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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Quote:
I tried doubling which just made it too loud, delay which made my head swim, eq which made it too hissy LOL, I tried moving it all across the spectrum - tried less and even no bass... Adding in a little of 1171 earlier seemed to overwhelm and draw more attention to the level of punch so I left it out until the solo. It is a little crisper here as opposed to the encoded mp3 but not the crunch I envisioned. So after days and days of toying with it, I finally just settled. Realtracks are great and I love them but sometimes it's still hard - for me anyway - to get the sound I really want. But at least you were able to tell what I was trying to do so all wasn't lost and heaven knows I could not have done this much without the RT's.
One word- compression. When you have some time to just noodle, try another mix of this for fun, utilizing compression on every track. Compression is a bit tricky so the best way to learn how to use it is to just start using it. Try some presets for the compressor plugin you choose and see how they change the sound of things. Turn the dials. Watch how the level meter can be held very steady depending on how you set the compressor. When I use realtracks [all the time really], I always have a compressor on the drums, bass, strum guitars and other guitars such as 'chunking' guitar parts like you have in this piece, as well as vocals at all times. It's one thing to mix just by generally adjusting the volumes between all the tracks, and panning, and eq'ing. But along the way, compression must be learned to take the mix to another level...so to speak! Compression will give attitude to tracks that need it. Different compressor plugins will color the sound of a track in different ways- some doing it transparently, while others do it in a more agressive sounding way. But once compression is understood and used properly, things really begin to take off. So that's why I say, for fun and learning try mixing a track from the ground up with compression on the tracks. Maybe you have some different choices in the app you're using to mix. Try them all. Try the presets. Tweak the presets. You'll get it. There's nothing really wrong with the mix of this track. But if you're sensing you want some attitude on some things, compression will get you there. And attitude is really just another way of saying- I want this instrument more 'in your face' in the mix, without overtaking everything else. Compression. Have fun with it!
Dan
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Journeyman
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excellent Josie.This is such a good song and I love the way you put the break on the instruments and carrying on singing into the hook.Me personally I wouldnt mess about to much with your backing(though others here might know more about "bettering" the mix)It sounds good and quite punchy through my studio monitors and I would get this out to some country and music publishers pronto.And oh! great lyrics.. so I think Ive said it all.cheers Frankie
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Nice work! Very nice use of Lyrics! Thanks for sharing! My Music
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
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Expert
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Great song, good writing and composition. vocals are really great.
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Apprentice
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Josie, I love the song. You did a great job!
Steve
Steve
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Great song Josie and pukka vocals as usual! I'd have brought the drums up in the mix more but that's my pop sensibilities showing through!
John
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David, Thank you, will those work - can you paste those into RB? Just wondering. The only time I normally use Audacity is to make an mp3 after the track is done.
Dan, Thank you, I'm going to try that on my next one. I used compression on the vox track and on the stereo master track but I didn't use it on the individual instrument tracks. I think I was paranoid it would sound too processed but I get what you're saying and I'm going to experiment using it on the instrument tracks. If I can make it transparent - I'm curious now - I have to try it.
Frankie, so glad you like it. I'm going to leave it as is and use the suggestions for the next one. I love the song but I've heard it now to the point that I've got to work on something else for a while. LOL. I haven't actually pitched anything in so long I'm not sure where to start on that end these days. Thank you.
Marty, PgFantastic, Toucher and Steve - I appreciate all of your kind words. Thank you.
Skyline John, I recognize those pop sensibilities and I will confess to you that I turned them down from where I originally had them LOL.
(Rock babies r us.)
Last edited by Sundance; 12/17/10 08:55 PM.
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Yes, they can. But I didn't realize that the particular batch of samples I linked to are in 32 bit float format, which RB 2009.5 can't read. It's pretty simple to use Audacity to convert them to 16 bit PCM, which RB can handle: - Launch Audacity.
- Open the folder with the samples that need to be converted.
- Select all the .wav files in the folder. The easiest way is to use the Ctrl+A keys.
- Drag and drop the group of files into Audacity. This will open each file on an separate track. Note they show up as "32-bit float".
- Choose File|Export Multiple... from the menu.
- In the Export Multiple dialog, choose:
- Export Format: WAV (Microsoft) signed 16 bit PCM
- Export Location: Where you want the files to go. You can select the original directory, if you want to overwrite the original files. However, I believe it will "helpfully" create backup copies with the label "old" appended to the name.
