Does it need improvement?

[karafinman]

Hello. This was a return. Can you listen and read the feedback and tell me if you agree? If so, I will edit it before I submit again.

https://soundcloud.com/user-913241419/d ... al_sharing

https://www.taxi.com/members/qo1zedsuS6 ... ndMIAsFlOA

[Telefunkin]

It seems the screener is picking on what seems like constant pedal, and I can hear some excessive ringing in a few places. It might require a more delicate approach with the pedal to kill some of that ringing between phrases to add some intimacy and emotion.

I'm surprised there wasn't more comment on the strings though. IMHO they sound quite static and false, and also seem to sit a little uncomfortably with the piano in terms of timing, so I think they could be improved, perhaps using better sounds but certainly with some articulation and more sympathetic timing.

I agree that its a nicely composed piano piece though, and worth the effort to get the best from it.

[Paulie]

I didn't hear any reverb problems, I think reverb comments are quite subjective. I can agree with the sustain comment though.

The strings still need help. For example, the sustained note starting at 0:32 needs some more human dynamics... it should decrescendo and not end so abruptly. Again from 0:55-0:59, it's a beautiful chord progression and melody, but the strings sounds stiff. I need more tugging of the heartstrings, need to hear the bow moving, the not swelling or decreasing... it needs to breathe. The strings that come it at 1:22 might be what the velocity comment is referring to. They sort of jump out at the listener trying to take attention away from the piano.

The comment about string timing also jumps out to me... string patches have different attack transients, so if you quantize them down to the 8th note, they will technically start on time, but the attacks are a little longer than a piano attack, so the notes sound late or out of time. And, this also varies by string instrument and articulation, as well as between different vendors.

Beautiful music for sure, just needs to be cleaned up a bit. It can be very frustrating to receive a return on something you think was strong, but over time those returns can lead to becoming a better producer. Musically you are there for sure, it's the finishing touches that make the difference.

Keep going!

Paulie

[Paulie]

I did a quick search for "how to record realistic strings" and found this very useful video. There are many others, but this one is short and effective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abz0OIQe_DY