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Hero
Jun 13, 2021 5:43:42 GMT
Post by latmat on Jun 13, 2021 5:43:42 GMT
Hey Mike, Stan and anyone else out there,
I manage to pump one out quickly. The seed of this song has been on my hard drive since 2008! I always thought it had potential, so I am glad to have written it finally.
It is sounding pretty good I think, but I am totally open to any thoughts, suggestions on it as I did it beginning to end without humming and hawing, just recording what ever came out pretty much. I am thinking maybe add a little more interest in the bass at some points. I just threw down driving 8s the whole way.
Thanks for always being an ear.
This is the old versions for reference...
Cameronhttps%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/hero
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Hero
Jun 13, 2021 8:37:34 GMT
Post by mcarp555 on Jun 13, 2021 8:37:34 GMT
Cam, I think it sounds pretty good as is. Solid, with just a little ornamentation here and there (such as the tinkling piano in parts). It drives along nice and smooth, but with sinew. If I was pressed to be super-critical I would say that the only real issue is that the song stays at the same level of intensity throughout, with no changes up or down to re-engage the ear. Even the middle doesn't really change dynamics much. But again, this is extreme nit-picking. What else could you add? Maybe a harmony vocal in the last repeats of the chorus? I know there's a second vocal mixed way, way back, but it doesn't have much impact. And it wouldn't take much to just add a delicate touch to pump up the intensity a notch.
Otherwise I think you're golden. Even as is it's a good album track or B-side. I like the ending; I could hear it being joined to the next track with a hard edit so there's almost no gap.
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Hero
Jun 14, 2021 4:04:16 GMT
Post by latmat on Jun 14, 2021 4:04:16 GMT
Thanks for the ideas Mike, I agree. I went and tried to address what you're saying. So I removed some elements in the first verse to open it up a bit so that the 2nd verse sweetened up a bit. I added backing harmonies in the bridge and another for the last chorus. I adjusted some of the compression and limiting. I think this adds a bit of dynamics back into the track. I really like the ending on this one and your idea about joining up the next track would work sweet!
Thanks again!
Here is the updated version...
https%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/hero-2021
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Hero
Jun 14, 2021 16:13:28 GMT
Post by mcarp555 on Jun 14, 2021 16:13:28 GMT
Yeah, yeah. Tiny little changes but it really has an impact on the finished product. Vocal seems a little more out front as well, possibly due to the compression changes. Overall the mix is more nuanced and layered, which causes dynamics. It really points out how one-dimensional the previous mix was. Not that it was 'bad', but this is certainly 'improved'. But I admit I didn't really hear the harmonies in the bridge. I might need to listen again to see if I just missed them.
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Hero
Jun 26, 2021 5:14:46 GMT
Post by latmat on Jun 26, 2021 5:14:46 GMT
Thanks for the feedback Mike. Really appreciate. I redid the bass and I think that improved the whole dynamic problem a lot. There was just so much energy in those driving 8's that squashed the whole dynamic. I'm leaving the other versions for reference. I did some mono mixing too and switching back to stereo and that helped me a lot too I think. I think those backing vocals should be much more audible. I think I was feeling shy about them when I mixed them initially lol...
I really appreciate the ear Mike, you're really the only person I bounce these tracks of mine off these days. I'm feeling more motivated to do this second album now. It's so close yet so far...
https%3A//soundcloud.com/latmat/hero-2021-bass-redo-2
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sgulley
Superstar
If you really like music and recording it then never stop trying to get better at it.
Posts: 2,992
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Post by sgulley on Jun 26, 2021 6:14:05 GMT
Just hearing for the 1st time. My taste for music has changed more since I seldom play much anymore so I listen while on the road more than any other time. My advise may be far from what you actually want...
My critique is strictly my sensitivity to repetitive lyrics. That shoots down about 1/2 the 70s/80s music.. If I got what I wanted it would be a Guns & Roses style WAH or over-powering lead solo somewhere in the place of one of the many phrases of "I wish I were a Hero"... It really would be that simple. I think the song is GREAT!
So glad you are thinking about another release of songs.
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Post by mcarp555 on Jun 26, 2021 8:15:55 GMT
I think it is indeed much improved by changing the bass line. I've had that happen as well, where the initial idea is just too busy. Now it has more of an overall 'pulse' for lack of a better word. The dynamics seem more natural. There's some merit to what Stan is saying, but of course, that's what you expect a guitarist to say, isn't it? More solos! It becomes a matter of taste by that point. I prefer not having a solo in every song, but that's just me.
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Post by latmat on Jun 27, 2021 4:36:45 GMT
I'm like you Stan I love to add guitar solo's in everything I do. I may just try it out for kicks. I normally don't do so much repetitions in my song lyrics. But for some reason in this one I was feeling the extra tags... but I totally get what you mean Stan. Mike I am relieved to hear you say that about the bass line. It felt so much better to me.
I am really wanting to do this second album right and I know how much time it takes! I am thinking of taking some vacation time off work to just work hard during the day on the album material. If I can get uninterrupted quiet time at home I know I could accomplish a lot! Thanks for the listens and critical ears guys.
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