Hey, this is actually a really good track. I imagine you're a fan of The Cure? Not that it rips them off but it really sounds like it's influenced by them. The vocal's letting it down at the moment, having said that the backing vox actually sound really good the melody of the hook's also perfect.
If you're willing to collab, I'd love to have a go at doing a version of this.
Yes you are right on the Conversion...that would hold the top down...
And the compression: If you squeeze more you will hear it, less would
clean it up, and let the value of the signal do it's job...
Placement is everything it needs to move in it's space, not overpower it
make it much cleaner...
Yo. Not sure if you know about replacing a track rather than starting a new one. I say this because my previous in-depth review of your track has now disappeared so I can't refer to my previous notes, which would help me for reviewing this updated version.
All you gave to is 'replace' the track with the new version and all the comments and replies etc will stay just as they are! That way I can see what I wrote last time.
Anyway, can't be bothered to write it all out again so will just say a couple of things, going from memory.
Guitar sounds fuller-bodied and so do the drums. Basically, the mix is much improved.
Re-recorded vocal is also an improvement. 0:52 I believe you have added more vocals as you change key. Before, you just stopped singing and then the key change happened and was entirely instrumental.
I think this version is probably 30-60 secs shorter so punchier and more immediate. Middle instrumental section shortening probably accounts for most of that time reduction.
Good work and always pleasing to hear people improve after feedback.
This is probably pretty much ready for emotional pop song radio play.
Thanks my friend as always. I made a mistake as the website refused to 'update' the track for some reason. I did it right, but the LM page just played the old one. Hmmm.
Still getting weirdness on the mp3 conversions, as the 48k wav sounds much nicer with better EQ balance...still tinkering with the conversion settings as not sure if LM reconverts on the upload. Yours always sound rich, do you export to 44k 128 direct from the DAW or convert the 24-bit WAV separately? I'm sure there's a forum on it if I could be bothered to look :)
Cool track Much, Much better mix....Guitars sit perfectly and help push
the vocal instead of the other way around...
Clean up the top end a bit and this would be radio ready 1,2db touchup
and you'd be on the mark...
You mean less top or more? - might be EQ on final, but finding the MP3 conversion adds boom and siblnce. Guess I should export as 44K / 192 not 48K / 320 if LM reconverts for web?
On the 2db push - you mean compress more? I need to keep dynamics but could squeeze touch more?
I also don't appreciate static nomad's comments. I don't know if you are talking about me or my brother, but those comments are completely off base. We give nothing but constructive feedback and it's always positive. We have never recorded or written a single thing that can be construed as propaganda. We generally reply with how tracks make us feel, the vibes they give. How is that propaganda? When we reply to member reviews of our own music, we say thanks for the feed back or we appreciate it. Where is the propaganda?
And do you that this was an accapella? Maffin downloaded it and created this. How was I suppose to make my lyrics relevant to the theme of this music when I spit them 12 months ago to give beat makers something work with?
I am sorry, Maffin, but I was given permission by looperman to respond these allegations because, as artists, our reputations are all we've got. This guy, for whatever reason, is committing unsubstantiated libel against Progress and Evolve and since we are not allowed to battle on this site, I was told I could deal with it here.
Again, Maffin great job man and Static stay classy bro.
the beat is pretty funky man..it comes off eclectic. the way you mixed my vocals with your track, it almost has some def jam spoken word feel to it...and do I detect some 70's flavor?
Hi. Pretty cool track though I don't hear it as hip hop. The music definitely isn't.
It's some kind of funk that skips along with interesting little electro flourishes. That main snare fill makes me think of reggae.
You've got a little bit of wah guitar in there too.
This is like a little interlude on an album. I feel it needs to have more of a change or chorus or something to feel more like a proper song. Vocal doesn't really stop once it starts.
Are you planning to lengthen it, maybe with some other changes?
P.S. If you're at all concerned about radioilluminati's comments, I can tell you he's left loads of irrelevant agenda-based propaganda in track reviews and replies to his own track comments. There's probably no stopping him though I feel it's bad form to bang on about stuff that isn't related to music and the track in question.
Nice track. I like your rough authentic style that is different.
"Rain" is a codeword in the secret society that control all the fake plastic mainstream musicians. That is why they often sing about "rain","rainman" or Umbrella.
They are singing about Lucifer, that wants to wipe out the weak sheep, that go along with the system. So your text fits very well with it: "Some day a real rain will come and wash away the fakers" an energy you probably have tapped into, without knowing it.
