This is cool! I don't hear nearly enough synth pop here on Looperman, and you've done such a nice job with it! I like the simplicity of the instrumentation very much, you could easily overdo it with this style of song. The vocals sound nice how you've mixed them too! A very enjoyable listen!
Thanks man. I hoped less ...er... might be more with this one.
Same goes for the tempo - I was worried it would seem too slow at 125 and not 128, but I really wanted it to be a steady, smooth listen, and not push too hard...
No problem as regards more extensive feedback. That's what I almost always do and kind of what I think this site should be more about rather than just single sentence ego-stoking.
Yes, know what you mean about cooking and not adding too many layers or too much stuff. I probably suffer from being able to come up with just too many parts and riffs and changes and drum patterns and so on. So I probably cram them in and then extend them out so tracks become so long and perhaps too busy and too varied.
I must exercise more restraint.
Anyway, my suggestion is you very carefully add some small details and pushes here and there to augment the quality stuff you've already got (and knocked out damn quickly, as far as I'm concerned).
So, the drums, as already agreed upon. Maybe a little emphasis of the vocal here and there and whatever else you come across that can give part 2 a lift (that's just how I hear it should be).
I do love to repeat cool little parts and riffs though I think some of my favourite most memorable parts are in songs where they only happen once. That makes them even more valuable and precious.
Great thanks. Not sure if heard the newer one (today) as I blended and harmonised the backing vocals a bit more and gave it a deeper, softer master which helps the flow a bit...
Drums next...and thanks again for practical feedback.
Its always a temptation to add more sounds with all the toys we have available to us Maffin...but there is much to be said for just having a few really good ones and letting them carry the day...You really did a nice job here of letting the vocal be the star but that synth is just notably good at wrapping those melody lines around the vocal...I liked this one just as it is...but I understand the drive to add some little tweaks here and there (I add too much clutter to a lot of my mixes...but dam...aint it fun)...good job on this one and it sounds nice & clean and clear...Ed
Sooo difficult, and so much fun to keep adding layers - but sometimes it's like cooking, a few simple ingredients are best.
Same with mastering - I think we all get caught up in chaining exciters and finalizers, and timing the multi compressors to a few milliseconds - that's *bound* to make my track sound better!
I'm old enough to know the handclap from Sweet Dreams was Dave Stewart smacking an empty picture frame against a wall in a basement, and they did ok with that one :)
Cheers...I might just fix the timing and levels and add just one more tiny thing...and maybe just...oh bugger I've ruined it...etc.
Hello. This grooves along nicely with a warm, relaxed vibe. Everything sits well and is to hear and nothing interferes with the vocal. Maybe I'd prefer a bit more variety in the grooves. Perhaps second half could have some progression of the 1st half's drum patterns. Could be just the same sounds but played on some other hits.
So, 2:26 when her vocal comes in a bit more forcefully I thought that was a good opportunity to move to a bigger snare, maybe a big reverbed clap to take the track to another level and make it more intense.
My favourite sounds are the guitar-like ones starting on 1:46. Is that a sample-based guitar instrument?
Good work but I'd like it to build to something more intense (it can still be chilled) in the second half.
I agree - to be honest I had a quiet Friday and did it in 4 hours, and there are some flat spots. I added the reverb on a clap for the break but I'll try pushing things a bit towards the end. I think it needs another string part and something like a tambourine or shaker on the 16ths on something...
It was an exercise in restraint, as I wanted to preserve the Sylenth throughout, and keep the bass tight, but let me give it another comb through...
The guitar is one from Cinematic Guitars (from Sample Logic) in Kontakt 5 (one of the Strats with a touch of echo) - its a great pack for film composers for instant 'desert country high roads' kinda vibe but they are good as solos and fantastic quality.
The vocal entry on the bridge (0.46 and 2.26) is rough and early by a few ticks, so that needs sorting out, and you're right and about the drum pattn...if its raining tomorrow I'll give it another coat of paint!
