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Hi, all: I’ve been a bit absent from the board . . . though I have stopped in from time to time to give things a listen (with a few likes along the way). Sorry about that. I’ve tried to catch up a little bit tonight, but couldn’t get to everyone. Will try to do more listening over the next few days. At any rate, I hope all of you are well! Here’s a new tune from Rayc and me. Ray reached out to me with this musical mix along with lyrics for the chorus. After giving the mix a listen, I couldn’t not want to be part of this. So, I penned the verses, made one or two small tweaks to the chorus lyrics, and searched for a melody. Ray took it all and ran, and even humored me on some of my mix suggestions. It’s an interesting thing collaborating virtually with someone on the other side of the globe. I have this feeling this song may have been a bit different if Ray and I were sitting in the same room thinking this out live. But I hope, and think, it’s come out the better for it. Caution, it’s a longer song, but I trust your interest will not wane. Your suggestions and feedback are as always very welcome. Last side note: I don’t often suggest this, but I think you’ll enjoy Ray’s mixing work more on headphones; and, also, don’t miss the tasty live cello by Alison Reynolds. Here’s the song:YOU'RE THERE Here are the lyrics: (Actually, given the length of this post, I’ll just refer you to the lyrics on SoundCloud). And here’s the band (notes and elements):Piano: BIAB RT 2045, 1949 and 1837 (soloist) Organ: BIAB RT 2692 Guitar: BIAB RT 177 (soloist) Drums: BIAB RT RockNorthern^4Ev16 + crash & China cymbal additions Cello: High & Low passes by Alison Reynolds Bass: Vantage through BDI21 Guitar: Squire Mustang & Harley Benton 12 string electric GTRFX: Yamaha FX500 stereo Tremolo, stereo delayed chord + distortion, Dig Spring Reverb & ACTONE pedal. UGLY NOISE" ACTONE pedal with Voice, Drive & Mids maxed and controlled by the gtr vol knob Strings: REDTRON-SE MIDI mellotron (played & written) violins, violin & some cello; actual .wav files of Melotron tapes cut & pasted - string section. Written by Ray Cochrane and Dj Lekich Mixed in Reaper by Ray Cochrane
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Deej / Ray,
WOW! STUNNING!
It's hard to know where to start with this one. I'm so completely blown away by the song, production and superb vocal. The mix on this song with the blend of instrumentation and effects is of the highest caliber.
Deej, that vocal is off the charts... You are an AMAZING singer.
Will go back for many more listens.
Bob
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Quite interesting (and I mean that in the most positive way), it has the usual Pink Floyd vibe from Ray, but sounds quite different with your dramatic vocals.
I like that.
A lot.
You 2 should collab more often.
The mix is solid, but could have a bit more sparkle/top end to really shine.
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THIS is how you make Music.
Write interesting, original lyrics from your head, your heart, your soul, your strange imagination.
Produce. ZOWIE!!! What a Production! My favorite thing (if anyone were to ask) about BIAB is that it allows us to learn to be producers - the RT choices provide endless resources. This is an example of how that Works. Music built to include all the required magic.
Good organ choice. Piano, yeah. Good drums (they could use some air). Strong Bass! - backbone. Nice drop followed by a cool solo. Cello is exquisite.
I like how you add your own touches - they never brag, they just do-their-job.
Then find THE perfect Voice. Astounding.
Generally I cringe when people use the word Epic here.
I think it applies here.
fj
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Quite a moody one from you Deej. Interesting lyrics, which is a good thing.
It may be my ears but there are a couple of lines lost to that wall of sound.
Well done you two.
Vic
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that vocal is off the charts... You are an AMAZING singer. Thanks Bob, He's good, really good.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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You 2 should collab more often.
a bit more sparkle/top end to really shine. We have actually...a couple of years back with Chris37 as well as a couple of months ago. "sparkel" - yes, this is just a mix - no mastering and no EQ across the top etc. We'll keep that suggestion in mind.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Then find THE perfect Voice. Astounding.
fj Thanks, Once the progression and roughed out arrangement were done I knew this needed Deej vocally, melodically & lyrically.. I'm luck enough that he wanted in. Drum "air" duly noted. I was going for a mid 70s thud bu I can hear what you mean and, as usual, you're correct.
Last edited by rayc; 08/04/24 07:46 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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... there are a couple of lines lost to that wall of sound. Thanks Vic, If the lost words are under the cello - that was a calculated risk that Deej wanted to take. If it's the all out cacophony of the next section then it is an intention from before the lyrics were completed and the vocals recorded. Deej had, as usual, a fabulous idea for the drama of the situation and wee worked on it to have those words being lost. If it's elsewhere the I goofed. Please let me know.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi, all:
Here’s a new tune from Rayc and me. Ray reached out to me with this musical mix along with lyrics for the chorus. After giving the mix a listen, I couldn’t not want to be part of this. So, I penned the verses, made one or two small tweaks to the chorus lyrics, and searched for a melody. Ray took it all and ran, and even humored me on some of my mix suggestions.
AH, Deej had excellent and varied mix suggestions - each one steering the project in the right direction. He may not have had a hand on the mouse but he had a head in the process.
Your suggestions and feedback are as always very welcome.
Vocals recorded and engineered by Deej.
