New Song

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powderfinger

powderfinger

New member
Well, I just recorded a new song and am looking for any mixing critiques/comments.......

I was just trying to finish a song so that I had something to record....I've been very productive writing lately in terms of writing parts of songs, but I can't seem to complete a song....just tons of verses or choruses that don't match........anyhow, it's been a while since I've finished a whole one to my satisfaction, so I'm relieved just to finish something.......

Also, I'm pretty sure my next piece of gear is going to be a non-software compressor, because I really have a tough time getting the vocal to stay clean on the 'bigger' parts.....but anyhow.....

"Just for You"

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1642&alid=154
 
I have mixing troubles, too, but here's my 2 c:

Vocals are a little loud, harsh, variable. Maybe compression and EQ? Automation? What do you record with?

Nice, laid-back, on-the-beach, drink-a-beer kind of sound. It's really well-done, honestly. It's fun to listen to, the vocals just don't seem to hang, mix-wise, with the rest of the song. Could be my speakers (Klipsch 2.1 added to Yamaha surrounds and Kenwood amp -- odd mix for a computer), but I don't think so.

I liked it overall. Nice job.

Piltdown Man
 
I really like the laid back feel of this. I have always liked your sound. I can definitely tell it's you when I hear one of your songs. The vox is a bit harsh in spots. Sounds like it's clipping something in the choruses.

Maybe a compressor is a possible answer. Don't know for sure, but I'm not ashamed to say that I use one when tracking my vocal (an Alesis 3630 at that ;)) although in the short time I did have my 1010lt working in this computer before it decided to flake out on me (the computer that is) I tried one track using 24bit and no compression. It came out pretty good, but I still have to get a feel for it (once I get my new computer built) :D.

I am looking forward to hearing this finished a little more (maybe a vocal retrack?)

Nice work man!
 
Love the instrument mix! Nice tune!
great bass tone. Some of the words get a bit...ahhh..not out of tune but ..err..unmusical. It's not bad but I think if you were feeling more and pushing less it might come off cleaner. Get out of your throat and into your heart more. Some of the sustaining notes get a bit harsh. A decent hardware compressor might be just the thing to get you away from concentrating on mic technique and just let ya sing it.

I like the song for the most part and look forward to hearing a vocal retrack.
 
http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1642&alid=154

I got a quick remix of the vocal up.......I used a different eq...it helped a bit........a little less harsh in some parts....still harsh in some



PiltdownMan - i tried the eq you were talking about...see above


Jagular - thanks for listening, i'll have to check out the alesis.....on songs where i don't belt as much, i have no problem getting a good sound....but when i actually 'sing' , it seems to be tough for me


jake - i tried to get rid of some of the harshness w/ eq, but like you were saying, it might take a hardware compressor....thanks for listening
 
I really like the tune, but I think even with the re-mix, the vocals seem to be laying on top of the whole mix. Maybe just a volume issue? I dunno. Again, I like the tune.


bd
 
Cmaj7--G? Just checking??? Nice brightness to the mix-real percussion or samples? Sound good...I guess I hearing remix vocals-nice performance-you're clear and strong on most of those high notes-and it doesnt sound like an easy note to hit/hold--Sounds like you need to ride the vocal just a bit when you go to the chorus...automate or compress???(its like stick or spray)-I like when you double the acoustics later in the tune--good sound. Good sound overall-bass is popping through nicely. Is that F# major or minor in the chorus??Seems like I'm expecting the minor and hearing major--or sometimes major sometimes minor??Who knows my ears are fried.....
 
bd - i agree with the vocal issue still.....all i did for the remix was switch eq programs and presets:D ......looks like i'll have to use a little of what i learned on this board to actually mix it.......hopefully i'll get something reposted tonight........thanks


strat - the progression is actually Emaj7 - A (i think :D ), but you're spot on with the F# stuff.....for all the singing chorus sections it's a F#m, but then on the instrumental part after the second chorus, it's an F# major w/o the last two strings fretted (don't know what that's technically called)........the percussion is samples.........as for the vocal.........remix is coming, but i'm gonna wait for a re-performance until i get some sort of hardware compressor........thanks for listening
 
Great song and arrangment! I agree with the vocals being a little harsh. The more I listen to it the more I like it!

Great job!
 
