Room No 52

  • Thread starter Thread starter sikter
  • Start date Start date
sikter

sikter

New member
I just have to be sure that I’m going in right direction.
This song was posted here before and there was complains about too much reverb on vocals, poor samples on strings and piano and many other things (which I agreed). I did not fix everything. I’ll do it step by step. I retracked some of strings parts, decreased reverb on vocals, cut out whole verse at the end and decreased a volume level of mix. I would like to thank hambuker, rayc, Timothy Lawler and DavidK for their constructive criticism.
I haven’t done drum track yet and helping track which I use is really boring.

You can listen Room No 52 here:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=510525

thanks
 
I like the idea, and the musical elements are pretty good, but production wise, to be honest, I think it needs alot of work.

The pad sound in the beginning sounds like a cheap synth played on a keyboard, not like strings, or an airy bed of sound. I'd try some more legato stuff, overlapping notes, and a different sound.

The piano has a really cheesy reverb on it. The predelay is much too pronounced, you actually hear the verb kicking in, like a slapback echo. I'm not too amazed at the piano sound itself either. The playing could be a bit tighter aswell.

The strings that come in after that are legato strings (they have a small crescendo at the beginning), but they are played as a staccato (spicato) part. This produces a very distinct "fade-in" on every note, which has amateurism written all over it. If you can, find a patch that is made for staccato playing, or maybe even pizzicato.

The legato strings that come in a bit later, when the drums have entered, sounds decent, arrangement wise, but the sound could be better aswell. It all sound it bit too "keyboardish" to me.

To be honest, I think it could be a really good production, all you need is better sounds. I know that's easier said than done, especially if you don't have anything else, but perhaps borrow some stuff from someone else? The snare sounds exactly the same every hit, the strings I've already mentioned, the vocal reverb sounds cheap. Add some highs to the backing vox, you can't make them out. The bass could be timed a little bit better. Turn it down in the mix a bit aswell.
 
Thank you! I really appreciate your detailed comments.
You did not mention my guitars. Please put some remarks there too.

Anyway I agree with you about all your points.
I wrote music and lyrics myself and did everything by myself on this one (beside vocals). I don't really play keyboards and this was my best shot.
I don't intend to play it on finale version of the song.

Any comments from the others?
 
I listened again. I really like the writing, it has that haunted europe sound that I find so much there on the radio.

The production? It could use a few tweaks sure, but it sounds like you are working well with the equipment you do have. I love the slavic language, its completely different then anything I am accustomed to. I do a lot of opera in Italian, french or german but I have never done a slavic one. The closest I have played was a russian opera.

Good luck with this, its a really beautiful song. I hope more people listen.
 
As a demo for arrangements and a guide to what you want to record properly it's just fine.
I look forward to hearing a version with good samples & some one with a real sample keyboard affinity.
The piece is very European - has hints of the pre Midge Ure Ultravox in the dynamics & drama. Now that might seem like a slap in the face but the Jonn Foxx U/Vox were really good & they had no real options with their synth samples. Hiroshima Mon Amour would be a good reference point - though you've developed more scope in your piece.
It sounds like it will be good when finally done.
The guitar parts fit well, though I'm not all that fussed on the tone.
Halion's done a very comprehensive run down of areas to address & you subsequent comments make it clear thsi piece will be renovated.
Just keep some of the starekness, I makes it European & is a counterbalance to the lushness that the strings samples will bring when polished up.
Cheers
rayC
 
Thank you guys. I really appreciate your support. It gives me a lot of confidence.
Rayc was right about me making arrangement for demo and trying to figure out how to assembly my song. Halion made it clear about production and I’ll follow his directions on finale version. DavidK was guilty about me beginning to use “strings” and combine them with my guitars. I was inspired by his work and it changed my way of musical approach.
I don’t know when but I’ll retrack this project, make drums too and redo backing vocals.
My keyboard player will play piano and strings and I’ll use better recording equipment.
See you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top