Perfectly Imperfect

[Alison]

I think this is my theme song. I wrote it as a challenge from a Twitter friend. I hesitated to post it but, I truly value your input. . .It's quirky, it's silly and it's got. . .ukulele!

After I put in all the instruments, I thought the bass should sound more like a Tuba. . .yeah, I did mention "quirky". So. I Eq'd it with a trombone preset to hopefully make it sound more hornish.

I tend to write kitschy, catchy songs, unlike the stuff you guys post. Just trying to learn more about mixing so. . . here ya go, have at it!

Perfectly Imperfect.mp3

Changed a few things. . .went back to a regular bass sound (as much as I can get with my cello) and re-tracked the bass, Changed the eq on my vocals (that's what I get for experimenting!), and added a second uke line towards the end.

Perfectly Imperfect.mp3

[CrowsofFritz]

Very nice! Some ooohs and aaahs harmonies in the background could be nice, too.

This reminds me of music I’d hear at Dollywood. Not sure if you know what that is, but it’s Dolly Parton’s amusement park, and it’s near where I live.

[stratmonkee]

Cool, I like that Bass tone/sound a lot! Great lyrics, thought the mix was "perfect" for the song, nice performance, enjoyed it.

[Alison]

Very nice! Some ooohs and aaahs harmonies in the background could be nice, too.

This reminds me of music I’d hear at Dollywood. Not sure if you know what that is, but it’s Dolly Parton’s amusement park, and it’s near where I live.

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I have heard of Dollywood, I'll take that as a compliment!

[Alison]

Cool, I like that Bass tone/sound a lot! Great lyrics, thought the mix was "perfect" for the song, nice performance, enjoyed it.

Thank you for listening, I'm glad you like it. Nice to "meet" you, by the way, I look forward to listening to your music!

[SweetDan]

Groovy tune, and the bass part does sound tuba-ish. Nice. (It's your cello, right?)

The drum/percussion parts are a tiny bit too loud (or too clear) in the mix than the vocals and other instruments, and I think you could turn them down in relation (or turn up the vocal and non-percussive parts). It also sounds like the vocal is coming through a telephone, like there's not quite enough clarity on the high end; it could use a boost up high (or if you've rolled off the highs with an EQ, maybe it was a bit too much?).

[Alison]

Groovy tune, and the bass part does sound tuba-ish. Nice. (It's your cello, right?)

The drum/percussion parts are a tiny bit too loud (or too clear) in the mix than the vocals and other instruments, and I think you could turn them down in relation (or turn up the vocal and non-percussive parts). It also sounds like the vocal is coming through a telephone, like there's not quite enough clarity on the high end; it could use a boost up high (or if you've rolled off the highs with an EQ, maybe it was a bit too much?).

Yes, the bassline is my cello.
I totally agree about the vocals! I was trying something different with the eq and kind of missed my mark!

I’ll check out changing the percussion. Thanks so much for listening and your input!

[TripleM]

The instrumentation is cool. I really like that. The acoustic guitar on the right sounds very good.

The vocal is a bit boxy. But I think it works pretty well in the mix. Caught a pitch problem in a spot or two.

The "bass" has a little "rubber band" sound to it. Caught a sharp note or two. The performance was perfectly imperfect.

The harmonies were nice.

[rayc]

COOL song...yes rubber band rather than tuba to my ears but fun nevertheless.
Lovely clear vocal particularly as you sing higher.
Well done.

[Alison]

The instrumentation is cool. I really like that. The acoustic guitar on the right sounds very good.

The vocal is a bit boxy. But I think it works pretty well in the mix. Caught a pitch problem in a spot or two.

The "bass" has a little "rubber band" sound to it. Caught a sharp note or two. The performance was perfectly imperfect.

The harmonies were nice.

Well, guess I'm living up to the song! A work in progress. . . thank you for your input and for listening!

[Alison]

COOL song...yes rubber band rather than tuba to my ears but fun nevertheless.
Lovely clear vocal particularly as you sing higher.
Well done.

Thank you! Yeah, it's kind of hard to get a cello to sound like a tuba going to have to look up tuba eq. . .wish I played tuba, this song is quirky enough for it! Thanks for listening!

[JD01]

Cool, song Alison. I reckon I'd prefer a more normal bass tone. But you're going for something weird and it doesn't sound bad!
There's some weird note choices in there... I think its on the uke, where it just sounds out of tune as opposed to weird, perfectly imperfect? It doesn't necessarily sound bad, just really catches my ear.
The Uke also sounds pretty close to the centre - I'd stick it further to the left to get it out of the way of other things.
I actually think your vocal is a bit loud on this, you could probably turn it down a bit and give it a hint more reverb - the lead sounds pretty dry as is.

You still plugging away learning EZ Drummer?

