Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you"

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MGMitchell
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2015/10/10 22:08:13 (permalink)

Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you"

http://sclk.co/s7vjsw (no androids)
https://soundcloud.com/m_glenn_m/i-cant-live-oct-015
It's a stretch for my range but hopefully it doesn't feel strained?
Tempted to keep adding trax but trying to keep this as simple as possible.
Tips on production?
Done with BR800 mics into Sonar
Yamaki deluxe.
Thanks guys
post edited by MGMitchell - 2015/10/11 17:59:06

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    Doktor Avalanche
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/11 17:27:08 (permalink)
    That soundclick link won't work on an android phone (mobile or desktop version) ... Their fault not yours.. So I'm guessing you are losing audience out of it..
    post edited by Doktor Avalanche - 2015/10/11 17:36:40

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    #2
    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/11 17:51:19 (permalink)
    Good point, I have changed the post to include SoundCloud.
    Thanks Doc.
    Glenn

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    kevinwal
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/12 03:46:41 (permalink)
    Hey, a nice surprise, a great Nilsson cover! Your vocals don't sound strained at all, very nice harmonies too! You have a great voice. I really like how you end the song with a choir-like restatement of the chorus, but there's a whole lot of reverb in there, maybe a bit too much. Every now and then it sounds like there are some coyotes yipping along with you. I think the effect is because one of the harmony vocals indulges here and there in a little emotive stuff, while the other doesn't, and the divergence gives that effect.
     
    I'm going to have to look up other stuff you've posted, really nice work!
    #4
    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/12 14:13:52 (permalink)
    Thanks so much Kevin. I appreciate your listening and the comments. Lol The coyotes might be my voice cracking up.
     

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    Bert Guy
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/12 17:23:58 (permalink)
    MGM,
     
    I like the way you've given this classic tune a simple upbeat folky arrangement. And your vocal doesn't sound strained at all. However, they harmony vocal sounds pitchy to me ( bear in mind mind that no one has ever accused me of having decent pitch).
     
    Enjoyed it.
     
    Cheers,
     
    Bert

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    rebel007
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/12 19:39:44 (permalink)
    Classic song Glenn, I like what you've done. Your feel is spot on and the acoustic solo towards the end I think really adds some flavour. Listening through headphones it does seem like everything is fighting to be at the front of the mix. Maybe the rhythm could be dropped back a bit (in the 3D space, not volume) so it's not intruding on the vocals. Not sure if that is the answer and I haven't listened on monitors so take this with a grain of salt.
    I had the same thought about the reverb as a previous post but in the end I decided I liked it.
    Just a thought on first listen. Great work, thanks for sharing.

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    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/12 22:26:10 (permalink)
    Thanks Bert, I'll listen for pitches on the harmonies specifically. 
    Rebel, Thanks for the comments. An excellent observation on the fighting for the front.
    Up until recently I've had the reverse problem so I guess I'm ahead there.
    I'll try the rhythm pulled back with some reverb (It has none). That does seem sensible.
    My wife agrees that there was "something not right" on that part and I bet that's it.

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    synkrotron
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/13 04:02:51 (permalink)
    Hi Glen,
     
    I think the singing was great, and the guitar playing too, but I'm not 100% sure on the mix. I wish I could help, but mixing this stuff isn't my strong point really. Nice lead tone when that kicks in. Might just be the rhythm guitar. I also don't think that the reverb on the vocals at the end worked that well, but that's just my opinion.
     
    Nice cover overall though
     
    cheers
     
    andy

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    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/13 12:29:07 (permalink)
    Thanks Andy,
    I'm assuming you heard the latest version uploaded last nite, so this is a little disappointing, but really appreciated.
    I had added a bit of verb to the rhythm guitar per another poster's suggestion and thought it did blend in better.
    Perhaps I overdid the verb at the end?

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    stevec
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/15 14:20:33 (permalink)
    I like the version you've created - a nicely different take on it!   
     
    Mix-wise I do agree with the above though...  The lead vocals seems to have some "small room" tone to them that makes them not quite "up close and personal" but not really "with the band" either, if that makes sense?  I'd also try panning the harmonies a bit to leave the center for the lead, particularly when you've got multiple layers happening.   I think the acoustic guitars sound pretty good as they are, and the lead fits well.
     

    SteveC
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    #11
    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/15 17:02:06 (permalink)
    Thanks Steve
    I dont know how to improve the small room thing. Maybe change reverbs?
    Panning is good.
    Thanks again

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    stevec
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/15 17:06:39 (permalink)
    You're welcome!
     
    Yeah, if the raw vocal tracks are relatively dry and you're using a reverb plugin, I would go with a little more pre-delay and perhaps include some EQ roll-off on the reverb bus (assuming the tracks are sending to an FX bus). 
     

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    #13
    ohgrant
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/15 17:36:33 (permalink)
     Really cool performances. Has a live sound to it. I have to agree with the room sound in the vocal track.

    Me
     
    #14
    Guitarhacker
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/15 20:16:03 (permalink)
    Cool tune... I liked that song then and now.
     
    Your version is a bit rough in places but With a bit of work, and polish, it could really be a good folky version.
     
    Sort out the reverb issues and tighten it up performance a bit.   I think that would just about do it.
     
    Your vocal performance was good, not strained, but the varying reverb messed it up.
     
    It's a good song.... If it was me, I'd fix the issues and slam this one over the center field fence.

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    Randy P
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/23 08:16:26 (permalink)
    Like Herb said, fix the performance issues first. I suggest starting with the guitars. I'd drop one of the guitars for the first verse or maybe all together. It's hard to say which one without hearing them solo'd, but together they just don't work. As for the vocal, it sounds like you tried to double the lead. It's not nearly tight enough to work. If you are going for a thicker sound, try a whisper track and work on mixing that in to the lead vocal. With a whisper track, if you can hear it, it's too loud. The harmony work is pretty good, but needs tightening performance wise. Once that's worked out, the reverb will be easier to control. Sorry if I come across as being harsh as it's not my intent. You've got the bones for a great track here, they just need a little tightening up.

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    MGMitchell
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    Re: Cover, Harry nilssons "I can't live, if living is without you" 2015/10/26 23:25:37 (permalink)
    Great suggestions Randy, thanks so much. I tend to agree on all points. I had not hear of a whisper track. Good idea.
     

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