To celebrate that my thesis is done, I recorded a song yesterday.
As per usual, I have no freaking clue what I'm doing when it comes to mixing, or when it comes to what style I want to achieve. So in case you don't mind what style of music you listen to, this might suit you.
Upon his Throne (http://www.andail.com/throne4.ogg)
Lyrics, arrangement and vocals all done by me.
I like it... it's very clean... what do you use to record?
I guess some of the sounds could blend in better (with a little compression), but I kinda like it this way. It's very very clean and also sounds a little silly in a good way.
It's very nice. Catchy, silly, etc.
Ok at first i have to say i like it, some parts remind me of 'cake'...i like cake.
Good recording. is it homemade?
Do you have another tracks, yet? Im intrested
And: i think it has the perfect melody to sing it when youre drunk ;D
Quote from: Andail on Sat 09/06/2007 12:20:07
As per usual, I have no freaking clue what I'm doing when it comes to mixing, or when it comes to what style I want to achieve.
I hear ya!
However, the song is really laid back and pleasant to ones ear. I like it. Didn't get a chance to consentrate on the lyrics yet since I'm in a bit of a hurry, but I think with better mixing this could sound brilliant. However, not hit material, so I doubt you'll make millions and millions. Oh, and btw, you couldn't sound more swedish in this :D
I noticed evil clipping all over the place, mainly the bass in the right channel.
I suggest lowering the volume of the bass in the right channel until it's the same as it is in the left one (I like having bass in the middle) and also lowering the overall volume of the song, thus making it more balanced and getting rid of clipping.
Damn, this is really nice!
Is it programmed drums? or electrical drums?
Anyway, I think if you got someone somehow to record real drums it would bring the song up ALOT.
Even though it is really good the way it is!
Ive been listening it a while now and I cant really say anything else than whats been said allready..
Oh, and I would really like to try and record some drums :P.
Edit:
Umm.. Did I just hear a womans moan then? :-/ (01:15)
Oh Andail. Started posting, kids called, deleted the post to come back and never came.
sorry mate.
I really like your melodies a lot! Your chord progression and everything! your style in general. Everything I've heard from you is great (both tracks ;D)
In this case:
Lyrics are lovely, nothing to say and not my area.
Music:
Chords, orchestration, playing (which was a problem last time) work just fine.
What doesn't work is the mixing I'm afraid...
Here is a list as the song goes into my ears:
1. (most important actually). The reverb in the drums and the lack of reverb in everything else. Reverb apart from adding a tail, also has the ability to throw towards the back everything. So at the moment, the drums sound like they are in the toilet or something, while the rest of the orchestra is in front of your face. Less reverb on the drums, more on voices, guitars, basses, and the lovely trumpet sound!
2. The trumpet could go a bit louder
3. And drums are heavily missing the crash cymbal. You go on a ride, on a break (in the very begining for example), and then... nothing. Add some cymbals and made them a bit louder...
4. Nothing else.
If you have a version without the reverb in the drums, and can give me the tracks 1 by 1 (2 guitars, 1 drumset, 1 bass, 2 voices and the trumpet!), I could try to mix it if you want... Let me know, or PM me, or something.
The song, as the madrigal before, is really catchy at least for me! And you got tons better at playing which is great! Just hope you want to get better at mixing as well :)
I tried following the lyrics, but the rhythm is bad on some lines and I can't hear the words. Perhaps listing the lyrics to reference?
Tone is well done. Mixing is alright.
Balance of the levels is off. Guitars are too loud and sometimes clip. Trumpet is nice, though quiet. But for digital, the instruments aren't awful, nor is the mixing to mask some of that digitally tone.
Vocals could use some help. Seems like this might not be your key. Voice is stretching and you can hear it. A trick you might want to try is record the vocals, then record them again listening to the first set and adjust your pitch accordingly. Then lose the first track, and retrack over the second, and so on. Eventually you can make small changes easily.
I can't play OGGs :/ Can someone convert it to mp3 or something please? I allways loved Petter' s songs.
