... and I want to!!! Perhaps it's your recording environment and you have to be quiet.... been there, done that. If ever you have the opportunity, you should retrack the vocals and just let loose. Forget about everything else in your life for those few minutes and just sing the song the way it's meant to be.

Lastly, I like the bass line and tone. It needs to stand above the guitar(s). I can hear it plainly, but it needs to come up a lot in the mix. Put the strumming guitar way back. I've got this little cancer in my brain that always says, Kick, Bass and Lead Vocal should always be near the same level and everything else is lower and supporting. Don't know if that's the way it should be, but I think it works that way.

Cheers, :)
 
Hi Ray, you've got some really good ideas going here. I do like the doubling
effect on the vocals but like the other poster mentioned, there's a lot of things vying for competition so things can tend to easily become overwhelming. Perhaps if you only minimized the effect on certain parts while maximizing it in others like the chorus. I also think the bass could come up but i know that's something that needs to be adjusted after the drums get done. I like your guitar work and sound also. Good start.

Steve
 
Good mix - everything is nicely balanced. I'm not sure if I would up the bass or not, it seems to be okay as is. I'm having the same problem as others mentioned - the vocals are loud enough and smooth enough but it's hard to make out the words Terry's singing. I'm at a loss as to what to recommend - I played with the WMP eq and it just adds brightness not clarity. I found the first few lines were very clear then it sort of takes on this mask of cloudiness. Again it's a good level, nicely even and mixing in well but not quite discernable. I don't think Terry should belt out this song in the key it's it in, I don't think that's an option, or a necessity really. I leave it to you to play with it some more...but so far so good....

:cool::D:cool::D
 
It sounds better overall, Ray.
But the main problem still remains with the vocals. Terry's simply singing too softly. When I compare to other songs from you like Kennedy Avalon for instance, there is a very big difference. I don't think it's a technical problem, it's the performance that has to be right. But I'm sure you've thought about that already.

Joey :):):):)
 
I have a little problem with the vocals as well. They are garbled and if I wasn't reading them, I wouldn't get half of them.

It's a good song, kind of mysterious and I'm wondering what it all means. I feel sure that the black dog stands for something besides a black dog.

But I used to own a black dog, so it's cool with me.

The two vocal tracks need to come together a little tighter in my opinion.

Other than that, it's got a cool sound.

Wig:)
 
I'm sitting here trying to imagine it with some kind of drums or percussion. Since those things are not there, it's hard to get a feel for what's going on. For me, the vocals are still the issue. Too much doubling, tripling, and too soft. There's a few spots that just seem kind of messy. And Ray, you know I mean this as respectfully as possible. Just keep working with it bud.
 
pkdasilva,
crispy sound from single coils an Ibanez Renoemtre set at boost & Hi boost THEN the marshall Superbass MkII. Thanks for the kind words.
Chili,
I'll post a version withless vocal - there are 5 vocal tracks but none is a double take of another. I quite keen to reduce the guitar to the original single track - I've doubled up out of habit more than anything else. Thanks mate.
opensky,
That's kind of you! I originally though NO DRUMS but most folk want them. The bass line it a little toppier than it was and, solo, is really bright & proggy/rickenbacker like. It gets quieter once the vox appear - some I do need to work on that ta!
ido1957,
Terry only did the vox as a roughie experiment but I became bored and didn't wait for the retake. I'll have to pester him to follow up. We seems to have a bad habit going of recording a guide or draft vocal & then not bothering with a real take. We've only managed proper meant as keep takes for Cafe Oceanic & After the Burning in the last 2 years. Thanks.
joeym,
What can I say Joey - You're right - and well made comparison too. Ta!
Xeries,
Thanks Wig. The Black Dog in the story is a pet blended - at least down under - a euphemism for depression. We'll work on the vox.
Greg_L,
No offense meant or taken - I REALLLLLLY respect your ear and the help you've provided over the last couple of years with suggestions and close listening has been amazing. I'll work on it - dfancy taking your imaginings into the ralm of tub thumping?
 
I'll try, but it may take just a little bit. My kits not set up at the moment, but it should be next week sometime.

Send me the files and bpm and I'll see what I can do.
 
Ray, I feel the rhythm guitar is fighting for space with the vocals. If there is any way for you to automate by riding the fader, you could really bring this to life by backing off on the rhythm git during the vocal phrases and then bringing it up during the lapses.

The bass is getting lost, too. That rhythm git is a vampire, man. It's bringing on a black dog.:D

Wig:)
 
Download of new mix

Hello Folks,
Soundclick must be very busy - I've made 1/2 doz attempts to post the new version today each times out after about 90% done. I've placed the MP3 on megaupload as it was easier to get through to.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C73CVOZI
This mix has only 1 guitar, the bvox are reduced in vol and one that tracked the main closley has been muted. I've also reduced the guitar during the vocal sections.
Any closer?
 
I like the mix Ray - it focuses more on the main vocal line. I was happy with the prior mixes too with the variety of vocal/guitars. This one has its own charm but both mixes are good IMO.
 
Thanks Gerry,
I'm keeping the setting for most mixes as there are some I'm rather fond of too.
The exercise of mixing to meet the demands of the forum users is good for me and usually results in a superior result so I'll persist.
 
Getting a under review page when I hit the link. You not put it in the cover song section at SC by any chance? Hope things get sorted out for you. Wanted to hear this one being a Zep fan...
 
cmhansen,
Sorry the usable link is further down & it's to a download of the 320 MP3 - it's not the Zep song I'm afraid so save you downlaod limit & skip this song.
I have enormous trouble "uploading" to soundclick - lots of "interrupted" message which is a bummer as I rather like the 'click site.
 
Much better Ray!
I can make the vocals out pretty well now. I'll bet it's gonna sound better with drums. I still think Terry should retrack and put his chest in it, though. His voice is Pygmybeat's trademark and I'm sure he could do this better.

Joey :):):):)
 
This is a pretty cool tune. The guitar sounds a bit out of tune here and there, but nothing big. I really like the vocal work you did on this. Very well put together, and panned. Nice job!

-Adam.
 
I've heard a few versions of this over the last few day and it's steadily improved. The vocals are a lot better now, although there's still a few plosives appearing at around 2.00. Do you put any compression on the vocal Ray? You could hit this really hard with a dirty compresso r- be interesting to hear what that sounded like
 
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