California Dreamin

> > > California Dreamin

Posted on

Member Since: Jul 02, 2003

I got the idea to do this cover from Bushmaster :P It was a stretch for me, but I think it turned out half decent, thought I'd post it and see what everyone thinks. I'd really like to get some feedback on the mix, as that it was a tough to get mixed. Thanks for listening and commenting I appreciate it.

It's in my profile/music

www.homerecordingconnecti...usic&id=707

Dan

[ Back to Top ]


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 28, 2008 07:16 pm

Half decent? I think its a whole lot better then that. Its got an original feel but retains the feel of the real original. The parts are separated nicely and really add to a kind of old school feel for it.

I'll give it a bit more critical listen later, but on first go round I thought it sounded certainly better then half decent.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Sep 28, 2008 11:18 pm

Half decent? Yeah probably not the best choice of expressions, I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out especially from when I first started on it. I'd still like to get the guitars and drums a bit clearer in the mix but with the vocals so dominant it's been a real struggle. I started out almost metal on the song, but ended up closer to the original. :)

Thanks much,

Dan

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007

Sep 29, 2008 05:28 am

yeah man it sounds sweet. your voice has a very unique sound actually, in really good way.


Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Sep 29, 2008 01:25 pm

Thanks Deon I appreciate the kind words.

Dan

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 29, 2008 06:38 pm

I'm going to try and listen again tonight but may end up doing it tomorrow as I'm heading to a meeting around 7 and won't be back till later. But I'll see if I can hear anything that might head it in the direction you are looking for.

Veni, MIDI, Vici
Member
Since: Jul 02, 2008

Sep 30, 2008 12:07 am

Very nice olddog! Your version brought back some of the same feelings as the original. That doesn't always happen with covers, this time it did! I like your voice too.

The drums, and maybe the guitars, could be a bit more present, still it's quite a good song the way it is already. Thumbs up! :-)

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Sep 30, 2008 01:23 am

Thanks alot Nightcap! This song takes me back aways, good memories. :)

Dan

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003

Sep 30, 2008 01:28 am

I'm going to try and give this a listen tomorrow morning.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 30, 2008 07:31 pm

OD, the download still isn't working. Otherwise I would grab the mp3 and mess with it a bit. But I'm thinking that its the fact that the vox, drums and guitars are occupying the same sonic space that is causing them to blur a bit. Not so much the drums after the first verse, but the rhythm guitars are suspect the most.

I would try and use a bit of EQ on the guitars themselves to bring them out. Which might kind of suck because they have almost the perfect tone for this. But I'm thinking that a little high mid cut and a tiny boost in the lowest mids might give them a bit more presence.

The leads are perfect and cut right through though.

Just thinking out loud on second listen here.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Sep 30, 2008 08:06 pm

Thanks Noize I'll give that a try. Not sure why the download wouldn't be working but I know my son has run into the problem a couple times, but with Him I chocked it up to Him using linux & firefox, so maybe it's problem common to firefox downloading from my site.


hmm, I just tried to download and this is a different problem from His, looks like it's a problem with the HRC link. I do show 1 download so it must have worked at least once, but it's not working now. :D Here's a direct link if you want to try it.

"www.smokinhq.com/dkemusic/music/cdreamm3.mp3"

I put the quotes so it wouldn't use the player automatically.

Dan

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Sep 30, 2008 09:24 pm

Oh hell, I didn't even think to go to smokinghq to try and get it. I tried it from here. I'll go to your page and grab it in a bit.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003

Oct 03, 2008 01:26 pm

Olddog, Man, you have done it with this one. I really really really like this version of this song! I guess the guitars aren't really standing out that much, but they are not the focus of the song, the vocals are and you can tell the guitars are there, but you're not listening for them, they're just setting the bed so to speak. So the fact they don't really stand out, works for me. The only thing for me is like you said the drums are a bit buried, but also didn't really trip off it until I read that you mentioned it. Also, listening in headphones, the right side of the mix seems a little heavier than the left side, so it feels a little unbalanced... I think it's all the backup vocals panned left?

But this is a great piece dan.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Oct 03, 2008 02:57 pm

Thank you very much coolo, I put more effort in this one than usual for a cover I'm glad it shows. I even re-did it from scratch once to put it in a better key for me, I never do that. :)

I think you're right on the balace, I usually swap channel to check that, cause I have more hearing loss in my right ear than left, and I forgot to do that on this mix. I'll fix that with along with the eq adjustments Noize suggested.

Dan

The Colonels mum. Yay!
Member
Since: Oct 28, 2008

Oct 29, 2008 02:50 am

Uh oh...after this, you might not think its so great that I'm back:

The main vox sound centred to me and the harmonies seem on the right. Like coolo I like the presence of the vox. Since as you know I like your voice. So when I was listening, my focus was your vox.

The drums are quite separate by comparison on the left. I can barely hear the hihat. It sounds a little thuddy/tinny and the ride? I hope thats what I'm hearing in the instrumental lacks shimmer. I can't hear the bass drum. Is there bass?

And I agree the guitars are lost a little in the mix.

In terms of the performance of the song and the mixing effort I think its a great job.

Just my 2c
MA


Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Oct 30, 2008 01:51 am

Thanks for the comments TBM, and yes I still think it's great your back. :)

I've been working on a new mix, just about have it finished. I debated when mixing whether to put the lead vox on the left, and couldn't decide so I just put them slightly off center to the left, I may take another look at that. The drum sounds are a freebie drum sampler along the lines of EZDrummer. I played the drums on my TD6 but then used the sampler for the actual sounds and the cymbals in general are kinda weak. I usually have the hi-hat too loud so I errored on the quiet side this time LOL. Glad you still like my voice I don't know if it's gotten better or worse, but I keep tryin'.

Thanks again, always good to hear good feedback.

Dan

Member
Since: Nov 13, 2007

Nov 02, 2008 05:44 pm

Yea !!!!!!! All I can say is YES !!!!!!!!!!! Thanks bro. Downloading now. Sounds fantastic.

Member
Since: Nov 13, 2007

Nov 02, 2008 07:58 pm

Your my new hero !!!!!!

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003

Nov 05, 2008 02:17 am

Thanks Bushmaster glad you liked it!

Dan

> > > California Dreamin

Related Forum Topics:


If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.