The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Elvis wrote:D'oh - I left someguycallednoel off my review list. Nice guitar work. Reminds me of Beatles "Blackbird" and "Dear Prudence."

I think his name IS Noel.




/end retard humour

Leaf wrote:My mixes STILL have this tight, narrow stereo, heavy almost muddy thing going on... or at least, that's how I hear it a few days later. Maybe it's the garage I'm mixing in. Maybe it's my fucked up hearing. Maybe not stepping away long enought to let it settle. I dunno. where's Rick Rubin when i need him???

When you're EQing, are you doing it by ear, or by watching a spectrum analyzer? I find that a spectrum analyzer helps a LOT because it shows you exactly where things are clipping and distorting and the like. I especially like how Logic's ChanEQ lets you overlay an analyzer over the EQ controls so there's a direct one-to-one mapping, rather than having to figure out which knobs map to what spikes.

I do use spectrum analyser's from time to time... although I was too pressed for time.


Lately, what I try to do as a minimum is run ensure that there is no clipping on each track (which I think I accomplished), and I try to low cut stuff that has no lows... like an open hi tom mic or some such thing...


By ear, the problem is that I am so in tune with what I'm playing as i hear it in my mind that I often miss what it really sounds like until a few days later and commentary.

I mean, I think it sounds ALRIGHT, but not that professional sound that a guy like Des can just whip off in an afternoon while watching a Jay's game and slamming tequila. Now THAT's talent.

i should add that I've only used the spectral anal-lieser on over all mix, not a channel, and more to spot phasing, and now I'm regretting not taking the moment to do AT least that... oh well... I'm just not super knowledgeable in the EQ dept...

I do like to learn more though.

I should look to see if Cubase has one of these anal-lasers, or a VST I can get. I EQ by ear, but I remember onetime on a song I did with Fluffy, he mentioned that it would sound better if I brought the 1000hz range out of the mud about +3db. I did and it did clean up the muck on that particular song. I just thought he had a good ear, but really he had a magic tool.

Actually that one I did by ear. Using magic tools helps you to get the ear for it.

WAIT A MINUTE.


I have a magic tool too.

On the other hand, mixing by ear the way I like things to sound as opposed to letting a meter tell what I should like, has it pluses too...
......well, unless you're Leaf.

But still, I like to hear how my sound compares to a professional sound. So I'll look for Fluffy's analaser tool.

BLT wrote:But still, I like to hear how my sound compares to a professional sound. So I'll look for Fluffy's analaser tool.

**head asplode**

You want to "hear" how your sound compares by "looking" at a spectrum analyzer? Good luck with that!

fluffy wrote:I find that a spectrum analyzer helps a LOT because it shows you exactly where things are clipping and distorting and the like [...] there's a direct one-to-one mapping, rather than having to figure out which knobs map to what spikes.

For anyone reckless enough to mix using this approach: Always remember how a good mix is supposed to look. Only reduce the BAD spikes. If you reduce the good spikes, or worse if you boost some of the BAD DIPS, your mix will not look right.

gert wrote:You want to "hear" how your sound compares by "looking" at a spectrum analyzer? Good luck with that!

Dear Gertrude,
I truly apologize for your head asploding. Although I enjoy the mental image of such an event, my intentions were not to create an abstract cranial painting on the walls in your cubical. I merely meant comparing my mix to a mix using an analyzer.
Sinseriously,
William L Tripowtski

I have it on good information that "gert" is actually Mike Reno.


So, take his advice with a grain of salt... he wears headbands on his thigh for chris' sake.

gert wrote:Always remember how a good mix is supposed to look. Only reduce the BAD spikes. If you reduce the good spikes, or worse if you boost some of the BAD DIPS, your mix will not look right.

Will it be easy to tell when I'm looking at it which are the rök spikes and which are the folkie spikes?

Melvin, why do you sample so often? You are fully capable of making great music on your own.

That said, I didn't notice it was a sample until I read the reviews.

I didn’t review everything, because I didn’t have something to say about everything.

A Late Thaw: The delay on the acoustic was distracting at first, especially when you squeak the strings. I got used to it. But you have to sing more clearly. No exaggeration, until the middle of the song, I thought the vocals were backwards—I can’t understand a single word. Your voice is interesting enough, so enunciate.

Aardwolves: This has got some really problems, dynamically. Quieter, louder—it sounded like the song kept ending. Sounds far away—get closer to the mic?

Adam Dachis: Not crazy about the show tunes vibe, and really not digging the “killing the girl” theme.

BLT: The first thing this song showed me is that I don’t listen to enough BLT. This is fantastic. This is the rare thing at SF: something that sounds like a real song, rather than just a SF song. Great work, great mix, great noises, nice confidence in your voice.

Jonathan Mann: Catchy and well done, but sounds a little samey with your last couple entries, and a little too close to Tom Waits. Cool vibe.

Lyric Burglar: Is this Clay Aiken? Actually it sounds more like Feargal Sharkey with a bit of Tiny Tim mixed in. No! It’s Meatloaf, right? Is this Meatloaf? Although with the accent, could be Kylie Minogue. Sorta. This has sort of a cool Nickelback-Poison-Dirty Dancing-Jonas Brothers vibe. Nice work.

