My 1st Internet Original Tune "Weekend"

[doveman]

This is my first original tune posted on the internet. I programmed the drums ... but the vocal, harmonies, guitars, bass, keyboards, words & music are "yours truly". So I have nobody to blame.

It's a song about a guy getting refreshed by going on a weekend fishing trip. Playing my Yamaha SA2000 semi-hollow through the Mesa Boogie. I hope you like it.

Constructive criticism welcome.

Weekend
lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=4552038&q=lo
hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=4552038&q=hi

[TimmyPage]

Good playing, tone, and song in general. I like your voice alot.

[larry_emder]

I like it. All instruments sounded tight! Really easy to listen to and well recorded - what did you use? The vocals sound really good, what mic/preamp/etc?

[doveman]

Good playing, tone, and song in general. I like your voice alot.

I like to sing but I am limited ... but I have tried to stretch as much as possible on different styles ... just so I can play the guitar parts. Thanks ...

I like it. All instruments sounded tight! Really easy to listen to and well recorded - what did you use? The vocals sound really good, what mic/preamp/etc?

I think I have an interesting method. There are three core pieces to it.

Fender Acoustasonic Amp: This is an acoustic guitar amp ... with a vocal channel. It has two 8" speakers and a tweater ... sort of a mini-PA. It also has a LINE-OUT. Everything I record LIVE ... vocals, acoustic, classical, my Boogie ... even bass go through this amp. I have SM57 & SM58 Shure Mics ... but you only use one at a time. Line-out goes directly into the PC's LINE-IN. I use headphones so you can't hear the other track playback. This records a mono track ... processed pretty well with little noise. If I use a MIDI track that's a bit different ... all on computer.

MultitrackStudio Software: This was fairly inexpensive when I ordered it 3 years ago, as I recall. I think it was downloadable from www.multitrackstudio.com - go there and look at the screenshots. Each and every track is a mono track on this software ... MIDI generated or the LIVE tracks described above. You can pan, add reverb, compression, echo, fade, (I don't use many effects but they are good) - you can edit using cut & paste tools. When you are satisfied, you master a stereo MP3 file. She's done - upload to soundclick.

If I use MIDI: There is a whole process I use to generate a track ... or find tracks on the internet. But it involves stripping each sound to an individual track and placing it in the Multitrack software. It's more complex ... but if anyone wants to know I can elaborate.

Depending on the song, it can take a couple of hours to a couple of weeks. What I enjoy is depending on the stage your in your using different skills. Learning the material & playing obviously ... but mastering ... tweaking the individual tracks.

Hope that helps. I enjoy it a great deal + I get to play songs I could never play with a band. Nat King Cole to Zeppellin to Steeley Dan to Clapton to Glen Miller? ... well you get the idea ... my bands were never that flexible.

[larry_emder]

Interesting method, but it obviously works for you! Many ways to skin a cat

[y2stevo]

What did you use for drums? they sound really good!
I'm using a Boss DR-670, but i guess I still haven't spent enough ime with it to mess around with it!

[doveman]

What did you use for drums?

I usually use MIDI for drums. But on this particular cut, I used the drum section on a cheap Yamaha keyboard (about $250). If you spend a bit of time you can get some good sounds using the program banks and A/B switches to get the fills. Downside is you have to plan out the drum line in advance and perform it first without any other equipment. I used direct line out to the PC. Sounds goofy but it worked OK.

I'd actually like to pick up a DR880 in the near future ... I've heard some good things with that right here on this site. Maybe my next $500 project.

[CGord]

Seriously cool! The song & performaces are smokin'! The only thing I'd say is it could use a little more bottom end; not sure if it's overall, or maybe just the lead vocal. I love the harmony vocals. I'd never guess you could groove to a song about fishing!

[doveman]

The only thing I'd say is it could use a little more bottom end; not sure if it's overall, or maybe just the lead vocal.

This kind of thing is helpful for me. So far, adding bottom end and a bit trebly on the drums. Maybe a bit better on mix. I actually tried a couple of new things for drums & bass on this first original tune ... so this helps me get better.

If any of you have a chance, listen to one or two of my covers at the site in my signature. Do they have the same issues? Different issues? I used some different methods on most of the covers.

Again ... this is very helpful ... Thanks!

[DankStar]

wow man, that's really great! Love the vocals especially. Everything is really clear too. I thought about using some drums from my yamaha keyboard, and this is a good inspiration for me to do so in the future, 'cause the drums sound good.

[doveman]

Thanks ... appreciate the feedback. I may research the DR670 and DR880 ... maybe some others.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Fatten up the whole sound, because it sounds to good!!!
Great stuff man!
Niels

[doveman]

Thanks Rid ... didn't MarinBlues say that he used some of your backing tracks? If so, is it the DR880 that you use?

[tone4days]

very cool indeed - love the intro guitar riffage
i like the personality in your voice a lot and the vocal harmonies are VERY happenin' ... i like the gutiar line under the chorus, but it is either mixed a bit too hot or otherwise just a bit distracting because it plays during the singing instead of 'between' the vocal phrases ... that yamaha / boogie combo is killin' - great note choice in addition to the tone

thanks for sharing it!

t4d

[doveman]

... i like the gutiar line under the chorus, but it is either mixed a bit too hot or otherwise just a bit distracting because it plays during the singing instead of 'between' the vocal phrases ...

t4d

I think your right ...it was meant to be a backing lick ... but when you let the guitarist mix, the guitars are heavy ... I have to fight it. Good feedback!

[myxolidian]

Great job! Song sounds pretty good. Your voice sounds good too, almost Robert Cray-ish in some parts.

Personally, I think the bass/drums/keys need to be much fatter and raised in the mix a bit. The vocals and guitar seem to be too in-your-face right now. Good stuff!

[doveman]

Personally, I think the bass/drums/keys need to be much fatter and raised in the mix a bit. The vocals and guitar seem to be too in-your-face right now.

The above seems to be a good representation of the weakness of the mix. I listened to the material on my site and most of it has similar issues. One cover song I did recently where I tried to tone down the guitars and bump up the background is attached. The vocals are still a bit loud in the verses ... but better in the choruses. Is this more along the mix that you guys would prefer? If so, I might remix this one ... see if it can be better. The guitars are mid-way and though to the end. Again ...I appreciate the info.

Comfortable Numb (Pink Floyd)
lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=4420108&q=lo
hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/getpl...d=4420108&q=hi

By the way the guitar on the left is a Strat - right is the Yamaha.