Helpful ReplyNew song - Knit Me a Chord

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pencilartist
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2015/01/25 15:01:01 (permalink)

New song - Knit Me a Chord

This was the mix as of last week, and I'm not done with it yet. With Platinum in front of me, new drums to play with, and a trial of the CA-2A Leveling Amplifier in my arsenal (yes!), it's sounding much better today. I will share that in the future, but this version was ok. The song is still the same arrangement.
 
I don't play anything but the strings. The piano piece is my writing, not my playing. That's Ivory II. Drums are AD2 (before the upgrade). Strings are my home-made baritone, a mahogany body Tacoma Road King, a Beanblossom mando, and a Squier Jazz V Deluxe bass. Mixed with Event TR8 monitors, and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones.
 
https://soundcloud.com/mister-6-1/knit-me-a-chord
 
(UPDATE) I have added a second mix of this song for comparison purposes (posted further down in this thread). I like the second better, but the bass is still too strong (as many have pointed out to me). Here is that mix: https://soundcloud.com/mi..-6-1/knit-me-a-chord-20
 
(UPDATE 2) In case you want to hear the next level of mastering on this track, here is another version: https://soundcloud.com/mister-6-1/knit-me-a-chord-version-30) Taking all the advice I can find in this thread, I pulled the piano to the front. Comments invited.
 
(UPDATE 3) For the latest (and last) version, here it is. https://soundcloud.com/mi...t-me-a-chord-final-mix
post edited by pencilartist - 2015/02/07 18:12:01

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Walt Collins
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/25 17:39:42 (permalink)
Nice work!  Personally, I'd suggest backing off a bit on the compression on both the drums and bass, to let the beautiful piano come through.  But that squashed effect might be something you're going for.

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Jablowmi19
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/25 19:24:35 (permalink)
Really diggin that bass and the snare, very nice. 

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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/25 20:31:31 (permalink)
Thanks, Waltenstein Studios and Jablowmi19. I was already at work on a new mix when I uploaded this one. Maybe the newer one suits.
 
https://soundcloud.com/mi..-6-1/knit-me-a-chord-20

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emeraldsoul
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/26 01:17:22 (permalink)
Very pleasant song here! Good for watching a sunset I would guess. Nice work for a non-piano player! Which one of the IvoryII's is this?
 
If this were my mix, I'd drop the bass a db or so. It is so compressed it sounds like a synthbass patch in spots, which in my opinion works against the organic feel of the rest of the instrumentation. 
 
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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/26 11:51:43 (permalink)
Emeraldsoul, thank you. I've tinkered with piano all of my life, but can't play what I hear in my head. It's good to have great tools that will compensate for me.
Ivory is using the American Concert D 20 Level keyset, in the Concert Jazz American program.

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rebel007
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/26 18:57:34 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby pencilartist 2015/01/26 19:01:56
Nice work, first song I've listened to from you. I really get your arrangement, well done.
Drums are just little too close and dry for me.
It's a pity you can't play what you hear in your head with regards the piano, just sayin' because you'd be in high demand from a lot of jazz bands I know.

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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/26 19:06:52 (permalink)
Rebel007, thank you for the high praise. There has been a piano player in my pocket all my life just screaming to get out. Unfortunately, a keyboard had been a rarity in my life when I was young. Guitar was all I had steady access to.
 
If you listen to more of my tracks on Soundcloud, check out Divinity. I'm actually playing that one. The only song I can still play on piano without cutting and pasting. :)
 
https://soundcloud.com/mister-6-1/divinity
 
The mix is over two years old. I may revisit that soon.

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dcumpian
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/27 19:20:09 (permalink)
This is a pretty, peaceful tune. Very nicely done. Bass is a little too up front, and I agree with rebel007 regarding the drums. I think they are distracting the way they are mixed.
 
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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/27 20:02:29 (permalink)
Thank you, Dan. Are we talking about the first mix, or the one I posted later? I think the drums might still be too far up front in the latter, but overall it seems a better mix.

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dcumpian
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/28 08:34:57 (permalink)
pencilartist
Thank you, Dan. Are we talking about the first mix, or the one I posted later? I think the drums might still be too far up front in the latter, but overall it seems a better mix.




Whichever mix the link in your original post took me to last night, lol. I see further on in the thread that you posted another mix, which I did not hear, sorry. Might I suggest that when you update your mixes in the future, add or replace the links in the original post.
 
Regards,
Dan
 

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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/28 19:07:59 (permalink)
Thank you, Dan, for the suggestion. I didn't want to lost the first example, so I did edit my initial post. Now everyone can catch the newer mix.
 
Back to making yet another mix.

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RobertB
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/28 23:39:11 (permalink)
Basically cool. Listening to the second version. A bit boxy and over compressed, but there is a sound there that wants to get out. I've been fighting this on my own recent piece. Play with your attack and release, and EQ.
You'll find that magic spot.
Nice groove here, just needs a little polish.

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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/01/30 22:02:13 (permalink)
Check the initial post for a third mix of this track (or follow this link), utilizing the best advice given here.
 
https://soundcloud.com/mister-6-1/knit-me-a-chord-version-30
 
I added one tool to the mastering step not heard previously: Brainworx bx digital v2. What a nice change.

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pencilartist
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Re: New song - Knit Me a Chord 2015/02/07 18:09:51 (permalink)
Final mix and master. I'm satisfied.
 
https://soundcloud.com/mi...t-me-a-chord-final-mix

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