[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by alex_hk90

Nice. Again I'd recommend louder vocals and variation in dynamics, but still very pleasant.

Variation in dynamics?! Lol the last verse/chorus were practically a different melody altogether!

People keep saying louder vocals but to me and a few friends that've listened they actually sound a bit loud...maybe it's your speakers? No offense! You could be completely correct!

[alex_hk90]

Originally Posted by eaf7s

Variation in dynamics?! Lol the last verse/chorus were practically a different melody altogether!

Unless I'm very much mistaken melody has nothing to do with dynamics? I've just listened to it again and I still feel similar - in my opinion it could do with some (I don't really know how to put this) general 'build-ups' and 'wind-downs'. That's about the worst way of wording it but perhaps you got the idea.

Originally Posted by eaf7s

People keep saying louder vocals but to me and a few friends that've listened they actually sound a bit loud...maybe it's your speakers? No offense! You could be completely correct!

It could be - I only have a cheap £30 Logitech 2.1 speaker system.
What do you use to listen to it?

[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by alex_hk90

Unless I'm very much mistaken melody has nothing to do with dynamics? I've just listened to it again and I still feel similar - in my opinion it could do with some (I don't really know how to put this) general 'build-ups' and 'wind-downs'. That's about the worst way of wording it but perhaps you got the idea.


It could be - I only have a cheap £30 Logitech 2.1 speaker system.
What do you use to listen to it?

Oooh that is actually hilarious, because I was about to go on a short rant about how dynamics =/= melody, because people unfamiliar with music often get stuff like that confused, and then the way you worded it made me convinced that that was what you meant...but I was like f*** it, it's late and not worth pedantry! But it turns out you meant the right thing after all!! Haha okay yeah I agree with you on that

If you check out my full-band stuff there is plenty of "building up" etc. but these are mostly just sweet little pop ditties, and I have to be quiet because I live with 7 people. I will try to do something a bit more varied next time though!

And I listen to most of my stuff through $200 Sennheiser studio headphones...haha. But I do try to do a second mix through my laptop speakers, which are quite good actually (MacBook Pro), just to hear what most people will hear. Most likely, however, I am just too embarrassed to turn my own voice up too high!

[eaf7s]

Another new one



This is just the acoustic version--the full version will be awesome!!!

While my lifestyle is the essence of fun,
I’m so much better than what I’ve become
Some layer of conscience could set things right
But I sleep all day and I think all night

Burdened bodies put under the gun
They look to us and what we’ve become
In the spring we wither, in the winter we melt
And I can say that I got here all by myself

You’re only ahead right now ‘cause babe, this is my town
I’m calling the shots out loud, you can follow me
You’ve gotta be sharp, ‘cause you can’t cater to this crowd
Oh yeah, this is my town…my town

Jump on the table tear through the street
We’re melting the pavement under our feet
Only halfway there, but we’ll be alright
‘Cause we slept through the day to make good of the night

You’re only ahead right now ‘cause babe, this is my town
I’m calling the shots out loud, you can follow me
You’ve gotta be sharp, ‘cause you can’t cater to this crowd
Oh yeah, this is my town…my town

Down, down, down I’m falling
Down, down, down I’m falling
No one hears me coming
Down, down, down they cast me
Down, down, falling fast, see
No one hears me laughing all the way to hell

[alex_hk90]

Originally Posted by eaf7s

Another new one

That's my favourite one so far, nicely done!
If I was being very picky I'd say that some of the vocals were a bit unclear nearer the start, but on second thought it may suit the style anyway.

[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by alex_hk90

That's my favourite one so far, nicely done!
If I was being very picky I'd say that some of the vocals were a bit unclear nearer the start, but on second thought it may suit the style anyway.

Thanks dude Yeah that was actually kind of the idea, was they're supposed to be pretty shambolic and not polished. That's sort of the general idea of the song, anyhow, so to have really clean, practiced vocals on it would seem out of place I think.

I'm really excited, anyway, some of my studio equipment from home is FINALLY on its way so I will be able to do some proper stuff! Ooh and I upgraded to Logic 9 Studio so this is going to be fun...and counterproductive to my coursework lol.

[eaf7s]

new "ballad," i guess you could say



pretty epic ending on this one so stay tuned for the whole thing it's certainly a builder

Lyrics:

Well when I say three words
You say love is love, but enough’s enough…and that’s fine
Though I wish it weren’t, as time melts away
You’ll forget my name…in due time
But I’ll be the shadow at your feet,
If you need…just let me know

I am careful now, when I drift to dreams
When I crawl in bed…to stay warm
Well please remember me when you walk my street
You know what was said…at that door
And I’ll be the whisper in your ear,
I’ll beg you, “Dear, just not with her”

The hourglass turns over, I’m still awake
I’m only running low on time to
Endlessly search memories for your face
I’m worried I won’t even find you

I wish I could but can’t, but it’s tough to say
With the days like waves, they drift by
In a master plan it would all make sense
If we’d just cement the implied
Well I’ll be your shadow, sick or well
If you need help, just let me know

