Lakeshore Drive

* Update* - Added field recording of Lakeshore Drive at night to intro - 09/24/2017
 
This song was written way back in 1997. I was in a jazz/smooth jazz/new age phase and I always liked how this one turned out. Back then, I didn't mix...at all. All tracks were 100% midi recorded in realtime to a DAT machine from physical midi devices. Any "mixing" I did was midi based volume and panning. It was a pretty primitive setup compared to what I do now, but it worked for me at the time.
 
So, I decided to re-record the song and actually mix it. I thought it would be easy since I'd written it before and knew how the thing ended. But no, it took a heck of a lot longer than I'd planned to redo this song because I just couldn't help but change things as I went along.
 
https://dancumpian.bandcamp.com/track/lakeshore-drive
 
I hope you enjoy the listen!  Any feedback is always welcome.
 
Regards,
Dan

Definitely has that New Age Yanni sound. I'm glad you released this as I enjoyed the listen and the mix sounds good here.

bapu
Good, bad or indifferent the piano sounds like Bruce Hornsby to me.
 
No crits here.

The original version had an electric piano. This one has a very resonant piano from Sampletekk. Now, if you're saying I play like Bruce, I'll take it
 
Regards,
Dan

Wow is that mix punchy! The drums are amazingly well mixed I think.  The background oooohing and aaaaahing from whatever choral patch fills everything out so well.  Bass is tight and yes, punchy! 
 
I listened on headphones and again on big speakers. Great vibe and feel on this!
 
My headphones listen was where I might suggest something, the intro piano seems like most of the notes are velocitied above 100, maybe more dynamics there would be a thought. The piano comes in a little hot and compressed right at the very beginning - I don't know if it's compression or just midi hitting the upper 90's or 100's ?  
 
In the rest of your piece, where the piano is accompanied, the piano volume seems to blend just great with the rest. I'd dearly love to see a screenshot of your mix, because all those tracks and your effects upon them seem very well placed.
 
This piece made me want to go there, and then.  :)
 
cheers,
-Tom
 
 
 
 

biodiode
Definitely has that New Age Yanni sound. I'm glad you released this as I enjoyed the listen and the mix sounds good here.

Thanks Adrian! Glad to hear you liked it!
 
Regards,
Dan

Steve_Karl
Very nice track Dan. Clean and groovin'
Nice changes.

Thanks Steve!
 
Regards,
Dan

emeraldsoul
Wow is that mix punchy! The drums are amazingly well mixed I think.  The background oooohing and aaaaahing from whatever choral patch fills everything out so well.  Bass is tight and yes, punchy! 
 
I listened on headphones and again on big speakers. Great vibe and feel on this!
 
My headphones listen was where I might suggest something, the intro piano seems like most of the notes are velocitied above 100, maybe more dynamics there would be a thought. The piano comes in a little hot and compressed right at the very beginning - I don't know if it's compression or just midi hitting the upper 90's or 100's ?  
 
In the rest of your piece, where the piano is accompanied, the piano volume seems to blend just great with the rest. I'd dearly love to see a screenshot of your mix, because all those tracks and your effects upon them seem very well placed.
 
This piece made me want to go there, and then.  :)
 
cheers,
-Tom
 
 
 
 

The velocities in the intro range from 65 to 95. Like I mentioned earlier, the piano I used is very resonant because I knew the mix was going to be a bit dense, so I wanted it to cut through. I might ride the levels s bit more in the intro, and maybe automate an EQ as well. That piano does have a bite.

Glad you like the bass/drums mix. That took me longer than usual to get because I was looking for a more intimate sound than what I usually use. If there is anything you'd like to know, feel free to ask.

Thanks again Tom!

Regards,
Dan

Great tune. Very uplifting!

synkrotron

dcumpian
All tracks were 100% midi recorded in realtime to a DAT machine from physical midi devices. Any "mixing" I did was midi based volume and panning.

Hi Dan,
 
This is pretty much how I used to work. Only difference being I recorded my MIDI "performance" onto my hard drive using Sound Forge. Oh, and my stuff sounded blooming awful, mix wise haha... So glad I mix "in the box" nowadays
 
Loving Lakeshore Drive. I always know I am going to be listening to lovely clean mixes and really great tunes when I call into your posts here Dan
 
 
cheers
 
andy

Thanks for that Andy! I appreciate the kind words...
 
Regards,
Dan

jamesg1213
Well worth re-recording Dan, really good stuff, enjoyed that.

Thanks James!
 
Regards,
Dan

Lovely way to start my day, thanks!
Quite a lot going on here, very nicely done.
 
T

Nice one Dan. :)
Really like when it evolves at 1:37.

DeeringAmps
Lovely way to start my day, thanks!
Quite a lot going on here, very nicely done.
 
T

Thanks Tom!
 
Regards,
Dan

kennywtelejazz
Hi Dan
Great arranging & thematic development as your song plays through ..Real nice mix. Love the Sweet New Age Progressive type Vibe .
 
Kenny

Thanks Kenny! I appreciate the listen and your comments!
 
Regards,
Dan

Dan,
You know I dig it!  Really cool.  Opening piano tone reminded me of Super Tramp.  I bought it.  An easy purchase!