Remember Me

When the birds fly south for the winter
there's no map, no compass stone to guide them home
But there's a voice they hear through the darkest night
calling out, showing them the way deep inside them

   Remember me, remember
   Remember me
   I know that you hear the winds blow
   The calling of the sea

And so you sail uncharted waters
where the sea is so deep like the endless sky
From morning light, to fall of night, chase the horizon
like some far off beach just beyond your reach
begging for you to find them

   Remember me, remember
   Remember me
   I know that you've got to go so far away from me

If you need someone to guide you, let me light the way
You'll see me shining like a beacon in the night

   Just remember you are loved
   You're not alone
   When you find me in your heart, you'll be home


RealTracks
3467:Bass, Electric, AmericanaSyncSteveAB Ev16 085
3329:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm LoungeFunkSwells Ev16 080
4192:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterPickingSyncopated Ev16 080
1840:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveMellow Ev16 075
1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
2019:Sax, Tenor, Soloist PopCountryMark Ev 085
CajonFolkSlow8ths: a: Cajon b: Cajon, Shaker

Effects
Master Buss: Hornet Master Tool, GW MixCentric
Drums: RealTracks, Panagement2 (Heaven)
Guitar1, Guitar2: RealTracks, Panagement2 (Heaven)
Sax: RealTracks, Magma BB Tubes, EZMix2 (Bright Reverb), routed to Plate
Piano: Kontact (Alicia's Keys, Audience Dry), Panagement2 (Concrete)
Synth: RealTracks, Panagement2 (Heaven), routed to Raum
Lead Vocal: SynthesizerV (Feng Yi), GW VoiceCentric (Factory Default), Panagement2
Harmony Vocal: SynthesizerV (Saros), GW VoiceCentric (Natural Mix), Magma BB Tubes, Panagement2, routed to Plate
Strummed Guitar: Picked Acoustic (Sunny Porch)
Fingerpicked Guitar: Picked Acoustic (Picking Ballad)
Strings: Spitfire Originals (Long Flautando), Orchestral Tools (LA Sessions, Studio Violins, Tremolo swells long), routed to Raum
Cello: RealTrack, Panagement2, routed to Plate
Trumpet: Kontact (Chapman Trumpet)
Descant Horn: Kontact (Audio Imperia, Solo, Solo Descant Horn)
Violin: Kontact (Audio Imperia, Solo, Solo Violin)
French Horn: Kontact (Audio Imperia, Solo, Solo French Horn)
Plate: Sunset Sound (Plate 2)
Reverb: Raum (Dreamy Synth)


Blah Blah Blah

Short version: All comments are welcome!

I bought a new SynthesizerV voice, so that meant I needed to write a new song using it.

As usual, I started out with a BiaB demo (this time around, _PHASE) and fiddled with the chord progression. I had a friend who mentioned that I didn't use bridges in many of my songs, so I made sure to include one this time. I because well acquainted with the [b]Song Form[/i] feature in BiaB by the time the song was worked out.

Per my usual process, I put together a backing track in BiaB, and them imported it into SynthesizerV to work out the melody.

I started writing this with an entirely different subject, but it proved too hard a nut to crack. So I took some of the more lines and built it out from there. The basic idea was one of finding "home" no matter where you go, but it turned into a more general ideal of being pulled by different calls - the call of nature, of adventure, or of a waiting lover. I suspect that idea is a bit muddled in some places. But I was so relieved to get something written that I decided not to do a major rewrite.

I thought I'd keep the harmony basic, so I decided to use Saros. He's got a very theatric voice, and is a good contrast to the lead. As usual, I went overboard with the "backgound" vocal.

I really liked the sound of the arrangement "out of the box", but figured it needed something to give it some change. So I played the Native Instrument Picked Acoustic using the one-finger auto-chord function, and copied that over to *another* instance of Picked Acoustic with a different pattern. That added a strummed and fingerpicked guitar.

I played the piano part with the Alicia's Keys piano, a recent purchase that I felt I needed to justify by using at some point..

And since I'd also recently bought the Audio Imperia Solo instrument library, I decided to use it for the solo instruments.

Then I balanced everything out, so everything wasn't playing at one time. It still seemed to be missing something, so I added light strings using Spitfire Originals. That was a bit thin, so I doubled that with tremolo strings from Orchestral Tools.

The cello from BiaB was last-minute addition, but it didn't really work on the fade like I was hoping. Neither did adding a violin part. I couldn't find a BiaB lead guitar that worked, either. So I settled for a BiaB saxophone, which I think works well.