I'll add to that an observation that, like Janice & Bud's vocal recordings, all I had to do was drop the tracks in place...levels, EQ, FX etc. were unnecessary as they arrive ready to go.
Written by Ray Cochrane and Dj Lekich
Mixed in Reaper by Ray Cochrane & Dj Lekich
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi, Vic:
Thanks for the listen and feedback. I don't think it's entirely your ears, but rather some degree of intent (perhaps not the right degree) in the mix and arrangement. You didn't say exactly where you thought the mix overtook the vocal, but I suspect in one of three spots:
1. The Second Verse: I suggested to Ray that we pan this verse and give the vocal a different treatment. My concern was that it was a long song, and feared the vocals would grow tiresome without a changeup. I've heard some songs recently that took a similar approach--a phone-boothy, fuzzy and tubular vocal panned wide that reverts back to the original vocal sound. I thought it would work well with this song. Perhaps we can bring it up a bit more in the mix, but this was the intent and desired effect.
2. The Final Chorus: Again, any shortfall here is a result of my good or bad suggestion . . . Listening to some of the early demos I was blown away by the cello, and really liked how it "competed" with the vocal. Here, too, the intent was to provide a bit of a changeup from the third chorus of an already long song. I'm not sure I'd make a change here, as I think my voice is strong enough to cut through without diminishing the sound. But Ray and I will certainly consider it.
3. The Outro: This, IMHO, was actually a brilliant production choice by Ray. Given the length of the song, and how much I loved the instrumentation and mix, I had anticipated a longer instrumental outro with no vocals. In truth, I considered doing some vocals over it, but couldn't find anything interesting. I was blown away when Ray sent back a version cutting in the latter half of the vocal chorus in that outro. It was intentionally set under the mix, and panned from right to left, the effect being that the vocal is fading in the wind (a sound introduced at the end of the second chorus). Earlier I had suggested doing something like this at the end of the second chorus, before the solo, when that wind effect first comes to prominence. But Ray saved that trick for later on, and I think it works well. But again, the beauty of this forum is that it give us input to re-examine our choices.
Hope all is well with you,
Deej
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Bob,
Thanks much for the kind words. Really appreciate it! Ray makes it very easy to get excited about making music!
Deej
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You 2 should collab more often. Beyond what Ray noted above, he's also pitched in on my last three or four solo tunes laying down a bass track. But, yes, I hope it's a trend we can continue. Deej
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Floyd,
The production and arrangement is really all Ray . . . I could never come close to putting together a bed this intricate and compelling. He's really got an ear and talent for it.
Deej
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Super song, guys! Lovely progression, arrangement and mix. KILLER vocals and guitar. That middle section provides a great transition to the 2nd half, and LOVE the ending. I get the whole vocals-under-the-cacophony effect, and like those sections a lot. A very dynamic, moving tune. EXCELLENT collaboration!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Excellent in all aspects! Wonderful song, and man, that vocal is crazy good. Love the vocal arrangement too, really well done. Doesn't get much better, well done you two! P.S. I read your comment on collaborating with someone over the internet and how things might be different if you were in the same room hashing out ideas together. I couldn't tell you how many times Marty (in Pennsylvania), Chris (in Germany), and myself (in Canada) have had that same conversation! 
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Sensational collab. Ray is so darn creative and your vocal can make any song soar to its destined height. I've listened to this one a couple times already before today. Your vocal is outstanding in range and quality. The harmony is interesting. Terrific instrumentation, and yes, I like the mix on headphones. So good.
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Super song, guys! Lovely progression, arrangement and mix. KILLER vocals and guitar. That middle section provides a great transition to the 2nd half, and LOVE the ending. I get the whole vocals-under-the-cacophony effect, and like those sections a lot. A very dynamic, moving tune. EXCELLENT collaboration! Thanks DC, The progression came about after I watched a video about voice leading taken to an extreme. I decided to experiment and it seemed to work well enough. Then add the leading voice of one Deej and I was very happy.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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This is epic.
I'm hearing a Bowie,Pink Floyd, Radiohead vibe with immaculate vocals with an expansive interesting musical backing. It is going to take a few listens to fully unpack this musical tour de force. The passionate vocals hooked me first followed by the very engaging accompaniment. You guys have created a nice piece of art here.
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Yes, as floyd says, the word "epic" can be over-used, but I also agree with him that this is indeed epic. On a vocal, technical note: how on Earth you hit those high notes, Deej, only God knows. But, that aside, what a song, what a write, what a performance. I can't imagine anyone other than Deej singing this, because (apart from the technical prowess), boy he has passion in his delivery. The production itself is a roaring success - well done, Ray, you are a touch above many with this kinda thing - here, too, no exception. The cello interlude is beautiful, with a warm tone in Alison Reynolds' playing. But, you know: it's not so much the parts of the production that I like so much and analyse, but rather the "wall of sound" that is the end result. I don't sit to listen to music to take it apart, in other words; but to let it wash over me and enjoy. And this does the job, and then some, in that respect.
A lot of work has, no doubt, gone into this to make it sound so easy and natural - but, again, y'all have succeeded to say the least. The biggest compliment I can make you is this: I want to hear this song, again and again. Not to analyse, but to enjoy. And that's a heck of an achievement in my book. Bravi.
P.S. love the ending (and the section where Deej sings as if his voice is somehow far away). So creative. Bravi, once more.
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