ShortBusMusic

Hey Joe, really creative work here. I haven't heard the original shanty, but I know you have put a really cool modern tilt to it and it works really well. Like I said, it isn't easy to take a song that is over 80 years old and make it work in today's market.

Outstanding effort. It is a little bit long, but what the heck, it is a shanty. They are supposed to be long :)

Bear

Hey Fixxxer, like Simon says, nobody will kick you for this effort. You really did clean things up a bunch. The biggest challenge in this mix was the sheer number of instruments trying to occupy the same space, especially the guitars. I think you did a good job cleaning up the majority of the mud. And I like the way you emphasized the woodwind at the end as well.

Overall, I would say you rose to the challenge and produced a really nice mix and master. Well done my friend. I thank you for participating and your support. I hope all is well.

Bear

George, man this is soooooo nice. Crispy, crispy mix, with a fantastic bottom end. Loved the way you panned the intro. I can hear all of the instruments really well, and that's the key to a great mix. I think you cleaned up the timing issues fairly well. The percussion really sounds sharp, and I think the reason for that is your vast experience working with house music.

I really enjoyed your interpretation. I am downloading as we speak, and when all of the entries are in, I am going to make a CD of them and put them in my car's audio system for the ultimate test. You are a true pro my friend. Outstanding effort. Thanks for participating. I hope all is well.

Bear

Simon, beautiful work!

The pitching of the piano was a really smart move because there were a lot of things occupying the mids. Love the delay on the percussion. You cleaned up all of the timing issues. I think the most impressive thing is the amount of clarity given to each instrument, and then the outstanding use of dynamics to build to the end.

I knew you would set the bar really high for the others, and you did just that. This shows just how good a great producer/arranger can make a song in the studio. You illustrate that even when given stems that are not quite up to standards, a gifted engineer can make them sound really impressive.

I thank you for showing just how good this one could sound. Bravo my friend. It will be fun to see how the competition responds to this terrific effort.

I hope all is well with you and the family.

Bear

For the most part, I like what you have done here....but I'm not sure the vocal part - especially the sections with the recognizable "Titanic" melody - actually works with the rest of what you have done. Having that melody is OK, but I think it detracts from the great work you have done on the instrumental underneath it. Perhaps you could find a different vocal that wouldn't stand out quite as much.

Or you could leave it as is, because I'm an idiot and don't know what I am talking about, haha. Seriously though, it is a great fusion cinematic piece worthy of a film. Beautifully crafted. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

Richie, I always know I am in for a major treat when I see you have a new song posted. In addition to your massive talents as a musician and producer/arranger, I think what sets you apart from us mere mortals is your attention to detail.

I've got no critique here, just massive amounts of respect for what you do - and how well you do it.

And Pauline isn't too shabby either, haha.

It's great to have you drop a new track my friend, downloaded (much appreciated) to listen to and enjoy again and again. I hope all is well.

Bear

Hey Scott and Franco, every time I see you guys have a new tune, I know it is going to be solid gold and this one is no exception. What a great collection of seriously talented musicians. Superb vocals, and a professional mix on top of it all.

This track is radio ready gents, it is that good. Keep up the great work. A tip of the hat to all involved. I hope all is well.

Bear

This is stimply as good as it gets. I would imagine this may be what Minette had in mind when she originally worked out the vox and melody. Professional work from start to finish.

Now, you are responsible for me not being able to get this out of my head, hahaha.

Sensational work. I hope all is well.

Bear

Dan, really impressive work. It is not easy to take an existing track, then add another minute to it, and make it all sound like it was all done at the same time. Really impressive work. I love the dissonance on this one that the piano provided, and again was impressed that you were able to continue that message to the end of the piece.

Well done. A tip of the hat to both of you. I hope all is well.

Bear

I thought since I was here I would give another tune a listen and you did not disappoint. Once again, great crunchy guitar work. Are you putting mics on your amps or playing through something like a Line 6 to get that great tone?

I am impressed for sure. Really well done, and again, a nice tight mix. Much respect.

Bear

Well, this is the first time I have listened to your work (I apologize for that), but I am glad I have discovered it. Wonderful guitar work...love that big fat sound you get and that crunchy tone on the rhythm. Sounds like a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier. Anyway, I digress.

Outstanding effort. Now you just need vocals and you will really have something here. Mix was spot on as well. I hope all is well.

Bear

Well, like Static stated, your learning curve has been about as rapid and steep as it gets. This one really sounds like it has been mixed in a studio. Really crisp and all of the elements in the mix are sitting exactly where they should be. I actually think the vocals work well in this....one thing you might consider next time is doing some harmony work on the chorus to give the vox a bigger feel in those sections. That's just a bit of nit picking on my part though...this one is solid from the very start and stays that way through to the end.

Well done, really well done. It will be fun to watch you continue to progress. You are rapidly becoming one of the ace production people on this site.

Bear

Beautiful work Jerry. Really beautiful lyrics with a great delivery. Man your voice is so good. I thought this one was pretty special when Jeroen first added his magic, but now it has gone to a whole new level. I think the vox in the beginning is a bit back in the mix, but by the last third of the song it just seemed to blossom and was absolute perfection.

My friend, this is really something special. I am thrilled that both of you took an interest in my piano musings and took that little piece to a whole different level.

