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Hi, Carl. David - very impressive, a highly sophisticated and complex project! It's only complex because it depends so much on using the computer. Your music is on an entirely different level.  Can't quite relate to this degree of computer and BB mastery, way over my head - but a great write with fantastic sounds & mix! I think we all use the tools we've got to craft our music. What matters in the end is the result - but I only wish I could play like you. Well, I probably don't wish hard enough to practice my instruments as much as I should.  I'm glad you enjoyed the song!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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Hi, Hans. It's always a pleasure to listen to your songs and read those incredible stories about how you conceived them and how they came to be.
This song is no exception, although the melody is almost the happiest song in your oeuvre.
It's a very sweet/sad song; the melody sounds cheerful, but the lyrics aren't (well... sort of). Ha! And here I thought I was writing something mournful-sounding. It just shows how little I know about my own song.  I recently saw a few videos on YouTube, all about Appalachia.
I've never really cared about that region, but in the videos, as you said, the people were stoic. I didn't detect any optimism; the videos were all about murders somewhere in the mountains, and no one seemed to care, except for one journalist. Yeah, that "optimism" in the brief was probably misplaced. Historically, that Appalachian stoicism seems to have come from people with power pitting one group against another so they would see each other as the enemy. It's a script as old as mankind. Anyway, I really enjoyed the vocal harmonies (very good). I found the lead singer's voice a bit too sharp/harsh for my ears, but it did fit the story very well, especially in relation to those YouTube videos. I'm glad that the final story didn't seem too displaced from reality. The harshness in the vocal was also mentioned by someone else. I tried rolling off some of the high frequencies, but I probably need to do something a bit more surgical. It's not something that I've got much skill in, so I didn't go to deep. I tried using Vocoflex to the vocal to get a softer tone, but didn't like the results. I'm waiting for my copy of ReSing (another vocal replacement tool) to become available, and I'll see if I have better luck with that. Thanks for listening, and your feedback! I appreciate it.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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Hi, Laurent. Well done, David. It's a beautiful piece in your style, and your singers are very good. Thanks!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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I think that the storytelling and the lyrics are among your best. And I like your song, even though it features a Banjo AND a Mandolin  That says a lot. Thank you for sharing all the details here and in the other songwriting forum. I love reading (and learning from) all this stuff ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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David Super Production. Excellent use of BIAB. Gorgeous mix. A perfect balance of "authentic" and "commercial" (in the best sense of the word). Like the next Dolly. A good write. A Big write! Stellar work. In all regards. fj
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Love your short description...I wrote a song...lol. Indeed you did. Good song...wrong voice. I know, I know. We all work with what's available. But I hear too much Disney and not enough gravity. I'd like to hear Patti Griffin or Brandi Carlisle on this.
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Well,.....
When I hit play on Mr David's "Down That Long Road," I'm not just getting a song; I'm getting an experience. And by "experience," I mean a masterclass in musical storytelling, accompanied by the kind of liner notes that could win a Pulitzer.
Seriously, if you ever wondered what goes into crafting a piece of music, Mr David has laid out the entire blueprint, from the initial "blind fumbling" (his words, not mine!) to the raven's epic comeback tour.
I've seen shorter novels, but I've rarely seen such transparency and dedication, making the journey behind the song almost as compelling as the track itself! You could practically enroll in "Songwriting 101" just by reading the description.
Now, onto the actual tune! "Down That Long Road" is a beautifully crafted piece of bluegrass Americana that wraps you in a warm (if slightly melancholic) embrace from the first twang.
The story of the Appalachian mines, the economic shifts, and the quiet despair of a community left behind is rendered with a poignant clarity.
The vocals, courtesy of SynthesizerV (Solaria II, with backup from Quing Su 2 and Felicia 2 – quite the international ensemble!), deliver the narrative with a stoic grace that really tugs at the heartstrings.
And that raven? What a comeback! From a potentially discarded title to a symbolic guide, it's a testament to the song's evolving narrative.
Instrumentally, it's a hoedown of authenticity. The fiddle weeps, the banjo clacks, the mandolin skips, and the guitars strum their way through a landscape of fading hope. It’s all impeccably played, evoking the dusty roads and echoing hollers of the region.
