I'd say it's a done deal then.  :-) 

   That first "hit" has a "rattle" in it like a speaker rattling from a loose piece of
wood. It is in the "waveform" not the level of it. Lowering it's volume wont change
the "rattle". It is also one of (if not the) highest peaks in the song as far as level goes.
If I were to think about "wanting it there" or "chancing on it being an issue"
for the listener. I'd take it out or do something that didn't have that "rattle"

  Looking at it from "a chance" point of view "not having it" wouldn't lesson the
chance of the song being good from a listener (or potential) "pitch" to a
person for use in say a film or whatever.

  Where as "having" it there and say a producer or whoever "heard that" might
immediately be distracted in a way as to loose interest. I wouldn't chance that.

   Maybe that isn't the perception that others have, or would have of it.
That's just mine.

It's really close, Janet, and I see what Jimmy is seeing.
Check this out:


Track 1 is the version you uploaded a few hours ago.
Track 2 is the one you just did.
Track 3 is the original version.
Note the wave is very clean in the original version.
Track 1 is majorly clipped.
Track 2 shows the clipped waveform reduced in volume.  
It is already damaged.
To properly fix it, you will need to reduce the level in the source track, either with velocity or envelope, however you boosted it in the first place. Then export the project again.
This note is the first impression we get of the song, so you really want to get it right.
btw, no crickets here.

It's just that one hit. Yes, the wave should look like track 3, and you will most likely need to fix it at the source.
Hmm. I'm looking at the whole thing, and there is a section at 2:10 that appears to be possibly clipped as well. You may have changed the compressor settings, but it's just these two spots that look iffy.
OK, listening again, 2:10 sounds good, because there is plenty going on.
The first hit is just kind of naked and exposed, so it stands out.
Whatever is different there, bring it in line with the rest of it.
So close...so close.
 edit: Also, as Jimmy noted, if nothing else, you could get rid of it altogether and still be ok.
Maybe fade in as the tail is diminishing?

Janet


 And I don't have any of the previous mixes.  

I do
Let me listen to what you just did.
Be back in a few minutes.

That works. it has a nice round sound to it.
Phew!
fwiw, I save every session as a new version. CWP and MIDI files are small, so it doesn't really eat up space on the hard drive. All versions reference the same audio files, so they are not duplicated.
At any rate, I think you have nailed this one. Pour yourself a glass of whatever beverage is appropriate, and celebrate!

You're welcome, and I will.
Now I'm really inspired to work on Khyber Pass, so thank you.

That's a very nice piece and a great piano performance.  I think it is well mixed.  The strings sound great and are mixed well.

Bit late to this party... I haven't been around much in the last few days but how did I manage to miss this??!!?!??!

Janet - this is fantastic. The piano playing is awesome, the drums/guns are just right. I've listened to it through 3 times and it sounds better each time. The strings are just right too - not too thick, just thin enough to fit the "frustrating yet emotive" side of the piece, and not too thin to sound plaintive and reedy.

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Terry.

loved the piano and the strings !! Maybe the drums were a bit too loud in places ? Nice piece,
Kev

Thanks Kev.  I didn't actually mean to imply you had to listen to this.  :-)  I just thought it was funny that we both posted something with similar themes.  Of course it's happened before... :-)

Thank you Mark!  Several of us went round and round about those drums/guns.  I know what you mean about the special effects guys would put their own effects in. But if I left them out of this it would sorta fall flat.  Anyway, it was fun to get out of the box for a change.  Glad you liked This Old Man.  Thanks for listening! 

man that was good.

Very nice work Janet. :) I like the touch and feel. I think you could definitely compose some soundtrack music for tv and film. And I hope and think you will get your chance eventually.

Thank you, Matthew.  That would be nice! :-)

Thank you, Ioannis. And no need to apologize. :-)  I like it when people hear stories in my pieces.  I'm not sure what you mean about playing with the reverb on the strings, since this is only 'drums' from Stormdrum and piano. Maybe you're meaning the drums?  If so, that's a good idea.  Thanks! :-)

Wow haven't listened to this one in a while...I must say I like the new version a lot.  Very cohesive.  Everything is mixed well.  Piano playing is Great!  Thanks for sharing this!