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#742407 12/04/22 03:05 AM
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vicarn Offline OP
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A friend of mine, Pam Messer had written a song and asked me to put music to it.
She had a good idea what she wanted and sent me a vocal track she had recorded on a USB mike. I helped out with some BIAB tracks.
I struggled a bit with EQ trying to get a clear vocal but then I thought it may be due to my anti-high frequency hearing.
How does it sound to you?
Vic

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vicarn #742442 12/04/22 06:56 AM
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Hi Pam and Vic
Very nice and calm song
Very interesting melody
Sounds good
The vocals are really nice
Also the technical preparation of the vocals is well done by you
An excellent work
both thumbs up
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

vicarn #742549 12/04/22 12:52 PM
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Very good song and killer harmonies. I like your production a lot. There does sound as if something could be done production-wise to improve the vocals, but I don't know what that would be. Not a major problem at all. Very enjoyable.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
vicarn #742601 12/04/22 10:20 PM
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The guitars and the vocals felt like they were in different spaces, so maybe something to glue them all together might help? But as Rob said, not a big thing.

Really liked the harmonies, but it was hard for me to make out any of the words at the end.

Nice folk sound, though!


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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PROJECT M #742616 12/04/22 11:15 PM
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Thanks Andi.
That’s encouraging to hear.

Vic

TuneMonger #742617 12/04/22 11:22 PM
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Hi Tunemonger and thank you.
Maybe I’ll have another try with the vocal but I don’t think it can be done without creating sibilants.
The harmonies are produced by me manually shifting the pitch on the main vocal.

Vic

vicarn #742624 12/05/22 01:18 AM
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The singer's main melody took a little getting used to, but it grows on you, and the longer I listen, the more I like it.

Technically, I would remove the reverb from the singer's voice and turn it back up until it matches the rest of the band. Right now it's too much compared to the band, or maybe it's just a different flavor of reverb that makes the singer seem to be in a different space.

vicarn #742646 12/05/22 03:48 AM
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David.
Thanks for the input.
I used the same pattern as I normally do: Reverb on instruments only and delay on Vocal.
Then I put a touch of reverb on the whole mix when mastering.
The vocal wasn't very clear when I first got it.
I will revisit though.

Vic

B.D.Thomas #742666 12/05/22 05:17 AM
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Thanks for the sugg. Mr. Thomas
As I said to David, the effect on the vocal is delay not reverb.
This is my normal way of doing things.
I have now changed it to reverb. Does it sound better?
The recorded vocal wasn't too clear though when I received it.

Vic

vicarn #742756 12/05/22 09:47 AM
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Nice backing.
Vocal seems to sit in the mix nicely, I think. Though some words are hard to understand.

fj

vicarn #742813 12/05/22 12:39 PM
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The voice is basically lovely but the sibilance and some "mouth noise/lipsmacks" etc. do get in the way as does some of the attack on notes.
It needs some rounding as well as addressing the above.
There're about three points, from about 1.6kHz up, where the vocal has excess energy and they vary from a plosives to strident tones.
A multi band compressor followed by some EQ carving might work, def not the other way around.
It's a wonderful song and, to do it justice, the vocal ought to be re-recorded but you know that.
Your part in the production is sympathetic, supportive and lovely.

Last edited by rayc; 12/05/22 12:40 PM.

Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
rayc #742833 12/05/22 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted By: rayc
The voice is basically lovely but the sibilance and some "mouth noise/lipsmacks" etc. do get in the way as does some of the attack on notes.
It needs some rounding as well as addressing the above.
There're about three points, from about 1.6kHz up, where the vocal has excess energy and they vary from a plosives to strident tones.
A multi band compressor followed by some EQ carving might work, def not the other way around.
It's a wonderful song and, to do it justice, the vocal ought to be re-recorded but you know that.
Your part in the production is sympathetic, supportive and lovely.


I agree with Ray.

Great backing tracks

This is a diamond in the rough and just needs a little polishing to shine.


Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
vicarn #742849 12/05/22 03:10 PM
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The song grew on me as I listened.

Some of the chord progressions are a bit disconcerting.... At 53 seconds is an example. Singer slurs up in a strange sounding way.

I think the mix as a whole and especially the vocals are much too bright. Lots of high end stuff that could use some taming with a rounded off EQ. Mellowing the vocals would go a long way to improving this song. Others have mentioned sibilant sounds and lip smacks. Surgical envelopes on the volume and EQ will fix that.


This reminded me of some of the esoteric British singers from the 60s and 70s.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
vicarn #742896 12/06/22 02:16 AM
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Pam sounds so good, and you did a fine job of capturing that goodness, Vic. Love that harmony. I bet she even sounded good with the USB mic. Nice, simple band. Yes, the mix could be better as suggested, but the talent shines through.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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floyd jane #742954 12/06/22 05:50 AM
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Thank you, Floyd.
Yes, the vocal is giving me problems.
Vic

rayc #742955 12/06/22 05:55 AM
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Hi Ray.
Some of those noises are weird. I can't track them down.
I tried all sorts of EQ tricks, and then some of your suggs but no luck.
I think a new vocal is the next step toward sanity.
Thank you for your take on it.

Vic

vicarn #743093 12/06/22 03:47 PM
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I loved this song. I too got deeper and deeper into the song as it progressed. Very cool delivery. She has an awesome voice. Backtrack was excellent. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
MarioD #743150 12/07/22 01:47 AM
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Thank you Mario.
I'm on it. I asked her to redo some of the vocal.

Vic

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Thanks, Guitarhacker.
All suggs are being considered.
To my ears there are some consonants, at the beginning and ending of words, indiscernible.
If I warm up the vocal it makes it worse.
I have asked Pam for a new vocal, so I hope that works.

Vic

BabuMusic #743211 12/07/22 06:41 AM
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Hi Marty.
Thanks for the encouraging words. I'm waiting for a new vocal.

Vic

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