Very useful to get real feedback. Much appreciated!
Cool track, Maffin. Very easy and enjoyable to listen to. Love the vocals. Balance is right on...Everything is heard and not covered up by anything else.
I agree with what has already been written here .... Especially not changed this adaptation.
This is really a great intensity and brillant.
Yes! your adaptation, can not leave indifferent ....
Congratulations ....
Wow Maff, you really took this one to a different plane, kind of a jazz/tribal/fusion vibe going on, and your arrangement is spot on. Love the addition of Katie B's vox on this...gives it just the right amount of dissonance. Like Ed said, I think I'd leave this one just as it is. Perfect work brother.
I hope all is well and that you have a great holiday season.
Well...for a quick idea this is one fine bit of work Maff....really like the intro..vocal goes great with the rhythm of the track and of course Bear`s backing is (as always) great stuff.in fact I would avoid any temptation to add anything more than you have....a tip of the hat to you...really enjoyed it...Ed
Nicely made, seems like you have panned the percussion pretty well ;) which gives it a very nice surround feeling so goodjob on that ;) Further laid back beat with a nice guitar in the background
Her voice sounds gorgeous with the track that you created. Very nice ;) I always get surprised by how much talent there can be found on looperman. Thanks for sharing this with us ;)
It's the best piano VSTi you can get (in my opinion!) - it's called Ivory II.
I use it every day on everything from trance to film scores, and it comes with a load of perfect piano's including that one (Bosendorfer 290 concert grand). I used an Altiverb reverb on it (the preset was a rehearsal studio with distant mics).
It really needs a weighted keyboard as the midi input and a sturdy sustain pedal as the software responds very subtly to different finger pressures.
Hey thanks - thought I'd try a 'non house' version for a change...something more laid back.
I actually stopped myself from 'fixing' the timing on the vocals, as I'd normally do on a dance version, because I guess a singer would naturally be ahead or behind the beat in a live performance - as maybe that kinda wakes you up and means you pay attention to the lyrics..?
Such a great voice and story on this one - she's amazing!
Really nice rendition. I had to check it out, since we did a version, which is quite different. It's on our page if you want to check it out. It's quite interesting to hear another style. Very good job! I'll bet Bonnie will love it.
Thanks mate..try the new one.."Im in Love"..I think its better, but the 10MB limit means I can't upload the 24bit 48k wav which sounds so much cleaner and deeper!
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Same goes for the tempo - I was worried it would seem too slow at 125 and not 128, but I really wanted it to be a steady, smooth listen, and not push too hard...
Thanks for comments - really appreciated!
M
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Yes, know what you mean about cooking and not adding too many layers or too much stuff. I probably suffer from being able to come up with just too many parts and riffs and changes and drum patterns and so on. So I probably cram them in and then extend them out so tracks become so long and perhaps too busy and too varied.
I must exercise more restraint.
Anyway, my suggestion is you very carefully add some small details and pushes here and there to augment the quality stuff you've already got (and knocked out damn quickly, as far as I'm concerned).
So, the drums, as already agreed upon. Maybe a little emphasis of the vocal here and there and whatever else you come across that can give part 2 a lift (that's just how I hear it should be).
I do love to repeat cool little parts and riffs though I think some of my favourite most memorable parts are in songs where they only happen once. That makes them even more valuable and precious.
Good luck though I'm sure you won't screw it up.
Drums next...and thanks again for practical feedback.
M
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
I wish someone would tell me how it should end...I'm beginning to really not like that last 10 seconds....
What does synth pop do? Repeat to fade ("dim the lights")...?
I'll have to check Sweet Dreams, Smalltown Boy or Only You or something and see if they just trail off..:)
(Yeah...I'm that old :))
Thanks for listening.
M
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Same with mastering - I think we all get caught up in chaining exciters and finalizers, and timing the multi compressors to a few milliseconds - that's *bound* to make my track sound better!