Awesome track. I love your vocals as well as the ethereal backing vocals. I am a sucker for strings, so when they came in strong, I was in heaven! Great job!
Your vocal sounds just a tad bit like Donavan. This song is great. just a bit of mastering issues that I hear. I feel the bass and the vocals are pushing to hard in the mix. there is this weird distortion (sibilance) on the vocals. I think with a softening on the vocals will make this sound so much better. Panning is spot on!. Love the guitar work at the end of the fade out. And a little like the male voice on this diddy by Bran Van 3000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id6pz6uqKt0&html5=1
Steve
yes I tend to agree listening back to this latest one. I think there is a limit both to my vocal ability (!) and the SM58 which is not exactly a studio quality mic, and I find it a juggling act to flatten the bass and vocals as you say, without crushing the dynamics on the beats.
I think I might try and bus the bass and vocals and then put bespoke compressors on those buses and leave the master free of effects...I'll see if that works, but I agree and I'll try to do that.
This track sounds very nice, your vocals at first reminded me a bit of pink Floyd (I know you can easily hear the different but the feeling is similar), Further the track itself sounded really nice and I can always enjoy chill out as a genre. I can see from the comment that you went through a long process to create this and took a lot of advice in finishing this, I respect that ;)
Thanks for sharing this with us
and hope to hear more like this
I know you mentioned on one of my songs that you layered the vocals 6 times, and you thought you lost some sentiment in it, but i personally love the vocals in this song.
Also the strings that come in halfway thruogh are an a amazing touch and makes a good song even better.
So, comment number 6 from me (across all versions) - the most I've commented on any Looperman track. What else can I find to say?
One idea is doing an instrumental remix with a heavier, fatter beat and perhaps no or less guitar. Bring some of the good music out more and go for a different structure. Might well get away with no beat for some parts of that remix (ie pure chillout).
1:40 effective drum fill.
Aha 2:38 some bowed strings that I like. That's new.
So, it's got a good, middle instrumental break. The one that myself and MrWolf14 were calling for.
2:57 drums with heavier hat also new.
Good winding down ending moves very nicely though I'm not quite sure about final, effected acoustic guitar flourish. Think it might be a phaser on that. Sounds slightly too synthetic. Perhaps just have less of the effect.
There are still some vocal fizzing sibilance problems, right from the first line. And it's a bit too loud in general.
Otherwise, I think I've already given this a fair bit of detailed praise, even if you may have lost those comments.
Congratulations though I'd prefer the vocal problems to be fixed.
Hey - thanks for continued support. Have fixed most of it now and need to leave it alone for a bit I think, but I never did anything with such co-lab from LMers before so really appreciate advice as always.
Yes!
Sounding very good, Maff.
Really nice strings and guitar and all the extra flavours in the soundscape, and your vocal is working brilliantly.
It's itching in a good way in my ears when listening on headphones, that's a very good sign of that all the levels and mastering are working.
(I think it has something to do with the sound frequensis causing the itching when they are just right -
and this is a very scientific approach, mind you... :D )
I like the vibe to this, kinda chilled out. Nice even mix and pleasant sounds combine to create a wonderful track. I like the doubling of the vocals. Thought the drums could use some punch in places but i liked the song. Cool singing, fits the feel of the song very well. Nice job!
This IS a really good song.
And your voice is doing that special thing with me, you know when you hear somebody singing and you get hooked and want to hear more and know stuff about them - that thing.
You hit the right nerve.
(Don't worry - I'm too old to start stalking artists!!! Just analyzing my reactions in a Freudian manner to get to the hit potential.)
Have you submitted this to the Loop Radio yet or something? Get this tune out there!
/SJ =)
Agree with others wrote and would like to add at 0:57 to 1:08 had my attention the most. The instruments and vocals connect and kept me listening a few times. Dig the messages from this music good sounds thanks.
Wow, is this you singing Maff?
I'm listening over and over again and enjoying what I hear!
The instrumental - brilliant of course.
And the vocal really gives this a dreamy, melancholic atmosphere.
I would love to hear more of your voice from 2:30 to 2:50, stop hiding behind the music!
So, my fifth comment on this track, in its different versions.
Must say I agree with this: "A great song that reflects the coolness of Autumn".
I still wish the bass was heard for longer before the guitar came in in the intro. But the beat also seems better and more pronounced in that intro.
You took my advice (I guess) and removed that first guitar fill in the chorus (the one after 'long away away').
