My craptastic bass playing!

  • Thread starter Thread starter NL5
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NL5

NL5

Unpossible!
OK, this is a project unlike anything I have ever done. The "producer" was a lady who had lyrics and a melody. She doesn't play any instruments or sing really, so she hummed the melody. I got a few guys together, and we built a song around it (and by we, I mean mostly the guitarist). The mix is what it is, as she has totally approved it, and really likes it. I think it sounds great too. Looks like it will get some local radio play.

It was quite a diverse group of musicians and out of their normal "genre" - especially the singer. It even includes my craptastic abilities on the bass - I stink, but hopefully I didn't hurt the song any. The other three guys good enough to make up for me.

Curious to what everybody thinks about the song. Comment on the mix if you want. Tell me I suck. It's ok. :D

http://lightningmp3.com/upload/memories.html
 
Excellent NL5 - your recording and playing is fabulous here. Bass lacks some of my prefererred "definition" but has a solid wrap on the bottom end, so its a preference not a problem. You must address the intro - either auto tune or redo the vocals. It lingered with me to the end. The vocalist has a great voice for the rest of it though - familiar too... Love the drums on this - really thick (if that's a word)... Vibratos on the guitar playing is awesome... :cool::D:cool::D
 
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as a piece sounds great but the drums sound boxy ..needs more edge and the vocals might also need some upfront edge ...other tha that ok...bass playing fine:)

ps..even the guitar need edge.....sort of like everything is being played theough cotton wool...but its only slight.
 
ido1957 said:
Excellent NL5 - your recording and playing is fabulous here. Bass lacks some of my prefererred "definition" but has a solid wrap on the bottom end, so its a preference not a problem. You must address the intro - either auto tune or redo the vocals. It lingered with me to the end. The vocalist has a great voice for the rest of it though - familiar too... Love the drums on this - really thick (if that's a word)... Vibratos on the guitar playing is awesome... :cool::D:cool::D
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You have no idea about that intro. He had a heck of a time with it, and there were a ton of takes. This is the one she liked the best. I'll leave it at that.

zazz said:
as a piece sounds great but the drums sound boxy ..needs more edge and the vocals might also need some upfront edge ...other tha that ok...bass playing fine:)
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Drums? As in all the drums, or the just toms maybe? I hear it a bit in the toms. Thanks for the bass comment! :)




The song is done, signed off on, so the mix is what it is. I do appreciate mix comments, but really want to know what everyone thinks about the song itself too. Like I said, this is a totally new process for me. We wrote the song as we recorded it. A lot of cutting and pasting - which I don't normally do, but we re-arranged the song a ton of times. It was a good experience for me as an engineer.
 
I'l llisten later, but let me say that NL5 is doing a great job thus far at answering all comments. :D
 
I don't hear anything too wrong at all man...song sounds fine. Nice, straight up rock tune.
 
Pretty well sorted as you say.
The only concerns I have are the 1st two lines after the intro - "...memories here, memories there...". They sound clucky to me & more so as the most of the lyric flows well enough regardless of the sometimes over obvious rhymes. Otherwise the song is well constructed from a set of lyrics & hummed melody.
I like the slight crub on the acoustic & the playing is uniformly solid - the bass is fine if lacking a little definition - the playing, lines and bottom end work for the song - that's the point isn't it?
I think you did a stellar job given the circumstances - The client must be STOKED!
 
I think the mix is really good. Bass is a little thick, but not bad at all. Drums sound fine to me. Don't really care for the song - not my style - but my wife is sitting here and she really likes it. :)
 
rayc said:
Pretty well sorted as you say.
The only concerns I have are the 1st two lines after the intro - "...memories here, memories there...". They sound clucky to me & more so as the most of the lyric flows well enough regardless of the sometimes over obvious rhymes. Otherwise the song is well constructed from a set of lyrics & hummed melody.
I like the slight crub on the acoustic & the playing is uniformly solid - the bass is fine if lacking a little definition - the playing, lines and bottom end work for the song - that's the point isn't it?
I think you did a stellar job given the circumstances - The client must be STOKED!
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thanks Rayc! It sounds like I probably made the bass a bit too bottom heavy, probably trying to hide the crappy bass playing... LOL. :)

Greg_L said:
I think the mix is really good. Bass is a little thick, but not bad at all. Drums sound fine to me. Don't really care for the song - not my style - but my wife is sitting here and she really likes it. :)
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Thanks! Seems pretty unanimous I mixed the bass without enough definition. Ooops.
 
NL5 said:
thanks Rayc! It sounds like I probably made the bass a bit too bottom heavy, probably trying to hide the crappy bass playing... LOL. :)




Thanks! Seems pretty unanimous I mixed the bass without enough definition. Ooops.
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I wouldn't say that. It's good. I think Ido nailed it with it being personal preference. Some people want to hear a punchy and defined bass, some people want a mellower tone just holding it down.
 
Greg_L said:
I wouldn't say that. It's good. I think Ido nailed it with it being personal preference. Some people want to hear a punchy and defined bass, some people want a mellower tone just holding it down.
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Cool. I actually like a well defined bass normally, but this is a super simple bass line that is just trying to hold down the bottom end. I really didn't want it to stand out too much.
 
NL5 said:
Cool. I actually like a well defined bass normally, but this is a super simple bass line that is just trying to hold down the bottom end. I really didn't want it to stand out too much.
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A little more punch to the bass wouldn't hurt, but it may not help either. You do what's best for the tune...if the person you did it for is happy, that rules out the comments made by any self proclaimed experts here...:D
 
I like your voice.

The lead guitar tone is spot on. I really like the turnaround after each chorus.

No issues with the bass at all.
 
Yeah, I like the song and you guys did a great job transcribing from a lady humming the melody.

I know you're suppose to drill the hook into the listener's brain, but the chorus here is played 6 times in 3:21, and most of the chorus is repeat lines. I started to feel there was no substance other than the hook. I don't want to be negative because it is a catchy song and I like it. Well performed, too. If you get the airplay, it should do well.

Cool!!

Cheers,
 
This is just great! I would like to mix this. The vocalist is right on. Very cool song. What is your rig? software, used plugins, mics, interface, etc. Did you record through an amp, or direct with plugin or reamp? Great job.
 
Thanks guys! I'll comment more on the comments in a day or two - I have a two day seminar starting in a few minutes......
 
NL5 said:
The song is done, signed off on, so the mix is what it is. I do appreciate mix comments, but really want to know what everyone thinks about the song itself too. Like I said, this is a totally new process for me. We wrote the song as we recorded it. A lot of cutting and pasting - which I don't normally do, but we re-arranged the song a ton of times. It was a good experience for me as an engineer.
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Im the cut, copy paiste king. My normal process. I'll have a listen in a few. Have a client coming in. I'll be glad when tax season is over. But should be great stuff.
 
Wasnt my appointment. Had a listen. Sounds great. Im listening on Klipsch pc speakers (which are pretty damn good for pc speakers), and it sounds great. Has a Neil Diamond feel to it. I bet alot here dont know who that is. But NL5 does. Really unique voice and a great recording. Bass sounds fantastic to me and the kick sounds great too.
 
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