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#810137 05/12/24 02:43 PM
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Another instrumental from me. See what you think? Thanks for listening, and for any and all comments!

Flight of the Heart

****** Song Summary *************
Title: Flight of the Heart - 12 May 2024
File:Flight of the Heart - 12 May 2024.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 70, Length (m:s)=3:53
No intro. 64 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 64. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
No Soloist track.
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,
Style is _MYSTERY.STY (Mystery Cinema Songwriter Ballad)

RealTracks in style: ~902:Bass, Electric, SmoothCool Sw16 075
RealTracks in style: 3791:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm CinematicMelancholy Sw16 060
RealTracks in style: 2779:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterSwingBalladBrent Sw16 065
RealTracks in style: 2779:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterSwingBalladBrent Sw16 065
RealTracks in style: 1543:Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums in style:FolkModernSw16^01-a:Snare, Hihat , b:Snare, Ride

*******************
Mastered in Mixcraft Pro Studio 10. I added a little EQ sharpening (preset), to make it all more transparent and clear in texture.

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Lovely - classic JDS progressions/changes.
Personally I think the bass & drums are too loud.


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

My first immediate thought on hitting play is that it's bit too much too soon. That is, you have the synth, bass and panned acoustics starting all at once. It strikes me as an abrupt start. I would prefer (and, hey, this is all subjective right?) that there be a little more build on the opening. Maybe start with one acoustic panned left, and the bass . . . and at some point shortly thereafter have the second guitar come in, and then the synth. The drums come in at just the right point for me, which embodies the kind of build I'm suggesting. It's just a thought. Love the change up at 1:50 or so, where you drop the drums and quiet things down. It's the ebb and flow of sound that keeps the listener engaged, and you have a lot of those elements in this mix. I'd try to embrace it more.

But all that aside, it's a darn good instrumental as it stands. Well done!!!

Deej

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Ray and Deej: thank you! I've been messing around with the volume buttons, on each separate track - the other day - until I almost went (figuratively) blue in the face, Ray ... so I'll give it another shot smile Deej: absolutely spot on, I think. The beginning is not only kind of abrupt, on a fresh listen, but - if I start like that, it has nowhere to go. So: I'll deal with these modifications later in the week, when I'll have some time to sit down at the computer, once more ... but just wanted, in the meantime, to say thanks - your comments are noted, and will be worked upon smile

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James, funny, this sounds like you even though your voice is missing. Ray and Deej have much finer ears than I do, so I'll defer to them on the mix. I think it's a lovely instrumental and sets a pleasant, peaceful tone (as do most of your songs). I'll mention that to my ears this pad doesn't sound great at times with the quarter note chord changes, so you MIGHT want to hold the chord on the pad while the other instruments change. Or not. Enjoyed your song!


DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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James,

I'll second what Ron said - this absolutely sounds like you. It has your touch and feel. Love the progression, and choice of tracks. Mix and arrangement is subjective, but it works for me.

Bob

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Originally Posted by rsdean
James,

I'll second what Ron said - this absolutely sounds like you. It has your touch and feel. Love the progression, and choice of tracks. Mix and arrangement is subjective, but it works for me.

Bob

I agree also.
This has your signature chord progressions all over it.
Its funny that I can hear your voice even though you are not singing. I guess I'm just weird!
Great song James.


Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Ron: good thought re: holding the chord on the pad. I'll see what I can do with it smile I'm not sure how good this song of mine is, i.e. whether it's worth re-working, but ... I'll listen again, and give it a shot, I think smile Thanks for listening!

Bob: thanks so much!

Mario: haha, re: hearing my voice sing, though it's not there. Marty said something similar, so you're not the only one, lol wink but, seriously, thanks ... don't know about weird, but you are certainly kind.

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Hi, James.

Sounds like you're signature chords, all right. smile

However... I have trouble following them - it feels like the progression is going one direction, and then suddenly pivots to another.

Some of the transitions are... bad, like at 1:51 where BiaB seems to just fade out one chord, and fade in another, like the tape was spliced. That happens a lot in the beginning of the song. It's usually not that bad when it only happens to one instrument, but when it happens to a couple, it really stands out.

While it's pleasant to listen to, it feels to me that it's just not crafted enough. My ear wants to hear something more structured than just chords strung together, such as a melody. Without that, it lacks that feeling of journey that a good song takes me on.

But that's just me and my expectations. laugh


-- 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.
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Sweet signature sounds from someone so gifted at creating them. Your changes always grab me, James. These are so quick in movement and sometimes land unexpectedly, yet so appropriately placed. You make magic in music, and I am always wowed in audience.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

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David C: for what it's worth, I think you're (mostly wink ) right. It's not my best work, this one. And yes, there is a particularly bad chord progression at some point, during it (where it goes unxpectedly into D major again), where I think I just wrote down the wrong chord, full stop. So ... this will go under the: "experiments" folder, for now, until I deal with it, at least. It has potential, and I disagree that a melody is always needed, but this one does need a little more crafting, as you say - that much, I agree with smile Thanks for your honest and perceptive comments smile

Marty: you're kind. Extremely kind smile Thank you so much. As I wrote above, to David, I was more or less experimenting with this one, and it shows. But ... the next one, which I hope to post soon, will hopefully be a different matter, haha. Not saying more, for now, in case I jinx it, haha, but ... let's see smile Thanks so much, once more!

P.S. I've just noticed your kind comment on YouTube, Marty ... thank you, and shhhh!!! haha smile That one will be ready for posting, soon ... as soon as I add some more reverb on the trumpet, perhaps? smile

Last edited by musician17; 05/16/24 07:09 AM.
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lovely song James. Very cool chord progressions. Well done


Scott Collingwood
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