"The Road To Fame"

[The Outlaw Ronnie Black]

My Brother & I,just laid this track down using a Presonus firestudio Project w/Cubase Le4,1 Dean,& 1 Takamine Elect.acoustic Guitars,& a phantom powered mxl 990 we're new to recording & mixdown so any positive input would be appreciated,This is the title track to the ep we're working on,thanks
P.S.also wouldn't mind some feed back on the lyrics,again thanks

[garageband]

Is that thumping from a guitar? It's horrible, make it stop. Can't comment on the lyrics, the vocal is murky to begin with and way too low to be audible. The song itself seems OK.

[The Outlaw Ronnie Black]

Being I'm new to recording,and you're comment was so unhelpful,maybe you would like to add some helpful suggestions on improving the sound quality,I was under the impression that that's what this forum is for.

[TonyB]

You need to bring the vocals out more so we can hear your story.

Mixing-wise: Try panning the guitar left and right to leave some room for the vocals up the middle. Be sure that the guitar is supporting the vocals and not fighting the vocals for space and prime time. That should help.

Song-wise: Sounds like a good song. I recommend adding some dynamics to the song. Maybe apply a little more energy to the choruses.

[The Outlaw Ronnie Black]

Thanks for the positive feedback,it's certainly appreciated. do you think i should add any effects,compressor... or any thing like that?
Thanks Again

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw Ronnie Black

Thanks for the positive feedback,it's certainly appreciated. do you think i should add any effects,compressor... or any thing like that?
Thanks Again

You shouldn't need too much effects since it is a simple (as in "not very complex) arrangement (guitar and vocals).

After panning the guitar L and R, you may want to add a little compression on the guitar. The vocals shouldn't need too much compression either, but worth a try (no more than 4:1, 3 to 4 Gain Reduction, fast attack, med release for example). Just need to play with it.

Be careful with reverb on the vocals. It can easily get out of control (and sound amatuerish) in such an intimate song arrangment. May not need any reverb; maybe a little short delay.

[garageband]

Originally Posted by The Outlaw Ronnie Black

Being I'm new to recording,and you're comment was so unhelpful,maybe you would like to add some helpful suggestions on improving the sound quality,I was under the impression that that's what this forum is for.

No sweat. Glad to spend my time trying to help you. There were three specific suggestions in my comments to help you improve.

I didn't say, "You suck." Politeness would usually dictate your not replying with "you're [sic] comment was so unhelpful".

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by garageband

No sweat. Glad to spend my time trying to help you. There were three specific suggestions in my comments to help you improve.

I didn't say, "You suck." Politeness would usually dictate your not replying with "you're [sic] comment was so unhelpful".

I've known GB for awhile on here. I can vouch this was somewhat polite for GB; was being helpful!

If he thought you sucked, he definitely would've said so.

[roysboy]

For your first efforts , this is sounding pretty darned good ...nice and clean ...good vocal .....I'm gonna go with Tony B's suggestions above ....roll the guitar back a bit and the vocal up ....vocal sounds like it may be doubled or delayed ...maybe a stereo expander with too much delay ...not sure ...? ...I think that's working against your lyric .

Maybe you could try a few of the suggestions and re-post ...
all the best

[The Outlaw Ronnie Black]

I definitely appreciate the feed back. its been very helpful,even GB's now that I kind of understand his in your face approach to letting you know the flaws that he hears. We're basically just musicians,trying to learn the ins and outs of home recording,but I want to sound great not just good,so as I said before any information on things like compressors settings,sound quality and such,and what I can do to correct them extremely helps,I'm a pretty quick study,and I know how to apply some things,but it helps if you know where to, and where not to apply everything,(like what there purpose is),I have Cubase Le4,and don't know what half of the stuff does yet,I guess a basic steps to recording guide would be worth getting.we're still working on The Road To Fame,so I'm gonna post another song we've been working on,looking forward to any helpful opinions you guy's have on that one too,again many thanks for all of your time and effort.
P.S.you to GB