Picnic (in the rain with my son)

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Leizer
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2013/11/14 19:53:30 (permalink)

Picnic (in the rain with my son)

This is a pop song I wrote 20 years ago. I have always liked the style of the song (musically) but didn't really get it as in my mind with MIDI and my Roland D10 in the early 90s. So I try again now with X3, melodyne, Addictive Drums and all the effects you easy can use (and mis-use) today.
 
This song has taken a long time to arrange because of me getting stuck in Sonar or not finding the sound/effect I want. With todays DAWs it sounds 20 times better than 20 years ago, but it is still as difficult to get the song to sound exactly as you picture it in the head!
 
I would be glad to get some feedback, go listening here:
 
https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson/picnic
 
 

Dell i7-2600 3,40 Ghz, 16Gb RAM // SX1 drive: 240 Gb SSD // Windows 7 64 Bit // SONAR Platinum 64 bit // Focusrite Saffire 6 USB // KORG D888 Mixer // Roland JV-2080 MIDI synth // Guitars, basses, violins etc.
 
https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson
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    Walt Collins
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/15 07:53:38 (permalink)
    This is well done, I like it!  I will mention that the pitch correction on the vocal seems pretty obvious throughout the song.  Other than that I do like the sound of your voice.  The song is very cool, and well produced.  Great job!

    Walt Collins - Downtempo & Ambient
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    #2
    Leizer
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/15 17:05:09 (permalink)
    Thanks for your answer Walt! I'm new with Melodyne (editor) so I followed a guide of using Melodyne with vocals. It was pitch correcting 100% and I used around 80%. Maybe I should instead move every pitch manually for a more dynamic pitch (and be a little easier on the pitch modulation tool)? Pitch drift tool is maybe better to use if the singing is sloppy?

    Dell i7-2600 3,40 Ghz, 16Gb RAM // SX1 drive: 240 Gb SSD // Windows 7 64 Bit // SONAR Platinum 64 bit // Focusrite Saffire 6 USB // KORG D888 Mixer // Roland JV-2080 MIDI synth // Guitars, basses, violins etc.
     
    https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson
    #3
    Walt Collins
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/15 18:36:05 (permalink)
    To be honest, I'm not that familiar with Melodyne, so others here may have more to say on that topic.  I did just get it with X3, but I've not had much chance to play with it yet.
     
    Personally, I've used V-Vocal for the last several years, and before that I used Auto-tune.  They are both similar tools to Melodyne.  The thing about all these tools is that it's easy to go too far with them.  I try to use them just on spots that have a particularly bad pitch problem, and if the correction doesn't sound right (sometimes it can really sound artificial/unnatural), I usually go with another take if possible.

    Walt Collins - Downtempo & Ambient
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    #4
    speedtom
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/16 15:46:02 (permalink)
    absolutely fabulous! are you sure you are talking about twenty year ago - not thirty?  this totally reminding me of Howard Jones, which, by the way, I really like! Just like Walt said, the Melodyne usage is really noticable, but at the same time it suits the song and is giving it the modern touch to it.
     
    Like one! I love it!

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    #5
    whack
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/16 19:00:21 (permalink)
    I love this, its my style. Loved the fade in pad with the intro synth melody. Its quircky, great melody, catchy, I loved the overuse of pitch correction, brought it back to an era. I cant comment cos im listening on a laptop but I think the lower end needs more attention in the song, more bass and kick to fill it out, certianly to match those amazing melodic synth riffs and chords throughout on the upper range.
     
    You have talent.
     
    ..."Picnic, Im going on a picnic in the rain..." :-)
     
    Cian



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    #6
    Lynn
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/16 19:02:39 (permalink)
    This is a terrific song!  I was reminded of Pete Townsend.  You seem to have bonded with X3.  Let's hear more.

    All the best,
    Lynn

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    #7
    Leizer
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/17 18:50:05 (permalink)
    Thanks speedtom, whack and Lynn that you took time to listen to my song and for your heart-warming comments! That is really getting me inspired to do more songs (and perhaps new ones)!
     
    speedtom: I actually had Howard Jones arpeggio style as role model when doing the bridge in this song (the second half of the bridge is new and of course some harmonies as well). 30 years ago I was a little too young to make this kind of songs but in the early 90s I still was stuck in the 80s sound, having problem modernizing it. Now when the 80s pop style is "retro" I'm back in business...
     
    whack: I'm really glad that you listened and liked this song, because I remember listening to your songs the past year as great examples what you can achieve in SONAR if you have the skills, liking your music style (and killer voice) a lot! Maybe your right about the thin bass, I have deliberatly holden back the lows because my speakers is a bit bassy (Samson A5).
     
    Lynn: Thanks Lynn, I saw you had a song out as well, I will listen to that later. Pete Townsend, you say? I haven't listening to him except for some famous ones of the Who, but maybe there is similarities with early Genesis, which I listen to a lot back then. I'm hoping to do more songs later, next is maybe a symphonic orchestration of a composition I have done earlier. I'm not satisfied with the sound after recording all the parts by keyboard, but maybe the string section sound more realistic after some real violin dubs.

    Dell i7-2600 3,40 Ghz, 16Gb RAM // SX1 drive: 240 Gb SSD // Windows 7 64 Bit // SONAR Platinum 64 bit // Focusrite Saffire 6 USB // KORG D888 Mixer // Roland JV-2080 MIDI synth // Guitars, basses, violins etc.
     
    https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson
    #8
    clintmartin
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/18 10:26:55 (permalink)
    It's Great! It reminds me of Robin Gibb big time. I'm a huge fan of Robin (one of the best singers ever) by the way, so take that as a compliment. If I use auto correct with Melodyne I'll start at 65%. It's better to do each note though. Great production and song.

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    #9
    Leizer
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/18 15:46:07 (permalink)
    clintmartin: Thank you for your kind words. I will try around 65% next time and go from there. And maybe make more vocal takes so big editing isn´t needed.

    Dell i7-2600 3,40 Ghz, 16Gb RAM // SX1 drive: 240 Gb SSD // Windows 7 64 Bit // SONAR Platinum 64 bit // Focusrite Saffire 6 USB // KORG D888 Mixer // Roland JV-2080 MIDI synth // Guitars, basses, violins etc.
     
    https://soundcloud.com/lasse-williamsson
    #10
    olemon
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/18 16:33:19 (permalink)
    Yep.  Way cool and very professional!  I don't know how you can compose and blend and mix like that and create such a full pleasing sound where everything fits together...nice tune. 

    https://www.reverbnation.com/scottholson
     
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    theguitarplayer
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/18 18:58:12 (permalink)
    Very nicely done. Nice arrangement, instrumentation, vocals, and a great mix. Sounds like a fun picnic in the rain with your son. Very nicely done. Hope you had a nice picnic with your son!!
     
    Peace and Blessings, John

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    #12
    daryl1968
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    Re: Picnic (in the rain with my son) 2013/11/19 20:09:00 (permalink)
    great stuff - reminds me of Royksopp.
    Personally, I like the overly tuned vocals - it suits the style. 
    #13
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