Dear John Rough Mix

[Papanate]

This is a song I’ve done for my daughter to sing - my friends and I just did scratch vocals - but I thought I would throw this out there - mainly because something
is bugging me - I can’t tell what though - I sat on it for a couple of days and still can’t hear what it is - do you guys have any idea?

 

[HumanPlanet]

I think I prefer the 2014 version, it has a better balance for my liking with the vocal taking prominence.

 

[Papanate]

I think I prefer the 2014 version, it has a better balance for my liking with the vocal taking prominence.

You mean the arrangement of Dear John in 2014? We went for the more modern take - or Taylors version - I think we have a 2014 arrangement - I will see and post it if I do - maybe that’s what is bugging me?

 

[HumanPlanet]

You mean the arrangement of Dear John in 2014? We went for the more modern take - or Taylors version - I think we have a 2014 arrangement - I will see and post it if I do - maybe that’s what is bugging me?

2014 arrangement? I don't understand.

The video I posted is from 2014, It is the same recording you posted but with different treatment. I prefer the way the recording was mixed in 2014 rather than what you've done with it now. The arrangement is identical as it's the same recording, maybe that’s what is bugging you.

 

[Papanate]

2014 arrangement? I don't understand.

The video I posted is from 2014, It is the same recording you posted but with different treatment. I prefer the way the recording was mixed in 2014 rather than what you've done with it now. The arrangement is identical as it's the same recording, maybe that’s what is bugging you.

It’s not the same recording - we duplicated the parts - it was pretty easy to do actually - I did get some help from Paul Sidoti - who has been Swifts guitarist since 2008 or so.

 

[mark skinner]

It’s okay , as You frequently say ..

 

[BTStudio]

I initially felt like the main vocal was not popping out quite enough. Then I listened to the 2014 version and that confirmed it for me. The new version seems to be a much more clearer recording, and the guitar fills and lines are more prominent. I think I would like a compromise between the two tracks, I really like the clarity and prominent guitar fills in the new version but would like just a tad more vocal probably only a half a db, it’s that close. I also noticed there wasn’t very much bass representation on the acoustic guitar at the beginning, almost like the player was strumming the top 3 strings, after the first chorus it seems to be a fuller sound.
You know I don’t normally like country music but I liked this one a lot

 

[K-dub]

What I'd do is go back and reassess what sounds you want to be more prominent and adjust accordingly. This is already at nitpick level. But the cymbal hits suddenly become a featured sound and it distracts from the central focus. Nothing is off that much, but I might recalculate some sonic decisions about what grabs the ear.

Your daughter has a lovely voice (if this is her).

 

[Papanate]

What I'd do is go back and reassess what sounds you want to be more prominent and adjust accordingly. This is already at nitpick level. But the cymbal hits suddenly become a featured sound and it distracts from the central focus. Nothing is off that much, but I might recalculate some sonic decisions about what grabs the ear.

Your daughter has a lovely voice (if this is her).

No its a gal name Susan who did the lead scratch vocal for me - my Daughter is out of town at the moment - I’ll tell Susan you said a nice thing.

 

[Papanate]

I initially felt like the main vocal was not popping out quite enough. Then I listened to the 2014 version and that confirmed it for me.

You mean the Taylor Swift 2014 version? So you want the vocal up in the mix? By how much? Or is it throughout the song at various points?

The new version seems to be a much more clearer recording, and the guitar fills and lines are more prominent. I think I would like a compromise between the two tracks, I really like the clarity and prominent guitar fills in the new version but would like just a tad more vocal probably only a half a db, it’s that close. I also noticed there wasn’t very much bass representation on the acoustic guitar at the beginning, almost like the player was strumming the top 3 strings, after the first chorus it seems to be a fuller sound.
You know I don’t normally like country music but I liked this one a lot

I was sorta doing that! I’ll listen again -

 

[BTStudio]

You mean the Taylor Swift 2014 version? So you want the vocal up in the mix? By how much? Or is it throughout the song at various points?



I was sorta doing that! I’ll listen again -

Whoever did the version that humanplanet put up.
It seemed to me to be throughout the song but not by a lot. Maybe 1/2 a db er so.