I'm back!

[Alison]

I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated a while back with all the amazing music you all do. . . and it's mostly out of my genre although I am a very eclectic listener, if you will have me back, I'd love some input. I have learned a lot from you all and it's time to keep learning so. . .
A new song, totally out of my comfort zone but, I am having a great time with it. It's an original song written for the Black Lives Matter movement. Guitars are not perfect but, that's me on my electric recording through my Orange amp. . . I totally am into doing more recording as I am not comfortable playing venues these days so, hopefully, I'll have more to share (and participate more!) Thank you!

https://soundcloud.com/alison-reynolds/same-old-story

Since this, I have added compression to my vocals which tend to get out of control. . .
Guess it's been too long. . . sorry! Fixed the link

[SweetDan]

Hi. Glad you came 'round again.

I'm getting "track not found" when I try to listen to your new tune; perhaps it's set to private or something?

[Lt. Bob]

me too

[rayc]

I was looking forward to it but there's nothing there.

[Armistice]

Not really back, then...

[Alison]

Ooops! Guess it can't be private. . .

How's this? https://soundcloud.com/alison-reynolds/same-old-story

Fixed it on the original post too. . .sorry, it's been too long!!

[rayc]

Alison,
That's cooool.
The electric tones are cool too.
he only things that stick out are the the slightly odd rattle on the bass and the possibility that the main vocal has a different reverb or something compared to the rest of the mix.
Excellent narrative and a brooding, anxious mood.
BIG improvements in you mix craft!

[Lt. Bob]

I way like this .... wow .

VERY cool indeed ..... I don't have any nits actually ... maybe wish the guitar was up a tiny bit but i'm just in from a gig so my midrange might be down in my ears.
I'll check it again tomorrow.
Like this a lot!

[JD01]

Alison, this is excellent... you're having a good time learning to mix - you have an advantage, 'cos you're a good player to start with the mixing process is a lot easier.

The only thing that I can hear on it is that the snare seems a bit too far off centre and is a bit dry - add a touch more verb and put it more in the centre.

Good song, mate.

Ah, there's a wonky chord at 2:44.. doesn't matter much though, this is clearly one take.
Is this all your playing? I'm assuming the upright, guitars and vocals are yours.

[Alison]

Thanks, guys! I've been doing a lot of recording lately (what else is there to do?) and I wrote down ALL the advice you all have given me in the past so, you all need to take credit !
I actually used my electric cello to add the bass line. It has an extra low string (F) and I find it very difficult to keep it from rattling occasionally. I need to work on that!
I haven't done anything to the drum loop but will experiment with some reverb and put it back to the center.
Thanks so much for the confidence boost!

[rayc]

Wow, low F electric cello. Mine a trad four though I do use a bridge bug pickup to get weird with it. That explains the oddity at the end of notes.
No one else commented on it so maybe it's fine n dandy.
I've not used my cello in yonks. I had a "frozen" shoulder and despite recovering reasonably well the angle & height of my left hand on the finger board is quite uncomfortable these days. maybe I should go back to the physic for specific treatment.
Nevertheless - fab job!

[Greg_L]

I'd like to hear more guitar...like a tremolo twangy thing....but I don't know if it'd add anything so whatever. Mix seems okay to me. I think the entire drum buss could come down a little. And give it a proper ending!

[vomitHatSteve]

Welcome back! Glad you returned.

I do hear the buzz on the cello too.
Drums could definitely use some verb or room sound to place them more in the mix.
I like the guitar tone. Very warm

Good mix overall. Everything is sitting well level-wise.

[WhiskeyJack]

DANG! Firstly, I really really like how you have your back up ooh's in the verses mixed. They really stand out but also at the same time they don't. If that makes sense. Like they immediately stand out but in no way overtake the song or dominate it. Well Done!

Very good mix. Nothing really jumps out at me at all. The rattle on the bass is kind of cool i don't mind it at all on a personal preference level. It kind of adds to the vibe of it. The snare might be a little too up front i think. It sounds like it is sitting over top of your vocals. I might dial it back a wee bit. You could season it a bit with some verb as JD Said as well but maybe just bringing it back a bit might help.

Great to finally hear your Orange! I was excited to see you got one on twitter, and was very interested to see what you were going to do with it. but i admit i haven't been keeping up much on the twitter thing for months so if you have done anything with it prior to this and i missed it, Apologies. It sounds really good. I hear the Orange flavor in it.

Also welcome back. Great to see you back in here again.

[Armistice]

Yeah - pretty much what the others say. Nice work. The snare is a bit up and dry for me, but that's a personal preference.

As a song, I think it could be improved by some other form of melodic element in the "spare" parts - harmonica, simple lead guitar... something. But again, it's your song, so if you're happy with it, leave it alone.

[Alison]

Whiskey Jack. . . Thanks! I'm happy you liked it, I used mixverb on the background vocals to send them to the back.
I've also eliminated the buzz in the bassline (careful re-recording!) Put the guitars up more, added reverb to the drums and centered them. . . if I could play lead guitar, I'd add some but, I must do with what I have. Harmonica is a great idea but, my preferred harmonica player is back in Ohio. . . sigh.

I did bring up the guitars a tad and turned down the drums slightly, added a bit more reverb to my lead vocals. . . thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it!

[TripleM]

Very good. I like the electric guitar sounds. Vocal sounds good too.

Drums sound fine.

Maybe a nit on the bass tone. It sounds a little sterile and maybe midi-ish. Is there an edit in the bassline at 2:44? Sounded kind of like it.

Other than that, I thought this was very good.

[vomitHatSteve]

I've also eliminated the buzz in the bassline (careful re-recording!) Put the guitars up more, added reverb to the drums and centered them. . .

Is there a new mix at the same link, do you mean?

[Alison]

I've also eliminated the buzz in the bassline (careful re-recording!) Put the guitars up more, added reverb to the drums and centered them. . .

Is there a new mix at the same link, do you mean?

I haven't added the new mix here yet. . . still working on what to do with the end. I really like the end with just the drums but it needs something. . .

[Armistice]

. still working on what to do with the end. I really like the end with just the drums but it needs something. . .

A single harmonic note from a single string on the last beat... so you do the full strings just before, try one note right at the end.