Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#181814 11/30/12 05:28 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Since Josie posted a list of Public Domain Christmas Songs, I figured I'd finally get around to recording some vocals.

In The Bleak Midwinter

RealTracks:
701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
1676:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 065
1602:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16 Ev16 065
1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
Drums: NashBrushBalDbKEv16^

The oboe and woman's choir are from Mirolav Philharmonic. The harmonies were done after the fact using ReaTune in Reaper.

There are still some parts of the mix that need fixing - mixing in headphones is misleading! The cello occasionally overpowers the bass, and the vocals are distorting in others. The lead vocal is a bit too far back in the mix, and I should cut the reverb back a bit. The backing vocal reverb is probably too big (but I really like the sound). I just got a copy of EZMix2 during the holiday sale, so I probably got a bit carried away with the effects.

As for the vocals... Well, there are limits to what pitch correction software can do.

But I figured I should get around to finally posting something, even if it's not quite ready. I'm sure I'll post a remix Real Soon.

Comments are welcome.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
David,

I would agree with most of the things dcuny said (ha). Seems like you've covered it all there.. The cello competes with the vocal a bit.

That being said, the arrangement is very nice. The oboe is well done. The choir and harmonies work well. Cool stuff.

floyd

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,888
Antwort auf:

That being said, the arrangement is very nice. The oboe is well done. The choir and harmonies work well. Cool stuff.
floyd



I totally agree with floyd.

Guenter

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
David,

Enjoyed your music. I liked your gentle voice.

Thanks for sharing your hard work with us all!


FrankB

Down The Street vs2015 12-03-2014
Win7, AMD QuadA8-5500,16GB,2TeraHD, Komplete 10
PG Ultra Plus 2016,Alesis 12USB, Sonar Platinum
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 126
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 126
Enjoyed listening to your work. In spite of the word bleak this felt very peaceful.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Thanks for the nice words! They say that an album is never really finished, you just run out of time and money. I tend to tinker with tracks forever, and I'd told myself that after commenting on other people's music forever that I really needed to step up to the plate. So I put this out before analysis paralysis sets in.

floyd, I agree the cello competes with the vocal. It's such a lovely sound, I keep hoping I can turn it up a bit. I'll try bringing the volume down where it's competing, but the real solution is probably to drop it out completely at those points.

(A big thanks to PG for including the cello in BIAB!)

It's a bit scary how often the solution to a mix problem is to just drop the part entirely. For example, the ending is just a mushy mess, so I'll drop everything but the vocals at "give my heart" and see how that goes. I had also struggled to get the cello to place nice with the oboe on the introduction. After fiddling with the balance forever, I finally dropped it entirely. Much better!

I'll try to fix the mix, and then punch in some vocal corrections.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,638
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,638
This is not a terrible as you say it is David. Just a little tweaking here and there and it will be spot on.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Sorry if I gave the wrong impression - if I thought it was terrible, I wouldn't be posting it.

It was 4:00 in the morning, and I was trying to decide if I should post the thing "as is", or fiddle with it some more. I still want feedback, but wanted people to know of what issues I was already aware of.

I don't know how you folk manage to find time to do this stuff! There's so much excellent music produced by forum members I'm constantly blown away, because I know how much work it takes.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,815
That opening oboe sounds great as does the cello. I am definitely getting BIAB 2013 to get that cello. Yea, this just needs the vocals mixed a little more forward.

It is pretty good singing and a super wonderful Christmas tune -- well done!


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
User Showcase
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,063
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,063
David,

What a pretty song. Lovely arrangment and instrument choices. Good voice too. I agree you should definitely bring the vox up. Nicely done and looking forward to listening again when it's tweaked.

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,074
David,

I really like this! There is a tendency, especially with Christmas carols, to reproduce versions we've grown up with (whether we realize it or not)

My wife was a Christmas music junkie. I think we have every Christmas song ever made, and your arrangement sounds fresh to my ears.

The harmonies in a song are often very predictable, but these weren't. I really liked the mood that the descending harmony introduced to the song.

The amount of reverb reminded me of the way Christmas hymns sound in a church during midnight mass on Christmas eve. As a kid the magnificence of a cathedral filled with music of praise embedded some great memories, and here you have stirred them up again. Thats what good music does.