Now, in my humble, ever-so-slightly-less-detailed opinion, if there's one thing that could give this long road a bit more gravitas, it might be a subtle rumbling from the very bottom of the sonic spectrum.
It's almost as if the bass, perhaps feeling the economic pinch described in the lyrics, decided to pack its bags and follow its own long road, heading off to find a new gig. It's there, holding down the fort, but a touch more "oomph" in the low-end EQ could give the whole arrangement a bit more of that earthy, grounded feel, like the mountains themselves settling in for a long, quiet evening.
But let's be clear: this is a minor quibble, like finding a perfectly good brew just a smidge less fermented than you'd hoped. "Down That Long Road" is a genuinely moving and masterfully told musical tale.
It's a journey worth taking, and with its exhaustive (and highly entertaining) backstory, I felt like I've been on the ride with Mt David from concept to final mix. Bravo!
Izzy
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HI, B.D. I think that the storytelling and the lyrics are among your best. And I like your song, even though it features a Banjo AND a Mandolin That says a lot. Thanks! And yeah - I understand the compliment for what it is. Been there, said that. Be thankful I didn't play actual banjo or mandolin! My playing of both is sub-par, although I really want to spend more time with the mandolin and fiddle. Thank you for sharing all the details here and in the other songwriting forum. And thanks for reading it! I love reading that kind of stuff as well - everyone has their own process, and it's also cool to pick up production tips. Most of the time when I wonder "how did they get that sound/clarity in their mix", the answer is lots of practice, but sometimes there are neat toys as well. Thanks for stopping by to comment - despite those folky instruments!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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Hi, floyd jane. Super Production. Excellent use of BIAB. Gorgeous mix.
A perfect balance of "authentic" and "commercial" (in the best sense of the word).
Like the next Dolly. Thanks!  What I like about BiaB is being able to find sounds that inspire me to try things I'd never considered before. I had a backing track with excellent musicians, so it demanded a story to go with it. A good write. A Big write! Thanks. It took some prodding to get me there, but I'm glad I listened to the criticisms and worked a little harder. Stellar work. In all regards. Thanks again - I really appreciate that. And thanks for listening and all the support - despite the synth vocals!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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Hi, Beth. Love your short description...I wrote a song...lol. Indeed you did. Thanks! [quote Good song...wrong voice. I know, I know. We all work with what's available. But I hear too much Disney and not enough gravity. I'd like to hear Patti Griffin or Brandi Carlisle on this. [/quote] I'd love to put it into another voice, and there's a good chance I'll swap the voice once I find good replacement. Thanks for the comments - I appreciate the honest feedback!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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Hi, Izzy. Well,.....
When I hit play on Mr David's "Down That Long Road," I'm not just getting a song; I'm getting an experience. And by "experience," I mean a masterclass in musical storytelling, accompanied by the kind of liner notes that could win a Pulitzer. Ha! You crack me up With these comments, you are the one who deserves the prize! Seriously, if you ever wondered what goes into crafting a piece of music, Mr David has laid out the entire blueprint, from the initial "blind fumbling" (his words, not mine!) to the raven's epic comeback tour. It really is blind fumbling! By starting with the music, I then have to figure out who is singing, and why. Fortunately - as floyd jane has observed - almost all songs are love songs. And even if they aren't, that element is going to be there because that's what makes people (and songs) tick. I've seen shorter novels, but I've rarely seen such transparency and dedication, making the journey behind the song almost as compelling as the track itself! You could practically enroll in "Songwriting 101" just by reading the description. If you check out the thread, you'll see that it's Nekujak who takes me to school, not the other way around. And a few other people jump in to gently let me know when I'm going in the wrong direction. Unfortunately, I replaced the versions as I went along (I did a lot of changes), so you can't necessarily hear what they're talking about. But reading posts like "The part that starts with "When I'm standing on that golden shore." Just my opinion, but I'm not liking that part. Again, just my opinion, but ... I'm really not liking that part." is enough to get the idea across. Now, onto the actual tune! "Down That Long Road" is a beautifully crafted piece of bluegrass Americana that wraps you in a warm (if slightly melancholic) embrace from the first twang. Oh, how I wish I could figure out how to make that voice twang! And that raven? What a comeback! From a potentially discarded title to a symbolic guide, it's a testament to the song's evolving narrative. That poor raven - a harbringer of doom. It was going to be a murder ballad, after all. I had heard that ravens like to collect stuff, and weave that into the story... but that turned out to be a myth. Instrumentally, it's a hoedown of authenticity. The fiddle weeps, the banjo clacks, the mandolin skips, and the guitars strum their way through a landscape of fading hope. It’s all impeccably played, evoking the dusty roads and echoing hollers of the region. Of course, that's all BiaB. Man, can it do country music! Now, in my humble, ever-so-slightly-less-detailed opinion, if there's one thing that could give this long road a bit more gravitas, it might be a subtle rumbling from the very bottom of the sonic spectrum.
