Latest Mix. I followed FJ's suggestion re vocals. I tried the kick down a little but ended back to where it was and then a little higher. 120122 mix
13th January mix. Complied with Misha's recco, added some more grit & level to the bass as that had been lost amongst the bright guitars generally and the bass was being smothered by the low vocal in the chorus. AILA 130122
I've tried to address the issues raised - I even added come limiting to the stereo bus so folk don't have to reach for the volume control. If I can find a voice to sing, if nothing else, the chorus, then I might be able to call this toasted. 14th January
I decided to use the progression I worked with to demo the drum stems as a song. It's BIAB Nashville Pop Cool swing drum stems and a background blues organ The rest, as they say, is my concrete hands and cloth ears. vantage bass through a Behringer BDI21 Squire Mustang through a Joyo ACTONE and a Marshall Superbass. Vocals through an AT2020 and a SSL 2. Tracked, mixed and rendered in Reaper NOTHING on the master/stereo/Mix bus.
It's a little dark in spots and the vocal is awful but, as you know, I can't sing anyway.
It needs work & I'd love to hear your suggestions....
Lyrics:
1st world problems pressing in Eating right, staying thin Buying wisely and ethical choices Where to dine away from loud voices 1st world problems pressing in Sorting rubbish for the bin Whether to buy an electric car Will it be convenient? W ill it run far?
In a darkened cell, Brick walls and door. Sounds of dripping water And pacing on the floor. The voices tell them Till they resist no more... Dark thoughts come to me As I lie awake.
1st world problems pressing in Delivery or eating in Bruised egos exhausted emotions Streaming or cinema commotion? Does the phone know where I've been Social media's mind filling din Will there be signal for my phone? Finding fish without bones.
In a darkened cell, Brick walls and door. Focused dripping water And cables on the floor The voices yelling Till they resist no more... Dark thoughts come to me As I lie awake.
1st world problems pressing in Are you hungry, where've you been? The voices tell them till they resist no more.
Last edited by rayc; 01/13/2204:40 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Nice one Ray. Sounds like your trying to hide the vocal. Regards Rob4580
I agree, vocals need to be cleaner, less processing... bump up the Bass track a bit. cool Lyrics...
Thanks Blochead, You're relatively new to my stuff. I can't sing, the vocals are relatively clean with just a light send to the reverb bus - though there's a chorused dup of the chorus to fatten it - but they are TUNED savagely because I can't sing. My vocals usually serve as a demo for some other TALENT to sing. I will up the bass...
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
[quote=bloc-head][quote=Rob4580]Nice one Ray. Sounds like your trying to hide the vocal. Regards Rob4580 I agree. With a little polish this will be a winner.
Thanks for your boundless optimism Mario...
Last edited by rayc; 01/10/2211:42 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
The intro was great, and then the mumbly vocals made me work to hard to figure out what as being said.
As a rule, I hate having to work when listening to a song.
There's nothing wrong with your vocals, other than all that doubling making it fuzzy.
As for the pitch being too low, you've got Reaper! Use pitch shift to put the song an a higher key, sing it there, then use ReaTune the vocal down to the right key. Technology is a wonderful thing!
My only real complaint is that you've really emphasized the kick, to the point where it's distracting to me, instead of sounding like part of the kit. It keeps pulling away my attention.
Nice one Ray. Sounds like your trying to hide the vocal.
Yes, I am. I'm incapable of singing the chorus...too low for me.
Actually, I found the low vocals to be the most interesting, and they weren't even that hidden (sorry!)
I don't hear them as deliberately hidden...I just not inclined to push them to pop song levels. The lower part is my preferred part Mark. I may have a crack at trying again. If it were sung higher it would defeat the chords n lyrics. I tried sending the vocal to a 2nd track with a pitch shift of an octave to "bolster" the original but, apart from the quirkiness of ReaPitch, it destroyed the vibe.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
The intro was great, and then the mumbly vocals made me work to hard to figure out what as being said.
As a rule, I hate having to work when listening to a song.
There's nothing wrong with your vocals, other than all that doubling making it fuzzy.
As for the pitch being too low, you've got Reaper! Use pitch shift to put the song an a higher key, sing it there, then use ReaTune the vocal down to the right key. Technology is a wonderful thing!
My only real complaint is that you've really emphasized the kick, to the point where it's distracting to me, instead of sounding like part of the kit. It keeps pulling away my attention.
