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Post by latmat on Sept 8, 2014 23:18:34 GMT
Hey Guys, I rerecorded my song Old Man Time for the album. You might remember this one. I actually went back at the old thread for the original Got a few insights. So I arranged some strings for the song and used a less busy Kick/Bass Drum hit to hit the accented beats instead of the old conga's idea. Because I am using Bass Cello and Viola I decided against playing Electric Bass on it to keep it sorta earthy organic (despite the sampled strings but what can you do). I also decided against the choir sound on this one, I sang some but it just felt wrong emotionally. I think it feels more intimate, more vulnerable without them. https%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/old-man-time-draftAs always, appreciate your thoughts and ideas... Thanks guys!
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Post by mcarp555 on Sept 9, 2014 10:54:26 GMT
1. Watch your sibilants, esp. in the verses.
2. Pull the level of the viola back a bit.
3. Is viola the best instrument for that motif? What about violin or cello? Uilleann pipes?
4. Is there less bass in the first verse? Try pulling it out altogether and let it come in with the chorus.
5. Strings generally don't sound right 'dry'. Try 'em with plenty of reverb to see what it sounds like.
6. Do you want to end with the vocal instead of the motif (either stopping or fading)? It strikes me not as abrupt but abbreviated.
7. Can you add a touch more bottom to the guitar? There's a lot going on in the upper mid-range, but a bit of a hole in the lower mids.
It's a nice tune. I don't remember the original (congas? really?), but this is neat, sweet and nearly complete.
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Post by latmat on Sept 9, 2014 20:04:30 GMT
Thanks Mike
I'll work through these suggestions. In regards to number 4 there actually is just the acoustic, and kick, no bass at all in the verses. Perhaps the low guitar notes and kick are creating that feeling which can happen... May take the the kick out in the verses hmm.
I will be back with revisions, thanks again.
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
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Post by sgulley on Sept 10, 2014 0:28:05 GMT
I'm waiting on another version of this to make comments. Haven't forgotten.
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Post by latmat on Sept 10, 2014 7:49:18 GMT
https%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/old-man-time
1. Watch your sibilants, esp. in the verses.
Stuck a De-Esser on there. For some reason Sibilants rarely bother me, so I never even think to do this but I have to say having heard the difference afterwards its a nice improvement.
2. Pull the level of the viola back a bit.
Hopefully the level are better not entirely sure ---> due to 3.
3. Is viola the best instrument for that motif? What about violin or cello? Uilleann pipes?
I switched out for the violin rather than the viola, I think you were right in that assessment Mike. The violin is less harsh or strained sounding and more open in that range
4. Is there less bass in the first verse? Try pulling it out altogether and let it come in with the chorus.
Pulled the kick out of the verses, I think it also helps to pull back some of the energy leading to a more dynamic arrangement.
5. Strings generally don't sound right 'dry'. Try 'em with plenty of reverb to see what it sounds like.
Ya, so I had reverb on em, apparently not enough... Added more and treated the parts differently in terms of a space. Every element pretty well has its own reverb now seemed to help the vocal sit vs the strings better.
6. Do you want to end with the vocal instead of the motif (either stopping or fading)? It strikes me not as abrupt but abbreviated.
Well I do like it ending on the vocal, lyrically I feel it gives a sense of finality yet being somewhat "unstable". I totally understand and like ending with the string motif as well. So I thought heck why not do both. So I used the motif once more then hit the chorus tag.
7. Can you add a touch more bottom to the guitar? There's a lot going on in the upper mid-range, but a bit of a hole in the lower mids.
Yes, I really botched that up didn't I, this should be much much better now.
I think its sounding better much better now. Thanks for the very precise and clear critique Mike, I truly appreciate it.
Stan, looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thanks!
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Post by mcarp555 on Sept 10, 2014 10:35:03 GMT
Much improved, I think. Changing the panning around works very well. I'm still not enamored of the ending, but sometimes you have to go with the artist. The only thing I think the mix really needs at this point is just a tiny touch of high end shelving on the vocal. Could be tricky tho, since you want to make the vocal just a tad brighter, but not re-awaken the sibilant monster. If it is a problem, leave it. You could always try a bit more compression on the final mix; sometimes that will help highlight a vocal without taking it out of its 'pocket' in the mix.
Stan, what else do we need here?
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sgulley
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If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
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Post by sgulley on Sept 10, 2014 18:21:48 GMT
I really like the soothing effect of this song and I think the mix sounds really good and balanced to my ears. Maaybe at 2:12 I might copy a solo part of the Strings midi notes and tie a Piano synth to it instead for a piano type of outro.
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Post by latmat on Sept 10, 2014 18:31:45 GMT
Thanks Stan!
Interesting idea with the piano synth. Glad the mix is sitting well for you. I too find this one has a soothing effect. Thanks!
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,994
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Post by sgulley on Sept 12, 2014 3:02:03 GMT
The song sits fine. I just throw things out when they pop in my head. Art is sometimes nothing more than simple discovery. Other times complex.
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