So this one was more of an experiment if anything. I wanted to test using the midi styles with Studio One's Presence and Impact instruments. At the same time I got an email from Splice Songwriters Club about a I-IV-V chord progression prompt. I also wanted to try a few things with the vocals - doubling with a slightly pitched up vocal track throughout the song and a track pitched up an octave in the choruses and last two bridges. And I wanted to try using an automation track to increase the volume throughout the song and using buses a bit more in Studio One. So last night I decided to do them all at the same time. I put it all together and recorded to vocals last night. So it's hardly perfect (the lyrics and pretty much nonsence and I don't think it's the most catchy melody I've come up with) but I'm quite happy with some of the results.
Style is CORUNA. All of the tracks are MIDI styles. I can't quite remember all of the FX I used in Studio One, but the instruments I used were in the presence and Impact plugins. I really like the drums (I used the Dance Kit) and think I'll definitely use Impact a lot more in the future. I've used presence before to add keyboards and synths to it, but I didn't think a whole track could come out of it. I used Room Reverb across the entire track, I think there might be a more elegent way of doing it in future but I don't think it was a bad first try. I used a couple of samples from Splice and the vocals were pitched up in Melodyne rather than singing them as I wanted to get kind of computerised sound. I used a lot of compression and a chorus effect on the doubled vocals to really enhance the effect. It was a stylistic choice which I think works with this style of music... and was something else I was testing!
As an experiment and a learning experience, I'm really happy with the results.
Lyrics:
Dance With Me
When I'm in the club And you're walkin in I know I see a Spotlight on you, yeah.
The dance floor seems to be The centre stage And we're all here to Watch you light it up.
Then you take my hand Lead me to the floor With each step I Feel my heart beat-in-time.
With the rhythm of Each kick and base-line Lets make this night Feel so-right. oh yeah!
I can't wait to feel you dance with me, oh!
When I see you look Like a fine pop star You know you're singing Straight to my heart.
You can't make me wait Much longer to feel ya Move with me. Oh! Dance With Me all night!
We're dancin to the Beat of the club, yeah. Not together, no. We're too far apart.
You move close but then Steppin back With that Look in your eye. I'm part of your show.
Will-they won't they stuff. Which I say I don't Like, but with you It just feels so right.
It's a game we play Each time we're here. So let's take it One step closer.
I can't wait to feel you move with me, oh!
When I see you look Like a fine pop star You know you're singing Straight to my heart.
You can't make me wait Much longer to feel ya Move with me. Oh! Dance With Me all night!
(repeat bridge x 1 and chorus x 2)
Edit: Might have been useful to include the video!
Good bones. The vocal treatment is OK - the vocals seem to be solidly in tune which is good. What is lacking in both vocal & backing is variation and dynamics. Those could be achieved in the mixing process easily enough.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I had to get used to it, but the song had something exciting in it. Probably because of the kind of singing / vocals. That was realy good of you.
But saying that, this song could also use some more variation or 'shocks' (surprises), as I think Scott and David meant. Than it holds your attention more easy. But all together, you made an engaging song,
Thanks for the feedback guys! Glad you enjoyed it.
Mario - yeah I'm impressed with BIAB midi. The basic midi doesn't sound great on my computer but I was really impressed once I moved it all across to studio one. I've only been playing about with BIAB and Studio One (or any DAW for that matter) for just over a month but I am amazed at what they can do for someone with very little experience.
I will have to have a look at a few ways of improving the variation and adding more surprises to it.
Really nice work on this - makes for an engaging and unique listen. Sometimes experimentation really pulls off something special! The textures here are fantastic here and vocals really fit over the instrumentation as well.
I don't know if you realize it yet Richard... But you have created a really unique sounding song... Unlike other tunes here & that is good... Your experimenting & playing around with things is paying off... You seem to be developing you own distinctive style... Congratulations!
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