Northern Star

[roysboy]

I haven't sent one out for bashing for a while . I 've been trying to get a handle on my new reference monitors and its been a battle.
Thanks for taking the time to have a listen .
Roysboy

[jjb]

I think the time you spent with the reference monitors was well worth it. Great song and performance. What I liked especially was the arrangement. You started out with a very simple background then built up (harmony, bringing in different accompaniments), and each time you added something, it was unexpected/fun and enjoyable. I'll keep this in my mental file cabinet for future reference.

jjb

[Freddy G]

Very nice tune!
Nice job on overall tonality and EQ.
A couple of small bashes:
1- the rhythm guitar on the left has intonation problems, it especially jumps out at me on the Fm at 28 seconds.
2- I think the guitar on the right is just a bit too hot....I would knock it back a couple of db and also boost the one on the left a bit.
3- The bass sounds a bit over-compressed.
Cheers,
Freddy

[sarinrocks]

Very nice. The songs has a real nice early Jackson Browne feel. I really liked the overall sounds. I agree that the bass seems a bit overcompressed and the vocals are a little bit too out front to me. Very cool overall.

[roysboy]

thanks for the constructive comments , folks .....
the bass is a midi bass ...probably the compression is "built in" somehow but I hadn't noticed til you brought it to my attention..
I agree the vocal is a bit too loud ....as a songwriter pitching these demos , I often overcompensate on the vocal so the lyric is very clear ...

I am going to listen to the things you've pointed out and see what corrections can be made ......many thanks

roysboy

[KINFOLK]

Hi Rick,
Good to hear you again. I've been away from the site, busy with life style changes, new job, planing to move family and hearth to another part of the country, lots to look after, my focus is where it has to be for the moment.
I was feeling quiet at the end of another full day and thought I'd check in. Glad I did! You are a good song writer, you have a nice touch with the guitar, your music is good, I don't get tired of listening to you.
I can't comment as I would like on the recording aspects, as I'm still learning and have yet to send in a song for bashing, but I will, and in the mean time, I'll enjoy the pleasure of listening to yours.
Daniel.

[roysboy]

hey kinfolk ....thanks for the encouraging comments on NORTHERN STAR ...the lyric was written for a friend going through the loss of her Mom ..her experience inspired me to write it . But I know the songwriting side of things is for another forum ......

I've had a few constructive comments on the recording itself from the good folks here ..always appreciated and helpful to get that objective feedback . I look forward to hearing some things from you

[musicmakerstudio]

Good song! Very nice arrangement also. One thing that did catch my ear was the level of the lead acoustic guitar, just a little hot through out. Maybe bring up the level of the rhythm acoustic some to help balance things out. Maybe it was the pop influence in me, but I kept waiting for things to get bigger and even more dynamic somewhere in the song. Maybe a drum fill coming into the last chorus followed with using a a heavier snare sound after that would help. As already noted the bass sound could use a little work. Is it an Upright bass sample? If so try another bass sample. Very good arrangement and song. The quality sound fine through my setup. Good job! Jeff.

[roysboy]

Yeah ...thanks for taking the time Jeff...good comments all around.....the upright bass is midi so maybe you're right ...another bass sound may work better , as you suggested ...the beauty of midi , eh ? I really hadn't noticed the louder acoustic lead until several of the experts here pointed it out to me and now I hear it all the time . You are the first one to comment on using the drums more dynamically so I will definitely look at that . Once again , much appreciated .....I like I actually get detailed breakdowns on this site from you folks ......great sutff

roysboy

[roysboy]

Hey Folks .....I've taken your suggestions into account and remixed NORTHERN STAR ....sorry about the huge file last time ...this one should be easier to deal with

thanks for the comments ...REALLY helpful and terrific observations all around

roysboy