Helpful ReplyScraps From Your Table- Scandalous Grace

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michaelhanson
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2017/07/02 02:55:44 (permalink)

Scraps From Your Table- Scandalous Grace

Here is another new original by Scandalous Grace.  This one was written by me.  I had the title in my head for a while and was working on trying to wrap a blues/ rock riff around it.  Hope you enjoy.  All comments welcome.  
 
Performed by Scandalous Grace 
Words & Mu­sic: Michael Hanson
Sean Peifer: BG Vox, Electric Rhythm, Guitar Solo, Out Solo.
Michael Hanson: Lead Vocal, Bass, Electric Rhythm, Intro Solo, Drum Programing, Mixing and mastering.
Reece Bain: Keys and BGVs.
 
Scraps From Your Table
https://soundcloud.com/michaeljhanson/scraps-from-your-table
 
post edited by michaelhanson - 2017/07/28 19:40:52

Mike

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philz
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/03 15:17:45 (permalink)
This is a really good tune with excellent performances all the way around, and some nice solos too.  The mix sounded pretty good on my little speakers with the exception of the lead vocal which felt like it could stand to be more prominent or better defined against the track. 
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eph221
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/03 23:20:39 (permalink)
Like the song and performance.  The guitarist could benefit from some noodling during the verses.  The block chords sound a little formulaic.  Other than that, I can picture this at a christian festival in front of thousands of screaming fans.  :D

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/04 00:58:17 (permalink)
Michael, I agree that the vocal needs to come up a bit.  Otherwise this is a great song!

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/06 17:03:40 (permalink)
Thanks everyone for the comment so far!  I know that Michael is out of town currently and I'm sure he'll thank everyone for comments when he gets back.  and we'll look into the comments and suggestions as always!

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/06 18:29:10 (permalink)
Nice song. Congratulations to all involved. I will have to agree that the vocals and harmonies could come forward. As a rule, I was told, and I have to agree, the vocals should always be more upfront at every opportunity. When done right it lends more of an intimate, sort of in your head kind of effect on the listener. Nevertheless, putting a song together right is not easy and it sometimes takes a lot of reviewing to find and bring out all the nice details. Always good to have a lot of friendly ears to help one along.
 
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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/07 12:41:04 (permalink)
Hey All, I was away on vacation in Colorado, so I am finally able to get back to Sonar.  
 
Phil, David, Dave and Dean- Thanks for listening and commenting.  I think Sean has done an excellent job with the Lead guitar work on this song.  The first time I heard his track, I literally shouted out loud...YES, he nailed exactly what was in my head.  Such a Gilmour-ish feel to the solo.  
 
On the vocals, I will certainly take a fresh listen and make any adjustments I feel are needed.  Dean, I appreciate the advice.  My mixing style is to not have the vocal float on top of the mix, but to be settled down in the mix and kind of surrounded by the mix.  I still like to have a "Presence" to the Lead vocal, so I will check it again and see if I can tweak it a bit.  

Mike

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/07 13:55:30 (permalink)
I have added just a touch more Presence to the Lead Vocal.  Let me know if that punches through better.

Mike

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batsbrew
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/08 18:22:08 (permalink)
hey mike,
 
it's a cool tune.....
 
i believe everybody that has responded previously, is right on about the vox.
as the song builds, the vox gets a more proper level change....

I think that the bridge vocal sections are fine,
but during the verses, the voice needs to come up and be on top of the rest of the mix.
the lead vox now has 'edge' but i think presence comes higher than what you boosted...
like around 9k and up...
anything boosted between 3k and 6k here, i think only makes it a bit harsh...
maybe move the boost a little higher, and then just bring the vocal level up to stand out.
if you need more high end, instead of boosting the high end, roll off the low end until you hear the clarity you want

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/08 18:52:43 (permalink)
Thanks Bat,

That is a very useful critique. I will definitely work on using your suggestions. Excellent idea on rolling off some of the lows for clarity as well.

Mike

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/09 15:01:00 (permalink)
I've tweaked some changes to the Lead Vocal, based on Bat's suggestions.  Boosted in the 9K and up range.  Trimmed some of the lows.  Raised slightly the vocal volume on the verses with automation.  
 
Let me know if that sounds clearer and lets the Lead vocal be heard better.  

