New year, new song. This is an upbeat instrumental that I've put together over the last three days, mainly using Realtracks from the Tee style in BIAB 2024. I also added some Oohs & Aahs from the Jibber.and Lightly styles, and the electric guitar is from the Tootle style. The Classical Spanish guitar is performed by me, as is the Rhodes piano which is played on a Roland RD-600 stage piano. I also added a recording of a thunderclap and rain effects for the closing sequence, which is fairly typical in summer for the UK.
It's not quite the finished article yet as there are still a few tweaks to make here and there. Any helpful suggestions for improvements would be much appreciated. Is the reverb on the guitar and Rhodes okay? Are the instruments balanced correctly? Should I change or add anything? I'm hoping to release the song on the last Friday of March if everything goes as planned.
Andy, really enjoyed this tune! Nice arrangement and mix. Very tasteful guitar work, and I like the heavier reverb on your runs. Maybe a LITTLE less reverb on the Rhodes, but works as is. Might want to turn up the thunderclap a bit, that's a cool touch. Good luck with your release!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Hi, Andy. I really like this song. Top notch recording of your guitar. Very articulate. One subtle reaction I had, though, was I found the backing percussion a bit tiring after a time. It could use a little more variation. I feel like this song could also use some variation in volume of the backing instruments. For example, reducing the percussion volume a bit when you bring in the oohs and aahs. Consider this song by guitarist Juan Areco. I spent many, many nights in '97-'98 listening to his solo shows, early during dinner in the fine dining restaurant and then later in the evening outside among the Bougainvilleas while spending 2 weeks/month for a year at the Biltmore Resort in Coral Gables, Florida on a consulting assignment. I love the way the different instruments move in and out of the primary focus. I still have the 3 CDs he autographed for me, even spelling my name the Paraguayan way (Jhon).
Last edited by TheMaartian; 03/08/2404:22 AM.
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It's very well done and played. I might have put the solo instruments a little more forward (especially the piano). It's a detail and bravo for the Spanish guitar. Laurent
Nice guitar work and overall sound. I agree with the variation of volume in some of the instruments at times. There was a lot of reverb in there, but I thought it sounded good. Also a more booming thunder clap may work well as suggested. This is a good cut.
Thanks so much for lending an ear and particularly for the useful advice guys. I'm very grateful for the helpful responses and I will of course post an updated version of the song when I have applied the suggested improvements to the mix.
That is a very good version of the Chick Corea classic 'La Fiesta', Maartian. The guitar has been my main instrument for the last 55 years and in that time I have listened to, and been influenced by many of the guitar greats in all genres. However, I must admit that Juan Areco had slipped under my radar until now, but he is clearly an excellent guitarist and performer. It must have been a great pleasure to be there at his solo shows.
This is a good tune and a catchy backing rhythm too. Also the guitar is very well played.
It is definitely worthy of some further development - a few suggestions:
1. Maybe a chorus or middle 8 - I may have missed these. 2. Changing the lead to another acoustic instrument (e.g. Piano or Sax) to give it a bit more light and shade. 3. What about dropping out most of the backing instruments and just playing the guitar in the middle of the song. 4. How about a couple of stops to make everybody sit up and take notice.
I would love to hear a remix.
Best Regards Nigel
Nigel Spiers Christchurch, New Zealand info@nzacoustics.com
It's a nice, calm intro that soon explodes into a catchy and solid beat. I really like your track selections - everything falls nicely into place. Well done!
... That is a very good version of the Chick Corea classic 'La Fiesta', Maartian. The guitar has been my main instrument for the last 55 years and in that time I have listened to, and been influenced by many of the guitar greats in all genres. However, I must admit that Juan Areco had slipped under my radar until now, but he is clearly an excellent guitarist and performer. It must have been a great pleasure to be there at his solo shows.
I was hoping that you would find him to be a good listen. His solo shows were amazing. Not just his playing, but the breadth of styles he has mastered. I never once felt bored listening to him. And I'm a bassist!
This sure looks like it was recorded at the Biltmore.
Last edited by TheMaartian; 03/09/2402:31 AM.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2025 Ultra Bitwig Studio 5; Studio One Pro 7; Melodyne Studio 5; Acoustica Premium 7 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
I agree about the volume changes that have been presented. I also agree about the amount of reverb at times. Your guitar sounds great; super chops. Fantastic ending! But even if you don't change a thing this still is a great song.
My momma didn't raise a fool. And if she did it, was one of my brothers.
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Your guitar work is awesome. I enjoyed it immensely. I like the change at 2:27. It's smooth and works well with the rest of the piece. Others have commented on some production issues, so I won't repeat what they said.
Man, I love your paying, Andy. Good write and terrific execution --which means you killed it. Ha. Really enjoyable melody and variations. The ooze and oz was a nice touch. Cool bass feel adds the perfect complement.
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