"Rhythms" 2003 (New Recording)

[SLuiCe]

...well... almost new. I kept the original guitar tracks because I liked the sound even though they were miked with a SM58. Though I had to do some heavy low end cuts because it sounded like the 58's were stuffed into the guitar's sound hole.

Everything else is new. This is one of maybe 3-4 songs I plan on re-recording using all the things I've learned at this site and stuff I've learned through trial and error. I'm hoping to have a CD's worth of material that I like by the end of the year. Important to have goals I guess.

Anyway, if you have any suggestions for this I'd greatly appreciate it. I still get really nervous when I post tunes, especially softer ones. I feel so exposed, but I guess that's another forum topic.

Thanks as always!

RHYTHMS (last on the list)

 

[powderfinger]

i don't recall having heard the first recording.......this sounds really good.......

the first acoustic that comes in has a slight hiss to the recording....if you have a way of cleaning it up a touch i'd try that.....if not, i wouldn't worry about it......i'm listening on headphones.......wouldn't have noticed on speakers....

good song......how do you EQ your harmonies? any tricks that you might share on how to get them to fall in so well? they sound great.........

nice work

 

[SLuiCe]

Hey Powder...Ya that hiss drives me a little nuts too, but I don't think I can recapture the guitar tone...that guitar is damaged now. Maybe if I get a new one I'll re-do them...
Anyway, EQing the harmonies...EQ almost always varies but generally if I EQ vocals it's to compromise with the guitar. A little 176Hz out of the guitar in trade for 2K out of the vocal, etc... I'm finding that the thing about harmonies is when mixing them, they usually need to be almost like reverb- it's there but not the main attraction. Also, if I do a 3-part harmony, I solo them as a group to determine their relative levels. Then I try that mix out with the rest of the mix and go from there.


I don't know if that makes sense...As I am now growing increazhingly intoxticated....but I tried eh?

 

[participant]

Kewl. Downloading... I was just listening to a CD of your stuff (ya... I stole it ) and noticed how different your voice is on, say, "Run for your life" from "Dry"... (I think "Dry" was the first thing I heard from you...) You're a lot more confident singer, nowadays...

BTW Tom, here's the track listing of the SLuiCe CD just burned Sunday Night...

1. Come Out Come Out
2. Why Are You Still Here?
3. Chrysalis (Guitar Mix)
4. Fold
5. Twenty
6. Rhythms
7. Run For Your Life
8. Feathers and Bones
9. Hate Pill
10. Look Away
11. The Road To Baxter Park
12. Dry
13. Winded
14. Chrysalis (Sax Mix)

I'm trying to think of an avatar of yours to use for the cover (the frog? The pic of someone (you?) w/a cigarette? The current one?)

(Also burned a Samicide disk)


-c

 

[SLuiCe]

lol no...that pic isn't me. I stole it from National Geographic's website.


Damn I have that many songs?

 

[participant]

Listening... wow.. your voice is much smoother on this... am I hearing autotune on some of those backups?! Cool! Chris Harris' power over you is finally in place!

Great new backups, BTW...

You know... a flute solo, or something similarly light would go well in there...


c

 

[B.SABBATH]

am I hearing autotune on some of those backups

I was wondering that myself.. great new version! I can't give any mix comments because I have a terrible flu, but I will come back to this with the telescope..




from the last B.SABBATH thread

when the finished project is up, I'm pulling out the Hubble Muthafucking Telescope on it.

I'll be back tomorrow

 

[SLuiCe]

Not exactly Auto tune, but I did shift the pitch on a few notes in Sonar until I get the day off to re-track them. I was getting worn out from hitting those notes that I just wasn't born to sing, and my voice is wobbley to begin with. It's a temporary fix cuz the sound of it is annoying.

Thanks for listening fellas!

 

[WATYF]

OH MAN!!!

I get to critique this one all over again...


First off... you know that I love this song... I mean... I used to listen to the thing 5 times in a row routinely....

but.... ( )


I'll be honest. I think there's something to be said for familiarity. I mean... I just put up a remake of a song, and lots of people (myself included) seemed to like the old version better. (which didn't make much sense logically, since the newer version was recorded on better equipment... much like this example.) I think it's just that once you get "used" to something, you tend to favor it that way.... and sometimes the old adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rings true.


having said that...



