Ap Girl PBX
Rough mixes - nothing on the stereo bus.
Here's an update with the harmonies raised a bit...
Update Harmonies

This is based on a chord progression from a couple of months back...I had the progression and was waiting for the right context but threw in a knock off Oz Cockney lyric for a laugh with a laughable vocal.
After writing four separate sets of lyrics I finally settled on one that was less pompous and contentious than the others.
Version G has just the comped vocal with the occasional unison part to push it while version Gb has harmony parts made from the left overs of the comping process, (I did three "usable" takes & treating the left overs rather than a copy of the original gives me the benefit of doubling while lessening the chance of accidentally having one or the other out of phase or, worse, cancelling each other).
IF you've the time I'd appreciate you listening to at least the 1st verse & chorus of each version and letting me know your druthers.
ANY & all comments, critiques etc. are most welcome.
BIAB:
Organ - 686 B3 background
Drums - RockClassicBritEv7 (there is a four bar section with a completely different drum kit but not enough to mention).
Rhythm/Power Chords - Epiphone Seraton II through a Marshall
Amp mics - a 57 & an e609
Accents, lead, jangly bits - Squire Bullet Mustang through an ACtone amp-in-a-box.
Bass - Vantage through a BDI21
Vocal Mic - Focusrite condensor using an SSL2 interface's Legacy 4K EQ boost
Track effects were basically Reaper native with a couple of Focusrite Red Comp instances.
Melodyne used for harmony construction & VOLA2 (a freebie) used to ride/level the vocals.

Lyrics
There's no way a4
Of saying it b4
There is no place c4
For truth to play a4
Conspiracies fit b5
In ev'ry space c4
To strike you blind d4
Inside your mind d4
Leave you behind d4
Can't leave them behind d5

An Apocalypse Girl a5
Conspiracy whirl a5
Happy in a worst case b6
Scenario world. a5

Another lie a4
Will you avoid b4
A lifetime full? c4
Each multiply a4
A new opioid b5
Will pull the wool c4
And you take your cue? d4
Consume it as due? d4
Leave it for you d4
It's not like you knew d5

An Apocalypse Girl a5
Conspiracy whirl a5
Happy in a worst case b6
Scenario world. a5

Another day a4
Anon and you b4
Illogic's twist c4
An alternate way a4
The chosen few b4
Something you missed? c4
Just look behind d4
Or keep your mind d4
Wilfully blind? d4
They'll leave you behind d5

An Apocalypse Girl a5
Conspiracy whirl a5
Happy in a worst case b6
Scenario world. a5

Happy in a worst case b6
Scenario world. a5

Hi Ray ... listening to both uin their entirety as I type. Will finish this when I've listened to both ...


OK, the 2nd version just finished. The vbocal is rather buried behind the music tracks, so it was a bit difficult for me to discern the differences for much of the vocasls. But, perhaps just these old 75+ year-old ears. Regardless, based on what i could hear of the vocals, I preferred the 2nd track - I think that was the one with the harmonies.

It's an interesting song, as most of your posts are. But it's nice to hear sounds to which I'm not accustomed in the world of music creation. I truly enjoy creativity and you have a lot of it!

Hope that bit of input was helpful.

Alan

Thanks Alan,
I'll look into the vocal level & chalk up a 1 for the harmony version.

Hi, Ray. I enjoyed both version in full. Man, this line is something I know so well: "After writing four separate sets of lyrics I finally settled on one that was less pompous and contentious that the others." Only someone who thinks there is something funny about peace, love and understanding would think there is anything laughable in the vocal. Your vocals are perfect for this.

I have to admit that I don't really understand the song, but after listening to both versions, I prefer the second version because (for lack of better words) it sounds more "complete" in my opinion.

I feel like the first version is missing something, but I can't put my finger on it.

Sorry for the vague feedback...

Ray,

Rough mix? Ha!
This sounds really well balanced.
Guitars are strong.
Drums sound great.
Cool bass line.
Vocals are clear and understandable.

I like what the harmonies add. They could be a bit louder.
So a vote for Gb.

.fj

Hi Ray,

I liked your latest here, #2 sounds a bit better, but I'm wishing for some harmonies that really pop. These are so subtle. It would be nice to get some dynamics in this song and some real harmonies mixed high would do the trick. I know it's not always easy to locate someone who will/can do it. There are people on fiverr who will do it for $20 but you have to do some looking. (Tips and fees make it closer to thirty). I can understand if you're loathe to shelling out money.

It's very good as is, just trying to think of something that will take it to the next level (and hopefully your wife will like..)

Thanks Marty. I'd almost given up on this one until a relative's bout of paranoia/malcontent gave the the chorus.

Thanks B.D.,
I doubt there's anything much to understand beyond the obvious references to current events.
Vague is good...you've pointed a finger in a general direction.

