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Sancho's Perspective V2 UPDaTED - Terry sent me his wav file of the draft vocal so was able to swpa out the split. I've addressed, I hope, the telephone vocal section issue raised by BD. Terry had sent me the FX printed to his vocal so I've reduced them to match my own version, (1st & third parts), & blended my untreated vox across the section. BIAB components: RealDrums popjazzfast Right hand guitar 4162 Organ 3993 My parts: Squire Mustang - guitars Left Vantage Bass Midi piano - piano roll written Some chorus harmonies TERRY BERMAN - Main vocals & generated Harmonies This one has been waiting for vocals since July. Terry provided a draft version with backing & I had to use the stem splitter in BIAB to get the vocal. The splitter did quite well. It's been a month since this vocal arrived and Terry's unable, because of life as usual, to do a full version anytime soon so I decided to finish it with what I had on hand. Terry changed a few words and did some renovation rescue of the melody. I think it's close to being ready to master but would love your input as to what needs tweaking. LYRICS: V1 Upstairs, downstairs Too, too twain Top floor, closed door Same refrain. New tears, old fears Still unchanged. Fraught night, blurred sight, Rearranged. C1 Striding up the stairs To tilt at windmills No, no dragon slain So, walk, walk down again. Though I've lost the plot Of who is who and what's what No, not what I am But what I am not. V2 Spoken unheard Utterance Written unread Happenstance New thought old ways Open closed Restart reject Now deposed C2 Climbing up the stairs To tilt at windmills No, no dragon slain So, stumble down again. Though I've lost the plot Of who is who and what's what No, not what I am But what I am not. SOLO V3 Upstairs, downstairs Two, too insane Top floor,red door We trained in vain. New tears, pain sears Still deranged. Fraught night, old blight, Now estranged. C3 Stagger up the stairs To tilt at windmills No, no dragon slain Tumble, tumble down again. Though I've lost the plot Of who is who and what what No, not what I am But this misbegot.
Last edited by rayc; 11/27/25 07:50 PM.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi, Ray. The splitter did do a nice job based on what I can hear. Very impressive. Everything in the mix sounds well-balanced. Especially like the stereo splitting of the harmonies and the prominent bass. Lots of cool harmonic and dynamic shifts to keep it interesting. That's a neat ending, too.  Also like the vocal FX that start the last 1/3 of the track, but I might have dialed them back a smidge as they sound a bit TOO fuzzy to my ears. But that's an artistic choice for sure. Nicely done!
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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I like it. It's got a good dance-y rhythm and seems like a fun one to sing too, with lots of room for perhaps some ooos and aahs down the line. The organ fits very nicely and then just blooms in the solo.
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That's pretty far for a WIP. And in pretty good state, I must say. Things you might consider or ignore: - The hi-hat(?) fills in the first minute or so are a bit too dominant. I'd either turn it down a bit or reduce the brightness.
- In some places, there are conflicts between the vocals and the organ. I would duck the organ with the vocals via sidechain. I seem to remember that you have the Trackspacer plugin?
- The processed vocals are really hard to understand for someone without the written lyrics. Maybe you could fade in the unprocessed vocals (just a little bit, maybe even just on one side) to improve the result without compromising the desired effect.
That being said, even in its current form, it's already a pretty cool song, and your results with the stem splitter are really good.
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Great song and choice of instrumentation, plus like Beth I love the drive. It's also great to hear the words you're singing!  
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
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#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Hi, Ray. The splitter did do a nice job based on what I can hear. Very impressive. Everything in the mix sounds well-balanced. Especially like the stereo splitting of the harmonies and the prominent bass. Lots of cool harmonic and dynamic shifts to keep it interesting. That's a neat ending, too. Also like the vocal FX that start the last 1/3 of the track, but I might have dialed them back a smidge as they sound a bit TOO fuzzy to my ears. But that's an artistic choice for sure. Nicely done! CD, Thanks & YES the splitter did an ace job - particularly as it was an MP3. After BD chiming in I've tweaked the 3rd verse. THANKS
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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I like it. It's got a good dance-y rhythm and seems like a fun one to sing too, with lots of room for perhaps some ooos and aahs down the line. The organ fits very nicely and then just blooms in the solo. Thanks Beth, I don't know if it's dance-y - for me it'd be jerky but I get what you mean. I've had great luck with BIAB organs - it's cool.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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That's pretty far for a WIP. And in pretty good state, I must say. Things you might consider or ignore: - The hi-hat(?) fills in the first minute or so are a bit too dominant. I'd either turn it down a bit or reduce the brightness.
