Verlegen (=Shy)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pedullist
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Pedullist

Pedullist

Stop it, I can't breathe
Hi there folks,

This is a song featuring my best friend, Edgar, on vocals and Walter (drummer of my lyricist's band The Great Gonzo's) on drums. Most of was written and recorded in one day, then laid on the shelves for a couple of months waiting for Walter to add his drumparts. I first recorded it with programmed drums, but I felt this song needed a more human feel so that's why I asked him. He had to play drums on a completely finished version, which was an unusual but pleasant experience for him (drummers mostly record their parts first). Although I was kinda disappointed to find out he recorded it with DDRUM samples, instead of a miked real kit (I asked him mainly to get rid of the 'sampled' sound), the results are still pretty good. The fact he plays like a real drummer, and the sound of real sizzling cymbals is a delight to hear.

I'm having a lot of trouble mixing the drums with my previously recorded parts though. Perhaps it's because I got used to the programmed beat and its sound. I don't know. I would love to hear some comments and tips on the mix (eq, compressor). Btw, I received only one stereo track for the drums so I can't change the sound of the snare drum. Plus, I can't ask him to redo it (he plays in 6 bands and doesn't have the time). So everything has to be done with multiband compressors and equalisers.

But remember: the song (the composition I mean) is finished, so you if you don't like it it's your loss. :)

This must be the slickest sounding music I've ever made. Despite its slick sound though, the only midisounds are a Fender Rhodes (rather prominently in the mix) and a Hammond organ.

I love Edgar's voice (and he's even better in english), unfortunately he doesn't have time (as a young father) to sing more of my tunes.

Verlegen (first mix attempt):

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=2618&alid=462
 
Hey Ped,
Im at work, so I cant offer a solid mix listen. ...but what i hear sounds great. The vocs are excellent, very nicely constructed, and smooooth harmonies. I want to hear the upper register vocs at the end on my system at home.

This has a touch of a jamiriquy(now i know thats spelled wrong:D ) feel to it for me..... and I dig it!

Great bass btw..... are pedulla's all that you play? Ive fiddled w/ them at the music store....and they feel sweet.

Very nice work man!
gw/5
 
Overall nice sound. Not my favorite style, but still a nice sound. I liked the singer as well. Real nice harmonies in spots. Good guitar work.

Something kind of stuttered at :18. It was on-tempo so perhaps it was intentional. Kind of sounded weird though. Heard a little pop at :33. Borderline plosive at 2:09.
 
Guernica:

Thanks for listening and kind words. Edgar's voice is indeed very similar to Jay K's. Edgar is also a huuuuuuge Michael Jackson fanatic, so that explains the plosives. Difficult fella to record, very dynamic. Also likes to talk, drink and smoke during every second he doesn't have to sing (during recording that is... :o ) Takes a lot of gating and editing!

I play only Pedulla's, that's true. If you see one for a reasonable price, buy it. You won't regret it. The only bass you can plug straight into a soundcard (as I do), and still sounds excellent.

TripleM

I don't know what you mean exactly with the stutter at :18. I listened to it again, and I have no idea. Perhaps it's Walter's fill that's not exactly tight to my timing? The pop at :33 is absent for me too. Weird. I did hear a 'beep' at :37. Don't know what that is (yet). I'll see what I can do about the plosives at 2:09. To be honest: I totally forgot to control silibances and plosives at all. Anyway, thanks for the detailed listen (headphones?)
 
I downloaded another copy just to make sure.

"Stutter" was my way of describing what I heard. It may have been what you intented to do. It seems that at :18 everything briefly stops before the voice kicks in. It just sounded weird to me. Kind of like a... well... stutter.

And I still heard a small pop at :33. I'm listening on small headphones, maybe it's easier to hear that on them.
 
Ah, I see. That was 100% intentional. No, I'm kiddin'. I'll see what I can do about it. I don't feel too secure about it either... ;)

The pop is probably Edgar touching the mic with his hand. Or doing a dance routine touching the mic stand. Like I said, very difficult to control that guy. :)
 
You can really here the Michael Jackson come out at about 3 minutes. :cool: Cool tune.

The only thing I have to add is that I'd love to hear something more out of the snare sound. Not just the sound, but the dynamics too. It's kinda hard now since it's all tracked with the Ddrums, but maybe you could add some effect to it to fatten it up some, especially if the snare had it's own track...
 
coloradojay, it's my biggest challenge to do that, make the snare fatter I mean. I know exactly what you mean, but I don't have the technical knowledge to achieve that. The snare doesn't have its own track, that makes it very difficult. Gimme advice! Argh! :D

Btw, I'm even thinking about doubling the snare with one of the Blue Jay snares. The original is thin enough to cover up.
 
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Sorry, I don't have any tips on how to do it. I've heard guys talk about triggering from a track, but since it doesn't have its' own track that's pretty hard. I am a percussionist so I always here the electronic sound stand out. Honestly, I've enjoyed the programming on some of your other tunes better than the "real drummer" on this one. I was kind of surprized that he didn't play any ghost notes on the snare either (or if he did the pad wasn't sensitive enough to pick them up- I've played a yamaha rubber kit where that was the case).

Anyway, you still rock. Good luck with the snare doubling work, I'm sure you'll make it better than it is now.
 
coloradojay said:
Honestly, I've enjoyed the programming on some of your other tunes better than the "real drummer" on this one.

That's a compliment that makes me blush. Thanks! :D
 
man pedullist, i like this more than anything i've heard here in at least a week!

i really like the keyboard.

nice. 5 stars fur you.

nice singing right at 2:55. very soulful.

wish i had a way to mic my new kit, this could use some powerful drums.
 
Thanks erichenryus!

I'll tell the singer you like it!

wish i had a way to mic my new kit, this could use some powerful drums.

Thanks for suggesting but walter would kill me if I would replace his part. He worked really hard on it...

PM me when you have a new mic (can't recall hearing your music anyway btw). Perhaps I can use your drums on other tunes!
 
Dude, it will be a very long time before I do drum tracks again. I've convinced myself that I need a new house with a monstrous sized basement in order to record my drumset.

Liked the tune anyway.
 
everything is great on this tune, but I agree with erichenryus, it needs power-drums!! very good work!
 
Guernica said:
...I would question that:)

Yeah, I know. A Spector could do the job too. Any bass in the right hands, perhaps? (I play bass since I was eleven, so I decided I'm allowed to say that)
 
Sounds great, clean recording, good mix, solid vocal performance. Drums sound fine to me, snares a little thin but that being pretty picky. Nice to hear a wah wah again.

The vocal pronunciation could be a little more defined, I had trouble making out some of the words.






:)
 
Yoooo my fellow, Trojka. I dunno what to say since they said 'em all. Just ejoying your song like usual. Nice work. Five star worth for this one...

;)
Jaymz
 
cool chord changes! me likes them
the singer had an interesting style. michael jacksonish..
I think you did a fine job mixing everything together.
i say pick up those dfh samples .
the company is right down the street from ya in Sweden!

Cool tune... I like the slickness of it! ;)
 
I can't understand a thing and I don't care!

Goshdarn awesome....I mean, great recording, writing, instrumentation, clean delivery....daaaa....duh...

Good job, I now hate you and your Michael Jacksonesque singer.
 
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