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#324721 12/12/15 07:35 AM
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Hi All.

This song could just as easily have been called - How much fun can you have with a vocoder?
Those of you who heard my last post will remember I used a subtle vocoder effect on the vocals and the same effect is on the chorus voices in this song - it uses modulated white noise to create a soft breeze blowing through the voices. For the verse, I wanted something more aggressive, to make a step-change between the sections, so there's a lot more processing on those voices.

This song is a follow-up to a song I posted a couple of years back and eventually I hope to turn the story into a trilogy. If you want to hear the first song, you can find it HERE.

Many years ago I stood in for a bass player who had broken his arm and in that band the guy on Hammond used to echo phrases that the sax player used in his solos. It annoyed the heck out the sax player, but he couldn't stop him doing it, even though they nearly came to blows one time. Watch out for me doing it to the RT sax solo in this song. It took me back to those happy days!

The project started out in Realband and was mixed and mastered in Powertracks.

FOOLISH GIRL
She wakes up
Taking her time to dress alone
Tries not to cry
It's not enough
Something inside won't let her go
Tears in her eyes

Foolish girl, it's way too late
There's just so much that a person can take
Foolish girl, you had it all
A lesson learned, now it's your tears that fall.

She reads the note
Goodbye was all he wrote
One word says it all.

As ever, many thanks if you have the time to listen.

Cheers ROG.

ROG #324724 12/12/15 07:46 AM
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Really nice and nicely innovative too. I really enjoyed this one a lot.


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ROG #324735 12/12/15 08:47 AM
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ROG,

WOW! What a sound!

I'm listening to the intro at the moment - it's great! Now that I'm further into the song, the arrangement is awesome. You really know how to produce an amazing sound! I really like the effect of the vocoder. I listened without the lyrics in front of me (I always like to do that first). My only criticism is that because of the effect, I couldn't understand some of words. That didn't detract from my being captivated by an incredible production, though. I simply pass the thought on in case it's useful.

I'd love to be able to get a sound like what I've just heard! It's fantastic! There's no two ways about it, you're a blackbelt writer/arranger/producer!

All the best,
Noel




MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
ROG #324741 12/12/15 09:07 AM
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What a great vibe ROG!! I love that sound. The musical transition from the verse to the chorus is beautiful. This reminds me of some retro British bands (Camel for one) and has some elements of newer retro inspired ones like Snow Patrol or Coldplay. Really nice stuff! Loved it!! Take care. Greg

ROG #324776 12/12/15 01:52 PM
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Hi ROG,

What can we say....
Great groove, professional and very cool use of the vocoder.
We love those strings arpeggios.
And the sax solo sounds great.
One of your best we think!
(Also makes us think of Alan Parsons)


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
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ROG #324792 12/12/15 03:25 PM
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ROG

Yes, you've sure delivered with this one.

Great driving beat, the backing tune is remarkable.

Vocals: you nailed them throughout.

The arrangement is solid from the first note to the last.

Can't say enough good things about this.

Trev


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
ROG #324801 12/12/15 03:51 PM
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Incredible track! I enjoyed this very much. I really like what you did to create such an awesome sound. Good writing and vocals. Great job!
Sonny

ROG #324806 12/12/15 04:00 PM
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This is absolutely fantastic and radio ready IMHO.

Perfect from start to finish with great vocals, sax solo, backing tracks, lyrics and harmonies all mixed perfectly.

This is a keeper.


The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal".
Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
ROG #324845 12/12/15 05:50 PM
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Hi Rog ...

It doesn't any more professional than this. We're not familiar with the vocoder but the effects on the vocals is stunning! The variance between verses and chorus is very prevalent and exciting.

The background reminded us of some of the Carpenters' recordings. ... but with a contemporary touch. That was a gorgeous listen! What talent!

Alan & Di


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ROG #324871 12/12/15 07:39 PM
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ROG,

great stuff ROG, impeccable on all fronts.
A great 80's vibe, fade to grey springs to mind

I played piano in a band and used to echo the guitarist's phrases, and he mine, and we developed a competition to see if we could play something the other could not. Ever heard an octave whammy drop on a piano LOL. I played a M Audio keyboard midi controller so that was possible, once set up.
back to your song

Thoroughly enjoyed as usual
You sure know your way around Power Tracks
Happy Christmas to all

Alyn

ROG #324873 12/12/15 07:53 PM
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Hi Rog. I like it very much! It certainly ads a certain flow to the vocals. I am really enjoying my Sunday morning listen to all these songs. Good job!


