There's A Ghost (In My House)

[Mr Clean]

It's been a bit quiet in the clin'c these last few days.....

This is my latest re-working/recording of another old song from around 2005/6. There wasn't really a ghost in my house, just some old creaky floorboards. This whole song came from an idea after listening to R.Dean.Taylors -There's A Ghost In My House and googling the word Ghost to find other words to use akin to that. The song/dirge wrote itself in 5 minutes.

I'm not finished with it yet and this is a very ROUGH MIX. I don't know if I like the Organ yet, I think I need to make it sound creepier.. I basically just recorded a load of ideas and through them at it. More work needed. Just thought I'd share what I have so far and get some opinions.

Anyway.....thoughts, opinions, whatever, welcomed!

Third Better Mix 22nd May - New Drums/Organ/Vocals


LYRICS

There's a ghost in my house and it's freaking me out
I see shadows in the corner of my mind
This ethereal being that keeps visiting me
Is sneaking around all the time
I can't explain the forlorning and pain
Of this hopeless apparition in my room
Oh my my, I hear the gloom

There's a ghost in my house and it's in and it's out
Of every floor and door and wall and window pane
This spirit in here always keeping me near
Is whispering words in spooky ways
Creeks in the stairs when there's nobody there
Footsteps pacing all around my room
Oh my my, I fear the gloom

There's a ghost in my house if you don't know by now
I guess it will always be this way
Ornaments move and the picture of you
Changing places every single day
This is surreal but how do you deal
With a haunting that you just don't understand
Oh my my, it's out of hand

There's a ghost in my house
There's a ghost in my house
There's a ghost in my house

 

[Btyre2013]

I'd say the drums lack punch, especially the snare, and yes the organ could be creepier, maybe also add some distortion/saturation to it, it's a bit clean, if you want creepy then try weird reverb with modulation on it like flanger can sound mental. I'd work on the drum mix a bit more and bass guitar and try and get them to sit together better before adding the other tracks, the main problems in the mix seem to be in the bass end. The song reminded me of alice cooper which is cool, but a less heavy version

 

[TripleM]

I thought the vocal was real good. Too much reverb for me, but the vocal tone was excellent.

I didn't care for the drum sounds either.

The bass sounds a bit sterile. To a lesser extent, so do the keyboards.

I like the song too.

 

[Crazy Luke]

There's no syncopation elements here - everything is on 1 2 3 and 4. Makes the song just plop plop plop plop. but I love the "60's" organ

 

[Mr Clean]

I'd say the drums lack punch, especially the snare, and yes the organ could be creepier, maybe also add some distortion/saturation to it, it's a bit clean, if you want creepy then try weird reverb with modulation on it like flanger can sound mental. I'd work on the drum mix a bit more and bass guitar and try and get them to sit together better before adding the other tracks, the main problems in the mix seem to be in the bass end. The song reminded me of alice cooper which is cool, but a less heavy version

Cheers Btyre. I'll definitely be doing more with the drums, also the bass. I only spent about 10 inutes on the drums so far, just to get a beat to play along to. I'll have a look at distorion and flanger on the organ, good idea. At the minute it sounds a bit too "Mario Bros".

I thought the vocal was real good. Too much reverb for me, but the vocal tone was excellent.

I didn't care for the drum sounds either.

The bass sounds a bit sterile. To a lesser extent, so do the keyboards.

I like the song too.

Cheers Trip. The vocals are about the only thing I'm 99% happy with at the minute. I think it needs a heavier sounding kit for the drums. I'll have a play around with them today. The bass track is scratch, definitely being amped and re-done.

I need to get my piano moved in here, tuned and mic'd up. Next goal I think. Get away from Keyboard sounds.

There's no syncopation elements here - everything is on 1 2 3 and 4. Makes the song just plop plop plop plop. but I love the "60's" organ

Cheers Luke. The lack of syncopation is intentional on the instruments. Although the drums will change from what they are now.

 

[Greg_L]

It's very Casio-like. Too light and poppy. It definitely needs some creeping up. I like the song though. What the organ needs is some Leslie-effect. A rotating warbly speaker.

I'd suggest using a detuned broken piano effect for the chords that bang throughout, rotating speaker for the organ, lose the trash can lid cymbal crashes. Maybe add some theramin and creepy strings. Program in like a marching drum snare pattern during the choruses. That's how I hear it in my head. Creep it up.