As usual, nothing's set in stone, so if you've got any suggestions, I'll be happy to hear them!

So. I didn't read the back story to all of this (long or short version), because I didn't want to be influenced, before listening to the song.

This is quite a masterpiece, I would say. So, so beautiful. The lyrics are incredible. When that first verse started, wow!!! Superb, and quite sublime. A tear or two, in my eyes, too - I won't deny.

The duet is superb, works so, so well.

REMEMBER ME ... the wish of every single being, human or otherwise.

The saxophone at the end was a beautiful surprise.

Easily, easily, one of your best that I have ever heard, on here. BRAVO. Absolutely superb! Thanks for providing a wonderful end to my day.

P.S. (EDIT): on my fourth or fifth listen (I know) ... these lyrics struck me particularly hard:

I know that you've got to go so far away from me

and

Just remember you are loved
You're not alone
When you find me in your heart, you'll be home

I realise I didn't quite appreciate the lyrics to their full value, so wanted to correct this, here. Wow. Hard to hold back tears, honestly. Wow.

David,
Great tune and wonderful production! Love that vocal echo tracing off to the far right of the stereo field! The CajonFolkSlow8ths are the perfect choice for the percussion section...love that set! Everything is sweet especially the work with vocals!
Take care, TB

Wonderful. The lyrics are excellent. It even sounds like a homage to the Divine Feminine as is my "Quan Yin" and other compositions with 'Deya' and 'Sophia' in the titles. I'm currently looking for a new preferably female vocalist to complete the song version of "Deya Flows", but a theme that's in that is mirrored by your lyrics:

If you need someone to guide you, let me light the way
You'll see me shining like a beacon in the night

Just remember you are loved
You're not alone
When you find me in your heart, you'll be home

David,

Wow! This is beautiful and wonderfully produced.

Not only is it a great song, but it's also a sonic wonder. The vocals are perfect. Incredible stuff.

You are the SynthV master...

Bob

Excellent song, and those vocals are pretty much perfect I think. Love the fadeout with the sax!

Your best yet I think, David.

Wonderful song, great instrument choices (the sax at the end is PERFECT) and the production really did a great job of putting everything together in a very natural sounding way.
Super vocals with a super backing band.
In my opinion your best so far!

David, well, everything I was going to say has been said several times. This is an amazing tune for sure. From your description, it sounds like a labor of love, and a lot of work, too. That being said, it all sounds simple and simply effortless. Thanks for posting!

What a wonderful sound you created, David. Outstanding arrangement and there is so much goodness in there --which makes it so much more difficult to mix. Last minute choice of cello was the prefect icing. You've really masterd those vocals and gave them such good lyrics to sing. This whole package is a A+++++. Love it!!!

David: It's a beautiful song and the vocal work is excellent. You and your singers are champions.
Laurent

Wonderful work, David.
The lyrics and voices are great and the sax is a good addition.

A bridge is just to create contrast to what comes before and after but I expect you already know that.
I use usually it if I need to separate two similar parts, i.e. the last two choruses.
I'm not sure you need it here as the last chorus is lyrically different but it may work better if you silence one or two of the instruments in it to create variance.

Vic

STUNNING.

Gorgeous piano. Delicately played.
(you made me wish I had picked up that AK piano, too)

The vocals are exquisite. These guys/gals sing with Emotion. Almost scary real.

Your arrangement is a delight. Strings are subtle - beautiful. So Many nice touches. A LOT of work in this production, Well Done.
Good that you could not find a guitar to use - because that sax was the perfect ending...

This is one of the best productions ever posted here.

Standing O.

fj

A classic ballad I would expect to hear on a real stage, not on this forum, so I would call it too good

Beautiful lyrics, the first verse is especially good introduction to the story. The bridge works very well and the ending "When you find me in your heart, you'll be home" is touching and just like from my guidebook: leave the best part for last

You have stepped from J-Pop straight to contemporary adult, and so the vocalist selection is reflecting that. First I thought that the female was Sheena, I didn't realize there existed even better alternative. And Saros is excellent choice to support Feng Yi's beautiful and soft voice, excellent work to make them sound great together.

Strings and sax are especially nicely handled, fading with the sax is a bit cliche, but it works everytime for me

You have written a masterpiece where even tiny details are perfectly and skillfully positioned. You seem to have purchased everything possible, but in this case it sounds like it paid off

Janne

Sounds good!

