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You Were The Best #612586 08/28/20 03:11 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Just wanted to drop this here ... my latest effort - "fresh out of the oven", as it were. Hope you like it! I'll be back tonight to listen to all the songs I've missed from everyone else whilst I've been away, but hope it's ok to post this in the meantime! Thanks for listening and for any comments! :-) https://soundcloud.com/jamesdelsono/you-were-the-best YOU WERE THE BEST When we met, first time, that Sunday morning, That first time you softly looked at me, I felt mine own eyes slowly filling up with tears And, for some reason, I could no longer see. * I can't fall in love, baby My soul's an empty nest I can't fall in love, baby ... My mind simply won't rest ... For I can't love another My heart won't take no guest And I can't love no other For you were simply the best. * Sitting here, visiting old memories ... It's been many years since I ever saw your face It's been e'er so long since I looked in your eyes ... Felt you close in a mutual tight embrace. Women come and go ... with passing glances, Smiling back, I let them go, each one ... I am grateful for all the second chances ... But my mind, my heart, my soul are done. * I can't fall in love, baby My soul's an empty nest I can't fall in love, baby ... My mind simply won't rest ... I can't love another My heart won't take no guest; I can't love no other For you were simply the best. *** Many years have passed since we first met Many years will pass 'till I see you once more But, until the day does arrive, I will always love you as before. Stunning roses do remind me of you Their perfume of your heavenly scent ... Travelling ever, we will be, once more, You, my lady ... and I, your gent. * I can't fall in love, baby My soul's an empty nest; I can't fall in love, baby ... My mind simply won't rest ... I can't love another My heart won't take no guest; I can't love no other For you were simply the best. **** Song Summary ********* Title: You Were The Best - 28 August 2020 File:You Were The Best - 28 August 2020.SGU Key=Ab , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=5:00 No intro. 121 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 121. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody Soloist track has 155 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _POETRY.STY (Poetry British Psyc Soul w Oohs) RealTracks in style: 1174:Bass, Electric, PopCalypso Ev 100 RealTracks in style: 1408:Piano, SynthLayer, Rhythm Soul70sHeld Ev16 100 RealTracks in style: 3442:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycFunky Ev16 100 RealTracks in style: 3027:Vocal Oohs, Background Pop3-part Ev 085 RealDrums [in style:FunkHalfNotePulse: a: Snare, Kickb: Busy Kick, Snare ***************** Voice recorded and mixed in Audacity. My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612612 08/28/20 05:32 AM User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,369 Charlotte, NC Tano Music Veteran
Tano Music Veteran Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,369 Charlotte, NC	Wow, that's an ambitious song! I'm really glad to hear you sing it, versus saying the words. My favorite part of this are some of the lyrics, "visiting old memories" and "stunning roses". I also liked your addition of the horns near the end to give it some "ummph" as it closed out. Good work! Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612670 08/28/20 11:25 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Thanks Tano - appreciate your really nice and kind comments! My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612727 08/28/20 05:00 PM User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 8,647 Originally Missouri ... Now Al... Al-David Veteran
Al-David Veteran Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 8,647 Originally Missouri ... Now Al...	James ... You once mentioned ... a year or so ago ... that you didn't like your singing voice. I beg to differ. I think you sound just fine. You have a distinctive and unique ... in a very good way ... voice that I enjoyed. One suggestion, FWIW ... a little bit of reverb on your vocal would add a bit more dimension to it. Loved the lyric ... very beautifully crafted! You're an excellent writer/composer. Would really enjoy hearing more of you on vocal. That was a real nice listen! Wishing you the very best. Be safe, my friend ... Alan BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaksWin1132GB DDR5Rhyzen 9745xAT 2035 MicPeavey Nashville 112 AmpIbanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612769 08/29/20 02:58 AM User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 12,917 Florida floyd jane Veteran
floyd jane Veteran Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 12,917 Florida	James, Very nice. A good song. A good backing band. It is really nice to hear you singing this. You should do that more often (like all the time). It's great to hear the melody (since it is not "spoken"). Nice. This would seem to show that the "boom-i-ness" that happens comes from singing too close to the microphone (proximity affect), because it only happens in the verses - and really only on the lowest parts. When you sing the higher parts in the first chorus there is no boom-i-ness at all - sounds great. I really like it when you reach for that falsetto!! One of your best. I like it. fj 150+ Songs produced using BIAB RealTracks And 50 more... and some more...

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612840 08/29/20 01:59 PM User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 8,319 Edmonton, Ab, Canada Scott C Veteran
Scott C Veteran Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 8,319 Edmonton, Ab, Canada	I loved this tune James. I agree with Floyd. Was very nice to hear you singing this tune. Very well done Scott Collingwood https://soundcloud.com/scottt709 https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612844 08/29/20 02:08 PM User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,189 Sacramento, California dcuny Veteran
dcuny Veteran Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 8,189 Sacramento, California	I agree with others - very nice. You've got a nice voice, and it's a good melody. But the mix... not so nice. The vocal is too loud relative to the instruments. Instead of sitting "in" the mix, it sounds like you're singing along to karaoke tracks. I'd suggest listening to some reference tracks (something I admit not doing myself) to hear how loud the vocal should be in comparison to the backing tracks. Additionally, you might want to add some reverb to your vocal so it fits in to the same space the instruments are recorded in. All in all, a pleasant listen... but it would be much better with some work on the mix. Good the hear you singing! -- 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.

