"The Right Thing" - Alternative Rock Song Under Construction

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jonlint

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Hi all,

I am writing a new song and before I go further, I would appreciate feedback on the song and mix:

https://soundcloud.com/jonathan-linton-3/the-right-thing-20140713

JONATHAN LINTON – THE RIGHT THING
(Words by Jonathan Linton, Music by Jonathan Linton)
Circumstance is so unkind
The wrong place at the right time
You know it all, you're intertwined
A moral decision consumes your mind
Those that know, got you in their sight
No escape from the helpless plight
Angel on the left shoulder, devil on right
Damned if you're wrong, damned if you're right[/SIZE]

Good deeds didn't prepare you for this
Innocence gone, give it one last kiss
The righteous path won't pull you though
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
The dark side it sucks you in
Innocence last, the ultimate sin
The path of light won't pull you though
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do

2nd Verse pending

Good deeds didn't prepare you for this
Innocence gone, give it one last kiss
The righteous path won't pull you though
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
The dark side it sucks you in
Innocence last, the ultimate sin
The path of light won't pull you though
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do

Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
Sometimes the right thing's the wrong thing to do
Urrrghhh!
 
I think there are some competing frequencies in the low end, the guitar, the bass and kick could be separated better maybe? The melody during the verse doesn't sound optimal for your range but that's up to you. I like the walking bass part, that pushes the tune nicely. The reverb on the guitars and vocals are very different so things are coming from different places spatially, I prefer things to be more cohesive when using reverb, but that's a taste thing. Cool tune. Nice job.
 
I agree with PDP re: your singing range. The great thing about originals is, you can create songs in your singing range, and this one sounds about a whole step above yours. Also, try recording a double of the lead vox, and playback at 1/3 the volume of the original for thickness. Re: guitars - A loose rule of thumb is - Slight or no reverb on Rhythm Guitars, delay on leads,
And, I like midi drum programmers who try to attach a human feel to it (attackt/velocity changes, ghost notes, etc),
Good song, worthy of a better mix.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback - very helpful. I am relatively new to mixing and mastering, so I am still feeling my way. I checked back on the guitars and found out there was some delay in the tone and I found the tone could be more "biting" and up front. I will retrack the rhythm guitars. Do you agree?

I recorded the vocals in more or less one take reading the lyrics off a notepad. I have found that this leads to not focusing making the lyrics as powerful so I will memorize the lyrics and retrack them in multiple takes to get them more powerful. This is probably one reason why the vocals in the verse do not sound good. I will retrack and see.

Regarding the vocals, I would like to make them less dry - I will try doubling at 1/3 volume, especially the verse - never tried that before. I also set up a reverb and delay buss but could not find a good mix with them. Do you have a any advice on adding reverb and delay that will not muddy the mix of make the vocals sound too distant or "in a corridor"? I am really struggling here - all advice most welcome.

Regarding the intro, I am going to shorten it and add a Coda after the first chorus - the punch line "Some times the right things the wrong thing to do" needs more reinforcement so that by the second chorus people are singing alot with it and get it as the hook.
 
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Took a listen, I think taking another crack at those vocals and getting to "feel" right would be my first comment. That aren't bad, but it is obvious you are comfortable with the song yet. Its new, so just spend a little more time to get them to add to the song.

Before too much messing with the vocals, I would go back and take another run at the basic mix. As PDP and CrazyLuke, there is some fighting going on in various parts and could use another go at it. It all just pushes to the middle and lays flat.

It is all good stuff, just needs some fine tuning and a more solid vocal track. Check your left and right and give everything some room, you will probably need to adjust levels once you get some frequencies worked out, so don't be surprised.

Also a hint, before you do volume wars with the faders, work with the EQ. My early mistake when I started mixing was, when I wanted to hear something, I pushed up the fader, next thing you know, everything is clipping and it was still a mess. If you can't hear something, check the EQ, then fader. Not a rule, just a guide. I was surprised how much an EQ can make a difference.

Hope this helps.
 
jonlint said:
Hi all,



Regarding the vocals, I would like to make them less dry - I will try doubling at 1/3 volume, especially the verse - never tried that before. I also set up a reverb and delay buss but could not find a good mix with them. Do you have a any advice on adding reverb and delay that will not muddy the mix of make the vocals sound too distant or "in a corridor"? I am really struggling here - all advice most welcome.

.
Click to expand...

Try a longer pre-delay, (on the reverb) so the reverb doesn't come on until the original vocal has passed. This way they aren't fighting each other. Worth a try.

I'm sure the vocals will sound better when your not reading the lyrics, that should definitely help.

Like DM60 is saying I'd sort out the low mids using your High pass filters and Eqs. Good luck !
 
A couple of things beyond what has been said already.

The guitars and vocal sound like they're in different spots. The guitars have a moderate amount of reverb and the vocal is very dry. It sounded odd.

The drum samples/programming are a bit weak and fake sounding.

Distorted guitars sound decent. I'd back off the reverb a bit.
 
PDP said:
Try a longer pre-delay, (on the reverb) so the reverb doesn't come on until the original vocal has passed. This way they aren't fighting each other. Worth a try.

I'm sure the vocals will sound better when your not reading the lyrics, that should definitely help.

Like DM60 is saying I'd sort out the low mids using your High pass filters and Eqs. Good luck !
Click to expand...

Hi PDP, please give me feedback on the new remix - tried to apply your advice.

Jonathan
 
The vocal reverb sounds tubby to me, I'd try cutting the low end on the reverb a bit (roll off some 100-200hz from the reverb itself) maybe cut the amount down a little. Everything else sounds good.
 
I like the song and the arrangement, esp. the bass part. I think the second version does have too much reverb on the vocals now. Doesn't seem to suit the style of the music. You have a great-sounding voice, and in my opinion this song would be better served by more growling and creepiness and a little less "singing" if you know what I mean.
 
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