And you're right about the cello... it is exactly the right instrument for that arrangement

two enthusiastic thumbs up!

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
David,

Hey I really enjoyed this. (I'm on my 3rd listen) I don't know if you've done any tweaking yet... If not, then go easy, 'cause I think this is already sounding pretty darn good!

I really like the arrangement & instrumentation, also great to finally hear you sing! (cool harmonies)... By the way, your much too hard on yourself. (But I can relate)

Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Thanks again for all the positive feedback!

Pat, you've got good ears there! I've re-recorded the backing vocals and main track. While you can pitch correct tracks and tweak them into singing altered pitches, there are some nasty artifacts hidden in there.

I'll try to get an updated mix out Real Soon Now, once I clear the fog out of my head from pulling another all-night recording session, and free myself from the distraction of all these new 2013 demos...


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,986
David,

Very nice stuff! I took off for a couple of months, and now you are singing! I wonder what you would get into if I took off another month.

I like your arranging. Very peaceful feel, and pleasant to listen to. (Nice to hear your voice.)

Steve


Steve Young
Music
"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Hi, Steve.

Thanks for your comments. Really, the arrangement is all about the cello.

One thing that surprised me was how much I could remove from the mix, and still not have the instrument be missed. For example, the piano only shows up a couple of times, but it's enough to make an impression, and so you don't really notice it when it's dropped from 90% of the song.


I've finally posted an new version of the mix, at the same URL:

In The Bleak Midwinter

In retrospect, it's not all that different from the first version. I couldn't resist that massive choral sound, so I beefed up the backing vocals by actually singing the parts instead of simply shifting them into place via pitch correction.

I really should have tweaked it more in places, but my poor DAW is starting to sputter and choke from the number of effect-laden tracks. I'm too lazy to render them out as stems, so I'll call it finished... for now.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 613
Hey David,

No more tweaking necessary.

I just listened to your latest mix and it sounds great!
The harmonies sound good, and I really like the arrangement. Just a fine job!

Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,635
David,

This is the first I've "re-listened" since the original post. I would have to disagree. This IS different from the first version. Much better - from the "little things" you have done (kind of what mixing is all about). The cello fits so nicely now (don't you love that thing!) and "plays so well" with the oboe. The vocal seems a little "up" from where it was originally - another good thing. The harmonies seem "crisper" somehow - perhaps from the removal of other things.

It sounds great. Beautifully done.

Time to start the next one!!!....

floyd.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
dcuny Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Hi, floyd and Greg.

I should have qualified my comments. I'm happy with the mix, and I'll let it go.

What I was referring to was that after adding about lots of new backing tracks and days of tweaking, I figured that the mix was significantly different than the original.

But while intending to listen to one of the "new" mixes, I accidentally queued up the original mix. I got about half way through the song before I figured out the mix wasn't the one I'd been laboring over for days!

Moral: when you've been mixing something for a while, your ears can easily fool you into hearing something that's not necessarily there.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
David..lovely work..I loved your arrangement, and your vocal was very good as well. There is so much for me to learn from this, so I thank you for that. That cello sound is awesome, and I think everything is very well balanced. I will take alot away from this, in consideration, when working on my own material. Thank you for (finally, I guess!) sharing this. You are always real thoughtful and constructive in your comments, by the way!

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,040
David,
I really liked the harmonies. Very nice song. Thanks for sharing.
SD

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

New with the DAW Plugin Version 6.0, released with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows: the Reaper® Panel!

This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!

When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.

Check out this video highlighting the new Reaper®-specific features: Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Video

The new Band-in-a-Box VST DAW Plugin Verion 6 adds over 20 new features!

Watch the new features video to learn more: Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2024 - DAW Plugin Version 6 New Features

We also list these new features at www.pgmusic.com/bbwin.plugin.htm.

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,391
Posts732,462
Members38,441
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Ernest J, ingridguerci94, Izzy, BenChaz, Csofi
38,440 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 195
Al-David 124
DC Ron 113
dcuny 87
rsdean 83
Today's Birthdays
CeeDee, SethMould
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5