Thanks. There's no doubling on the 1st mix other than the use of ReaDelay's Vocal thickener. I dropped that for the 2nd mix to have ears on here guage the difference as better/worse. Had I read this earlier today I'd have addressed the kick drum. I'll do that tomorrow. ReaTune is pretty good as is Melodyne. I used both to get to where the current mix is. I could try the higher key thing. I usually don't bother as I'd prefer a GOOD voice to "sell" the song. Thanks for reminding me that those things can be used in ways I usually skip by.
Last edited by rayc; 01/10/2205:57 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray. Like Dave, I thought the vocals were unclear so couldn't understand the lyric. Too much low end. The instrument tracks seem about right in the mix though.
The guitars are very clear. Bass is good. I was surprised by David's comment about the kick - it seems a bit too low to me. The snare has a nice snap.
I like your vocals - they work perfectly for the genre. I did have difficulty hearing the words. I think they just need a bit of EQ shaping. Maybe take out of the mid-range and a slight boost in the upper range? Just a guess.
This tuned into a cool tune Ray. There was nothing wrong with your vocal. Could bring it forward a bit more. Really like the descending chord patterns. Well done.
I really like the repeating guitar theme on this one, Ray, very effective, and I dig the bass too. Great lyrics! Reading through the comments as I give it my second listen. I actually like that low vocal, sounds cool!
Thanks Dave, as low as I can go - vocally that is.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray. Like Dave, I thought the vocals were unclear so couldn't understand the lyric. Too much low end. The instrument tracks seem about right in the mix though. Vic
Thanks Vic, I track vocals as a demo/guide for some poor unwitting singer who may offer to do the vocals. I only end up with polished coprolite vocals when I can't find someone to do them.
Last edited by rayc; 01/11/2209:21 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
ray, Listening to the new (2nd) mix. The guitars are very clear. Bass is good. I was surprised by David's comment about the kick - it seems a bit too low to me. The snare has a nice snap. I like your vocals - they work perfectly for the genre. I did have difficulty hearing the words. I think they just need a bit of EQ shaping. Maybe take out of the mid-range and a slight boost in the upper range? Just a guess. fj
Thanks FJ, I inclined to bump the kick myself BUT I will try it lower before I do so - just in case David's on the money. I wrote the chorus lyric as a joke when a collaborator suggested I seem to have a well of dark thoughts that I draw upon. The verses are there to make up the spaces but I did figure a theme was necessary and have heard an awful lot of complaining in the last week regarding the detainment of N. Djokovic and all the whining about difficulties that are actually inconveniences, (from myself included), so ran with that. I will try you EQ suggestions...thanks again.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
This tuned into a cool tune Ray. There was nothing wrong with your vocal. Could bring it forward a bit more. Really like the descending chord patterns. Well done.
Thanks Scott...I continue to mine the same ground but am still getting away with it.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, That came out very nice. Nice structure and choruses are a treat! Vocals are perfect for this tune, no need to redo them with someone else. I listened to three versions, the latest is most polished, however, I would prefer louder drums. Not sure how this was mixed, if drums go to master bus directly, try separating them into a separate bus and then to master. Enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing.
You've got the raw material here for a great song! That middle section....maybe you'd consider it the chorus, is wonderful! It made me set up and take notice! I wish I would have come up with that melodic gem! You are dialing it all in and will soon arrive at the desired destination! Thanks, Torrey
I went with the 120122 mix. It sounds good to me. I understood the vocals perfectly. They are great lyrics, by the way. The song has a neat California surfing type vibe to it with really well written and pertinent lyrics. Good one!
Now that is cool ... we would write a longer review but we are getting signals from the mRNA brain chips that Apple is ready to upload a list of where we have been for the last three days.
These brief forays into Rayland are always intriguing. As Janice said, early into the tune, "he is quite the wordsmith."
We enjoy your videos but sometimes think that your imagery is so rich that one can readily create one in their head. If they are wired for such
All the blather aside we liked the tune in all aspects and thought the arrangement was standout. And, hey, we have no issues with the polished coprolites. Always liked fossils.
The whole track is very soft for a rock tune, but you said there's nothing on the master bus, so I guess that's what you get. I found myself reaching for the volume knob, but by the time I got your vocals to a level that I wanted, the hard-panned guitars were screechy and fighting for my attention. As I've said in the past, I think your vocals are fine for the kind of music you do, no reason to camouflage them.
The song is great. I really like it, even more than your last effort. Lyrics are good. This is a winner.
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
The whole track is very soft for a rock tune, but you said there's nothing on the master bus, so I guess that's what you get. I found myself reaching for the volume knob, but by the time I got your vocals to a level that I wanted, the hard-panned guitars were screechy and fighting for my attention. As I've said in the past, I think your vocals are fine for the kind of music you do, no reason to camouflage them.
