Haven't been here in a while!
 
My first recordings were done back in the days of 4-track cassette recorders (Fostex X-15) and some cheap-o synths (Yamaha FB-01, a Casio something-or-other I can't remember, and a Yamaha PSR-500). I cringe when I hear those tracks now, but I learned a lot in the process. A couple songs I thought were salvageable, though, so I isolated the vocals from each song, imported them into SONAR, and then did a complete overhaul with sparkling new arrangements (with much better synths etc. at my disposal now, and more arranging experience behind me).
 
I think they turned out pretty good overall, although my weakest link is still my mastering skills. If anyone cares to listen, I'd be glad to get feedback. I'm curious as to whether they sound more modern now. I believe one was originally produced in '93, the other in '96.
 
Thanks!
 
https://soundcloud.com/pjfarrauto/sets/redux-1
Other stuff: http://www.soundclick.com...ault.cfm?bandID=588199

Vocals seem a bit lost in both songs. I'm not sure I'm qualified to say if they are more modern sounding but the instrumentation sounds good to me.

Thanks bapu
 
Yeah, lol, I'm always accused of either mixing vox too loud or too soft. I really need to learn how to use a compressor properly. Also, the vocal tracks were recorded a long time ago using a less than stellar mic (some cheap Radio Shack thing) and an old 4-track cassette recorder so they were thin to start with.

Multiband EQ for sound shaping and dynamics might fix the recording. Also Mid/Side processors can balance the different bands with a recording if you have no other choice. Also some noise filtering will be useful so you can emphasise what you want people to hear.

I listened to "Celebrate". Your new music tracks are nice and solid. The vocals are well sung but sound very distant and wet. If you can get them up front and they are not too thin and "reverby", you can probably keep them. It's a hard job trying to update old tape tracks. If you've already retracked the rest of the tune, you're 90% there, and new voices on new equipment would really shine. Good luck..............Ron.

interpolated —
 
You're right, of course. I just find EQs frustrating to work with. I can get something sounding great in my studio, but then I play it in the car and the bottom end's gone and way too much top or the bottom will be ridiculously thick or whatever. Putting a commercial CD in sounds great but the same Bass/Treble settings on my stuff sound way different. I wish I understood that part of the mastering process better.

savageopera
I listened to "Celebrate". Your new music tracks are nice and solid. The vocals are well sung but sound very distant and wet. If you can get them up front and they are not too thin and "reverby", you can probably keep them. It's a hard job trying to update old tape tracks. If you've already retracked the rest of the tune, you're 90% there, and new voices on new equipment would really shine. Good luck..............Ron.

I know what you mean by "reverby". Back when the vocals were recorded my setup was very cheap and limited. I had to record the reverb with the vocals, unfortunately, so I can't bring the level down. And it was a cheap reverb unit to boot. I did go through the track and eliminate as much of the reverb tail as possible between phrases. It helped a little.

SPL Deverb is good at reducing reverb tails and ambience. It' s like a reverse transient tool for fixing excessive ambience. It's not an instant fix and works better on solo elements however if you still have an isolated vocal stem it might be worth a shot.
 

I'VE always found,
without fail,
that you end up with far better results,
simply re-recording everything with a current rig.
 

Really a pretty good song.  OK, now I'm gonna ask the unaskable question; Are you a guy or a gal?  I ask because I really like your vocal, what I can hear.  If a guy, a stellar top end vocal.  If a gal, a stellar vocal.  I too would like to hear the whole thing re recorded on modern equip.  I really like the beat.  i give it a 9 to dance to.