Hey Powder,
.....very nice tune man! The acoustic guits sound beautiful. Re: inst. mix, the only complaint i can come up with is that the bass might wash out a little in the low end. Not much, mind you, ...it just seems like you might be able to thin it a touch in the low end (eq), and it'll punch up and stand on its own a touch more. Im on my computer at work so take that into consideration too:) :rolleyes: . The recording on vocs sounds ok to me here. I like how you get a "one take" feeling in your voc. performances.
It sounds relaxed and "live"...... so in my eyes, a few pitch issues arent offensive. ...kinda makes me feel like im sitting in your living room listening to you show me your new tune. ....nice stuff bro.
g
 
Real nice. I mean REAL NICE. Not my favorite style, but I still liked it. That bass was so nice. Real deep without being muddy. The guitars sounded very pleasant too. Liked the backing vox that came in at 1:59, though their first stanza was a bit quiet.

When the bass first comes in, it's a bit quiet for a few seconds. Don't know if that was intentional or not. A suggestion - some backing "ahhs" underneath the chorus.

Good one.
 
How did you record the acoustics? I like the sound and would like to do what you did on future recordings. I also like the band name, which I'm assuming came from the song on the Basement Tapes. Great album.
 
Nice tune!

Hey man, take a look at the RNC (compressor). Not really expensive at 2 channels for $200.


This sounds very nice. Sounds like your pitch has improved since the last post I heard from you.

Given the warm tone of the guitars, I might suggestion playing around with the 2-4k area of the EQ on the vocals, with cuts in mind. The vocal sounds good enough on its own to me, but it might get along with the guitars a little bit better with some high mid work.

Nice nice song!
 
I really like the feel of the tune and melody. It sticks in your head.

I don't know much about specific frequencies but I think SLuiCe is right regarding the vocs. The guitar is nice and warm as is the bass. The vocs need to mesh better. They might also come down some (or the rest up!).

Of course I am listening at work on cheap headphones!

Good song.
 
scottboyher - thanks for the listen

Guernica - thanks for listening, i'll check out the bass

TripleM - thanks for the input, i faded in the backing vocals cause they started kind of abruptly, so i might try a much quicker fade

ashulman - yup, good call on the basement tapes.....the acoustic is recorded w/ a pair of octava 012's....just my second recording w/ them....

SLuiCe - tahnks for the eq suggestions....i'm getting ready to remix the vocal......i definitely am going to look at the RNC...i need it...thanks...

skids - thanks for listening.....i'll see what i can do w/ the vocs

hopefully i'll get a remix up tonight
 
PF

Very nice work!

Nothing harsh going inmy ears. SLuiCe may be onto something with the vox. The volume is there but it may make a difference.

Great arrangement and guitar sound. Bass sits well.

I could never do something this nice!


Joel
 
This is the best thing Iv'e heard from you Drew.
Writing,mix,production,performance,first rate.

I think the vocals are the best part.
I mean mabey they need a little compression,mabey not.
They do it for me,definitly make you feel the song.
You can really sing man!

Reminds me of an acoustic Kinks song.
Definitly could hear this one on the radio!

Can't tell you how much I enjoyed this,thanks.
Think I'll just keep looping it for a while!:D
Pete
 
So you call this alternative:) . I like the tune and I also like the job you did on the vocals. I dont agree with all the too harsh comments unless that means too loud. It seems to overpower the music but only due to the volume. another comment on the vox, you have a great sweet/smooth timbre in your voice most of the time but on some of the louder points it dissappears, and thats a shame, maybe you can work on that.

Oh I guess maybe that is what some have reffered to as harshness. I myself would be satisfied to achieve what you have here:) nice job!

Peace
Bill
 
jcmm - thanks a lot for the listen...i backed the vocals down just a touch and did a little more eq on them on this new remix.......

Pete - i appreciate the kind words.....i never would have made the same comparison, but i love the kinks.......all i can do is try to improve on my last recording, and as long as i'm doing that, i'm happy

Bill ( wfaraoni )- "you have a great sweet/smooth timbre in your voice most of the time but on some of the louder points it dissappears, and thats a shame, maybe you can work on that."....i think this is a combination of having to back off too much because i don't have a compressor, and just the fact that i'm still trying to improve.....i'm slowly getting where i want to be though.....


the new remix did a little eq'ing the 2-4k range as per sluice's suggestion and a different mastering compression

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1642&alid=154
 
I think I got the latest version.

The song and arrangement are great. The instrument mix is wonderful - very smooth. The vocals sound decent, but I think a little over processed. I'm hearing either too much compression and/or a little too much low end pulled out. The singing sounds really good, so I'm guessing the less you do to it better.

For those "oooh" (too, you) words, it might have been a good idea to back off the mic a little.

All in all a well done smooth sounding tune. The melody just fits in there so nicely in that good solid groove.
 
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