Newest song from my peanut gallery

[333maxwell]

Ok.. be gentle..

It's my first experiment using the 'mixer' (novel idea.. I know)

Until now I have invidiualy recorded wavs, then mixed them together and the biggest controls I have had is being able to increase or decrease each tracks db level by 3 db's.

Well, turns out this way is a lot more efficient, not that the end results are noticibly much different..

Thanks for the ear..

The song is 'To You'

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page...?bandID=676362

[333maxwell]

I guess it is safe to assume, that from the amount of listens, and not one reply, that the song sucks..

Thats the problem I find.. one gets so involved with a song, they themselves become tone deaf to it..

Well, back to the ol drawing board.. thanks to those who did give it a listen, and were kind enough not to thrash me over it!

[sunvalleylaw]

I don't think that at all. I rather like it, esp. the base instrumentals. I just hadn't got to listening to it til now. The vocals are a bit echoey for my taste, and the lead solo a little too. Made the solo sound a little distant. The song is nice though. Please take that as it was intended, helpful comments from one who can't do what you did yet.

[333maxwell]

I don't think that at all. I rather like it, esp. the base instrumentals. I just hadn't got to listening to it til now. The vocals are a bit echoey for my taste, and the lead solo a little too. Made the solo sound a little distant. The song is nice though. Please take that as it was intended, helpful comments from one who can't do what you did yet.

Thanks for taking the time to feedback!

Likely what you here is not reverb (aside from teh doubling on the vocals) but a strange anomaly I get when I convert wav to mp3 and then upload them to soundclick.. if you listen to a few of my other songs like Junkyard Blues or After Hours, they all have this strange swishing swirling ambinet thing I can't get rid of..

Perplexing and frustrating..

thanks again!!

[sunvalleylaw]

Thanks for taking the time to feedback!

Likely what you here is not reverb (aside from teh doubling on the vocals) but a strange anomaly I get when I convert wav to mp3 and then upload them to soundclick.. if you listen to a few of my other songs like Junkyard Blues or After Hours, they all have this strange swishing swirling ambinet thing I can't get rid of..

Perplexing and frustrating..

thanks again!!

Oh ok, I get it on the swishing. I listened to Junkyard also to compare and noticed a little of the same thing. I think I would turn down the doubling on the vocal just a bit as well. But I agree with Justa, I was reminded of A Beatle: John.

[333maxwell]

Oh ok, I get it on the swishing. I listened to Junkyard also to compare and noticed a little of the same thing. I think I would turn down the doubling on the vocal just a bit as well. But I agree with Justa, I was reminded of A Beatle: John.

No shame in Beatles comparisons..

Heck...

They once had me outnumbered 4 to 1.. now it is down to 2 to 1..

Not that I wish anything bad on Ringo!!

____________

Thanks for the ear.. I do enjoy the feedback so!

[333maxwell]

Thanks for the support everyone who listened.. as a result the song went to #7 in the pop category, which is a tough one to climb up in..

All downhill from here, but thanks to those who took the time to have a listen!

[Justaguyin_nc]

Pretty neat actually...would agree with the to much echo on the voice... but in a way... it reminds me of "The Beatles"... enjoyed the lead riff at the beginning too.. and then the build at around 2:00... thought it all was pretty good..

Heck, I would be happy to do half as good..!

[333maxwell]

Pretty neat actually...would agree with the to much echo on the voice... but in a way... it reminds me of "The Beatles"... enjoyed the lead riff at the beginning too.. and then the build at around 2:00... thought it all was pretty good..

Heck, I would be happy to do half as good..!

You are very kind, thanks..

I was just going in to take it down.. guess I will leave it on a bit longer and see if it passes the mustre.. after hearing them so many times I never know if they suck or not.

thanks for your time!

[Pickngrin]

Nice job on the track! I also hear some Lennon influence. What is involved in doing "VST horns"?

[333maxwell]

Nice job on the track! I also hear some Lennon influence. What is involved in doing "VST horns"?

VST horns means I used a VST host program, to use a VST program that allows me to transfer midi files that I create, into 'samples' or 'patches' of various 'soft synth' (Software synthesizers).

There are FREEE VST host programs (The program that lets you utilize the 'stuff') available on the net, and there are a million samples to be found all over the net, or you could create your own samples and trigger them..

____

In My case for Spy music, VST Horns means I used a 'sampler' device to trigger 'single horn hits' ..

Much like a SOUND FONT?? If you are familiar with soundfonts, then you get VST instruments..

[Pickngrin]

VST horns means I used a VST host program, to use a VST program that allows me to transfer midi files that I create, into 'samples' or 'patches' of various 'soft synth' (Software synthesizers).

There are FREEE VST host programs (The program that lets you utilize the 'stuff') available on the net, and there are a million samples to be found all over the net, or you could create your own samples and trigger them..

In My case for Spy music, VST Horns means I used a 'sampler' device to trigger 'single horn hits' ..

Much like a SOUND FONT?? If you are familiar with soundfonts, then you get VST instruments..

I'm not familiar with sound fonts (other than having heard the term before). I had heard of VSTs before, but didn't really know what they were. Impressive that you incorporated those but are new to using a mixer...
thanks for the info

[333maxwell]

I'm not familiar with sound fonts (other than having heard the term before). I had heard of VSTs before, but didn't really know what they were. Impressive that you incorporated those but are new to using a mixer...
thanks for the info

"Impressive that you incorporated those but are new to using a mixer..."

Well.. not really.. counter impressive actualy *G*..

I had been 'mixing' per sey, but only by taking each individual track, making them wav, and then 'incorporating' them..

It served my purpose well enough until revently when I have tried to do a bit more.. hence the virtual 'mixer'..

