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#603099 06/21/20 08:43 PM
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rayc Offline OP
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INSTEAD of FIREWORKS
Massively reworked since the draft of JUNE2020 was posted.
I've added an extra chorus, replaced the vocal with a higher one, replaced the wah wah solos and goofed around with simpler ones.
Build in BIAB :
BRITSRR.STY
Classic British Swing 8ths Rock
4/4 key of G at 115bpm
The only remaining BIAB element is
RealDrums - RocknRollBritSwing
But it's a very strong element.
Vantage Bass, Squire Mustang Bullet guitar, Marshall amp (MV at 2), Marshall 4x12 mic'd with a 57 & an e609, Ibanez Renometer #95 EQ for the honk/cocked wah FX on the left guitar.
Verse vocal recorded with an AT2020 AND a Focusrite CM25 then blended (as in old style amp mic'ing). Chorus vocals recorded with the AT.
This isn't mastered so suggestions and comments are most welcome and likely to be implemented.
This mix is tweaked as per comments: more vocals (exposing the problem more I fear) and a little more top end on the panned guitars. I experimented with an hard stop with a held chord etc. and, whilst I like the idea there was no place that it seemed to fit..I tried end of chorus, end of verse etc. I did tweak the lead lick linking the last verse & chorus as well.
THANKS for the interesting ideas and suggestions.
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Last edited by Andrew - PG Music; 08/21/20 11:51 AM.

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rayc
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Sounds good to me, Ray.

Nice bassline! And I dig the chunky guitars too.

To my ears the guitar is maybe overshadowing the vocal a bit, but maybe that is normal for the genre?

But yeah, good song, I liked the video too.

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Ray, I really like this particularly the guitar sound. My only comment is I wish I could hear the lyrics better.

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ray,

This sounds really good! Great definition to EVERY piece of the Rock Pie.

I agree the vocals should come up just slightly (not much).

Great groove to this. ROCKIN'!!

fj

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Just awesome Ray, I think it is just right. I always like a bit more guitar standing in the light, maybe a little presence to the left side rythym guitar about all i can think of. Cliff

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Hi Ray,

To me this is a very cool song. Like the video; intriguing.
I agree with Dave and Floyd the vocals could given some more volume, but that's a minor point.
And speaking about the vocals, I was wondering how the lower voice would have sound. If it was like the 'Pogues', I mean the vocals I heard in the song before this one (I forgot the title of it, sorry Ray). Those I liked very much! But that is of course a matter of taste.
Well done, Ray!

Hans


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Ray, this sounds wonderful to me! Is this your voice/vocal? It sounds great, but as others have mentioned, it needs a boost to my ears! You have serious ability in all aspects of music production and it's appreciated by me! Thanks, Torrey

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Pretty groovy Ray. I like the song and the arrangement. If you are looking for suggestions in the mix I would say the guitars could come down in volume a bit and maybe not panned so hard. Either that or bring the vocals up a bit. It would be interesting to hear the vocals with some compression...


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Hi Ray ...

A really cool song! It's a genre I can't say I know anything about, technically. But, I tend to rely on my ears and instincts when I'm outside my normal coloring lines. Regardless of the general expectations for the genre might be, I found this to be very entertaining. I particularly liked the way the bass line moved ... not just quarter notes and half notes, but a real sense of a modified swing movement

And yeah, the vocals could move a little more forward. Not much more I can add. I'm more a "Big Picture" guy than the "Nit-Picking" sort. Just entertain me, regardless of any little this and that quibbles. You entertained me. It was a very enjoyable listen. Nice work!

Best to you. Be safe ...

Alan


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Ray,
Very cool. Super vibe! Acidic video, seems like you are having fun with it.

Ok... bashing time.
You have excellent vocals on it, but I wish they would come up more (More!).
Also I think drums are fighting with bass a little and are not well pronounced (too much low end on drums?) If I decided to try something, I would: Raise vocals 3db, spike "panning guitar" with high EQ, so it is more on "top", less processing FX on drums so they are more clear.

Sometimes, when I am stuck on the mix, I would just make a copy and do completely opposite of what I think it should sound like....and about half of the time I end up keeping the later mix smile

What I am saying is, if you will experiment with it, try to push "suggestions" beyond your "comfort" level and post the result. Comparing side by side works best and will give you a more clearer picture of your ear vs "average" ear.

Or you can disregard all my blathering smile

Thank you for sharing. Good one Ray!

Misha.

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Musically, definitely you achieved what you were intending.

Vocally, well, I had no idea what was going on there.


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Cool tune. Loved the tone of the guitar. Excellent driving backtrack.


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I guess we are the odd folks out as we thought the vocal level was fine for the genre. Actually every time we listen to hard rock or whatever genre you want to assign to this we think the vocals are a bit buried. It took us a while to realize that its part and parcel of the package. There being no intent to be warm and intimate just let it work with those crunchy guitars as it well does.

Nice guitar performance and a cool baseline also.

And we enjoyed the light show!

Fun production...

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Ray,
Add lyrics to the video and most listeners ( myself included) might not find vocal levels to be such an issue.
You make an excellent dense driving sound and to my ears the higher pitched vocal is a good part of the noise.


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Nice rocking sound, Ray and trippy video. I wasn't too fussed about not being able to make out some of the vocals but agree that posting the lyrics would be one solution.
Regards,
Leon

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@rayc - This is a conundrum. I really like the effect of the dreamy/hazy vocals - it fits really well with the guitars. On the other hand, I concur with others that it would be better if the lyrics could be discerned. I would add that they could be improved at points with some effect which would add more dynamics - maybe something to bring out the peaks, but strategically. As to how to do that, it is beyond my ken.

In any case, the vibe comes across instantly and with a powerful drive. You know instantly what type of song you're listening to and you just sit back and say "yeah - lay it on me baby!"

So overall, loved it, great listen, no complaints.

Edit: What about inserting some short holds or a couple silences in there at key points? For example, let one of those guitar chords ring out and then sort of hang and fade out, then come back hard with another chord and bring the vocal in strong. That might really add some tension. Just tossing out ideas.

Last edited by EdZ314; 06/23/20 06:59 PM.

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Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Sounds good to me, Ray.
Nice bassline! And I dig the chunky guitars too.
To my ears the guitar is maybe overshadowing the vocal a bit, but maybe that is normal for the genre?
But yeah, good song, I liked the video too.

The vocal is a contentious issue becasue I'd rather have a good one, the one I have isn't much chop requiring HEAVY treatment to be as bad as it is.
IF I can't get another voice I'll have to lift it a little.
Thanks for noticing the bass. I enjoyed playing that one.


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rayc
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Originally Posted By: Strummer911
Ray, I really like this particularly the guitar sound. My only comment is I wish I could hear the lyrics better.

Noted 911, thanks.
Please see that above comment re the fate of the voice.


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Originally Posted By: floyd jane
ray,
This sounds really good! Great definition to EVERY piece of the Rock Pie.
I agree the vocals should come up just slightly (not much).
Great groove to this. ROCKIN'!!
fj

Thanks fj,
I'll get to the vocal level, eventually. I'm please the added chorus didn't interrupt the groove. Thanks.


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rayc
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Originally Posted By: cliftond
Just awesome Ray, I think it is just right. I always like a bit more guitar standing in the light, maybe a little presence to the left side rythym guitar about all i can think of. Cliff

Cliff,
I'll try a little more presence...nice touch. Thanks.


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