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Robertt8
Well-known member
Yet Another Song Update...
Sorry about posting this stuff here (seeing as how this is a board for microphones), but you guys have actually given me really good advice.
If anyone was interested, i've updated Talkin' Smack yet again
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
Song Name: Talkin_Smack_3.mp3
I've completely re-recorded did away with some compression on certain things and changed the arrangement a bit, but now I think I may need to go back in and compress the guitars so I can turn the whole mix up more.
Let me know what you think...is it better than the 1st and 2nd? it should be smoother, but probably not as "loud".
Thanks!
Sorry about posting this stuff here (seeing as how this is a board for microphones), but you guys have actually given me really good advice.
If anyone was interested, i've updated Talkin' Smack yet again
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
Song Name: Talkin_Smack_3.mp3
I've completely re-recorded did away with some compression on certain things and changed the arrangement a bit, but now I think I may need to go back in and compress the guitars so I can turn the whole mix up more.
Let me know what you think...is it better than the 1st and 2nd? it should be smoother, but probably not as "loud".
Thanks!
C
Christine K
New member
Don't apologize Robert. You are hardly taking up space here. You got a good tune, good ideas, we just hope all our advice is of some help.
I'm so crummy at all the technical stuff you're concerned about. I liked that third mix. And I like this arrangement better as well. I actually enjoyed your vocal style in the first mix the best. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow it seemed a bit more edgy, raw, in that one, and fit the song better. I think it needs that. When your lyrics are those of someone opening his heart to a woman, that emotion needs to be there. I noticed the shakers a lot more this time, sounds good. But can you get the shaker to stop on the same beat when you dampen the guitar? When the guitar stops, it seems you'd want the shaker stopping at the same time. And the little bit of added vocal at the end where you were going "Hey, hey hey" to the other track's "How long, how long has this been goin on?"...that was good, can you do it through the whole ending?
Sorry about the pickiness...I'm not helping much on the technical end am I! My husband is also going to talk to a good friend who's had some CD's marketed. Perhaps he has some advice for you regarding getting your music out there. If I get anything from him, I'll pass it along to you.
Christine
I'm so crummy at all the technical stuff you're concerned about. I liked that third mix. And I like this arrangement better as well. I actually enjoyed your vocal style in the first mix the best. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow it seemed a bit more edgy, raw, in that one, and fit the song better. I think it needs that. When your lyrics are those of someone opening his heart to a woman, that emotion needs to be there. I noticed the shakers a lot more this time, sounds good. But can you get the shaker to stop on the same beat when you dampen the guitar? When the guitar stops, it seems you'd want the shaker stopping at the same time. And the little bit of added vocal at the end where you were going "Hey, hey hey" to the other track's "How long, how long has this been goin on?"...that was good, can you do it through the whole ending?
Sorry about the pickiness...I'm not helping much on the technical end am I! My husband is also going to talk to a good friend who's had some CD's marketed. Perhaps he has some advice for you regarding getting your music out there. If I get anything from him, I'll pass it along to you.
Christine
Robertt8
Well-known member
Hey Thanks Christine K...and Dan DA for that matter!
I've litteraly been writing songs for the last 10+ years or so. I've got a ton of stuff that is probably just as catchy...I've just been focusing on "not so catchy" lately. Any advice from your husband (Christine K) or anyone else for that matter would be greatly appreciated!
I tried not to just "belt" out the song this time, and more "sing" it. Maybe that was a mistake. The nice thing about doing this stuff is you can always do it over and the possibilities are endless.
Thanks people!
I've litteraly been writing songs for the last 10+ years or so. I've got a ton of stuff that is probably just as catchy...I've just been focusing on "not so catchy" lately. Any advice from your husband (Christine K) or anyone else for that matter would be greatly appreciated!
I tried not to just "belt" out the song this time, and more "sing" it. Maybe that was a mistake. The nice thing about doing this stuff is you can always do it over and the possibilities are endless.
Thanks people!
Mark7
Well-known member
I'd like to hear it with bongos (or whatever those little drums you hold between your legs whilst playing them are called) instead of a shaker. I hate to be the party pooper here because it is a good song but, the combination of the grittiness of your voice and the grittiness of the shaker isn't a pleasant one to these ears. Don't get me wrong, I think you have a good voice. Just not with that particular type of percussion. Please don't flame me.
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Dan DA
New member
Robert,
I've been listening to the third mix, and debating whether to offering my opinion. The reason I'm hesitating, is because you are the artist with the vision of how you want your song to be presented. Anything I say will be my view imposed on yours. That is getting into the territory of what a good producer could do for you, which is a very personal choice. You need to work with someone that could help you bring out the best of what you do, and understands the direction you want to take your music in.