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
ROG #324917 12/13/15 03:41 AM
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ROG, This is going to require multiple listens. There are a whole bunch of nice little touches sprinkled throughout here and there. Great sound overall. A really well produced, well sung and well played track. Congrats on a marvelous song! Tom

ROG #324956 12/13/15 08:52 AM
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WOW, ROG!

You've out-done yourself on this one.

This has "radio!" written all over it... a true "hit sound".

The production is so good, I think people are missing how well written the song is! That is an accomplishment.

Your best. Loved it!

Impressive.

floyd

ROG #325003 12/13/15 12:45 PM
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Very cool intro. Here a little Moody Blues in there. Well done


Scott Collingwood
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ROG #325013 12/13/15 01:30 PM
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hi rog excellent production everything well done very clear mix had to listen again thanks for sharing eric


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ROG #325060 12/13/15 09:13 PM
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Rog
Exceptional.

ROG #325162 12/14/15 08:45 AM
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Really a nice song! I enjoyed the vocoder use.

Sergio



Sergio
ROG #325196 12/14/15 12:55 PM
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Wow, great song ! Excellent vocals...


Forever Grateful, BUT, sometimes pissed of. wink
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My OLD tracks on Soundcloud; https://soundcloud.com/trygve-larsen My NEW is unpublished
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SRP #325282 12/15/15 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Really nice and nicely innovative too. I really enjoyed this one a lot.

Many thanks, Charlie. Glad you enjoyed it.

Originally Posted By: Noel96
ROG,

WOW! What a sound!

I'm listening to the intro at the moment - it's great! Now that I'm further into the song, the arrangement is awesome. You really know how to produce an amazing sound! I really like the effect of the vocoder. I listened without the lyrics in front of me (I always like to do that first). My only criticism is that because of the effect, I couldn't understand some of words. That didn't detract from my being captivated by an incredible production, though. I simply pass the thought on in case it's useful.

I'd love to be able to get a sound like what I've just heard! It's fantastic! There's no two ways about it, you're a blackbelt writer/arranger/producer!

All the best,
Noel



Thanks very much, Noel. The vocoder does tend to make the lyrics indistinct - it's one of the downsides of using it. I tend to just think of the voice as an instrument when I'm using that much effect. Thanks again for all the nice comments.

Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
What a great vibe ROG!! I love that sound. The musical transition from the verse to the chorus is beautiful. This reminds me of some retro British bands (Camel for one) and has some elements of newer retro inspired ones like Snow Patrol or Coldplay. Really nice stuff! Loved it!! Take care. Greg

I can certainly live with those comparisons, Greg. Many thanks for the listen.

Originally Posted By: RnAM
Hi ROG,

What can we say....
Great groove, professional and very cool use of the vocoder.
We love those strings arpeggios.
And the sax solo sounds great.
One of your best we think!
(Also makes us think of Alan Parsons)

You're too kind! Alan Parsons is someone I really respect. Many thanks.

Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
ROG

Yes, you've sure delivered with this one.

Great driving beat, the backing tune is remarkable.

Vocals: you nailed them throughout.

The arrangement is solid from the first note to the last.

Can't say enough good things about this.

Trev

Hi Trevor. Many thanks for listening and for all the kind words.

Originally Posted By: SRP
Incredible track! I enjoyed this very much. I really like what you did to create such an awesome sound. Good writing and vocals. Great job!
Sonny

Hi Sonny. Thanks for the listen and for the positive review. Cheers.

ROG

ROG #325287 12/15/15 01:27 AM
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Nice song. There are textures in there of ELO. Lots of synths, which is something we don't normally hear in the BB/RB compositions. They worked well.


I'm with Noel96 on this regarding the vocals. I found the vocals hard to understand mostly because, at first appearance, the levels on the vox are way too low. They're hiding in the mix just a bit too much.


Cool song, good production, there's a lot to like here in this 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.
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