VER 3 remix --> from John/JD1813 "Didn't Apply To You"

An update was posted last night around midnight,  I managed to replace a bad section of lead Vox in verse 3,  and I replaced the drum kit of the chorus sections with a "less busy" one.   I'm still not quite happy with the drums yet, I'm thinking it needs a drum fill as the cymbal swell happens,  but need more review.  Next I'll take a closer look at altering velocities of some of the guitar, and I think I hear slight timing off on certain guitar segments as well.  Thanks for any additional crits!      - John

    Here's one I've been working on this week.  This was one of those sudden inspirations that busted in on another project I was already recording and wouldn't leave me alone till I got it written down and brought to at least this level.  I was reviewing various guitar clips from the Dim Pro set and the Martin Acoustic jumped out and - well, the rest is here in the MP3.

Credits where due:
Herb/Guitarhacker --  I was already working on another project in which Herb was patiently teaching me about using EQ better.  Sending me numbers to poke in to the FX, tips on where and how to use which FX and Bus, screen captures of suggested tools and settings - man you really took a lot of time to help me way beyond even the forums here, Herb, and I hope as you listen to this one, it makes ya smile.
Janet -- must have exchanged a hundred emails with great help in various PRV and other editing issues that I needed to learn better.  You and Herb haven't just helped me make this song better - you've helped me turn a corner in this recording effort and there's no turning back now.  So thanks to both of you as well as each one of you who listens and offers tips and crits on here.  You're all a tremendous help and I'm deeply grateful.     

The song is currently at the top of my SoundClick list, the direct link is here:
"Didn't Apply To You"
Thanks for checking it out and all comments welcome!
~  John

Lynn thank you so much for listening and the comments.   I will have to look into the pedal steel, I would have never thought to try it.  There is definitely another revision coming up, as  have a couple other ideas I want to try yet.  But overall I am pleased with the progress of the mix.   Ha  but you'll never know how close I came to not even posting this one.  It is difficult to share some things.   But, well I wanted others to hear it too.

Starise, yes of course the nits are wanted and needed!   You hit on several things I am already wanting to work on, I just wasn't sure how yet, I know varying velocities is critical and I have done some, but need to go back for more.  I want the guitar to sound as realistic as possible and I know with my limited keyboard playing ability, it's very difficult to get.  Drums, yeah I agree as well.  Will be working these items between now and thru the weekend.  Many thanks for the listen and the comments!   

notnat


Great lyrics and vocal performance... very good advise above too... 
 
I believe the extra snare drum hits are a little busy and distracting on the choruses, (whatever was wrong, whatever was right)... 

excellent  song writing here...

Thanks, Frank!  yeah I'm going around with the beats that i switched to on the chorus; believe it or not I spent an hour last night just flippin' thru beats, looking purposely FOR that one there, and part of me wants that more, upbeat beat...  lol    but, I tend to agree with ya there.    Back to work on it tonight!   I love all the comments so far, and the next revise will be better!      Hey, songwriting is a piece of cake...  just let the women walk all over ya and stomp on the way across.....  hahaha!  The words just come spillin' out!  

Thanks as always Daryl, for giving a listen and the comments!   I can see that drum part in the chorus is going to go - and I am dismayed to realize this morning that I accidentally mixed in a wrong lead vox segment on verse 3, and it's sooo  totally flat and pitchy!  The correct redone segment was muted - UGH!    The perils of mixing at midnight...!  No probs, will be remixing again tonight and will post hopefully a better version tomorrow sometime.   Thanks again!     John

Bob Oister


Hi, John,
 
This is a really well written and performed, very beautiful song!
 
Excellent, well thought out, emotion filled lyrics, your vocals are fantastic, and the mix sounds nicely textured and very well balanced.
 
Great job on this, nice work, John!
Bob

Thanks a lot Bob, and looks like you caught my 2nd revision after I realized I had a bad vocal segment in verse 3 and I also took advice above and changed out the drum kit of the chorus.  I'm much more happy with it now, and will continue to refine a little over the weekend.  Really appreciate the listen, thanks again!    - John

Great song! I like how the snare comes in on the chorus. I'm not sure about that stuff at the end though. It seems out of place.

Nice vox!!!

Guitarpima


Great song! I like how the snare comes in on the chorus. I'm not sure about that stuff at the end though. It seems out of place.

Nice vox!!!

Robert:  thanks for taking time to listen and crit!   You are the first person to note about the ending.  I'm experimenting - and not sure yet about it, but what my goal was, is to end with a bar scene with this guy all down and out, but everyone at the bar is laughing and happy, maybe I was gonna add a barmaid voice  after pouring a beer and she says "how you doing?" and he says  "oh, fine... yeah... just fine..."  that kinda thing, you know, the total contrast, irony.  But I may very well just trash the whole idea.   Not sure yet.   But I like the idea of trying to set a mood, like this song brings up a music video to me of being done at a bar.   Anyhow, remember 10-cc original soundtrack?  All those cool sounds of the street and bar, I always wanted to try to work with some of that kind of moodiness and visual cues...  thanks and I do appreciate that you took time to listen and give the feedback!        - John

Herb:  thanks for popping in for a listen, and for noticing the improvements you helped so much to bring about     I am already taking careful notes on the various above nits, which mostly revolve around drum beats and better drum FX, and varying the velocities and possible timing on guitar MIDI. 
FYI there is not a separate bass track, I didn't want to try adding something whenever there's a present bass coming across from the MIDI guitar's bass strings.... and I may go back and see if I can either bring it out more or, add in a separate light bass part/track.
Verb on vocals - easy enough to vary and play around with.  Hey I can always shoot you a few dozen more emails for guidance  HaHaHa! 
Many thanks again Herb, and I can't wait to continue this journey.
- John

Janet: thank you so much for listening. You just caught ver 3, which I had yet to announce. I made at least 4 changes which Herb pointed out, and most of the others mentioned and hinted at as well... I have listened now about 10 times and I believe I am now satisfied with this. I'm opening it back up to comment but I actually like the result. Thank you so much, teach !! ~ John

Very Nice JD,

I can really picture hearing some strings or a steel gitfiddle in this as well.  Would really add icing to the cake  

Nothing to add that hasnt been mentioned