Jangleything

  • Thread starter Thread starter rayc
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rayc

rayc

retroreprobate
Hello folks,
Long time no put neck on chopping block!
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=6700079&q=hi
This link goes to a soundclick streamer of a new folk rock project I'm tinkering with - it has the working title jangleything.
So far it's:
a Roland TR505 drum program;
bass guitar through a Behri bass DI;
a few DI'd Bruno semi acoustic single coil electrics playing
- open chords
- the jangley two string chorus (note with drone of next lower string)
- the same but with lots of incidental string drones
- the whole piece as 2 note chords
- chunky open chords for the M8;
a resonator DI'd & mic'd playing siple arpeg
&
a mondolin following the chords with a single note with one of those cheapo clip on p/ups & mic'd.
No percussion, 'cello, 12 string or 6 string acoustics as yet (I'm trying not to go overboard).
I threw the Classic Limiter & and a tiny, tiny bit of reverb across the top just to get things to gel a little more.
So far I'd say the mondolins're too bright and the drums are too loud.
I haven't learnt how to use finger picks properly so the dobro is just finger tips & thumb so it doesn't quite have THAT sound.
Melody & vocal are yet to come.
Any comments or suggestions folks?
 
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This mix is great! Love the snare sound. The whole thing kind of has a 70-s Ringo Star post era Beatles vibe to it. The mandolin(?) may be a tad loud in the mix. The bass and drums work really gel with each other. The rhythm guitars are pretty jangly:D No vocals? What did you record this on? Sounds very warm.
 
No question is stupid if something is learnt from it!
I LOVE the Ringo reference - I listened to his best of last Thursday.
Recorded into Cakewalk Pro Audio 9.3
Much of the stuff went through a Presonus Blue Tube or a Behri Mic100 with the tube dialled up for "warmth" (read noise) to combat the digital chills.
The Bruno tracks went through a Behri bass DI with added jangle & fake "tube" from the Blend dial.
I did start out with my Yamaha MT100 4 track but decided I wanted the drums in stereo so took the easy way out & ran things straight into a DELL.
Thanks for the generous comments generally and specifically for the rhythm section words (I'm a bassist essentially).
Cheers
ray
 
This sounds pretty good. The guitars and mandolin do mix really well. If I focus, I can hear every part, and nothing sounds overwhelmed, except maybe the drums. They kind of sound a little drowned out in the background.

I'm also not sure about the beginning. When it's just the one gutar at the very start, it sound very quiet and a bit awkward and stilted.

Nice! The ending was really good.
 
Man I love the mandolin. It takes it to the next level sonically. I have started to play mando and I'm starting to appreciate what it adds to the overall sound. Too bright???, maybe you should pull it back some after 8 bars or so, just to make room for something else.


chazba
 
I enjoyed listening to this. It sounds very real and organic.

Thinking critically, there are some minor pitch differences between the parts but I think the tightness of the rhythm and natural feel of the tune overrides that. Just like in most folk music I listen to.

My only suggestion, and this is based solely on my own frame of reference, is to replace the fake drums with a simple but real tambourine on the backbeats. Easy to do, as you could rhythmically edit it to perfection in a half-hour by just aligning it with the backbeat of the existing drumset.
 
Sounding pretty good Ray...has a happy vibe to it.
I like it...:D
 
Oh, forgot to mention: this is my 1st mix with monitors rather han an old stereo (mind you they're cheapies but at least job specific) so I'm struggling a bit. I was very used to the gear I had and compensating for known bias etc.
VomitHatSteve,
I didn't leave myself much option on the intro - I forgot to leave a count in ! I'll look at adding something to fill in the lack. Thanks for the kind words.
chazba,
I REALLY wanted to play chord on the mandolin in the verses but I just can't get my fat fingers into place on such a tiny neck. It's my 1st recording with that also. I like your suggestion re 8 bars in - I'll give it a whirl.
XLR,
The pitch differences would be a) it goes from cold to FREEZING downstairs in a matter of minutes & b) I foolishly used two different tuners as I was too lazy to walk upstairs at one point & am too cloth eared to pick up the diff. Thanks for giving me a credible out! I am inclined to agree re the drums. When this was mainly electric guitars the drums made more sense & now much less so. I'll do the tambourine line today (I was thinking about a tambour but it'd get lost I think) & hold on a decision until Terry comes through with a melody. Thanks mate.
Dogman,
Ta Dogman! I was afeared it'd be too SEAsian sounding but I'm happt with happy.
 
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Jangle-riffic Ray! This is a much brighter and punchier mix than your previous material. Probably a combination of the items listed in your first post. I like it! This would give you lots of "room" to eq with vocals once they're done. Will Terry record direct to disc - that would keep the sonics somewhat similar (rather than tape). I like the tone on the bass and the varieties on the guitars and the bright madolin - bright but not overly so. Sounds good so far...:cool::D:cool::D
 
Sounds cool and atmospheric to me, kinda like a ride through the desert.
With the wilderness around you.

The recording sounds balanced to me, I like the multiple layered guitars.

