Here's a song I started writing at the beginning of March, and just finished recording. I was messing around with a new drum program I got (Modo Drums)... it triggered an idea and this is the end result.

All RT's are listed below. All lead & fill guitar parts (plus a couple rhythm tracks too) are my Strat (Tichiwa) being played through a Spark amp. I'm doing all the vocals as well.

I mastered with IK Multimedia's T-Racks 5.
I also used a number of module processors (plugins) from that same program in my DAW when recording.


As always all comments welcome.


https://soundcloud.com/greg-achord/spread-your-wings


Drums are IK Multimedia Modo Drums
RT 379 Bass
RT 378 Guitar Acou
RT 408 Guitar Acou Dobro
RT 411 Guitar Elec
RT 595 Fiddle Shuffles
RT 2549 Fiddle Solo Celtic
RT 1295 Banjo Rhythm


©2022 Greg Achord


Spread Your Wings and Fly


Don't look back you might not like what you see
Mistakes you made come with a price I do believe
Some day you'll have to settle up and pay the bill
Well I know you can and I hope you will

You know regrets stay in the back of your mind
We all have them and pretend that we're just fine
Don't let 'em haunt you don't leave them there too long
Just learn to deal with it be strong

Then you'll find the way to live your life
Throw away the wrong embrace the right
You gotta reach it's not a mountain too high
You'll learn to Spread Your Wings and Fly
You've got to Spread Your Wings and Fly

(Intro)

Sometimes your dreams can overwhelm you when you sleep
You wanna change them but it seems they just repeat
Like a scary movie that keeps playing in your mind
But don't give up you'll be just fine

There's always fears you just can't conquer them all
If you come up short it doesn't have to be your fault
Greet every day as if it were your last
It's all about the present not the past

(Chorus)
(Intro)
(Solo)
(Chorus)

The Spark does alright.
With the dual hard panned figure/lick parts the right side sounds a fair chunk louder to my ears/headphones.
The vocals are loud or up front in the mix but they sit REALLY well.
Good one.

I like this a lot... great Arrangement, Lyrics, Singing and Playing... Very well done.

Hi Greg
Really cool song
Great melody and excellently implemented
The vocals fit perfectly
Just makes fun
Cool work Greg
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Nice song and lyrics, great guitar playing there.

Overall, the mix seems off in some way. Seems too "far away" or something? Can't quite describe it. Maybe it's too busy?

UPDATE: Forgot I was listening with a cheap pair of headphones. Doh!

Fiddle solo a bit quiet.

Anyway, enjoyed the tune.

Greg, great song. I really like the writing - good ideas. Fantastic country feel to it as well. I like how you worked that fiddle and a little dobro in with the guitar. I also like the signature guitar lick you came up with, and all the guitar work in general. I liked this one a lot. Fun song.

Greg,

Great to have you back to the Showcase! Been a LONG time!

You do the Country Rock sound so well (the one we all grew up on!).

A cool song. Nice guitar work. And good additions from BIAB. The banjo works really well.

Nice vocals. The harmonies are very cool. (I thought the vocals and harmonies could have been VERY SLIGHTLY louder, but they still sound good).

Enjoyed this. Hope the next one doesn't take quite so long ....

fj

The song starts strong and stays there, like a roller coaster ride that zips along.

The vocals could use a bit of a bump - vocals are clear, but it would be nice to hear them a bit closer in the mix. Love the harmonies.

The band is hot - especially the guitarist!

this song really impressed me even tho' country is not my genre. i really liked the tempo of this song and the arrangement. many nice sound pictures // variety.
this song was obviously lots of work.
really liked the vocs.

well well done.

best
om

Hi, Greg! What a great result from that triggered idea. Love the lyrics, and the whole band is perfect and well mixed. The best part of course is what YOU added --Outstanding guitar work and perfect vocals.

Great song!
The band is terrific and your vocals are so cool!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Hey Ray, Thanks for the listen and comments. That's my first time using my Spark to record with, I usually use Amplitube. I'm working on another mix to address some of the balance volume issues.




Thanks bloc-head I appreciate it.




Hey Andi, thank you for taking the time to listen and comment.

Great job Greg! Great harmonies in the chorus!!

Hi Greg,

Good song and well sung and played.

Best Regards
Nigel

Yup, I really like this. Very upfront mix. I loved the chorus. Very catchy.

Hey Greg, What a terrific uplifting song! Got my feet tapping and kept my attention from start to finish.

Great arrangement, love your guitar licks so super tasty, your vocal and mix right on the money.

Best to you,
Josie

Dynamic, with a perfect tempo.

What a neat and superb set of lyrics.

The song is lively in all the right ways.

Excellent instrument/vocal balance, and would be a good guide for others to learn from. Musically tremendous. Vocally this song deserves an A+

Greg, you have really delivered. Lots of effort went into this quality production, and it shows.

Greg,
Nice tune! Well played and performed. Good drive. Mixed well and easy listen.
Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

This song is outstanding.

Super vocal and groove

Great lyrics

Magnificent guitar chops and tone, you really know how to play that axe!

Two thumbs up

PS - I DLed Modo drums yesterday. I'll have to give them a spin later today.

Hey BryMusic, Thanks for the comments. I should have the fiddle solo and a few other things fixed in an upcoming re-mix.





Brad, Thanks for the listen and kind words... I'm all about signature guitar licks.





Thanks Floyd. It's nice to be back! I will be making a few volume adjustments in an updated mix, and I hope to be sooner on my next project.





Hey David, Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. I will be making some adjustments based on all the comments I've received.





Thank you om. I believe I spent about a month from the time I started writing to the time I finished mixing.




Hey Marty, Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate it!




Rob and Marie, Thank you so very much.

Greg,

Love the feel of this. Great chorus and vocal!

Bob

Welcome back Greg!

This is good driving rocker indeed.

We enjoyed your guitar and the BiaB folks' performances. Nice lead vocal and harmonies.

The mix sounded fine to us and set up an excellent soundstage.

Rock on!

J&B

PS Perhaps it's SC but this nearly blew our monitors off the shelf But then Bud is a relatively low volume guy anyhow! FWIW, etc.

Thanks for the comments Dewey.





Thank you Nigel.




Hey lambada, I appreciate it.





Thanks Josie, I appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.




Wow! I think I'm blushing. Thank you so much for the kind words... I did put a lot of effort into it!




Hey Misha, Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.

Thanks Mario! The Modo Drums program is pretty cool... Another tool in the box.





Hey Bob, Thanks for the listen.





Thanks J&B, I appreciate the comments. I thought I had my mastering level where I normally do... but maybe I got it a little hotter than usual. I was trying a few new things.