Download winamp already ! :D
Evil: I actually liked his voice as such :) Probably personal taste, but... hey! why not?
Hmm, the melody is good, nice song. However, mastering needs work. Low and high sounds are too far apart, drums too sharp and a bit far away while bass guitar is too close. Do you have every instrument separately recorded or is the whole thing recorded together? I suggest you to put separate EQ for everyhting, especially bass.
Thanks a lot for all your advice!
Slightly new version. Re-recorded vocals, and re-mixed the whole thing again.
http://www.andail.com/throne4.ogg (http://www.andail.com/throne4.ogg)
Nacho, yeah try to obtain Winamp. We're all happier if we can avoid mp3 :)
This is a really nice melody! The style reminds me very much of "Village Green" by the kinks, what is one of the greatest compliments I could pay a song.
I don't have much to critique, because generally the digital instruments don't bother me. It is only the drums, that could do with a more percussion-like sound. And sometimes a little less syllables than"...never used to cry" or "...sleeps upon a throne" would maybe sound better, but that's only personal taste.
You could also change the background voice melody in parts in order to achieve the sound of a duet or a choire (I can't think of the word I have in mind in English, sorry).
I would love to listen to more songs of this kind.
Quote from: Meat on Tue 12/06/2007 14:27:50
This is a really nice melody! The style reminds me very much of "Village Green" by the kinks, what is one of the greatest compliments I could pay a song.
Dude, that compliment gave me goosebumps :) I love that album more than words can describe!
The abundance of syllables is very intentional, as I thought it could be a neat effect. I guess I won't change it at this stage, but I get the point.
About the drums; well as people have suggested they are digital keyboard drums, so for me to get something even vaguely acceptable is a huge feat. I could add a cymbal or something more "crashing" I guess.
just listening to it the 4th time. great melody, great overall atmosphere and a very pleasant voice. *click* 5th time :)
It IS the kind of song which you tend to repeat for a while and it gave me the giggles! (who says that?! 'it gave me the giggles' that's soo lame!)
I never thought your voice to be like that though, I always thought you would sound more like creed...it's probably because of your avatar.
I love this. Of course it's rough, but that's what I like about it. Great emotion and feel.
What might work is throwing a break, or a bridge or something in there. There is no real chorus, and queuing up the verses like that works, but just a few measures of something different (a slightly different chord pattern, etc.) would further strengthen the verses and enrich the whole tune.
For the vocals, I think you need to work on your intonation a little, but overall this is a nice achievement.
Good job!
Coming along! Great work, Andail.
My only concern is the mixing itself, isn't too focused. That's the downside of using panning, instead of thinking about sound layers.
Love the mouse clicks at the end! :)
I think it sounds a lot better than the last. Feels smoother to me. I'd try to be more specific, but the vocals are still bugging me. There are parts that are rushed and some that last to long. I tried to keep the pauses, but make it drastic.
Eh? (http://home.mchsi.com/~hday/throne_vocaltempo.mp3)
I think the vocal spacing will work... it's more of a vocal breathing technique issue. Honestly, Andail's sounded fine to me. There were a few of the faster parts in the lyrics which could be given more definition, but that's more about practicing it further.
Thanks again, people. The possitive feedback surprises me :)
Oz, yeah well that's a problem I always have; I don't plan my songs very well, I just start recording and verses tend to pile up rather repeatedly. I think it's because I'm more of a singer/songwriter kind of person (and not very much of that either, truthfully) than a studio guy or big band composer, and I lack imagination when it comes to orchestral arrangements.
But I really should try to include some sort of variation, maybe a bridge, maybe a guitar solo or something.
Greg, thanks for your support. Feel free to explain both layers and breathing techniques further!
Evil, that was pretty interesting, and I see your point. I like your experimental take on this! I do indeed agree that my voice is a weak link. God knows how many times I've considered engaging a good singer for my creations, but then my music has never been my prime occupation and such projects have always died.
