Working around certain limitations ...

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

K-dub

Well-known member
This song was a puzzle to put together. I held off from trying to do it until I had enough recording savvy to figure out how to make it work. It would have been too hard to try to do the whole song at once ... due to dramatic differences in the tempo during the various changes.

The piece is a bit long and was originally recorded in three separate and distinct sections: The Prelude, Mary, and Butterfly. Each was done as a separate and distinct project on its own and then I loaded all of those project's mixes into a new compilation project -- where I combined each passage to create one cohesive piece and added a fourth part: The Reprise -- which is simply a copy of the end of Mary with a different vocal. The slide guitar was then mixed into "Butterfly" and "The Reprise" to lend continuity to the change of the sections.

Hope you like the result ...

 
It's not at all my kind of music, but it was very well recorded, so I have no nit-picks there. Not to be mean, but I found some of the lyrics to be corny <_< ....... >_> ........

Like I said its not my style :) But it was very well recorded with very tight performances.
 
Totally cool man! I really dig it, especially your acoustic guitar sound during "Mary". How did you record it? It sounds very clean and clear. Also the lyrics are definitely a matter of opinion. They seem to fit alright to me.

The only suggestion I have comes to the crash used during Mary. It sounds like you threw some effects on it that made it awkwardly different from the rest of the drum set used during the song. Also, in the reprise you should definitely go back to the doubled/tripled vocal set like you used during Mary to fade out.
 
Thanks for the thoughts folks!

The guitar was done with an AT4050 through a Trident Celebration pre-amp. The mic position is about 12 inches from and above (a foot back and a foot higher than) where the guitar body and neck join, pointed down and slightly back towards the guitar body. The 12 string in "Butterfly" is recorded in the same fashion.

I don't usually put any effects on the drums (save the snare), and absolutely would never on the cymbals -- so I'm not certain if the sonic difference is because of MP3 conversion errors (at 128kbps, high end can sound "swishy") .

The song was written many years ago (1978) as I was weighing leaving college to pursue a career in music -- and my girlfriend at the time was ... of all things, a dancer (her name was actually Diane -- but R.E.M. had covered her name).

Accordingly, the lyrics may sound dated, and I do appreciate the honesty and sincerity expressed in the comment -- but I'm not changing them. :)
 
String buzz at 0.37. (I don't care if you don't.) Guitar timing issue or missfingering at 1.42.

You're presenting the vocal more attractively these days. I love what you've done with the vocal harmonies on this one.

Yeah, nicely constructed. Just about there. It's lovely watching these tunes evolve and come together over time.
 
Thanks for the critical listen, P. I'll check it out. It's getting there ... mostly small tweaks (and quick corrects) remain.
 
Back
Top