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#236412 06/13/04 10:55 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
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This is the first full song recording I've ever done, so I'd really appreciate any help you could give me about what worked and what didn't -- musically, technically, whatever. I know it's rough, but I figure it'd be better to put it up now and get suggestions on how to make it better instead of remaking it and risk having to do it again because of flawed techniques. I used Noteworthy Composer ( http://www.noteworthysoftware.com ) to make a MIDI background arrangement and then recorded the vocals with the [i]Voyetra Digital Orchestrator ( http://www.voyetra.com ). Known issues: guitars sound computerized, vocals are a bit off in rhythm and perhaps intonation. Thanks a lot!

I Wonder
http://www.gentrytunes.com/I_Wonder-Adam_Gentry.mp3
Unpublished; Copyright © 2004 Adam Gentry

*Verse 1*
I lie on the ground in the starlight
amidst cricket percussion and bullfrog bass,
and I think about He who flung those stars from his fingers
and saved a world with His amazing grace.

*Chorus*
And I wonder why He'd come to save
this rebel, this wayward one
in spite of the things that s/he's done.
The Father spoke, the Son came down,
put on flesh, forsook His crown,
and I wonder,
but I'll serve Him.

*Verse 2*
The insects that crawl here around me
remind me of my status compared to Him.
I think about God looking down here from Heaven.
Oh, why would He care about fallen men?

*Chorus*
[same until last line:]
but I'll call Him.

*Bridge*
Why would God in the Heavens
send down His Son to the earthly realm?
Why would He favor a sinful race of men?
Though we fail Him, God draws us to Him again.

*Instrumental Break*

*Verse 3*
The plan of our Lord is beyond us,
and small mortal humans can't comprehend,
but if we will hear Him and call on His guidance,
we'll live with Him for a time without end.

*Extended Chorus*
And I wonder why He'd come to save
this rebel, this wayward one
in spite of the things that s/he's done.
The Father spoke, the Son came down,
put on flesh, forsook His crown,
personification of righteousness.
It cost Him His life and nothing less,
and I wonder,
but I'll love Him.



------------------
====================
**Tunes by Gentry**
Original Christian and Classical Music
http://www.gentrytunes.com
(Aural spiffiness)


====================
**GentryTunes! by Adam Gentry**
Original Christian and classical music
http://www.myspace.com/gentrytunes
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Adam,
Nice lyric writing and concept demo. I'm curious about the Noteworthy software you used! Can it play styles from chord inputs? That's a feature that most keyboards have. You setup the style and tempo and then "input" (or play) various chord progressions which the keyboard can record in midi format on an optional disk.

Anyway, you seem to get some nice work out of your Noteworthy software! [Linked Image]

I think the melody that you sing is fine, and possibly by itself, the music works well too, but perhaps you could "weed out" some extraneous sounds (pads, runs, riffs, or whatever) from the backing track to make the vocals stand out better and to reduce any potential rhythm or timing problems.

Sorry, I can't put my 'finger' exactly on the timing issues, but perhaps thinning out some of the instrumental work could help tighten up your soundtrack!

Overall, excellent effort. I'm sure you've been told that you have some real musical talent! [Linked Image]

Take care & God bless!
Michael


[This message has been edited by Michael Borges (edited 06-15-2004).]


There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself. -- Johann Sebastian Bach

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Michael,

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Michael Borges:
I'm curious about the Noteworthy software you used! Can it play styles from chord inputs?...</font>


Noteworthy Composer is definitely worth checking out if you're going to do multi-part composing, and possibly in certain aspects for recording. There's a free demo whose only limitations are restricted printing and that songs can only be saved 10 times. It offers the standard General MIDI sounds, unlimited staves, easy-to-learn computer keyboard note/dynamic/etc input, piano keyboard MIDI input... A very good, relatively inexpensive program that I've had great success with.

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">... the music works well too, but perhaps you could "weed out" some extraneous sounds (pads, runs, riffs, or whatever) from the backing track to make the vocals stand out better and to reduce any potential rhythm or timing problems.</font>


You have a good point. Maybe it could use some thinning-out... I was just going by what was in the song I used as a model.

What do you think of the sound quality? Are the other instruments acceptable in their current form, or do some of them need real-instrument treatment to do them justice?

Thanks for your advice. God bless.