You are limited by your equipment and recording conditions. I'm not sure if you are looking to produce a demo, or a finished product to sell. I think you could get a decent sounding demo with your setup, but if you want to produce a CD that you can market you may need to get into a real studio, with a good producer. I think you have a lot a talent.
This is just my opinion. (BTW, I thought your third mix was the best).
I've been listening to the third mix, and debating whether to offering my opinion. The reason I'm hesitating, is because you are the artist with the vision of how you want your song to be presented. Anything I say will be my view imposed on yours. That is getting into the territory of what a good producer could do for you, which is a very personal choice. You need to work with someone that could help you bring out the best of what you do, and understands the direction you want to take your music in.
You are limited by your equipment and recording conditions. I'm not sure if you are looking to produce a demo, or a finished product to sell. I think you could get a decent sounding demo with your setup, but if you want to produce a CD that you can market you may need to get into a real studio, with a good producer. I think you have a lot a talent.
This is just my opinion. (BTW, I thought your third mix was the best).
Robertt8
Well-known member
LAST TIME I PROMISE!
Don't hate me, but I just wanted to give this stupid song ONE LAST tweak and I compressed the guitars a bit and I think have a more complete sound now. Now I've got the very first one I did up there along with the last one I slapped together last night. The only real issue I've got with the new song is (now that I've boosted the guitars) I can hear a bleed through from my headphones with a metronome track on the quite guitar parts...damn! Oh well. I won't subject you guys to little tweaks to this song in the future.
Last time...I promise!
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
SONG: TALKIN' SMACK (1 & 4)
Let me know if you're getting any distortion still...
Dan DA: Definitely offer me an opinion about my stuff if you've got one! That's why I'm here posting my stuff. I'm wondering what other people think. I don't care if you trash it or anything. I just want to get better. Also, I think I'd just be looking to put some stuff on a demo or something, not to sell to the public...unless they wanted a butchered hack job I did myself.
Mark7: I've actually got congas in the song. They're kind of subtle, but you don't dig the shaker huh? I kind of think it's got a place in this song. Now, I do occasionally try and throw it (and other instruments) into songs where it doesn't belong...but I could be wrong. Thanks for the comments.
Don't hate me, but I just wanted to give this stupid song ONE LAST tweak and I compressed the guitars a bit and I think have a more complete sound now. Now I've got the very first one I did up there along with the last one I slapped together last night. The only real issue I've got with the new song is (now that I've boosted the guitars) I can hear a bleed through from my headphones with a metronome track on the quite guitar parts...damn! Oh well. I won't subject you guys to little tweaks to this song in the future.
Last time...I promise!
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
SONG: TALKIN' SMACK (1 & 4)
Let me know if you're getting any distortion still...
Dan DA: Definitely offer me an opinion about my stuff if you've got one! That's why I'm here posting my stuff. I'm wondering what other people think. I don't care if you trash it or anything. I just want to get better. Also, I think I'd just be looking to put some stuff on a demo or something, not to sell to the public...unless they wanted a butchered hack job I did myself.
Mark7: I've actually got congas in the song. They're kind of subtle, but you don't dig the shaker huh? I kind of think it's got a place in this song. Now, I do occasionally try and throw it (and other instruments) into songs where it doesn't belong...but I could be wrong. Thanks for the comments.
C
Christine K
New member
Robert, that is the best mix so far in my opinion. I really, really like the balance between the guitars and your voice in this one. And the vocals seem to be back to what you had in #1, nice and edgy, which I liked. Also I like the rhythm, both the shakers and the congas. And it seems the rhythm was cleaner in this mix as well. Fits in nicely.
I am hearing a VERY SMALL bit of distortion in a few sections. The first point that it comes up seems to be after the first "How long, how long" section wher you get into the quiet "No no no" part, then I can hear it distort a bit there. Seems to be coming from the bass as I hear it on each note right before you get back to the vocals. As soon as you hit "These times are changed, etc" it drops out, or sounds like it's probably covered by the shakers and guitars. This is really a small nit for me to pick here!
Hey, as many times as you want to re-mix and re-post the song, I'll listen to it. I love doing this stuff.
My husband said he'd let a friend listen to the tune and ask what he thinks and if he has any recommendations as to where to go with your stuff. Might take a few weeks, it's a mountain climbing buddy of his, and they don't hook up every weekend. I'll let you know if we get any feedback.
Really nice tune, congratulations. Any time you got others to share or want an opinion (well, less than professional in my case), feel free to ask. I'd be happy to listen!
