SoundRegion
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First entry - The key to your heart
This is my first entry here. I have been trying to make music since fiddling with my C64 30 years ago, but it never really amounted to anything. Having resurrected my music making for some home movies, I recently decided to finish some old songs that had been awaiting vocals, because I never considered myself any kind of singer, but I decided just to do it, which means I ended up with 8 songs with my own vocals, including covers. This song I wrote in 2000: https://soundcloud.com/so..egion/thekeytoyourheart New Mix (July 9th) : https://soundcloud.com/so.../the-key-to-your-heart
post edited by SoundRegion - 2016/07/09 09:43:55
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/15 13:19:56
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☄ Helpfulby SoundRegion 2016/05/16 04:44:11
Hi welcome to the songs forum, sounds quite nice here, perhaps the vocals are a little dry and the kick is a little too present in the mix for my furry lugs. Thanks for sharing.
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.
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Serious_Noize!
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/15 18:45:43
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☄ Helpfulby SoundRegion 2016/05/16 04:44:42
Enjoyed hearing this very much. Reminds me of myself where the vocals go, I try just to finish my songs with my own vocals and I am not a singer at all, but I am the only person I have to finish my own songs with lyrics & vocals so I go with my only option.
Thanks for posting, I enjoyed hearing this! I'm no mix master, I don't tweak according to KHZ's and all that stuff where sounds go, I just listen and where it ends is how I thought it sounded the best to me, that is my experience on mixing.
But I must say, your mix to me sounded SPOT ON!!! Perfect!!! Clarity on everything, I could hear it all with a perfect volume in my opinion.
Keep on keepin' on!!!
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Freddy J
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/15 21:46:08
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Welcome to the forum. This is indeed a very nice song. I agree with Wookiee -- the vocals might be a bit dry and the guitar leads seems that way also. The mix sounds good -- good balance, good instrument/vocal separation, etc. Thanks for posting -- I enjoyed it very much.
I look forward to you future posts.
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stevec
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/16 15:24:10
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Good song... It has a nice feel to it. Mix-wise it does come across a little dry, with the vocals and guitar as mentioned above but also the drums... which seem to be lacking cymbals? That high end sheen is missing, I think. I know you don't consider yourself a vocalist but I also picture a few harmonies here and there... 
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
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/17 14:11:56
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Thanks a lot for your comments. Positive feedback is not something I'm all that used too  I appreciate the suggestions.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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thepogue
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/18 04:24:16
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welcome aboard....some great folks here for sure. Glad you pulled some tunes from the past and you'd do well to post here and use some very good musical ears and minds.
This tune could use a bit of work but its a great start down the path for sure...and I think although dry your vox wasn't as bad as Im sure you think it is...lol
keep on keepin!
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jamesyoyo
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/19 08:17:03
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add some wash reverb to the master bus and it will provide a better glue to the whole track
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Guitarhacker
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/19 08:25:41
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Steen, Very well done for a first time out. Yeah there's some nits but hey..... now that you know we don't throw rotten tomatoes and eggs, you can start to work on those small issues. This is a better "first out" than quite a few others including some of my early stuff.... so yeah, well done. A bit of reverb does go a long way towards helping blend things. Not too much... just the right amount. Also some EQ to make the top end shine a bit..... Don't be afraid to keep a copy of this song as it is now...BUT, feel free to add some verb and play with the EQ and repost it in this thread for more detailed feedback. There's folks here who will help you get it dialed in and it's a learning experience to take a rough version like this, and use the feedback you get to rework the nits several times until most folks agree that it's way better than the original. If you hang out here for any length of time, you will see that done by quite a few folks.
post edited by Guitarhacker - 2016/05/19 08:47:08
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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daryl1968
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/05/19 15:31:29
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Hi Steen
I agree with the other posters re being a little dry. Song and playing are very nice though. Congrats
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/10 13:39:32
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Guitarhacker
Don't be afraid to keep a copy of this song as it is now...BUT, feel free to add some verb and play with the EQ and repost it in this thread for more detailed feedback.
Thanks for feedback . So let it be done. I have remixed this one a little wetter and a slightly different guitar sound: https://soundcloud.com/so...-to-your-heart-new-mix
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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bjornpdx
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/10 14:27:35
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I like the 2nd version better which just sounds fuller to me. Nice melody and lyrics.
The vocal seems too clipped or something and maybe that's a language thing, but it could be improved if the words blended together better. Sometimes I have the melody track running on the headphones while recording (so I can hear if I'm on pitch) but that usually makes me sing in a stilted word-by-word way. It's better to listen to the backing tracks IMO for a smoother sound.
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/10 14:36:27
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bjornpdx
I like the 2nd version better which just sounds fuller to me. Nice melody and lyrics.
The vocal seems too clipped or something and maybe that's a language thing, but it could be improved if the words blended together better. Sometimes I have the melody track running on the headphones while recording (so I can hear if I'm on pitch) but that usually makes me sing in a stilted word-by-word way. It's better to listen to the backing tracks IMO for a smoother sound.
Thanks. I think I know what you mean about the vocals. I'm probably too concerned with trying to hit the right key which might make it sound forced. I should probably redo the vocals after I practice more in the car, as I found it really helps.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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mgh
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/11 19:20:36
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your voice is fine. dependant on which version of sonar you're using, Melodyne or V-Vocal may be able to fix and little pitch issues, so be more confident singing - really attack that vocal.
the rhythm guitars sound a bit apologetic at the moment, as do the drums
but generally it's a nice tune, and the balance in the mix is good- you have loads of positives to work on.