The song is great. I really like it, even more than your last effort. Lyrics are good. This is a winner.
There ya go, BIAB has lead me, inexorably, down the path to soft rock. Thanks.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Now that is cool ... we would write a longer review but we are getting signals from the mRNA brain chips that Apple is ready to upload a list of where we have been for the last three days. These brief forays into Rayland are always intriguing. As Janice said, early into the tune, "he is quite the wordsmith." We enjoy your videos but sometimes think that your imagery is so rich that one can readily create one in their head. If they are wired for such All the blather aside we liked the tune in all aspects and thought the arrangement was standout. And, hey, we have no issues with the polished coprolites. Always liked fossils. Fun and creative. J&B
I was rather in bad in this one rhyming IN with, well, IN but it suited the narrative so I took the lazy path. Thanks J&B, I must admit I was getting annoyed with folk whining about everything, I didn't include the topics as they were really pedestrian so opted for the things most complained about in 2021. Ta for the encouragement.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I like the song and the lyrics - it gives me the britpop vibe, but I'm not used to hear vocals in that genre processed and polished this much. You're dealing a bit with my expectations of what I'm about to hear, and then something different happens. Usually I'm able to adjust quickly, but in the case not - my brain keep on insisting a more raw and angry vocal to you arrangement and composition. And honestly the lyrics invites your vocal to act a bit more pissed off.
Someone else pointed out about the drums might need to be a bit tightended up with a bit more energy to the bass, and I would put the organ a bit more in the background and maybe cut the low end frequencies of that organ, to make more room for your rhythm section.
Maybe a compressor and limiter during mastering could do the trick, with tightening the dynamics and the whole mix.
Your guitar on the other hand is crisp and very clear, and just right....very well done.
I played it 7 times...and it get's better and better every time.
Peter
MacMini M1 - BIAB2021 - Logic Pro X - iZotope Music Production Suite - Scaler 2 - far too many Waves plugins and Line 6 Guitars and boards + a fantastic Yamaha THR10ll mini Amp - Avid MBOX Studio
Peters' Garage is available on all major streaming services
Ray I really liked the low vocal parts - had a very engaging melody. Good lyric - very true. The mix sounds fine to me but I am listening to the latest version, drums sound good. I enjoyed the song. Peter
Thanks Peter, That low part really scraped my barrel.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hi Ray, I like the song and the lyrics - it gives me the britpop vibe, but I'm not used to hear vocals in that genre processed and polished this much. You're dealing a bit with my expectations of what I'm about to hear, and then something different happens. Usually I'm able to adjust quickly, but in the case not - my brain keep on insisting a more raw and angry vocal to you arrangement and composition. And honestly the lyrics invites your vocal to act a bit more pissed off. Someone else pointed out about the drums might need to be a bit tightended up with a bit more energy to the bass, and I would put the organ a bit more in the background and maybe cut the low end frequencies of that organ, to make more room for your rhythm section. Maybe a compressor and limiter during mastering could do the trick, with tightening the dynamics and the whole mix. Your guitar on the other hand is crisp and very clear, and just right....very well done. I played it 7 times...and it get's better and better every time. Peter
Peter, Firstly THANKS!, 2ndly - it would be my preference to get another singer in. The polished coprolite you hear sounds as it does because it took that much to get it into a tuned and stable state. I agree about the lack of aggression in the vocal too. I tried in another song I'm doing in parallel but a non singer trying to sing aggressively doesn't come of well. had I opted for my traditional tuneless rendering it would've worked but, this is one for which I instantly had a melody and needed to demo it for the hoped for future singer. DRUMS - my 1st experience with a sub kick track - that may be the issue. (Your typo is almost one the money isn't it ...tightended"?) Its in the mix because it exists but may not be needed. Your comment and other like it are why I post incomplete tracks here...better ears than mine! The organ is mono with a high pass already but I'll experiment with it. I do want the thing roughly where it is as it balances a guitar. I'll follow up on your suggestions...
Last edited by rayc; 01/17/2212:00 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
"Rayland." I like that J&B. You are an entertaining fellow, Ray. This is a wonderful song. I think you've "fixed" many of the "problems" others here have mentioned, because I hear no fault in this last mix. There are no borders in Rayland.
I think your vocal works fine, and I do like the processing... sort of a disembodied effect. I really like the lyrics. I found the bass to be too much, maybe a bit overpowering. But that is the only thing I noticed.
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