Christine
I am hearing a VERY SMALL bit of distortion in a few sections. The first point that it comes up seems to be after the first "How long, how long" section wher you get into the quiet "No no no" part, then I can hear it distort a bit there. Seems to be coming from the bass as I hear it on each note right before you get back to the vocals. As soon as you hit "These times are changed, etc" it drops out, or sounds like it's probably covered by the shakers and guitars. This is really a small nit for me to pick here!
Hey, as many times as you want to re-mix and re-post the song, I'll listen to it. I love doing this stuff.
My husband said he'd let a friend listen to the tune and ask what he thinks and if he has any recommendations as to where to go with your stuff. Might take a few weeks, it's a mountain climbing buddy of his, and they don't hook up every weekend. I'll let you know if we get any feedback.
Really nice tune, congratulations. Any time you got others to share or want an opinion (well, less than professional in my case), feel free to ask. I'd be happy to listen!
Christine
Herm
Well-known member
Nice song, Nice recording, everything is just plain Nice.
I just think and excuse me if it there is cause my ears are shot
But I think if you had a smokin Bass guitar splaping away in there
it would fill that hole in the bottom end you think you are hearing.
And what did you use for a recorder?
It sounds like one of the Fostex units.
I just think and excuse me if it there is cause my ears are shot
But I think if you had a smokin Bass guitar splaping away in there
it would fill that hole in the bottom end you think you are hearing.
And what did you use for a recorder?
It sounds like one of the Fostex units.
D
Dan DA
New member
Robert,
This latest mix sounds fine for a demo. I would suggest you keep you demos clean and simple, with emphasis on the vocal and basic feel of the song. Most producers prefer to hear listen to a demo that allows them to imagine what they would do with the song.
I have opinions from a production standpoint that might help reinforce the feel of the song, but I don't think I should get into that if you're getting a demo together. It's not needed and would distract you from your mission, which I hope is getting your songs in front of a producer.
This latest mix sounds fine for a demo. I would suggest you keep you demos clean and simple, with emphasis on the vocal and basic feel of the song. Most producers prefer to hear listen to a demo that allows them to imagine what they would do with the song.
I have opinions from a production standpoint that might help reinforce the feel of the song, but I don't think I should get into that if you're getting a demo together. It's not needed and would distract you from your mission, which I hope is getting your songs in front of a producer.
Robertt8
Well-known member
Hey guys! Thanks for the feedback as usual... I've got a couple responses below, but I figured I'd go ahead and give you my email if you felt like contacting me directly...robert@birdsallinteractive.com
Dan DA:Thanks...I think I'll stop screwing with this song and work on a couple more, or pull out something I've previously done to see if I can get it in front of a producer. I'm still not exactly sure how I go about that, but I'll check into it. If you have any other tips or advice...or even know anyone, I've be more than happy to hear about it!
Herm: Thanks for the complements! The reason I don't have a smoking bass going on is I don't really play bass. I'm a guitar and vocal man. I can fake the bass a bit, but I end up playing it more like a guitar. I could come up with something if I sat down with it a bit...I'm actually recording this into a Roland VS-880EX. I'm not really using it to it's full potential. I'm (sadly) taking each track (once recorded on the Roland), one at a time and recording from there onto my mac and then splicing them together on the computer using a primitive sound program called SoundEdit which they haven't updated in the past 6 years or so. Sad but true.
Christine: Thanks again for the help and encouragement! I'd love any help you feel like giving. I'd love to get this song, and some others in front of a producer, but I'm a little in the dark as to how to go about that. Oh, and I did notice the distortion you're talking about. I guess that could be a bit distracting. Maybe I'll screw it and just stick to the first mix.
Thanks again for all the help!
Dan DA:Thanks...I think I'll stop screwing with this song and work on a couple more, or pull out something I've previously done to see if I can get it in front of a producer. I'm still not exactly sure how I go about that, but I'll check into it. If you have any other tips or advice...or even know anyone, I've be more than happy to hear about it!
Herm: Thanks for the complements! The reason I don't have a smoking bass going on is I don't really play bass. I'm a guitar and vocal man. I can fake the bass a bit, but I end up playing it more like a guitar. I could come up with something if I sat down with it a bit...I'm actually recording this into a Roland VS-880EX. I'm not really using it to it's full potential. I'm (sadly) taking each track (once recorded on the Roland), one at a time and recording from there onto my mac and then splicing them together on the computer using a primitive sound program called SoundEdit which they haven't updated in the past 6 years or so. Sad but true.
