Under The Stars

Thanks everyone for the mixing suggestions/comments. Based on those suggestions, I left the piano as is, dropped the volume of the guitar a small amount, and dropped the volume of the drums by about a third. I also took a little Hi EQ of the drums. Hope it sounds a bit better. Thanks again.


An acoustic instrumental I threw together yesterday. Just one question: Should the piano be a slight bit louder? Sometimes I think yes - other times think it's okay as is. What do you think?

Thanks in advance for listening and commenting, should you choose to.

Alan



File:Under The Stars.SGU

Key=C , Tempo 90, Length (m:s)=3:22

Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,

Style is _BENDS.STY (Bends Slack Key Slow Soloist)

RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2762:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm 70sBritPopMike Ev 110
RealTracks in style: 3700:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist SlackKeyBallad Ev 085
Loop in Song: Drums\CajonFolkPop8ths
RealDrums [in Song:Folk16thsSlowBrushes^01-a:Brushes, Kick 2 , b:Snare, Kick

Wit the guitar the star the piano is pretty well settled. It might be useful to boost it for a progression to alter the dynamics but other wise there's no need to clutter the tune.

Alan,

Another beautiful instrumental!! Such a pleasurable listening experience.

The piano could be VERY slightly louder. Not much. But...it is "okay" where it is.
(For my ears) the percussion is too loud - somewhat distracting.
(I'm listening on very "detailed" speakers. (Presonus Eris E3.5).)

I like it!

fj

Hi Al.
Blissful. I'm sitting in my garden on a warm summers evening. Sounds good to me.
Just one thing, after the first 3 seconds there seems to be a glitch with a guitar note (I think).
You might want to check it out.

Vic

Lovely laid back guitar tune, Al. That slack key RT is new to me- wonderful tone.
The piano sounds a little low to me and percussion a bit high- both marginal though.

Robert

That's beautiful!

Piano up? I say No.
I'd suggest dropping the guitar just a tad.
I think that might resolve your conundrum.

moto

Excellent Al!

Very cinematic and one that we hope you have submitted to sync libraries.

Best to you Di and we hope things are working out well in the new house.

Take care,

J&B

Beautiful song Alan!!! You have a way with making a band gel!! LOVE IT!! Take care. Greg

That is a lovely arrangement Alan! Love the melody and chord structure! The piano level is close to where I would have it...maybe just a very slight bump for my taste! Another excellent job Alan! Thanks, T

The title fits the song so well, as did the cover art.

You really have a way to capture something special and express it with music.

I'll leave any mixing comments to the others.

A really nice listen! Thanks for sharing it.

Pleasant listen!

After it was over, I noticed you were asking about the balance of the piano. It seemed fine to me.

I'm listening on some pretty nice HIFI man headphones and it all sounds wonderful. I also have some more clinical Sennheiser 600 HDs, still sounds great. This was one of your best IMHO.

Well, now, it certainly doesn't sound as though you just "threw it together". It's a gently rhythmic, meditative-feeling tune like the music of small, warmly-recorded instrumental ensembles that performed pop versions of classic ballads on 'easy listening' radio stations in the evenings and further on into the A.M. hours back in the 60's.

Concerning the piano track, I actually didn't notice the instrument playing while I listened to the piece, not because its volume was too low, but because the acoustic guitar melody was performed with such understated passion and sweetness that it quite rightly became the center of attention in the recording.

Hi Alan,

I think it sounds absolutely great!!!

All the best,

Stefan

The new mix sounds great!

Bringing the guitar down a bit put the piano in good balance.
And lowering the percussion also balanced it nicely to "very supportive".

Nice!!

Hi Alan & Di,

I like the arrangement very much. The guitar put forward, the piano slightly behind with a little reverb. And the bass well present leaving the field to the solo guitar. Very nice guitar playing. The whole is pleasant.

Kindly regards
Take care of yourself

Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Al,
Thumbs up on the remix-piano a little more present and the guitar still shines.
A lovely instrumental.

Robert

Thanks for the input, Ray. I appreciate it. I've loaded a remix of the song, if interested. Wishing you the very best.

Alan

Hi Floyd ...

You've already commented on the re-mix. Glad it works. I considered all your suggestions when I did the remix and it sounds better now, I think>. Thanks for the suggestions! Best to you ...

Alan

Hi Vic ...

Thanks for the listen and comments. G lad you enjoyed the song. As far as that guitar glitch, it's at that same spot every time I regenerate it - even if I use a different chord. Not sure why. But thanks for noticing it and letting me know. Best to you, my friend ...

