When I Arrived ...

  • Thread starter Thread starter K-dub
  • Start date Start date
K

K-dub

Well-known member
Fresh out of production this morning ... please enjoy and feel free to comment on anything that strikes you.




When I arrived
I found I'd gone nowhere
My baggage got lost somewhere on the way

It was a lousy day
Everything not going my way
And yet I had to smile

Because every day is beautiful, you know?
When you've got your peace of mind?

You really have arrived

I traveled so far
And wound up going nowhere
A smile on my face
After running in place
It's just another day
Every day’s really quite okay

No need to worry
Where’s that smile?

Because every day is beautiful, you know?
When you’ve got your peace of mind?

You really have arrived

Yet once in a while I feel it.
I feel it too much.
I get so out of touch with what is right and good and fine.

… and so I need to realign.

Hey it’s a sunny day.
Why would you get in your own way?
When you can wear a wise man's smile?
Because every day is beautiful, you know?

When you've got your peace of mind?

You really have arrived.

I'll lay it on the line ...
There's nothing more you'll find.

You've got your peace of mind?

You really have arrived.
 
The kick and snare are center and sound further back than the panned crashes. Not a nit, just an observation.

The instrumental duo: the synth sound sounds verbed behind the bassoon sound - if you took some of the space off the synth sound, they'd sound more paired, more together. Just a thought.
 
The cymbals are pretty loud and don't play nice with the 128kbps Soundcloud mangling.
 
dobro said:
The kick and snare are center and sound further back than the panned crashes. Not a nit, just an observation.

The instrumental duo: the synth sound sounds verbed behind the bassoon sound - if you took some of the space off the synth sound, they'd sound more paired, more together. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Thanks P! I'll play with it and see if I can dial it in better -- I tracked the guitar, the instrumentals and the organ this morning. I think the mix is in the neighborhood, but my ears are fatigued.
 
your leslie is artificially gurgling. I've never heard one sound like that. Someone spill their Pepsi in it...

I'm talking specifically before the solo. Actually kinda hit me funny, thinking it is a digital attempt to recreate the nuances of a noisey, spinning horn or something.

Nice tune and for some reason, your drum sounds sound soooo familar, unlike all the other people that use Toontrack. I guess you're just using the default kit that comes up and that's what I always hear first, coming out of the program.

Great lyrics, fun listen, nice tune. The drummer DOES sound like the best musician though...and that really isn't right, since most drummers I know can lock themselves inside their car.
 
Hey Kev, I can't listen right now, but I really like the lyrics.
 
mixmkr said:
your leslie is artificially gurgling. I've never heard one sound like that. Someone spill their Pepsi in it...

I'm talking specifically before the solo. Actually kinda hit me funny, thinking it is a digital attempt to recreate the nuances of a noisey, spinning horn or something.

Nice tune and for some reason, your drum sounds sound soooo familar, unlike all the other people that use Toontrack. I guess you're just using the default kit that comes up and that's what I always hear first, coming out of the program.

Great lyrics, fun listen, nice tune. The drummer DOES sound like the best musician though...and that really isn't right, since most drummers I know can lock themselves inside their car.
Click to expand...

Default kit? Ya think I should make some changes? :) I took your suggestion on "Pity" and tuned the drums. It made a world of difference. Today was basically about getting the arrangement/performances done. Fine tune mixing is on the agenda later (with fresh ears).

The organ patch has some grit to it ... and it does sound a little "gurgly", doesn't it?

It the elec git coming across a little loud to you also?

Thanks Chris!
 
macle said:
Hey Kev, I can't listen right now, but I really like the lyrics.
Click to expand...

Hey bud, just the guy I wanted an opinion from -- regarding background vocals ... would YOU put them in this tune? Are you hearing "Beatle-ish" oohs and ahs (when you get around to listen)?
 
K-dub said:
Hey bud, just the guy I wanted an opinion from -- regarding background vocals ... would YOU put them in this tune? Are you hearing "Beatle-ish" oohs and ahs (when you get around to listen)?
Click to expand...

Well I hear The Beatles in most everything! But yeah, I think that would fit perfectly. Maybe some answer lines, too Good song!
 
macle said:
Well I hear The Beatles in most everything! But yeah, I think that would fit perfectly. Maybe some answer lines, too Good song!
Click to expand...

I was hearing them too -- particularly in the middle bridge. Where would you put the answer lines -- what lyrical line(s)? I'd not thought of that. Thanks, M!
 
Also -- new mix above addresses some of the aforementioned issues (guitar slightly lower/organ voicing changed/drums "altered from default"/loud cymbals) etc...

Thanks all for the thoughts and Merry Christmas!
 
Like when you say "Because every day is beautiful, you know?", then the backgrounds could go, 'it's beautiful you know" or "i know it's beautiful" or "you know woh, woh, woh, woh!" or stuff like that. You could do it all through, although too much might be too much.
 
macle said:
Like when you say "Because every day is beautiful, you know?", then the backgrounds could go, 'it's beautiful you know" or "i know it's beautiful" or "you know woh, woh, woh, woh!" or stuff like that. You could do it all through, although too much might be too much.
Click to expand...

Wonderful thought -- I'll experiment with it -- thanks Macle!
 
I thought things sounded pretty good. As usual, I'll only point out the bad stuff. Cause I'm mean.

I thought the vocal wasn't quite as clear as usual. Maybe a presence boost?

I liked the drums except the snare. It's too weak. Needs some power to it. Too thuddy and wimpy. Needs sizzle, crack, and power.
 
TripleM said:
I thought things sounded pretty good. As usual, I'll only point out the bad stuff. Cause I'm mean.

I thought the vocal wasn't quite as clear as usual. Maybe a presence boost?

I liked the drums except the snare. It's too weak. Needs some power to it. Too thuddy and wimpy. Needs sizzle, crack, and power.
Click to expand...

Well, Mr. Meanie, you were absolutely spot on.

With the kids home for the holidays (one still in college sleeping until noon), my "air time" on studio monitors was limited. Now back to empty nest, I got a chance to play on the larger system ... and everything you said was correct.

I fixed the drums and the vocal, and the song caught its groove. I'm still experimenting with bgvs ... and this one is a bit of a puzzle as to what to do -- almost too many options -- and I don't want to overdo it.

Thanks Trip!
 
Like Billy Joel meets The Beatles....love the swingin vibe, great lyrics...did not hear a "gurgling leslie" sound, but perhaps that was on a earlier mix? Anyways, I really dug it, nice job!!
 
Gurgle was earlier version, bud. I replaced the organ voicing with something more subtle. I think a mix more interesting when your ear discovers something that it didn't at first notice.

Thanks for checking in!

Kev-
 
I liked it. I was trying to pigeon hole it as I listened to it, but it's not easy... To me it's like the Beatles meet Queen? So it's eclectic, well conceived, performed and recorded. Nice job.
 
RockinRobby said:
I liked it. I was trying to pigeon hole it as I listened to it, but it's not easy... To me it's like the Beatles meet Queen? So it's eclectic, well conceived, performed and recorded. Nice job.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rob -- I kept "Queen meets The Beatles" in mind when I did the BGV's this morning. Good tip -- and thanks for the comments!

Kev-
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top