Helpful ReplyNewbie....New Songs(first & Second Song)

Author
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
2015/02/24 12:49:51 (permalink)

Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song)

Bit of a newbie at recording & mixing(have been recording with Sonar for about 5 months)  have written a bunch of songs just finished mixing the first one....all different styles...all feedback welcome...thanx gary
 
https://soundcloud.com/ga...u-dance-disco-vibe-mix
have remixed this one
 
https://soundcloud.com/gary-walsh-15/free-to-go-2btch-mix-1
 
 
post edited by garygml - 2015/02/26 06:29:12

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#1
evadianepug
Max Output Level: -30.5 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 4477
  • Joined: 2008/07/11 20:53:21
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/26 00:34:27 (permalink)
Fun to listen to.  Does make my feet move.  Something in the mix is a bit strange but I can't tell what it is.  It could just be me but there are plenty of mixwise people up here.  I like it and will listen on monitors tomorrow.

 Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed. (GK Chesterton

Warren (Pug) Willingham
THE PUGTONES
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=919339&content=music
SonarX3
#2
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/26 03:25:07 (permalink)
thanx warren.....just listened to your stuff...The Pugtones...im loving it

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#3
emeraldsoul
Max Output Level: -56.5 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1858
  • Joined: 2009/01/02 23:16:43
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/26 09:37:45 (permalink)
Hi Gary?
 
This is pretty cool. My feet were moving right out of the gate! Plenty of funk, especially the clav/guitar stuff . . . and your vocals, too!
 
I'd focus on the bass - I was listening through some smallish computer speakers, so I probably really couldn't hear what was going on below 100 hz - but what I did hear was the bass playing some unexpected notes. If you are going for something moodier and off-kilter, then what you have is fine - but in your verses, I was almost thinking your bass was out of tune. Or, you are just landing a lot on non-roots, which might be your choice. ?
 
If it were my vote, I'd stick to the roots a little more often, which I'm guessing in those verses might be a "G"? Whatever it is, you have (I think) the same essential chords in the verse and the chorus, but only the chorus gets the "G" root happening in the bass.
 
Overall, for a tune like this, the bass is pretty much the most important thing, and if anything, I think you could make it "busier" with a few runs now and again.
 
I'm going to listen to your song on some better deeper speakers to see if I am missing the real bass, and just judging you on the overtones! :)
 
MEanwhile, a really cohesive effort, got me thinking Jamiroquoi which is fantastic territory in my opinion.
 
thanks for the share, a good one!
-Tom
 
 

A work in regress:
www.studiusinterruptus.com
 
Cornbread - video   audio
A Very, Very Troubled Soul - video   
Kilometers Davis - video   audio
Mayans (Face in the Crowd) - video  audio
The Sweet Slow Fade - video
#4
Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
  • Total Posts : 13306
  • Joined: 2007/01/16 06:19:43
  • Location: Akahaocwora - Village Yoh Kay
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/26 09:39:49 (permalink)
Hi Gary welcome to the songs forum.
 
Interesting couple of tunes the first with a definite disco vibe sounds OK here, like Warren there is something in the mix I could not quite put a furry claw on.
 
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 
#5
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/26 09:58:36 (permalink)
cheers Tom.....i think i see what u mean about the bass....do u think it needs to be funkier & drive the song...the bottom end is very bare
cheers gary

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#6
gtrpastor
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 210
  • Joined: 2004/07/17 20:34:23
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/27 00:22:13 (permalink)
Welcome. The song is cool. The performances are solid. The mix sounds like it could be warmer. I like how dynamic this is, but I'd pull the overall level up. Good work though. Not a bad debut at all.
#7
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/27 09:12:43 (permalink)
How do I get it to sound warmer gtrpastor? 

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#8
gtrpastor
Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 210
  • Joined: 2004/07/17 20:34:23
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/27 10:57:29 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby garygml 2015/02/27 13:25:36
garygml
How do I get it to sound warmer gtrpastor? 



First, let me say that I'm still learning myself. I have a few ideas, though, that I hope will be helpful. Maybe others have ideas as well. Here's some thoughts:
1. A good sounding mix starts with the individual tracks themselves. If they are boomy or thin, it may affect the whole mix. It's a lot easier to start with a warm sounding track than it is to add warmth IMO. For instance, I recently purchased a tube preamp, instead of the mixer I was using. I think it helped the sound of my recordings. 
2. You can add small embellishments that have a cumulative effect. For example, I use the console emulator (part of Pro Channel) on every track and bus. I turn the trim and drive up 2 db. I learned this from a Craig Anderton video that you can view here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZtJ9sLnwK8
3. Try using the tape simulator in Pro Channel as well. I lightly turn up the noise and recording level. This emulates the saturation from analog tape. 
4. Try using tube saturation to warm up the sound. 
 
My projects used to wind up sounding thin because I would try to fix "boominess" by carving the heck out it with the EQ. A better method was to apply a High Pass Filter (a setting in the EQ) to most tracks, and then rolling off the lower frequencies at around 40 Hz. That took out a lot of the boominess without sacrificing the warmth. 
 
Finally, try getting together a list of reference material. Find recordings that you think sound great, and listen to them, back-to-back, with your own recording. By comparison, you may hear if your mixes are too boomy or sparkly by comparison. (I learned that from Mike Senior's book, Mixing Secrets--a fantastic book by the way). 
 
