Power of the Night Cover

[midKnight]

Hey Gang,

I'm pretty happy with this mix so far, but there's *always* room for improvement, so please bash away.

This is a cover of Savatage's Power of the Night I did with some people from another site, and yes I'm aware the timing is a hair loose in places as we did it without a click, but it is what it is.

Those of you with a keen ear might recognize the vocalist on this track, he's...rather famous, and was a blast to work with (we're quite honored he wanted to work with us on the track.)

Anyhoo, rip it up and see if you can figure out who the mystery vocalist is.

-Nick

[brandondrury]

All the performances are awesome. This is a good "normal" mix (which may be what you want) but I ALWAYS try to go over the top and see if I can't move it up a notch or three in excitement. I'd recommend you giving this some more hell.

The vocals are money. If it was me I'd want the vocals tucked a hair. At this level the vocals kind of get a Heman theme song vibe. By tucking them, it can actually make the rest of the music seem more powerful. That depends on what you want.

I'm guessing you only have one guitar track to work with. I'd want to make it sound bigger and louder without actually making it louder. I'd start with a delay panned to the opposite side maybe 20ms. You'll have to EQ to make it sound undumb (knock off lots of top and bottom). A little goes a long way. If you know it's there you used too much.

The ride and hihat stand out as being just a hair bright and a slightly unnatural. (Which may be a good thing). I'd try pulling them down 2dB to see if you like that better.

I think something could be gained from subtle ambiance on the vocal. If you are going for a modern rendition of this old tune, that's cool, but a super short 16ms left, 32ms right delay could go a long way. A 1/4 note delay on the lead vocal down low enough where no one can hear it may be cool too.

I've been getting into chorus a little bit lately, actually. The cool thing about that effect is if you get caught with it you'll never let it down....so the best thing is to use subtly.

Don't give up on this one. Keep what you've got and see if you can't push it over the top. I think there is quite a bit more in there if you choose to dig.

Brandon

[midKnight]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

All the performances are awesome. This is a good "normal" mix (which may be what you want) but I ALWAYS try to go over the top and see if I can't move it up a notch or three in excitement. I'd recommend you giving this some more hell.

Well "normal" is a good starting point, but if I knew how to kick it up a notch, I would. This is me kicking it up a notch. lol

It takes a big person to admit when they've hit the wall of their knowledge, and I'm pretty much there. If I knew how to kick it up more, I certainly would.

Originally Posted by brandondrury

The vocals are money. If it was me I'd want the vocals tucked a hair. At this level the vocals kind of get a Heman theme song vibe. By tucking them, it can actually make the rest of the music seem more powerful. That depends on what you want.

Nope, I often in the past have tended to overwash stuff in reverb/delay, so I tried really hard not to this time, but I may have errored on the too dry side, I'll toss some back in.

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I'm guessing you only have one guitar track to work with.

Embarrassingly I have 6 rhythm tracks (2 hard panned/2 hard panned and de-tuned an octave and 2 @ 70%). This might be a case of too much of a good thing isn't helping. (not that it's all that great a rhythm track to begin with anyways.)

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I'd want to make it sound bigger and louder without actually making it louder. I'd start with a delay panned to the opposite side maybe 20ms. You'll have to EQ to make it sound undumb (knock off lots of top and bottom). A little goes a long way. If you know it's there you used too much.

I am stereo panning them using Sonalksis's Stereo Tools. Chances are though, I'm not using it properly/effectively/correctly.

Originally Posted by brandondrury

The ride and hihat stand out as being just a hair bright and a slightly unnatural. (Which may be a good thing). I'd try pulling them down 2dB to see if you like that better.

Good thought, I will certainly try that.

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I think something could be gained from subtle ambiance on the vocal. If you are going for a modern rendition of this old tune, that's cool, but a super short 16ms left, 32ms right delay could go a long way. A 1/4 note delay on the lead vocal down low enough where no one can hear it may be cool too.

Ditto once again, will try that out as well.

Originally Posted by brandondrury

Don't give up on this one. Keep what you've got and see if you can't push it over the top. I think there is quite a bit more in there if you choose to dig.
Brandon

Again, would love to dig further, but shovel's broke. Not sure where to dig from here. ha ha ...

-Nick

[fHumble fHingaz]

That vocal is amazing! The guitar playing rips too... Actually, I would say that Brandon understated things when he said that the vocals need tucking "a little". To my ears, the vocals are almost up at karaoke levels! (Now I think I'm probably overstating things!) Particularly the vocal "special echo" effects sound forced & over-loud. The band really needs to pump on this - all the performances sound fantastic, but they're only getting an "also-ran" here... Tame those cymbals too & you'll have an awesome track.

[midKnight]

Originally Posted by fHumble fHingaz

That vocal is amazing! The guitar playing rips too... Actually, I would say that Brandon understated things when he said that the vocals need tucking "a little". To my ears, the vocals are almost up at karaoke levels! (Now I think I'm probably overstating things!)

One of the problems of working in an untreated room. The levels initially sounded fine to me.. however, after a few more listens, I've lowered them a bit to try to blend them in a bit better.

Someday, I'll get around to working on the room acoustics, but that day isn't today. And tomorrow isn't looking good either. :P

I'll have a new version up shortly with the tweaks...

[midKnight]

Ok, so I'm kinda going with a less is more approach with this version.. I took out a bunch of the doubled guitars/bass, and tried a few different eq settings and rebalanced the vocal volume.

Is this version closer to something that's more appealing?

Appreciate all the suggestions so far.

-N

[fHumble fHingaz]

Yeah, this has a much better balance between music & vocals... my only suggestion to take it "to the limit" would be to dirty up the drums a bit - they sound almost too pristine & clean... One thing I'd suggest is strapping Stillwell's Badbussmojo across the drum buss & dial in a bit of crunchy goodness!

[midKnight]

Originally Posted by fHumble fHingaz

Yeah, this has a much better balance between music & vocals... my only suggestion to take it "to the limit" would be to dirty up the drums a bit - they sound almost too pristine & clean... One thing I'd suggest is strapping Stillwell's Badbussmojo across the drum buss & dial in a bit of crunchy goodness!

Another great suggestion, I will do that. I believe I currently have the api 2500 on the drum buss, but I'm certainly willing to give the mojo a try

thanks!

[midKnight]

Ok, So hopefully, third times the charm?

I've taken Brandon's and Fumble's ideas into consideration, and hopefully made a darker, messier track...

Am I getting closer? It's way hard for me to keep any perspective at this point, I've heard this a billion times, and it's all blurring together...lol

Soo... rip it up..

and btw, no guesses on the "mystery" vocalist eh? C'mon people.. take a stab at it.

[fHumble fHingaz]

Now you're talking - drums have lots more "attitude" now - sound great! I have no idea who the vocalist is. He sounds a little bit like a less operatic Ronnie James Dio, or a slightly more theatrical David Coverdale... Whoever he is, he's very good & I'll bet he's worn a LOT of spandex in his time!