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Post by latmat on Mar 27, 2015 0:33:30 GMT
https%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/scars-that-never-show-and-never-healHey Stan, Mike and and any others out there I uploaded Scars that Never Show and Never Heal which will be on the album... I am looking for any thoughts that may come to mind for finessing this. Hopefully its living up to the rest of the tracks. I think it is close... Almost done this album! 12 songs the end is in sight! Just one more song to finalize things on and mix, a vocal to touch up on another and a another to remix! Just gotta get er done... Thanks guys... Cameron
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Post by mcarp555 on Mar 27, 2015 9:55:44 GMT
Very, very good. Tight overall. Critical remarks from this point will be *highly* picky, and should be seen as such.
What is the overall compression of the track like? It sounds to me like the drums/bass/guitar parts are squeezed a lot more than the piano, making a little 'pocket' for the rhythm tracks that the lead parts (piano, vocal, lead guitar) don't fit into. Because of this, the drum reverb sounds more artificial than the piano/vocal reverb.
Lead guitar is weak coming in, initially sounding like an error in the piano track. It's good behind the vocal, but never rises up out of the mix enough when it should be shining on its own. Maybe something as simple as panning it slightly out of center (away from the vocal) will help.
Perhaps a tiny bit more brightness in the vocal. Just a wee bit.
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Post by latmat on Mar 27, 2015 21:11:50 GMT
Hey Mike Thanks for the critical listen I really appreciate your ears a lot! I think you were really on to something I have adjusted the mix, it feels better but is admittedly hard to tell lol... So you were right about the piano, vocal and lead guitar being less compressed. So I tried compressing that a bit harder and then readjusting the level accordingly, added a hair of high end to the vocal and moved the lead guitar over a bit to the right during the vocal bits and raised slightly after the vocal end... I also tried to beef up the kick and bass slightly, as I noticed it seemed to miss a little fullness... I think its a bit better now... It's re-uploaded and at the top still.
Again much appreciated.
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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 Mar 28, 2015 6:18:26 GMT
Very good song that I've always liked. I'm still sensing something with vocals needing more presence. If the presence of the piano could be swapped with the presence of the vocals it would sound better to my ears. I don't know how else to say it but vocals EQ lacks some high end still or the piano is colliding with the vocal highs a bit.. at least to me.
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Post by mcarp555 on Mar 28, 2015 9:22:43 GMT
Much improved; I can hear everything sitting better in the mix and all the instruments are relating better to each other. Compression sounds much more even as well. Guitar stands out better during its mini solo.
Two more things to think about (again, being hyper-critical):
1. I know what Stan is saying about the piano and the vocal. The third note in the piano motif is ringing out, and might be stepping on the vocal EQ at that point. I'd suggest finding that frequency and notch it down just a bit (with a sharpish Q) and perhaps boost the vocal in the same area. But be subtle; too much and you'll deaden the piano.
2. Have a listen to the break at 3:20; are all the decays smooth? I think I can hear something stopping kinda abruptly instead of fading gracefully. Might be an mp3 artifact.
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Post by latmat on Mar 29, 2015 3:31:40 GMT
Hey Guys, really good observations thanks so much for the tips. Stan, that's cool that you remember this song! Hope this is an improvement from the original version. I just found your CD on Spotify the other day and listened to the Birds from Yesterday, I really like that one I have gone back to that track many times over the years. So ya I went ahead and took another pass at this... The audio in the first post has been updated. I notched out that ringing note (D) in the piano... I tried to be subtle lol. Vocal seems to be brighter now. I adjusted my approach to the decay there at the break I think it's much smoother now. I also rolled off a smidgen of the highs from the drums overheads and room mikes... I think this has also gave the vocals more presence and air, hopefully I didn't go too far. The good news is its actually sounding decent out of my laptop speakers now lol. Thanks so much for the critical listening guys. As far as trying to make as close to a professional-commercial release as possible from my small bedroom studio - little things really makes all the difference...
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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 Mar 29, 2015 4:18:44 GMT
I guess the final test is when it still sounds good on a lower-end system. No complaints can be found by me at all. The emotional life in your vocals came back! Excellent work Cameron.
BTW I haven't heard any songs off that CD in 3 years. Last time I did I was cringing at how bad the whole thing sounded. That CD was created just after I bought the Taz 2488 and was learning how to use it. The drum tracks were all 2488 generated and weren't very good either. Now dayz there are many more options to help out the sound. I shut my CD Baby account down a long time ago. I'm surprised that you found any tracks still around.
I'm anxious to hear the new CD when you finish. No hurries. Make sure it sounds the way you want it.
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Post by mcarp555 on Mar 29, 2015 9:32:36 GMT
I think that's a solid mix now. The piano is still present, but not ringing like it was. The vocal is much more prominent compared to the original mix, but not overbearing. The track as a whole sounds much more unified, with everything in the same envelope; nothing fights for attention or gets lost. Fades are smoother, even the guitar sounds more energized. Maybe a fully-equipped pro studio could do more, but I don't hear anything that *needs* fixing. My feeling is you've taken it as far as it can go. Excellent work.
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Post by latmat on Mar 30, 2015 18:48:29 GMT
Thanks for the listened and great tips Mike and Stan, again, I really appreciate it.
Stan I think we've both have come a long way since those days, but no matter how a record sounds I know a good song when I hear it. Ya this CD has taken a long time but I think I'll be at least content when I finally abandon it or release it as they say... I'm looking forward to it too, thanks again guys.
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