The hourglass turns over, I’m still awake
I’m only running low on time to
Endlessly search memories for your face
I’m worried I won’t even find you
The light is drained outside but I’m still awake
I’m only running low on time to
Rack my brain for your smile in a still frame
I’m worried I won’t even find you

I'll be the whisper in your ear,
I'll beg you, "Dear, just not with her"
I'll be your shadow, sick or well
If you need help, just let me know

The hourglass is empty, I’m still awake
I’m only running low on time to
Endlessly search memories for your face
I’m worried I won’t even find you
There’s nothing on the TV; laying awake
I’m only running low on time to
Rack my brain for your smile in a still frame
I’m worried I won’t even find you

I fear that I won't ever find you

[alex_hk90]

Originally Posted by eaf7s

new "ballad," i guess you could say

I like it.

Out of interest, how long does it take you to write and record a song?
And did you record that in one go or do some of the instrumentals separately?

[leala4628]

All your new ones are great-I especially love the most recent one you've added.

I'm so mad as the netbook I have here at university won't let me record via my webcam as the camera and microphone don't work together (stupid design obviously) and I want to put some things on my youtube account that actually sound like me

[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by alex_hk90

I like it.

Out of interest, how long does it take you to write and record a song?
And did you record that in one go or do some of the instrumentals separately?

Thanks!

Writing--it depends. Some songs come together sporadically over the span of months or years [the second to last one I had the chorus hanging around for months but only last week did I think of a suitable verse], others [like this one] come together in one go--although I wrote the verse guitar part last year, I only wrote the song in about an hour on Friday.

Recording--if it's just acoustic/vocals, depending on how many mics I have, I will get the guitar in one or two takes and the vocals in about the same, if I just have one mic. If I have two condenser mics I will set the normal one up on vocals and the pencil condenser up on the acoustic and get it all in one take. So that, with mixing, messing with filters, etc. maybe an hour, two at most. If I'm doing a full-blown song with harmonies, drums, bass, electric and acoustic, and piano etc. that usually takes a fairly solid day of work because I have to lay down each track individually, and in a different manner.

Originally Posted by leala4628

All your new ones are great-I especially love the most recent one you've added.

I'm so mad as the netbook I have here at university won't let me record via my webcam as the camera and microphone don't work together (stupid design obviously) and I want to put some things on my youtube account that actually sound like me

Awh that sucks! Out of curiosity what type computer do you have? Is it actually a netbook or is it a laptop?

[leala4628]

Originally Posted by eaf7s

Thanks!

Writing--it depends. Some songs come together sporadically over the span of months or years [the second to last one I had the chorus hanging around for months but only last week did I think of a suitable verse], others [like this one] come together in one go--although I wrote the verse guitar part last year, I only wrote the song in about an hour on Friday.

Recording--if it's just acoustic/vocals, depending on how many mics I have, I will get the guitar in one or two takes and the vocals in about the same, if I just have one mic. If I have two condenser mics I will set the normal one up on vocals and the pencil condenser up on the acoustic and get it all in one take. So that, with mixing, messing with filters, etc. maybe an hour, two at most. If I'm doing a full-blown song with harmonies, drums, bass, electric and acoustic, and piano etc. that usually takes a fairly solid day of work because I have to lay down each track individually, and in a different manner.



Awh that sucks! Out of curiosity what type computer do you have? Is it actually a netbook or is it a laptop?

It's netbook-acer aspire 1 but the linux version.

[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by leala4628

It's netbook-acer aspire 1 but the linux version.

Ahh ok

well if you're ever looking to lay stuff down properly for under 50 quid you can get a small setup--a decent mic + basic recording software--to lay stuff down at a higher quality than a built-in mic anyway!

[alex_hk90]

Originally Posted by eaf7s

well if you're ever looking to lay stuff down properly for under 50 quid you can get a small setup--a decent mic + basic recording software--to lay stuff down at a higher quality than a built-in mic anyway!

Do you have any recommendations for a good value decent mic?

[eaf7s]

Originally Posted by alex_hk90

Do you have any recommendations for a good value decent mic?

These are all from a US online store that I sometimes order from when I'm at home, but they should be comparably priced here in the UK. For a lower price range, Behringer and MXL are the way to go in my opinion. CAD, Nady, and basically all other brands selling lower-end mics sort of give you what you pay for. However, the mecca of all mics is Shure so if you REALLY want to get good value out of your money, splurge on something--anything--from Shure.

Full-sized, for vocals

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Mic?sku=582095

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...unt?sku=273156 (this was my first proper microphone--really incredible value)

those are at the high end of low pricing. if you want to go ever so slightly lower (but compromise on quality, of course), you really can't beat this particular mic

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Mic?sku=582092

and then for recording acoustic guitars:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...lar?sku=273177 (my first pencil condenser)

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...one?sku=270492


My current setup, in the States:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Mic?sku=271094

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...one?sku=273169

live: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Mic?sku=270120