Win the Lost At Any Cost -- a Hymn Ensemble: Featuring Vicent on Guitar

I listened. It's a nice message, and the recording is beautiful.

Thanks Robbie and Dave for your swift listens and crits ...

First thing that strikes me is there's too much in the 4kHz range and some shriekiness that curses my mixes.

The "train wreck" cacaphony is my signature ... learning to take a bunch of bombarded inspiration and paint a picture with the givens.

Thanks again, guys!

a bump and a promise to listen soon when i have time sir!

 Has the familiar sound of childhood cartoon movies like "the hobbit " but very clever and unique. Great title and hook, wonderful innocent sounding, voices lovely instrumentation. Production sounds pro on the cans.   

Hi Philip,

I had to chime in on this because well, I kinda stalk you these days watching your growth. :)

I dig the song, the message as well as all the different textures, panning and styles in this. The little kid singing is just precious! Ok, now that I've given you some praise...let's take a look at a few subjective areas.

I'm hearing a few "s" sounds and some hard C sounds and D sounds that could be a little smoother. This of course is just me and how I listen to my own stuff, but I've always been a lunatic with hard sounds or excessives S's. You're not bad here, but there are a few of these coming through from time to time to my ears.

Next, when the drums come in at like 0:56, I felt they over-powered things just a bit. The vocals were present, but not as audible. One thing I try to do in situations like this is to totally forget that I know the words as well as what is coming next and put myself in the place of the first time listener. When I was first getting into engineering, I would always be a bit light on the levels of my own vocals due to being too ashamed of my voice. What fixed me was to mix the levels where I thought they should be and automatically raise my vocals +0.5dB more no matter what. In time I was able to teach myself a good level and of course from singing so much, I accepted my voice/sound and got used to it.

But you have a monster track here in my opinion and I think you did very well with it. The things I've mentioned are subjective of course, but give a listen now that I've brought them up and see if you too can hear what I hear. If not, the mix is pretty healthy as is in my opinion and again, you have proved how much of a good engineer you actually are. :) Glad those recent storms didn't harm you or your family.

very cool as ever. not utterly convinced of the greatness of the hymn myself, but you do a sterling job on it. there are a few 'straight' versions on youtube - needless to say this is far better than those!

I've heard this one, but certainly not done this way.  It's unusual like all your songs, but it works.  Nice!

Thanks Danny, Reece, Janet and all for your thoughts.  (I've recovered well from the tornados and power is now on in most of Huntsville, AL)

I've made corrections per Danny and Reece, but have other tweeks to make before re-posting (... after listening to Danny's latest collob with Tony, Bapu, and Phil ... which I relish).

I suppose in a strong chorus one should:

1) Raise the vocs levels and widen them or compress them more
2) Raise instrument levels and add percussives (though my beatz, per Reece, may be a little quirky ... but I tried without and it was dulls-ville -- without those beatz ... haha)
3) HPF the lead voc to be more to clear
4) Be bolder, nastier, and more vibrant

blessings all!

Just an amazing job on this.  I wouldn't know where to start with a piece like this, but you've done a wonderful job with it, Philip.  I always enjoys hearing those children sing.

Phillip,
I'm really glad I was meandering through the song forums today and noticed your latest.  Great song and great work put into it!  I love the production and the approach you gave to the hymm.  Very creative and definitely worth more then one listen.  Also loved the child's addition.  I did notice the things Danny Danzi mentioned (listened on my old Yamaha NS-10M's), but I figure you've heard enough about that stuff. 
I put it on my SC station so that I can just ENJOY it more.
Make more please!!!

Philip, this is just great. What a great musician you are - and your message is right on.

Good heavens, one just never knows what's going to come out of the speakers when you click a Phillip song!  It's got all sorts of everything all melded together... Salsa Beatles!  :D

Your creativity is inspiring.  And your child is so precious....