I'm old enough to know the handclap from Sweet Dreams was Dave Stewart smacking an empty picture frame against a wall in a basement, and they did ok with that one :)
Cheers...I might just fix the timing and levels and add just one more tiny thing...and maybe just...oh bugger I've ruined it...etc.
Maff
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
So, 2:26 when her vocal comes in a bit more forcefully I thought that was a good opportunity to move to a bigger snare, maybe a big reverbed clap to take the track to another level and make it more intense.
My favourite sounds are the guitar-like ones starting on 1:46. Is that a sample-based guitar instrument?
Good work but I'd like it to build to something more intense (it can still be chilled) in the second half.
I agree - to be honest I had a quiet Friday and did it in 4 hours, and there are some flat spots. I added the reverb on a clap for the break but I'll try pushing things a bit towards the end. I think it needs another string part and something like a tambourine or shaker on the 16ths on something...
It was an exercise in restraint, as I wanted to preserve the Sylenth throughout, and keep the bass tight, but let me give it another comb through...
The guitar is one from Cinematic Guitars (from Sample Logic) in Kontakt 5 (one of the Strats with a touch of echo) - its a great pack for film composers for instant 'desert country high roads' kinda vibe but they are good as solos and fantastic quality.
The vocal entry on the bridge (0.46 and 2.26) is rough and early by a few ticks, so that needs sorting out, and you're right and about the drum pattn...if its raining tomorrow I'll give it another coat of paint!
Very useful to get real feedback. Much appreciated!
Cheers
Maff
on Dim the Lights - Feat Veela by Maffin159
Great job!
Cheers,
Scott
on Stone Cold - Cold as Stone Mix - Feat Katie B by Maffin159
on Stone Cold - Cold as Stone Mix - Feat Katie B by Maffin159
I agree with what has already been written here .... Especially not changed this adaptation.
This is really a great intensity and brillant.
Yes! your adaptation, can not leave indifferent ....
Congratulations ....
Dan
on Stone Cold - Cold as Stone Mix - Feat Katie B by Maffin159
I hope all is well and that you have a great holiday season.
Bear
on Stone Cold - Cold as Stone Mix - Feat Katie B by Maffin159
on Stone Cold - Cold as Stone Mix - Feat Katie B by Maffin159
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
Im also pleased i DLd as its well worth it!
What a beautiful Track!
Lovely strings/piano to go with her beautiful voice!
This is a real nice heartfelt track!
Very very nice!
Thank you for sharing!
***bb***
Maff
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
brb lol
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
Very nice instrumental underneath Bonnies vocal.
I could kill for that piano.
Is it a real piano?
It's the best piano VSTi you can get (in my opinion!) - it's called Ivory II.
I use it every day on everything from trance to film scores, and it comes with a load of perfect piano's including that one (Bosendorfer 290 concert grand). I used an Altiverb reverb on it (the preset was a rehearsal studio with distant mics).
It really needs a weighted keyboard as the midi input and a sturdy sustain pedal as the software responds very subtly to different finger pressures.
Maff
on For Two - Bass Injection Mix Feat Katie Bregman by Maffin159
Cheers,
Scott
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
Danke
I actually stopped myself from 'fixing' the timing on the vocals, as I'd normally do on a dance version, because I guess a singer would naturally be ahead or behind the beat in a live performance - as maybe that kinda wakes you up and means you pay attention to the lyrics..?
Such a great voice and story on this one - she's amazing!
Cheers
Matt
on Make Me Go - Feat Bonnie Rabson by Maffin159
Ciao,
Scott
I did a version of For Two as well...
http://www.looperman.com/tracks/detail/150348
Cheers
Matt
on For Two - Bass Injection Mix Feat Katie Bregman by Maffin159
Steve
on For Two - Bass Injection Mix Feat Katie Bregman by Maffin159