No stranger to real HARDWARE mixers, but I have never used a 'software' one before.. and my machine resources are bad enough that I can't do any actual 'real time' fading of volume increases (I have to DRAW) them instead.. because the knobs move, but the sound doesn't represent those movements until I play back.. in other words I have no clue how much I turn something down or up until I play it back.

____________

As for VST, well I had no clue they even existed until a few months ago..

It is MORE than just 'instruments' it is also FX and room simulotors etc.. pretty exciting stuff.. I can't believe they were right in front of me all the time, and I had no clue about them.

Being a bit of a keyboard player I had used 'Fonts' for several years.. but VST is a WHOLE other world..

Like I say (and when I get more time if you are interested I can get you links).. one can get a FREE host (vst program) off the net, and there are literally THOUSANDS of free FX and Instruments and samplers available all over the web.. they are not of the 'quality' of the 'real thing'.. but for free they are DELIGHTFUL for the budget hobbiest.. they could be the last free, fun and useful frontier on the net left standing..

All one needs is a Midi Keyboard (I use a childs toy I got at Wallmart) .. it will have midi in and out on the back.. then one needs a midi to USB (or com port) cord.. available at most any music store..

With the keyboard and the cord and the free VST stuff, a guy could be composing small symphonys if he had the time and inclination..

As I get time I will come up with some links for you.. you sound curious, and if you are like me you will be AMAZED you had no clue about them, and a mini expert a few days later.

Cheers!

[Pickngrin]

"Impressive that you incorporated those but are new to using a mixer..."

Well.. not really.. counter impressive actualy *G*..

I had been 'mixing' per sey, but only by taking each individual track, making them wav, and then 'incorporating' them..

It served my purpose well enough until revently when I have tried to do a bit more.. hence the virtual 'mixer'..

No stranger to real HARDWARE mixers, but I have never used a 'software' one before.. and my machine resources are bad enough that I can't do any actual 'real time' fading of volume increases (I have to DRAW) them instead.. because the knobs move, but the sound doesn't represent those movements until I play back.. in other words I have no clue how much I turn something down or up until I play it back.

____________

As for VST, well I had no clue they even existed until a few months ago..

It is MORE than just 'instruments' it is also FX and room simulotors etc.. pretty exciting stuff.. I can't believe they were right in front of me all the time, and I had no clue about them.

Being a bit of a keyboard player I had used 'Fonts' for several years.. but VST is a WHOLE other world..

Like I say (and when I get more time if you are interested I can get you links).. one can get a FREE host (vst program) off the net, and there are literally THOUSANDS of free FX and Instruments and samplers available all over the web.. they are not of the 'quality' of the 'real thing'.. but for free they are DELIGHTFUL for the budget hobbiest.. they could be the last free, fun and useful frontier on the net left standing..

All one needs is a Midi Keyboard (I use a childs toy I got at Wallmart) .. it will have midi in and out on the back.. then one needs a midi to USB (or com port) cord.. available at most any music store..

With the keyboard and the cord and the free VST stuff, a guy could be composing small symphonys if he had the time and inclination..

As I get time I will come up with some links for you.. you sound curious, and if you are like me you will be AMAZED you had no clue about them, and a mini expert a few days later.

Cheers!

Very cool, thanks so much for the information...
I don't have a MIDI controller or keyboard, nor do I play keyboard, but I'd like to be able to mess around with some of the synthesized instruments. I could keep my eyes open for a cheap keyboard.

[Mark]

Go to my link below and do some reading great info for all types of setups for home recording. Your clip is really cool it has lots of dynamic, and flavors to it, not my personal cup of tea stylewise, so I thought, but I could not turn it off cause it was so cool I wanted to see where you went with each change. My compliments! You hooked me! You have good potential judging from what you produce with your given setup. Get an EMU or other good converter and youll be golden. Read up at tweakheads its a fantastic resource http://www.tweakheadz.com/index.html

[Spudman***]

I simply haven't had much time to listen so that is why I have taken my time in checking out this thread, now I'm glad that I did check it out.

With "the grace of a dancer" you aptly capture John Lennon and Jeff Lynne. Very good.
Keep up the good work. It sounds like you put a lot of heart into this and that is one ingredient that makes great music. (clap, clap, clap)

[333maxwell]

I simply haven't had much time to listen so that is why I have taken my time in checking out this thread, now I'm glad that I did check it out.

With "the grace of a dancer" you aptly capture John Lennon and Jeff Lynne. Very good.
Keep up the good work. It sounds like you put a lot of heart into this and that is one ingredient that makes great music. (clap, clap, clap)

Jeff Lynne.. now THERE is an influence no one has mentioned yet.. I always liked that guy.. he is also a great producer... not to mention anyone who has worked with intent with Roy Orbison is a class act in my book.

Thanks for the feedback!

[333maxwell]

Go to my link below and do some reading great info for all types of setups for home recording. Your clip is really cool it has lots of dynamic, and flavors to it, not my personal cup of tea stylewise, so I thought, but I could not turn it off cause it was so cool I wanted to see where you went with each change. My compliments! You hooked me! You have good potential judging from what you produce with your given setup. Get an EMU or other good converter and youll be golden. Read up at tweakheads its a fantastic resource http://www.tweakheadz.com/index.html

I'm at tweakheadz as we speak.,. there is going to be a lot to read.. thanks for the resource and the feedback..

Very nice of you to take your time to help me try to figure this out!

[jpfeifer]

Hi 333Maxwell,

Great! I really like this tune. Most of all I like your production ideas. I really love that doubled vocal with delay. I reminds me of the way John Lennon recoreded his vocals - I'm a sucker for Beatle sounds -- way to go -- you got me!! The synth pad sounds are also very nice for this song.

Very nice tune. Good for you for writing your own tunes, producing them and geting them out there!

-- Jim