No real gear - some real ambition.

[onemanbland]

Hi all. I'm throwing my name in the hat, and hoping that I can get some opinions on what I've been working on. Song-wise, I'm very happy, but I'm looking for some thoughts on the mixes.

These both were recorded with one of two mics - an MXL V67 and a Studio Projects B3. I have no real preamps or compressors - everything was tracked through a Yamaha MG12/4 mixer, straight to a practically non-existant sound card (this is the kicker - an ancient CREATIVE SBlive). Lord knows this is by far my weakest signal link, and I've put off buying a proper card for so long (but M Audio Delta 1010 is on my list).

Anyway, here they are:

what you owe to the dead - myself on vocals, my wife singing harmony
await the light - my wife on vocals, myself singing harmony

Both songs are drumless at this point, but otherwise they're mixed pretty much as well as I can get them sounding (for the time being). Thanks for listening.

 

[gbav]

This surprised me, this sounds really good to me. Listening to - what you owe the dead. I really dig the acoustic sound. Great singing guys. The only thing I can think of is on some of the vocals it seems like theres alot of mids and no lows and that can just be taste not a real problem or anything. Great work, love the song its hitting my ipod.

take care

gary

 

[true-eurt]

Nice songs. You play a great accoustic, and have a great voice. your wife and you harmonize very well. The first song really grabs me with the rhythm and melodic value. The slide-squeak on the accoustic neck is distracting though. Good songs.

 

[onemanbland]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I'll try to tame those squeaks and add some low mids to the vocals.

 

[peppered]

I enjoyed both songs very much.... so here's my input for what it may be worth.

#1:

I would have liked to hear the guitar punched up a bit more in the beginning, or pushed to one side and a little brighter, before it kicks in with the double tracked ones. Same thing when it drops back to a single guitar (on the right), maybe push it over just a bit more to one side and boost slightly.

Fav parts in both are the vocal harmonies between you two, you work off of one another very well.... but I'd like to hear a spacier sound on her voice in this track -- almost like you're both singing across dimensions to one another, maybe singing to the dead and the dead back to life. Don't know if I've worded that to make any sense.

#2:

Maybe punch up the vocals in the beginning, her voice is very full (which is comforting), but I would have liked more highs. Also, same as in first song with maybe a spacier (maybe reverb) on your vocal this time, since you are pushed back and to the left a little.

The clencher for me would have been a nice melody on the piano at a higher octave, close to the end of the song before she sings again. Just for an underlying message and additional compliment to the song, and to increase the build up.

Just my two cents, thanks again for sharing.... I enjoyed them.

ted

 

[aspiring]

This is really nice stuff. Well, I like the first song a lot. The second doesn't hold my attention. (I think you have ideas in your head about the rhythms you intend to add to that, which are desperately needed for the listener. The first song works well as it stands.)

I think if you are adding drums you might as well leave these as is (which is pretty good!) till you get those drums in there. Because everything will change then anyway.

I heard that popular Suzanne Vega song in your first one until you hit that change. One interesting point is that both intros (the synth fade ups) are very similar. When I played the second song I had to stop it and check I wasn't playing the first again. (I've got a short memory.) But maybe if you were still experimenting you could vary that in some way to make each unique. Or maybe it doesn't matter

As for equipment...you seem to be doing fine with what you have. I'll listen to "song" over "equipment" anyday. And you have plenty of that.

Thanks
aspiring

 

[DeeExpus]

"what you owe the dead" is a fantastic song, reminds me a little of counting crows. Probably the progression (sorry). Real shame about (what I presume is) the computer noise, though im sure you'll sort that with ur soundcard wishlist.

I think a little drive in this track with some nice acoustic (sounding or real) Drums would have this right up my street. Do you intend to add drums? hope so!

The acoustics sound lovely, i love the light and shade in your playing and probably contrary to most, i like the fret noise, it adds character. The only major critisism i would have is the vocal eq. Lacks a little depth and i think i agree with the "Spacy" (or is it spacey!) suggestion for your good lady's vocal. You could try tracking her vocal (2 takes) and panning them hard left and right. Might add some space and seperate hers from yours.

Really like this offering. Alot!

Cheers

Dee

ps. didnt listen to the second track, sorry

 

[onemanbland]

The second doesn't hold my attention. (I think you have ideas in your head about the rhythms you intend to add to that, which are desperately needed for the listener. The first song works well as it stands.)

The feedback is greatly appreciated. I think more percussion in the second song will tie things together a little better.

both intros (the synth fade ups) are very similar. When I played the second song I had to stop it and check I wasn't playing the first again. (I've got a short memory.) But maybe if you were still experimenting you could vary that in some way to make each unique. Or maybe it doesn't matter

I hadn't even thought of this, but you're right. The first song is a loop of noise, and the second is just a really delayed guitar. This is a good point, though.

As for equipment...you seem to be doing fine with what you have. I'll listen to "song" over "equipment" anyday. And you have plenty of that.

This is why I like these boards so much.

 

[Track Rat]

I listened to What You Owe The Dead. I wouldn't say the Soundblaster is your weakest link but high zoot soundcards and gear makes the world go round. REAL nice song. As far as production goes, less is more. I like what you have. And you know about the squeaks.

 

[Red Dog Studios]

I listened to "what you owe to the dead" and i really like it. It sounds kinda like a mix between Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins, which is some of my favorite kind of music. And the noise at the begining of the track, was that just the noise coming from the mixer/soundcar/computer? or did you put that there? cause every thing else in the song sounds cleans, but i like the low noise sound at the begining of the track...it gives it a mood before the songs starts and i think it kind of fits in well...if you understand what i'm saying lol. anyways REAL good song man. good work.



Zeke

 

[onemanbland]

I listened to "what you owe to the dead" and i really like it. It sounds kinda like a mix between Death Cab for Cutie and the Shins, which is some of my favorite kind of music. And the noise at the begining of the track, was that just the noise coming from the mixer/soundcar/computer? or did you put that there?

No no, that was totally intentional. It's just a mangled guitar part, backwards and looped. Or something along those lines. Just a cool noise.
Also, Death Cab and the Shins are some of my more favored bands as well, so I'm happy with the comparison.

 

[Red Dog Studios]

o yeah and i left out that your voice also kinda reminds me of Dave Matthews....i dunno if you like him or not but i like that one song he's got out "chrash" real good one lol. But yeah like i said good work on the song and the backwards loop is the iceing on the cake lol.


Zeke

 

[onemanbland]

I wouldn't say the Soundblaster is your weakest link but high zoot soundcards and gear makes the world go round. REAL nice song. As far as production goes, less is more. I like what you have. And you know about the squeaks.

I'm definitely going to try to EQ the squeaks out a bit. Also, your first point is what I keep trying to tell my wallet. I need to make the world go 'round.