|
|
|
|
#679380 - 10/26/21 11:53 AM
[User Showcase]
Mercy
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
|
New song. Thanks for listening and for all your comments! https://www.beatstars.com/beat/mercy-9666703MERCY There are times I sit down by the river And I beg, I beg the Lord to be merciful to me, There are times I sit down by the river And I cry until I can no longer see. "Why, oh why Lord, do I suffer?" Does the sound of my cries bother you? The pedestrians pass by, life gets rougher, My sighs, by now, to them are nothing new. "Mercy, mercy, Lord", we all cry, In the hope of a better tomorrow, "Mercy, mercy, Lord", we all sigh, From the depths of our deepest of sorrow. "Why, oh why Lord, do I suffer?" Does the sound of my sighs bother you? The pedestrians pass by, life gets tougher, My tears, by now, to them are nothing new. *** There are times I sit down by the river And I beg, I beg the Lord to be merciful to me, There are times I sit down by the river And I cry until I can no longer see. ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Mercy - 26 October 2021 File:Mercy - 26 October 2021.SGU Key=C , Tempo 85, Length (m:s)=3:00 No intro. 60 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 60. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _HEART.STY (Heartfelt Gospel Ballad) RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085 RealTracks in style: 2813:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm GospelSlowBalladMike Ev 085 RealDrums [in style:PopRock8ths^04-a:Closed Hat, Sidestick, b:Closed Hat, Snare ******************* Voice recorded and mixed in Mixcraft Pro Studio 9, with added reverb, radio spot effect for the voice track, and spectral balance effect.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679390 - 10/26/21 01:09 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 16631
Loc: Hamlin NY
Veteran
Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 16631
Loc: Hamlin NY
|
James, this is excellent!
Your voice is perfect for this song. Loved the mix and the lyrics.
Outstanding job!
_________________________
I don't like to brag about expensive trips but I did just return from the gas station.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB and RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software and some hardware
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679485 - 10/26/21 08:40 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 08/12/04
Posts: 731
Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand
Journeyman
Registered: 08/12/04
Posts: 731
Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand
|
Hi James,
Nice song and I quite like the spoken vocals (not whole song). However it would be improved by rolling off the vocals at around 130 Hz - they are very boomy.
No need to re-record - just a 2 minute tweak in your DAW.
Best Regards
Nigel
_________________________
Nigel Spiers
Christchurch, New Zealand
info@nzacoustics.com
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679498 - 10/26/21 11:36 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
|
Mario: thank you so much. What more can a songwriter ever expect than that kind of glowing review? especially as it comes from someone as good a musician as you. Thanks! :-)
Nigel: thank you! I've just edited it, as you suggested. One question: how do you know exactly which frequency to roll off, etc.? You went straight for the 130Hz and, to my ears (when I went to edit it), it made a massive difference. How does one learn to know exactly where to go, frequency-wise, when one wants to edit a track like this? Thanks!!!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679577 - 10/27/21 08:19 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 1451
Loc: Illinois
Expert
Registered: 01/06/20
Posts: 1451
Loc: Illinois
|
Nice write, well put together and performed.
Hope the character portrayed in the lyrics is not expressing your personal suffering.
moto
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679590 - 10/27/21 10:09 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 10/02/19
Posts: 294
Loc: Aberdeen, NC
Apprentice
Registered: 10/02/19
Posts: 294
Loc: Aberdeen, NC
|
Hi James,
Really good musical arrangement and heartfelt lyrics. It is kind of your trademark to have spoken lyrics instead of singing them and it fits your prayerful theme well.
Psalm 56:8 says "You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.".
Yes, he hears your cries and your sighs. And you can find comfort in God.
Take care and God bless!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679650 - 10/27/21 05:14 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6271
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6271
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
|
Excellent tune James. Super backtrack and your vocal sits just right in the mix. Well done
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679787 - 10/28/21 09:59 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11194
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11194
Loc: GA USA
|
Well done James. We anticipated a glimmer of hope but upon a second listen feel that the mood was too well established to break. Sad indeed. Nice vocals, track choice and mix. FWIW, re your comment about EQ I have no idea what fx package you are using on your vocal; however assuming you are able to save your fx settings I would establish an EQ that you and others agree works for your vocal and use it as a starting point each time with any needed variances dictated by the mix. I've used the same EQ on Janice's vocal for 10 years and rarely ever vary it. Others will likely disagree with my approach  Enjoyed it, J&B
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#679878 - 10/28/21 04:25 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 07/11/15
Posts: 3811
Loc: Missouri
Veteran
Registered: 07/11/15
Posts: 3811
Loc: Missouri
|
Nice job on this James! Sad lyrics that I hope you aren't living out at the moment but if so, hopefully won't last long! Take care, Torrey
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680026 - 10/29/21 01:45 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
|
Captain Moto: thank you so much for your kind words. Thankfully, I'm not actually living a period of personal suffering myself, although, of course, every song I write is drawn at least partially from personal experience - in this case, memories (thankfully).