David, your production chops and writing skills are on full display here. The way you work with these voices is nothing short of remarkable. I'm sure you put in a ton of time on this and it shows. I believe this is the best I've heard from you. This is tremendous in all aspects! Bravo! Tom

Hi, James.

Also, life's too short.

I see my bribe money was well spent!

But seriously, thanks!

It was a surprise to me, as well.

I'd hoped that the cello could carry the fade, but I'm happy with how well it worked out anyway.

You're welcome!

And thanks again fro your kind words.

Hi, Torrey.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

I'm so used to putting reverb on things, I tend to forget about what the delay can do. It's one of the options on the Greg Wells VoiceCentric plugins, and it does a nice job widening the voice without the buildup that you get from a reverb.

And yes - that's a fun cajon!

Hi, Chay.
I'm glad you liked it!

If you don't mind working with synthetic vocalists, there are some very nice voices available for SynthesizerV. But... you need to be willing to spend time with the piano roll!

Thanks for listening and commenting.

Hi, Bob.
Thanks!

Thanks for your kind comments!

Hi, Dave.
Wow, thanks!

If you have to fade a song, you really can't go wrong with a sax outro.

Thanks again!

Hi, Brian.
Thanks, I'm glad everything came together.

I was a bit worried about Saros overpowering Feng Yi, but he's vocal is passionate, I didn't want to push it too far into the background.

I appreciate you stopping by to comment.

Hi, Ron.
\I know that feeling. I'll usually just say "What they said"

And thank you for listening and commenting.

I'm glad the vocals worked. As you know, once you listen to a song a zillion times, it's a bit hard to be objective about it.

So it's good to hear it worked out.

Hi, Marty.
Thanks for the kind words... Your check is in the mail!

These synthetic vocalists are getting better and better, which makes the more fun to work with. And it's fun to discover what they're capable of. And like any other instrument, you've got to let them sound like what they are... Saros really wants to be the lead vocalist on every song.

Fortunately, there's no ego when working with synthetic vocalists!

Hi, Laurent.
Thanks!

I appreciate you listening and commenting.

Hi, Vic.
Thanks!

You're absolutely right.

In my defense, I did lower the energy level of the bridge, but it could have more contrast.

When I'd finished the first draft of the lyrics (but before working out the second verse), I realized I basically had two different choruses. What I probably should have done was rewrite the lyrics into the second verse, But... I liked it, even if it didn't fit in. So I stuck it on the end anyway.

But yes - it's not the best structural solution.

I appreciate your feedback and careful listening!

Thanks! You can stop there.

(But don't ).

Thanks - I appreciate you noticing the piano part. I can't play "fancy", but I can comp under a singer.

When I got the AK piano, I wondered why I'd waited so long, because it's often on sale for $50. It's not the most amazing piano, but it plays well and fits nicely in the mix - which I can't always say for other "character" pianos I've picked up.

It really is astonishing what they can do.

Thanks for that as well. Finally, all those years of listening to the Alan Parsons Project pay off!

Thanks! That made my day.

Hi, Jannesan.

Ha! Honestly, I can't think of any venue other than here where people want to hear my music.

Soros is a lot of fun to use, but in this song, he sort of feels like a theatre kid who's been relegated to a background part, but is working his best to steal the show in spite of that.

Thanks! I mentioned in a prior post that from a technical POV I should have left it off... But emotionally, it resonated with me.

I was really surprised at Feng Yi's voice. I spent a lot of time listening to the demos, and narrowed the choices to Feng Yi and Cong Zheng. I choice Feng Yi because Cong Zheng sounds a lot like voices I've already got.

Then I heard a demo someone posted of Sheena, and despite all her flaws, she just might be the next voice I get. But I knew I wasn't going to get any voices before I finished a song with Feng Yi.

Yes, "it works" is the best reason for it being a cliche..

I was also worried this song would be a bit too close to another song I'd done (it ends with a trumpet on the fade), so that's the other motivation I had for finding an alternate solution.

Oh, trust me... I haven't purchased everything possible... But I'm working on it.

Thanks for listening and your much too kind compliments.

Hi,Sören.
Thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Hi, Tom.
Thanks!

I won't say the only reason for writing music is to be able to use all these lovely instruments.

But it is part of the motivation!

I appreciate your nice comments!

David...this is gorgeous! melodically...beautiful! lyrically...soothing! harmonically...exquisite! the arrangement...tasteful! the production...top-tier!

David, you have mastered the vocal synths, sounds so real!
Your arrangement skills are second to none.
You know how to manipulate those RTs into the perfect backing band and mix.
Loved it.

