Helpful ReplyBliss

Author
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
2014/09/18 15:57:01 (permalink)

Bliss

Ok, so this is my second attempt at creating a complete song in SONAR X3, or any other DAW for that matter. In other words I have no idea what I'm doing so be kind... LOL! 
 
https://soundcloud.com/user1041578/bliss
 
Drums and bass were created using Garage Band on an iPad2 through a Behringer iStudio. Drums are from the finger drum set.
Acoustic guitar is a Breedlove Passport C250/SBe. One track DI and another through an el cheapo Monoprice condenser mic. 
Strings and synths were created on an Arturia Keylab 61 using Garage Band for strings and the Thor soft synth on the iPad. 
Vocals are me through the Monoprice condenser mic.
Every thing was routed through an Allen and Heath ZEDFX12 via USB to a Windows 7 machine. 
 
I had a blast making it and learning the equipment and software at least. 
 
<edited: adding sound cloud link>
post edited by rwreynolds - 2014/09/21 11:47:23
#1
Guitarpima
Max Output Level: -34 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 4125
  • Joined: 2005/11/19 23:53:59
  • Location: Terra 3
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/18 17:53:38 (permalink)
You'll have to post more comments before you can add links to your  threads.

Notation, the original DAW. Everything else is just rote. We are who we are and no more than another. Humans, you people are crazy.
 
 Win 7 x64  X2  Intel DX58SO, Intel i7 920 2.66ghz 12gb DDR3  ASUS ATI EAH5750  650w PSU 4x WD HDs 320gb  DVD, DVD RW Eleven Rack, KRK Rokit 8s and 10s sub
#2
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/18 18:05:36 (permalink)
Thx Guitarpima... 
Well, my post looks kind of dumb then. lol... Oh well. Guess I should go read the stickies. 
#3
Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
  • Total Posts : 13306
  • Joined: 2007/01/16 06:19:43
  • Location: Akahaocwora - Village Yoh Kay
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/20 11:45:58 (permalink)
Or type the link out without try to insert that seems to work.  Though the best way to get response is as suggested by Guitarpima, drop in on other thread here make a constructive comment even just the fact that you did or did not like the tune. soon pass the magic number and your links will work.

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit
Secondary  i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit
CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8 
#4
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/20 12:46:31 (permalink)
 
 
Thanks for the suggestions Wookie. I'll hang out, throw my 2 cents in and wait on the magic number. 
 
I'm enjoying the forums and learning a lot, so I'm good to go. :)
#5
Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
  • Total Posts : 13306
  • Joined: 2007/01/16 06:19:43
  • Location: Akahaocwora - Village Yoh Kay
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/20 13:27:43 (permalink)
I do believe you have achieved your goal I think 10 is the target

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit
Secondary  i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit
CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8 
#6
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/21 11:56:39 (permalink)
Ok, I edited the original post to include the link to the song. I didn't have enough posts when I posted it the first time.

Constructive criticism and thoughts appreciated.
#7
Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
  • Total Posts : 13306
  • Joined: 2007/01/16 06:19:43
  • Location: Akahaocwora - Village Yoh Kay
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/21 12:04:48 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby rwreynolds 2014/09/22 20:17:58
Well it is playing in the background as I type generally it sounds OK, I would be tempted edit out the click at the beginning.  Mix wise it sounds a little all down the middle so some things are slightly obscured by each other.  What are you using to record i.e. what software?
 
I like the song though just a few tweaks here and there on the mix should bring it together quite nicely.
 
Thanks for sharing. 

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit
Secondary  i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit
CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8 
#8
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/21 13:25:13 (permalink)
Thanks Wookie...
 
I'm using and Allen & Heath ZEDFX12 into SONAR X3 to record. I'm an uber-noob though. So, I have a lot to learn.
 
Yeah, I need to learn how to keep tracks from stepping on each other.  I assume you mean "not panned" by "down the middle"? There's a little pan in the guitar tracks, but not much. Everything else is definitely in the middle.
#9
Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
  • Total Posts : 13306
  • Joined: 2007/01/16 06:19:43
  • Location: Akahaocwora - Village Yoh Kay
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/21 13:49:08 (permalink)
Rick are using Producer version?  If so try using the Channel tools to create space in the middle by spreading sound around it.  If you do not have access to such toys PM me and I will send you a link to some Free VST's that may well help you out.

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
Karma has a way of finding its own way home.
Primary, i7 8700K 16Gigs Ram, 3x500gb SSD's 2TB Backup HHD Saffire Pro 40. Win 10 64Bit
Secondary  i7 4790K, 32GB Ram, 500Gb SSD OS/Prog's, 1TB Audio, 1TB Samples HHD AudioBox USB, Win 10 64Bit
CbB, Adam's A7x's - Event 20/20's, Arturia V6, Korg Digital Legacy, Softube Modular, Arturia Keylab-88, USB-MidiSport 8x8 
#10
stevec
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 11546
  • Joined: 2003/11/04 15:05:54
  • Location: Parkesburg, PA
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 15:16:39 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby rwreynolds 2014/09/22 20:17:26
I like the song, and the performances seem pretty solid.  That Monoprice doesn't sound all that bad either!  
 
