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Joined: Sep 2008
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Hi All, I just finished another song, I am really enjoying RB!! I am hoping for some good constructive critism on this one. I always value your input and enjoy reading all the posts and listening to all the songs posted.... There are a lot of talented people out there!!! This is a song that I actually wrote several years ago, a friend of mine recently did the backing music (before I got RB) After I finished recording the main vocals and the backing vocals, I felt it was missing something! SO I threw the music track into real band and added a fiddle to it. I need to know if it is overdone and any pointers that I could use for this song. The song is called "There's A Better Home Awaiting" Here is the link: www.dannyriddle.com/BetterHomeWaiting-DannyRiddle.MP3Thanks for listening! Keep the music alive, Danny
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Very nice tune. Love those Real tracks. The violin fits nicely with the tune.
Liked the stops as well. Keep em coming.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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You placed that fiddle perfectly in the song -- very good. Everything sounds great and the vocals are a lot of fun. On the first listen, I thought that the backing vocals and lead vocals collided a little bit. But on the subsequent listen, though problems didn't seem to be there any more (I guess I knew what was coming). But I do trust my first listen instincts -- so I would go back a listen with fresh ears and make sure that the backing vocals don't swallow up the lead singer.
Kevin
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Danny this is one SUPER SONG!
I personally like the mix you have going on here. It’s just fantastic.
You should put out a CD.
PS – that fiddle was spot on!
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Hi Danny,
I agree with Kevin on this one. I thought the backing vocals were swallowing the lead singer a bit especially at the first of the song. The fiddle is fine.
Sundance
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Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
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Danny,
Fiddle can sometimes be overdone - this is just right for me - good placement in the mix.
The Powderman
Learning something new everyday
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Hey All, Thanks for listening to my song and giving me some great ideas, I fell better knowing that the fiddle sounded okay - that was my main concern as I love the sound of the fiddle and always want MORE. I took Kevin's advise and I toned down that backing vocals a bit on the first part, I guess I was so use to hearing it and after singing all the parts, I knew what was coming and I was not hearing it all with a fresh ear... The new mix is in the same spot....Hope it sounds a bit better... www.dannyriddle.com/BetterHomeWaiting-DannyRiddle.MP3thanks again for all your valuable input..... Keep the music alive! Danny
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Hi Danny,
Love the song. I listened to the redone version and it may just be my opinion, but I think the background vocals are still a little to loud in comparison to the lead vocal. Fiddle fits well, the only other concern which probably can't be tweaked is that the bass seems to collide with the lead vocal on certain frequencies, not drowning it out, but confusing the ear as to which is meant to be the prominent feature at the moment.
Just my observations and perceptions such as they are.
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Hi Danny,
I've just listened to your updated version of the song. You're a great song writer and arranger. The whole production is fantastic. I'm 100% envious!!! I agree with toucher's above comment about the background vocals. They are overshadowing the lead. Have you tried just having the lead singer solo the first chorus and then adding the background vocals in the following choruses? This is a technique that is often used to build-up momentum as a song progresses.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Danny;
That is one great arrangement. I liked the fiddle. The stops were perfect. The key change in the middle really adds dynamics and freshness to the song. I wonder if you could reduce the backing vocals, ( as been said) just 2-3 Db, or add some reverb to them which will push them further back in the mix. I don't know. Just a bit. Everything is good, they just seemed too loud over hear, still. You could repost with them back a bit, and see what everyone thinks. It is hard, because by the time one does a "final mix" you have listened to it like 20 times or more, and figure it is done. But are they ever really done? We all keep tweeking and fiddling, don't we? Good thing it is fun. . . Super song.
Gene
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Journeyman
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I think it has all been said about this song. Everything is good, exept that I wished the lead vocal had "cut more through"
it is difficult for an newbie like me to be critical, but maybe the lead could be more "sharper" and "up front" You have a good voice and it absolutely fits in to the Bluegras style.
Best regards
Tono
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Top marks for this song, Danny.
Kind of an odd country vs gospel mix, but it works just fine.
What I liked particularly was the economy of the composition. Short intro, then straight in. At 2.20 the song is short, but this doesn’t make it any less memorable.
We could learn a lot from this!
Improvements could perhaps be made by toning down the backing vox choir – in volume and in number. Make sure they stay in the back where they’re supposed to be. Then I think the lead vox – which is perfectly competent – will shine through better.
Not my genre at all, but I really enjoyed listening to this.
Praise be!!
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Hey All, Thanks for all the compliments and most of all, for the great constructive ideas, WHELP, as Gene said, the mix is really never done...BUT it is fun to do. I took the advise of Tourcher, Noel and Gene - I lowered the vocals (by 2 notches), removed a few (can't tell it though) and I tried to fiddle around with the bass, BUT got no where with that as I kept butchering the mix, SO I left that alone..... SO here it is again...in the same spot: www.dannyriddle.com/BetterHomeWaiting-DannyRiddle.MP3Let me know how this one is... AGAIN, so many thanks for your patience with me on this song - learning as I go and thanks for all your guidance!! Keep the music alive, Danny
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MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Sorry I am late on this one Danny, almost missed it. With that said all I can do is add my Kuddos to those above, you had my feet stomping!
Later,
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Hey
Thanks Danny C and Noel, I think this song is now done ... unless I am missing something...
Thanks agian to all for the invaluable input.
Danny
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