Update Needle In The Hay Ft VSlimm FAnalysis - SeriouslyJoking

OK yes there it is. Nice panning , nice spatial sounds, better control on the Piano re-verbs. Vocals sound nice, bass is better and the percussion fits well. Minimalist perfection. Only thing I would do different is at $;$7 drop the piano and let the vox go accapella and only at the very end do that nice synth thing to end it with the final vocal (sting) Great job though very nice
Steve

hello again again:)

It's great that you updated this one in a short time. Impressive how it is different

0:20 - very nice bassline, it sounds like a guitar. I do not like the synth on the left channel very much - it is filling the harmony but somehow it could sound brighter/sharper, at least to me.
0:50 - introducing single piano riff was good and it corresponds nicely with the vox
1:09 - there' is a slight distortion on the vocal track, probably caused again by the compression.
0:17 - your piano sounds like played from the distance and it has some 'pumping' qualities in this particular mix context. Which plugin did you use? Maybe it is good to reduce the reverb and delay. You can also render the single piano track without the effects then import the mixdown and work with the audio only. I do that a lot. The entire project will be definitely played much more stable inside your DAW when you remove plugins.
The section starting from around 1:17 may need some adjustments. Snare drum could be louder as well as percussions.
1:58 - new synth but it has quite similar color to the bassline. You can always find some fitting funky guitar loop or something similar here. It might help to fill the space and change positively the feel of the music. .
2:37 - kick is nice but you can introduce some other elements too. There is a synth from 2:50 but it again needs more presence (in my opinion). To me the vocal sounds wide - the rest quite narrow. Also you might consider enhancing hihats and other percussions.

Why do not play let's say a bassline and piano tracks only for example? Then maybe try observe (by ear) the actual space in the frequency range available for each instrument and see how they eventually 'clash' inside the mix. You can somehow separate them. It might be difficult because you tend to use too much of reverb and delay effects. Did you equalize instruments using eq-plugin's presets? It may help a lot - I use presets for eqing sometimes as well.

I hope some of this is useful. Those are just my opinions so do not take it too seriously haha

Congratulations on developing the arrangement into such a nice thing. I enjoyed listening!
Best, Alex

panning instruments will help with the overwhelming of each other. Each instrument should get it's own space. Like double the piano track for example, then pan them out 40 percent each R and L. I double the drums and pan 20 percent R and L.Vocals center. bass center or 10 percent panned L and R to widen it. All personal preference as for how much, which instrument ect. but it helps. Practice makes perfect :p Sounds good. Vocals line up nicely, and I know that can be a challenge sometimes! :D

Crazy vibe! love the vocal, very smooth and good tonal sound off the voice which is pleasant to the ear,

hello SJ

Very fine work on this one! You are making a significant progressions with your music and I entirely agree with all crucethus' remarks. I want add the 'pumping' issue overkill. It is noticable at 0:50 and 1:04 when excessive compression affects the mix.
At least this is what I can hear on headphones. Also I'd love to have more dynamics and natural presence of the instruments but that's just my prefference.

Apart of all that your choice of vocals in fine and I really liked the entire arrangement. It is a lovely song. Best, Alex

I love the arrangement in this track. You strip it back and throw it all back in at the right moments. The play between the vocals and the piano is what really makes the track so interesting. Definitely a favorite.

TA

Hey SJ
What I like: 1. The intro is very eclectic and what I like in a song that I personally like to listen too.
2. You have started to develop a better sense for arranging in a tasteful way. To explain that I still hear your distinctive piano sound with the slap delay but it sits much better in the mix now and it adds to the composition and doesn't overwhelm it as in some of your earlier creations, bravo, you kept a distinctive trait and made it a strength in your work now.
3. You fit the vocals in perfectly timing wise and in the mix.
What I would like to see different:
1. There is a lot of dynamic compression which hurts the delicate musical sounds you have placed in the piece. like that sweet oboe sounds a bit choppy with the delay of the piano and such.
2. Though getting better I would like to hear more distinctive bass-lines throughout the piece. I heard some sub bass and hints of bass here and there.
3. Your choice of vocals is not very inspiring to me, but that's just my personal taste I guess. I think for your style of composing I want to hear a vocalist who can belt it out of the park, but I realize that we won't find that easily on the pella pages. (no offense to Virginia slimm)

Over all it's a great job you did on this one and just a pleasure to hear your sounds and choices getting better and better. Good Work.
Cru

Hello
it's very beautifull .
I really enjoyed .
nice composition ,wonderfull vocal .
congrats.
:)

Brilliant, great vibe. I really enjoyed it.
the vocals very catchy.

DB