But mix-wise I agree it does need some panning for better stereo separation between the instruments and vocals before moving on.  As a starting point, picture watching a band on stage from near the front row and the distance from one player to the next, then try to emulate that by panning each track to suit.   And as Wookie mentioned you can also use Channel Tools to control the width of each individual track, whether widening mono tracks or narrowing stereo tracks.   It's all to give everything some room to breathe. 
 

SteveC
https://soundcloud.com/steve-cocchi
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=39163
 
SONAR Platinum x64, Intel Q9300 (2.5Ghz), Asus P5N-D, Win7 x64 SP1, 8GB RAM, 1TB internal + ESATA + USB Backup HDDs, ATI Radeon HD5450 1GB RAM + dual ViewSonic VA2431wm Monitors;
Focusrite 18i6 (ASIO);
Komplete 9, Melodyne Studio 4, Ozone 7 Advanced, Rapture Pro, GPO5, Valhalla Plate, MJUC comp, MDynamic EQ, lots of other freebie VST plugins, synths and Kontakt libraries
 
#11
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 16:53:33 (permalink)
Thanks for listening And for the suggestions Steve.
 
I understand what you're saying about panning and the live band model. Seems like that should have been an intuitive thing, but not so much for me i guess. I mean it seems like emulating a live performance of any piece would be at least one of the ultimate goals. 
 
I am looking at the FFT tool Wookie suggested. Been a long time since I've thought about FFT and spectrum analyzers. I spent quite a bit of time, when I was younger, working with spectrum analyzers. But it was in the context of RF propagation and filters and such. I have only recently started playing with the recording/mixing software. Absolutely amazed at what has been accomplished! 
 
Anyway, it's time to take this tune back to square one and do a complete re-mix. 
 
Probably need to re-record it actually. I did some recording back in the 80s and the rule of thumb then was levels at 0db. Apparently that's not the case with digital. Anyway, that's how it was recorded and now everything I'm reading is that opinions are split between -12db and -18db. Dunno, maybe I'll go back and try to record again.
#12
daryl1968
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 10984
  • Joined: 2010/06/01 22:51:43
  • Location: Englishman in deepest, darkest Wales
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 17:27:10 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby rwreynolds 2014/09/22 20:23:11
Like the song a lot and the vocals are REALLY nice. 
I'm not sure if you intentionally made the drums lo-fi but I would like to hear some 'real' sounding drums on it.
#13
dcumpian
Max Output Level: -34 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 4124
  • Joined: 2005/11/03 15:50:51
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 18:59:14 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby rwreynolds 2014/09/22 20:17:12
Wow, not bad at all! Obviously, you've had much experience writing and performing. Surprised at how well that mic worked out. A little panning, some judicious EQ and better drums will make this into a very nice work.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Mixing is all about control.
 
My music:
http://dancumpian.bandcamp.com/ or https://soundcloud.com/dcumpian Studiocat Advanced Studio DAW (Intel i5 3550 @ 3.7GHz, Z77 motherboard, 16GB Ram, lots of HDDs), Sonar Plat, Mackie 1604, PreSonus Audiobox 44VSL, ESI 4x4 Midi Interface, Ibanez Bass, Custom Fender Mexi-Strat, NI S88, Roland JV-2080 & MDB-1, Komplete, Omnisphere, Lots o' plugins.    
#14
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 20:30:32 (permalink)
Thanks for listening daryl1968. Glad you enjoyed the tune.
 
I am going to re-mix using everyone's suggestions. The drums are all but hidden and the whole thing just kind of lays there. lol...
#15
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/22 20:40:03 (permalink)
Thanks for the kind words dcumpian. Glad you liked it!
 
I have had a little performance experience. I was in a little cover band for a few years. Mostly doing benefits and such. 
 
Not much writing experience though. This is the second song I've completed. I never like what I write. It either sounds exactly like some song I've heard before or it just sounds cheesy. I've just decided the heck with it. I'm going to write, play and record and stick it out there for the world to see. Warts and all. lol...
 
I am going to remix the song and explore all the suggestions I've received here. Might even do some re-recording because I just did it wrong the first time.
#16
markno999
Max Output Level: -62 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1450
  • Joined: 2007/08/27 18:09:30
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/23 20:22:30 (permalink)
rwreynolds,
 
Nice song and performance.  Nice 70's feel, synth lead and all.  Very good work.
 
Regards
#17
rwreynolds
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 52
  • Joined: 2014/09/15 17:14:58
  • Status: offline
Re: Bliss 2014/09/23 20:44:41 (permalink)
Thanks markno999...
 
Yeah, 70s is about right. I was a teenager then. lol...
#18
Jump to:
© 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1