To pull up the overall level of your mix I would try a limiter--Sonar comes with Boost11 and BT Brick Wall. Out of the two, I prefer Brick Wall. But if you can afford it, I've heard great things about the Concrete Limiter. 
 
I hope these ideas are helpful. I'd be happy to offer more clarification if you need. 
#9
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/27 13:25:53 (permalink)
Very helpful gtrpastor always willing to take new ideas on board (I'm like a child in a sweet shop) 

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#10
jamesg1213
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 21760
  • Joined: 2006/04/18 14:42:48
  • Location: SW Scotland
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/02/28 11:34:58 (permalink)
Hi Gary, listening to 'Make You Dance', good track! Definitely Jamiroquai territory I think the bass needs to be doing more, it's there, but kinda 'static', whereas I'm thinking it needs to drive the groove more. Everything else sounds good to me though.

 
Jyemz
 
 
 



Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
#11
tbosco
Max Output Level: -72 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 903
  • Joined: 2011/01/06 20:42:22
  • Location: Chattanooga, TN
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/02 06:11:58 (permalink)
Hi Gary!  I'm a closet disco freak...LOL  I like your tune a lot.  A couple of comments that may help a bit:
1.  Bring up the whole level of the tune.  I had to turn up my system to "feel" the tune"
 
2  Work on the bass line some and make it PUNCH!  Same for the Kick drum.  Think about the compression you're using (or NOT using...) The ProChannel has some good presets that are great "starting points" for both bass and drums.
 
3  I think the snare needs more "pop", so you could use a different one or layer another on top.  A Transient Shaper works great for making very punctuated snares (or other percussive sounds).
 
4  Maybe most important, and maybe what the other guys are hearing in the mix---  While the Left/Right delayed vocals sound really cool (and I'm a HUGE fan of that technique in some applications), your main vocal should be in the center.  OK to have the wide spread also, but get a voice in the center.  Be sure your drum kit pieces are panned properly to accommodate the center vox.  I never like the default drum kit panning on most drum kit software...too centered.
 
Great job on the clav/EPiano parts!  Keep up the good work!

Cheers!

Tony

SONAR Platinum
JNCS Computer with Asus X99 Motherboard (i7)
Win10 Pro 64bit, 32GB RAM
Motif XF7, Komplete 11, Ozone 7, 
Komplete Kontrol 88 keys,
Softube Console 1,
PreSonus Faderport 8,
Focusrite ISA 430 Mk 2 Mic Pre,
Yamaha HS8s and Sub
Drawmer 3.1 Monitor Controller
Fractal Axe FX 2 XL Guitar Processor
Lots-o-Guitars
#12
dcumpian
Max Output Level: -34 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 4124
  • Joined: 2005/11/03 15:50:51
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/02 18:48:51 (permalink)
Everyone has already given you good recommendations. Not a bad mix for only 5 months of practice!
 
Cool tune too...
 
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.    
#13
Freddy J
Max Output Level: -52 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 2348
  • Joined: 2009/03/09 21:05:54
  • Location: Lutz, FL
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/02 21:31:37 (permalink)
I too can not add to what are some excellent suggestions above but if this is your first attempt at this -- well done!
Not being a disco/dance kind of guy I must admit liking you second song better (free-to-go).  The vocal and bgv sound very good. 
#14
garygml
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 179
  • Joined: 2014/11/26 10:08:16
  • Location: London
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/03 02:05:05 (permalink)
Thanx guys i really appreciate all the constructive advice im going to take it onboard & remix it over the next couple of days....wish me luck...will post the new mix when done

i5 Intel Core
Windows 8.1
16 gig ram
Focusrite Forte
Rode Nt1
Alesis Q49
#15
stevec
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 11546
  • Joined: 2003/11/04 15:05:54
  • Location: Parkesburg, PA
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/11 16:35:30 (permalink)
Cool song!   Very catchy, nicely arranged.   Good vocals.
 
Mix-wise I think everyone's covered it already... which is mainly the bass line with maybe a little less vocal spread.  Otherwise, funk on it.  
 

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
 
#16
bayoubill
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 10899
  • Joined: 2009/04/27 06:11:12
  • Location: Shreveport Louisiana
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/11 17:21:58 (permalink)
Welcome Gary!  Two very good tracks here!   Don't forget to spend time at Sonar University and Sonar Help. There's much material to absorb there and well worth time spent. Thanks for posting your tunes! Talent!

SWAMP MUSIC
Sonar PLATINUM        
Studio Cat DAW
 
 
      
  
 
#17
SquareSpiral
Max Output Level: -89 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 86
  • Joined: 2014/12/27 08:20:30
  • Status: offline
Re: Newbie....New Songs(first & Second Song) 2015/03/11 20:13:25 (permalink)
Pretty cool song. Something feels off with the bass to me too - Like some notes are a little off key. With a sparse bass track like this you need to be hitting harmonically solid notes more often than not as the ear has so little time to latch on. Also the snare needs more punch and snap to cut it through - Maybe add another sample over the one you that have that has a little more attack to drive the rhythm track through the song.
 
Keep dancing!! 

www.squarespiral.co.uk
#18
Jump to:
© 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1