Really didn't understand your previous reply of "Thanks. I think we had the same idea...ish...let me know :)"
Now I get it - there's a full version. But I don't think we did have the same idea!
1:52 drum fill definitely isn't right. It comes in too early, before that vocal and mood has decayed.
So, this continuation continues (when the drums enter)in the most obvious and natural way. With my eclectic sort of tastes, I was sort of hoping for something slightly more unusual.
It's all pleasant but maybe, with those drums, a bit light and middle of the road. They're not really making the track kick or groove. Might be better without them, as in first 2 mins.
I was hoping they'd come in and really make the whole thing take off with some deep grooves. Strange that it overall feels like quite a short track. I'm still trying to work out why as 5:46 is a pretty decent length.
So, overall, and other people may shoot me down for saying this, I preferred the 2 min version. But don't worry too much about my opinion and preferences as lots of other people will love this.
You're right. It just doesn't work. I think I needed to go through the MOR thing, just to hear it out loud as it's the obvious thing to do in a way...but it doesn't do it justice and makes a good thing dull.
I'm back at the drawing board right now...but I think I've got a better idea...
Very nice, Maff! Love it, as is, but if you want a critique, maybe boost the overall volume and possible a bit less reverb on the vocals, but that's just me.
Thanks Scott - yeah the reverb is a bit all over the place at the moment, and there's a poor dead spot around 3.49 to 3.59 where nothing happens, which needs more orchestration. That cello F sharp at 1.58 I think is musically right, but bloody robot cellist can't play it legato, so that needs sorting.
I'll pick up the levels too and sort out the mix, but just wanted a nod I was heading in the right direction here...
I liked the simplicity of the original, and didn't want to ruin it (!), but def wanted it to 'open out' without getting too Bryan Adamsy....
Yea. love this track. All the music is great. I really like the way there are spaces between vocal phrases to let the listener process. And the second section with bass really sits well.
I think you could give it more presence in the mix, maybe a shade brighter, vocs up a little in the first section.
(Still I'm an old guy and my ears may not be quite up there so take my suggestions with a pinch of salt :) )
Yeah this is tight.
I tend to like it as it is.
Its beautiful musically, great words and wonderful meaning.
But I'm also curious as to what else you might have in store.
Vocals sound very close to Sonny Sandoval, lead singer to P.O.D. and one of my favorite bands on the face.
Wow, this is brilliant. Where the hell are those vocals from? Surely that must be some sort of 'name' singer?
This truly sounds like it could/should be a big hit. Boybands, crooners and all sorts of other people would love to sing it.
You may have gathered by now that I tend to like long (or very long) deep stuff. But I actually think this works fine at this really rather short length.
But it does promise so much more so perhaps you could do two versions?
If I were making it, my longer version might even kick straight into metal, just after the vocal has finished. I challenge you to do a longer version that is a surprise and maybe just keep the shorter version drumless and with the same vibe you have here.
Piano sounds great right from the off and I just had the feeling that everything else would be great too. I quite like how the strings and piano don't start at exactly the same time.
Yeah, those 2 colleagues are right...this is fantastic, specially the vocs...I have to say, that's incredible voice...don't know, if it's yours or this is from somewhere else but who cares, you are lucky...:-)
Full song in it's state for me...
Standing ovation, Danke
I think this is one of the best tunes and songs I have heard on this site. A fantastic job. It is perfect as it stands or you could take it anywhere you wanted.
Now excuse me while I go listen to your other tracks.
Aw man, listened through this with great pleasure i must say. Awesome song. It's not house though it is its own pretty lil thang. Cool. Would love to remix this someday if I might?
Remix definitely. Let me just tweak it a little - there are a few issues here and there, but I can let you have the (42!) uncompressed tracks soon.
It kinda *was* house, but then I realised it sounded better with the 4 x 4 kick removed completely, so only first beat on the bar really gets a push - but you're right...not really funk, or house, or breakbeat...not sure best name :)
Lemme keep going for bit and we'll do something with it.
Thanks for getting in touch man - pleased you like.
wow… this instrumental is breath taking.
I haven't been on LM for quite some time as I've been caught up in other agendas… but this was such a pleasure to come back to… I feel like the current vocals don't do a justice for the mood.
Wanna send me the instrumental?
Thank you for this beautiful rendition :)
Have the merriest of holidays!
Really pleased to get this message from you on Christmas morning (!)...
