sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 13, 2007 17:17:44 GMT
I was messing with a "Drop-D" yesterday and came up with this love song (lyrics not included to see if they are understandable ) I would like suggestions (drums might be an irritation to some, but I dialed & dialed the 2488 patterns and heavy was about all I could get a close match on for now)www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=221925&songID=5867379Stan
|
|
|
Post by chrisr on Oct 14, 2007 19:59:48 GMT
Couldn't listen to the song, Stan. I get the message "error loading songfile".
Chris
|
|
|
Post by mcarp555 on Oct 14, 2007 22:01:40 GMT
Shades of Marshall Tucker! Or is it Canned Heat?
I like the basic structure; as so often before, very little wrong with the actual song, it's just the recording that I can take issue with. The second vocal is sometimes too far out of sync to be effective. It should be tightened up somewhat. Guitars are fine, the electric goes out in its own little world now and then. I always like your bass lines. Drums are ca-ca, but we were warned.
This is another of those songs that I'd like to hear more fully developed at some point. Lots o' potential here.
|
|
|
Post by chrisr on Oct 15, 2007 0:10:20 GMT
Strange : after a while, I could indeed open the file, and listen to the song.
I like this, Stan.
However, I agree with Mike on the second vocal being too far out of sync. Moreover, in my opinion, the song doesn't need this kind of a second vocal, and certainly not with that much reverb.
I also agree with Mike on the electric guitar doing its own thing a bit too much.
The drums, well..., as you said yourself. This drum disturbes the natural rythm of the song, I think.
The bass line is somewhat complicated, but it adds something to the song, so that's fine.
The lyrics are understandable, no problem about that.
The basics are there, but a better drums, a simplified electric guitar part, a better developed second vocal (if needed), and a better worked out final mix would turn this into something really good.
Personally, I would perhaps add another acoustic guitar strumming part here and there, and spread the acoustics in the stereo mix (not too far from the centre, that is). That would make it sound "fuller".
Another great song in the making, for sure.
Chris
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Oct 15, 2007 2:24:09 GMT
Stan,
I guess another vote for a simplified lead guitar part. both not too much simpler. Somehow I like it better at the end of the song than at the middle. I think its louder there.
I like the sound of the acoustic, and I don't mind the second delayed vocal, but the delay is a bit long. Can the main vocal be EQed to accentuate the bottom? If so, I think it would make it better. Your voice sounds good though-- and I can understand the words as well or better than I can on commercial stuff -- half deaf ex-rocker that I am.
Regards, Tom
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 15, 2007 19:01:58 GMT
I threw the echo track at the very end. The delay setting is probably off by several milliseconds. I may go for a 2nd voice harmony instead. The lead setting is probably a bit too harsh but I like the feedback effect I was getting so I stuck with it.
Thanks Mike again for your advise. I'm going to spend up to 4 hrs. and try to get a better drum backing. I'm going to give it more time and see what happens.
Thanks, Stan
|
|
|
Post by mcarp555 on Oct 15, 2007 19:32:04 GMT
The basic idea of the hi-hat in the verses is okay, but the drum track overall seems very disjointed. I would probably have left the first and last verses somewhat sparse, but kicked in a more solid rhythm section starting with the first chorus. The whole song feels somewhat like an intro that lasts the entire time.
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 16, 2007 15:26:41 GMT
I recorded with one drum pattern and then switched over to another. I will need to keep looking for a better pattern match.
Thanks Mike.
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 19, 2007 18:24:15 GMT
I reposted it today: Replace drum pattern & redid lead guitar with less harsh setting. It was mastered with more of a Club atmosphere. Thanks for your help on this. Stan
|
|
|
Post by mcarp555 on Oct 22, 2007 21:38:12 GMT
The drum part is improved, but could stand further tinkering (I know you love to hear that, don'tcha?). The electric guitar is much better, and really adds to the song, rather than distract from it like it was doing previously. Sounds like the vocals came down just a touch - not so much they're hard to hear, but they do sound slightly softer than the first time around.
Interesting dropout around 2:20 or so - was that there previously? It's always good to monkey around with dynamics to create a real tension/release effect.
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 23, 2007 16:06:48 GMT
By suggestion I dropped the drums during all of the verses and just lightly emphasized them during the chorus/bridge parts. I think the mix sounds a lot better so I'll repost when I get a chance to update the MP3.
Thanks again Mike! Stan
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 24, 2007 0:44:57 GMT
Got around to reposting downloadable MP3... it doesn't sound as well streaming through the SC player as it does off the MP3 download. Drums are almost stripped away. Welcome comments. Thanks, Stan
|
|
|
Post by Tom on Oct 24, 2007 19:19:31 GMT
Stan,
I always download the MP3 if it is available.
A nice improvement over the first cut, and a great example of how some extra work can make a song better. The "presence" of the guitar part is right on -- not too much or too little. I personally would add light effects to the vocal - maybe just a touch of reverb would do -- but then is probably a matter of personal taste as I use vocal effects heavily on my own stuff.
Regards, Tom
|
|
sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
|
Post by sgulley on Oct 24, 2007 20:31:25 GMT
Thanks Tom for listening again & if I get some more time to finalize this week then I'll mess with some extra reverb on the vocals.
Thanks again for your insights. Stan
|
|
|
Post by mcarp555 on Oct 24, 2007 20:33:31 GMT
I agree with Tom - it's much improved, and has a nice mood around it. The emptiness of the first version, but the 'bump' of the drums in the chorus from the latter mixes. Of course, one could go on and on tweaking it, but it's pretty close now. Give it a rest for a few days then listen to it again.
|
|