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#461875 03/12/18 11:19 PM
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dcuny Offline OP
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Here's a song for the Lenten season.

As always, comments are welcome.

Better Man

Smoke and ashes are all that's left
Of our house of love
Fanned the embers, let them turn to flame
Finally burned it to the ground

Now you say you've given up
We should both walk away
What had together is not enough
No kind of love is worth this pain

I'll write a different story
Sing a better song
Find ways to show that I was wrong

CHORUS
Been long, dark night, but I'll set things right
I'll be a better man
I put the past away, moving to the day
I'll be a better man

I believed in all our dreams, guiding us like a star
Took for granted that you'd always stay
I've been so careless with your heart

I know you've been hurt, but I just couldn't see
I was blind, help me to find
The better man in me

REPEAT CHORUS

You'll be glad you stayed to help me find my way
To be a better man
I'll work all my life moving toward the light
To be that better man


Technical Details
Piano - Acoustic, Rhythm CountryPopMike12-key Ev 085
Piano - Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
Guitar - Electric, Rhythm CountryPopBrent12-key Ev 085
Synth Pad - PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
Trumpet - SmoothJazzBallad Ev16 065

Drums - EZDrummer, Indie Folk
Strummed Guitars - Session Guitars 1 & 2
Bass - Bass On Demand

Vocal Processing - Waves Tune
Mastering - Ozone Elements
DAW - Reaper



-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #461876 03/12/18 11:54 PM
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David,

My favorite from you so far! I love the singer-songwriter 70s feel of this one. The track selection and production is excellent as well - great vocal.

Bob

dcuny #461881 03/13/18 01:40 AM
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Perfect listen for my own Lenten journey--trying to be that Better Man...also trying to be a better BIAB composer, and you've given me some new songwriting ideas and inspirations with this great contribution..there are details in the mix and arrangement that I will learn from...besides the fact that it is a joy to listen to..thanks.

dcuny #461886 03/13/18 02:18 AM
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"I'll write a different story
Sing a better song
Find ways to show that I was wrong"

Man, you are hittin' the note with this production. I'd rather listen again than to parse out all the good things. Suffice it to say that to our ears everything works -- the write, arrangement, production, vocals, BiaB tracks (trumpet is outstanding), drums are all in the pocket. And it sounds great on the monitors. Not to mention that we love well written redemption lyrics.

Kudos!!!

J&B

dcuny #461887 03/13/18 02:18 AM
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David, This is a fine example of the how to use different sources along with Biab. The drums sound fantastic. The production is really well done. I like the lyrics and your vocals do them justice. This is your best to date and look forward to your next one, Tom

dcuny #461889 03/13/18 02:22 AM
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David, this is exceptional in just so may ways.

Least of all, my great respect with your persistence with with amazing development of vocal technologies.

There is much to comment on the driving forces within your contribution. Sensational!


BIAB & RB2024 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
dcuny #461896 03/13/18 02:55 AM
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David,

This is truly an enjoyable listen!

The opening is nice - a good piano sound and a "grab ya" drum flurry.

Love the sound of the vocal. The various processing works well. The harmonies are exquisite!

The strumming guitars are impressive. The dynamics of verse production verses the chorus production is well done. The ending trumpet is a nice touch.

The chorus is catchy-as-all-get-out...

Excellent mix. Excellent song!

floyd

rsdean #461958 03/13/18 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: rsdean
I love the singer-songwriter 70s feel of this one. The track selection and production is excellent as well - great vocal.

Thanks! I appreciate it.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #461959 03/13/18 09:39 AM
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Really enjoyable melodic pop song, somewhere between Oasis and George Harrison, very good selection of instruments, I like especially the drumming, 'Indie Folk' describes the song very well. Nice chord changes, good lyrics and the message nicely crystallized in the ending section. Beautiful sounding vocals in the upper register. The ending trumpet leaves a delicious dreamy after-taste.

Janne


Hear My Music:

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Tano Music #461961 03/13/18 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted By: Tano Music
...there are details in the mix and arrangement that I will learn from...besides the fact that it is a joy to listen to..thanks.

