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2020 10 O come O come Emmanuel
by James Conrad © 2020

https://soundcloud.com/jamestoffee/2020-10-o-come-o-come-emmanuel-version-3-w-key-change

Latest edits...
Melodyne 4 used to lower amplitude on consonants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc824v_HEKY

New order of fx chain...

Vocal channel fx:

Waves RDesser
Waves NS1 Mono
Waves RX 6 Voice De-noise
Waves F6
Boz Digital Labs Equalizer
Waves RCompressor
Waves CLA Vocals Moody Mono
Isotope Nectar 3 Elements


=======
Edit: Key change on the last chorus

Edited changes to address sibilant sounds...Added fx plugins to main vocal track


Band in a Box 2020 UltraPAK
_LAZYDAY.STY (Lazy Days Americana Slow w/ Oohs) RT278
ev8
4/4
Key A
110 bpm

[For solo] Added 2764; Organ, Rhythm CountryBluesMike Ev 110

DAW Sonar Platinum

Master channel fx:
Boz Digital Labs Mongoose
ToonTrax EZMix Master Parallel Compressor (Mastering II pack)
ToonTrax EZMix Master Airy Ambiance with Limiter (Mastering II pack)
IK Multimedia TRS Stealth Limiter
Waves Abbey Road Studio 3

Song channel fx:
Waves F6 Stereo

Vocal channel fx:
Waves RCompressor
Boz Digital Labs Equalizer
+Waves RX 6 Voice De-noise
Waves CLA Vocals Moody Mono
+Waves F6
+Waves RDesser

Isotope Nectar 3 Elements

Harmony vocal channel fx:
Antares Harmony Engine EVO
IK Multimedia TRS Dyna-Mu: Choir Enhancer

Sound fx track
AAS Ultra Analog VA-3: Ultra FX: Menacing Signature


When life’s a puzzle where the pieces don’t fit
The empty spaces shape my fears
Make it clear
Make it clear
You are here

Chorus
O come, O come
O come Emmanuel
O come, O come
O come Emmanuel

When in conversations where quarrels don’t quit
There is talk but no one hears
Make it clear
Make it clear
You are here

ch

Help me remember You know my fears
Help me remember You draw near
Make it clear

ch

instrumental

ch

Last edited by jamestoffee; 03/10/20 12:58 AM.
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Narrative aside this is a sparse but effective song with an effective, interesting arrangement.
I've commented previously about the sibilant sounds and the impact that your FX chain have on them.
The slightly disembodied voice works well for this track.


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

I thought the Isotope Nectar 3 Elements was going to be the magic bullet to forever address the sibilant sounds, but I guess not. I'll have to hunt around for some alternatives.

Thanks again.

-James

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Hello James,

At the start of your song it looked as if voice appears from out of the fog. That was a nice effect! Don't know if you made it do so, or it just happens. The song is very nice and it seems that you are a man of few words, looking at your lyrics.
There is one thing I missed in this song. A kind of surprise or something like that. Without this your song became a bit predictable.
You have an instrumental section, maybe in that part you can transpose your song? Than you sing your last chorusses a bit higher. But this is how I would deal with these things. If that doesn't suit you, don't bother.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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Originally Posted By: rayc
I've commented previously about the sibilant sounds and the impact that your FX chain have on them.


Hi Ray,

I tried addressing the sibilant sounds by adding 3 plugins to the vocal track.

Vocal channel fx:
Waves RCompressor
Boz Digital Labs Equalizer
+Waves RX 6 Voice De-noise
Waves CLA Vocals Moody Mono
+Waves F6
+Waves RDesser
Isotope Nectar 3 Elements

Feeback?

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Hi Hans,

Thanks for the listen and feedback. I'll play around with the idea of a key change to see if it adds something different.

-James

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Hi Hans,

Key change on last chorus added

Feedback?

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James,

A good song. Good instrumentation with a "modern" treatment. Nicely done.

