lullaby for new addition

[antichef]

I did this about two years ago in advance of the birth of our youngest daughter Sophie -- she pretty much seemed to like the song then, and now, approaching age 2, she still likes it. Not sure if it's effectively as a lullaby, but it does have a calming effect. We also like listening to it while driving.

I recorded the acoustic with a SM81 and a Presonus Inspire 1394 (slide and bass are direct + acoustic pickup direct, too) using Garage Band (with a stock drum loop), and recently imported it into Logic and cleaned it up some. I have an urge to do something with it, but I'm not sure what -- thoughts?

PS: I'm working on a bunch of covers -- watch out!

 

[VomitHatSteve]

Pretty good. I can see how that would be soothing.

It sounded like you were fumbling a bit with the tempo sometimes. I can't tell if it was the acoustic rushing or the drums falling behind.

Good tone and mix of instruments.

 

[antichef]

It sounded like you were fumbling a bit with the tempo sometimes. I can't tell if it was the acoustic rushing or the drums falling behind.

Thanks -- definitely wasn't the drums, since that's just a loop. I can say that every bit of tempo variation with the acoustic was intentional, but it's good to hear a perspective on how it actually sounds

 

[eyema_believer]

Chef,

I love the stuff you do for/with your girls. This song is no exception, it's simply beautiful. It makes me wish I had done more of the same over the years.

Peace!!

~Shawn

 

[DavidK]

Very nice. Geetar sounds crystal clear on my monitors, nice.

A few synth pads might be nice in the background to add a little texture. Very soothing.

 

[joeym]

I love those acoustics!
great sound overall. My only nit are the drums. They sound a bit too far away, snare definitely needs to come out more. Really nice song (uhm...a voice maybe?)

Cheers
Joe

 

[heatmiser]

Lovin' the guitar sound on this! A flash of needle and the damage done or something at first, but takes on more of its own feel as it goes on.

I too hear some tempo issues between the guitars and drums. The guitars sounded fine by themselves tempo-wise, but not entirely in synch on some changes relative to the percussion. A mellow tune like this might get by with some hand percussion maybe? Bongos/congas/shaker sort of thing...? I dunno. Very mellow and pretty sounding all around though.

 

[ido1957]

I thought the intro was a little abrupt, like it was cut too far into the track. A little more "air" maybe...

Pretty mucha done deal IMHO. If I were to play with this, just for fun, I would try to incorporate the intro a few times somehow. The impact is quite resounding when the bass and drums comes in.

Definitely has a CSNY or Neil vibe...

 

[baker_]

good song chef.

i hear the timing issues mentioned but they're minimal.

I love the slides.

 

[antichef]

Thanks eyema, David, Joey, heatmiser, ido, & baker!!

I've upgraded my equipment (and gone back to my better guitar) since I tracked it, but I'm not sure I'm going to re-track the guitar, unless I do a major rearrangement and have to. I'll play around with synth pads, definitely, and probably completely re-do the drums.

 

[true-eurt]

Antichef ....Accoustical lulluby...I'll bet this is embedded in the soul of your daughter...forever.

The slide is wonderful! And yah, it is very calming...a very cool lulluby sir!

Maybe an melodic acoustical call back to the slide added?

I agree with Joeym...Vocals.

Words are the embodiment of what we learn..especially for children...setting the path of what they aspire to...words...the most influential means of communication(other than touch).

I can see no greater gift from a dad to his child, than to affirm your actions of love with spoken words, the joy of each note he(you) has played from his heart.

Kudos antichef!!!

 

[Llarion]

You got a nice acquisition to the guitar, it's transparent, airy, and organic sounding... If it were me, I'd be tweaking the EQ on the drum loop to get it closer to the curve of the guitars. The "separation" in the soundfield is because of this, IMHO... Levels-wise, it's close...

As for the tempo variances, if you're going to take liberties there, best not do it with loops, as it's very unforgiving, and sounds like "mistake" rather than "on purpose"...

The end is very abrupt and jarring; perhaps a fadeout there instead of it hitting the wall?


All that said, it's a lovely and indeed soothing tune, I listened several times just for enjoyment after the critique listen...

 

[antichef]

Thanks Llarion & True!!

If anyone reads this and listens to the song, and notices a tempo issue that sounds bad, and has the track time showing, could you post the approximate track time? It's driving me nuts now -- I keep listening to the tune in the car, and can't put my finger on it. Could it also be that the drum loop just isn't a good fit? That might put some drum hits in weird places, and even though the timing is right, it doesn't sound right.