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by Fdemetrio - 04/25/24 01:36 AM
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by Fdemetrio - 04/22/24 11:04 AM
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by Rob B. - 04/21/24 08:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Local Radio Station Contest for Solo Singers or Bands. Need input as to the clarity, of this production and IYO whether or not it is ready for 'prime time'. Douglas https://www.soundclick.com/html5/v3/player.cfm?type=single&songid=13643430&q=hi&newref=1So Many Years Ago (18.08.2012) (V) You became a central part of my heart and my soul. Oh. So many years ago. You had that smile still drives me wild and we reaped what we sowed. Oh. So many years ago. (Chorus) Through winter storms and tests of time, our love has gotten stronger. My one true wish should it be known is for this to go on longer. Cannot see you not with me, can`t imagine so. You were made for me, I for you so many years ago. (V) Life's been good but I'll admit there's been peaches without cream. Times where we didn't know. Pulled apart by life itself, tearing at our seams. Oh. So many times it showed. (Chorus) Through winter storms and tests of time, our love kept growing stronger. My one true wish should it be known is for this to go on longer. Cannot see you not with me, can`t imagine so. You were made for me, I for you so many years ago. (V) You've always been, you'll always be my love, my life, my wonder. "What God Has Joined Together No One Could Put Asunder." There's no one else how could there be we're a perfect pair of gloves? We started out as strangers met and fell in love. (Chorus) Through winter storms and tests of time, our love has gotten stronger. My one true wish should it be known is for this to go on longer. Cannot see you not with me, can`t imagine so. You were made for me, I for you so many years ago. Copyright © 2017 by Douglas Murphy
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Douglas,
I like this song—and I think your instincts are right on this; ripe for harmonies. From a production perspective—and I’m probably the worst to ask about stuff like this, but just as a listener—the harmonies seem to out-weigh the lead; and they could be tighter and perhaps just a little softer behind the lead vocal (if that makes sense). The more “techy” folks on this board can probably provide some suggestions on how to tweak that. As always, please take my comments for whatever little value they can provide.
Best regards,
Deej
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Thank you, Deej. I was re-listening to the track last night and began re-mixing the vocals so you are on the right track. Douglas
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Well you asked for it.....constructive criticism to make it radio ready.
I think the song is fine and the instruments sound good. The vocals could use some work though. When you double vocals, they are never exactly on pitch together. A little bit off from each other creates a chorus effect like the pairs of strings on a mandolin or 12-string guitar (or the Beatles). When they stray off pitch from each other too much, it creates a discord which does not sound good. In this case, I would remove one of the doubled vocals. As for harmonies, they are more forgiving in terms of pitchiness. Your harmonies are basically OK but they stray occasionally. Do you have a tuner application in your recording software? I would keep the harmonies but tune them up manually to make sure the notes are on the money. The most well-known tuner is of course Autotune, but most DAWs have a tuner of their own.
I recently recorded a guy whose vocals are really all over the map. The songs sounded awful until I went in and laboriously tuned nearly every word in seven songs. It was a lot of work but the result was good and he is very happy with his new CD.
Colin
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Sounds good to me and love the background music. One thing I'd do is take all the effects off your voice and use your natural heartfelt vocal as that sounds the best. I hope you win the contest. I have never won a song contest...
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Hi Doug:
I have a friend who performs for a living and he advised me long ago... use vocal harmony in live performances as little as possible. In the case of your song, Colin provided really good advice. Autotune or it's equivalent with your "set-up" can turn a "ho-hum" song into something wonderful as far as harmonies are concerned.
Since I never enter song contests... any advice I would offer would be of little or no use to you. Best of luck. ----Dave
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Thank you, Dave, Barry, and Colin. I will be going back to the vocals this weekend.
Douglas
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I like the song concept and vocal Douglas but would prefer to hear it without the harmony Best of luck with it though Travis
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
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Thank you, Travis. I am re-mixing the tracks and others have mentioned the same.
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I would look into local college courses/programs in music. There is a really good one at our local community college. Better than some unknown internet person.
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Hi There,
So I just responded to "Without You" which was a perfect mix. I have some thoughts on this.
First I think you should say "you became the anchor...of my heart and soul" or something that has more imagery to it. "Central part" is kind of vague. I think anywhere you can use a simile or metaphor for some of the thoughts in here the better off you will be. People will remember "anchor" because they can see it but they won't remember "central part."
Also, you might think about making it two verses with a bridge. 3 verses is really pushing it these days. Everyone has a very short attention span. Without You is tight as a drum. I think this needs to be tight as well.
Also, just for the future, some type of pre chorus is almost necessary if you want to be commercial--radio commercial.
I think about 90% of radio songs of this genre now now are V, Pre Chorus, Chorus, V, Pre Chorus, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus (or Chorus Chorus).
Finally, I think you should use the stripped down sound and EQ settings you used in Without You. That was radio ready and really showcased the song and sounded extremely pleasing to the ear and silky smooth so you obviously have the right tools in your tool kit.
This sound is way too busy IMHO and kind of gets in the way of the song. You did a masterful mixing job on Without You and I would use that.
Just my two cents!!!
Great stuff though.
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