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I never upgraded so I did not have realtracks until a couple of months ago - man why did I wait. I wrote this piece for my bride a couple of years ago - but once I had realtracks to work with - I wrote a new arrangement. Still learn something everyday on the mixing side - any pointers will be appreciated. http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7425309
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Journeyman
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Hey Powderman;
That was great! Yes, with realtracks it opens up a whole new world of recording possibilities, doesn't it? May times in my sogs, the "Realtrack pickers" play better that I do! I have trouble fittin' in. LOL.
Good mix. I wonder how you did the vocals? Did you get that full sound with just reverb, and effects, or are the vocals panned slightly left and right? It had a great sound.
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Luvs3rds
I do so much fiddlin' with the mix sometimes - but I am pretty sure I did pan 65L and 65R with the vocals with a little reverb.
' Sure do like the real tracks - I didn't get all the sets when I upgraded - but have been starting to add a couple of sets here and there.
I have checked out some of your things before - and it is all good.
Thanks
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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I'll start by saying very nice tune, I am sure the bride had to love it. Also I'll let a couple of others more qualified than I to give you pointers (if needed) regarding the production aspect. The only other thing I would add that would IMHO take the project up quite a few notches is to use Real Drums as the midi drums are a bit distracting.
Were you playing any instruments? As besides the drums all instruments were right on.
Oh, welcome aboard Powderman!
Later,
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Danny,
Thanks for the thought. I played drums for many years - so I tend to let them get a little out of place. I did play acoustic guitar on a track - I'm mostly just a strummer.
Take Care
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Realtracks are a blast and a nice little tune. Here are a few quick observations.
At 0:04 and especially at 0:07, the pedal steel stops abruptly -- which sounds wrong. The way to overcome this is to keep generating the pedal steel until it sounds the smoothest. Sometimes this can be easier in RB, since you can generate short sections here and there
I would re-do the drummer and experiment with styles and A/B sections. Something dropped out at around ~0:27, I think it has to do with the drums. Dropping off the drums at 0:45 seemed odd.
The real tracks are cool, but they still need to be whipped into shape quite often.
Kevin
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Hi Powderman,
That is a fine good song!
Here are my humble observations;
While I undersrand your effect on vocals, I feel it's a little overdone (sometimes less is more , sorry for the cliche) You have a fine voice which I think would benefit from being upfront and clear rather than double tracked.
The midi drums also let it down especially as it's a "power set" I'd go with Kevin's suggestion here.
Thanks for posting buddy, most enjoyable,
Dave.
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I was going to mention that the double-tracked vocals at +65 and -65 were a little too much for me, but that is just a personal preference. But since Dave mentioned it, I'll second that motion.
Kevin
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Kevin;
RE: "Sometimes this can be easier in RB, since you can generate short sections here and there "
Are you saying you can Select a certain portion of a track, and just re-generate that portion in RB? I didn't know that? If that is so, that is exactly what I'v been wanting, instead of changing what I like also, just to change what I don't like.
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Quote:
Are you saying you can Select a certain portion of a track, and just re-generate that portion in RB? I didn't know that? If that is so, that is exactly what I'v been wanting, instead of changing what I like also, just to change what I don't like.
Yup, just highlight the section of the track you want entered, make sure that track is "selected" and generate your instrument. You can't do 2 different instruments on one track (the first section will switch to the new instrument, too) and I really don't know if the 1st section will re-generate or not if you keep the same instrument. On the quick example I tried, it looked like only the 2nd section generated, but that's hard to tell.
Kevin
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Hi Powderman,
cool song overall. I have to agree with Dave on the vocals. You have a nice voice for this type of song, and I think it is hidden fat too much by the double tracking and the reverb. I'd go single track on the lead vocal, compressed to bring it way out front, then add reverb to taste.
Any background vocals could be double tracked for fullness, compressed on a slightly lower level, then slight delay or reverb to taste and run them at about 70% of the lead vocal level. To taste of course.
For mixing and mastering techniques, you can see if Ray Thigpen still has his tutorials available. They helped me a lot. I still refer to them and they are very well done.
Good song, good effort, welcome to the club.
toucher
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Too bad I have to go to work now, or I would be on there right now! Thanks.
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Quote:
Danny,
Thanks for the thought. I played drums for many years - so I tend to let them get a little out of place. I did play acoustic guitar on a track - I'm mostly just a strummer.
Take Care
I was making reference to "BIAB Real Drums". I am assuming if you have a BIAB version with "real tracks" you also had the "real drum" tracks. Also nice work on that acoustic track.
later,
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Everyone,
Thanks so much for the comments. I've already started replacing the drum track. I tend to have low self esteem when it comes to the vocals - so I tend to try too many effects and gimmicks. I already kind of knew that - but needed to hear it from another source. Friends and family won't ever tell you those kind of things.
I've had BIAB for over two years - sure wish I would have gotten involved in the forum back then - the talent here is wonderful.
Thanks again
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Nothing wrong with your voice Powderman. Great warm voice, and it has so to speak a tear and a smile inside of it in the same time. You could use a bit more air from the belly and make the airflow steady and stronger to keep the voice more stable, but in your sound I have nothing to say but: great sound! Actually I wrote a long response, but then I was all of a sudden automatically logged out when entering the story, sad for me, lucky all of you.  I will not all type it again. But I give the short version. About what the others said: 0:04 seconds, weird stop: nah, just a normal stop i.m.o. 0:07 seconds, weird stop: yep, agree there 0:27 seconds, dropout:huh? I don't hear a dip there? compression: yes, some, but don't overcompress. delay: possible, but be careful, it can also make a muddy mix in the end. I would prefer backings without any effects for that matter, and with a roll off of low frequencies to make them weigh light. Since the instrument allready fill up quite some I think it might not even need backings at all... realtracks drums That or a change of drum kit (the rock snare doesnot really fit in I think and a bit too much toms that sound the same each short break) Anywayyyyyy.... Doubling of voices is not a stranger in music world, it happens quite often, but there are some things, besides the question if it really adds something to the song, to consider: As in this song I can't walk away from the fact that there seems to be some phaseproblems going on. I don't know for sure what exactly caused it, maybe you used a delay, or maybe just the coincidence of two almost similar tracks cancelling and emphasizing eachother from time to time. It might be even your head turning to read the lyrics and that way giving me that impression because you are softer and harder in volume throughout the whole song. Anyway when the waveform is exactly the same or also almost the same, a small difference in phase of the wave can cause trouble. In this case a doubled (copied) track with a small delay might be easier to deal with, since they are identical and therefor better to manipulate. Although I think you don't need to double with your voice on this track. So my conclusion. Toucher said the most of it: some compression to make the voice stand out and maybe some reverb to create the feeling of space. Finally I would want to suggest a little bit of EQ in the higher frequencies (like at 2kHz and above) to create a bit more clarity in the sound, which helps the voice to be more present as well as the pronounciation becomes more clear. Can you guys believe it? This is the very short version of my previous input. I bet this allready bored you all into oblivious didn't it? Guys? Hello? Wake up guys, I am done!
I'll be back...
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abaudio,
Thanks for the summary. I have already switched to a real drums track - but still not getting the right sound in the fill areas - but I'll find it. Also working on the vocal.
After I spent some time with it - I'll have to throw it back up here.
Nearly time for work.
Have A Great Day
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Lookin forward to the "throwback" ;o)
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Me too! I mean looking forward to it, that is... Goodluck!
I'll be back...
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Powderman;
I finally get the meaning of your name. It must be fun hittin' that switch!
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