Christine: Thanks again for the help and encouragement! I'd love any help you feel like giving. I'd love to get this song, and some others in front of a producer, but I'm a little in the dark as to how to go about that. Oh, and I did notice the distortion you're talking about. I guess that could be a bit distracting. Maybe I'll screw it and just stick to the first mix.
Thanks again for all the help!
D
Dan DA
New member
Robert,
You could start by looking at the records that you like the sound of and see who produced them. Become familiar with who is doing what. Sometimes you can contact them through the labels that use them. Most aren't under contract to a particular label, but might like using a particular studio. You might be able to contact them through the studio. Labels have (or at least used to have) A&R (artist and repertoire) people, who work with artists and producers and more importantly, finding songs that are appropriate for the artists.
It certainly helps if you know someone, but if you don't, you could try a cold submission to the labels you admire. They may sit in a pile for awhile, but they usually listen to everything eventually. They need to find new talent to make their money. Call the company and ask who to send a demo to.
You could try and get an agent to represent you. A good agent will have the connections to get your songs heard by the right people.
Talk to some of your local musicians that are working with producers and labels. Find out who has a good repuation, and who is just blowing smoke.
It's been 20 years since I was a working professional musician, and I suppose some things have changed, but the basics of letting people know what you do have got to be the same.
(By the way, the same priciples work in the visual arts, which is my current field. There are many similarities between the two industries.)
With your permission, I was thinking of forwarding your last mix to an old friend I played with years ago. His own music is guitar instrumental, and he is on Guitar Nine records, but he runs Michael MacDonald's studio in Nashville. He used to play lead guitar for Savoy Brown. (I guess that dates me!) I have no idea if he would want to get involved, but it's worth a shot.
You could start by looking at the records that you like the sound of and see who produced them. Become familiar with who is doing what. Sometimes you can contact them through the labels that use them. Most aren't under contract to a particular label, but might like using a particular studio. You might be able to contact them through the studio. Labels have (or at least used to have) A&R (artist and repertoire) people, who work with artists and producers and more importantly, finding songs that are appropriate for the artists.
It certainly helps if you know someone, but if you don't, you could try a cold submission to the labels you admire. They may sit in a pile for awhile, but they usually listen to everything eventually. They need to find new talent to make their money. Call the company and ask who to send a demo to.
You could try and get an agent to represent you. A good agent will have the connections to get your songs heard by the right people.
Talk to some of your local musicians that are working with producers and labels. Find out who has a good repuation, and who is just blowing smoke.
It's been 20 years since I was a working professional musician, and I suppose some things have changed, but the basics of letting people know what you do have got to be the same.
(By the way, the same priciples work in the visual arts, which is my current field. There are many similarities between the two industries.)
With your permission, I was thinking of forwarding your last mix to an old friend I played with years ago. His own music is guitar instrumental, and he is on Guitar Nine records, but he runs Michael MacDonald's studio in Nashville. He used to play lead guitar for Savoy Brown. (I guess that dates me!) I have no idea if he would want to get involved, but it's worth a shot.
Robertt8
Well-known member
Dan DA: Thanks! I'll give those ideas a shot, and by all means...send the song along! Anything's worth a shot and I've really got nothing to loose anyway. I've been sitting on a bunch of music that people have been telling me to send off to record companies for years, but I've just never gotten my stuff together. By the way, I'm a graphic designer (live in San Francisco, and work in oakland), so I'm in the visual arts field myself. Thanks for the help!
Robertt8
Well-known member
okay...christine k...this remix is for you...and who ever else is interested...
I think I might have finally done this song so it's not distorted (I hope!). I'm done screwing with it besides maybe a tweak here or there. As always, feedback is appreciated!
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
Song Title: Talkin_Smack_version_6.mp3
I think I might have finally done this song so it's not distorted (I hope!). I'm done screwing with it besides maybe a tweak here or there. As always, feedback is appreciated!
http://bob.birdsallinteractive.com/
Song Title: Talkin_Smack_version_6.mp3
C
Christine K
New member
Robert, I really like that version. Your vocals seem to get better every time you re-mix it. And certainly no bass lacking in that one, I wish I had really good monitors! I'm going to put it on a CD and play it through the home stereo system, I bet it's a killer through that! You have the perfect voice for that song. My husband is going to email his friend and ask him to download it and give a listen as well, see if he has any suggestions for you. I'll let you know. But I would poke around, maybe even on the web and see if you can find someone in the music industry that would take a listen. DA's suggestion to maybe find a local band and see what you recommend is probably the best route. Surely there's gotta be someone in the Bay area who would be interested in your stuff.
CK
CK
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