- Split files based on: Tracks
- Check Overwrite Existing Files
- Click the Export button, and click OK at each prompt - once for each file, and a final confirmation dialog.
- Close Audacity.
- Select No at the Save Changes? dialog.
The .wav files can now be imported into RB. Note that multiple audio files can be inserted into a singe audio track: - Select the track you want the audio to appear on.
- By default, RB tracks are in MIDI. Change the track to Audio:
- Left click on the track to get the context menu.
- Select Track Type: MIDI > Audio - Stereo from the top of the menu.
- Click on the track to set the point where you want the audio to be placed.
- Choose Audio | Import Wave File... from the menu (or press Ctrl+F3) to get the Open File dialog.
- Navigate to the file you want to insert. Select the file and press OK.
Although RB will place the audio onto the track, you probably will need to shift it around a bit to get it exactly in place. You can do this by selecting the portion of audio that needs to be moved, holding down the Ctrl key, and dragging it left or right. Release the mouse where you want the audio to be repositioned, and click OK at the Drag/Drop Edit dialog. Cut and Paste also work as expected. I hope this helps!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Great job Josie and good use of the RealTracks.
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p.s. Why are we Enthusiasts?
the short description under your name is an indicator of how many times you've posted to the forum. As you post more, the description will change. It has nothing to do with your musical expertise or proficiency with the software
Quote:
Smoking Gun
Having said that, I want to congratulate Josie for another song well done! You really do have a knack for weaving clever metaphor into your lyrics... that seems to be a common denominator among all your songs. And you have a very good sense for using RB to assemble the parts into a pleasing composition.
In edit mode I can't scroll up to read the other comments, but somebody commented that the subject matter could have allowed an edgier performance, and I agree. That comment focused on the use of edgier real tracks, but I'm thinking of vocal edginess.
Songs recorded in a studio tend to sound different than songs recorded live, and part of the reason is that the enthusiasm of the live performance is captured when the performers are strutting their stuff onstage. Phone solicitors are trained to smile when they answer the phone, because the voice takes on different characteristics when they smile. I think there is a corollary in the recording process.
When you record your vocals, do you sit in front of the mic? or do you stand and move around? I'd like to hear if there's a difference when you close your eyes and sing wholeheartedly while imagining yourself to be onstage in front of a large audience.
As good as your recordings are, I always get the impression you're trying not to disturb somebody in another part of the house. I want to hear Josie totally unleashed, Josie the tigress, not Josie the kittycat. If necessary, lock the door to your recording room, wait till the house is empty, dress up in a really flashy outfit to get in the mood, and sing to the imaginary audience while prancing about the "stage." Nobody will see it but you, but I bet the resulting vocals will be different because of the theatrics.
Just a thought. Your songs are already very good, but I just think you're holding something back, and I want to hear it all.
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Journeyman
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"I haven't actually pitched anything in so long I'm not sure where to start on that end these days. Thank you."
Josie Im going to a songwriter friend,s Christmas part tonight and if you like I will ask him for some contacts for your music.He worked in Nashville (he was signed to Warner Bros)for about 6 months and had a few songs covered by some American country singers one of them was Patty Loveless Cheers Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
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windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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David, Thank you, that's really nice of you going to all those specifics. I appreciate it and will try them out.
Bob, Thank you. I can get frustrated with the realtracks but being the semi control freak that I am, I really enjoy the process - slicing and dicing, trying this and that.
Pat, Thank you. Good suggestions. I like getting in the zone and prefer standing. Sometimes I will sit doing simple harmonies but that's rare.
Frankie, that would be so totally cool. Thank you for your help.
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Quote:
David, Thank you, that's really nice of you going to all those specifics. I appreciate it and will try them out.
Bob, Thank you. I can get frustrated with the realtracks but being the semi control freak that I am, I really enjoy the process - slicing and dicing, trying this and that.
Pat, Thank you. Good suggestions. I like getting in the zone and prefer standing. Sometimes I will sit doing simple harmonies but that's rare.
Frankie, that would be so totally cool. Thank you for your help.
Sorry Josie snow got the party called off but will send him an email.Cheers Frankie
AMD Athlon 7550 dual core
processor 2.51 ghz
1 87 gb ram
windows 7 Ultimate
yamaha rev 500 effects
tacam DP-24 DAW
Samson Resolv NF monitors
Yamaha PSR-620 Keyboard
Fender semi accoustic guitar
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Wild weather over there Frankie. Stay safe and warm. Send me a pm when/if you hear anything. Thank you so much.
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