Alan

HI Robert ...

Thanks for the really nice feedback. I've uploaded a remix. I kept the piano the same volume but lowered the guitar a bit. That seemed to have worked. I also dropped the drums quite a bit in the mix. Best to you ...

Alan

Hello Cap'n ....

With the remix, I did exactly as you suggested, plus lowered the volume of the drums. That seems to have fixed the issues. Thanks for the helpful input. Wishing you the best.

Alan

Thanks so much! We are enjoying the new house immensely (except the first of every month - almost 4 times what we were paying previously. But that's okay. We had it custom built and it's just the way we wanted it.

The only place I've been submitting to the past couple of years is Songtradr. I sub mitted to a couple of libraries many years ago but had a very unpleasant experience both times. if you have any recommendations, you could PM if you're so inclined. I'm willing to give it another try.

I appreciate your perpetual support and kindness. Best to both of you.

Alan & Di

Thanks, Greg! I just do what sounds right to my ears. No DAW, no technical recording knowledge. Glad it all sounds decent to you. Again, many thanks. I hope retirement is treating you good.

Alan

Many thanks, Torrey. I'm delighted it sounds good to you. I remixed it and dropped the guitar a bit rather than bringing up the piano. I also lowered the drum track about a third. Thanks so much! And your more recent stuff has been super! Take care ...

Alan

Hi Aaron ...

Those are some really nice comments. Thank you so much! I have a pretty large collection of graphics, so I can usually find something fitting. Again, thank you. Take care.

Alan

Hi David ...

Thanks for the listen and comments. Much appreciated. Take care ...

Alan

Hi Bob ...

One day, I'll have some great speakers! I use cans most of the time. But I'm delighted to hear it sounds good on your good gear. Thanks for letting know. Glad you like it. Take care ...

Alan

Great romantic instrumental sound...

In my opinion the structure is great, smooth, relaxing and romantic, only yes, maybe some of the frequencies or volume of the guitar should be mixed more soft... that`s my opinion.

Hey Al! I hope you and your dear wife are doing well!

I love this! It has been my experience that using real tracks to create an instrumental often results in a lead instrument that might work better as a solo but not as a melody. Not true in this case. The guitar part sounds totally believable as an embellished melody.

I listened a couple of times, once on the computer's Klipsch speakers and several times with headphones. Each listen sounded great. The drums were a tad more pronounced in the phones, so if Floyd listened on highly detailed studio monitors I can see how they might have been a tad high in the mix he heard. But, in the world of live music the drums could even be considered understated. Its interesting to me that the rules for live and recorded music are sometimes conflicting.

Very tastefully done, my friend!

Hello Ardent ...

Thank you so much for those really nice comments. I appreciate them very much. All total, it took me between 5 & 6 hours from inception to posting. That6's pretty typical for me. Again, many thanks. best to you. Take care.

Alan

Hi Stefan ...

And your comment was absolutely great! As always, I appreciate your listens and comments. Wishing you and Maha the very best. Take care, my friends.

Alan

Thanks for your return visit and comments. Glad it balances better now. And thanks for your input on the remix. Best to you & yours.

Alan

Hello Derochette ...

Thank you for your listen. I appreciate your very kind words. Wishing you the very best. Take care ...

ALan

Hi Again, Robert ...

Thanks for going back for listen to the remix. And thanks, also, for the kindness. I'm more than delighted it all works better now. I appreciate the feedback. Wishing you nothing but the very best ...

Alan

Hello Gemini ...

I appreciate all opinions. I'm glad the song, overall, was pleasing for you. And you're probably correct that the acoustic guitar could use a little more compression. Thanks for the input/suggestion. Best to you ...

Alan

Hello Pat ...

You have noi idea how happy I was to see a review from you. We've certainly missed your presence on the forum. It was most pleasing to hear the cut sounded good on your various listening devices. I am quite delighted you enjoyed the song. I spend much of my time, when creating an instrumental, auditioning/previewing tracks, particularly for the lead instrument.

And yes, casual listening - at home, in the car, etc. - is generally more geared to a softer yet full sound. Whereas, live music, more often than not, is expected to be more "vibrant" or aggressive. My best guess is the difference is in the differing social atmospheres. Just a guess, but that's always been my perception.

Di told me to tell you "Hello!"

Wishing you everything good, my friend.

Alan

Di, too!