Unholy War - Acoustic

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ruralrocker2010
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2012/03/10 22:50:34 (permalink)

Unholy War - Acoustic

Guys & Gals,

I wrote this today and it's not a final production. It's still in the idea stage. But shoot, whatever. I thought it might best to get some feedback from musicians.

I'm just playing along and singing. So no real need to critique pitch or production. Mostly looking for feedback on the flow, melody and feel of the song.

http://soundcloud.com/joshua-barnes/unholy-war
http://soundcloud.com/joshua-barnes/unholy-war-2 - this time I played them separate. And the results were better and some other mistakes presented themselves as well. But I also played to a click - so hopefully it can be reused in the future.

Any thoughts on structure or anything you want to add to the song writing process, I'd love to hear. 
post edited by ruralrocker2010 - 2012/03/11 20:01:21

Joshua Barnes
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8 Replies Related Threads

    Lynn
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 11:26:26 (permalink)
    I don't  know if this is what you want to hear, but this could be a good song if it were a step or so lower.  It doesn't seem to be in your voice's range, but you asked not to comment on the vocal so that's all I will say.  In spite of having only voice and guitar, I'm still having trouble understanding all your lyrics.  The song itself is catchy, and I do like the melody and hook.  BTW, Shawnee man, I just live across the state line, so, hello neighbor.  I look forward to hearing more of this in the future.

    All the best,
    Lynn

    my songs
    www.soundclick.com/lynnwilson

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    Cakewalk by Bandlab| Sonar Platinum @ 64bits| i7 860 | 8 gigs ram | W10 @ 64 bits | RME FF 400
    #2
    ruralrocker2010
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 11:33:55 (permalink)
    RE: Speed

    Is the chorus just to fast? Meaning, the meter? Or is the overall tempo just too fast?

    RE: Range

    Too high, too low? What leads you to that conclusion?

    RE: Lyrics

    I understand. I think that's unfortunately part of my style and it's a critique I get often. But I'm simply going to have to ask people to read the cd insert if they want to know what I'm saying. : ) 

    RE: Shawnee
    Yeah, I've seen you post on here before. I lurk a bunch but haven't been commenting lately. I've not posted anything in a long time. I'm doing a ton of song writing now, so I'll be posting more. I'm hoping to work with this community to shape some ideas and get that final production advice when my songs get to that point.

    Joshua Barnes
    Sonar Platinum / RME UCX / i5 3.2 8 GB Memory (Dell Inspiron) / Komplete 10 / Win 7 Home 64 Bit
    #3
    Lynn
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 12:20:22 (permalink)
    Since you asked, I think the song is a step or two too high for your voice.  It sounds like you're straining to hit the high notes.  As for understanding the lyrics, I think once you get this song in right key for your voice that problem will clear itself.  If you value your lyrics, then make them understood without having to use a lyric sheet.  The best to you.

    All the best,
    Lynn

    my songs
    www.soundclick.com/lynnwilson

    www.youtube.com/lywilson
    my videos

    Cakewalk by Bandlab| Sonar Platinum @ 64bits| i7 860 | 8 gigs ram | W10 @ 64 bits | RME FF 400
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    Thatsastrat
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 13:15:04 (permalink)
    Lynn


    Since you asked, I think the song is a step or two too high for your voice.  It sounds like you're straining to hit the high notes.  As for understanding the lyrics, I think once you get this song in right key for your voice that problem will clear itself.  If you value your lyrics, then make them understood without having to use a lyric sheet.  The best to you.


    +1 Nuff said!
    #5
    ruralrocker2010
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 14:01:56 (permalink)
    I did ask but now I'm concerned that I'm not sure what you hear as "straining". Thing is, I didn't agree with the criticism, since this is barely mid-range for me, but I believed you heard something and I wanted to know what that was. As a person who really understands straining, I don't hear what you hear. I'm wondering if you're hearing my compressed distortion as straining. The sound that goes from 'clear' and breathy do distorted is on purpose.

    Lyrically, there is much that could be cleared with EQ. This is unprocessed. It's just a mic and compressor and whatever color that signal chain offers. I am going to record it today more slowly and see if I like the results.

    Thanks again!

    Joshua Barnes
    Sonar Platinum / RME UCX / i5 3.2 8 GB Memory (Dell Inspiron) / Komplete 10 / Win 7 Home 64 Bit
    #6
    ruralrocker2010
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 14:03:49 (permalink)
    I should add, it IS possible that there's a lack of good breath support. I don't necessarily 'hear' that, but that could be what you're hearing. I didn't warm up before recording this song, I was still in the scratch pad phase.

    Joshua Barnes
    Sonar Platinum / RME UCX / i5 3.2 8 GB Memory (Dell Inspiron) / Komplete 10 / Win 7 Home 64 Bit
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    Lynn
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 14:37:10 (permalink)
    Hey Joshua, without knowing your vocal range I may be off course.  Anyway, I think you have the kernel of a good song, and I await your next version.
    ruralrocker2010


    I did ask but now I'm concerned that I'm not sure what you hear as "straining". Thing is, I didn't agree with the criticism, since this is barely mid-range for me, but I believed you heard something and I wanted to know what that was. As a person who really understands straining, I don't hear what you hear. I'm wondering if you're hearing my compressed distortion as straining. The sound that goes from 'clear' and breathy do distorted is on purpose.

    Lyrically, there is much that could be cleared with EQ. This is unprocessed. It's just a mic and compressor and whatever color that signal chain offers. I am going to record it today more slowly and see if I like the results.

    Thanks again!



    All the best,
    Lynn

    my songs
    www.soundclick.com/lynnwilson

    www.youtube.com/lywilson
    my videos

    Cakewalk by Bandlab| Sonar Platinum @ 64bits| i7 860 | 8 gigs ram | W10 @ 64 bits | RME FF 400
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    BenMMusTech
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    Re:Unholy War - Acoustic 2012/03/11 19:31:44 (permalink)
    Ok once again a good job, I can hear what Lynn is saying about not quite reaching the high notes.  I suppose you play and sing at the same time??

    If you could lay the just the guitar down and then sing song, you could import the guitar into Reaper, then use the Varispeed to change the pitch of the song say half a tone down.  Once you have nailed the vocal return it normal speed and bang you have the vocal perfect.  Old Beatles trick.

    Reaper costs nothing even after the 30 day expiry period, all you can pay $40.

    Varispeed is an important tool and certinaly worth 40 bucks.

    Peace Ben 

    Benjamin Phillips-Bachelor of Creative Technology (Sound and Audio Production), (Hons) Sonic Arts, MMusTech (Master of Music Technology), M.Phil (Fine Art)
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    #9
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