First song - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals - Please comment

[AngryMonkey]

Hi all,
Ok ive been hanging around a little while now and decided to try my hand and playing guitar, vocals and then recording it.

Please give the song a listen and let me know your comments - I have been given some valid ones already which I agree with, these are:

1. Acoustic guitar is a little boomy - may need to EQ the bass down a little.

2. Vocals are occasionally off key - this is just my bad singing unfortunatly, im taking singing lessons so hopefully in a couple of months I can re-record them on-pitch.

3. Effects on voice are a little over the top - I was really after a nice stereo wide vocal but all I could achieve was a classic reverb effects. I've been given some good advice on panning and singing the vocals twice over each other now though so will try that.

4. Ends too suddently - I need to add an "outtro"

5. In the chorus part the word People is used 3 times which pops, need to change the word, use a pop-filter or just learn to sing my P's software.

6. Could be a real happy summer song if the guitar rythm was sped up or changed to a funkier style.

7. Could use a few drums and a guitar doing melody/lead

8. Needs gaps in between verses/choruses to give people a breather.

Thanks in advance!
AM.

[rockerdude]

Nice song!Acoustic guitars are sometimes as hard to record as real drums.It is chalenging to get a decent sounding track.Start by listening to acoustic guitar songs you like and try to emulate them.Your vocal sounds good.It sits in the mix well.It is a little muddy but a better mic and mic pre would fix that.Also doubling up the guitar tracks helps. Mic it with two mic's one near the twelvth fret and another room mic about three feet off the guitar.Mic placement is very important it is kinda like a eq to the tone.put on some headphones and move the mics around.This track had a james blunt feel to it.Nice song and a good job on the recording!

[AngryMonkey]

Thanks Rocker,
The mic used was a Shure SM57 going into a Presonus FP10. From reading around it seems this mic and Preamp should to the job, I think as you say though I just need to set them up better.

I have a large diaphram condensor, maybe i'll try as you suggest with the SM57 at the 12th fret and the condensor 3 feet away.

I didnt originally try that setup as I was under the impression it would create some issue with phasing, or is that just if I do it in stereo not mono?

Cheers!
AngryMonkey.

[rockerdude]

yeah check the phase before you record.You might have to flip the phase switch.New strings help also.A 57 is Ok i guess but a sm81 and a large condenser would be Ideal.The pre in a firepod interface is not the greatest but it gets the job done.double up those tracks and pan them 10& 2.Good luck....Sterling Sound Studios

[uab9253]

Originally Posted by AngryMonkey

Thanks Rocker,
The mic used was a Shure SM57 going into a Presonus FP10. From reading around it seems this mic and Preamp should to the job, I think as you say though I just need to set them up better.

I have a large diaphram condensor, maybe i'll try as you suggest with the SM57 at the 12th fret and the condensor 3 feet away.

I didnt originally try that setup as I was under the impression it would create some issue with phasing, or is that just if I do it in stereo not mono?

Cheers!
AngryMonkey.

Exactly correct on the mics - use the condensor for the distance mic. I have done the same thing using a 58 on the neck and have gotten some fine tones. The preamp in the Presonus will not be a problem.
I really like the song and the vocal and can't point out anything that you didn't already have in your list. Well done.

[Quarry]

I really like the sound of your vocals... and any "pitchiness" was less than drastic. If you had an Autotune plugin, you'd be set. Personally, I'd like to have heard you harmonize with yourself during the choruses...

I did have trouble understanding a few words... and I'm not sure if that's a cultural thing, or just lazy annunciation...

If I were picky, I'd agree that the guitar was a bit boomy, but I'm not, and I actually liked the guitar!

The end, however, truly does need work...

Great effort! Very nice!

[AngryMonkey]

[quote=Quarry;51690]
I did have trouble understanding a few words... and I'm not sure if that's a cultural thing, or just lazy annunciation...
[quote]


Hey Quarry,
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

I think its just the way I sing at the moment, as im still very new I can either hit the pitch, pronounce the word or get the tone, but not all 3 at the same time

I'll try your suggestion of harmonising the chrous, havent harmonised before so will be a new experience - i guess its just singing a 3rd or a 5th above the original note...i'll have a play!

AM.

[maestoso]

the only thing i see is your in a different key vocally when you are in a different chord musically. as far as pitch i think you sing fine, kind of a james blunt, keane type of sound. pay attention to what your chords are to fit your vocals. nice job!

[throttle]

I like this song, great job! I would add a little "air" to the top end to make it sound crispy. I would also bring the vocals up a few db. Great start!

[AngryMonkey]

Originally Posted by throttle

I like this song, great job. I would add a little "air:" to the top end to make it sound crispy. I would also bring the vocals up a few db. Greta start!

Hi Throttle,
Thanks for the comments.

Sorry but im very new to recording - when you say "air" i think i know what you mean, but I dont know how I would do it...

Could someone express "air" in terms of "add decibels at hz value"

Ive seen people say things such as "add 2-3 db around 1000hz etc" which although I still dont exactly know how to do that in cubase im sure I could find out.

Cheers,
AM.