One sight problem in this track is that there are no drum fills. They'd give it some added energy. Not much cymbal work either. Give it a big fill as you head into the middle, instrumental section.
Also, as it's the third chorus, I think you have an opportunity to do something different eg change the drum kit, make the drums a lot sparser and so on. It perhaps needs to be something a bit different as we're hearing it for the third time.
After it, 3:25 on, it's a pretty good, dreamy, gradual fade out though you must know that guitar still cuts off too abruptly right at the end.
...I *always* take your advice - you give the fullest reviews which are the most useful!
You're right about the fills, I might use that one you like near the beginning (or a variation) as I don't want to go for a big rock / tom fill which might ruin the mood.
Pop shield was £20 well spent too - so thanks for the tip!
Hmm...'different drums'...interesting. I stuck a tambourine on the choruses (bit 70's but does the trick) but I like your idea of actually taking something away ("sparser") and letting the instrument parts and harmonies carry the groove. Maybe just a rim and hi hat or something so we start to ease off towards the end so the slow down is less abrupt.
A great song that reflects the coolness of Autumn that I am starting to feel around this way (chilling out). The lyrics are deep too - "What is real never fades" , could not have said it better.
All the best - Billy
as Ed has truelY mentioned , there're many reasons which cnvinces me for fav mark regarding this .most notable of them is singer's voice outstanding character & selected notes for melody vocal ,also sane & logical balance of instrumental version too .all the best___Behnam
on Always Now by Maffin159
If you're willing to collab, I'd love to have a go at doing a version of this.
Did you write the whole track?
If you'd like the instrumental is here:
http://tbf.me/a/BJnuAu
Happy for you to have a go - just keep me posted tho as I'm not letting downloads till it's a bit better...
Yeh it's all me - done in three days all on computer.
Cheers
Maf
on Always Now by Maffin159
And the compression: If you squeeze more you will hear it, less would
clean it up, and let the value of the signal do it's job...
Placement is everything it needs to move in it's space, not overpower it
make it much cleaner...
Peace...TG.
on Always Now by Maffin159
All you gave to is 'replace' the track with the new version and all the comments and replies etc will stay just as they are! That way I can see what I wrote last time.
Anyway, can't be bothered to write it all out again so will just say a couple of things, going from memory.
Guitar sounds fuller-bodied and so do the drums. Basically, the mix is much improved.
Re-recorded vocal is also an improvement. 0:52 I believe you have added more vocals as you change key. Before, you just stopped singing and then the key change happened and was entirely instrumental.
I think this version is probably 30-60 secs shorter so punchier and more immediate. Middle instrumental section shortening probably accounts for most of that time reduction.
Good work and always pleasing to hear people improve after feedback.
This is probably pretty much ready for emotional pop song radio play.
Still getting weirdness on the mp3 conversions, as the 48k wav sounds much nicer with better EQ balance...still tinkering with the conversion settings as not sure if LM reconverts on the upload. Yours always sound rich, do you export to 44k 128 direct from the DAW or convert the 24-bit WAV separately? I'm sure there's a forum on it if I could be bothered to look :)
Thanks again.
Maff
on Always Now by Maffin159
the vocal instead of the other way around...
Clean up the top end a bit and this would be radio ready 1,2db touchup
and you'd be on the mark...
Very well done...
Peace....TG.
You mean less top or more? - might be EQ on final, but finding the MP3 conversion adds boom and siblnce. Guess I should export as 44K / 192 not 48K / 320 if LM reconverts for web?
On the 2db push - you mean compress more? I need to keep dynamics but could squeeze touch more?
Thnx again.
M
on Modern De Niro by Maffin159
And do you that this was an accapella? Maffin downloaded it and created this. How was I suppose to make my lyrics relevant to the theme of this music when I spit them 12 months ago to give beat makers something work with?
I am sorry, Maffin, but I was given permission by looperman to respond these allegations because, as artists, our reputations are all we've got. This guy, for whatever reason, is committing unsubstantiated libel against Progress and Evolve and since we are not allowed to battle on this site, I was told I could deal with it here.
Again, Maffin great job man and Static stay classy bro.
on Modern De Niro by Maffin159
on Modern De Niro by Maffin159
It's some kind of funk that skips along with interesting little electro flourishes. That main snare fill makes me think of reggae.
You've got a little bit of wah guitar in there too.
This is like a little interlude on an album. I feel it needs to have more of a change or chorus or something to feel more like a proper song. Vocal doesn't really stop once it starts.
Are you planning to lengthen it, maybe with some other changes?