Really, really good stuff David. Your talent really shines in this one!

Wow David!! I you hadn't mentioned the vocal part of it I would've bought it with no problem. Amazing sound and production.

Cheers

Mike B.

An EPIC ballad David!!! You nailed everything!!! I'm going to have to check out the vocal synth. Take care. Greg

Hi David,

Well, what an amazing song you made! And quite different with that beautiful sax at the end.
Wonderful how these AI vocals work together. That must have been a lot of work to get them sing like this.
I join all compliments given to you here. You made a very good sounding song!

Hans

Hi David
Don't be angry
But what should I write about this song ???
PERFECT !!!
Outstanding work
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

This an awesome song David. First of all the lyric and backtrack gave this a very inspirational feel to it. Now the vocals and harmonies were perfect. James hit the nail on the head. Is best to listen to the song first then read the incredible amount of work you put into the song. Sax was a nice touch on the outro. Well done..

David

A big epic sounding ballad beautifully programmed and written.
Extremely well done.

Peter

Hi David,

I can't begin to imagine the effort required rto put this together - mind boggling! I think you're aware of the Neanderthal method I use - not complicated at all. So, I stand (actually sit) here in total amazement.

The synth voices soubnd so real. The timbre and intonation in their vocals lend to a human quality. And that can be revealed only by the talent and precision of the input agent (of course, that would be you).

Beautiful lyric and mesmerizing melody. The sound is delicate and fragile. Congrats on such a fine production!

Alan

A lovely thing. I expect a "real" voice may have been even better but you've managed the tools at hand wonderfully well.
TOP shelf.

Hi, Dan.
Thanks for all the kind words!

Hi, Mario.
I'll let you onto a little secret - these synth voices are getting better, not me.

Thanks, I appreciate the positive feedback!

Hi, Brad.
Thanks!

I'm glad you got a chance to stop and listen. It's always good to hear from you,

Hi, Mike.
Thanks!

To be honest, it surprises me how much emotion these voices seem to put into the parts. Saros has a bit of a Michael McDonald vibe (without that soulful rasp) going on, so I couldn't resist using him here.

I appreciate you stopping by to comment.

Hi, Greg.
Thanks! That means a lot, especially coming from you.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have, just shoot me a PM.

Hi, Hans.
I'm sort of amazed myself. Sometimes things just work out right.

I'll let you onto a secret: it's not as much work as you might suspect, but it's not nearly as easy as just singing it yourself.

Since I had a cold at the time, and no useful voice, it was really nice to have a tool that could do the singing for me. Especially since it did such a nice job.

Thanks! Now it's time to try to write another one.

I appreciate you taking the time to stop and comment!

Hi, Andi.
Why in the world would I be angry about that?

It's so much nicer than my default comment of "Nice song" that I use when a song speaks for itself.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping and commenting.

Hi, Scott.
Thanks!

And it's probably best not to read my comments unless you're looking for a good sleep aid.

Surprisingly (to me) the song didn't take the weeks of slogging to write. But then, I was stuck at home with a cold, so that gave me some focus.

I appreciate you stopping by to comment!

Hi, Peter.
Thanks!

Hi, Alan.
Don't confuse me for a Cro-Magnon just because I'm using a different set of tools. If you take the vocals out of the equation, I suspect our methods aren't dissimilar.

Thanks!

But... I've got the advantage that I can write to the voices. When I put together a melody, I'm generally inside of SynthV working it out, even if the lyrics as just "la". So I can hear if the voice will sound good singing the line. If not, I'll change the line.

After the melody line is down, I work on the lyric, trying to figure out what all those "la"s are trying to sing, so to speak. So I generally hear the timbre and intonation first, not the other way around. Sometimes that's a brick wall from a songwriting perspective.

And sometimes, I get lucky abd can actually figure out what it's trying to sing.

Thank you very much!

Hi, Ray.
Thanks - I appreciate it!

I did this (and the prior song) while I had no voice, because everyone in the house was coughing up a storm. So I was happy to have any voice, even a synthetic one.

So much to like!

- Excellent blend of lead and harmony

- Lead sounds like a great pop diva

- Very complex band that sounds excellent, every in it’s place and very effective

- Love the sax outro and your instrumental performances and fx

- Love the lyric that covers many kinds of calls and the return to home

- If we took one look at that many tracks in a DAW our heads would spin ... for hours

- We ALWAYS enjoy the “blah blah blah’s” 😊

Epic!

J&B