kick my beta vox

  • Thread starter Thread starter jeffmaher
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jeffmaher

jeffmaher

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OK..here's the idea for the vox on "...Heartbreaks".


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=825703&content=music

Problem: when I heard it in my head, Michael McDonald sang it. It's
imprinted. But I wanted to sing it like, ummm...me; but it doesn't sound right.

It's fresh, unfinished, and carelessly tweaked. I would like to know is if it is pleasant or unpleasant, generally. If not, what do you hear that'd make it fit the tune better? I'm biased against me. TIA
 
Those vocals sound fine for the song. Just mix em in better. They're sitting on top. Give em some space and have em settle in the mix and it'll be fine.
 
I think that in general I lean toward a vocal that's more settled in the mix, too.

Other than that, I think that I was more in love with the second half of the song than the first half. I feel like you get more daring as it goes on and that's more interesting to hear. Maybe try the first verse again and just sing in character or something? Like, that part sounds a little uncomfortable or something. If you want it to have more of a Michael McDonald thing then just go ahead and be him. There's no law that says he's the only one who gets to be Michael McDonald. For that matter, I think you should try on a little Van Morrison while you're at it.

The tune is coming together nicely, though and I think you've pretty much got a handle on the genre.

c
 
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Another thought about getting into "character" (I agree with C about the feeling - like you're sort of disconnected from the lyrics) is a little exercise Mr. "Gecko Zzed" passed along to me:

Pull out the lyrics, and imagine you are standing there, speaking the words to the one you wrote it about. Say the words like you're really telling them how you feel, from the bottom of your heart. Notice what you're emphasizing, and how the phrasing comes off when you're saying it, and compare it to how you sing it.

It's actually spurred a few minor rewrites for me, because I found I said something a little differently. For example, on my anniversary song, I used to sing "Sometimes we don't see things eye to eye," but I found when I spoke it, I would never start a conversation with my hubby saying those 5 words and then pause (unless we were at a museum, and I wanted him to slow down!). It really sat better with me, and expressed my feeling to sing, "Sometimes we really don't see things eye to eye," which is exactly how I would say it!

p.s. I'm looking forward to hearing this with your beautiful harmony work!
 
Ah...sitting in the mix:

I recorded the vox with over-and-under stereo mics. Thought it would be a good idea...but it's too 'round' I think....cutting the level just loses it...so I split the track, and used the signal from one mic...and it sits a lot better coming from a defined point ctr. I guess stereo a good idea only in a very much thinner mix? Like just voice and acoustic or something. I lernt sumphin'.

Gonna lay harmonies using what I got as a template, and re-do it with more guts after that. Thanks!
 
The singing's fantastic, totally great feel and character....absolutely nothing wrong with them. Just give them some ambience and weld them to the rest and you're done. Great song.

Joey :):):):)
 
I'm listening to the soundclick mix - didn't get to the download util I was 1/2 through.
I'm glad you don't sound like MMcD! You've managed a high, white soul kind of thing of your own.
Settling the vox in will do wonders - thought the drums will need some attention as the cymbals & toms stand out too far.
I have to own up that I thought the Doobies went down the tubes when he started singing/writing with them. I preferred their rock to his stroll.
 
McDonald made me like the Doobs! "Keeps You Running" bowled me over..and I liked everything after that...up to "Minute by Minute". I especially like the way the new groove brought out the best in the bass player...had a soul side with no outlet pre-Mac.

Anyway, I have the finished tuned loaded at SC now. I tried addind a slow flange to the cymbals to replicate some of what I hear that's missing on real cymbals...I guess its the way they rock and tilt on a strike? I don't know if the mix is different, I started from scratch, and it sounded right to me.

Onward! [tx]
 
I like the song. I do agree that you need to back off on the vocal soundwise or bring the rest of the mix up slightly. Good job.
 
Did you hear the current SC version, or the Yousenit link?

Sclick is the final...and I reduced vox. Wondering if it's still too frontly. Tx
 
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