jmasno5
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Hold Down The Melody
https://soundcloud.com/jm.no5/hold-down-the-melodyThis is a song about writing a song. I'm thinking many of you can relate so I'm posting the lyrics. I'm sort of proud of this one. Even though I wrote it, it sort of hits home for me because the process is a mystery at times. Anyway, have a listen tell me what you think (song and mix). It's on the lengthy side. I call it an album cut. LOL Thanks.
Hold Down The Melody
Reeling within my art tonight
nothing comes too easily
with the spark that you get through to me
moves in like a symphonySearching with my hands
feeling with my heart
it's always been such a mystery
starting not so naturallyHold down the melody
the words thought so carefully
they take hold with all such harmony
sing their way to my soulHold down the melody
It all works out instinctively
It finds its way though mediocrity
And moves the song in my soul I've been here many times
But will always embrace
There are no words to describe the way
It seems to appear from empty spaceHold down the melody
the words thought so carefully
they take hold with all such harmony
sing their way to my soulHold down the melody
It all works out instinctively
It finds its way though mediocrity
And moves the song in my soul
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dcumpian
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/02/28 08:21:16
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I like this! A little bit of The Byrds, The Beatles and some Dylan. Really, well put-together song. Guitars sound awesome, and your vocals are very well done. Mix sounds great as well.
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.
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twisted6s
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/02/28 08:24:59
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Interesting concept, nice mix and vocals!
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daryl1968
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/02/28 09:41:43
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Nice melody (pardon the pun) and well recorded sir. Guitar's the star.
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Lynn
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/02/28 22:34:41
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You don't hear many songs about songwriting, and this one is a gem! I love the vintage, yet fresh vibe and your vocal performance very much. I always look forward to hearing your stuff.
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8livesleft
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/02/28 23:47:05
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Great mix and guitar melodies!
Love all the guitar layers! Almost seems like you have a layer on reverse there too. Great texture.
Vocals are well done.
Overall a great song
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/01 14:08:44
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dcumpian
I like this! A little bit of The Byrds, The Beatles and some Dylan.
Regards,
Dan
Thanks Dan! I am a big Beatles fan so I expect their vibe will seep into my music. The Byrds and Dylan I am surprised but happy to hear. If I had the cash I'd buy a Ric 12 string. LOL
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/01 14:11:44
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Daryl, Lynn and Tony. Thanks for taking the time to listen. Thanks for the complements.
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/01 14:19:54
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8livesleft
Almost seems like you have a layer on reverse there too.
Robert, Thanks! You nailed it! There is reverse guitar! I put Platinum's Aux track to good use. I recorded a portion of the song to Aux. I reversed the Aux track and played guitar against it. Then I flipped the guitar track. Big credit goes to my friend, Ben, who supplied me with a ton of guitar embellishments and arpeggios to dovetail in the mix.
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jamesg1213
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/01 17:28:27
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This is a really lush production, like it a lot. Reverse guitar is a neat touch. I like where the vocals and BGVs sit the mix, reminds me of Toto.
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/02 23:04:04
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Thanks James! The reverse guitars were an attemp at making the song sound mysterious for the subject matter.
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Cactus Music
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/03 00:20:32
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Actually I didn't really think of the 60's, I hear sort of a U2 soundscape.
Big like to this one.
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/03 22:41:44
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Johnny,
Thanks. Yes, I can kind of hear a little U-2 soundscape.
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stevesweat
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/04 14:28:29
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Sounds real good to me. I caught an Al Stewart vibe , especially in the vocal treatment if not the tone so much.
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philz
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/04 16:45:36
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John, this is a really good song, and you and your crew have done a nice job recording it too. I have no real crits, but if you do want to shorten the tune I do think it could be done. I know because I've had to take the knife to one or two of mine, and it made them better songs. Just a thought.
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/05 04:27:10
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Steve and Phil Thank you.
Yes, I do have shortened versions in mind. I had a lot of fun with this so I let it play out. I just enjoyed the vibe I was getting and couldn't stop... It was originally going to be a fade that would have chopped off 30 sec.
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Wookiee
Rrrrugh arah-ah-woof?
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/05 13:26:59
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Nicely done Sir, 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.
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synkrotron
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/05 17:08:26
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Hi John,
This sounds really good to me. Lots going on and the stereo soundstage is full to the brim, but everything works just fine. It's one of those songs that you could listen through a couple of times and hear new bits here and there.
Recording sounds real sweat, which I think helps to get that great sound and mix. I'd say, top notch production overall.
cheers
andy
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/06 23:22:04
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Wookiee and Andy,
Thanks for listening. I'm glad you liked it. It's an interesting sound stage that just happened. Sort of a vintage vibe. When I hear it, it sounds relaxing to me. This is one of the reasons why I let it play out to 5:33.
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kloon
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/07 12:17:14
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☄ Helpfulby jmasno5 2017/03/09 04:27:38
Great song, nice mix and vocals.
You could try giving the vocals some additional "attack", making them "snappier" with additional compression.
Other then that, it sounds perfect.
Congrats on a great song! :)
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stevec
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/07 22:29:09
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Nice song, John! I really liked the layers and layers of guitars... of course.  The "chiming" effect they provide works great, particularly with the chord progressions you've used. The lyrics are perfect - they get the point across quite well. I kept waiting for some type of guitar line to ride over top during the outro and yup, there it is.
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emeraldsoul
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/08 00:19:44
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I was gigging the guitars a lot! I think it's the sign of great arrangements - you have more than a couple of interpretations of your main idea, and they come and go during the song.
BGV's are super cool on this.
nice!
-Tom
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jmasno5
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Re: Hold Down The Melody
2017/03/09 04:33:24
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John, Steve and Tom. Thanks for your comments and digging the song. Steve, I knew you would like the layers of GTR again. That's two songs in a row for me with this approach. Tom, if I go into the mix again I will experiment with your idea. Good one.
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