Hey I can finally upload again! 2 new songs posted!

Posted on

Member Since: Apr 26, 2002

Well, sorta.

The first one (Meaghan) is a full song, vocals and everything. The first thing I've actually put some decent time into mixing. It's far from done but I think it's sounding pretty good thus far. I'm looking for opinions on the song it's self as well as the production.

The 2nd (23 Years) is just a quick chorus I wrote a few days ago and I'm having an unusual amount of trouble coming up with verses / bridges etc. Do you guys think it's good enough to continue working on or should I just scrap it?

[ Back to Top ]


Member
Since: Mar 12, 2008


Aug 02, 2008 05:03 pm

I'm not huge on punk but it all sounds really good. But I'm bettin I'm not the person you wanna hear that from. Cheers.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 02, 2008 08:22 pm

Thanks for the kind words!

And for the record, you don't have to be into a genre to recognize good (or bad) production and songwriting.

Member
Since: Mar 12, 2008


Aug 02, 2008 08:54 pm

Yea good point.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 02, 2008 10:57 pm

I'll be giving them a listen tomorrow. Had a quick gander tonight quietly but will give a better listen tomorrow for sure.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 03, 2008 01:22 pm

Thanks Noize, can't wait to hear what you think.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 03, 2008 04:28 pm

Frantic. Good!

In Meaghan, I think I hear some compression pumping during the ride that starts at about 2:20. 23 years is a good one too, but a little too much overall compression for me.

/compression Nazi

Nice performances. That drummer'z crazy!

I tune down down...
Member
Since: Jun 11, 2007


Aug 03, 2008 05:09 pm

Hey JH,

First off... I think it sounds good man! Very well balanced.

It is a bit quiet but there is always a volume Nob. Haha. And the only thing that I personally would do different:

Vocals seems a little dry. You can tell they were done in a dead room. Maybe add a little highs. But again, this is IMO.

I'm not much on the snare sound but I don't listen to punk music either.

But, again, it's a great take on it.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 03, 2008 05:28 pm

The key is pleasing your target audience. If they hate dynamics, remove them. I'm afraid it would be tough to get a scientific poll from punk audiophiles though.


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 03, 2008 07:57 pm

OK, had a good listen tonight. A few actually. I personally liked the little bit of pumping as it added to the staccato feel of the drums. It made them seem a bit more wild, or I guess punk like. But with some power behind them. I liked the kick myself and didn't really notice the ride but only in a couple of places. On the vocals, well maybe a tiny bit of reverb, but honestly with this style of music I almost prefer the dryer sound you have right now. It kind of makes them sound a bit like some old school Rancid were the vox were very upfront in image but never over powered the rest of the song.

Over all I loved the tune itself great song if ya ask me.

23 Years, I would say yes it is worth working on. I liked it myself. The guitars might be a bit crowded but that is an easy fix once you get going on it. I am guessing this is just a scratch so I would say indeed go for it. You know that is stuff I and the boyz would be listening to for sure.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 04:21 pm

Herb: not sure where you're hearing compression in 23 years... I haven't touched it other than individual volume levels of the tracks. Also, that crazy drummer is garageband.

Noize: I originally had more verb on the vocals but I just sounded to wet so I backed off a bit... I guess I just need to find that happy medium.

And I still can't figure out where to go with 23 years. Maybe I'll leave it be for now and come back to it in a few weeks.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 04, 2008 04:36 pm

Garage Band? Ha. Damn, these newfangled electric drummers are getting too good. As per the compression: Hmm. Maybe it has something to do with the player.

I have a feeling dB's gonna call me out on that one.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 04:37 pm

Nah, I have too much going on to bother hastling you :-)

Carry on.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Aug 04, 2008 05:34 pm

On the verb, it may not be backing off as much as trying different settings for room sizes etc..

I have not listened yet, but will get to it when I am on some decent speakers and have a little time.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 06:11 pm

Herb: What instrument exactly are you hearing compression on? I'm just curious to see if I can figure out where it's coming from or why it's happening.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 04, 2008 07:47 pm

Johnny, I think he is hearing it mostly on the ride cymbal. I hear something but I wouldn't say it is compression.

To me it sounds like the ride almost has a gated sound. If that is a ride during the chorus I believe.

I honestly can't say what Herb is hearing though, I'm just guessing from my end.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Aug 04, 2008 07:56 pm

I listened to 23 Years again. Guitars mainly, but now that I think about it, that's just a function of the distortion. 'S'all good.

/move along Herb


Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 05, 2008 04:33 pm

Noize: I think it's just an effect of the sample repeating so fast. I'm not 100% on this but I think instead of letting each hit ring out (like a ride cymbal would naturally) each hit is cut off before the 2nd hit.

Either that or it might be something else I did. I adjusted the velocity of the ride cymbal hits. I noticed that most drummers, when playing eighth notes on a ride that fast, actually hit harder on the 1 2 3 4 and a little softer on the ands. So maybe my difference is a bit much and that's what you guys are hearing.

Or maybe the "rock kit" that I'm using has a natural compression and I'm just over analyzing things.

Herb: Must be the distortion, I never compress my guitars. It might sound that way though because I have my amp turned down really really low and have the gain on the mic turned up super high. Maybe not. Who knows.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 05, 2008 09:50 pm

That would account for the almost gated sound then for sure. But ya, programming drums is a PITA for sure to get perfect. I spent years fumbling around trying to find the perfect solution and I think I still suck at it. But some people can't tell they are programmed.

At first I would not have thought yours were to be honest.

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 05, 2008 11:12 pm

That's awesome that you guys can't tell. I've actually been working really hard to make them sound as real as possible. I'm learning that the key is all about velocity. ESPECIALLY in fills and fast parts. You really have to think like a drummer and analyze each hit and ask your self "how hard would I be hitting this?"

A prime example is a 16th note snare roll. The downbeat will always hit harder than the other beats.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Aug 06, 2008 07:42 pm

Yep, Velocity and good drum sample layers are the key for sure.

'The Flying Dutchman'
Member
Since: Jan 11, 2006


Aug 07, 2008 02:16 pm

I like Meaghan, cool catchy tune.. 23 Years is good enough to continue on as far as I'm concerned

What ever happened to 'Burn The City Down Tonight'? That was a great tune.. was stuck in my head for a long while and on regular play when I was on here. Did you ever put some verse vocals on it?

Member
Since: Apr 26, 2002


Aug 07, 2008 06:15 pm

I'm still working on writing a verse for it. Don't worry, it should be up with full vocals in the near future.

At the moment I've got so many ideas and parts for songs pouring out that I can barely keep up. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to finish anything. I've literally got about 50 songs in various stages of completion, with only maybe 1 or 2 done.

In other news, I found some time to re-mix Meaghan a bit. I brought the BG Vox down a bit and brought the guitars up. The new version is in my profile if anyone is interested in checking it out.

Related Forum Topics:



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