Bawb: thank you. Beautiful Psalm - I'd forgotten about it. Thanks for quoting it to me!
Scott: thank you. Really appreciate it that you take the time to listen to my songs ... so genuinely grateful.
Janice & Bud: thanks for your kind comments and for your EQ suggestions. Yes, I try to do the same: save an EQ preset and then play with it, tweak it from song to song. Trouble is: every song is different, so I find that every song needs its own tweak in order to sound at its best. Argh :-) but that's just life. In any case, yours is a great idea - I'll try to make sure I refine my own starting point, even ... and then it's just a question of adapting things to each individual song, I feel ... right?
Torrey: thank you. Like I said, above, to Captain Moto, I'm thankfully ok ... but yes, my songs are drawn, at least partially, from personal experience - otherwise I wouldn't be able to write at all, I feel! Thankfully, this is not current experience, but thanks so much for asking! Take good care and thank you for listening!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680066 - 10/29/21 08:10 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 3805
Loc: Cooran Queensland Australia
Veteran
Registered: 04/13/16
Posts: 3805
Loc: Cooran Queensland Australia
|
James,
This is begging for you to add some melodic variation to the vocal.
A sad story needs a little bit of sad melody too.
Nice arrangement, good re EQing too.
_________________________
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680090 - 10/30/21 02:18 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 09/30/16
Posts: 1359
Loc: Netherlands, Haarlem
Expert
Registered: 09/30/16
Posts: 1359
Loc: Netherlands, Haarlem
|
Hi James,
This is a wonderfull song, with impresive lyrics!
Ad the good part of it all is that you sing/tell it in that specific way that characterizes you.
As I can recall we all gave you advises on how to improve your presentation, but in this song I heard that you don't need to. This is you!
Hans
PS: I tried to write something on that site you're on, but that failed.
Edited by Birchwood (10/30/21 02:20 AM)
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680476 - 11/01/21 01:39 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 9807
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 9807
Loc: Florida
|
James,
A nice backing track. Good song. Would have liked to hear you singing this one.
Your vocal sounds good. Might be your best ever (no "boom-i-ness" heard here). Good job.
fj
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680708 - 11/03/21 03:37 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
|
Ray: I WAS going to sing, but it got too difficult, so I decided to speak it, instead - argh, right? :-) So lazy of me. But THANK YOU for your kind comments!
Hans: that site is capricious at the best of times, but the sound quality on there is good, I find, so ... :-) THANKS for such nice comments, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. The mix was Nigel Spiers's suggestion, so I can't and won't take any credit for it - but, otherwise, all BIAB and me :-)
floyd: thanks. If you're happy with a song, I'm happy, too :-) Yes, maybe I should have sang it ... yes, the mix is good thanks to Mr Spiers' idea, not mine ... but I'm glad you liked it anyway. Thank you!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#680985 - 11/04/21 04:19 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1616
Loc: Virginia USA
Expert
Registered: 09/02/18
Posts: 1616
Loc: Virginia USA
|
Love the piano accompaniment and chord changes. Fits right with this.
I agree with Ray. Singing these lyrics would be a plus. I hear a melody that goes with this when I listen.
Great lyrics!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#681001 - 11/04/21 04:57 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6554
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6554
Loc: Davis, CA
|
Nice one James!!! I really like the band you picked and the progression you wrote! And, technically, the production is one of your best, maybe number one!! Take care. Greg
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#681062 - 11/05/21 06:35 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 1493
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
Expert
Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 1493
Loc: Dallas, PA, USA
|
Excellent, James. I really like your voice. It's perfect for these wonderful songs you write. Sing or speak and it cuts to the soul. Still, I often sing the apparent melody along with your spoken words. You write some nice melodies.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#681390 - 11/07/21 02:54 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Mercy
[Re: musician17]
|
|
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
Expert
Registered: 05/05/18
Posts: 1278
Loc: United Kingdom
|
Ezekiel (and everyone that suggested I sing): First of all, thanks Ezekiel for such kind comments! Yes, I ought to sing these, I agree. The reason why I don't is simple: if I sing, I feel I have to write down the sheet music first, in notation format. Otherwise, I forget which notes I'm supposed to be singing! haha ... especially at the speed of recording. I'm incredibly lazy, and therefore I just speak it. But yes, one of these days I shall give myself a well-deserved kick up the so and so, and do a proper job of it, singing and all. Until then ... I can only embarrassedly apologise :-)
Greg: thanks! The production is good thanks to Nigel Spiers of this website - he deserves the credit, not I :-)
Marty: THANK YOU. Your words mean more than you may imagine.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows - Special Ends This Weekend!