There's just a bunch of things I wasn't too hip on in the new version...


(please don't hate me )



I'll tell you why, and you can decide if I'm just being a biased doofus who can't let go of the past or not...


First off... the synth in the intro was too busy. It was over shadowing the git part (in certain parts). I can't say this enough, but the best part of this song is that freaking git intro. (IMNSHO, of course.. ) and I was kinda like... "hey... shut that stupid synth up so I can hear the git...!" Also,.. the synth in the older one was much lower and more "dark"...

Second... er.... uh.... I.... kinda liked the drums from the old one better too... the newer ones just seem too abrasive, (more so in some parts) and a little more busy.

And that part right before the second verse where you're saying... uh... something like.. "hey are ya..." or whatever... Well... in the old one, that vocal part was quieter and more reverbed and it had a more "spooky" quality to it that fit the song a bit better.

And finally, (thank God) I'm kinda partial to the original vocal take. ( )




But fear not... for there are things that I like aboot this new version better... (see... I'm not a total retard.)


Obviously... it sounds better... pure and simple. The mix is great... the sound quality is great.

The vocals are really clear... they just have a better sonic quality to em.

That git part that sounded great in the old version sounds even better... I especially like how much better the harmonic strums sound in this one. Really clear.

I like the ending BGV's on this one better... that whole "did you see me" part sounds better.


Anywhoo... even thought this is pretty much the pot calling the kettle black, I would have to say that if I had to choose between the two versions, I'd pick the old one. But this is still a great recording... and hey... if this was the first time I'd heard it, I prolly woulda liked it as much as the older version...






(but I doubt it.)





WATYF

 

[David]

Outstanding

Whew!! Man, this kicks ass in so many ways. Vocals were just incredible, and the mix...wow. Damn, you got major talent man, this is great!

 

[SLuiCe]

Hey man thanks so much for the honesty. I kinda worried that's how it would be when I first started it. But it's not like I don't still have the other version.

I strongly favor the old performance, because it was done while the feeling was very fresh.
But the recording quality of the original would not sit well on a CD. So maybe I can try a remix of the original or a blending of the two.

Anyway thanks...that was food for thought!

 

[djc]

What can I say. Great as usual. I like this song.

 

[powderfinger]

Anyway, EQing the harmonies...EQ almost always varies but generally if I EQ vocals it's to compromise with the guitar. A little 176Hz out of the guitar in trade for 2K out of the vocal, etc... I'm finding that the thing about harmonies is when mixing them, they usually need to be almost like reverb- it's there but not the main attraction. Also, if I do a 3-part harmony, I solo them as a group to determine their relative levels. Then I try that mix out with the rest of the mix and go from there.


I don't know if that makes sense...As I am now growing increazhingly intoxticated....but I tried eh?

i like the idea of soloing them as a group.........i haven't done that before.........makes perfect sense.........thanks

also, on the note of some people liking the first version more.....i would suggest that that might have to do with familiarity....as i never heard the first, and couldn't imaginie that it was 'better'...likely just different.......it sounds good

 

[fenderlikingood]

"and come home with NOTHING"!!!!!! DAMN, that was a cool HIT!! i don't remember the original either>?? so i have no comparison. Original guitar track's, eh?? WOW!! i was really getting used to your 012's( i think that's what you said you were using??) anyway, i wouldn't have noticed the difference , had you not said it. ( but that means nothing coming from me) sweeeet!! i never get tired of your music, it's better than anything on the radio!! why you are not touring, is beyond me!!!!!! (seriously) sorry for the meaningless post, man, but this just KILLS!!


thank's sluice!!

peace

Rick

 

[Guernica]

Hey Tom,
.....man, .....you are ambitious arent you. That's a hell of a tune to decide to re-do. I agree w/ what WATYF mentioned re: familiarity. When a tune has been admired as much as the original mix of this tune has, .....it makes a person a touch maternal and protective. There are aspects of this mix that i like (the clearer vocs, the bg's .....somebody mentioned vocal confidence..... I'll buy that), but there are some things that dont touch me like the original did. Things that dont seem quite as intimate. I didnt really care for the synth additions much. The tune was always a "guitar song" to me, and the key stuff was frosting, now it seems that the keys are a layer of the cake.
Again, ....familiarity. I wish i could have heard this when the last mix came out, but .....

