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#421792 07/15/17 12:37 PM
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Getting back into recording by kicking off this old gospel song.

It Is No Secret

Please give me your feedback - good/bad.

Thank you.
Paul

Last edited by PaulH; 07/16/17 05:28 AM.
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Hey Paul,


I think the vocals here are great, and I love the mix.

I think it builds really well. I think the second verse and chorus flourishes and touches on the drums and guitar are really nice.

Wonderful job.

One observation, I think it takes too long for the vocals to come in at 46 seconds.

The ordinary listener may stumble across this on soundcloud and not listen because they think it is an instrumental.

Generally speaking, a song with vocals should have vocals start at 10 seconds (4 bar intro is standard) to attract more listeners.

Just a thought. Trying to be helpful.

Great performance and mix though.

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Nice mix! The build works well too.

I agree with David regarding the long intro. One would have no idea it was a vocal featured tune.

We enjoyed the listen and are curious as to your RT/RD choices....

Bud


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Great vocal with a super mix. Fantastic message! Great job on that.

I also think that the intro was too long. Even with my instrumentals the most an intro should be is 4-8 measures depending on the tempo, i.e fast tempos can have an 8 measure intro.


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Cool tune Paul


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
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Originally Posted By: David Snyder

One observation, I think it takes too long for the vocals to come in at 46 seconds.


Thanks David, much appreciate your comments. That's interesting to learn. The song has a 2 bar intro then it comes straight into the chorus. I recorded the vocals with that in mind but then changed my mind as I liked the piano playing the chorus as an intro instead. I'll put my vocals back in and upload it and will post it up when it's done.

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Hello Paul,

My mother (alan) used to sing this to me all the time when I was just a kid, Of course, she did the more traditional version. I've always liked this song a lot.

The long instrumental opening might leave the first listener thinking it was an instrumental. But, the build and layering was really nice. Good job!

Alan & Di


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Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Nice mix! ...curious as to your RT/RD choices....


Thanks Bud for your encouragement. I spent ages on the mix and technically influenced by the series Nashville and their song arrangements.

I used "_LAMENT.STY Lament Modern Pop Country Ballad"
EzKeys for piano and shakers
My Takamine guitar
Edited in Studio One 3

Regards
Paul

Last edited by PaulH; 07/16/17 11:29 PM.
MarioD #421985 07/16/17 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: MarioD
Great vocal with a super mix. Fantastic message! Great job on that.

I also think that the intro was too long. Even with my instrumentals the most an intro should be is 4-8 measures depending on the tempo, i.e fast tempos can have an 8 measure intro.


Thanks Mario

I'll make a note of that so in the future I don't make intros too long. I'll also be editing this song again to put the vocals back in where there is an intro currently. Thanks for your encouragement.

Paul

Scott C #421986 07/16/17 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: Scott C
Cool tune Paul


Thank you

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Originally Posted By: Al-David
Hello Paul,

My mother (alan) used to sing this to me all the time when I was just a kid, Of course, she did the more traditional version. I've always liked this song a lot.

The long instrumental opening might leave the first listener thinking it was an instrumental. But, the build and layering was really nice. Good job!

Alan & Di


Thank you. Yes I have taken note of the unison advice that the intro was too long and will upload a revised version soon.

Thanks again
Paul

Last edited by PaulH; 07/16/17 11:34 PM.
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Paul

Nice mix - good arrangement and pleasant vocals.

Peter

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While I generally agree with everyone here that vocals should come in a little sooner, there's a song I think of right off the bat that is one of my all times favourites that has a very long intro. Vocals don't make an appearance in the song until about two minutes in (it's a ( 9:47 in length, I think! ). Some songs can rock the long intro!

Anyways, I really dig this song and really enjoy it, so keep up the great work!

Last edited by Ember - PG Music; 07/17/17 07:10 AM.

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Nice song, great vocal.

Sergio



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PeterF #422094 07/17/17 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted By: PeterF
Paul

Nice mix - good arrangement and pleasant vocals.

Peter


Thank you, you know its very reassuring because I really do struggle with my voice and do everything in my power to make it as best as I can, yet I am so self conscience and never feel its good enough. strange how we see ourselves isnt it.

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Originally Posted By: Sergio Guarneri

Nice song, great vocal.

Sergio


Thank you

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Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
...I really dig this song and really enjoy it, so keep up the great work!


Thank you. I'm going to try and record some worship songs in my next project, up until now they have been old country songs plus three of my own.

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Hi Paul Haynes, Very inspiring song! Really enjoyed the piano parts and progressions. Well done! smile


Cheers,
Joe
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Originally Posted By: David Snyder

Hey Paul,


I think the vocals here are great, and I love the mix.

I think it builds really well. I think the second verse and chorus flourishes and touches on the drums and guitar are really nice.

Wonderful job.

One observation, I think it takes too long for the vocals to come in at 46 seconds.

The ordinary listener may stumble across this on soundcloud and not listen because they think it is an instrumental.

Generally speaking, a song with vocals should have vocals start at 10 seconds (4 bar intro is standard) to attract more listeners.

Just a thought. Trying to be helpful.

Great performance and mix though.


Agreed! Nicely done. There is nothing wrong with a long intro, particularly with a slow ambient song where you are building the mood. However, in a song like this, 10-15 seconds is plenty to set it up. Very nice song and good vocal/arrangement! Take care. Greg

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Thank you all for taking the time to pass on some generous encouragement - I appreciate that.

Let me share what I don't about this song...

1. I think my voice is a little lifeless, it's lacking something dynamically.
2. I'm trying not to hide behind reverb but at the same time the recording still sounds like a home recording, despite trying otherwise.
3. Whilst the bass is deep enough, it's not as thick as I prefer. I've had to tone it down cause it was too heavy and overwhelming. I like the Nashville bass levels.
4. I don't like the ending, the bass needs to be sustains for longer as it all goes a bit thin.
5. I would have liked to have had a separate kick drum as a channel as I would want to hear the kick more without increasing the rest of the drums.
6. I was going for a more upbeat version 65bpm to this otherwise slow song but I'm wondering if it feels a bit rushed?
7. The recording doesn't sound clean enough for me, not like the pro's produce.

Last edited by Paul Haynes; 07/18/17 10:52 AM.
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