Couple of years ago, I was asked to do an arrangement and a melody for lyrics, something in "euro pop ballad" style. I sent my suggestion, but I never got a reply. Pity, because I liked the lyrics. I felt that the song was too good to be forgotten, so this autumn I decided to write my own, more personal, lyrics. And here is the result for you to judge I sing in the SoundCloud version, but I used Synthesizer V Kevin in the video version. My voice is harder to blend with the band and has other flaws, Kevin is easier to mix and I like his softer sound. They are different, I let you decide which one suits better for the mood of the song
Most of the clips in the video are from Adobe Stock. I had some personal clips I was hoping to use, but I didn't get a reply for my permission request in time, so only the clips having roots in the forest and the eagle are mine.
Vocals: me (SoundCloud), Synthesizer V Kevin (YouTube), Synthesizer V Solaria (backing vocals)
Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab
Lyrics:
Happy couples heads in the clouds they've never walked a moment in my boots they have had their ruby wedding I have had my endless treading and tripping on the lumpy roots.
A happy couple in a balloon I have to climb a mountain for a view their affection is the fire warms the air and lifts up higher I can barely see the ocean blue.
But I can dream as long as I have time another tripper would find my plight together to survive the final climb. And I can dream as long as the stars entice two lonely single wings would unite to be a bird steering by its instinct on its virgin flight.
A happy couple can navigate the compass and the map connect their hearts one knows trails, their intersections and the other all directions I am straying with no counterparts.
A happy couple looks at the sky they read the constellations to sail far from a shoal to another they are beacons to each other I can only wish upon a star.
A pleasant listen. I'm not sure I've heard a eurobeat with a mandolin before.
The chorus (with you) is - as you hinted - not quite balanced. I think the upper harmony part is a bit harsh.
I disagree about the description of "flaws", though.
Very strange... after hearing your vocal, when I started hearing Kevin sing, I heard him singing with your accent.
Listening to the version with Kevin's vocals, I think the problem with the harmony doesn't lie with you, but with the synth voices. They just don't know how to blend!
I like both versions: Yes, the one with Kevin sounds more balanced, but I also like the contrast between your and Solaria's voices in the harmonies, they give the song something the other version doesn't have.
In general, human voices take a lot more effort to sit properly in a mix than vocaloids. A little compression to keep your natural voice levels more even, some reverb, and adjusting the voice levels (not in general, but where they need to be louder or softer) and you're there.
Very well written song, Janne, as your songs always are.
I watched the youtube version as video production is something I'm just starting to get into. Nicely done, supported the song quite well, and I really like the picture in a picture stuff you did.
To my ears Kevin did a good job for you, especially like it when you bring in the other voice.
Hi, Janne. I listened to synth Kevin first. I really enjoyed the video. Thew production of the song is top-notch, man. There is a lot in that mix, and it all fits so well. I gotta say in all sincerity, Janne, your voice is so much better, and the harmony (synths) sound great. It may be easier to use the kevins, but... well, I've already said it. This is sucha good song, and the lyrics are wonderful. There are as many visuals in your lyrics as there are in the video --perhaps more.
I like both versions also. It never fails to amaze me how well these vocaloids seem to work. They are getting better all the time. I enjoyed my listen, Tom
Hi Janne Excellent song Kevin sounds great A cool song But your video is the icing on the cake Brilliant Janne - Such beautiful pictures An excellent work both thumbs up Many greetings Andi ;-)
I listened to both versions, imho, the harmonies in the SoundCloud version were a bit off to my ears. The video, lyrics and your vocals are great ! A very creative and uplifting piece of art.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677 BiaB 2024 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
Hitting on all cylinders here: great lyrics, terrific song with a catchy-as-hell hook, and an intriguing production. Really outdid yourself here. Synth5 is perfect for you. Way to go.
Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Kevin's voice is softer, rounder & unemotional. Yours is slightly harsher but emotive. You could EQ the harshness/strident aspects of your voice, (they reside in a couple of spots between 3kHz & 4.6kHz though the sibilant parts may be in various places). It depends on what you want to achieve I suppose. Why note try two simple experiments when you next record your voice: a) the pencil n mic option which splits plosives and b) not singing directly into the mic but to the side of it. Though definitely NOT in combination.
Last edited by rayc; 12/04/2202:17 PM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
A pleasant listen. I'm not sure I've heard a eurobeat with a mandolin before.
The chorus (with you) is - as you hinted - not quite balanced. I think the upper harmony part is a bit harsh.
I disagree about the description of "flaws", though.
Very strange... after hearing your vocal, when I started hearing Kevin sing, I heard him singing with your accent.
Listening to the version with Kevin's vocals, I think the problem with the harmony doesn't lie with you, but with the synth voices. They just don't know how to blend!
Nice song!
Thanks David for your nice comment With mandolin I was trying to bring some good old serenade performed under a lady's window With flaws I meant many pronunciation things I could have easily fixed, but was too lazy to do... Just like the harmonies which I exported as a mono track and then tried to make it better with Neutron. Well, next time I remember to export as separate files, easier to control.
I like both versions: Yes, the one with Kevin sounds more balanced, but I also like the contrast between your and Solaria's voices in the harmonies, they give the song something the other version doesn't have.
In general, human voices take a lot more effort to sit properly in a mix than vocaloids. A little compression to keep your natural voice levels more even, some reverb, and adjusting the voice levels (not in general, but where they need to be louder or softer) and you're there.
Thanks B.D. for your kind words and very good tips I'm already having lots of compression on my voice and more reverb than usually, but I guess I have to do manual adjusting more. But I'm glad you liked both versions, this was a test to make comparison and to learn from human/synthV differences.
Very well written song, Janne, as your songs always are.
I watched the youtube version as video production is something I'm just starting to get into. Nicely done, supported the song quite well, and I really like the picture in a picture stuff you did.
To my ears Kevin did a good job for you, especially like it when you bring in the other voice.
Nicely done, enjoyed!
Thanks Dave for your kind feedback I'm really glad you liked the video, I found many nice clips that supported the song and even added to the story which is not always the case. Nice to know that those PIP effects worked, it is not easy to make them blend, but practicing with different blend modes and masks or color key effects can produce very nice results. But your videos have been very enjoyable already so you know what you are doing
Hi, Janne. I listened to synth Kevin first. I really enjoyed the video. Thew production of the song is top-notch, man. There is a lot in that mix, and it all fits so well. I gotta say in all sincerity, Janne, your voice is so much better, and the harmony (synths) sound great. It may be easier to use the kevins, but... well, I've already said it. This is sucha good song, and the lyrics are wonderful. There are as many visuals in your lyrics as there are in the video --perhaps more.
Thanks Marty, you surely know how make my day with your uplifting comments I'm really glad you liked the lyrics and visuals, I'm sure that your songs have inspired me quite much both lyrically and visually
I like both versions also. It never fails to amaze me how well these vocaloids seem to work. They are getting better all the time. I enjoyed my listen, Tom
Thanks Tom for your kind words Yes, those synth vocalists sound already better than most of us wannabe singers...
I listened to both your versions. I like you melody and the lyrics a lot. And Kevin and his bg-vocals did a very good job, for sure.
But than I listened to you singing it. And you know, I realised I had missed your vocals for some time. You have that special way of singing. Sometimes a bit out of tune, but very emotive and endearing. I think Kevin can learn that from you! it brought a smile on my face from the moment I heard it.
On the other hand, you had some problems in aligning the bg-vocals with your own vocals. But the song with your vocals won, close...
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I sing in the SoundCloud version, but I used Synthesizer V Kevin in the video version. My voice is harder to blend with the band and has other flaws, Kevin is easier to mix and I like his softer sound. They are different, I let you decide which one suits better for the mood of the song 
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