Rocky Racoon - Beatles Cover

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chambie

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Hey guys
I recorded this song and was trying EQ, Compression, and Pan. This is my first real multi track recording. 2 guitar tracks, 2 vocal tracks , and one partial vocal near the end. Oh and my dog barking around 2:50 !! I'm just learning all this and look forward to your opinions and advice.
Thanks
Lindsay
 
I love this song!

Great acoustic guitar sounds.
The vocals could use a bit more mids. Something to let them cut just a bit more. When listening at quieter volumes, I found the guitars and vocals were fighting.
 
Thanks Schwarzenyaeger… i was mixing it using headphones and then listened on some really old altec lansing computer speakers. I actually don't have any mids on the vocals i don't think. I'll go back and add some in. Thanks for the input again !
 
Well, for a first multi-track recording I'd say you've got a pretty good start! I like the energy of the acoustic guitar, and your voice sounds good. I agree that the vocals need to come up more in volume. The overall EQ seems okay to me.

Some suggestions (not that I'm expert)...
I listened on headphones, but I suspect that if I had listened in mono, or even over speakers, the mix would be pretty messy. Both the guitars and vox are in hard stereo, and both are slightly off in timing from their mate. For stereo guitars generally you want them either VERY close in timing, or playing different, complementary parts that don't interfere (like rhythm and picking). Given the stereo guitars I'd probably opt for just a single, centered vocal. That would also give it a little more intimacy (as on the original track).
 
Good advice jm67 thank you. I agree with you. I thought the guitars sounded off.. but didn't know how to fix it. I'll center the vocals and see if it makes it better. With headphones i thought it gave it an interesting sound. I have a lot to learn, thanks for the input !
 
Is the timing being off a playing issue ? Or something else. Ive been reading about latency issues, but haven't figured out how to adjust for it yet !!
 
I like the second one better with the centered vocals. I don't know the original, but are you sure this wouldn't sound better with just one vocal? Unless you want to do one of them a different way and hit some harmonies. Good voice, though.

I like the dog barking in the background at the end. Sometimes you can hear my washing machine going in the background at the end of my songs. The dog works better.
 
I reckon it would sound better with one vocal.

It's kind of a story-telling song, so clarity of vocals is important. In this context double-tracking just serves to make things untidy. Two guitars, wide on each side, with single vocal bang up the centre and up front would make me happy.
 
I agree with Gecko regarding the doubled vocals - is this truly doubletracked or just a second track delayed a bit? (or a plug in to do the same thing)? I think the overall speed is a little fast, so you're having to rush through some of the longer lyric lines. During the do-do-do part is where there should be some vocal harmony, thought I heard it at one point, so maybe you did have two vocal tracks.
The guitar is nice and clear, but the doubling on the vocal detracts from the 'upfront' sound that should accompany it.
 
Yes i do think it would be better with just one vocal. I wanted to do 2 to see if i could do it, and how it turned out. I haven't done it before ! I think the dog bark is kinda neat. He likes to sing !!
 
mjbphotos said:
I agree with Gecko regarding the doubled vocals - is this truly doubletracked or just a second track delayed a bit? (or a plug in to do the same thing)? I think the overall speed is a little fast, so you're having to rush through some of the longer lyric lines. During the do-do-do part is where there should be some vocal harmony, thought I heard it at one point, so maybe you did have two vocal tracks.
The guitar is nice and clear, but the doubling on the vocal detracts from the 'upfront' sound that should accompany it.
Click to expand...
Yes its truly double tracked, and your right, it's too fast. I'm happy that the guitar sounds good ! Thanks for the input. I'll Keep tweaking it !
 
gecko zzed said:
I reckon it would sound better with one vocal.

It's kind of a story-telling song, so clarity of vocals is important. In this context double-tracking just serves to make things untidy. Two guitars, wide on each side, with single vocal bang up the centre and up front would make me happy.
Click to expand...


Thanks gecko I'll make some adjustments and see if i can make it better. Are the 2 guitar tracks distracting or should it be just one track doubled ?
 
cool song. and you managed to get a great acoustic sound on your first try...that's pretty sweet...I am sure having a Martin had nothing to do with it lol. Your second version is definitely better. I agree with everyone else the vocals are a little muddy from double tracking them. I don't think you need any effects on them since your more or less telling a story that needs to be heard. One vocal track, centered, and brought up a little. As far as the guitar, it sounds great of course, but I think what I am hearing is sometimes the left and the right have different strum patterns or jumps off just a little and it stands out on those parts. Regardless, great great job!
 
Thanks Bruthish. I agree with what your saying. I hear the difference in the guitar tracks. I was amazed at how different it was to listen to the first track in my headphones and be playing the second and hearing that too. Honestly it thru me off, and made me a little nervous in spots. I'm not that good of a player to play the same thing, the same way twice !!! I like the tone of this guitar. It's just an acoustic, no electronics, but i loved it when i picked it up. It's called a DSR-GC. A custom build for Guitar Center to sell. Not top of the line , but a nice acoustic. I took the second vocal out, and may try my luck at putting in a few harmonies, or not ! Thanks again !
 
chambie said:
Are the 2 guitar tracks distracting or should it be just one track doubled ?
Click to expand...

I don't mind the slight differences between the two guitar tracks, and they are not distracting. It should definitely not be one track doubled.
 
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