Couple new things

[kirk1701]

Here's a couple new things I've been working on since I last visited these forums. I feel like I cheated a bit by using "karaoke" backing tracks, but I don't think you can tell the difference. I'm the vocalist and guitar player.

https://soundcloud.com/timothy-frans...de-woman-blues

https://soundcloud.com/timothy-frans...ike-going-home

https://soundcloud.com/timothy-frans...in-trouble-now

[kirk1701]

Thoughts anyone?

[barrymk]

This is a very friendly forum but I'm not sure if adding tracks to pre-recorded backing tracks would be frowned upon as "cheating" or not, perhaps we should have a poll?. We don't normally get snobby around here. For myself I don't have a problem with it and have just completed a cover of Hotel California adding bass and vocals in Reaper to a superb acoustic guitar duo's recording that was simply inspiring. (I haven't offered it on this forum for critique but you can find it in my "Covered" album on Bandcamp -link below) It's yer hobby so enjoy it any way you can.

Re the recordings, I like your guitar playing very much so put that aside. The vocals are by and large very good with a few pitching issues here and there. Going Home is a bitch to sing (I gave up on it!) and my impression is that you are frequently running out of breath toward the end of each phrase, something that you can address quite easily in the studio, either by taking more cognisance of your breathing or by overdubbing. Two questions- Are you singing in your most comfortable key? and Are you sidechaining the vocals at all? Hope this helps. Cheers

[kirk1701]

Originally Posted by barrymk

This is a very friendly forum but I'm not sure if adding tracks to pre-recorded backing tracks would be frowned upon as "cheating" or not, perhaps we should have a poll?. We don't normally get snobby around here. For myself I don't have a problem with it and have just completed a cover of Hotel California adding bass and vocals in Reaper to a superb acoustic guitar duo's recording that was simply inspiring. (I haven't offered it on this forum for critique but you can find it in my "Covered" album on Bandcamp -link below) It's yer hobby so enjoy it any way you can.

Re the recordings, I like your guitar playing very much so put that aside. The vocals are by and large very good with a few pitching issues here and there. Going Home is a bitch to sing (I gave up on it!) and my impression is that you are frequently running out of breath toward the end of each phrase, something that you can address quite easily in the studio, either by taking more cognisance of your breathing or by overdubbing. Two questions- Are you singing in your most comfortable key? and Are you sidechaining the vocals at all? Hope this helps. Cheers

Thanks!

Good question re. going home. I'm fairly confident in both keys. However, as you say, this is a bitch of a song. I wanted it to have a keening edge. There is a difference between poor singing technique and a truly mournful performance. It's totally possible to recut/reinterpret.

Could you explain what you mean by sidechain? Is this a tracking or mixing note?

[Rick Settle]

I sure hope it isn't cheating. That's the only thing I have ever used Reaper for, singing to karaoke.

[barrymk]

Originally Posted by Rick Settle

I sure hope it isn't cheating. That's the only thing I have ever used Reaper for, singing to karaoke.

I think a lot of guilty parties will now be crawling from the woodwork. The Karaoke Police will be taking notes...

[barrymk]

Originally Posted by kirk1701

Thanks!
Could you explain what you mean by sidechain? Is this a tracking or mixing note?

Simply put you place a compressor on the backing track and route a send to it from the vocal track so every time you sing the backing is compressed (volume reduced) a little. Look up Kenny Gioia's Youtube channel on sidechaining in Reaper. He is the man and check the rest of his stuff too he takes your hand and leads you painlessly through Reaper's features. Cheers

[kirk1701]

Originally Posted by barrymk

I think a lot of guilty parties will now be crawling from the woodwork. The Karaoke Police will be taking notes...

Karaoke might be a strong term. I would say I use some pre-recorded backing tracks.

[kirk1701]

Originally Posted by barrymk

Simply put you place a compressor on the backing track and route a send to it from the vocal track so every time you sing the backing is compressed (volume reduced) a little. Look up Kenny Gioia's Youtube channel on sidechaining in Reaper. He is the man and check the rest of his stuff too he takes your hand and leads you painlessly through Reaper's features. Cheers

I follow you. I'll look into it.