Original song needing critiqued...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Enigma
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Enigma

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Hi all,

I have a new song I'd like some feedback on. It is called Had To Go, and it is all original.

Here's a rundown on the equipment used to record it:

PC:
AMD Duron 750, 128 MB Memory, Gaget Labs Wave/496

Gear:
Ibanez RG270DX & ESP LTD H-100 Guitars, Epiphone Bass (piece of junk), POD 2.0, Yamaha PSR-248 Keyboard, MarkII drum set with a mix of Paiste and Zildjian cymbals, and a mix of mics (Shure SM57, Nady Startpower SP-9 & CAD MP10s)

Room:
14' x 14' with a 7' ceiling :)

Known issues with the song:
The Bass SUCKS. I am NOT a bass player, so it sounds pretty bad.

The URL is http://www.angelfire.com/myband/collera/collera_htg.zip

Please give me your honest opinion. Is the song good? What needs to be fixed or changed? Etc, etc...

Thanks!
 
Sorry to those who may have tried to download the file. After posting the message, I tried the link just to make sure it would work, and it did. Now I'm having trouble logging into my Angelfire website, so something is screwy.

I setup an account on MP3.COM, and when they finally approve the song, I will repost here with the new link.
 
I had a listen.

I like the guitar mix. It seems like you had some timing problems from about 1:35 to 2:00. Watch that tempo!

I am primarily a drummer, so I am biased. They could use a little more high end on the cymbal / hi-hat mix. They sound OK in the 8k range, but nothing above that. You also might want to fatten up the kick and toms with a little low end.

Just my 2c.

Chris
 
Re: I had a listen.

chrisjorge said:
I like the guitar mix. It seems like you had some timing problems from about 1:35 to 2:00. Watch that tempo!

I am primarily a drummer, so I am biased. They could use a little more high end on the cymbal / hi-hat mix. They sound OK in the 8k range, but nothing above that. You also might want to fatten up the kick and toms with a little low end.

Just my 2c.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response Chris!

I want to redo the guitar parts anyway. I like the tone, but I noticed a couple times where my timing was off a little.

I do want to re-record almost everything in this song, though. But I thought that given the recording environment, everything actually turned out pretty good. But I hope to start construction on my new studio after the first of the year!

Anyone else have any comments?
 
This song is pretty cool. It kind of reminds me of Urge Overkill - Sister Havana...kind of...in my opinion. The mix is good...about as good as my mixes. It's tough. I'm not gonna comment on that. I just have a few questions: What kind of monitors are you using? How many tracks did you use to record the drums? Also, how did you mic the drums?
-Tom
 
bluelonestar said:
This song is pretty cool. It kind of reminds me of Urge Overkill - Sister Havana...kind of...in my opinion. The mix is good...about as good as my mixes. It's tough. I'm not gonna comment on that. I just have a few questions: What kind of monitors are you using? How many tracks did you use to record the drums? Also, how did you mic the drums?
-Tom
Click to expand...

Thanks, Blue!

The funny thing to me about this song, and how it turned out, is that most (pretty much all) of the stuff I listen to is harder material. Anything from Dream Theater to Godsmack. And then we end up writing a Pop/Melodic Rock song. Funny how those things turn out. :)

Monitors... well, I don't have any. :) Actually, I have a set of Cambridge SoundWorks speakers that were meant more for gaming. Can't afford a good pair of monitors and an amp yet.

The drums were done on one track, because of a shortage of mic pre-amps... but, I had a brain fart when we recorded them, because I have since figured out a different way. So, I need to get my drummer back over here (ahem, Jarid, where are you???).

As for mic placement on the drums, I have the snare mic'ed with a SM57, two CAD MP10s for overhead, one CAD MP10 for the kick, and a Nady StarPower SP9 as an extra to help pick up the toms a little better. Although there is no stereo effect on the drums, for the equipment used and the room they were recorded in, I thought they turned out decent.

Thanks again!
 
yeah, just because you listen to godsmack doesnt mean youll necessarily play like godsmack.
anyway, you gotta get some monitors quick! i've used cambridge soundworks just messing around at a friends house and let me say they're not good for mixing! they are good little speakers though...match up perfectly with the soundblaster live cards.
-Tom
 
bluelonestar said:
yeah, just because you listen to godsmack doesnt mean youll necessarily play like godsmack.
anyway, you gotta get some monitors quick! i've used cambridge soundworks just messing around at a friends house and let me say they're not good for mixing! they are good little speakers though...match up perfectly with the soundblaster live cards.
-Tom
Click to expand...

I want to get monitors, but can't afford them at the moment. And I've run out of things to sell. :) Tax time is coming up soon, so MAYBE I'll be able to afford some then.
 
Listened to the tune, too.
It was a good overall mix, guitars sounding the best.
Being a lyricist, I tend to analyze the emotions of the vocalist. I think the vocalist doen't sound angry enough at
this woman leaving...Would sound better if there was some
anger or hurt in the vocals.
Drums sound pretty good actually benig recorded on only one track. Stronger backing vocals would add to this tune.
Well-written song with a good hook.
Dj
 
Well, I don't feel that I'm all that good of a singer, and I tried to do my best with it. The singer I had originally lined up for the song hasn't shown up for a couple months, so we decided that I should do them. Maybe with a little more practice I'll be able to make them sound better.

I hope to redo the drums again, but split them up on AT LEAST 3 tracks. I may be able to squeeze 4 with the equipment available. I'll have to try it and see what it sounds like.

> Well-written song with a good hook.

Thank you very much! The hook was what I was after, and it seems to have worked. :) I played it for a guy at work, and after hearing it only once, he was humming it later on in the day. I took that as a good sign. :)

Thanks again!

Chris
 
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