New Song - "Believe"

[RAY R]

Thought I would share this one, Acoustic Track Recorded & mixed in Logic.  All thoughts welcome!

 

 

[MikeRobinson]

A very solid song.  Couple thoughts – and maybe it's the SoundCloud compression – the entire mix feels "high."  Lots of "edgy" high peaks.  "Crispy."  "Crunchy."

 

Also, what also seems to be missing is "a solid bass."  The sort of thing that might be provided in an orchestral setting by the double-basses playing long, slow, legato passages.  Something to really anchor the whole thing to the floor.

[RAY R]

Hi Mike,

I think the soundcloud compression is magnifying what you are accurately describing. 

I also hear it on Spotify, however the HIFI version on Tidal is very close to the 24 bit wave 

And seems warmer. If I do remix / Master I will definitely shoot to ease back on that.

Surprised on your Bass comment as that was one of the areas that received much positive 

feedback on other forums, just goes to show how we all can hear things a bit different!

Thanks very much for your thoughts! ......Ray 

[MikeRobinson]

At 0:37, when the song "pauses," I would add some kind of non-synthetic, maybe percussion-oriented "riser" to fill the gap and to further drive the orchestration forward.

 

Also – more generally – consider the possibility of "orchestral bass and treble parts" to help provide momentum.  After all, "these days, you don't have to pay union wage to get whatever you want."  I can very definitely hear cellos and double-basses here ...  If the Moody Blues could [afford to ...] do it, so can you!

Edited October 25, 2021 by MikeRobinson

[Clay Anderson Johnson]

I really think the song itself has potential. If you have a publisher it is a good one to get a song pusher behind to sell to an artist for the copyright royalties.

[RAY R]

On 10/25/2021 at 4:48 PM, MikeRobinson said:

At 0:37, when the song "pauses," I would add some kind of non-synthetic, maybe percussion-oriented "riser" to fill the gap and to further drive the orchestration forward.

 

Also – more generally – consider the possibility of "orchestral bass and treble parts" to help provide momentum.  After all, "these days, you don't have to pay union wage to get whatever you want."  I can very definitely hear cellos and double-basses here ...  If the Moody Blues could [afford to ...] do it, so can you!

Excellent thoughts there Mike! I struggled with adding a riser there. I guess I didn't do it to be a bit different

but that doesn't make it better...lol....Your absolutely right on the orchestral parts, I will definitely keep that in mind

Thanks again for your thoughts on my simple song  

[RAY R]

4 hours ago, Clay Anderson Johnson said:

I really think the song itself has potential. If you have a publisher it is a good one to get a song pusher behind to sell to an artist for the copyright royalties.

Very kind of you to say! Ive written a ton of songs , but have published very few. 

 

 

[Clay Anderson Johnson]

4 minutes ago, RAY R said:

Very kind of you to say! Ive written a ton of songs , but have published very few. 

 

I'm a union musician. I've heard a lot of bad songs, Believe isn't one of them. Go for it!

[GregB]

Great strong voice!

 

If doing more tracks you should, just for contrast, consider easing off the full power arrangement to allow the vocals to relax and shine.

 

Greg

[MikeRobinson]

... in spite of services like SoundCloud, which routinely compress and filter even the very best songs into chop suey that's (maybe) only fit for earbuds.

 

I've just been reading a book on Arranging which emphasizes one point: "don't have all the instruments playing at once."  Have different instruments covering the lead at different times, and let them take the lead while the others lay back.  Save the full band or orchestra for the true crescendos.