- In some places, there are conflicts between the vocals and the organ. I would duck the organ with the vocals via sidechain. I seem to remember that you have the Trackspacer plugin?
- The processed vocals are really hard to understand for someone without the written lyrics. Maybe you could fade in the unprocessed vocals (just a little bit, maybe even just on one side) to improve the result without compromising the desired effect.
That being said, even in its current form, it's already a pretty cool song, and your results with the stem splitter are really good. Thanks BD, It's only a stereo kit and any attempt to EQ or MB Comp the hihat lead to a dull sound so it's something I'm stuck with. I hope this new vocal mix solves the clash. Telephone vox retweaked.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Great song and choice of instrumentation, plus like Beth I love the drive. It's also great to hear the words you're singing! Thanks Wao, The vocals are easier because it's not my voice - you'll find that is a common trait in my stuff.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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This is a concept way above my pay-grade, so I'm not really qualified to offer a critique on the music. Nice keys happening around the 2:28 min mark.
As for the lyrics, Don Quixote wasn't required reading in any of the English classes I bothered to attend, so I'm out of my depth there too.
Looking forward to hearing this project when complete.
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This is a concept way above my pay-grade, so I'm not really qualified to offer a critique on the music. Nice keys happening around the 2:28 min mark.
As for the lyrics, Don Quixote wasn't required reading in any of the English classes I bothered to attend, so I'm out of my depth there too.
Looking forward to hearing this project when complete. Thanks GG, If you recognized the Don via Sancho, then you've the gist of the narrative - futility. The "not what I am but what I am not" bit is there simply because it looked good written down though it does blend with the Quixote story a little. Don wasn't in the curriculum when I was at high school during the 1st half of the 70s...we did fab stuff like Hamlet & 1984 though, and I loved every book from 1st to 6th form.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Reminds of the so called new wave bands from 1980s, even some psychedelic sounds of the 1970s. Interesting and different.
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Yes, indeed, A is a fun key. Man, so glad Terry showed up --and with such a good feel for the song. Definitely worth the wait. I love that bass, Ray. You say this is a WIP, but I like it as is. Is that you singing in the middle part? Cool harmonies, excellent choice of instruments and the perfect mix. Stick around Terry.
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Ray, super bass and groove. I really liked the vocals and the effects you used on them. You did a great job on the rhythm guitar and MIDI piano. Super ending.
IMHO this is one of your best to date.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
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Reminds of the so called new wave bands from 1980s, even some psychedelic sounds of the 1970s. Interesting and different. Thanks Brno, The main influence on this one comes, quite literally, from 77.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Ray, super bass and groove. I really liked the vocals and the effects you used on them. You did a great job on the rhythm guitar and MIDI piano. Super ending.
IMHO this is one of your best to date. Ta Mario, The vocal FX are a free VST called Televox PLUS another freebee called Iron Oxide classic Airwindows. https://plugins4free.com/plugin/3753/https://www.airwindows.com/iron-oxide-classic/The latter is GREAT for helping vocals and bass poke through a mix.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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It sounds to me like you did something pretty major to the vocals on V2, and the result made the whole song much better! Much more musical now. I like it. The telephone effect on the penultimate verse is okay - I could take it or leave it. Nice track, worth the revision for sure.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Hey this is the great little number.
Love the bass intro. Kind of reminds me of Tom Verlaine and Television a little bit if you remember those cats.
Both with the bass and the guitar parts.
Some great retro sounding stuff going on here.
Awesome work Ray and happy holidays.
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Ray,
This came out great. I love the drive of the organ and your mustang. Excellent mix. One of your best!
Bob
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We agree that it is ready for Fran’s mastering!
That is one creative arrangement and mixed to perfection.
As others have mentioned good work with the splitter.
MP3? No problem. They are vastly underrated IMHO.
Terry sounds great and has such an expressive voice.
Janice said that she could hear him narrating an audio book as his voice is full of emotion.
Love the lyric and band.
“not what I am but what I am not”
We rarely use the word evocative but think it works well for this.
You and Terry always hit a home run!
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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