Delighted you like it so much. I think our styles blend pretty well in terms of emotion and storytelling and the overall sound, and I would love to work with you.
Let me know the best way to get the instrumental sent (ok on LM?)
Perhaps send me back the new dry vocal when you get a chance, and I'll remaster the whole thing as I think I can do better this end too :)
Gonna admit I've never been a fan of pop in general but this was a pretty chill track. First time hearing those samples think I might have to try em out one day.
With my previous reply I hadn't actually checked your changes. I have now listened again and couldn't notice a lot of difference so what you've done is probably subtle. I do like to go back and check any updates to tracks I have commented on. Sometimes people even make changes based on my suggestions, which is kind of what the feedback/reviewing should be about, I think.
I guess it's partly becasue I didn't hear any problems with the vocals so am less likely to notice a slight improvement. As I said, I was hoping for more work on the drums, though you'll probably get round to that eventually, as well as giving it a more definitive, conclusive ending.
I also had a bit of desire to hear the guitar introduced earlier as it's probably my favourite part. Maybe just briefly in some sort of intro as I feel it sets it apart from other, similar tracks. I look forward to any updates though what you have is already good, as everyone has already said.
The update was really just a tidy up on the master and to add the harmonies on the BV's to spread them out across those Cm top chords a bit.
I know what you mean about the drum development, but I'm a bit torn on the drum part as so many people seem to like the simplicity of it, and knowing me, I'll overdo it if I try and add something now, but I really do get your point...and will think about it. That handclap is pretty exposed on the bridge, as we miss it once it's gone...
The first two vocal entries at the beginning are too loud and actually distort slightly, and that last 10 seconds definitely needs to be decisive rather than fizzle out...again, I agree completely, and will have a think, but I probably can't do much more without a real singer to get the phrasing right on the vocals, but the music at the end needs either to properly stop, or properly repeat-to-fade on the hook probably.
It's an exercise in restraint (hard to do less, with all our modern toys as Ed says) for that kind of 80's vibe, and in those days it was 'soul voice, against a single synth and kick' thing I was aiming for. Of course Veela is no Annie Lennox (!), but when I was a kid, things like Sweet Dreams did everything they needed to with one Oberheim OBX for the bass and lead, the kick, handclap and her.
I like that strat guitar too, but I was worried that the surprise of it might be lost if I did it any earlier ("we heard that already!") - but again, I know what you mean...will mull it over.
Thanks for your listening suggestions too - great list - (amazing Scott Pagano video for Parks on Fire...).
This is pretty interesting. Such a clean sounding mix. I liked the vocals. Brings me back to late '80's sounding music that I used to like a lot. Very cool track, well done!
Typically, I'm not a Veela fan. But this is good. Not only did I make it through the whole song, but I enjoyed it, too! If ever a turd could be polished, you just did it, my friend.
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
Now I get it - there's a full version. But I don't think we did have the same idea!
1:52 drum fill definitely isn't right. It comes in too early, before that vocal and mood has decayed.
So, this continuation continues (when the drums enter)in the most obvious and natural way. With my eclectic sort of tastes, I was sort of hoping for something slightly more unusual.
It's all pleasant but maybe, with those drums, a bit light and middle of the road. They're not really making the track kick or groove. Might be better without them, as in first 2 mins.
I was hoping they'd come in and really make the whole thing take off with some deep grooves. Strange that it overall feels like quite a short track. I'm still trying to work out why as 5:46 is a pretty decent length.
So, overall, and other people may shoot me down for saying this, I preferred the 2 min version. But don't worry too much about my opinion and preferences as lots of other people will love this.
You never did say who the vocalist is.
I'm back at the drawing board right now...but I think I've got a better idea...
Extremely helpful reply as you put it very well.
M
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
Good job!
Cheers,
Scott
I'll pick up the levels too and sort out the mix, but just wanted a nod I was heading in the right direction here...
I liked the simplicity of the original, and didn't want to ruin it (!), but def wanted it to 'open out' without getting too Bryan Adamsy....
Thanks for feedback - will keep going :)
Matt
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
I think you could give it more presence in the mix, maybe a shade brighter, vocs up a little in the first section.
(Still I'm an old guy and my ears may not be quite up there so take my suggestions with a pinch of salt :) )
Great work
Bob
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
I tend to like it as it is.
Its beautiful musically, great words and wonderful meaning.
But I'm also curious as to what else you might have in store.
