Hit or Miss... bash if you like

[richiebee]

I've posted this before with kind of disappointing amount of feedback. That is, not the comments, but the number of them.

I've gone back to it and refined it, but I'm sure there is stuff I don't hear anymore that might stick out to you. I feel as though I'm finished with it finally, but I'd really like some feedback on it. Vote on what you hear... if you care to expand/bash on any aspect of it (composition, rendering, mixing), please do. If anything really sticks out, please tell me.

[rockerdude]

Sounds like Chaz.It was a nice sounding tune.

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by rockerdude

Sounds like Chaz.It was a nice sounding tune.

Was indeed Chaz. Thanks...

R.

[rockerdude]

So did you write it with chaz?What did you play on the tune?

[richiebee]

I wrote it (it sounded a little different then!), and sent the file to Chaz I think with some kind of instrument playing a guide vocal track and the lyrics on paper only. He put down a lead vocal and three backing vocal tracks. Did a great job. I've worked on the arrangement quite a bit since, and the backing vocal tracks don't quite work, so I just used Cubase 5's VariAudio to create a harmony vocal from his lead just to accent in a few places. This harmony part doesn't sound too good on its own, but I think its fine in the mix.

All the instruments are VSTi's -

MusicLab Real Guitar 2 (Acoustic)
MusicLab Real Strat through Guitar Rig 3
Scarbee Red Bass through Guitar Rig 3
Toontrack Superior 2.0 drums
NI B4 for Hammond Organ

Miscellaneous effects. Voxengo and Steinberg.

I should dig out my original attempt at this track for comparison.
[Edit - early version is in this thread -
One of your Smiles - RR collaboration!!!]

The underlying structure and chords are the same, but the arrangement is pretty different.

[Metaltyme]

I enjoyed the tune a lot. I was particularly impressed to learn that Superior Drummer 2.0 was used for the drums. Were they hand-programmed? Or, were those recorded with an eDrum unit? Regardless, they had a really "live-drummer" kinda feel to them. Nice job on 'em. I also gotta say, I really liked the overall mix.

After listening to the tune, it has been playing back in my head minutes later. That's a good thing. Now, if hours later, it's still happening, I might have to come back here and flame a little on how much of a jerk you are for getting this initially, very pleasant tune stuck in my head. Thankfully though, my initial urge is to listen to it again. So we'll just see how it goes.

Nice work man.

[Vulconizer]

The overall mix is done well. The writing and arrangements are fine.

The guitar parts suit the song, but the lead part sounds a bit too MIDI-ish to me. It's just lacking a teeny bit of bite and not much of a string feel to it, in my opinion.

[richiebee]

Thanks V. I'll see what I can do about beefing up the elec guitar. When you say not much of a string feel, do you mean it doesn't sound strummed?? Too blocky maybe???

[Vulconizer]

Yeah, it's missing the feeling of the pick attack and the resultant "buzziness" or vibrational quality, I think. Not the always hottest with technically descriptive wording, but I hope you get the idea.

I only suggest that because it's a lead part.

[richiebee]

Just realized the Hammond was missing from this. Somehow the part got deleted. I put it back now (thank goodness for backups!), and changed the guitar sound a little. Might have taken care of some of the clean-ness of the sound, but still needs "unblocking" a little I think. Will continue at it. Thanks for the help.