Dont get me wrong, its great, just not as organic as it was. You mentioned taking the best of both worlds. ....I think thats a great idea.

Great Stuff Tom, .....I'm gonna burn this one into my head..... I'll probably feel differently after 15 or 20 listens.

Mike w/5

 

[Jagular]

Unfreaking believable. There seems to be no end to the talent here. What a great song and a great recording.

Only nit is I have to agree with WATYF about the drum parts. A bit too busy in a couple spots for the mood of this song IMVHO.

This definitely goes in the keepers folder.

Did I mention this is a great song?

 

[mixmkr]

oh...I remember this song... the "drum assult" which I just loved. The recording is better in this version, and the synths that you added sound ok with me. Kinda like a different version...like the CD version, and the old one was the live version. However, your other version, the vocals had more of "your' quality to it than this one...if that makes sense. You kinda have an odd, but unique and pleasing voice. ....and the peculiarities of the vocals in this take are NOT as strong in this version. A good performance, but it doesn't have your "quirky" sound to it. ..and don't take my adjectives as negatives.. I mean them in a positive way. This mix also seems to have slightly less dynamics to it...from the softest to the loudest part...and when the drums come in, if I remember, these sound a little less prominant in the mix. In all honesty, it is a tough choice as to which one I like better. They both have good, but different good points.

 

[SLuiCe]

Thanks a lot guys.

...though I feel like I've mostly wasted time. If you read all of the complaints from former mixes you'd see why I redid this. From things like "Your voice sucks, in a good way" to "I can't understand what you're saying" to "it's too muddy." Sounds like I made it worse trying to get a better recording of it.

Also, I forgot to A/B this to the original, but I agree that I probably needed to cut the synth back. That would probably help a lot with the "intimacy" I apparently lost. It is still a guitar song... I think I just got numb to it, and should have stopped, but I hate leaving things unfinished

 

[B.SABBATH]

Not exactly Auto tune, but I did shift the pitch on a few notes in Sonar until I get the day off to re-track them.

sounds like auto tune to me, and your description sounds like your describing what auto tune does.. shifting the notes until they sound right.. Don't get me wrong, it sounds *excellent.* I'm glad you explained it.. One thing that really annoys me is when people deny that they use it, when you can hear damn well that they did.. When I hear something great like this, I wonder how it was done.. If you tried to say there was no tuning on the vox, I would be wondering how they sound that way.. There are *a few* people here who I suspect use it more than they admit.. I have learned to hear what it sounds like, and I have been accused of using Auto Tune a few times! (although I never have, and never would unless it was used as an 'effect')

------------end of auto tune rant---------



you know this is my favorite SLuice tune, and I really like this version.. I think the keyboard sounds are much better than on the original, and the sound of everything is great! The vocals have a great sound to them.. there's only a few little things that I don't like, but to tell you the truth, they are hardly worth even mentioning.. I hope you don't start over doing the 'tuning of the vocals.' People like you and I should never use that shit.. Leave it for the radio stuff.. The original version was great, this version is great.. I really can't say that I liked one over the other, only that I think they are both some of the best music ever to be posted in the clinic.. I didn't think it needed to be re-recorded though.. This would still sound great even without any keyboards, because the guitars and vocal melody's are so sweet..



Anyway, take my comments for what they are worth... nothing.

Just remember not to take everyone's opinions to heart.. At this point, your recordings and songs are solid! Really solid..

Most people who comment can't touch you.. (myself included) I think that's what you should remember.. I rarely listen to comments about 'content.' Most people don't know where I'm coming from, and it's probably the same with you.. Don't change things because someone doesn't like them.. Your ears are better than most people who will offer you advice..


Man, maybe it's the cold medicine I'm taking, but this is a very preechy sounding post, but it's what I was thinking when I typed it..

 

[Guernica]

...Sam,
Im starting to think that you dont like autotune