I forgot to note in my original post that today's my birthday (51).
BUT DON'T LET THAT INFLUENCE YOUR COMMENTS IN THE LEAST!
Ok...
Fed: I listened to your song, and like it very much. You really didn't have to show any credentials, but I'm glad you posted it.
Superb playing and singing, and a pro-sounding mix. I love acoustic tracks, excellent job...not to mention a very fine piece of writing. (Did you write it?)
No way are you out of line, I value your comments.
I did double the acoustic (recorded to two tracks). One of my problems was getting it strong enough in the mix...it started to overwhelm everything else. My intention was to have it at the same level as background vocals. It's panned to about 7 o'clock and 5 o'clock. The electric is panned to the right at about 2 o'clock.
When you say the background vocals are off, do you mean the high harmony with the lead, the "aahs" in the chorus, or both?
The chorus pads are panned slightly left and right. And do you mean that pitch is off?
I really appreciate your input, man. Or should I call you co-producer now?
Kramer: Don't worry about thick skin...as you can see from my birthday notice, I'm a dinosaur.
Glad you dig the harmonies. As I said above, I had a hard time getting the acoustic loud enough without it dominating the mix. Maybe eq would help? I'm definitely open to suggestions.
I would like to bring up the bass a bit, and make it a little more tight. Again, I ran into problems with the track overloading. It's gonna take some fine-tuning.
Thanks for listening and comments, buddy.
TripleM: Alas, I didn't change a word. I was devoting so much time to trying to get the sound of the track right that I put lyric changes on the back burner. I realize that area is still in need of improvement, however.
I'm afraid I'll always have pitch issues...my goal is to make them fewer and farther between.
You know, I kind of dug the "banjo" too...but feel that the electric guitar adds a little more body. If I had more tracks I'd re-insert the old banjo, maybe just use it on the chorus, which is where I liked what it was doing.
Thanks very much for listening and comments!
Guernica: Thanks, bro! Let me know what you think of the mix when you get a chance to listen on good speakers.
Chad: Thanks very much! One problem with the drums is that I can't have one level for kick and another for snare...they're all on one track. Wish I could put them on separate tracks, 'cause I hear what you're saying. And I appreciate all the "sound" advice here.
Thanks to all!
Mark