Old acoustic original - Once In A While

[Bruthish]

Listened to the newest version posted in this thread. I must say, Mike, that I think this is probably the nicest sounding track I have heard you produce.

I second this. You did very good on the harmonies and main vox. You should be proud of this.

 

[StuGort]

I like it. I read the discussion about the vocals and yes...the new main vocal is an improvement. But the point I'd make on the bg vocs is that they need to be intimate and they are failing to do that because they compete too much with the guitar. Maybe try to lower the guitar by 3 or 4 db in the vocal harmony sections...and see if that doesn't help bring them closer to the listener.

 

[mjbphotos]

Listened to the newest version posted in this thread. I must say, Mike, that I think this is probably the nicest sounding track I have heard you produce.

I would like to share a couple observations based on how things are coming across in my listening space.

The guitar tone for the first 2 minutes of the song sounds tubby or boxy, but after that, the overall whole of all the guitars together presents a more balanced combined tone. The tubbiness is still there, but it is suitably balanced by some more chimey upper end content. The lead guitar line sounds really nice and works really well with the song.

I like the repetition in the ending. Indeed, not to take anything away from the beginning of the song, but everything after the 2 minute mark seems to work. I am getting some sort of modulation somewhere though. Some phasing or something? Not sure, but I am getting that 'swirly' sensation.

Translating here pretty well overall though.

I was wondering if I had lost too much high end on the guitar when I removed the DI. I think the 'swirly' you're hearing is from a slightly different strum on the 12 string (right) vs the 6 string (left). It's definitely noticeable in the first section of the end part of the song, but then comes together (in my ears anyway).

I heard a couple of smaller ones at: 1:29, 1:31, and 1:36. So they're all concentrated in a short passage.

Thanks for going to the effort! Hopefully I can notch them out if they're pick sounds and not something from another track that should have been muted.

I like it. I read the discussion about the vocals and yes...the new main vocal is an improvement. But the point I'd make on the bg vocs is that they need to be intimate and they are failing to do that because they compete too much with the guitar. Maybe try to lower the guitar by 3 or 4 db in the vocal harmony sections...and see if that doesn't help bring them closer to the listener.

Actually, that's a very good idea, thanks! I usually manually automate the volume of at least one intrument (rather than set up a ducking rout with compression) for the vocals, but hadn't done it on this song.

 

[mjbphotos]

Damn TripleM for finding that pick noise! Spent an hour trying to notch it! Volume didn't work (I guess I could have copied a little piece from a different place, but trying to find a suitable part would have taken another hour), and a quick auto EQ didn't get rid of it either. The first one was the worst, the others weren't too noticeable. SO, if I couldn't get rid of it, I hid it, and put the lead guitar part I had previously muted back in.
I ducked the guitar with volume automation just a tiny bit during the vocals in the verses, but not the choruses. I think it's just about there now: