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I think I may have gone overboard on this one... But sometimes you just got to throw it in the pot and see what you get. I call it roadkill in the summer sun stew! And that will be the title of my album that I'll never record.
Actually the song is called "Be yourself" First on my player with lyrics.

My Aussie friend sent me some backing vocal tracks and I had me wife do a track or two as well. They did a fine enough job but mixing this must chit... for the birds!

Was tough... not something I've ever tried before. But I guess a good experience! That's what I'm telling myself...
Enjoy
or
not.
I should forewarn it is a Happy acoustic rock kind of song.

Cool song and vibe. I like happy acoustic songs, btw


So what was tough? Not sure I understand that statement.

Another good one. Only suggestion would be on the drums. I know you do them on your keyboard, you should really look at using a program like EZDrummer or Superior or Addictive to give a better sound and mix (it's easier and you can do the usual mixing tricks like panning, etc. Or find a drummer, of course!

Oh, and 'your album you will never record': you've got the songs, just get them balanced up (mastering can be no more than getting the volume across them so they are consistent) and do it at kunaki.com for little more than the time you've already invested in them.

Yod there are bits and pieces of 12 or 13 vocal tracks that I pieced together. 8 from my friend Steve who did most of the high harmonies and falsetto for me. I also had to do a little cut and paste in a few spots and each track had it's own unique volume adjustments because of either performance issues or recording levels. As it progressed I wanted tighter more unison vocals which is not easy when you have an American voice and an accented Aussie!:P
Working with someone live is one thing you have the ability to stop and start and correct things. Sending tracks over the net and communicating with someone in Australia takes much time and patience. Not my usual way. I usually spend a week or so on a song and see if it schticks. This took 3 weeks and many hours just to get it to this mix. But I learned a lot from it.
And it's done. I feel relieved it came out close to what I wanted considering the method.
Thanks for checking it out!

Yeah Mike the drums... I keep telling myself to make them more important... then oooh a squirrel runs through the yard!
Records/Albums/CD's etc... meh. They're for band promotion or ego. It's just fun to say "hey check out my new album in stores everywhere... It's called Roadkill in the summer sun stew" Now that's Fd up!
Thanks again for listening and we'll leave a light on for you!

Jahva wrote:Yeah Mike the drums... I keep telling myself to make them more important... then oooh a squirrel runs through the yard!
Records/Albums/CD's etc... meh. They're for band promotion or ego. It's just fun to say "hey check out my new album in stores everywhere... It's called Roadkill in the summer sun stew" Now that's Fd up!
Thanks again for listening and we'll leave a light on for you!

No, they're for giving to friends and relatives as Christmas and birthday presents! And when you mention 'from my CD' at a gig, people always think 'wow'! (Really!) Which brings up another point we've been telling you - go out and play live!

I liked it but not as much as "All on the line/My Vices".
That's you to a "t".

The vocals on "Be.." are a little stark, no>?

Never be afraid to drop a very slight bit of reverb on whatever.
If it's light enough, it's hard to tell it's on there. (may be on it now, I didn't hear it though)

Don't be afraid to experiment with your vocals.
I know you appreciate the clean rendition but expand what you are doing, you got good instincts, trust your own judgement.

Make some "new tracks in the snow". Curious to see where you end up next, artistically speaking.

Scott this was out of reach for me vocally with any control so i kept it in the lower register on my part.
The chorus parts required me to be really loud to hit the notes so I had to keep myself back away from the mic.
I would agree regarding the other songs. Especially "My vices" it became a keeper to me.

Next? I'm stuck in my era of sound. Quantity seems to be my path... have 2 tracks I'm working on right now trying to finish up vocals on. Always the last parts and the toughest to me. One is dark and rockish about war the other has a 50's-60's R&R feel about it. Kind of early dirty Aerosmith groove. (Walking the dog, Big 10 inch record). Could use a sax player on this one.
Thanks again for checking it out and your words of encouragement.

Jahva wrote:Scott this was out of reach for me vocally with any control so i kept it in the lower register on my part.
The chorus parts required me to be really loud to hit the notes so I had to keep myself back away from the mic.
I would agree regarding the other songs. Especially "My vices" it became a keeper to me.

Next? I'm stuck in my era of sound. Quantity seems to be my path... have 2 tracks I'm working on right now trying to finish up vocals on. Always the last parts and the toughest to me. One is dark and rockish about war the other has a 50's-60's R&R feel about it. Kind of early dirty Aerosmith groove. (Walking the dog, Big 10 inch record). Could use a sax player on this one.
Thanks again for checking it out and your words of encouragement.

Regardless, of what you think. Quantity is a blessing, not a curse.
And you got a weird niche thing going on, ride it till she drops dead.
I would.

Don't be mislead, if I thought you sucked I'd grind you too. I have no favorites when it comes to music, just what I can like and what I can't.
You have good instincts and I'm sure your other 2 will turn out well.

Otherwise it's the way of the world, better to have the truth than to have people tell you things that aren't true. That's like climbing up a ladder to jump off, "further to fall".

Jahva: check out kunaki.com. really, you can put a CD together for a few bucks, they give you templates for the artwork, etc.
I'll buy one!

Maybe i'll change it to "Summer sun and roadkill stew"
Naaah quality is not there to be considered a salable project. Or to be anything other than chits and giggles. Maybe somewhere down the road i'll put something together. if i did I'd rather do one song at a time and do it right if i were to put any money into this. Yeah maybe a single tune... Keep expectations and cost down. Still searching for the right song worth the investment.

Do em all. It will be the one we least expect . . . BAM !

Jahva wrote:Maybe i'll change it to "Summer sun and roadkill stew"
Naaah quality is not there to be considered a salable project. Or to be anything other than chits and giggles. Maybe somewhere down the road i'll put something together. if i did I'd rather do one song at a time and do it right if i were to put any money into this. Yeah maybe a single tune... Keep expectations and cost down. Still searching for the right song worth the investment.

I like how you are hard on yourself and your music.
You'll save yourself some hard knocks being your own worst critic.

But honestly it's not bad, it has a certain flavor yes, but it's reminiscent of something familiar. That's the stuff that cannot be taught or bought.

PS: I like the sound of "Summer Stew". You may actually turn a buck on that. But be critical and be discerning, it only helps you to make a better product. And if you don't, there's always some cracker that will turn up just long enough to remark casually about it in a negative fashion.

The only tune I wouldn't stick on your disk is that one you just put up.
It doesn't sound like your regular stuff and that's where you do the most damage.

Jahva wrote:Maybe i'll change it to "Summer sun and roadkill stew"
Naaah quality is not there to be considered a salable project. Or to be anything other than chits and giggles. Maybe somewhere down the road i'll put something together. if i did I'd rather do one song at a time and do it right if i were to put any money into this. Yeah maybe a single tune... Keep expectations and cost down. Still searching for the right song worth the investment.

Yeah, but no money involved with Kunaki other than buying some CDs to give or sell yourself. they even send you the 'proof' copy free!

Need someone to master, you can probably find a volunteer -(homerecording.com has lots of folks trying to get better like this place: http://smashyorecords.co.uk/ ). I can boost up volumes, but can't do proper mastering yet.