After all your very generous comments on my first posting I'd like to offer up this new song for your deliberation.
I was tasked with writing a song for one of my artist friends about the pain of loss of a loved one ............not the most easiest of subjects to approach, however I said I'd have a go and came up with this.
PLEASE NOTE...I have utilised an AI vocal on this as its way out of my range but just right for the person who will be singing it.
All tracks BIAB 2025 mixed etc in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10.6
Title: Im Still Talking To Shadows V2 File:Im Still Talking To Shadows V2.SGU Key=G , Tempo 92, Length (m:s)=3:54 No intro. 86 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 86. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody Soloist track has 591 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _PSHINIH.STY (Shining Pop w/ Held Guitar)
RealTracks in style: 1255:Bass, Electric, PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1264:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 2535:Guitar, Electric, HeldChords Gritty RealTracks in style: 1259:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2824:Pedal Steel, Soloist CountryEddy12-key Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2650:Guitar, Electric, Background DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085 RealTracks in song: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085 RealTracks in song: 2457:Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085 RealDrums in style:PraiseWorshipShine^01-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
LYRICS
(Verse 1) The house is quiet, dust motes dance in light, Where laughter echoed, now there's only night. Their little shoes sit neatly by the door, A silent story of what is no more. I see their drawings taped upon the wall, And hear their tiny voices in the hall. Each corner holds a memory so clear, A phantom touch, a whisper in my ear.
(Pre-Chorus) The world keeps spinning, seasons come and go, But in this heart, a constant undertow. I try to smile, to join the passing day, But something's missing, something slipped away.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Verse 2) I watch their friends play hopscotch in the street, Their carefree joy, a melody so sweet. And wonder what their life would now have been, The dreams they held, the futures unseen. I try to answer questions that they pose, With careful words, the sorrow I enclose. But sometimes, silence is the only way, To hide the tears that threaten to betray.
(Pre-Chorus) The world keeps spinning, seasons come and go, But in this heart, a constant undertow. I try to smile, to join the passing day, But something's missing, something slipped away.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Bridge) They say that time will heal, the wounds will start to mend, But how do you replace a love that has no end? I hold their hands and tell them of your grace, And see a flicker of your light upon their face.
(Chorus) I'm still talking to shadows, where you used to be, Reaching out in emptiness, that's all I ever see. The echoes of your laughter, a bittersweet refrain, Lost within the silence, a constant, aching pain.
(Outro) Talking to shadows, until the day I'm free, Talking to shadows,
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Very nice. Well mixed considering the high number of BIAB tracks you are using. Lyrics are very reflective. What AI vocalist are you using - the male Synth V vocalist that I have auditioned just don't sound as realistic for country as the one in your song?
That is a challenging task indeed to tactfully express loss. AI did a good job on this.
There's a lot I could say. Maybe Ill come back with more later, but for now, I will simply say this...... It's a challenge to have a lot of instruments in a mix and keep it sounding clean. This mix sounded "full" to me and in a few areas it seemed on the edge of distortion. It's more about what you don't have playing vs what you do when you want a clean mix.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Really excellent song on all levels, lyrically, instrumentation and production. Whatever AI vocals you're using it's superb and way, way better than Synth V. Really enjoyed this song.
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
Pete, think you nailed the task on this one. Nice write and super job on the synth vocals. Nice use of BiaB instruments, too. Suspect your friend will be quite pleased.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Wow, Pete, those lyrics create lumps in the throat and tears in the eyes. And you wrap it up in such a good song. Really dig the vocal. The mix is also quite pleasing. Hey, keep 'em coming, Pete.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Wow, Pete, those lyrics create lumps in the throat and tears in the eyes. And you wrap it up in such a good song. Really dig the vocal. The mix is also quite pleasing. Hey, keep 'em coming, Pete.
Thank you I'm so glad you liked it. It's hard to express emotions sometimes, but to read the comment you so kindly put above makes it worthwhile.
Best regards
Pete
I've just realised who you are!! So sorry Marty, hope this finds you well buddy!
Last edited by PeteMcN; 04/17/2507:33 AM.
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I must admit the AI did a good job! It sounds very natural and well fitted for this kind of songs. I think Herb (Guitarhacker) uses the same AI??? The song is very well composed and played. Like that sound very much. I think the person you wrote the song for must have been very moved. I would...
I must admit the AI did a good job! It sounds very natural and well fitted for this kind of songs. I think Herb (Guitarhacker) uses the same AI??? The song is very well composed and played. Like that sound very much. I think the person you wrote the song for must have been very moved. I would...
Good work, Pete, Hans
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.
Yes the chap I wrote it for was very happy, thankfully!!
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I know very little about country music - however this is a very professional song and mix. I am totally amazed at the AI vocalist - he has timbre and character that I did not think possible with AI. Do you have to do a lot of editing to get the vocals this good?
Well done.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
Excellent work on this one. Brilliant write, great hook, top notch production, topped of with a compelling, and great sounding AI vocal. Sad subject, but deftly tackled. Very impressive outing! Bravo!
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