It was interesting to hear your version with more subtle chord - what's it called in English? Nuances? (7's and 9's and sus etc). It was a brand new song, but it was nice :)
Quote from: Andail on Wed 13/06/2007 10:02:32
God knows how many times I've considered engaging a good singer for my creations, but then my music has never been my prime occupation and such projects have always died...
More of curiosity and sadness maybe, what will happen then to this song? Reach it's potential from you and then die away?
I would honestly BUY this track. (and the madrigal actually. If you remember I eve tried to make a remake of the track (and failed people...)). I'm not saying that you should consider a career in music, but that maybe bring the songs to a better level (or maybe collaborate with people to make them better?). I'm pretty sure that here in AGS (since, as you can see, you have many fans now) people who know a bit of things would love to help you out, no AGSers? ;)
Quote from: Andail on Wed 13/06/2007 10:02:32
Evil, that was pretty interesting, and I see your point. I like your experimental take on this! I do indeed agree that my voice is a weak link. God knows how many times I've considered engaging a good singer for my creations, but then my music has never been my prime occupation and such projects have always died.
It was interesting to hear your version with more subtle chord - what's it called in English? Nuances? (7's and 9's and sus etc). It was a brand new song, but it was nice :)
I'm not saying your voice is a weak link. There are just a lot of different things going on at once with the vocals that make it seem, not bad, just out of place. Your accent on top of some little intonation issues, doubled and panned, with melody that changes pace. It's a lot happening, and not a lot of time to take it all in. Not saying that it's all bad, but it just sounds bad. It's sort of like everyone soloing at once. They all may be awesome solos, but if they're not doing close to the same thing at the same time, there are some misplaced notes and "accidentals" that are a pain to the ear.
As for the progression, I couldn't quite figure out what was being played, so I went with basic power chords. Still couldn't find the second chord, so I made one up. I think it's a Dm/F.
D5, Dm/F (x655xx), G5, C5, G5, C5, G5, F5, D5
Quote from: Evil on Wed 13/06/2007 19:46:59
I'm not saying your voice is a weak link. There are just a lot of different things going on at once with the vocals that make it seem, not bad, just out of place. Your accent on top of some little intonation issues, doubled and panned, with melody that changes pace. It's a lot happening, and not a lot of time to take it all in. Not saying that it's all bad, but it just sounds bad. It's sort of like everyone soloing at once. They all may be awesome solos, but if they're not doing close to the same thing at the same time, there are some misplaced notes and "accidentals" that are a pain to the ear.
I absolutely do NOT agree to that. I totally love your voice on this track, Andail, and would urge you not to change it. For me the way you sing it creates the whole charm of the song. It makes it unusual, unconventional and a bit whacky, but everything in a very good way imo. I agree that the arrangement could use some more work, but apart from that I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I'd love to hear more from you as I'm listening to this one practically non-stop. Keep it up! :D
Hehe, it reminds me of older Lemon Demon tracks! Not lyrically perhaps, but the melodies and backing vocals sound very similar. I remember some of your older songs and I must say this is a great improvement. I personally like your voice, but I kinda agree with Evil on that the vocals sound a bit... how to say it... messy? Then again, I'm listening this on a laptop without proper speakers or headphones, it probably sounds much different with better speakers.
Also, as you said yourself, some variation would be good. But overall I do like it and you're doing well, just keep it up. :)
Instead of spamming the lounge with new threads, I thought I'd squeeze this one in here.
New version of Morning Breaks (http://www.andail.com/morningbreaks.ogg). Some of you might have heard it before, in other versions.
Note that this is much less experimental than the previous piece in this thread, so expect something much more plain and ordinary, not to say cheesy.
The instrumental bridge is still unfinished - I lack some sort of solo there - so suggestions would be appreciated.
A lot less for me to bicker about on this one. ;)
Mix sounds great. Harmonica could be a little warmer. Not to sure about the weird synth pad/orchestrated part. I think a piano would work just as well there.
As for the vocals (Oh, you knew it was coming), they sound great! During the first half of the song, there are a few parts where both sets of vocals are singing the same notes and one is slightly off. But other than that they're a'okay.
LOL, for a moment I thought 14/6 was the time signature.