Melvin: I’ve got to say, I miss Melvin Version 1.0. All the cliches of rap—hands in the air and the “uh-uh” and the samples—drive me a little crazy. Well produced, though.

Octothorpe: This is too accessible. You’re a sell out.

Sockpuppet: The timing issues and sloppiness seriously mar this.

Some Guy Called Noel: I like your voice. Arrangement seems a little busy at times, playing a bit sloppy, but it works over all.

Andrew Reist: Dude, this is really good, tons going on here. Great guitar sound, really good. Great playing. Lots of confidence. You’ve improved so much since you started here.

Puppies and Flower: Hmmm, this song doesn’t look quite right. Seriously, you always amaze me with your versatility. What have you been listening to lately? Solid.

Gert: This is my favourite Gert tune yet. I like when Leaf listens to too much Metallica. Even my five-year-old told me today that this is his favourite song. That's saying something, yo.

Rone Rivendale wrote:That said, I didn't notice it was a sample until I read the reviews.

That's OK, "Sexual Healing" didn't really get much air play.

Thought I'd snap off a few more....

The Weakest Suit
Dig: great intro line...hooked me right away. Kind of funny.
Don'ts: rest of the song doesn't live up to the promise of the first line.
overall: kind of plain, the drug reference is sort of humourous, but nothing really grabs me aside from the, "I Am A Joint." line.

Sockpoppet:
Dig: snare drum sound. Mix is alright on my laptop speakers
Don'ts: tightness is lacking. Vocals seem pitchy at times, but that might be stylistic choice. guitar lead is too simple-ish. no harmonies?
overall: explore harmony! be slightly more aggressive with your guitar lead and it's work with the melody. with a tightened set of performances, this would be pretty nice.

Jonathan Mann and the Berkely Supermachine
Dig: great mix, great lead vocal character! well performed.
Don'ts: not much to criticize here...not my thang in terms of preferred listenage, I wouldn't haven't on my ipod.
overall: much going for this tune...great work...so much character. great performances by all.

A Late Thaw
Dig: the quiet delay on the guitar that peeks out occasionally. well articulated intro guitar perf.
Don'ts: can't understand what is being sung, and the vocals are way off pitch to my ears...shame.
overall: I enjoyed the guitar at the beginning. that's it.

tonetripper wrote: Lasting Impression: Like having a smoke after my necrophiliac affair.

Comfortably the nicest thing anyone has ever said about anything i've ever penned..and also most likely the best songfight tittle that never will be..

Smalltown Mike wrote:

Rone Rivendale wrote:That said, I didn't notice it was a sample until I read the reviews.

That's OK, "Sexual Healing" didn't really get much air play.

Haha yeah, that's all I heard. That said, yea for Melvin breaking out of the mold. Nice to hear some variety is possible. Keep stretching.

Smalltown Mike wrote:

Rone Rivendale wrote:That said, I didn't notice it was a sample until I read the reviews.

That's OK, "Sexual Healing" didn't really get much air play.

According to a well known free online encyclopedia:

"By holding the number-one spot of the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart for ten weeks, it was the longest-running R&B number-one single of the 1980s."

king_arthur wrote:Rhythm guitars sound good, the lead whatever at the start
sounds a bit too MIDI-fied.

No midi here, but I can see what you're saying. I wanted a really electronic sound for this - I love that kind of stuff, not sure if it entirely fits the song though.

Damn we're getting a lot of reviews already. I hope I can get around to reviewing.

Well, no I don't hope it. Cause I hate reviewing. But I might do it anyway.

With my lyrics appearing in at least two other songs besides mine, I've got triple the chances of being involved in a winner.

I only half-finished last week's reviews, so that gives me all the more incentive to finish these ones. Good fight, everyone!

Aardwolves - I apologise for subjecting you guys to my shitty recording quality week after week. I don't compress anything, but that doesn't seem to stop it from sounding like it. If I could afford to upgrade I would, though. I'm very very very sorry! Thanks for your reviews... I'll try what I can to not suck as bad. (I'm sorry!)

Adam Dachis - Your singing and lyrics are really entertaining, and the piano sounds great. I love this! Jaunty little tune!

A Late Thaw - Some nice guitar playing here. Very atmospheric. I like this track, though I think I enjoyed the first half more than the second. Keep entering!

Andrew Reist - Excellent production and recording. The guitar is my favourite part of this.

Billy's Little Trip - You rock! I want to turn this up loud and dance a little.

Blues Manufacturing Facility - Yeah, this is kind of La Grange-y, isn't it? I still dig it.

Finding Nemoy - Cute and indie. "I'm a product of society, so it's not my fault" - I like that. Great lyrics and concept.

Flvxxm Florvm - This feels a little La Grange-y, too... am I crazy? The handclaps/harmonica parts are awesome. The Spider-Man lyric is an unexpected funny bit.

Gert - Sweet guitar solos! This is really high quality. Rock on.

Hand Formula - The tune sounds really familiar? Your rhythm percussion is neat.

Johnny Cashpoint - Your lyrics kick ass... sharp! And a mouthful. Easily some of the best wordwork this fight.

Jonathan Mann/Berkeley Social Scene - This is pretty much impeccable, and probably stands a good chance of winning. It has everything that's great about the both of you in it. Many thumbs up!

Lyricburglar - Music isn't bad, but the lyrics you burgaled are better.

I'll continue with these later...