I'll stand now and give you the applause you deserve, and hit play and give it another listen. Thanks for sharing this one with all of us. I hope all is well.

Bear

Wonderful!!! You really took her vocals and put them to great use in this atmospheric wonder. This is beautiful work Simon....nothing to critique here. This song is a sonic vehicle that allows me to lie back, relax, close my eyes, and let it take me somewhere else. It seems the time away has only sharpened your amazing skill sets.

What a spectacular return. It's great to have you back. I hope all is well with you and the family.

Bear

Wonderful work. The chord progressions are spot on, great dynamics, and it sounds just fine on my system. Not sure why it would sound like it is coming through a chimney on your end, but it is stellar work on my end. Mix sounds spot on as well. I think Farisha would be thrilled with this remix. Skillful execution and a great result. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

Very nicely composed and executed. No flaws on this one, just a really nice pleasant listen. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

Yes, this is one crisp mix, shows a really professional ear. I see you are a sound engineer so I have an idea you might have had something to do with the production on it :) This one is radio ready. I'm not a fan of deep house, but I am a fan of good music and this is really good music. Well done.

Bear

Not sure what I expected, but it is a lot better than I thought it was going to be - I think any issues you have are more production related. Conceptually, this is a winner.

I think you should probably revisit the mix and widen things out a bunch. Don't be afraid to get a large stereo field....maybe warm the vocals up a bit. The clipping issues can be resolved in a new mix. It also might help to move some of the instruments in the mix, maybe pan your rhythm guitar to the right, lead guitar to the left. Drums and bass to the middle (think about how a band is set up, then line up the instruments just like that in your mix). You could triple your vocals and then pan one left, one right and one down the middle. Add subtle fx to the vox....a different type of fx on each vocal track until you get a big fat sound.

It has a ton of potential and reminds me of Eminem in spots. Well done. I hope all is well.

Bear

I like what I hear. Once again, you have a really nice voice. The problem you are having with the mix is trying to mix a vocal track into an already mixed mp3....something that is really hard to do. If you had all of the individual instrument tracks and could load them in your DAW, then add your vocals, you would hear a whole different song. Perhaps the original artist still has the original files and could share them with you. If not, it is still a good effort considering what you had to work with. If you have mixing questions, I would be happy to try and help. I'm no expert but I would be happy to help where ever I can. Well done.

Bear

First let me say welcome to Looperman. We can always use another great vocalist and I think you fit in that category nicely. You have nice control, great use of dynamics, and pretty spot on pitch. Probably the most impressive thing is you recorded this with a laptop mic.

One thing to remember when you buy a mic, most condensor mics require phantom power. Instead of buying a power source as well as a mic, you may want to research USB mics. Something like the MXL 990 USB Powered Condenser Microphone - $135 should work with your laptop just fine.

If you have access to a Guitar Center, Sweetwater, or other big store, go in and try out the different models and make sure the salesman knows what your setup is like....computer, software, etc. so you get the right mic for the job.

I think you have a bright future in singing. Do it yourself recording does require a bit of an investment as well as a learning curve, but there is an abundance of knowledge on this site that people are happy to share with you. Good luck.

Bear

Hey Savino, this is really nice work. Great jazz/fusion piece that took a lot of thought to put together. Like Steve suggested, I think mastering this will take care of a few of the issues some people have raised. I think the beautiful thing about jazz/fusion is the way people all interpret it differently. Personally, I was extremely impressed with what you have done here and I would not change a thing. I can tell you that this piece held my attention from start to finish. And I definitely added it to my favorites.

Really well done in all aspects. You have my admiration and respect. Thanks for sharing this. I hope all is well.

Bear

Hey Evan, this is quality work man. I know it isn't finished yet, but it is one hell of a good start. Nice job at the 40 second mark with the addition of the synth, very cool. I also like the transition between 1:00 and 1:35. One thing you might consider is adding some strings in that 35 second span to give you a nice build to the change at 1:35. You might also consider adding strings all the way from 1:00 through the end (can you tell I love string sections, haha). Anyway, quality work and I really look forward to the finished product. I hope all is well.

Bear

Hey TinyFinger, this song has a lot of potential and really would be great if you could find a vocalist to sing on it. Love your guitar work on this one, nice rich rock tone on all of it. I'm not sure I'm in love with the drums in the first section, but I do think the addition of vocals might help them not stand out so much (I think the tom that is panned to the right is the one that I would consider changing). But that is just nitpicking on my part. It really is a good start to what could be a great track. Hopefully one of the great vocalists on this site will hear it and decide to add their magic. I hope all is well.

Bear

You are a man of many talents, including the ability to sing. I enjoyed this. As both Wayne and Doudei said, you can always go back and redo the vox, but I have to say I thought it sounded pretty good.

I really liked your instrumental work as well. You always have great compositions. Very nicely done.

Kudos for a great song. I hope all is well.

Bear

Well Jerry, I heard you sing country, now I thought I would see how you did on the blues...

FANTASTIC!!!!

Great backing track, and such a marvelous delivery on the vocals. Wow, takes me back to some great times in clubs in Austin listening to some really great blues work.

You have mad chops. I'm definitely a fan. I hope all is well.

Bear