[Alison]

Cool, song Alison. I reckon I'd prefer a more normal bass tone. But you're going for something weird and it doesn't sound bad!
There's some weird note choices in there... I think its on the uke, where it just sounds out of tune as opposed to weird, perfectly imperfect? It doesn't necessarily sound bad, just really catches my ear.
The Uke also sounds pretty close to the centre - I'd stick it further to the left to get it out of the way of other things.
I actually think your vocal is a bit loud on this, you could probably turn it down a bit and give it a hint more reverb - the lead sounds pretty dry as is.

You still plugging away learning EZ Drummer?

Thanks, JD, I really value your ears! Was listening to it last night and went, oops! My poor fat fingers have a tough time with those tiny spaces!
Might redo my vocals, I don't like the way I am over pronouncing some of the lyrics. I also tried something different in the Eq and kind of missed the mark. . .a work in progress!
And, yes, I am still plugging away with EzDrummer. Still can't get a midi track in my DAW and I'm thinking it may be because I don't have the "pro" version. When I try to get a midi track, it keeps asking me to plug something in. Maybe a midi controller is in my future?

Thanks for listening and commenting, I appreciate your input.

[JD01]

Cool, song Alison. I reckon I'd prefer a more normal bass tone. But you're going for something weird and it doesn't sound bad!
There's some weird note choices in there... I think its on the uke, where it just sounds out of tune as opposed to weird, perfectly imperfect? It doesn't necessarily sound bad, just really catches my ear.
The Uke also sounds pretty close to the centre - I'd stick it further to the left to get it out of the way of other things.
I actually think your vocal is a bit loud on this, you could probably turn it down a bit and give it a hint more reverb - the lead sounds pretty dry as is.

You still plugging away learning EZ Drummer?

Thanks, JD, I really value your ears! Was listening to it last night and went, oops! My poor fat fingers have a tough time with those tiny spaces!
Might redo my vocals, I don't like the way I am over pronouncing some of the lyrics. I also tried something different in the Eq and kind of missed the mark. . .a work in progress!
And, yes, I am still plugging away with EzDrummer. Still can't get a midi track in my DAW and I'm thinking it may be because I don't have the "pro" version. When I try to get a midi track, it keeps asking me to plug something in. Maybe a midi controller is in my future?

Thanks for listening and commenting, I appreciate your input.

Hmmm, regarding MIDI - nothing will be cheaper than downloading and having a quick play with Reaper... its free!

[vomitHatSteve]

I was getting more of an upright bass mic'd weirdly tone than trombone from the bass cello. It's a very goofy, rubber-bandy tone, but I think it's distinct and intentional sounding enough that it really works. The only critique I have on that is the sour notes.

A little more vocal brightness would probably help. Uke is a very bright instrument, and dark vox next to it doesn't seem to match great.

A lot going on in this mix, but it all seems pretty well balanced level-wise.

[WhiskeyJack]

LOL!!

I like this song. It's great topically. In a way i think you should just leave it as an inside joke to the listener. There are a few bum notes here and there and it adds just the right amount of human imperfection to the topic of the jam. I think i get it.

Mix wise it is sort of perfectly imperfect to go with the jam lol.

that said though i think your hi hat could come down a wee bit in the mix, and there is something about the vocal capture or how it has been processed that just sounds a bit thin and hollow compared to your other stuff. Again though, for the sake of the song i wouldn't change it unless you want ot have a top shelf mix.

Also, I hear the tuba even though it sounds nothing like a tuba. But i do hear it. kinda farty but not so farty enough to know it is a real tuba.

[Alison]

I have posted a new mix in my original post and have made some changes (no more wonky bassline). Made these changes before I saw @vomitHatSteve and @WhiskeyJack 's comments but, I think I have addressed the issues mentioned. . .except that I actually raised the high hat a tad! Guess it boils down to personal preference.
Anyway, thanks for listening everyone and giving your input, I really do appreciate it! This truly is now my theme song!

[WhiskeyJack]

OHHH I like the new mix! this sounds really good. Really well balanced sounding now. The vocals are more like what i am used to hearing. A little more body to them. Mix got a bit louder and fuller to you must have ran a quick master on it too then. that really brought it to life. But cleaning up your bass helped heaps too!!

good job @Alison

[CeeBee]

A great improvement, a nice song and as usual beautifully sung. @Alison you could sing the phone book and it would still sound great

[Alison]

OHHH I like the new mix! this sounds really good. Really well balanced sounding now. The vocals are more like what i am used to hearing. A little more body to them. Mix got a bit louder and fuller to you must have ran a quick master on it too then. that really brought it to life. But cleaning up your bass helped heaps too!!

good job @Alison

Thanks, @WhiskeyJack! I was experimenting with other settings, which obviously didn't work so I went back to my old standby. . .used a limiter on my vocals to bring them out rather than raising the volume and I eliminated compression. . . glad you liked it!