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612861 08/29/20 03:04 PM User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 3,357 Robertkc Veteran
Robertkc Veteran Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 3,357	James, There`s the voice we`ve known was there- especially when your falsetto is set free; please keep keep singing! Its a catchy, warm love song- with a pleasant backing band and nice horns to close. I agree with other listeners:the vocal levels and processing would be worth tweaking. My tip would be to try a vocal rider initially to set a more consistent level in relation to your mix. The takeaway though:This is very good! Robert

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612915 08/30/20 12:17 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Thank you so much, each and every one of you. It's really nice of everyone to listen and comment on my little efforts here. The mixing: argh! haha. I really thought I got it ok this time - or, at least, better than other times, haha. But yes, what David C says rings true ... it sounds a little like karaoke singing - which means that I must work on the track again :-) Reverb is one of the things that I will try to add, for sure! I have to set aside some time, one day, to really experiment with things - it's the only way I'll learn. Thanks, therefore, for helping me out :-) Again, bless you all for listening! My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612917 08/30/20 12:54 AM User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 7,263 Cooran Queensland Australia rayc Veteran
rayc Veteran Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 7,263 Cooran Queensland Australia	James, This is a VERY strong, confident, effective vocal performance. The essing & plosives have been minimized and the voice is clear. There is the proximity effect which could be fixed easily enough. I'm REALLY impressed with your recording progress. The arrangements, structures and melodies have always been solid and well done. The difference in vocals performance/capture is fabulous. Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612928 08/30/20 02:08 AM User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,590 Finland jannesan Veteran
jannesan Veteran Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,590 Finland	I really enjoyed hearing you sing, your soft voice has nice nuances and fits magically with the romantic lyrics and the soulful arrangement. Beautiful melody and interesting chord progression have nice variations even in the end. I can hear some John Lennon's Happy XMas in the chorus, but that just made it more interesting because of familiarity Janne Hear My Music: Soundcloud YouTube

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #612929 08/30/20 02:09 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Wow - thanks Ray. If I have progressed, it’s only because of people like you that pointed the way on what to do to improve my mixes. I’ve only followed your and others’ advice. THANKS! My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613045 08/30/20 09:08 PM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Thanks Janne. Yes, that chorus sounds eerily pop-like, but I hope it works anyway! Thanks for such nice comments. My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613091 08/31/20 08:01 AM User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,081 jptjptjpt Expert
jptjptjpt Expert Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,081	Nice work. Good lyrics. Good melody. Good use of the band. My music can be heard at: The Cracks

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613121 08/31/20 12:42 PM User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 3,218 Maryland TuneMonger Veteran
TuneMonger Veteran Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 3,218 Maryland	Wow, am I surprised and pleased!! This is a very good song and the vocal is pretty good as well. If you were able to mix it into the track, it would be super! Again, I'm impressed! Way to go!! (Work on learning to mix vocals, it will be worth the time. I'm only just starting to learn myself.) Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613124 08/31/20 12:53 PM User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 24,686 Hamlin NY MarioD Veteran
MarioD Veteran Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 24,686 Hamlin NY	I agree about the mix and the vocal explosives. But all in all this is one of your best songs. Keep singing all things will get easier (look who's talking ). I really liked your lyrics. You have a PM. Tips on how to fall asleep in a living room chair: 1- Be old 2- Sit in a chair 64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613173 08/31/20 06:54 PM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Thanks everyone! I'm going to continue to work on my mixing - I was even worse when I started, so I don't see why, with a little work, I may not get better! haha. Thanks for all your kind comments - and thanks Mario for the PM, I've just replied and will keep in touch on this for sure! My website

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613575 09/03/20 10:29 AM User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 16,121 GA USA Janice & Bud Veteran
Janice & Bud Veteran Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 16,121 GA USA	"stunning roses..." That line is very memorable. Your voice is fine. Keep it up! Bring it down a touch and add some reverb. As mentioned that will enable it to still be out front but blend into the overall mix. And remember ... a mix is never finished -- just abandoned! Enjoyed the spin! J&B Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613630 09/04/20 01:16 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2011 Posts: 4,335 Florida tommyad Veteran
tommyad Veteran Joined: May 2011 Posts: 4,335 Florida	James, I really enjoyed the melody in this. It seems familiar yet brand new. Your singing is fine except for the mix. That’s easy to fix. Waves has a plug in called vocal rider that smooths out the volume level and is frequently on sale. Worth the 25 dollars. Tom

Re: You Were The Best musician17 #613689 09/04/20 08:47 AM User Showcase
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom musician17 OP Veteran
OP musician17 Veteran Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,617 United Kingdom	Thanks Janice, Bud and Tom! Janice, Bud: Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comments! It helps the confidence, and that's a major thing for me! I'm in the process of re-mixing the song, as per everyone's suggestions ... as soon as it's ready, I'll let everyone know! Thanks again! Tom: thank you for your kind comments, too! Just had a look at the Waves plugin - it's priced at around $80 at the moment, it seems, which is a little out of my price range right now ("in one go", as it were), but it does look well worth saving for! Thanks for the suggestion :-) Thanks everyone again, hope to let you know about the remix soon. My website

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