------------------
====================
**Tunes by Gentry**
Original Christian and Classical Music
http://www.gentrytunes.com
(Aural spiffiness)


====================
**GentryTunes! by Adam Gentry**
Original Christian and classical music
http://www.myspace.com/gentrytunes
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Adam,
Of course real instruments are always nice, but that should be the "icing on the cake" after you are happy with the melody and arrangement you wrote.

For now, unless this is intended to be strictly an instrumental, try to make the backing track sound as simple and un-complicated as possible.

Again, with less "clutter", there's a better chance that the lead melody [sung by the vocals] will be heard prominently in the mix. This will help folks hear the song's main theme, which is the melody and lyrics, without too much distraction from the instrumental sections. Also, keep a close eye on your percussion track to make sure that it's in perfect synch with everything else, otherwise everything will sound "off".

Anyway, I use Digital Orchestra Pro to score most of my music to give me parts for the vocals, violin and other instruments as needed. I try not too over-do the drums & percussion tracks, but just enough notes to keep the beat going as needed. I'v got to admit, I'm not an expert drums programmer!

Sounds like you're making some great progress with Noteworthy! Keep it up & let us know when you will post a 'new & improved' demo, even if it's just the [instruments only] backing track. From what I heard, the problem was probably somewhere in synchronizing of your percussion track. Otherwise, your singing was fine! [Linked Image]

Best regards,
Michael


There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself. -- Johann Sebastian Bach

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Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Michael Borges:
(T)ry to make the backing track sound as simple and un-complicated as possible. Again, with less "clutter", there's a better chance that the lead melody [sung by the vocals] will be heard prominently in the mix.</font>


That's something worthy of consideration. I'll see if I can thin it down a bit.

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Also, keep a close eye on your percussion track to make sure that it's in perfect synch with everything else, otherwise everything will sound "off". ... From what I heard, the problem was probably somewhere in synchronizing of your percussion track.</font>


I don't see how that's possible, unless the percussion is out of sync with the vocals. Barring technical glitches, it should line up exactly with every other instrument since they're all on the same MIDI.

It's interesting that you mention that, though; someone else made a similar comment. I think the issue is probably that I made some of the drum solo fills too complicated for the listener to realize they're correct. I'll work on some simplification of them and see if that fixes the problem.

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Anyway, I use Digital Orchestra Pro to score most of my music...</font>


Sounds like a nice program.. Is there a free demo?

Quote
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Keep it up & let us know when you will post a 'new & improved' demo...</font>


Will do. Thanks again for your help.


------------------
====================
**Tunes by Gentry**
Original Christian and Classical Music
http://www.gentrytunes.com
(Aural spiffiness)

[This message has been edited by Adam Gentry (edited 06-18-2004).]


====================
**GentryTunes! by Adam Gentry**
Original Christian and classical music
http://www.myspace.com/gentrytunes
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Yes, it's a nice program, but I think it's been replaced by their latest version called "Record Producer", but should have the same features plus a few new ones. They've got all their stuff listed here:
http://www.voyetra.com/site/products/dl_products/serieshome.asp

Actually, "Digital Orchestrator Pro" has plenty of power for what I need. It's possibly you might be able to pick up a used copy through e-bay or something like that.

Best regards,
Michael


There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself. -- Johann Sebastian Bach

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Oops... accidental duplicate. Please see above!
Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Michael Borges (edited 06-21-2004).]


There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself. -- Johann Sebastian Bach

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Hello Adam [Linked Image]
I don't usually critique religious lyrics/songs.
this is nicely written. not your normal religious stuff. I did enjoy it [Linked Image]

Good luck with it..a really good first recording [Linked Image]

Smile [Linked Image]

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I studied my song again and found that almost the whole piece up to the 3-minute mark only has two chordal instruments playing at any one time. Would even that possibly overpower the voice? Is it too complex on the finale section after that point? Would turning the accompaniment volume overall down fix the problem?

As for the drums, I went through and simplified some places so that drum solo backgrounds won't be construed as incorrect. The changes mainly start around 3:00. Is it good now? Check out the quick MIDI I did at
http://www.gentrytunes.com/iwonder2.mid

(Please refer to the time into the song -- or measure numbers if you have a good MIDI editor -- so I can know exactly where you believe further changes are necessary.) Thanks.


------------------
====================
**Tunes by Gentry**
Original Christian and Classical Music
http://www.gentrytunes.com
(Aural spiffiness)


====================
**GentryTunes! by Adam Gentry**
Original Christian and classical music
http://www.myspace.com/gentrytunes

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