It's almost as if the bass, perhaps feeling the economic pinch described in the lyrics, decided to pack its bags and follow its own long road, heading off to find a new gig. It's there, holding down the fort, but a touch more "oomph" in the low-end EQ could give the whole arrangement a bit more of that earthy, grounded feel, like the mountains themselves settling in for a long, quiet evening. Thanks, I'll have another listen. As you noted, the poor bass player is there, but he's literally standing in the back of the group in the virtual room. It's a journey worth taking, and with its exhaustive (and highly entertaining) backstory, I felt like I've been on the ride with Mt David from concept to final mix. That's a... metaphor all right! Thanks for listening, and your delightful comments!
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal 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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This is superb, David. Love it. You make it sound so easy. We (of course) all know it ain't, but, to the listener, it does sound effortless. Bravo.
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Excellent band and mix. Man, I like how you incorporate dynamic stops perfectly. Dig that fiddle solo. HAHA! I like the short story. "I wrote a song..." Yep. One thing I really enjoy about your songs, David, is that I get to listen at least twice right from the start. The first one is mostly dedicated to your writing of the post.
You crafted the vocals so well. I have no clue how to do that, but understand it takes a lot of learning. You learnt is well.
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There are excellent singers / singer
the song captivates you right from the start and takes you with it!
Jona
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Surprisingly different song, never would have otherwise guessed whose song this is, but Synth V vocalist revealed it I could imagine Dolly Parton singing this. I like the lyrical landscape with a decaying town, corporate vultures and a mystical raven Strongly melodic and the harmony supports the melody excellently. The simple band fits the message and the minor key. Catchiness gives the song a positive boost. Great work on going down a new road! Janne
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David, I am extremely impressed on how you got those synth voices to sound so real. Their wording and expression were outstanding. Great groove and mix. One of your best for sure.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Really good song David,
Sounds like you did a lot of subject research, and you tied that into a very fitting style. It says it’s Bluegrass, but there is still a crossover there to Folk….and I’m partial to a bit of Folk. Yeah, a really good production, loved it. Great job.
Kind regards.
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This is reminiscent of the early Dixie Chicks, both in subject matter and sound. The “girls” are sounding really good and you got the bluegrass car horn tight harmony down! (We played in bluegrass bands for years. Nice to hear a reminder of those decades here). We enjoyed the long story and being from the south where chalk mining is a huge business in our area we especially enjoyed your research on Appalachia and the coal mines. We’ve often wanted to write about the social aspects of the mines here but there are too many locals that would find it contentious. The mix is standout and thanks for the tech stuff re how you created it. Your dedication to getting things right truly pays off! Enjoyed it! And you nailed the way we would say Appalachia. 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
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Awesome tune David. Loved when those harmonies kicked in. Excellent vocals and backtrack. Well done....
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Hi David, in your reply to me you said a lot of things about the 'harshness' I mentioned. Thank you for that.
But I was thinking more of female vocals a tone lower. Is that possible in this case?
I had/have a female singer (a real one), but her voice was too high for some songs. And she couldn't sing lower, or, well..., than it didn't sound so good.
We took a break...
The song itself is beautiful, that's not the point. I don't want you to have a little break with your singers ;-)
Hans
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