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/14 19:27:20 (permalink)
Just listened to the newest mix...  overall I think it sounds good!   I still think the vocals are just a little buried during the chorus, but only because you've got multiple instruments playing the same line.   Otherwise I liked it.

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/16 01:14:10 (permalink)
Hey Steve!
 
Thanks for listening and commenting.  Sounds like the verse vocal is reading alright now.  Ya, the chorus follows the instruments pretty close.  I will take that into consideration.  Glad you liked the song.  I was searching for a Riff that would fit the title for a while.  

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/16 16:15:28 (permalink)
Vocals are still too soft. 
I learned to decide on how to approach mixes whether it is to highlight the energy, the vocal, the mood, etc. Then mix accordingly. This philosophy is very much encouraged by two of my favorite mix engineers Manny Marroquin and Dave Pensado
 
For much of the Christian song productions I listen to, lyrics are vitally important because it is the message. 


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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/17 01:18:36 (permalink)
Thanks for listening Jimmy.

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/17 21:58:07 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby michaelhanson 2017/07/18 01:06:11
Vocal seems a bit buried by that right side rhythm guitar IMO.
 
That's the only crit I have.
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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/18 01:13:14 (permalink)
Thanks Ed, great observation.  Did a little more work on this and posted a new version to Sound Cloud.  Hopefully, I have eliminated a little of the frequency masking.

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/19 12:45:53 (permalink)
Great stuff again guys.
I particularly like Beagle's organ (ooh that came out wrong)
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/21 13:02:04 (permalink)
Daryl- Thanks for listening and commenting!  So, if you weren't hearing any issues, then maybe I've got the vocal levels set at a better now.  
 
I particularly like how the B3 (organ) lingers on a little longer at the end.  (Not sure that came out much better.) 

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/21 21:36:44 (permalink)
Mike, a song as good as this deserves to let the message shine.  However, the message is muted when I have to struggle to hear it against the other instruments.  I understand your philosophy about letting the vocal sit amidst the mix rather than on top of it, and that would be OK if the words were throwaway words.  But, I think you want more in the long run.  Just a guess.  Overall, congrats!

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/22 03:03:50 (permalink)
Terrific song Mike.  Great performance by all and lyrics that deserve to be heard.  My only suggestion would be similar to Ed's (above).  On my ill-performing speakers, the guitar panned right is really sounding loud.  The vocal levels are probably good but that guitar might be competing with them too much.  Just a thought ---- but then again, what do I know?
 
Nice one - very nice indeed!
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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/25 23:10:25 (permalink)
Lynn and Freddy- Thank you both for listening.  Based on both your comments being very similar, I have gone ahead and lowered the guitar on the right a little more in this mix.  Hopefully, that is enough for the vocal to be more prominent in this mix.  

Mike

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/26 13:39:58 (permalink)
Hey Jerry Garcia!!! Bring that vocal forward even more please!!!
 
I would also vote for a slight reduction in volume of the hi hat/cymbals, they are a culprit in masking the vocal. For fun, play your tune with those high sparkly things muted - does the vocal pop out nicely?
 
cool tune.
 
cheers,
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/28 15:14:10 (permalink)
Thanks guys so far for the great comments!  I enjoyed working with the guys on this song (as I do EVERY song we do!)  this was a great song of Mike's that came together really nicely.  I absolutely love the lead guitar Sean did in this!
 
I know Mike is taking your comments seriously and we're all discussing them and he's made some changes already so far!
 
thanks again everyone!

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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/28 15:18:12 (permalink)
This is one of the best vocal productions I have heard from you guys, the mix works well here thanks for sharing.

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/28 19:22:21 (permalink)
Bless you Wookie!
 
I consider myself the least of the 3 vocalist's in the Band.  That comment means very much to me.  Hopefully, I've got the mix levels right this time.  

Mike

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michaelhanson
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Re: Scraps From Your Table- by Scandalous Grace 2017/07/28 19:33:45 (permalink)
emeraldsoul
Hey Jerry Garcia!!! Bring that vocal forward even more please!!!

 
Hey Tom, not being a Dead fan....I'm not sure that I understand the Garcia reference.  Hopefully, I have this one figured out this time around.  
 
I went through each instrument and muted them, one by one, trying to determine what might be masking the Lead Vocal.  When I turned off the electric rhythm in the right speaker, the Lead Vocal was crystal clear.  So, I have gone in and done some volume automation with that guitar around the vocals.  

Mike

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