WATCH revisted alternatives

  • Thread starter Thread starter rayc
  • Start date Start date
rayc

rayc

retroreprobate
Fritsthegirl is still pondering a full double take but in the interim here are some alternatives.
If you manage to listen to even a sample of all please let me know how things fall in terms of preferences.

The above is the same basic mix as the other two below but has the kick drum as Erik recorded and prefers it.

The above is the same mix in mono and with the kick drum altered according to the preferences of Clinic folk.

The above is the stereo mix of the mono variation.

This is the same song, different singer (Phrasemaker), a drum machine and angry guitar solos as the voice & theme suited a mechanistic, slightly evil bent.
 
Last edited:
Hey Ray. Sorry for my tardy response to this, and for my vocals taking so long. The new mic is still getting to know me and I'm still kind of getting over my fear of it. Consequently, I haven't been doing that much singing recently.

Hey, I like the second one. BUT I prefer the ending say from 2:40 of the first. I don't know what changes there for me....I listened a few times to see if I could put my finger on it, but my ears are too shit. If I had to pick one, I'd say #2, that one stands out for me. Everything seems to have its place and it sounds really nice.

I also like the version with Phrasemaker, and now I can see why Greg said from the start about a chick not being quite right for the lyrics. Sure sounds a lot creepier with him.

What's weird is that every time I go to hear this tune, I always think the tempo is going to be faster, and I'm always kind of surprised at how it's not that speedy. It's cool how I still don't really know this tune exactly after all this time. I really like that about it. :)
 
Hello FTG,
No hurry or worry; get to it if & when you're ready, willing & able.
I'm rather drawn to the mono one your picked as well.
I'll cross reference to hear if there's any ending difference that I can draw into the mono.
Yep, Phrasemaker's version is suitably malevolent and works really well but the juxtaposition of your voice and the lyrical theme is quite compelling added with your sweeter delivery. I think the diff. between machine and human rhythm is interesting as well.
I had noticed you've not posted a song in ages.
I'm looking forward to your next one.
 
FTG's vocals suit the song better IMHO ray... I prefer the stereo mix of the mono mix... what's that, #3?

I'm not sure I've heard Phrasemaker sing before but I don't think this is his type of tune - it doesn't sound at all malevolent to me, and a bit low in the range.... all my opinion of course, YMMV...

I also don't think a full FTG double track is going to necessarily add anything either... I like it as it is.:thumbs up:
 
Armistice said:
FTG's vocals suit the song better IMHO ray... I prefer the stereo mix of the mono mix... what's that, #3?

I'm not sure I've heard Phrasemaker sing before but I don't think this is his type of tune - it doesn't sound at all malevolent to me, and a bit low in the range.... all my opinion of course, YMMV...

I also don't think a full FTG double track is going to necessarily add anything either... I like it as it is.:thumbs up:
Click to expand...

The key sounds too low for Phrasemaker and FTG as well (different octaves of course). I'd like to see them both find (higher) keys that suit their vocal range more and have you re-record the guitar/bass tracks accordingly. Just a suggestion I think would improve the overall feel of this great song. That's just my take on the tracks.

PS - both versions have their appeal so I'd like to see both redone/reworked
 
Awmistice,
Have you recovered from Armistice Day?
Yep v3 for you. Thanks.
Gerry,
Hello and thanks.
Fellows, the song is in the key of "I know these 12 chords what do they do?"
Like all of my tracks they are written purely with the sound of the guitar as the focus.
I'm far to poor a pupil to play them in different keys.
I may be able to artifically raise the key or do it all again with a capo but don't have the chords or chops to lift them.
I will see what can be done however.
Armi - ,malevolent wasn't really the word I was reaching for - merely the one I used.
I think I meant "normal" but with an edge supplied by the lyric.
Interesting ideas for me to cogitate - thanks chaps.
 
I like the frits vocal mono version best by far. The drums are too busy and a little sloppy, and I think the mono mix kind of hides all that a little better. The Phrasemaker vocals don't work at all to me. I didn't think frit's vocals fit the song at first, although I do like her voice on her own stuff. But it's since grown on me. I'd rather hear frits sing it than anyone else that I can think of.
 
Greg,
The mono works for me as well - and also for FTG.
The mono version suggests that I have the levels pretty well sorted.
The stereo version almost works for me in terms of panning - I think I managed that aspect this time but the "blend" that comes from the mono I find very pleasing.
The combo of her voice and the lyrical theme work as as good contrasts.
I really like the male vocal version - as an alternative in voice, narrator and rhythmic base. I figured it may not be popular but , as I'm happy with it, I put it upas something I've finished.
Thanks for your insight.
 
Hi Ray,

The second version works best for me too. I think the song itself is excellent (and one that would be good enough to punch its own weight if released commercially), the big challenge from my view is to achieve a balanced mix with all the contributers recording in their own spaces. I think this has been difficult to achieve and there's still an element of different parts in the different space, but the mono version does a job of gluing the mix together better than the other versions.

I think I said in the last thread that I liked the contrast of Frits singing these creepy lyrics with such a sweet tone and that still holds. I'm not sure a doubled vocal would add much to the song, but I think they do need a little something to work better in the mix. Maybe a touch more reverb or a small EQ boost in the upper mid area to add a little more presence. Not much of either though.

It's cool hearing all these different iterations of the song, thanks for posting up.
 




Essentially the same mix though one is mono (not the mono button on Reaper but actually panned and set up for mono) and the other is stereo.
I've added a little bump of upper mids EQ as well as a tiny bit of reverb ambience to the vocal buss on both as suggested by Rob - well he said either or but I did both.
Any improvement?
 
Yup, to my ears that last mono mix is the best in terms of all the parts coming together - I think the changes do add some sheen to Frits' contribution. Good work ray :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top