Now That I Found Love

[ido1957]

...now complete with bass.... I'd appreciate your feedback on this one.

Guitars parts are both played on a Kramer Pacer Imperial.
Piano is a Yamaha DGX-305.
Drums are written in Cakewalk played back through the DGX-305.
Bass is a Rickenbacker 4001.
Vocals use a Rode NTK.

I tried to separate the piano and the guitars with both eq and panning.
The bass fell into place fairly quick on this and seems pretty good on my monitors.

The link to the song:
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=5784651&q=hi


My Songs are here

 

[Nightfire]

It has a Tom Petty feel to it, I like it!
Im listening on laptop speakers, so I wont really comment on the mix.
From what I can hear everything has its place and fits in nice.
I hear almost no bass on the laptop, might be my speaker issue, but just so you know.
The guitars and piano feels like they are struggling against each other at times, but its not so much in your face.
I like the vocals.
Drums sound pretty good considering theyre programmed, and fit the genre well.


Mike

 

[Greg_L]

Sounds pretty good Ido. Nice and mellow. Sounds filled out now.

I kinda agree about the piano and guitars struggling with eachother. Maybe not so much "struggling", but more that they're just kind of doing the exact same thing, so the clear seperation isn't all there. That's nit-picking though. The mix sounds good and balanced.

 

[Dogman]

Sounding good Gerry. I'd like to hear the bass just a tad louder, but that's more a personal preference thing. It sounds good, but I'd like it more prominent in this tune. A little more the front instrument. Guitars and piano might need some seperation.....they do seem to hide each other at times. Don't know if panning would work, or some different eq....

Anyways, small nits...as is it's a pretty sweet tune. I like it man....

 

[Nightfire]

Yeah, thats a better way of putting it Greg.
Maybe pan more agressively either guitar, or piano. Maybe a different sound for one of the guitars? Also, I like the fact theres no guitar solo.

Mike

 

[DavidK]

Sounds good Gerry.

Vocals use a Rode NTK.

Is this new? Sounds a bit brighter than usual?

I kinda agree about the piano and guitars struggling with eachother. Maybe not so much "struggling", but more that they're just kind of doing the exact same thing, so the clear seperation isn't all there.

I suggest cutting the piano or the guitar. Maybe the guitar can do "licks" instead of rhythm, as is they are just doing the same thing. Needs a solo.

 

[ido1957]

Thanks Mike, Greg, Ed, David.....

I hear almost no bass on the laptop, might be my speaker issue, but just so you know. Mike

I have the bass just on the "edge" for this one. It's there but you need to listen a little for it. I may nudge that a tad....

Sounds filled out now.... the piano and guitars .... just kind of doing the exact same thing, so the clear seperation isn't all there.

Yep - I agree the bass fills in that low end nicely. The guitar and keyboard are in the same area note-wise (octave??) so they naturally tend to clash. I really had to play around with eq and panning to get the current mix wherein both have a position in the spectrum. I think next time I'll try playing the piano in a higher octave. I've had better success with it there.

Sounding good Gerry. I'd like to hear the bass just a tad louder, but that's more a personal preference thing. It sounds good, but I'd like it more prominent in this tune. A little more the front instrument.

I know Mike will be glad to hear that ...I may just tweak it....not sure yet...

Also, I like the fact theres no guitar solo. Mike

It just felt okay without a solo. Plus I didn't want it to be too long...

Rode NTK - Is this new? Sounds a bit brighter than usual?

Good ears - I turned the highs up just a db or two on the vocals (actually every channel) to about 12:30 (12:00 is flat). I have the 1.5-2K up on the mic a couple db but that is my usual setting. Do you think it's too bright?

I suggest cutting the piano or the guitar. Maybe the guitar can do "licks" instead of rhythm, as is they are just doing the same thing. Needs a solo.

Not sure which I would cut - I like both parts for different reasons. Plus the piano is mono. Wish I could play piano better then it would be an easier choice. Guitar too for that matter...

 

[NL5]

The only thing I can add, is on the vocal. I'd get tighter up on the mic, and compress it harder. It will "fill it out" a bit. Nice work.

 

[XLR]

I love the lyrics.

Guitar's a litte out of tune. Or is there a detuned chorus on it?

Needs a lead guitar trading off with the vocal. You do lead parts so well.

 

[joeym]

Nice going Ido, very catchy tune!
How about some strings or organ here and there? And vocal harmonies? I'm sure you can do those real good. Really nice voice!

Cheers
Joe

 

[Anfontan]

Sounds very nice Gerry, I wanted to listen earlier but work computer has no speakers what so ever....
I guess I would agree that the piano & guitar are both playing the same thing, it might help to capo the guitar and play the chord progression in a higher voicing possibly.

 

[TelePaul]

Lovely vocals - kinda James Taylor vibe off them maybe? I'm in agreement with the others, the two electrics are fighting with each other, and possibly with the piano too - I think there's too much bottom end there. Would you maybe swap one of the electric tracks for an acoustic? I think it'd brighten it up somewhat.

It's a great song though, again, really lovely vocals - don't mess with them.

 

[RAMI]

Sounds good, Ido. Drums sound really good (except for the crashes).

I really think you have to seperate the guitar part from the piano. They're playing the same part in the same register and mushing up a little. Single notes, or little lines on one or the other maybe. Reverse 8th note arpeggio or something. Maybe even just some counterpoint, rythmically. Whatever, I'm just thinking out loud.

I like the bass level, it's there and does the job sonically, to me.

Another nice love song in the tradition of Clapton/Lennon.

