I record so rarely that I have to re-learn Sonar every time I use it. So for this basic slow rock song called "True to the One I Love" there were a few features that I wanted to try out:

1. The new Addictive Drums, which have the kits you can select. Pretty cool, although mine did not turn out as "Charlie Watts-y" as I'd hoped.

2. The Melodyne feature whereby one can create a semblance of ADT. This was applied to my daughters' backing vocals. Not bad, but not that noticeable either.

3. The concrete limiter, which has been around awhile, but I never had used it on an entire mix before exporting it. It seems to work really nicely to boost everything a bit before using some other 'mastering software.'

Does anyone master their songs right within Sonar? I haven't yet found a way that is simple enough for me.

I like this a lot - your daughter did a great job on the bv's.
You should record more often if this is what you come up with after a long break.

Great job on this! Agree completely with what Daryl said. Your mix is very nice as well.
 
I "master" in Sonar by exporting the project and importing into a new project. I like to keep them as separate projects. This works really well because I do parallel compression, saturation, etc as buses, then feed everything to a submix and limit into the master. I only do this for single songs though. If I was going to do an album, I'd probably use something like Wavelab.
 
Regards,
Dan
 
 

Just curious - when you say Melodyne creates a semblance of ADT, what's "ADT?" Probably an easy one, I don't get it though . . .
 
Nice tune, kind of psychadelic. Actually, more than kind of.  :)
 
cheers,
-Tom

emeraldsoul
Just curious - when you say Melodyne creates a semblance of ADT, what's "ADT?" Probably an easy one, I don't get it though . . .
 
Nice tune, kind of psychadelic. Actually, more than kind of.  :)
 
cheers,
-Tom

Automatic Double Tracking...
 
Regards,
Dan

Thanks Daryl. Back in the old 4-track cassette days, recording seemed quicker (although a lot more ragged!)
 
Dan, that's a great tip. I never even thought to do that. My paradigm must've been, "once it's exported it's permanently OUT of Sonar." Quite an oversight. I need to learn how to better use parallel compression and multiple buses.

Thanks Tom. With Melodyne it's fairly easy to double track by cloning the track and then letting Melodyne slightly randomize or correct the timing and pitch on the new track. However Beatles versions of this always sound best, as usual.

I appreciate the helpful responses,
Mark

I like it!  The mix sounds good here and it's got a great vibe, sort of Beatles-esque but different.   Well done.  
 
+1 to Daryl's comment - you should record more.     And ironically, your vocals remind me a little of Daryl's.  
 

Hey -- this is right in my pop wheelhouse so to speak -- really good recording and of course I like the 60s pop vibe a lot.  I listen to a lot of indie pop radio and this would fit comfortably on any of the programs I hear.  (My only nit was that some of the guitar phrases in the instrumental could be better executed.  Small nit tho.)  !!
 
Allan
===

Thanks Allan. And I agree about the guitar work: for some reason I stuck in that middle verse in a different key and then had to fill it. Stupid, sloppy idea. But my daughter said, "No, it's good. It's like XTC." (I know better than that; if only I could play like Dave Gregory.)

I wish that I could write in this style because I love listening to this so much.  This is a pop gem, and all the kudos in the world to your and your daughter.  Don't take too many breaks from recording, please.