Don't Be Too Long

[imalion]

Hey everyone.


It has been a long busy summer for me, and I am just getting back into the studio. My newest song is called "Don't Be Too Long". www.mp3.com/steven_diemert

Give it a listen and lemme know what you guys think.


Steven

 

[participant]

hmmm... honestly imalion... nothing's grabbing me yet... maybe just not my style

For those who might listen to it... it's kind of like John Cougar musical progressions, a touch of rockabilly guit, and a guy who needs some vox lessons singin (Sorry, imalion)

It just sounds like you need to focus more on singing a melody, instead of getting that "gritty" sound... at least to begin...

A very simple arrangement... it could use a definite melody... and some more pure vocal tones, mixed in with the "gruffness" imho...

keep pluggin at it, man... the recording is better than average...


Chad

 

[imalion]

Hey man,. Thanks. Dont be sorry for being honest. I am looking for Honest feedback. I can get the wife to tell me how great I sound whenever I want. I need real feedback. So, if I am doing something wrong, I want to know about it.

Thanks for the feedback.

Steven

 

[powderfinger]

the canned vocal sounds that you use a bit is kind of cool........guitar tones are nice..........i would echo that the song might be able to use a stronger melody......the current chorus seems like a nice bridge that could lead into a stronger chorus...just an idea........i could see a song like this going over well at a bar with the volume crankin

 

[pipelineaudio]

I love this stuff..kinda like Jed's A Millionaire. This is well written I think. The drums could use WAY more impact. And more lo mids on the guitar. Sounds like it wasnt mic'ed.

The bass could be slappy or really bonky and it would be even better

You did a REALLY REALLY good job of making the vocals " sit " right in this mix.

it all sounds a little lofi but I bet some drum tweaking could fix this

 

[imalion]

Thanks for the feedback. Any ideas on how I can give the drums more impact?. They are coming through loud and clear on my system here.

Thanks for mentioning the vocal level too. I usually have my vocals much more out front. And I always get told by people on this board that vocals could go down. I wasnt sure if I buried the vocals in this song. Thanks for the comments.


Steven

P.S. This song does go over really well live.

 

[Track Rat]

The drums need more impact for sure. I like the vocal. You remind me of a guy I work with from time to time. It could be argued that he (and you) aren't technicly "good" singers but there's something going on that makes it work, ya know what I mean? Put some beef into the drums and it works for me.

 

[imalion]

Track Rat.

Thanks for listening. Could you give me any ideas on how I can add some "beef" to the drum tracks? Is it a volume thing or a EQ thing? or something else?


Steven

 

[Track Rat]

It's hard to say without hearing the raw tracks. It could be just pushing up the level. Maybe that plus some compression. Like I said, it depends.

 

[SocialNoise]

I think this song rocks! I enjoyed the heavy guitars and the very unique voice. Voice lessons is the last thing you need. You have your own unique thing going and its cool. Keep it real.

I have been recording at home for a few years now. This website is new to me though. Looks like alot of cool information. Glad I found it.

 

[imalion]

Social Noise,

Thanks for listening and Welcome to HomeRecording.com. I appreciate what you said about my voice. I am a songwriter before I am anything else. So I am really my worst critic. Sometimes I wish I could sing pretty or play the guitar like I was possesed. I taught myself enough about music so I could put music to my lyrics, and record my own songs. I am glad you liked the guitars too. I was playing my favorite Les Paul on this song.

Take Care.

Steven

 

[stonepiano]

here

I'll start of with this info.

I'm a big fan of non-traditional singers so I don't have any objections to this style of singing. Some of my favorites share a similar timbre.
(John Prine, Tom Waits, fuck, even Springsteen get their point across without sounding like opera stars, right?)

I think the voice has that kind of a swagger but needs to be brought up in the mix. if you're not singing to just sound pretty, then you're trying to say something. Let's hear it! On my headphones, it's buried by the overpowering cymbals and snare.

Another suggestion, why not sing the chorus/hooks and pan them for a little stereo effect? Sometimes you have to bang people over the head with the hook and that's a good way of telling your listener it's time to sing along to the agreed upon refrain..."Don't Be Too Long..." Lyrical repetition is a great tool used well here. Now attention must be drawn to it.

I also dig the bubbly bass. "wub, wub, wub, wub..." bring that up for the chorus too. I guess what I'm saying is differentiate between the verses and the choruses a little bit more distinctly. Without the clear distinction, it's tough to build up the listener's anticipation of your hookline. I'm suggesting you retape anything, but try to strip things down a little in the verse and embellish in the chorus. I personally want to hear more voices like I said.

Very good effort Steven.

 

[jamal buchet]

I LIKE THIS TOO......

man cool high energy ...
very cool song actually..simple chord prog but it completly works on this....it fits perfect.
great vocal performance too...solo could of kicked up a notch maybe a little run at the end....?....just my opinion....but a minor gripe really....great song!




thanks
jamal

 

[David]

Good track Steven, liked the song and the guitar tone was cool,,,was it miced up-close? Vocals sounded just a tad shakey right off the gun but got pretty damn good thru the song imo. Great stuff keep-um coming!

 

[imalion]

Stone Piano,

Thanks for the great feedback. Springsteen is a big influence on me and my music. I am going to play around with the mix this weekend. I will try fattening up the chorus.

Jamal,

Thanks for listening too.

Steven

 

[jcmm]

I Like it !!!

imalion
I think I read around here that you record on a BR8, if so are any of the guitar or vocal sounds presets?? (I have one too)

Also, I agree that the drums need a little more space in the mix.
The Gits sound nice and the vox fit well.

 

[B.SABBATH]

your using that BR-8 very well.. I know someone who has one and his recordings sound like ass compared to this..

 

[imalion]

Thanks Everybody.

To answer your question. YES I record everything with my BR-8. And yes I do use some presets. But I record DRY, then I copy the dry track to another open track and play around with effects. I usually tweak the presets. And I mic my cabinet about 3 inches away.


Steven

 

[Myx62]

The drums could be tighter. I liked the gtr tones, including the solos. The vocals could use a little work,(as well as mine) but they fit the style of music. Better rhythm section would do wonders for this song....
Myx

 

[SocialNoise]

I really LOVE Les Pauls. Great choice.