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Hello, forum friends

After a little blank, this is my first post of this year.
This song is written for the latest recording session of our music circle in this winter.
I wrote this song based on the melody at the beginning of Beethoven's symphony "Pastorale".
I would like to introduce you two versions with the same score, which are the live band version and the RealTrack version.
Any comments encouraged.
Always welcome.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Title: 田園協奏曲 (Translation: Pastorale Concerto)

Vocal: Natsuki Yoshikawa, our local female jazz vocalist

Link of Live Band Version by Yamaha Teachers:
https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/pastorale-concerto-live-band-version

Link of RealTracks Version:
https://soundcloud.com/animarorecords/pastorale-concerto

Style is _HEART.STY Heartfelt Gospel Ballad
RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealDrums in Style: PopRock8ths^04-a:Closed Hat, Sidestick, b:Closed Hat, Snare
Style is ST_ELMO.STY(MIDI)
Style MIDI Instrument is : Acoustic Piano (1) played with Steinberg The Grand 3

Following additional VST instruments played with EastWest Symphonic Orchestra used
Solo Violin
Ist Violins
2nd Violins
Violas
Cellos
Bassoon

Summary of lyrics:

We used to go back home blowing the reed pipe
I remember the smell of summer grass

We used to hang around
Somehow I always was chasing your back
I look back your voice with nostalgia

Lying down on the grass
You used to whisper with my head on your knee
We wished time to stop as it was
I really wanted to feel the same feeling with you

That summer was really shining
It still remains without fading
Did you forget the promise we swore at that time
I am sure you can still remember it and will be in time

I don’t remember which one said goodbye first
I regret I could not chase you that day

That summer was really shining
It still remains without fading
Did you forget the promise we swore at that time
I am sure you can still remember it and will be in time

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Lovely.
The LIVE vocal seems a little dull - almost as if she's singing into a box.
It's the same in the BIAB version - so same vocal I assume.
the BIG sonic difference that hit me was the unnaturally clicky kick drum in BIAB...it's a common and annoying problem.
The kick drum in the "live" version has a satisfying thud.
Lovely work, lovely development of a superb melody.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi Shigeki,

It's nice to hear two performances of 田園協奏曲 !
I think I prefer the live-version slightly more. The string section works out better there.
I am glad you gave the English translation of the lyrics, because my Japanese isn't anymore what it should be...
But I would have guessed it was a love song by the melody.
To me the vocal sound nice and clear. But maybe adding a little reverb will give that beautiful voice some more body and air.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
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https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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Shigeki Adachi,

Both version are good. I preferred the RealTracks version because of how the vocal works in the mix. It seemed more "seated in the mix" than the live band version.

Very nice strings. A lovely melody. Beautiful vocal.

Good to see you back to the Showcase!

fj

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Hi Shigeki Adachi

Your music is always inspirational, full and rich.

This is another well delivered composition.

I liked the way you created anticipation with the unexpected jumps to the Major 3rd.

Overall, a beautiful presentation.


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.
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Wow - I personally thought this was fantastic. As Video Track said above me - the composition is rich and beautiful. I love how lush it all sounds, and the vocals work with the instrumentation perfectly. Really easy to follow, and a rock solid performance.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
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Shigeki,
A lovely upbeat melody. Both versions are fine- my nod goes to the live track for the warmth of feeling in the strings.
Listening to Natsuki sing twice - a very good beginning to my day!

Robert

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That's a pretty well rounded production.
I think this could be even better if the vocal EQ was adjusted a bit.
The vocalist has a fantastic voice, I'd feel better if it was a little brighter and floating over the orchestra rather than muddled in the middle.

My recommendation would be cut the EQ a bit around 200 hz and in turn boost the EQ around 3 k and again at 10 -20 k to add a little air.

Nice song!

Last edited by CaptainMoto; 01/22/20 03:18 PM.
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I loved both versions of the song. Lovely vocal and the orchestra was beautiful to listen to. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Shigeki

Lovely production and a superb string arrangement (as expected).

Pretty melody and a really tasteful vocal.

Excellent.

Peter

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Hm, I never get tired of listening to your masterful pieces. This one no exception.

Mike B.


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Beautiful Shigeki...
Both versions are equally satisfying to hear
Almost like they are the same smile


Jim
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Hi Shigeki,

What a lovely song! Very well composed and produced in both versions.

I think the live-version is just a tiny bit better because of the "orchestral" sounds, in which area BiaB has a slight disadvantage... however... I was listening to the Live version first and thought "this for sure has to be the best", but got surprised in how well BiaB actually were sounding on the second track. So they are close...

But most importantly... it is just a wonderful song that I would love to listen to many more times!

Great job!
Will

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I slightly preferred the BiaB version, but I don't have a compelling reason why.

Great sound, either way. As Peter said, excellent string arrangement. smile

But... that solo violin didn't work for me. It's got that smooth Joshua Bell sound, but it's just a bit too perfect for me - especially the vibrato. I wanted to hear a bit more bite of rosin on the strings to convince me I was listening to the real thing.

That's only a small nit. I really enjoyed listening to both versions! laugh


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal 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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Rayc,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
Your tips for kick drums can be very helpful.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Hello Hans,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And also thank you for your interest in the lyrics
Your tips for vocals can be very helpful.
I am very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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floyd,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune and Natsuki's vocal.
And I much appreciate the warm welcome.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Trevor,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune.
And also glad you like the anticipation to the major 3rd.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Deryk,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
I am really glad you like this tune and my orchestration.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Robert,

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and comment.
And many thanks for listening to the both version.
I am really glad you like this tune and Natsuki's vocal.
I am always very encouraged by your kind words.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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