My First EVER Single - Thoughts?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HoldenHarris
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HoldenHarris

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Hey guys, I just released my first single titled "Come Through" and had it digitally distributed via CD Baby. I encountered several issues during the production phase but did the best I could to fix everything as much as I knew how. I did the entire process myself from the recording, mixing, and mastering.

The reason I took on all tasks myself is because it's just not worth it to pay to have other "professionals" perfect my track. Considering the fact that it's nearly impossible to sell music anymore, investing tons of money in a song or album is just not economical anymore. So, though I had never mastered a song before, I took it upon myself anyways. I paid CD Baby $18 to have my track put up, and if I make at least 18 sales, I will break even.

So with that being said, realize that I did everything and am no master at any one process. I'm pretty pleased with the result, but I want to hear you guys opinion on it.

Here is a link to the song - [REMOVED]

Any feedback would be appreciated. I'd like to hear what you think could be improved, what's good, what sucks, and overall just what you think about it in general. Thanks in advance!
 
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I'll assume you're truly looking for feedback. But since you've already gone so far in the process, it makes it look like you're trying to goose your youtube play count.

In general the sound was fine. The only mix nit I had was with the vocal level. Very compressed. In the spots where you're really belting it out, the volume level seems to actually drop.
 
The synth sound that's coming down the middle could duck a bit when the vocal comes in.
The vocal itself is very compressed. The song would most likely be more powerful if you let it breath more.
 
TripleM said:
I'll assume you're truly looking for feedback. But since you've already gone so far in the process, it makes it look like you're trying to goose your youtube play count.

In general the sound was fine. The only mix nit I had was with the vocal level. Very compressed. In the spots where you're really belting it out, the volume level seems to actually drop.
Click to expand...

Hey, I can actually remove my YouTube link if you think that's too much. In fact, I will.

I'll just ahead and try to upload the song with an attachment.
 
HoldenHarris said:
Hey, I can actually remove my YouTube link if you think that's too much. In fact, I will.

I'll just ahead and try to upload the song with an attachment.
Click to expand...

That's probably a good idea. Many people here are (understandably) suspicious when it comes to people posting links to a "finished" product while asking for critique at the same time.
Anyhow, you might get 30-100 views off of this site, so I can hardly say that it would be worth it.
 
Schwarzenyaeger said:
That's probably a good idea. Many people here are (understandably) suspicious when it comes to people posting links to a "finished" product while asking for critique at the same time.
Click to expand...

The reason I didn't ask for advice beforehand, is because I notoriously mix myself in circles, and I wanted to avoid that. I didn't want to second guess myself too much, so I didn't consult anyone about my mix. I just went with my gut. Today, I had a spur of the moment thought that I could get some critiques on it, so I made this thread.
 
Schwarzenyaeger said:
The synth sound that's coming down the middle could duck a bit when the vocal comes in.
The vocal itself is very compressed. The song would most likely be more powerful if you let it breath more.
Click to expand...

So you're saying I could have sidechained the synth to the vocals during the chorus part? I actually thought about that, but I felt like the vocals filled up almost the entire chorus, so it wouldn't make too much of a difference.

I always hear producers talk about getting the vocals all at one level, so I drew in volume automation to lower the vocals in parts where they got too loud. In general, how much dynamic range should vocals have in a song? I had a hard time controlling the vocals in this song, because it has belting parts that were mixed in sporadically throughout the vocal phrases.
 
Automated or side-chained, whatever.

There is no one size fits all for vocal/guitar/bass/drums/bananas/xyz in mixing.
Vocals are an exceptionally emotional instrument that usually are the lead in (western) music and deserves to breath. Use compression to cut down on annoying peaks, not all peaks.
Try easing the compression up. The chorus section could benefit from it.
 
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