Somewhere.....

[Mr Clean]

Hi folks.

This is my first recording of the year after a seriously crappy start. A family bereavement marred all my plans but I'm getting back on track now. Last week I had a friend round to record a few tunes and this is the first (almost) completed one.

I've not recorded many people in my time so it was nice to just push buttons, make suggestions and help get the best (in my opinion) out of my friend. The song is called Somewhere. Thoughts and opinions welcomed.





For some reason the player above wont work but the link will on SoundCloud.

 

[DM60]

Here is my two cents.

Vocals before 1 minute are a little low, I think you want them back behind the guitar, but they could be increased a bit more.
Guitar at 2:30 you may want to revisit. Not a smooth cut in. Couldn't say why, but I am sure you can bring it in smoother.
Maybe start the fade at around 3:20 as the rest of the song adds very little. That would cut your time and not hurt the song.

Quality is great, voice is great, really good tune you've turned in here. Hope this is constructive.

 

[Mr Clean]

Cheers David. All things noted

And edited in the file above.

 

[PoeticIntensity]

Yeah, dude... Sounds really good. Levels are a little low, and you could probably get away with pushing the master a bit more. Might be just me, but the vocals seem panned to the left a bit. Not bad, just would expect a bit more centered.

Something I'm hearing in the guitar may or may not help, but it seems that there's a slight bump in the 3-400HZ region that, if scooped, might make the guitar sound a bit smoother. I'd try that to see if ya like it. I'd say no more than 2db.

Good recording, man! Thanks for sharing.

 

[TripleM]

It's gone.

 

[Mr Clean]

Yeah, dude... Sounds really good. Levels are a little low, and you could probably get away with pushing the master a bit more. Might be just me, but the vocals seem panned to the left a bit. Not bad, just would expect a bit more centered.

Something I'm hearing in the guitar may or may not help, but it seems that there's a slight bump in the 3-400HZ region that, if scooped, might make the guitar sound a bit smoother. I'd try that to see if ya like it. I'd say no more than 2db.

Good recording, man! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks mate. I'll have a look at that bump you mention and see what it sounds like.

It's gone.

It's not, it's there but for some reason it won't play in the page embedded. Just says unavailable. I can't work out why. If you click the link underneath it plays. Very strange.

 

[Btyre2013]

I think the loudness is fine personally, it sounds natural and dynamic and that suits the style and mood of the track. The only thing I would change is the verse vocals by panning them in the centre, then automate them so you have vocal A and B panned left and right for the choruses to give it that wide sound. Don't do too much to it though as it sounds good, just minor tweaks are needed, it could easily be ruined by over worrying about loudness.

 

[Mr Clean]

I think the loudness is fine personally, it sounds natural and dynamic and that suits the style and mood of the track. The only thing I would change is the verse vocals by panning them in the centre, then automate them so you have vocal A and B panned left and right for the choruses to give it that wide sound. Don't do too much to it though as it sounds good, just minor tweaks are needed, it could easily be ruined by over worrying about loudness.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. I have done just that and put the main vocal up the centre. I don't know why I had it panned to be honest although this is the first time I've mixed a song using my mixer with the screens off and gone completely by ear.

I'm not bother about overall volume. It sounds loud enough to me.

 

[TripleM]

It's not, it's there but for some reason it won't play in the page embedded. Just says unavailable. I can't work out why. If you click the link underneath it plays. Very strange.

OK I'll give it a listen tomorrow.

 

[TripleM]

I'm hearing a bit of boxiness in both the guitar and vocal. More so in the vocal.

I'm hearing a few "guitar playing artifacts." Bumping the guitar body, string squeaks, etc. Heard something that sounded like a pop at :56. But it could be one of those artifacts.

The balance of everything is great. The reverb is very nice.

Not sure if I like the electric lead or not. Not sure it fits.

 

[Mr Clean]

I'm hearing a bit of boxiness in both the guitar and vocal. More so in the vocal.

