Need a critique

Hey Jimmy... I'm listening on my computer speakers so based on that, and knowing what other tunes sound like on them......

  Since you asked if this is (in my opinion) broadcast quality......  Assuming you are talking about HAPPENS ANYWAY

No. I don't think so. 

It sounds like it's compressed and really hot. It also sounds heavy in the bass frequency as well.  the vocals seem to get buried in the mix in a few places. 

Play it back to back or in a row with some other commercially released tunes.  If yours fits in to the play list by: volume level, sonic mix, frequency balance..... and pretty much sounds the same as the stuff before and after it, I would call that a good test. 

Right now it seems really heavy on the bottom end and almost overly compressed. 

Tweezing the mix a bit, back off the compression and cut the lows and see what you got then. 

Understand this is simply my opinion listening on Altec Lansing computer speakers. I listen on these a lot.  

Taxi talks a lot about "broadcast quality".... is this a possible submission for a listing with them? 


ADD: I listened on cans.... on my lappy.

Again I use this set up all the time in my studio.  Same general consensus.  In the cans the vocals seem to be at the edge...maybe slightly over the edge into distortion.  

  This needs more work to be BQ ready. (Happens Anyway)


I listened to a few others on your page..... Carousel has the same vocal distortion. Some of the songs are pretty cool tunes.... I would suggest using EQ to pull the mids down and do a sloping cut on the really low stuff. You have too much energy in those ranges. It makes the sound of the mix much to full and "heavy" sounding.  It's totally possible to have a nice full bass/bottom end in the mix without the "heaviness" ......EQ and proper use of compression can go a long way towards that goal.

I would like to hear the voice run through guitar rig with the "megaphone" effect...might be cool.  Really like everything else!

- Shawn

Jimmy: I was glad to listen as well, you have a cool tune here and all the basics of a great performance.  I can say that Herb's comments about using some EQ  are well-placed here because my  previous work was also heavy in the same ranges vocally, and that can be fixed up easily.  I also noted Lynn's comments ref panning, and some variety of where you place things there could really make a good result.  I say this while at the same time taking note to check my own work because that's a good point to watch for.
My own take on your basic groove going here:  it's steady, rocking, and does seem very compressed.  Putting my own songwriter's cap on for s second:  you do not take a single break the whole way through on that beat - if it were me, I think I'd look for an opening and give some sonic space.  Devise a break, and stop the beat for a bit, maybe insert a nice guitar solo and switch to a tiny bit of a mellow chorus vocal perhaps, make a particular point, then go back to the groove?   Just a thought,  IMHO.  Some variety, to weave a deeper texture.  But this is still all darn good work and I enjoyed listening.   Stick to it and good luck wherever you are targeting this one!
- John 

Yes I did. Thanks for the feed back. It is very helpful.

Are you headed to the Road Rally next month?  I went the first year I was a member of TAXI and had a large time. 

I got to meet some of the top country music hit writers and got to set down with them and talk.......  and met and chatted with a bunch of the "TAXI STARS" as well. 

If you can make it, you will enjoy the seminars, the open stage nights, and of course.... the party in the lobby..... 

Jimmy... I pretty much agree with Herb... needs some work...

keep at it... you'll get there...