New single out...

[dpsmith]

ok first off to know where I am coming from here is the thread I just left
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=257617

Now having read that and knowing my recording... um..
Handicap.. I have released my first song.

a little about me I feel is in order..

My is David Smith.
I am a songwriter-musician. I have just finished my first single and have published it. I am recording my first album Secret Love of My Heart, that is also the name of the single I have out.

I have been writing songs for about 6 years, been playing the guitar for 10 years. I do not consider myself great or anything like that. in fact, I feel I am about average, no great singing voice so don't expect Bono or Lennon or anyone else like that. No great guitar riffs so don't expect Hendrix or Van Halen or Berry either.

As the thread above said, I do not have any recording equipment. No Mixer, a cheap Mic I borrowed, so the song might sound a little rough. As soon as I can save or receive enough money I am going to be getting me some good equipment. After I do I am going to Re-record my music so that it has a little more pizzazz in it! Then release it as a free download for a short time.

You can listen to it on my sites and post a comment to this thread or on my sites, about what you liked about it, what you didn't like about it or perhaps you might hear something I might be able to work on to get better.

Most important thing for me, is just to have my music heard. Someone said once "A mind is a terrible thing to waste", same goes for music! What is the point of making it and no one to hear it!

although I am sure most of us in this forum knows how many hours it takes to get the sound right.. much more if you have equipment I am sure so no lies.. money would be good *shrugs* but to be honest.. don't think I'll do to well.

So feel free to drop by any one of my sites and leave a comment, or become a friend/fan! Perhaps you can tell me what genre I am. I picked alternative/rock/indie, but don't really know where I belong. so perhaps someone could point me in that direction so I am at least listed correctly!

Thanks for stoping by and commenting if you do!

Have a Brilliant day!
David Smith

Bebo
or
Myspace
or here at my Indie Store

Edit- After I read this I think I sound like I am doing a sells pitch, not my intention. but too much is written and don't feel like doing a mass edit...sorry about that!

 

[chrisharris]

Hi David..I understand the gear handicaps.

Regardless, if you've got the ability to plug in a microphone, you should record acoustic guitars acoustically...even without the preamp or a decent mic, an acoustic guitar sounds better recorded through a cheap radio shack mic than it does from the output jack.

You've done fine with what you have. Nothing is distorted or crazy quiet or loud. The recording is pretty "flat" in terms of dynamics, but it's about all you can do with 2 guitar tracks and a vocal. The best way to make better recordings is to keep doing what you're doing, which is recording.

But get some gear!!!

 

[bigtom]

Hey man, we all have to start somewhere. To many people let their limitations stand in their way. For what you are using it's a good recording. Keep recording, keep reading these threads and keep trying new methods, it will get even better.

 

[ido1957]

The intro is too long.... The second guitar is a little loud compared to the first guitar on the intro. Sounds like a classic 50/60's song. The guitar sounds ever so slightly out of tune.

You certainly have the skills when it comes to writing. Traditional and smooth - reminds me of the Hallelujah song. Keep up the good work....

I think the recording is good considering what you're using, as mentioned by Chris. I don't think you'll get an exponential improvement with a mixer, but a really nice mic and mixer would probably be noticeable.

Check out Rick Shepherd's mixes to see how nice the really good gear sounds Then start saving

 

[dpsmith]

Thank's everyone for the feedback. You all have boosted my confidence so much! thanks.

Would like to talk about the following a little bit.

Intro:
Most of the songs I have dissected I noticed generaly had
anywhere between 30-57 sec, some just start right off. So I think it depends on the song, but I honestly don't feel the intro is to long.. I think the song is to slow. But thats me, but also having said I feel it is to slow, I can see how it would make the intro to long.

