Originally Posted by BlueAttitude
Sorry to butt in :blush The easiest way to duck guitar with vox using Reaper, which I know you use, is to use the Reaper ReaComp plugin as the last effect on your guitar track. Feed it via the side chain input (3/4) from the vocal track. And then adjust the Threshold to get the level you want. Much faster than using automation. I learned how to do it from a Kenny Gioia video many years ago. Set up the compressor similar to this: (image attached)
Thanks Dave! I watched this video from Kenny Gioia's Reaper Mania and as I sometimes use Cakewalk Sonar, I also watched this video from Mike at Creative Sauce and applied the ReaComp compressor to the guitar triggered by the main vocal through channel 3/4. I didn't know this existed prior to this week, and I can see it will be a handy technique to use from time-to-time. #lifelonglearning

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Andrew, love the groovy thang you have goin' on here. That opening guitar section is superb. Love the guitar-driven overall sound, too. Great vocals, and I'd agree that the gentle double tracking suits you very well. Great arrangement, and the bridge is quite tasty indeed. Yes, heavier, but still catchy and cool.
Thanks Ron. When first starting the mix, I had the RealStyle going straight through and thought "Nah - that's too much of the same". So I hunted for a couple of different guitar RealTracks and used those, but with the 3729:Guitar, Electric, Soloist GrungePopGritty providing continuity. However, it was this track that was too conflicted with the main vocal which I have recently ducked.

I love doubled vocals (and sometimes tripled), but like sugar, I musn't overdo it. Glad you liked the song - thanks for listening!

Originally Posted by Torrey Bliss
You definitely achieved a "heavy" sound here and it sounds great to me!
Very clever lyric writing!
My favorite part of the song is the chorus section which uses a wonderful melodic structure supported by the perfect sync basslines and guitars moving around it all!
Great song! Well done! TB
Hi Torrey! Thanks for the 'thumbs up' for the lyrics - it's the part that I least enjoy writing, although sometimes can produce quite rewarding results.

Originally Posted by WaoBand
Totally agree with the song's sentiments - on social media I've been writing essays on the subject for awhile now, when usually I write about spirituality and evolving consciousness - plus you've got a great chord structure for it, but I agree with Dave in that I find the rhythm section too crowded.
Thanks Chay - yes many of us becoming disenfranchised with wealth inequality - well I never was enfranchised. I'm hoping this topic gains traction with the masses as it is a global problem. Re the rhythm section, hopefully my latest change has gone some way towards addressing that. However, I also recognise that this genre is often 'busy' so I wanted to find a balance there.

Originally Posted by John Walradt
Terrific gritty rockin' tune, Andrew! I did something like that with a Twisted Sister feel which I'll post sometime...a Democrat theme called "Ride the Wave" a couple years before our disastrous election. It was unlike anything else I had done. It's fun to get into something different every so often. You broke out of your usual in a great way.
Thanks John - I agree! It's good to venture outside of our normal. I've definitely learned a few things with this genre. Hopefully, you'll be able to pull out your song at your mid-terms and 'Ride the wave' again!

Originally Posted by jannesan
From 60's pop to 90's grunge, you have quite a musical range :smile I enjoyed this heavier song, nice memorable riff that somehow reminds me of the 80's new wave. And I like the punk attitude in the lyrics, injustice clearly expressed, which reminded me also of Midnight Oil. Good mix and I enjoyed your expressive vocals and fitting harmonies, very good work! I would be more than happy to hear more of your angry statements smile
Ah Janne! You know of Midnight Oil in Finland - I'm impressed! I'll probably need to retreat to my usual for a while, but when I find material again, I'll have another crack. In fact, I've got a song idea from about 10 years ago that is worthy but I need to put a bit of effort in to it first - and I have a couple of songs to finish, and one of those is an assignment that Knee Wobbler set and the deadline is fast approaching! Thanks for listening!

Originally Posted by MarioD
Andrew, this is a great song.
Great vocal and lyrics
Super groove
To nitpick I didn't care for the guitar playing licks like that while you were singing. It was very busy and detracting from your vocals. However that is just my opinion and others may not agree.
Regardless this is a very good song.
Mario - I think there were a few others that agreed with you. I'm hoping that my 'ducking' treatment of the guitar has gone some way towards addressing that.
Thanks for listening!
PS It's been good to hear you singing on some of your recent uploads - very good!

Andrew

Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes