Red Light is a fun uptempo song written with the 60s/70s RnB feel. Not a lot of uptempo RnB usually posted in the forum. Hopefully I can help with that LOL Hated the sound in YouTube. Transferred it over to Soundcloud. Be cautioned that it's mixed for cell phones and not home PC's so the vocals may sound a bit low on computer stereos. I'm working diligently to find a good tutorial on how to mix for both. So far everything I see says ignore home stereos and go for cell. There's got to be a happy medium somewhere. :-)

https://soundcloud.com/henry-clarke-133416910/red-light

The composition was written and arranged in BIAB 2020. This is the song that I used in my Tutorial "How To Get a Fuller Sound".

My Style was _SOL60S2.STY 80'S Soul No Tamborine. The original track was 112BPM with only drums, Bass, Piano and Guitar.

For this track I used - Bass, 2 sets of drums, Piano, Organ, Strings, 3 different guitars, and a Sax.

My DAW is SONAR X3 Producer, I sang All Lead vocals and Background Harmonies into my TASCAM DP32 and exported into Sonar. I get NO Latency his way. Yea, I've tried ASIO drivers. For what I do they just flat out cannot keep up. There's no substitute for a hardware based recording platform. My MIC is a SHURE PG-42.

My tracks tend to stretch the limits of PC mixing but we have what we have. Always lots of feedback on mixing whether it's too low for PC/Stereo or too HOT for Cell phones. Oh well.

This has been my favorite original by you so far. I've been waiting on this release since hearing it in the "How To Get a Fuller Sound" tutorial.

*** Those that may not have watched any of Mr. Henry's videos about BIAB and other subjects too, his "How To Get a Fuller Sound" tutorial is a great place to start. ***

<< " I sang All Lead vocals and Background Harmonies into my TASCAM DP32 and exported into Sonar. I get NO Latency his way. Yea, I've tried ASIO drivers. For what I do they just flat out cannot keep up. There's no substitute for a hardware based recording platform." >>

A hardware based recording platform is the second best kept secret in home recording. Keep thinking about a tutorial.

And the song.... Like I said, my favorite so far. It's exciting to me to be able to 'virtually' sit beside you as you constructed this song and shared your insight, thoughts, knowledge and production expertise from a producer that can create true 'radio ready' songs using my favorite software program, Band in a Box!

Thanks for posting..

Charlie

Thanks "Zen Master" I kinda didn't like the way it came out as a finished product. I sung it 3 different ways (hard, soft, and blended) and just gave up and decided to blend. Anyway ya know if I'm going to start a song I'm going to finish it ! LOL

I am thinking about the tutorial. Just trying to wrap my mind around how to present it from a video perspective. It's not something I can do effectively with just a webcam. I'll figure it out soon.

Thanks again,

Henry

Great groove and smooth vocals, Henry. Nice to hear some RnB on the forum.
Regards,
Leon

Nice Henry!

You've brought a long needed new dimension to the forum
and it is appreciated.

We enjoyed it.

J&B

PS Regarding the cell phone mix I would assume that a mix would be the same as for room/vehicle systems if folks are using decent earbuds. Now if they are listening through the cell phone speakers I dunno if anything would help that

Thanks Gang !! LOL I'm really working on mixing better viewing tutorials and stuff to see what works best. I think sometimes I'm so exhausted doing all the background vocals and balancing the harmonies that I probably don't pay as much attention to the mix as I should. I WON'T GIVE UP !! :-) Anyway glad you liked the song. It was fun putting it together and thanks SO MUCH for the kind words about bringing a new dimension to the forum. That's my goal. I'm sure some folks can do it better but I'm giving it a shot. Thanks again.

Awesome tune and awesome vocals. Mixing for a cell phone? I never heard of anyone doing that. The mix sounds good on my reference monitors.