Although there is a fine line to being stubborn and getting the song to the way that you like it and the people like it as well. So when I get my equipment (when ever that may be) I might edit the intro a bit, I don't have a bass so thats why it is to long really.. I did intro for guitar 1 guitar 2 and supposed to be bass (for my future refferance). Since it was just another dub of a guitar can't hear it too well. but thanks for pointing it out

"The guitar sounds ever so slightly out of tune"
*chuckles*
Well it is because they are. I am not used to playing on that one guitar and keept streatching the strings ever so slightly.. Guess someone other then me noticed. So is there a way I can keep from that? besides playing it more? I have small hands and the acoustic ones I have are quite wide so I over streatch a litte when playing my electric. Wish all my guitars was a thin as my electric...

"If you've got the ability to plug in a microphone, you should record acoustic guitars acoustically"

Oh I have tried and tried and tried.. but no go. I cant get the sound right with this cheapo mic. I was planing to do a acoustic Demo of my next song with my uncles equipment... not touching my first one till I get my equipment tell then.... and does that apply for electric guitars as well?

"The recording is pretty "flat" in terms of dynamics"
I don't quite understand what that means care to expand on that comment a little?

Again thanks for the posative feed back!

David.

Edit: ido1957 - Do you mind if I put up the comment about my lyricist skills up on my websites? Wanted to ask before I did it.

 

[chrisharris]

Most intros in "pop" music (whether it be rock, true pop, or country) are about :15 seconds long. If you were to ever pitch a song to a publisher, one of the cardinal rules is "keep the intro under :20 seconds." That may not be your goal, and a lot of bands have done very well following no rules whatsoever, but I think it's a good, general guideline unless you've got some really interesting stuff going on in an intro...(like vocal dubs that set up a story or an actual intro solo or something).

As far as the "flat" comment, I just meant that the song doesn't change...it's static instrumentally. It doesn't build or add instruments or break out anywhere. In that respect, it's more like a folk song...I do a lot of songs like that, but I try to bring in a fiddle or a mando or change the tempo or something to keep it moving.

Now, as for recording the acoustic...I'm not buying it, LOL. You CAN get a decent sound from even a cheap mic. I heard your vocal, and if your guitar sounds decent, THAT mic can get a great acoustic sound. But like with anything, usually the better result requires more effort. With an Acoustic, you sort of have to really play around with microphone placement until you hit the "sweet spot" of the guitar. Moving a mic even 1 inch can have a very dramatic/noticeable effect on how the guitar sounds. Also, put new strings on the acoustic when you're recording it with a mic, and finally, once you've got new strings on it and you've found the right mic placement and recorded it, you'll probably still need to EQ it to take out some of the "mud" that accumulates in acoustic guitars. Start subtracting around 315 Hz until some of the body of the guitar comes out, and you might try boosting the track in the "air/hiss" region also (12K).

Output jacks on acoustics are good for tuners and playing live...that's about it, though.

Good luck and keep recording.

 

[NL5]

Output jacks on acoustics are good for tuners and playing live...that's about it, though.

Got to go with Chris on this one. The guitar sounds like it's a cheap midi guitar. Not even a good midi guitar.......Mic that thing up. try micing it about 8-12" out from the twelfth fret pointing slightly towards the body.

 

[dpsmith]

*chuckles*

I wasn't playing my acoustics on this song, was purly my electric.

As far as the static instuments part goes...
I did have a "bridge" or might be a "pre-chorus" with a change in the arangment of the chords. But I am all ears as how to be non-static.. after all I am sure you agree with me that a music artist, be it a singer, musican, or lyricist doesn't want to "bore" the audiance. But keep in mind.. I just have guitars and really don't know how to solo.. been trying to learn but thus far it is beyond my comprehension.. I am a audio learner more then visual.. in other words If I read how to do it.. goes over my head.. need to be shown..

Isn't it funny how you can take a real good electric guitar that and it comes out sounding like a midi.. *shrugs*

So makes me wonder.. how do the pros record their electrics.. the mic infront of the amp?

As for the intro...
I'll shorten it down (when I re record it) to just after the seconed guitar comes in full.. thats at 22 sec.. and I agree makes it sound better.
Took me 2 months to do what I did.. unfortunatly I am a perfectionest...

But at least you answerd one question of mine about Acoustic-Electrics...
record them unpluged...