I`m looking forward to your lyrics to this, huge fan of your wrtitn:)
 
Ido,
Thanks mate! The diff could be using monitors rather than an old, but good, stereo or just luck. Terry had plans to come down and visit, record, pick up a recording comp I've set up for him IF he doesn't become a grandfather over this fortnight. I HOPE!
Nakatira,
Thanks for the generous words. Lyrics? Below is what I'm working from:
You’re wearing yesterday’s raincoat
Safe from tomorrow’s rain
Impatient at today’s departure
Uncertainty goes against the grain
Dreams filled with euphemistic ghosts
Keeping company with your fears
Revisiting the separation
As the memories draw tears

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Thatch a roof with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
You’ve nothing more to say.

Disarmed by bestseller autism
Possessed of vague inanities
Shopping to garner comfort
& the reflected personalities
Whisper softly to the darkness
And feel in lightly holding on
Taking comfort from the echo
Well, at least until it’s gone.

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Filling dreams with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
All the things we could not say
I reject them every day

Every morning there’s the promise
Every evening there’s the lack
Every moment there’s the prospect
That you won’t be coming back

Build a life of mixed illusions
Sent the world with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
Just hope it will go away

Eyes wired open you still can’t see,
What was, what is & what will be.
Close your eyes & look around,
You won’t know what’s lost until it’s found
You’re wearing yesterday’s raincoat
Safe from tomorrow’s rain
Impatient at today’s departure
Uncertainty goes against the grain

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Thatch a roof with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
The world just won’t go away.
 
remix as per suggestions

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=6700079&q=hi
I've attempted most suggestions made.
XLR - tambourine & no drums - actually a compromise: the drums come in at the M8 just for the sake of comparison and contrast.
Chazba - I lowered the mandolin after its 1st 8 bars.
VomitHatSteve - the drums remained buried for the purposes of exploring XLR's ideas - they may make a comback though. I've lifted one of the other guitars during the intro to fill it out.
This remix doesn't have a fade in or out -(I forgot about them actually).
What works & what needs a rethink folks?
 
The beginning definitely sounds better. It's still a little awkward, but what can you do without a count in? :D

The tamborine thing sounds good. I like it.
 
rayc said:
Ido,
Thanks mate! The diff could be using monitors rather than an old, but good, stereo or just luck. Terry had plans to come down and visit, record, pick up a recording comp I've set up for him IF he doesn't become a grandfather over this fortnight. I HOPE!
Nakatira,
Thanks for the generous words. Lyrics? Below is what I'm working from:
You’re wearing yesterday’s raincoat
Safe from tomorrow’s rain
Impatient at today’s departure
Uncertainty goes against the grain
Dreams filled with euphemistic ghosts
Keeping company with your fears
Revisiting the separation
As the memories draw tears

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Thatch a roof with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
You’ve nothing more to say.

Disarmed by bestseller autism
Possessed of vague inanities
Shopping to garner comfort
& the reflected personalities
Whisper softly to the darkness
And feel in lightly holding on
Taking comfort from the echo
Well, at least until it’s gone.

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Filling dreams with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
All the things we could not say
I reject them every day

Every morning there’s the promise
Every evening there’s the lack
Every moment there’s the prospect
That you won’t be coming back

Build a life of mixed illusions
Sent the world with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
Just hope it will go away

Eyes wired open you still can’t see,
What was, what is & what will be.
Close your eyes & look around,
You won’t know what’s lost until it’s found
You’re wearing yesterday’s raincoat
Safe from tomorrow’s rain
Impatient at today’s departure
Uncertainty goes against the grain

Build a wall of mixed illusions
Thatch a roof with your decay
Make a mask of grand delusion
When there’s nothing left to say
The world just won’t go away.
Click to expand...



I rest my case, pure f...in class.
Brilliant lyrics:cool:
 
Nakatira said:
I rest my case, pure f...in class.
Brilliant lyrics:cool:
Click to expand...
I agree, Ray and Terry have the best lyrics.....

The new mix is just as good. The tambourine works well. Although simpler it is quite effective...
 
I'm listening to the newest mix. I like the way drums come in later. I think you should leave it like that.

The progressions and melody sound very nice. My only nit is the super wide panned guitars may be a little too wide. They seem kind of out of place so far off to the sides. I'd reel em in a little, but that's just personal taste. Overall a nice little jangly tune. :D
 
Naka & Ido,
I'm sure you can feel me blushing from your distant points! Thank you for the generous appraisal.
Greg,
I'll have a go at the panning issue - as stated - new monitors so my ears are getting used to things. I'll repost when it's done.
My missus gave me a banjo this morning - luckily it has new strings and I can't even pretend to play it or I'd give in to the temptation that has me on the edge of the stairs with an idea to drop banjo on this track.
I'm glad the drum compromise works, is the drum level OK?
 
Good stuff Ray. Yeah, I like the tambourine.

The beginning definitely sounds better. It's still a little awkward,
Click to expand...

Yup, it take a minute to settle into a groove.
 
Hello Folks,
Thanks for the detail thus far. I've applied all suggestions and they've all helped the mix along.
When I get the vox in I'll pan the mandolin and resonator slightly either side of centre to give some space. until then I guess it's a moot point.
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=6700079&q=hi
Just a slight remix - I brought the guitars closer in as per Greg's suggestion.
SORRY, I didn't trim or do any fades on this one.
Nakatira & Ido1957,
Terry was going to do some tweaking of the lyrics but he's intimidated by your praise. I've assured him that pruning is always a good thing & that you'll probabaly like the results even better than the version currently posted.
 
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