 

[DM60]

Try a pipe organ, big haunting sound. Yea drums sounds like you have them there for just setting the feel.

I think Graig is right, nice little detuned piano (before you tune your piano, try recording for this song)

I think your reverb is not enough. Vocals are not creepy enough. Should be more haunting. Push them back and maybe sing in a whisper (like your scared).

Cool stuff as usual.

 

[Mr Clean]

It's very Casio-like. Too light and poppy. It definitely needs some creeping up. I like the song though. What the organ needs is some Leslie-effect. A rotating warbly speaker.

I'd suggest using a detuned broken piano effect for the chords that bang throughout, rotating speaker for the organ, lose the trash can lid cymbal crashes. Maybe add some theramin and creepy strings. Program in like a marching drum snare pattern during the choruses. That's how I hear it in my head. Creep it up.

Cheers Greg. Some good ideas. Before I read this I already put a chorus effect on the piano to try and un-casio it. You'll probably hate what I've done with the drums in the link below. I've tried, in my own crass way, to copy what my old drummer used to play when we played it live. I used a Tremolo, Flange and Chorus on the new Organ - Never thought but I actually have a Leslie Rotary in my real Organ. Some re-tracking to be done there. Not given a thought for strings but now you mention it, I can hear some creepy cello in there. Food for thought. Cheers.

Just got myself a free Theremin VSTi - I'll have a play with that later as well.

Try a pipe organ, big haunting sound. Yea drums sounds like you have them there for just setting the feel.

I think Graig is right, nice little detuned piano (before you tune your piano, try recording for this song)

I think your reverb is not enough. Vocals are not creepy enough. Should be more haunting. Push them back and maybe sing in a whisper (like your scared).

Cool stuff as usual.

Cheers Dave. Yeah the drums were just keeping a beat for tracking really. It was only a 10 minute program but in the vein that I wanted. It's hard not being a drummer or having drums - lol

Good ideas for the vocals mate. Made me think of something to try out when I get back to it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Here's a new mix with new drums. I've basically just copied the way my old band drummer used to play the song, random rolls, building up as it goes along. (Ever tried playing drum rolls on a keyboard - Not easy! lol) It worked for a live band of Drums, Bass, Guitar x 2 and Vocal but not sure if it works here. See what you think.

I also used a different kit in EZDrummer. Tidied up the bottom end. Freaked out the organ a touch with some Flange, Chorus and Tremolo.

The original is still up for comparison.

 

[Btyre2013]

the new mix is definitely better!

 

[Schwarzenyaeger]

I love your voice! wow

Didn't care for the drums. Thought that some of breaks sounded a bit "confused" too, also a bit like a heavy metal breakdown at some points.

 

[rayc]

Mix 2 I'm pretty sure ethereal is pronounced eth ear ee Al (as in Alan) but I'm probably wrong.
Cool melody, vocals and arrangement.
The drums sound dropped in at the moment - they don't fit/blend - probably level.The kit needs to sound a bit "darker".
The organ in the solo reminds me of Procol Harum - churchy but needs something to make it catherdral like - possible reverb or delay.
Terrific vocal.
I enjoyed it.

 

[Tadpui]

(listening to 16May version)

Great vocal, I like your voice quite a bit. The mix sounds good to me all in all, and I kinda like the broken drum line in the verses. That kick sounds really familiar...would that possibly be EZD Pop/Rock kit?

Good payoff at the end when it all comes together. Actually reminds me a little of Islands, one of my very favorite bands. So I have a built-in fondness for the chord progression, instrumentation, and vocals.

I think that the left-ish cymbal could come down a little bit, or be mixed up a little with another cymbal or two that are panned elsewhere...towards the end it got a little tiring hearing that one getting hammered on the left side.

I liked the organ sound (didn't listen to version 1) so whatever you've done to it, it sounds like it fits the song pretty well. I guess it could be a little dirtier, but I liked what I heard on version 2.

 

[Mr Clean]

the new mix is definitely better!

Cheers Btyre - It's getting there.

I love your voice! wow

Didn't care for the drums. Thought that some of breaks sounded a bit "confused" too, also a bit like a heavy metal breakdown at some points.

Cheers Schwarz. I can understand how the drums can be an acquired taste for the song. I'm not finished with them yet though. More tweaking and automation to do.

