I made a song...
In fact, I made a lot of songs in BiaB, but never published one.
This weekend I created an account on SoundCloud and put some tracks of me there. So everything is still new and had to be discovered.

This is also my first post on this forum, or whatever form in Biab. Also a lot to learn.

But, I use BiaB for several years now. That's not new.
Still a lot to learn though.

Now I want to let you listen to a song I made. It's called 'But children play' and concerns the problems with refugees in camps all over the world. Whatever misery they are in, you always see children keep playing. I had them in mind making this song.

All instruments were from BiaB. The style is Reader, but I changed and add some instruments. I used RumbaFull as drums and a loop: AcousticDrumFullKit\metal. I also add a piano (1007) and a SynthPad (1265).
I made the music and lyrics myself.
So I realy want to hear your opinion about it. Maybe you hear things I don't, but help improve things. Maybe it helps others aswell.

Oh, and I am Hans Berkhout, from the Netherlands. I chose Birchwood as my artistname.

Now I try the link to my souncloudsong. I hope the hyperlink works...
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/but-children-play-1

Nice day,
Hans

Great song about the sign of the times. Welcome to the forum. Rob

VERY nice song Rob, soul searching lyrics. Love the use of the cello, it gives the song a wonderful fullness

Welcome to the forum, Hans!
The admirable inspiration behind this song comes through in your lyrics and vocal.
There`s a nice gentle rhythm and you are an adventurous arranger - Ilike the backing you`ve created.
I do find there are places in the vocals which sound "hot" (the places where you sing with the most feeling) so there`s likely some clipping going on.
I hope that helps.

Robert

Hi Hans,

That is a really good song - I truly enjoyed listening to that and I like the message too. The mix is good as well.

Please post more of the stuff you have done - I would enjoy listening to more songs from you.

Will

Hi Hans,

Welkom op het forum!
Wat een goeie eerste inzending. Veel dynamiek en goede zang.
Leuk om een landgenoot tegen te komen, dat zien we hier niet zo vaak

Welcome to the forum.
Such a good first post. Lots of dynamics and good vocals.
Good to see a fellow Dutchman, we don't see that here very often

Rob and Anne-Marie

Dear "Birchwood"...

You sing with a great deal of conviction that complements the passion in your composition, "But Children Play".

The arrangement begins sensitively and builds to a barely-constrained dramatic crescendo. Instrumentally speaking, they all combine to create and sustain a somber, pop-classical sound and mood that "charges up" the emotional impact of the lyrics. The entire production presents itself as something well-rehearsed and performed.

I hope you enjoy your interactions with all us songwriters in the User's Forum!

Sincerely,

LOREN (a.k.a. "bluage")

Hans,
Fabulous song - thematically as well as musically.
I do think you need to work on the vocal track - it's gets very loud in spots and drowns out the backing. I think there may be some proximity effect form your microphone as well.
The level of reverb or delay on the voice is a bit over the top as well.
Easy things to fix.
The song remains fabulous regardless of those nits.

Thanks for you compliment,Rob
I'm beginning to feel welcome at this forum after your words.

Hans

Hi everyone who had replied on my first forummessage,

I just learned I have to reply all at once, and not each one. The forummaster gave me a time-penalty ;-)

I was really pleasantly surprised and happy with all your comments. I want to thank you very much for that.
The recordings of the vocals were first a difficult problem, despite the good microphone I use in the meantime. I had to learn to work with different plug-ins, and so on. You know, the challenges we have all faced.
But in this song I used Voicelive 3 by TC Helicon for the background choir. I do run the risk of some clipping.
If people also have experience with this, I would like to hear that.

We'll discuss more later,
Hans

Dear Hans,

Welkom op het forum!
Wat een goeie eerste inzending. Veel dynamiek en goede zang.

Aren't you impressed I speak Dutch just as good as Rob???



Anyway, this is a great first piece on the forum and welcome. Outstanding composition, and good arrangement.

I wasn't bothered at all, but I do agree the mix may have been a tad hot, in the parts where you sang the loudest.

This is ONLY occurring on the vocal track and not the instrumental bed, so I would take a look at whatever effect you are using on the vocal. It is making it too brittle and metallic. You have a rich resonant voice, so you won't need much, just light eq-ing, maybe a tad of reverb or echo, not too much. There is a warmth in your voice that is getting squashed by whatever effect you are using.

People spend years trying to find just the right combo of effects for their vocals, but in the end, most of us just learn to start turning a lot of stuff off or down.




But that is a small thing. Great song.

Hi Hans, you might be a "newbie" here but it sure sounds like you know what you're doing. Great song and arrangement. Welcome!

Mike B.

Hallo David,

Ja ik ben zeker verbaasd te lezen dat er enkele Dutchies zijn en vooral dat die zich richtten op mijn lied. Ben je een echte Nederlander?
Dank voor je aanwijzingen. Ik geloof dat het in die Voicelive zit. Ik gebruik deze voor de meerstemmigheid (als ik die nodig heb).

Yes, I'm really surprised to read there are some Dutchies, especially that they respod to my mail. Are you a real Dutchmen, by the way?
Thanks for your comment. About the vocals: I think it has to do with the voicelive I use to create vocal harmonies (when I need those.

Groet,
Hans

Thanks Mike,

I listened to some songs of you, just now. And I think you know what you're doing too.

Bye,
Hans

What a debut!! Welcome to the forum Hans! You did a wonderful job with this. Reminds me of John Lennon. So well put together! Enjoyed much!! Take care. Greg