https://soundcloud.com/charlie-fogle/endless-journeyThis is a song that was written by a former band mate, Michael Couch. and I arranged and produced in my home studio.
RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~364:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~368:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1524:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopPowerPushClean Ev 120
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Enjoyed the song, voice and production. Cheers.
Charlie,
A good selection of instruments for this. A few suggestions - though, you may not be looking for suggestions...
For a song such as this (sad, gentle, etc) the drums are a little "heavy" in the early verses. Using the Stick, Hi-Hat version instead of the Snare, Hi-Hat version would "fit" the lyric. Also limiting the drum rolls (part markers) early on - sounds like you have them every 4 measures - every 8 might work. Then, bring the Snare version in on the last verse... so your song "builds"...
The words are difficult to make out at various points. The vocal is a tad too low for the amount of reverb that is on it - so it is "falling behind" the instruments.
I like what you're doing on this. Hope you don't mind the thoughts...
floyd
Thanks RichMac. I appreciate you taking time to listen and comment.
Thanks Floyd for taking time to listen and comment. Suggestions are always welcome. I've learned something from each of my posts here on the forum.
The busy drums were intentional on this recording and based from other's suggestions (not here on this forum) that my drums were too sparse. Maybe I was a bit too busy. I like your suggestion of changing up on the drum kits and will explore that option.
The vocal, reverb and clarity issue is a result of my recent migration to Studio One 2, their Presonus AudioBox and a Boss VE-20 vocal processor. I normally record dry and add effects. On this recording, I recorded through the vocal processor using a pre-set that provided the far back reverb sound. However, apparently the eq settings caused some sounds to be dropped. Specifically S's and D's which proved to be difficult to deal with post recording.
I know the move to a computer DAW gives me a lot of additional and high quality options over my stand-a-lone Tascam DP-24 but I'm finding it a bit frustrating having to stop, watch videos and search for processes that are "easy" after you have found them for the first time. But if was too easy, everyone would do it I guess. The BIAB forums have been a big asset in reducing my learning curve so far and I find it exciting that folk from all around the world are listening to my songs and commenting and making solid recommendations to help me improve.
Charlie,
You may already know this... if you right click a part marker, it will show you various options for the drums.
So you can select the Stick version there.
If you do that on an A part marker, all following A part markers will also play that Stick.
So if you want the A sections to change to Snare later on, select the A part marker where you want that to start
and chose the Snare version there. For the Snare version you will have an option for Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat or Ride...
I switched to Presonus Studio One 2 recently myself. (Turns out a guy in "upper management" is a neighbor of mine).
It has tremendous plugins. It has taken a while to learn and get used to (I, too, have spent hours watching videos).
I am really liking it. (I used Sony Acid Pro before switching).
Like you, I came from a hard-disk recorder (Roland VS-880). I still use mine to record vocals.
I'll explain that - you may or may not want to try it...
Once I get the chords in BIAB and have a basic instrument group (drums, bass, a guitar or 2, maybe piano),
I export those out to the DAW and do a quick mix - enough to do a vocal to.
I transfer that rough mix to my VS-880. I do my vocals there.
I like the touch and feel that the hard-disk recorder provides - the buttons - all right there.
Record. Stop. Rewind or Return. Play. No mouse...
I think it makes it a lot easier to record vocals. And do punch ins...
I'll record 3 or 4 tracks. Then I transfer those back to the DAW.
(If you capture the opening clicks from your mix to the vocal track as you transfer back to the DAW, it makes it easy to line things up).
Then add any processing in the DAW.
I used to print the reverb from the VS-880 on the vocal track - because I really like that reverb.
But that makes it VERY hard to do anymore processing on the vocal. That reverb accentuates a lot of stuff.
That gets out of control fast. So now I'm transferring the vocal over dry... And I'm still experimenting with vocal processing...
Just thought you might like to know "you're not alone"....
floyd
That is very similar to my normal routine Floyd. I was doing all my vocals on the DP-24. Since January 2014 I have been trying to migrate more to computer based recording for no other reason than the dollar amount I have invested in it. I originally purchased a new desktop to be dedicated solely to music. I purchased BIAB 2013 and installed it,Studio One Professional v2, a Presonus 16.4.2 digital mixer and various other items. The mixer, purchased new, but was manufactured in 2011. It crashed during first use and was returned to the factory for DSP board replacement and firmware update. I could use it for live recording but due to it being quirky with the firewire chipsets, was never able to connect it to the desktop. I never developed a single song with BIAB 2013 but my brother tweaked my interest again with version 2014 and the user tracks feature. Although I have yet to make a user track of any substance, I am getting into BIAB/RealBand full steam ahead. Since retiring in January, I installed everything on an old laptop, sold the mixer and now interface with the Presonus AudioBox which is two channels. The VSL feature is sporadic in operation but it is not anything I use anyway. Just trying to enjoy myself and justify this investment to my wife. I tell her I am going to get good enough to join TAXI and begin pitching songs as a retirement hobby. ;=)
I really can't add to what floyd has said as I have learned a tremendous amount from him via our collaborations. I sympathize with you as I've recently switched to Logic Pro X and am searching for all the effects - they are great after I learn how to access them.
I like where you are going with this tune and it really contains an effective selection of RT's.
Hi, Charlie !
I nearly missed this lovely tune
but fortunately I came looking
for it ! I am glad I did. I think
you are doing a super job on
all fronts !:))
Cheers
Dani
Thank you for your kind comments Dani. I always look forward to your posts too.
You have some of the most heartfelt lyrics and a certain smoothness with your vocal productions. "Friendship" is a perfect example.
Regards,
Charlie
Thanks Janet & Bud for commenting. You guys do a super job and I just finished enjoying your latest post, "Be My Medicine Man". Tom was a perfect pick to collaborate with on that tune.
Regards,
Charlie
Yeah, the vocal could stand to come up, but this is a sweet song and nicely presented.
p.s. I'm learning from this post too.
Thanks to all you guys for your comments regarding the mixing. That's been my biggest challenge so far it seems.
I found I can blame at least a part of the problem to the lack of line level inputs on the Audiobox. I'm feeling an upgrade....;=)
Even though I can use the Tascam DP-24 for vocals, as I said in an earlier post, my goal is to migrate to the PC.
In the meantime, I'll work on my mixing skills.
Regards,
Charlie