The vocals are nice - good "space" to them.
As ray implies, the sibilance is apparent. Some of that might be the order in which you are applying the processing. Is it in the order you list? If so, try putting the De-esser at the beginning instead of the end. The EQ should come early, too. You might look back at the Off-Topic thread that Mario started about De-Essing and give the manual process a try. Should be easy in Sonar...(it can be tedious the first time you try, but after a while it is pretty fast)

I like this. Good to see "current" style productions in the showcase...

fj

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Hi James,

I listened again. Beside that key change you sang it more clearly now. It fits good in the overall mix. And the transposing of your song gave it more dynamic. What do you think of it yourself? Like it?
Oh, and I don't hear that sibilance issue. You have listened to Ray and Floyd as well! Or it might be my ears...

Hans


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https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
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Thanks for the listen and feedback, Floyd.

Quote:
As ray implies, the sibilance is apparent. Some of that might be the order in which you are applying the processing. Is it in the order you list?


Yes, that's the order. I'll try rearranging.

Quote:
You might look back at the Off-Topic thread that Mario started about De-Essing and give the manual process a try.


I'll look for it.

Quote:
And the transposing of your song gave it more dynamic. What do you think of it yourself? Like it?


I like the suggestion, Hans, and agree it adds some interest instead of being too predictable.

Quote:
Oh, and I don't hear that sibilance issue. You have listened to Ray and Floyd as well! Or it might be my ears...


I am having a hard time hearing much difference in the high end / sibilance as well. It may be my ears getting old frown

-James

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Hi Floyd and Ray,

Regarding sibilant sounds...

Melodyne 4 used to lower amplitude on consonants
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc824v_HEKY

New order of fx chain...

Vocal channel fx:

Waves RDesser
Waves NS1 Mono
Waves RX 6 Voice De-noise
Waves F6
Boz Digital Labs Equalizer
Waves RCompressor
Waves CLA Vocals Moody Mono
Isotope Nectar 3 Elements

Feedback?

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James,

Impressive. That has made huge difference (I don't think I have seen anyone "learn their lesson" so quickly and so well.)

I was not aware of the functionality shown in the Melodyne video. I have the Essentials package (with Studio One Pro), but almost never use it. So thanks for that - I might have to start looking closer at that.

If you read the Off-Topics thread that I referred to previously, you will see that I was recommending a method that isolates those "esses" (etc) and reduces the volume (much like the Melodyne video is showing) - so a similar result...

Your list order is a huge improvement, too. Dealing with the correct details in the correct order. (before they get exaggerated)

The little bit of sibilance that remains is the "natural" amount. And the remaining vocal processing "works" - as a production choice...

Great work. Well done!

fj

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Thanks for the confirmation the new treatment helped, Floyd.

https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=579891#Post579891
Yes, I did read that post and some of the options. I think because you mentioned Studio 1, I sort of skimmed past the post because I work with Sonar; even though the methods would crossover.

The Melodyne approach seemed closest to what I was familiar with, so I gave it a go.

I think I did improve in hearing sibilant sounds.

The problem now is I hear it in ALL my previous songs whereas before ignorance was BLISSSSSSSSSSS. LOL

Thanks again for the feedback.

Cheers.

James

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I was thinking this was the old hymnal classic.... I've got a version of it hanging around somewhere.

I didn't hear the original version. So I can't speak about the sibilance. Nice key change. The vocal harmonies are nice.

What is that sound at 16 seconds? Sounds like a phaser in a way..... Personally, I'd take it to silence there for a better effect.


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Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
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Really well done smile The harmonies are lovely, and I thought it flowed really well. Easy to follow and pleasant on the ears.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Deryk
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Man, I really like this, James. Cool song. And I also enjoyed reading the whole thread here.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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Thanks for the listen and feedback, Guitarhacker, Deryk and Marty laugh

Quote:
What is that sound at 16 seconds? Sounds like a phaser in a way..... Personally, I'd take it to silence there for a better effect.

That's the sound of the fear of the unknown..."The empty spaces shape my fears"
I was trying to represent internal fear/anxiety/depression coming in...then the burst phrase for help, "Make it clear You (God) are here.

Sound fx track
AAS Ultra Analog VA-3: Ultra FX: Menacing Signature

I'll have a listen without the effect, and see how it fits. Thanks, Guitarhacker.

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