Done Me Wrong

[TelePaul]

This is one of three tracks recorded today - I was doing favours for a friend. It's just two tracks, done live in one take. Didn't require much mixing, but the guitarist's style is bothering me. He insists on fingerpicking but he has no nails, so it's very quiet and very muddy. I tried my best with some EQ, but I'm very dubious.

Your thoughts? It's 'Done Me Wrong'

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=718574

 

[Greg_L]

I like the chicks voice. She sounds hot!

I think the vox could be drier. They're a little too wet for my tastes, but that's just me. The vocals get a little loud near the end. I don't think it's a compression thing because the vocals are pretty consistent throughout. Maybe volume envelope it. I like the way the guitar is a little quieter in the mix. Gives it a haunting, smokey lounge kind of feel to it. Pretty good.

 

[TelePaul]

I like the chicks voice. She sounds hot!

I think the vox could be drier. They're a little too wet for my tastes, but that's just me. The vocals get a little loud near the end. I don't think it's a compression thing because the vocals are pretty consistent throughout. Maybe volume envelope it. I like the way the guitar is a little quieter in the mix. Gives it a haunting, smokey lounge kind of feel to it. Pretty good.

She's really good isn't she? I think because they were doing it live, when he started to push it on the guitar, she instinctively pushed the vocals a little more. The reason the guitar is low is that if I turn it up, it's muddiness becomes way too evident!

I take your point about the verb, but I'm really digging the kinda 60's vibe to it, so I'll wait to see what the general consensus is. Thanks for that though, I'll definetely trim the volume a little.

 

[ido1957]

I vote to keep the reverb as is, what kind of reverb is it BTW? She has a fabulous voice so pass along my compliments to her and the guitar player. I like the voice as it sits. Nothing wrong with this mix as it is now. The lower guitar is what I would call a production choice. I'd like to hear more guitar but again it's mostly a preference, not a requirement. Acoustics seem to be a challenge from what I've read in this forum. I think you eq'd it pretty good considering what you say you had to work with. Cool

 

[TelePaul]

I vote to keep the reverb as is, what kind of reverb is it BTW? She has a fabulous voice so pass along my compliments to her and the guitar player. I like the voice as it sits. Nothing wrong with this mix as it is now. The lower guitar is what I would call a production choice. I'd like to hear more guitar but again it's mostly a preference, not a requirement. Acoustics seem to be a challenge from what I've read in this forum. I think you eq'd it pretty good considering what you say you had to work with. Cool

Thanks jerry! Wish he had nails or played with a pick, it's so boxy. With regard to production choice, I think that if this wasn't so jazzy, I'd be in serious trouble with the guitar track. The reverb is Dasample's Glaceverb - it's a free plug-in.

 

[LemonTree]

She's good, I really like this and I like the contrast in tone from the very present vocal to the darker sounding guitar.

If anything the guitar is understated in the best way because her voice is so enchanting you forget what the guitar is doing...and when it's over you wanna go back and listen to the guitar in more detail, then.... same thing happens all over again.

On my 4th listen. love the phrasing at 3:37ish

Alex

<EDIT>

Keep the reverb, it fits well to this genre IMO, YMMV

 

[TelePaul]

Thanks alot man, I was having my doubts but you're right, her voice pulls you in.

 

[XLR]

Good singer! And good performance overall.

The guitar's level is good but it lacks definition... you might try the Flux Bittersweet 2 plug (freeware) to add some transient detail to the guitar. I tried it on the tune and it seemed to help the guitar's sound.

I think the verb is too strong and too bright... in the sense that the song has a minimalist/natural feel but the verb doesn't sound natural. To me, anyway.

I agree with Greg that some volume automation on the vocal during the loudest passages would be good.

 

[Anfontan]

I like it a lot Paul, her vocal and the guitar hit a nice balance to me. She has a 'Torch' singer vibe and a niteclub sound with the verb that is there-the voice is in your face and quite intimate.

 

[antichef]

Love the song, the signing, and guitar playing -- I think you posted this in the guitar forum? I clicked on it there and it started playing through my monitors, and my wife exclaimed how good she thought it sounded (and, based on how irritated she is generally with this hobby of mine, you can take that as a very big compliment ). As much as I like the guitar, I don't think you need to do much to bring it out, since it's rightfully taking the back seat to that singing -- maybe player knows exactly what he's doing

Listening with headphones now -- reverb is nice on her voice in the quieter parts, but in the louder parts, it trails a little too long -- maybe reduce the time?

 

[WhiteStrat]

First the 'verb that everyone's commenting on: I agree with you that it creates a cool 60's vibe (well suited to her voice) but also agree that it's a bit heavy--when it trails, it sounds a bit metallic.

I get your complaint about the nail-less fingerpicking. I have no nails and I notice that for myself when I record fingerpick (which is rare). However, in this case I think it works. It creates a smoother jazz feel which is the perfect contrast/complement to her voice.

Nice job!

 

[Dogman]

Sounds really good...sounds live. I like it.

 

[TelePaul]

Thanks everyone for your very kind words. I'll do a little automation. I've another song by them I might post - it's a little different.