It's almost over!
Our Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows special ends on Saturday, January 15th!
Save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows Upgrade by 11:59pm this Saturday!
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows includes over 50 new features and an amazing collection of new content, including 222 RealTracks (20 more than we've released in previous versions), new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, Artist Performances, Xtra Styles PAK 12, New "playable RealTracks" Hi-Q sounds, 2 sets of "RealDrums Stems," and more!
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2022 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 60 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade it to the 2022 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
Check out our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Learn more about all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows.
XPro Styles PAK 2 - Special Ends January 15th!
Our special is over at 11:59pm on January 15th!
We've added 100 new RealStyles more to our XPro Styles collection with the just-released XPro Styles PAK 2!
These fresh new RealStyles will work with the Band-in-a-Box® Pro package contents! In fact, these will work with ANY Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows package!
The brand-new XPro Styles PAK 2 expands your Band-in-a-Box® 2022 style library with 100 fully-produced arrangements including 25 rock and pop styles, 25 jazz styles, 25 country styles, and 25 folk styles.
Our XPro Styles PAKs are ON SALE UNTIL January 15th! Add XPro Styles PAK 1 or 2 to your collection for only $29 each... that's 40% off our regular price of $49! Want them both? Order the XPro Styles PAKs 1 & 2 Bundle for just $49!
Watch our Demos video, or pick and choose the demos you want to listen to when you visit our XPro Styles PAKs page.
Note: XPro Styles PAK 2 requires RealTracks from Band-in-a-Box® 2022 or higher and is compatible with any package, including Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows - Special Extended to January 15th!
You didn't miss out on great deals.... we've extended our special to January 15th!!
Save up to 50% when you purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows Upgrade!
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows includes over 50 new features and an amazing collection of new content, including 222 RealTracks (20 more than we've released in previous versions), new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, Artist Performances, Xtra Styles PAK 12, New "playable RealTracks" Hi-Q sounds, 2 sets of "RealDrums Stems," and more!
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some amazing Add-ons! During our special (which ends Jan 15th), the Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Windows 2022 packages, but for more even more Add-ons (including 60 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade it to the 2022 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
Check out our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Learn more about all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows.
Video: Producer Secrets- Mixing Drum Stems with Band-in-a-Box® 2022
New with Band-in-a-Box® 2022 - Drum Stems! These are separate tracks from the different mics in the RealDrums recording. We've included RealDrums Stems Set 1 and RealDrums Stems Set 2 in our 2022 Bonus PAKs, which means if you've purchased your copy of Band-in-a-Box® 2022 this month (December), you have access to this exciting new feature!
There's now a detailed video tutorial on mixing drum stems in Band-in-a-Box®, which includes tutorial files to follow along with: Producer Secrets - Mixing Drum Stems
Currently, drums stems are available for 50 RealDrums, but there are more to come!
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 for Windows Bonus PAKs!
Purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2022 during December, and you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK*!
What does the Free Bonus PAK include?
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 34: Blues Piano and Organ (9 MSTs)
-Instrumental Studies 16: Fusion Guitar Soloing (6 studies)
-Artist Performance Set 11: Songs with Vocals volume 1 (20 songs)
-RealDrums Stems Set 1 (20 RealDrums stems)
-MIDI Styles Set 84: Look Ma! More MIDI 7 (complete, 15 styles)
-Over 400 playable RealTracks (sfz sforzando files)
-RealCombos Booster PAK (30 New RealStyles, 26 Existing RealStyles, 109 RT's/RD's)
Want even more? Boost your Free Bonus PAK to the 49-PAK for $49 to add:
-60 Bonus RT/RD (20 more than in previous years)
-MIDI SuperTracks Set 35: All Guitar (5 MSTs)
-Instrumental Studies 17: Classic Country Guitar Soloing (6 studies)
-Artist Performance Set 12: Songs with Vocals volume 2 (20 songs)
-RealDrums Stems Set 2 (20 RealDrums stems)
-Look Ma! More MIDI 8 (complete, 15 styles)
Learn more...
*excluding the $49 version upgrade purchase.
Band-in-a-Box® - 'Twas the Click Before Christmas!
Band-in-a-Box® 2022 Feature: Install Manager – One-Click to Download and Install
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35504 Members
63 Forums
72861 Topics
635406 Posts
Max Online: 2537 @ 01/19/20 07:09 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Topic
Index
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean