First tune with Middle/Side micing

[Chris Shaeffer]

Howdy, ever'body.

I about flipped when I discovered that MDA has a M/S Matrix plug and had to give it a try. I have no idea if it sounds like what M/S is supposed to but I had a lot of fun playing with it.

The tune is "Fallen Angel"

Download the MP3 here:

Or visit the site http://chrisshaeffer.iuma.com for lo-fi download or streaming.

All comments and thoughts very welcome. Its my first effort recording and mixing with M/S micing. Oh, the excitement!

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Dolemite]

The guitar sounds nice...not sure if its true to M/S.

The vocals sound a little unnaturally unsibilant. Maybe too much de-essing or a more relaxed vocal performance would sound better.

 

[badgas]

I wouldn't know M/S it it were laid on my lap for me to inspect.

The song sounds different in some way. I can't put my finger on it.
Your voice for one thing.
Possibly I'm spoiled by The Dawn.

The song is great.
I like your style.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Man, I can't pull anything off around here.

I didn't spend too much time polishing the lead vocals on this tune- I'm getting a C1 soon (hopefully) and planning on seeing how it treats the ol' pipes on a sparse song like this. I was also singing too close to the mike experimenting with proximity effect to thicken it up a bit and singing WAY off-axis to avoid pop and sssss. Haven't been able to find my pop filter since I moved.

Hmmm...I also was NOT running the vocals in through the Art MP like I did for every other song I've done recently. I used the pres on the Alesis 24 instead thinking they'd be cleaner for a more delcate song. I'm glad you pointed it out, badgas, because I couldn't figure out why my voiced sounded so thin and think that is a large part of it.

And thanks for the compliment, badgas! Good to know I'm not the only one that thinks this music is worth the time I spend on it.

Dolomite: Good call. I don't usually run into that problem (the lack of sibilance) because I don't really pronounce my esses when I sing (and most of the time when I talk...) I think I over did it here. I'll pay attention to that when I redo the vocals.

I had to listen to The Dawn again to compare vocal performaces and I think you're right, Dolemite. I should practice this song a bit more and get a relaxed performance.

This kind of criticism rocks! Thanks for taking the time to check the song and and comment.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

The song sounds different in some way. I can't put my finger on it.

Yo, badgas, I'm an IDIOT!

I opened up this song to have another look at why it sounds different and (finally) noticed that it was set to 16 bit recording. Everything else I have is recorded 24 bit.

Doh!! That could easily account for why it sounds a bit different. Good thing I wasn't planning on putting this one on the CD.

In the immortal words of Wayne and Garth...

"Do over!"

Chris

 

[Gidge]

if you like the performance dont let 16 bit vs 24 bit be an issue.....

now i really like this song, the arrangement, the recording and everything but theres something about the vocal delivery during parts of the verses that just doesnt do it for me...sounds a little mechanical....almost like you are trying to enunciate perfectly each syllable.....

during the chorus the vocals rock...very chilling.....from 1:19 to 1:33 WOW.....from 2:38 to 2:52 again.....

very well done.....

PS sorry if im mixing up verse/prechorus/chorus terminology.....

 

[Scott Tansley]

Don't know how your doin it but fuckn nice recording mate. Pretty wowed. Although I do a lot of full on rock, im a big fan of a bass, acoustic, vocal stuff just like this. Much praise from me. For what thats worth.

 

[Scott Tansley]

Hang on a minute, I think ive read around these post how good a talent Chris Shaeffer is. Now I know what there talking about.

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Gidge: Thanks for the kudos! I suppose the forced vocals are what I get for trying too many new micing techniques in one song. I am pretty happy with the rest of the song, though. The performance of this vocal isn't too hard when I'm warmed up so I'll be redoing the verses.

On further listening to it, though, I might decide to include it on the CD once I get the vox down. Its a good counter point to some of the higher energy stuff I've gotten down already.

Scott: Wow! Talented, eh? Thanks! That's worth quite a bit coming from someone who has as much attention to detail as yourself. Your animated work has both great music and hilarious comedy. I downloaded your video and played for my coworkers yesterday- we rolled for while! They couldn't believe it was a carrot playing bass.

Well, I don't know if you should call me talented for figuring out how to make a half-decent recording after trying for 13 years, but its good to know it wasn't wasted time.

Chris