Old 08-07-2018, 11:03 AM   #1
plgrmsprgrs
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Default Just finished this song (I think!)

Someone asked me to record this song they'd written - just a vocal and one straight strumming acoustic guitar. It was kind of repetitious so I had him write a bridge of sorts for a little variety. I asked if he minded if I played around with it a bit and this is what happened. I added everything else. Love to know what you think if you listen!

Thanks,
Kyle

UPDATED LINK

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y8z9f3pr0t...tered.wav?dl=0
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Old 08-08-2018, 10:33 AM   #2
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Sorry about the bad link. Fixed now.
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Old 08-17-2018, 08:21 AM   #3
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Hi Kyle, I'll try to listen later, can't get to it right now and my work headphones are mono.
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:18 PM   #4
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Hey Karbo! Nice to see you. Thanks!
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Old 08-19-2018, 07:46 PM   #5
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I think it sounds great, here are a couple of quick observations.

1. Maybe try a touch of stereo ambient or room reverb on it. It'll glue things together some and put them in a congruent space - it doesn't have to be much at all. Especially since the chorus and the rise/hold of the vocal are there may add a touch of magic to it when he sustains the vocal line.

2. I think the toms/snare at minimum are too muffled sounding, they could use a high shelf of 3.5 dB at 1.8k and a bell cut at 180 Hz by -5 dB (or more) - those frequencies are just guess starting points. You might get away with this on the entire kit, if not test it on everything but the overheads.

3. The electric guitar that does the little solo thing (left speaker) right after the vocal stops around 5:22 - I think it may benefit if it occupies the same place in the sound stage (in the center) that the vocal just left.

Take care
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Old 12-12-2018, 03:16 PM   #6
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Thanks Karbo - finally back to this. With your suggestions in mind I basically took it all apart and started from scratch. This was the result. Let me know if you get a chance to listen.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y8z9f3pr0t...tered.wav?dl=0
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Old 12-16-2018, 04:25 PM   #7
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Hi Kyle,

I don't have the original to refer to but based on my comments, I think it has improved overall from what I remember. If it were me, I'd be tempted to bring the tremolo guitar down 1dB and or bring the snare/toms up a smidge but I'm a rock guy where drums are much more dominant so take that into account. Either, way, I don't think you should tear it apart again, maybe a nip or tuck as you see fit. Much of it is taste, IOW, I don't think every song needs to be a full commercial production in order to sound great and do it's job.
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Old 12-17-2018, 08:03 AM   #8
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Karbo - thanks again for the critique. Your input is always welcome and helpful. I'm calling this one done though, and moving on to the next project. It's a struggle for me to get to that point and not end up tweaking forever. Onward and upward (hopefully!).
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Old 12-17-2018, 08:10 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plgrmsprgrs View Post
Karbo - thanks again for the critique. Your input is always welcome and helpful. I'm calling this one done though, and moving on to the next project. It's a struggle for me to get to that point and not end up tweaking forever. Onward and upward (hopefully!).
I think that's a fine plan!
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