P.S. If you're at all concerned about radioilluminati's comments, I can tell you he's left loads of irrelevant agenda-based propaganda in track reviews and replies to his own track comments. There's probably no stopping him though I feel it's bad form to bang on about stuff that isn't related to music and the track in question.
on Modern De Niro by Maffin159
"Rain" is a codeword in the secret society that control all the fake plastic mainstream musicians. That is why they often sing about "rain","rainman" or Umbrella.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hngxXlhHPVg
They are singing about Lucifer, that wants to wipe out the weak sheep, that go along with the system. So your text fits very well with it: "Some day a real rain will come and wash away the fakers" an energy you probably have tapped into, without knowing it.
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Love & Light,
Mykael
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id6pz6uqKt0&html5=1
Steve
I think I might try and bus the bass and vocals and then put bespoke compressors on those buses and leave the master free of effects...I'll see if that works, but I agree and I'll try to do that.
Cheers for feedback - very useful!
Maff
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Thanks for sharing this with us
and hope to hear more like this
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Also the strings that come in halfway thruogh are an a amazing touch and makes a good song even better.
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
One idea is doing an instrumental remix with a heavier, fatter beat and perhaps no or less guitar. Bring some of the good music out more and go for a different structure. Might well get away with no beat for some parts of that remix (ie pure chillout).
1:40 effective drum fill.
Aha 2:38 some bowed strings that I like. That's new.
So, it's got a good, middle instrumental break. The one that myself and MrWolf14 were calling for.
2:57 drums with heavier hat also new.
Good winding down ending moves very nicely though I'm not quite sure about final, effected acoustic guitar flourish. Think it might be a phaser on that. Sounds slightly too synthetic. Perhaps just have less of the effect.
There are still some vocal fizzing sibilance problems, right from the first line. And it's a bit too loud in general.
Otherwise, I think I've already given this a fair bit of detailed praise, even if you may have lost those comments.
Congratulations though I'd prefer the vocal problems to be fixed.
Cheers for now...
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Sounding very good, Maff.
Really nice strings and guitar and all the extra flavours in the soundscape, and your vocal is working brilliantly.
It's itching in a good way in my ears when listening on headphones, that's a very good sign of that all the levels and mastering are working.
(I think it has something to do with the sound frequensis causing the itching when they are just right -
and this is a very scientific approach, mind you... :D )
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Wayne
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
And your voice is doing that special thing with me, you know when you hear somebody singing and you get hooked and want to hear more and know stuff about them - that thing.
You hit the right nerve.
(Don't worry - I'm too old to start stalking artists!!! Just analyzing my reactions in a Freudian manner to get to the hit potential.)
Have you submitted this to the Loop Radio yet or something? Get this tune out there!
/SJ =)
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Compliments...Orlando
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
I'm listening over and over again and enjoying what I hear!
The instrumental - brilliant of course.
And the vocal really gives this a dreamy, melancholic atmosphere.
I would love to hear more of your voice from 2:30 to 2:50, stop hiding behind the music!
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
Must say I agree with this: "A great song that reflects the coolness of Autumn".
I still wish the bass was heard for longer before the guitar came in in the intro. But the beat also seems better and more pronounced in that intro.
You took my advice (I guess) and removed that first guitar fill in the chorus (the one after 'long away away').
One sight problem in this track is that there are no drum fills. They'd give it some added energy. Not much cymbal work either. Give it a big fill as you head into the middle, instrumental section.
Also, as it's the third chorus, I think you have an opportunity to do something different eg change the drum kit, make the drums a lot sparser and so on. It perhaps needs to be something a bit different as we're hearing it for the third time.
After it, 3:25 on, it's a pretty good, dreamy, gradual fade out though you must know that guitar still cuts off too abruptly right at the end.
Who knows, I might even leave a sixth review...
...I *always* take your advice - you give the fullest reviews which are the most useful!
You're right about the fills, I might use that one you like near the beginning (or a variation) as I don't want to go for a big rock / tom fill which might ruin the mood.
Pop shield was £20 well spent too - so thanks for the tip!
Hmm...'different drums'...interesting. I stuck a tambourine on the choruses (bit 70's but does the trick) but I like your idea of actually taking something away ("sparser") and letting the instrument parts and harmonies carry the groove. Maybe just a rim and hi hat or something so we start to ease off towards the end so the slow down is less abrupt.
Still tinkering...but thanks as always.
Can't wait for the 6th review :)
Cheers
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159
All the best - Billy
on What Is Real Never Fades by Maffin159