Suggestions, Opinions, Thoughts?

[phriq]

Hey Everyone,

I just recently recorded (in a hotel room) a song for a guy that I often do shows with called 'Fighting at a College Level'. I was just wondering if you could critique the recording for me.

It can be heard at his MySpace found here:

http://www.myspace.com/fightingatacollegelevel

The song is called "She Taught Sinatra How to Swing"

The song should be the song that plays first by default.

I recorded everything separately. I actually don't have an audio interface and only have one mic (Shure Beta 57A). When I recorded the guitar, I had 3/4 the volume come though the Beta 57A and then about 1/4 come DI. These ran into my Berhinger mixer and then DI into my laptop running Cool Edit Pro. We then recorded the vocals, claps, and shaker all with the Beta 57A.

I know this is FAR from an ideal setup, lol, but any criticism on the recording would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks a lot!

-Chris

 

[jimmi]

Counting Crows vibe to the song. It sounds very much like a demo - which is what it is. You could have gone for tighter takes on the vocals and guitar. The doubled vocal is a little too pronounced. The main thing I think, after listening to the other songs on his page, is that the performance could definately be tighter on this one. You can hear it's not an "ideal" setup but the song still comes through.

 

[phriq]

Thanks very much for the input... Any suggestions on techniques that I could use to improve upon it. I wish we could have devoted MUCH more time to the project, but we only had about 4 hours actually.

 

[ido1957]

The double vocals could use a redo, they are a bit out of sync. The idea of doubling is good though as it does build up the overall song very well. I'm getting some crackling noise in the background - especially noiticeable at the beginning and end.

Considering the mic you're using the mix sounds pretty good to me. I think the levels and stereo spread is well done. Nice mellow acoustic type song.

 

[WhiteStrat]

The song is the highlight of this song. Sounds dumb I know, but by that I mean the recording isn't as good as the song. That's not a slam--I think it's a great song, and so it deserves a great recording. I think you did real well considering what you had to work with. The feeling comes across well. Any plans to get in a studio (or something other than a hotel room ) and track this again? I'd love to hear it again if you do.

 

[phriq]

The song is the highlight of this song. Sounds dumb I know, but by that I mean the recording isn't as good as the song. That's not a slam--I think it's a great song, and so it deserves a great recording. I think you did real well considering what you had to work with. The feeling comes across well. Any plans to get in a studio (or something other than a hotel room ) and track this again? I'd love to hear it again if you do.

This was actually not my song, but a guy I play a lot of shows with. Thanks for all the input though! I really appreciate it. As for the crackling and doubling. We actually were trying to get a campfire feel to the song. We were just playing with campfire sound effects at the beginning and end and like just playing with sound in general to see what we can get. Also, the doubling of the vocals at the was actually both of us singing. we each sang it 2 times. We were going for the feel of getting a crowd singing (since we never had a crowd around a campfire in our hotel room )

I am sure he'll get to a studio to do a better recording of this song. I am planning on getting some better equiptment (interface and mics) soon to hopefully be able to do better recordings. Thanks for all the input! Anything more would be appreciated! you guys are great

 

[ido1957]

We were going for the feel of getting a crowd singing (since we never had a crowd around a campfire in our hotel room )

Yeah I thought so, but I prefer the choir-type vocals more than the hockey arena-type vocals.