I'm hearing a few "guitar playing artifacts." Bumping the guitar body, string squeaks, etc. Heard something that sounded like a pop at :56. But it could be one of those artifacts.

The balance of everything is great. The reverb is very nice.

Not sure if I like the electric lead or not. Not sure it fits.

There is loads of guitar noise, chair squeaks, springy sounds from the guitar when he changed chords. i could've tidied all that up but he liked it and want it to sound 'more real' than polished. If you know what I mean. But I know what you mean. It's all in there on purpose.

I don't personally like the guitar solo all that much but it's what he played and wanted. jazzy, boxxy sounding solo that's kind of out of place. Each to their own I suppose. I would've gone for something slightly more melodic personally.

Thanks for the feedback. Everything you describe is exactly what he wanted

 

[robgreen]

It's not, it's there but for some reason it won't play in the page embedded. Just says unavailable. I can't work out why. If you click the link underneath it plays. Very strange.

It's because it's a 'Private' sound Mr C - you can link it, but not embed it with the widget thing.

Can't play it at the moment, but will give it a listen when I'm at home.

 

[Mr Clean]

It's because it's a 'Private' sound Mr C - you can link it, but not embed it with the widget thing.

Can't play it at the moment, but will give it a listen when I'm at home.

Ah, I see. Thank's for that Rob

 

[heatmiser]

I really like your vocal performance and the way you captured that on this track. There's great clarity, plus depth and a little grit...wait, maybe that's just that you're a smoker? Anyway, the reverb used is really nice as well. A fine recording to my ears.

Like trip, I was not so down with the solo...it just seemed slightly out of place for some reason. Not bad, just a little odd and I'm not sure why. Nice work Mr.!

 

[Mr Clean]

I really like your vocal performance and the way you captured that on this track. There's great clarity, plus depth and a little grit...wait, maybe that's just that you're a smoker? Anyway, the reverb used is really nice as well. A fine recording to my ears.

Like trip, I was not so down with the solo...it just seemed slightly out of place for some reason. Not bad, just a little odd and I'm not sure why. Nice work Mr.!

Thanks heat. It's not me singing or playing though, it's my best mate Lee. I just pushed the buttons on this one, gave a bit of advice on the arrangement and helped him get the best performance. I did do the finger clicks though And he's not a smoker.

The reverb is all Sonitus Reverb Plugin from Sonar 6. The only one I ever really use. On a bus and used for each instance. Works well to my ear.

And yeah, I'm not a big fan of the solo. I'd prefer a more melodic piece but he wanted this boxxy, jazzy, slightly out of place/tune thing in there. I couldn't sway him on that. It does, however, grow on you after a few listens.

Cheers for listening

 

[heatmiser]

Oh geez. I'm sorry Mr. Clean. I've listened to a bunch of your stuff and should've known that .

Well, at least I don't have to feel bad about offending you about the solo .

Given what your role was, I'd say you did great. No complaints.

 

[Mr Clean]

Thanks mate

 

[Greg_L]

I think it's pretty good for a simple guitar + vocal. The guitar is a little boxy like it's a cheap guitar or has dead strings. That's not so bad for the style, but that's what it sounds like to me. A little better low end and highs on the acoustic would be okay with me. The "solo" needs to go away IMO. Pointless and out of place. After the solo the vocals seem to head to the left, which is odd. It also seems the vocal reverb and the guitar don't match. Too much vocal reverb IMO. Make them in the same space.

 

[queepy]

1st thing I noticed is what greg mentioned...guitar sounded very present up front while vocals sounded distant/reverb....cool song, liked the carefree vibe of it...sung and played very well.

 

[rayc]

I'm not fussed on the solo. Either dry it or dump it is what I'd suggest. the chords and emlody are very nice but the lyrics made me cringe. they might work for Morrissey if Johnny Marr was chiming along but to me they sound naff.