Thanks for the extra ears folks. I tried each suggestion, or explored where that comment came from in terms of the mix, and applied a few that lasted into the final mix and master. I still prefer the muddy, buried vocal BUT that's me. This mix is for other listeners - not me.
JUST FOR FUN here's a version with the vocals UP FRONT in a setting that allows & suits that placement & another setting where it's more middle ground: CRIM HIST Up Front Vox CRIM HIST 'angry" Vox
Last edited by rayc; 07/09/2506:09 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, I liked your earlier mix, but this sounds nice, too. The video is a thought provoking layer, which is a treat since so many aren't this ambitious. Well done!
Last edited by DC Ron; 07/09/2505:37 AM.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Really, really REALLY, Ray, a song this important really should have crystal clear vocals so that anyone can hear the words. I'm 100% pro the 'message' - I'm appalled by the nonconsciousness of humanity and our world leaders who are 95%+ 'heads that are a diminutive of Richard' (that's my Waoist woke!) - and among the charities I support I'm very pro Anti-Slavery International. Most people are totally unaware that there's more slavery now than when it was legal and that it's estimated that there are currently over 6 million sex slaves in the world, the vast majority female and ranging from underaged to very old age, but if I was to write a song about all coercers/bullies/slavers preventing millions from being true to themselves - as Shakespeare wrote, "First to thine own self be true" - posted it on social media and everyone heard a musical "mumble-mumble-whuyrrryyyrr-yudda-mumble" I'm sure I'd get listeners writing "What was the point of that?" Say it out LOUD, Ray, say it LOUD!
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.
Ray, I liked your earlier mix, but this sounds nice, too. The video is a thought provoking layer, which is a treat since so many aren't this ambitious. Well done!
Thanks Ron, I'm partial to the buried vocals closer to my original mix. This is the final mix posted in the other thread though professionally mastered. Things change a bit when they hit the mastering limiters, compressors & EQ.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Really, really REALLY, Ray, a song this important really should have crystal clear vocals so that anyone can hear the words. I'm 100% pro the 'message' - I'm appalled by the nonconsciousness of humanity and our world leaders who are 95%+ 'heads that are a diminutive of Richard' (that's my Waoist woke!) - and among the charities I support I'm very pro Anti-Slavery International. Most people are totally unaware that there's more slavery now than when it was legal and that it's estimated that there are currently over 6 million sex slaves in the world, the vast majority female and ranging from underaged to very old age, but if I was to write a song about all coercers/bullies/slavers preventing millions from being true to themselves - as Shakespeare wrote, "First to thine own self be true" - posted it on social media and everyone heard a musical "mumble-mumble-whuyrrryyyrr-yudda-mumble" I'm sure I'd get listeners writing "What was the point of that?" Say it out LOUD, Ray, say it LOUD!
WaoBand, I appreciate your support for the message.
As to the mix: it's neither pop song nor folk song. I lifted the vocal level and clarity as far as I was prepared to but had to comply with your quote...""First, to thine own self be true." or, more properly, "This above all: to thine own self be true..." which Polonius utters as well as the notorious "Neither a borrower nor a lender be...". In full:
"There, my blessing with thee. And these few precepts in thy memory Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar. Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel, But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatched, unfledged comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, Bear ’t that th’ opposèd may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear but few thy voice. Take each man’s censure but reserve thy judgment. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy—rich, not gaudy, For the apparel oft proclaims the man, And they in France of the best rank and station Are of a most select and generous chief in that. Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell. My blessing season this in thee."
In high school in the mid 70s the analysis was of a pompous man offering contradicting, conservative, unlivable advice. A man satirized "Generally regarded as wrong in every judgment he makes over the course of the play, Polonius is described by William Hazlitt as a "sincere" father, but also "a busy-body, [who] is accordingly officious, garrulous, and impertinent". In Act II, Hamlet refers to Polonius as a "tedious old fool"..."
All of that aside, I know what you were aiming at and agree...I weighed considerations to be otherwise with this mix and came down on the side of what, in my ears, "sounds" right as a song. A different arrangement, a different "band" and a different singer may have made this a shouty, angry declaration or a statement over a simple guitar but from the beginning, as the opening piano presents as evidence, this was intended to be a bit dramatic, a bit psych/prog and, as it doesn't lyrically address things "front on", a simple puzzle to be worked out. Thanks for the support!
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I prefer the "angry" version. Bold statements need to be up front and unapologetic. Many of the protest and social justice songs of the 60s were perhaps a little too folky in style to carry much weight, even when the words were on target. The backing band on this one seems much more muscular and ready to punch home some of the issues facing humanity. Good one, Ray.
I prefer your first mix, Ray, but that's personal preference only.
A video that is, or should be, impossible to turn away from. The mix is excellent, to my ears (notwithstanding my preference for the first one), and the song ... well, I've commented on it in your original post, not much to add to that. A cri-de-coeur to humanity's conscience, which (for the most part) remains deaf to it. Plus ca change, sadly ... well done for having the courage and artistry to create something like this. Superb production, though I (like many others) wish there was no need for such a message (sadly, there so is ...) .
I prefer your first mix, Ray, but that's personal preference only.
A video that is, or should be, impossible to turn away from. The mix is excellent, to my ears (notwithstanding my preference for the first one), and the song ... well, I've commented on it in your original post, not much to add to that. A cri-de-coeur to humanity's conscience, which (for the most part) remains deaf to it. Plus ca change, sadly ... well done for having the courage and artistry to create something like this. Superb production, though I (like many others) wish there was no need for such a message (sadly, there so is ...) .
Thanks James, Yes, the ever changing stagnation of morality. Hearts bleed painfully enough but without change that pain is small beans compared to reality. The two alternate mixes...just quick BIAB builds...were to point out how louder vocals can be appropriate in different genres but not the one I chose.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
That is a powerful lyric that is enhanced by an amazing supporting video.
Terry’s vocal is a perfect fit - his soothing voice against the sadness of the lyric is strong. The calm instrumentation, a kinda country rock feel, against that lyric makes it even more powerful
All the leaders should have to look at those faces of the children as they make their decisions. Of course that assumes some semblance of empathy.
Death needs a holiday - yes!
There’s been a lot of discussion regarding the versions but we got a bit lost in them. Why? We had a hard time departing from the powerful lyric/ and video long enough to parse things out.
A remarkable collaboration!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
Yeah, cool. Vocals are somewhat subdued, and yet are clear to the ear. Magic there, Ray. I really like the drum track. Did I mention that? Outstanding lyrics <-- I KNOW I mentioned that. Heart-wrenching video, man. Wow, that's powerful.
Given the option of a buried vocal or a upfront version, I quickly clicked the upfront version. Thanks for being accommodating despite your personal preference!
The relatively "happy" sounding instrumental was a bit jarring against the lyrics, but the vocals coming back after that point took care of that. This is a song best served with the video.
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