PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Late August

Title: aug14
File:aug14hazychanged.SGU
Key=A , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=3:40
4 bar intro, 28 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 32. Repeat x3 choruses
No Melody
Style is _ESTUARY.STY (Estuary Heavy 8ths '90s Rock)
RealDrums [in style:Rock90s^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare

I upped the bass as suggested and altered the dynamics between verse & chorus by thinning out the aggressive section and making the "bridge" a little more aggressive.
I retracked the "melodic" vocal section as it was suggested it was too strident and I needed to sing softly. When I tried this the softer voice displayed less stable tuning but I've included it in this version for comment.
I also tidied the timing of the "solo"

V3
I've worked on the bass, replaced the busy strumming, (it annoyed someone elsewhere), addressed the overly loud cymbals, (they annoyed someone elsewhere) retracked the solo and tidied the vocals, (which, you guessed it - annoyed someone elsewhere), a little bit.
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V4
I've tied this as far as I can manage...thinned and fattened for a slight change in dynamics, tweaked the vocal and it's quite some way from where it started for better or worse.
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V5
I took some of the blanket from the drums, (they've a VERY annoying cymbal thing going on), added a smidgen of reverb to the vocals and similarly tooled about.
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I'm still trying to find a key I can croak in.
This is a song that is part experiment to find a key, part an exploration of my electric 12 string and part goofing around with structure.
This goes from intro to chorus and the solo is the second half of a verse attempting to play the 2nd half of the verse melody.
I did have BIAB gospel bvox on this but the excellent harmonies and structure didn't work with my attempts at a melody so I ditched them today.
Written in BIAB, retracked in Reaper with, as usual, the BIAB drummer kicking things along nicely.
Vantage bass through a BDI21 DI/pedal.
Most Harley Benton Ricky copy 12 string tracks are via a Marshall amp and 4 x 12 mic'd with a Shure 57 just east of the dust cap/cone seal with a couple of accent parts through the Behringer BDI21 and the "solo" through a Behri compressor pedal, Behringer GDI21 and a super cheap spring reverb pedal with a friend's home made cab sim ITB. The thick track in the intro and outro is a Morrison Bug Fluff pedal, the synth pad sounds are the guitar through a Yamaha FX500 unit.
Focusrite solo interface and a cheapie PC.
Vocals are an AT2020 mic into the interface with A LOT of track comping and a fair bit of Reatune to compensate for me being a semitone out or wavering too much far too often.
This is not finished and your thoughts on sounds, song and arrangement would be appreciated.
Chorus
There’s no way that you can see
There’s no way that you can tell
There’s no one to comfort you
There’s no one you can compel
There’s no debt you can repay
There’s safe or easy play
There’s no place to hide away

Verse
This is really happening
It’s not what you fear
They’re your obsessions
Coming too near
It is mainly chemical
It will fade away
It is your subconscious
Here for the day

Chorus
There’s no one that you can be
There’s no one that you can change
There’s no way to be your light
There’s no way to re-arrange
There’s no drug resets your mind
There’s no path way for the blind
There’s no saviour you will find

Verse
It’s not really permanent
It’s not every day
Now try to run with it
You’ll soon be okay.
It is part of who you are
It will come again
It’s you who must live like this
No peace from the pain

Chorus
There’s no exit to the light
There’s no hidden special clue
There’s no one to lead you right
There’s no one to comfort you
There’s no inside creeping out
There’s secret roundabout
There’s cure for your doubt

Short verse
It’s not taking over
It’s not all you are
It’s part of the whole
Don’t take it too far.

SOLO

Hello Ray ...

Have a few minutes before going to bed, so I logged onto the forum and saw you had posted a new one.

This reminds me of some of the early British Invasion sounds of the early and mid 60s. That 12-string puts it right there. Your vocal is also reminiscent of the era. And your vocal isn't nearly as bad as you think it is. the key sounds right to me ... for your voice.

That's a very interesting chord pattern, particularly on the chorus. I picked up my guitar and plunked around until I found most of them. pretty cool song! That 12-string really sells it for me!


If I had one suggestion it would be to consider bringing the bass up a little more forward. i think that would give the song a little more punch/drive. Other than that, not much to complain about. Nicely done!

Take care and be safe ...

Alan

Unique sound, vox were fine, good lyrics as usual, ending was terrific. Enjoyed it.

Ray

Nice chord progression, agree with Alan maybe more bass.
The guitars sound good.

Look forward to hearing it develop.

Peter

Thanks Alan,
I'm glad you want more bass...I wanted it too but thought I might be overdoing things having just retracked the bass parts. I'll up bass today.

Thanks Tunemonger,
The ending is the 12 into a Big Muff clone into a Marshall + 4 x 12...it was good in the room.

Thanks Peter,
The progression is the result of the key more than anything...plus my enjoyment derived from throwing in the odd naughty chord.

Ray,
Wow! You are crawling out of that shell! Mind bending chording you got going there. Vocals getting better with each project. Very good start. I thought mix was a bit quiet. Whatever you do, do not change ending Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Rayc,

Like the sound of this a lot. Chord progression I really engaging. Alan references a British Invasion feel to this . . . and I hear that. But to me, very reminiscent of early R.E.M. We all hear different things, I guess, LOL!. Keep working it, I like what I’m hearing.

All my best,

Deej

Helo Misha & thanks.
I like the drawn out ending too.
There's nothing on the master bus at this stage so it is a little quiet I agree. Should allow lots of scope in mastering.

Perhaps I should pull out my mandolin and go full REM!
Thanks Deej, you're very kind. There's an updated mix in the OP.

Sounds great Ray. Excellent mix.

Ray,
A good snappy chorus that works well with the bass (version2)- I like the variations with strong rhyme in the lyrics.
Not long ago I was told I couldn`t really sing ( another forum); I let it go as I`ve always found there`s almost no-one in this world who can`t sing!
Your vocal here is fine and has no reason to hide. My advice (which I`m still learning to put into recordings) is play with and to your strengths...like that cool almost spoken " its not really permanent" line and the slightly British sounding tone of your voice.
Love the 12-string,of course.

Robert

Ray, I would call this one finished. I think this sounds great as is.

Thanks David,
Still some fiddling - eternal tweaker style - from my point of view but ta.

Thanks Robert,
Yesterday I was told by a chap on another forum that I ought to vary my chord patterns, play the same chord for longer, not play power chords so often, not play four to the bar, work on my singing, do spoken word instead of singing and not be so same same with every song I write. He's a chap who writes and plays very gentle, delicate, intricate songs that I really like but he'd not listened to the last several I'd done. I has a good laugh and responded, calmly, with thanks and prattled n about the things he'd written that'd be helpful to me.
Thank you for your kind words and support.

Thanks Mario,
there're a few things I want to nail into place before I abandon the project. It will be soon though.

Ray, that is a very creative chord structure. It kept me guessing but also engaged. Very well sung! Great ending and the mix sounds good although as previously mentioned could use some more volume. I liked it very much and applaud your out of the box creativity, Tom

I found this very interesting, esp the chord progressions. I think there may be a few isolated sung notes that are close, but not on, the target, but perhaps that's the feel you were going for. All in all, really 'progressive' work and I was very glad that i tuned in. Thanks, Ray.

I guess you could do all that if you wanted to sound different, maybe like him.

I like the character of this piece and I'd vote do your own thing.

I enjoyed listening, good job.