I Try (COVID blues)

[Alison]

I really don't have anything new to post but, thought I'd send this out to you all for some feedback. My music is so different from what you guys post, it is a bit intimidating, I'm a folky from way back, trying to branch out a bit. . . anyway, I posted this song a while back and got some great feedback. @JD01 sent a guitar track which was awesome! I'm not much of a guitar player but, @JD01 is, so I appreciate his efforts on this. I also re-recorded the cello break. Did it on my acoustic rather than the electric. I ran into some CPU problems so had to delete some effects in order to hear what was going on. anyway, here is another mix. . .

I Try (JD guitar)(2).mp3

Many thanks to all you rebels for helping me with my "pops and crackles" issue! Bussing the effects worked like a charm and I was finally able to get more work done on this song So, here's the latest mix. I added more reverb to JD's guitar and brought up the right-side guitar a tad. Took out the cymbals and added a kick with the bassline. I centered the cello break but, for some reason, it still sounds a bit to the left. . . maybe it's my ears!
Anyway. . .

I Try.mp3

[JD01]

I enjoyed playing this. Was one of them things where you kind of get into a bit of a trance just jamming on it.
Also, and helpfully, I'd really bothered having my guitar tuned to DADGAD before. 'cos my telecaster was floating around the house in DADGAD I ended up writing a couple of new songs using the tuning which I wouldn't have found otherwise.

So, your mix:
I think my guitar part could do with a touch of re-verb - it sounds closer than the right guitar, also the right guitar is a bit quieter.
This isn't that important though - I probably wouldn't even notice it if it wasn't me playing. After the song gets going it just blends in to the background as it should.

hmm, the only thing that I think is actually problematic is the hi-hat that comes in on the off-beat in the picking bit.
The hi-hat is too loud and too dry. I agree you should switch to the off-beat on this but could you stick to a similar drum sound to what you already have in the song?

Cello break sounds great.
The cello riffs after "theories of conspiracy..." has quite a cool tone on it. Does that have an effect? Like a phaser/chorus or something? Anyway, possibly give it a touch of reverb - its really close so it sits back in the mix a bit more.

Good mix, Alison.

[rayc]

COOOOOL song...yes, left guitar is louder and more apparent.
Vocal is terrific.
HiHat - yeah, a bit too loud and the beat is uncomfortable...why not either hit when the bass plays or between bass notes.
The cello is cooool. I'd rather have had the solo up the middle personally.

[CeeBee]

Like! I like your vocals a lot and the cello is very nice, could do with a touch more bite to give it more presence. Nice one.

[musicturtle]

Sounds really good. Your vocals are outstanding.

As the others said, that hi-hat is kinda weird as far as timing goes.

Cool tune, I really like it.

[Alison]

Thank you, everyone, for the replies, I appreciate it!

I did have some reverb on the hi-hat in the middle section but had some CPU problems (lots of pops and crackles) when I took off the reverb it did help somewhat. . . don't know why I'm getting so much popping and crackling. The idea behind the hi-hat was to create a 3 against 2 feel and increase the tension in that section (stems from years of playing scales, three notes in two beats!) I like @JD01 's suggestion of trying a different sound. (glad you got into the open tuning ) And, yes, the cellos in the last section have a bit of phase going on.

Personally, I like the 3 against 2 and will definitely do some experimenting with a different sound and not make it so "in your face"!
@CeeBee by "bite" do you mean Eq wise?

I actually doubled the solo line, the one on the right has some phase effect on it but, maybe I tucked it away too much!
Anyway, I'll get to work on a few changes and get back to you. Thank you!

[vomitHatSteve]

What happens with those hats if you do a tighter sound and double the tempo? That might be cool for increasing the energy in the changeup.

I like the dark woodwind tone on this. (Sax? Oboe?)

JD's guit being as dry as it is kind of works. It's a very retro kind of sound.

[TripleM]

The vocals are really really good. Lead is nice and clear without being strident. The harmony vocals sound awesome.

I thought the bass could use a little more warmth. Maybe it has a low end boost? Or a low-midrange cut? Anyway, it sounds a little sterile.

Cello recording sounds real nice. Center it maybe? The mix leans to the left in several spots, including the lead break.

I hear what JD is saying about the dryness of his guitar. It's dryer than the other parts, most noticeably the sax. If it were me, I'd dry up the sax. Make them just a bit wetter than the vocal.

But this is real good.

[Alison]

The vocals are really really good. Lead is nice and clear without being strident. The harmony vocals sound awesome.

I thought the bass could use a little more warmth. Maybe it has a low end boost? Or a low-midrange cut? Anyway, it sounds a little sterile.

Cello recording sounds real nice. Center it maybe? The mix leans to the left in several spots, including the lead break.

I hear what JD is saying about the dryness of his guitar. It's dryer than the other parts, most noticeably the sax. If it were me, I'd dry up the sax. Make them just a bit wetter than the vocal.

But this is real good.

Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it. Just uploaded a fresh mix (after addressing some "pop and crackle" issues which have been resolved thanks to expert advice from fellow rebels!) I think (I hope) I have addressed all issues with the first mix. I am such a novice! Don't know what I'd do without recording rebels! Fresh ears are worth their weight in gold!

[JD01]

Yeah - bussing reverbs is definitely a win! My projects will often have one reverb impulse on a single track... but receiving sends from 20 or 25 tracks. That would be a CPU disaster if I didn't have a reverb buss.

This is a much better mix, Alison. Have you bought your backings up too?
Yeah - your cello solo is off to the left a bit, sounds good.

I actually like that the cymbals drop out on the picked guitar bit and its now just left with that kick pulse.
Listened to it two or three times now and I can't hear anything I'd immediately change.

So is this gonna be on your "Covid Diaries" EP?

[rayc]

Excellent update.
Well sone.

[Lt. Bob]

nice .... it is much improved ...... I can hear everything ..... ummm, are there horns on this thing?
I hadn't noticed them before.
Or is it just strings sounding like horns?

[Alison]

Yeah - bussing reverbs is definitely a win! My projects will often have one reverb impulse on a single track... but receiving sends from 20 or 25 tracks. That would be a CPU disaster if I didn't have a reverb buss.

This is a much better mix, Alison. Have you bought your backings up too?
Yeah - your cello solo is off to the left a bit, sounds good.

I actually like that the cymbals drop out on the picked guitar bit and its now just left with that kick pulse.
Listened to it two or three times now and I can't hear anything I'd immediately change.

So is this gonna be on your "Covid Diaries" EP?

Thanks, JD, I'm glad you like it especially since you are a big part of it. Yes, I brought up the guitars a bit, especially in the middle section. Really tried to center the cello solo but. . . sigh!
I did a bunch of recording last year (what else was there to do?) so, I'm definitely going through and putting on the finishing touches. Not really sure what I'll do with them but, I thought "COVID Diaries" had a nice ring to it
Thank you, @rayc I learn so much from all of you! This is what keeps me going these days. . .

[Alison]

nice .... it is much improved ...... I can hear everything ..... ummm, are there horns on this thing?
I hadn't noticed them before.
Or is it just strings sounding like horns?

There is a sax line, courtesy of a friend of mine. Other than that, no horns.

[CeeBee]

Sounds good, nice job.