Vocals sound very close to Sonny Sandoval, lead singer to P.O.D. and one of my favorite bands on the face.
Let me know if you can. Cheers.
M
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
This truly sounds like it could/should be a big hit. Boybands, crooners and all sorts of other people would love to sing it.
You may have gathered by now that I tend to like long (or very long) deep stuff. But I actually think this works fine at this really rather short length.
But it does promise so much more so perhaps you could do two versions?
If I were making it, my longer version might even kick straight into metal, just after the vocal has finished. I challenge you to do a longer version that is a surprise and maybe just keep the shorter version drumless and with the same vibe you have here.
Piano sounds great right from the off and I just had the feeling that everything else would be great too. I quite like how the strings and piano don't start at exactly the same time.
More to say but that will do for now.
Excellent work, no criticism at all.
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
Interested to hear how the song develops after 1:48
Bob
Cheers
M
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
Full song in it's state for me...
Standing ovation, Danke
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
Now excuse me while I go listen to your other tracks.
on I Will Learn by Maffin159
on Im In Love - Gift Of Funk Mix by Maffin159
on Im In Love - Gift Of Funk Mix by Maffin159
It kinda *was* house, but then I realised it sounded better with the 4 x 4 kick removed completely, so only first beat on the bar really gets a push - but you're right...not really funk, or house, or breakbeat...not sure best name :)
Lemme keep going for bit and we'll do something with it.
Thanks for getting in touch man - pleased you like.
Maff
on Im In Love - Gift Of Funk Mix by Maffin159
Thanks for comment.
Maff
on Im In Love - Gift Of Funk Mix by Maffin159
on Im In Love - Gift Of Funk Mix by Maffin159
This IS groovy...fantastic track...like your mix, not too loud, bass (synth?) is supercool...overall, it's from the first class...
Best, Danke
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
c'est bien réalisé, en effet c'est simple mais surtout c'est efficace ! Je trouve les mélanges clairs et harmonieux.
merci
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
I haven't been on LM for quite some time as I've been caught up in other agendas… but this was such a pleasure to come back to… I feel like the current vocals don't do a justice for the mood.
Wanna send me the instrumental?
Thank you for this beautiful rendition :)
Have the merriest of holidays!
Really pleased to get this message from you on Christmas morning (!)...
Delighted you like it so much. I think our styles blend pretty well in terms of emotion and storytelling and the overall sound, and I would love to work with you.
Let me know the best way to get the instrumental sent (ok on LM?)
Perhaps send me back the new dry vocal when you get a chance, and I'll remaster the whole thing as I think I can do better this end too :)
Really pleased to hear from you!
Best wishes
Matt
P.S. For now the HQ version is here:
http://tbf.me/a/BZOPIg
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
I guess it's partly becasue I didn't hear any problems with the vocals so am less likely to notice a slight improvement. As I said, I was hoping for more work on the drums, though you'll probably get round to that eventually, as well as giving it a more definitive, conclusive ending.
I also had a bit of desire to hear the guitar introduced earlier as it's probably my favourite part. Maybe just briefly in some sort of intro as I feel it sets it apart from other, similar tracks. I look forward to any updates though what you have is already good, as everyone has already said.
I know what you mean about the drum development, but I'm a bit torn on the drum part as so many people seem to like the simplicity of it, and knowing me, I'll overdo it if I try and add something now, but I really do get your point...and will think about it. That handclap is pretty exposed on the bridge, as we miss it once it's gone...
The first two vocal entries at the beginning are too loud and actually distort slightly, and that last 10 seconds definitely needs to be decisive rather than fizzle out...again, I agree completely, and will have a think, but I probably can't do much more without a real singer to get the phrasing right on the vocals, but the music at the end needs either to properly stop, or properly repeat-to-fade on the hook probably.
It's an exercise in restraint (hard to do less, with all our modern toys as Ed says) for that kind of 80's vibe, and in those days it was 'soul voice, against a single synth and kick' thing I was aiming for. Of course Veela is no Annie Lennox (!), but when I was a kid, things like Sweet Dreams did everything they needed to with one Oberheim OBX for the bass and lead, the kick, handclap and her.
I like that strat guitar too, but I was worried that the surprise of it might be lost if I did it any earlier ("we heard that already!") - but again, I know what you mean...will mull it over.
Thanks for your listening suggestions too - great list - (amazing Scott Pagano video for Parks on Fire...).
Speak soon
M
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Wayne
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Take care.
V.
M