 

[heatmiser]

Definitely an improvement! I am with Dogman with regard to wishing the bass was just a bit louder, but it does rise to prominence nicely at some key moments as it is.

The piano stands out nicely at times (like around 2:55)...but seems to be in unison with the rhythm guitar more than one would expect...a lot of comments on this already and sadly I have no great suggestions other than liking your idea about trying an octave higher on the keys.

I couldn't help but anticipate one of your guitar solos at every break, but had already read that you left them out deliberately and therefore I have to respect your restraint as I myself seem to have none. Nice goin' .

 

[ido1957]

The only thing I can add, is on the vocal. I'd get tighter up on the mic, and compress it harder. It will "fill it out" a bit. Nice work.

Good suggestion NL5. I really need to work a little on my compressor (Triple C) . It has some presets that I can play with, and/or the knobs... I've got it on a really "lite" vocal setting right now. I don't want to fall into the compressor "trap". I'm using it while recording but it seems to mainly add volume - not necessarily "even" or "level" out the vocals.

I love the lyrics. Guitar's a litte out of tune. Or is there a detuned chorus on it? Needs a lead guitar trading off with the vocal. You do lead parts so well.

Thanks Tim - yep some chorus on there might be causing the problem. When playing next to a digital piano it would be easy to hear a tuning issue. Although I'm not sure about a solo at this point, maybe some guitar licks could work. I'm thinking of dropping one of the instruments as suggested by Dave, so adding some licks might make up for it.

Nice going Ido, very catchy tune!
How about some strings or organ here and there? And vocal harmonies? I'm sure you can do those real good. Really nice voice! Cheers Joe

Vocal harmonies are always a good idea, so I'll keep that in mind. Organ might sub well for the piano too...good suggestion...

Sounds very nice Gerry, I wanted to listen earlier but work computer has no speakers what so ever....
I guess I would agree that the piano & guitar are both playing the same thing, it might help to capo the guitar and play the chord progression in a higher voicing possibly.

True - the guitar on the right is playing an octave higher than the left (different position), but it's blended such that it doesn't stand out as much as it could. I wonder if I did it on both sides it would work better with the piano???

Lots of good suggestions to look into/work on....

 

[rayc]

Gerry,
Very nice work indeed.
Bass head that I am I still like the bass just where it is - I can hear it & really like Mike's Ricky tone. You could cut some bottom from the piano to reveal more bass but I like the bass as is.
I am listening on h/phones so ignore me I suppose... the guitars sound good to me I can hear the both & their top ends define them for me - I can hear the differences in strum and rhythm.
The piano - it is in the same territory but doesn't crowd the guitars much really - a slightly more percussive sample may have given some greater differentiation but this is fine.
Drums - well I wish I could program like you.
Vocals - the old Jackie Gleeson catch phrase comes to mind.
It's a lovely song & would be lifted by some of your almost trade mark guitar licks.

 

[Radius_Vector]

Hi there

I really like your tune.. and mix is superb as well!

A couple pointers which I noticed - I swear I wouldnt have noticed it if I wasnt listening to the song from a 'mixing' perspective - great job

1) The vocals are a bit dry - you could prolly add reverb to taste n also a bit of compression - But I really like your vocal tone
2) Drum can use a little teeny weeny bit more punch
3) Im not able to hear the piano at certain parts - you can consider panning/expanding either the guitars or the piano so they dont share common territory in the stereo mix

Just my 0.02$

 

[ido1957]

Thanks TelePaul, RAMI, heatmiser, Ray, and Radius_Vector

I think there's too much bottom end there. Would you maybe swap one of the electric tracks for an acoustic?

Don't have an acoustic unfortunately, but I am considering the dual upper register guitar thing (see above). I've turned down the bass eq knob on everything so it's likely in the mid knob somewhere...

Sounds good, Ido. Drums sound really good (except for the crashes) I really think you have to seperate the guitar part from the piano.I like the bass level, it's there and does the job sonically, to me.

Glad a drummer likes my crappy drums...lol... One vote for the bass as is.

I am with Dogman with regard to wishing the bass was just a bit louder, but it does rise to prominence nicely at some key moments as it is.I couldn't help but anticipate one of your guitar solos at every break, but had already read that you left them out deliberately and therefore I have to respect your restraint as I myself seem to have none. Nice goin' .

One vote for more bass....Soloing may occur depending on the remix.

Bass head that I am I still like the bass just where it is - I can hear it & really like Mike's Ricky tone. You could cut some bottom from the piano to reveal more bass but I like the bass as is... It's a lovely song & would be lifted by some of your almost trade mark guitar licks.

Thanks Ray - I'll let Mike know you like his work here. One vote for same bass... and another one for some guitar licks...

1) The vocals are a bit dry - you could prolly add reverb to taste n also a bit of compression - But I really like your vocal tone
2) Drum can use a little teeny weeny bit more punch
3) Im not able to hear the piano at certain parts - you can consider panning/expanding either the guitars or the piano so they dont share common territory in the stereo mix

Vocals are a bit drier than usual, maybe I'll up that slightly on the remix.
Compression is something I need to work with to improve without squashing.
Piano is probably disappearing due to the blend with the guitar so I will be working on that.

Thanks All.....!

 

[Gorty]

Hey Gerry,

I also would like to hear the bass a little more and maybe a little more brightness to the snare.....(If you can target just the snare??)
As you already know, I also would like to hear one of your melodic solo's in this tune!

Nice work once again Gerry, thanx for sharing.

 

[rayc]

Hello Gorty - long time no post in MP3 land. How are you? has the mining boom pushed you out of your house? Has the studio become rental accommodation for 3 mining families and a prime mover?
Good song this eh?