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I may go back and fix some of the squeaks from the guitar on the right, and maybe balance it a bit better. Or I could just leave it alone and move on to something else... wink


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
Janice & Bud #461968 03/13/18 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Suffice it to say that to our ears everything works -- the write, arrangement, production, vocals, BiaB tracks (trumpet is outstanding), drums are all in the pocket.

Thanks!

Yes, that trumpet is really nice. And I'd gotten the Indie Folk drums a while back because they've got a cool sound, but never used them. Writing songs gives me an excuse to put all these lovely sounds to use. smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
tommyad #461972 03/13/18 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted By: tommyad
David, This is a fine example of the how to use different sources along with Biab.

Thanks, Tom!

Yes, the basic track was just drum, guitar and bass. I drove around with that track for a while working out the melody.

The BiaB tracks came in last, and they did a great job filling in the gaps. It's very much like being able to hire a session player to sweeten a track, only on a budget I can afford. smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
AudioTrack #461974 03/13/18 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
David, this is exceptional in just so may ways.

Thanks!

Quote:
Least of all, my great respect with your persistence with with amazing development of vocal technologies.

Yeah, I've got to get back to that. I was hoping to have something delivered by the end of 2017, but I guess I just ran out of steam.

I'm starting to tinker with some new ideas, but finding time for real life, music and coding is more a challenge than it used to be. I don't know how some of you folk do all that you do, but I'm impressed!

I'm glad you enjoyed the song!


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
floyd jane #461976 03/13/18 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
This is truly an enjoyable listen!

Thanks, that's always nice to hear, especially coming from you!

I tried to keep the drums up in the mix, per your instructions. wink

Quote:
Excellent mix. Excellent song!

Thanks! I may tweak one or two things, but I'm pretty happy with it.

I wasn't sure about the telephone effect on a mostly "folk" sounding song (although the highly processed vocal isn't really very "folk"), but figured I may as well try something dramatic.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
jannesan #461977 03/13/18 10:25 AM
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dcuny Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: jannesan
Really enjoyable melodic pop song, somewhere between Oasis and George Harrison, very good selection of instruments, I like especially the drumming, 'Indie Folk' describes the song very well.

Thanks, Janne!

I actually started out with the drum this time, and built the track around that. I really like the sound of that kit.

Quote:
Nice chord changes, good lyrics and the message nicely crystallized in the ending section. Beautiful sounding vocals in the upper register.

But next time, I'll try to pay attention to what range I can actually sing in! crazy


Quote:
The ending trumpet leaves a delicious dreamy after-taste.

Yeah, there's a ton of saxophone in BiaB, but I wish there was more mellow trumpet... and more flute, too.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #462030 03/13/18 03:45 PM
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Such a pretty song. I like that surprise telephone effect on the vocal. Sweet harmony, nice production touches and especially liked the chorus. Great job!

Sundance #462043 03/13/18 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted By: Sundance
Such a pretty song. I like that surprise telephone effect on the vocal. Sweet harmony, nice production touches and especially liked the chorus. Great job!

Thanks, Josie! smile

I had a co-worker listen to it, and he mentioned that parts of the vocal were "fuzzy", and might need to be re-recorded. It took a minute to figure out what he was talking about the telephone effect. laugh


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
dcuny #462096 03/14/18 04:23 AM
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Wow - this is a stunning tune, dcuny smile The emotion behind this is incredible. It is so captivating, simply put. Your vocal delivery almost forces you to pay attention to the lyrics. I particularly enjoyed the lo-fi effects and panning on the vocals at sections.

Great work, and thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
dcuny #462112 03/14/18 05:18 AM
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This song has such a strong beginning, and has very poignant lyrics. I think you did a really awesome job with this particular tune.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Ember
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Originally Posted By: Deryk - PG Music
I particularly enjoyed the lo-fi effects and panning on the vocals at sections.

Thanks, Deryk.

I wanted something to indicate a transition from the "problem statement" in the first verse to the "solution" started in the pre-chorus, and it didn't seem clear the way it was written.

Also, I'd rewritten the lyric and re-sung the line louder and further from the microphone, and it stuck out like a sore thumb. I was too tired to re-record the line.

I figured the best solution would be to emphasize the difference instead of hiding it. wink


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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