It is a bit rough.
I had the backing pretty well sorted until I was told the guitars were too scratchy so I tracked the Sheraton pair, (& each with two mics), so I'm unsure of their place in the mix and then there're the vocals...
THANK YOU.

Thank you sir,
I'm cautious with the harmonies becasue they're artificially generated and sound like it.
I've looked at fiverr & isolated a voice or two that I like but haven't taken the next step.
Sadly the wife won't like it no matter how well polished the coprolite is. She likes pretty melodies all the way. She's a fan of metallica's black album becasue it's their pretty stuff, Evanescence because of the pretty piano, Fleetwood Mac etc...pretty things are beyond my scope, skill or interest so we reached a listening impasse after about three years of marriage...say 1988!

Hi Ray
Cool song and cool intro
Sounds really great
Version 2 maybe a little bit better
Really great job Ray
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Hi rayc,

I always love your highly researched chord progressions. It is well done. I appreciated.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Rayc:

I’m listening to the first (no harmonies) as I type. Like the sound and the arrangement. The lead vocal is a little bit lost in the mix for me, and I’d like it to come out front a bit more (though it sounds better at the 1:20 mark or so). Like that little bass solo at around 1:30.

Onto the second: BTW, I like that opening, with the one guitar panned far left and it’s pair coming in on the right a second or so later. Like the break at around 0:40. As for the harmonies, I like them, but they are understated . . . I think you can raise them a bit in spots (for example at around the 1:25 to 1:30 I hear them best, but still think they can come up more). . . but then, I like harmonies a ton, so it may just be an artistic preference.

As for my preference between the two, the second one for sure with some additional work on the harmonies.

Good work on this tune to date!

All my best,

Deej

Sounds good to me.....I like the harmonies!! I feel like the vocal could be a bit more forward in the mix. COOL!!! Take care. Greg

Hi there Ray ... time to roll hour eyes, because this is coming from a guy that doesn't know what he's talking about most of the time, but I like the 2nd one, with the updated harmonies best. It's not a genre I understand well, but I thought the lead vocal as well as the background vocals stood out better in the 2nd version. I also think the BGV's could use a little boost, but it's not bad as is. I sure appreciate the creativity you bring to your recordings. Loved the way you panned the guitars on this one.

Ray

Think it's coming along really nicely. Like the others I think the 2nd version is preferable but it's not a stark difference.

Think it would sound good with some Split Enz keyboard but don't think that RT exists!

Peter

Ray,

You've got something good going on here! It's full of clever little things that keep a listener engaged in the tune! I like your mix! This solo section was very good and the use of effects toward the end really put me in mind of some of the experimental rock stuff happening in the late 60's!

Thanks, Torrey

Thanks Andi.

A touch or psych noise for the Apocalypse Torrey!
Thanks.

Yes Peter, a spit of Split would be fantastic.

Thanks Brad,
It's not a genre I recognize for that matter...just sounds.

Thanks Greg.

Thnaks Deej,
I did as you suggested...it'll be in the mastered mix soon.

Thanks JJJ,
not so much researched as regurgitated.

Excellent Ray. Cool driving tune. I think the vocal was really well done. I do like the harmonies. The holds in the song gave the song a cool dynamic as well..

Ray,
#1 Cool toon and A+ effort on playing many parts yourself.
The differences to my ears are very subtle. The track with harmonies seems to sound a little fuller. I would raise a vocals just a bit. Maybe even ducking method. In any case, it is fun tune with unusual progression and neat sound design. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

A really good rocker.

Great guitar and bass.

Super vocals.

Nice chord progression.

Super mix.

Not my genre but this kept me interested throughout the entire song.

Good work on this one.

They both are very good but we opt for version 2 as we are suckers for harmonies.

And we like those subtle harmonies also. Nothing wrong with the bit of texture they offer.
FWIW we enjoy harmony at duet/trio levels, BGV levels and hints hereof.

The guitar panning on the intro was cool as were all the guitar bits throughout.
And course your bass lines well carried the bottom end resting very nicely in the mix with the drums.

It's an evocative lyric and sadly we know folks who would fit right in.

Like fj we thought the mix sounded fine as is.

Enjoyed them!

J&B

Hi Ray,

You are a very busy chap! Whenever I am on the forum I see you are having a new song, a new version or a new try out.
Very energetic.
And here I listened to both your versions and while the majority is in favor of the second version, I prefer the first version.
I heard more nicedetails in the instrument handling there. I didn't hear much of the harmony in the 2nd version, that's a pity.
But in both songs I had the feeling the instruments/band played too soft. No real pronouncation in any of them, like a riff, or whatever. Only the solo guitar at 0.40. But what I found more alarming was that you were hiding your vocals again behind that (soft volumed) band. Why???

The melody itself is very nice, so nothing wrong on that. But MORE volume please!

Hans