Mix 2 I'm pretty sure ethereal is pronounced eth ear ee Al (as in Alan) but I'm probably wrong.
Cool melody, vocals and arrangement.
The drums sound dropped in at the moment - they don't fit/blend - probably level.The kit needs to sound a bit "darker".
The organ in the solo reminds me of Procol Harum - churchy but needs something to make it catherdral like - possible reverb or delay.
Terrific vocal.
I enjoyed it.

Cheers Ray. You are absolutely correct with the pronunciation of Ethereal - It just didn't sing right so I changed it. Also, Forlorning is not really a word but I made it one. If it works for a song, it's down to the artist, right?

Yeah I still need to do a bit of work to the drums. There a couple of spots that need to change and the levels overall need automating.

Thanks for the compliments and I'm glad you enjoyed it, so far.

(listening to 16May version)

Great vocal, I like your voice quite a bit. The mix sounds good to me all in all, and I kinda like the broken drum line in the verses. That kick sounds really familiar...would that possibly be EZD Pop/Rock kit?

Good payoff at the end when it all comes together. Actually reminds me a little of Islands, one of my very favorite bands. So I have a built-in fondness for the chord progression, instrumentation, and vocals.

I think that the left-ish cymbal could come down a little bit, or be mixed up a little with another cymbal or two that are panned elsewhere...towards the end it got a little tiring hearing that one getting hammered on the left side.

I liked the organ sound (didn't listen to version 1) so whatever you've done to it, it sounds like it fits the song pretty well. I guess it could be a little dirtier, but I liked what I heard on version 2.

Cheers Tad. Good ear, it certainly is EZD Pop/Rock kit Kick Drum. Stock at the minute, I may change/eq it to make it a bit darker.

I've never heard of island, I'll have to check them out. Always like finding new music.

The original organ sounded like something from Super Mario Bros. The new one is much better, IMO. I'll sort the cymbals out when I get back to the drums. Still not levelled or panned the kit yet. Everything is as EZD sets it.

cheers for listening and commenting folks.

 

[DM60]

Here's a new mix with new drums. I've basically just copied the way my old band drummer used to play the song, random rolls, building up as it goes along. (Ever tried playing drum rolls on a keyboard - Not easy! lol) It worked for a live band of Drums, Bass, Guitar x 2 and Vocal but not sure if it works here. See what you think.

I also used a different kit in EZDrummer. Tidied up the bottom end. Freaked out the organ a touch with some Flange, Chorus and Tremolo.

The original is still up for comparison.

Here is an idea maybe, set the drums with footsteps. Might work. Kick is pretty dominant, not bad. Drums seem wot work much better, the cymbal at around the three mark you may want to work on that, seems a bit much.

Sounding good bud. (C man seal of approval).

 

[Mr Clean]

That's pretty much the intention of the kick. I wanted it constant like foot stamps/steps. I still have loads of editing to do with the drums but I'll keep an ear out for that cymbal. Cheers.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Hey Clean,
This is cool man. I really like it overall.
The organ is very nice and the toms sound pretty cool to me!
I'm not sure about the kit high end. Maybe it's the wide panning but there's a washy cymbal in the left that's wearing on my ears.

Adding to the idea above, you should totally layer foot stomps along side every other kick during the organ section. I think that'd be sweet.
Either record them or lift a sample from LOTR or something.
Vocals sound great man.

 

[Mr Clean]

Thanks mate. I'll have a look at that foot stomp idea.

I always forget to adjust the cymbals panning in the EZDrummer mixer. They always go heavy to the left and me being deaf in the right I hardly notice. I'll sort that out.

 

[DM60]

Another idea, instead of the cymbals or in addition too them, use some chains like a tambourine. Just throwing stuff around.

 

[PDP]

You have a great voice, the tone is very clear, I think you would make a great lead singer. I love the song, great job.

You've already gotten plenty of suggestions, so I'll just leave it at that. Enjoyed the listen.

 

[Mr Clean]

Another idea, instead of the cymbals or in addition too them, use some chains like a tambourine. Just throwing stuff around.

I am planning on adding a tambourine to the 'heavy' part. Chains is a good idea though. Might have to investigate that idea further.

You have a great voice, the tone is very clear, I think you would make a great lead singer. I love the song, great job.

You've already gotten plenty of suggestions, so I'll just leave it at that. Enjoyed the listen.

Thanks PDP. I have been a solo singer/guitarist, off and on, for the last 15 years and sang lead in a band during those years. Still not that confident on my recording voice though. I get the "Red Light Nerves'.

Thank you for the kind words.