Don't know what audio interface you are using, but a lot of them have zero monitor latency. Granted you can't hear any of the DAW track effects on the track you are recording too, the vocals are dry for monitoring, but no latency.

Henry,
Cool vintage vibe tune! Excellent vocals and arrangement. Done very tastefully. Mobile or not, sounds great in my AKG studio headphones.

Last night I (re)listened to your "Do You Still Think About Me" and bunch of other songs.
Probably I am the last guy you want to take advice from, but seems to me you are cutting out a lot of mids from your vocals. The technique definitely adds a character, but I personally prefer more mid frequencies in vocals. Enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

I am old enough to remember when I could have listen to something like this live in a club. I had a bit of a hard time to understand the lyrics. I don't get to speak English much any longer. I live in a Spanish speaking country called Miami Florida....lol Crazy, to have a hard time understanding English!!

I liked the feel of the song and it reminded me of times past. I like to listen and enjoy things people post here. I am less concerned about the technical issues of mixing and mastering. Everything sounded like a thousand records I have listen too, so the mixing must have been pretty good.

Actually, I think everyone should own a two inch tape recorder...lol

Cheers,


Billy

Exactly as advertised! Fun song to listen to.

Not a big deal, but there's something about the vocal on the verses - it's like the high end is hyped at there's some sort slight phasing or warble to the vocal. Could just be my old ears.

But that's a minor nit.

Important bits: catchy melody, nice arrangement, enjoyable listen! I like this a lot!

Thanks for all the comments. I sincerely mean that. I take the suggestions as constructive criticism and save them for the next song. I'm kinda of the school that when it's done it's done but I learn from each song going forward. I used to have a ton of unfinished songs. I don't do that anymore. If I take the time to write out the song ... hell I'm going to finish it no matter what. :-) I don't think I've ever done a song and been completely satisfied .. LOL Thanks again gang.

Hi Henry ...

Love the song! RnB/Soul from the 60s and 70s is some of the best sounds to ever come from my speakers over the many years. Lou Rawls and Al Jarreau are two of my all-time favorites. I'm an old guy ... almost 73 years old. I pretty much like all music when it's decently arranged and recorded. That was a real treat!

I'm the last person you want to ask about mixing. I don't even use a DAW, audio interface, mastering software, etc. I describe my style as "Raw in and raw out". So, I'll pass on the technical issues other than to say it sounded fine to me.

Love your voice and arrangements. My wife and I have written and recorded several RnB songs in the mid-tempo range over the years. If they're half as good as tyhis one, we'll be real happy!

Wishing you the very best. be safe ...

Alan

Hello Henry, I have listened to four users songs so far, they were nice but yours is my favourite for the time being; To my ears it sounds more early 80's than 60's or 70's; the tune is good and specially the chorus is catchy;
in fact it made me think of Darryl Hall and John Oates (minus the dual voices)
well done; if you ever put out more tunes of this level I would buy them;
cheers,
Bernard from Brussels, Belgium

Mix sounds great to me Henry!! Love the energy and groove of this song.....sounds like a hit from the 70's (my favorite era). Just extraordinary work!!! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Greg So many people post I have trouble keeping up LOL

Ace vocals. There does seem to be a little too much "air" to them though. Extra top end is cool but brings probs. If I need to add some top end to get some fabulousness I start with "The Motown Exciter" trick.

Getting the top en right does come down to monitors & ears though.
Great augmentation of the style arrangement.
Motown Exciter Compressor

Henry,
Excellent groove- catchy chorus with verve and love those horns!
I`m not an expert on this genre, but you have definitely done your homework- this is authentic and instantly danceable.
The mix sounds done to me... with that slight reservation others have noted on your vocal top end sizzling a little.


Robert

Hello Henry

Superb vocal. The groove is well done. The arrangement is well spacialized and the sax is well rendered. well done.

Best regard

Dero13 alias JaniJackFlash

Oh wow Henry, great production, a real foot tapper indeed. Nice vocals.

Mike B.