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/12 12:58:22
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mgh
your voice is fine. dependant on which version of sonar you're using, Melodyne or V-Vocal may be able to fix and little pitch issues, so be more confident singing - really attack that vocal.
the rhythm guitars sound a bit apologetic at the moment, as do the drums
but generally it's a nice tune, and the balance in the mix is good- you have loads of positives to work on.
Thanks a lot for your input, MGH. I just purchased Komplete 10, so I'll probably be able to find better instruments for it.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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emeraldsoul
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/13 10:25:55
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Very nice! Especially for a first effort. It has a lot of sincerity.
A technical question - did you ressurrect this using something from a cassette tape, digitized into Sonar? I hear plenty of that old tape wow/hiss/flutter in the background. It would be job #1 to eliminate that, or re-do whatever track is bringing that stuff to the party.
I'd agree, reverb on vocals. Put some on that you think sounds great, then dial that back to half as much. That should do the trick! :) That's my strategy, anyway.
happy polishing! looking forward to hearing more of your stuff.
cheers,
-Tom
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/13 15:15:19
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emeraldsoul
Very nice! Especially for a first effort. It has a lot of sincerity.
A technical question - did you ressurrect this using something from a cassette tape, digitized into Sonar? I hear plenty of that old tape wow/hiss/flutter in the background. It would be job #1 to eliminate that, or re-do whatever track is bringing that stuff to the party.
I'd agree, reverb on vocals. Put some on that you think sounds great, then dial that back to half as much. That should do the trick! :) That's my strategy, anyway.
happy polishing! looking forward to hearing more of your stuff.
cheers,
-Tom
Thanks, EmeraldSoul Did you hear the new or the old mix ? I put the new mix in the original post now. It's not so dry. I think the noice might be from the guitar, but it shouldn't be on the whole mix.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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Serious_Noize!
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/13 21:24:51
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I'm no mix master that's for sure. I like your song. But I wanted to say that I really like what you done with the vocals. It sounds like you removed some of the bass or lower mid range parts on the vocals leaving it mixing better with the rest of the tune. Sorry that's just what I am hearing and like I said I'm no mix master, I just work with my ears.
This is a much better mix, my only suggestion would be to add some reverb to you vocal mix. And use an EQ to make things a little brighter and crisp on you piano. Maybe a little bit more bottom end on the drums with the EQ giving it a bit more punch. Just a few crazy suggestions. I think a lot of the mixes that sound the best are using EQ moreso than compression. In the old days, compression made cassette tapes able to produce more sound, now in the digital age, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it's needed as much. JMO...........
Like I said I am no Mix Master. Just a few of my thoughts. And don't take my advice as ADVICE, take it as possibilities and something you might try. Remember there are no rules to anything.
I like this tune, and your vocals sound good also. It just sounds like your mix lacks a little bit of crisp EQ higher settings on it in my opinion.
Take my opinions as a grain of salt and like I said I am no mixmaster, I can only tell you what I hear.
Enjoyed hearing this, I hope this helps. Keep on Keepin' on!!!!!
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/06/15 14:44:44
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Serious_Noize!
I'm no mix master that's for sure. I like your song. But I wanted to say that I really like what you done with the vocals. It sounds like you removed some of the bass or lower mid range parts on the vocals leaving it mixing better with the rest of the tune. Sorry that's just what I am hearing and like I said I'm no mix master, I just work with my ears.
This is a much better mix, my only suggestion would be to add some reverb to you vocal mix. And use an EQ to make things a little brighter and crisp on you piano. Maybe a little bit more bottom end on the drums with the EQ giving it a bit more punch. Just a few crazy suggestions. I think a lot of the mixes that sound the best are using EQ moreso than compression. In the old days, compression made cassette tapes able to produce more sound, now in the digital age, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think it's needed as much. JMO...........
Like I said I am no Mix Master. Just a few of my thoughts. And don't take my advice as ADVICE, take it as possibilities and something you might try. Remember there are no rules to anything.
I like this tune, and your vocals sound good also. It just sounds like your mix lacks a little bit of crisp EQ higher settings on it in my opinion.
Take my opinions as a grain of salt and like I said I am no mixmaster, I can only tell you what I hear.
Enjoyed hearing this, I hope this helps. Keep on Keepin' on!!!!!
Thanks Serious_Noize Mixmaster or not. Your comments are valid and appreciated. Glad to hear my vocal doesn't suck as much as I thought.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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SoundRegion
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Re: First entry - The key to your heart
2016/07/09 09:29:29
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New mix. I redid my vocals as I have upgraded to Sonar Pro, but it turned out Melodyne didn't have that much to complain about. Practicing in the car must have worked. Yet it's good to have it as a check tool. I put some strings in the intro as well and a Grandeur piano.
Steen ------------------ Sonar Professional - Akai EIE pro - AKG K240 - AKG C5 - Behringer XM-2000 - Hagström Ultra Swede - Evolution MK-149 - Musima Resonata - Komplete 10 - Mackie CR4 BT Soundcloud Bandcamp
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