Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

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LamarPecorino
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Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by LamarPecorino » Thu Aug 22, 2019 2:54 pm

I would really appreciate some mix input of "Make Some Christmas Memories". I submitted it directly to a Taxi-friendly Music Publisher with whom I have a good relationship. It was rejected because it didn't reach their bar for production. Thanks in advance!

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by funsongs » Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:00 pm

Putting on my 'critical ears' - the main thing may be the horn section/fills - maybe a bit too synthy-sounding? even if they're live samples, that would be my first guess. (begins around :35)
Secondly - in two places, the main one being right out-of-the-box
:10-:12 - I think I'm hearing a bit of a warble in the vocal, that doesn't sound 'strong and committed' - like you usually do. It ALMOST sounds like an auto-tune thing: "A pair of..."
and, same thing, but to a lesser degree at :26 "You pour the eggnog..." for prosody-sake, a Pat Pattison-esque comment I imagine would say, "put the emphasis on the word "...pour..."
That might require shortening the note when you start on "You pour the eggnog..." and holding out the note on pour...

You asked for 'ears'... and so, that's my reply. 2 cents from the cheap seats. :? 8-)
Hope that helps.

EDIT: just for the heck of it - how about posting up a mix of the song, stripped of all the horns...? let's hear what difference that might make.
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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by lesmac » Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:32 pm

The vocal needs to be more in the pocket and swing. It needs a little tuning also.
Listen to a bit of Frankie, [I'm sure you do anyway but you get the idea].
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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by cassmcentee » Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:53 pm

Wonderful song Lamar!!!
Overall mix is really good
I'm hearing some synth as well but more in the latter string/horn Pad???
I agree on the vocal being close but not dead-on...

Here's my take...
If you had a female sing this, provocatively, ala Marilyn Monroe or Amy Winehouse, you'd have a hit!
Robert "Cass" McEntee
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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by LamarPecorino » Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:47 am

funsongs wrote:
Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:00 pm
Putting on my 'critical ears' - the main thing may be the horn section/fills - maybe a bit too synthy-sounding? even if they're live samples, that would be my first guess. (begins around :35)
Secondly - in two places, the main one being right out-of-the-box
:10-:12 - I think I'm hearing a bit of a warble in the vocal, that doesn't sound 'strong and committed' - like you usually do. It ALMOST sounds like an auto-tune thing: "A pair of..."
and, same thing, but to a lesser degree at :26 "You pour the eggnog..." for prosody-sake, a Pat Pattison-esque comment I imagine would say, "put the emphasis on the word "...pour..."
That might require shortening the note when you start on "You pour the eggnog..." and holding out the note on pour...

You asked for 'ears'... and so, that's my reply. 2 cents from the cheap seats. :? 8-)
Hope that helps.

EDIT: just for the heck of it - how about posting up a mix of the song, stripped of all the horns...? let's hear what difference that might make.
Thanks for listening and writing, Peter. I revisit the vocal. I'll see what I can do about creating more of a Lounge mix (sans horns and strings).
Onward and upward!
Lamar

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by LamarPecorino » Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:51 am

lesmac wrote:
Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:32 pm
The vocal needs to be more in the pocket and swing. It needs a little tuning also.
Listen to a bit of Frankie, [I'm sure you do anyway but you get the idea].
Best
Lester
Thanks, Les. I'll revisit the track and try to find the best way to improve my vocal performance.
Onward and upward!
Lamar

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained" JFK

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by LamarPecorino » Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:54 am

cassmcentee wrote:
Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:53 pm
Wonderful song Lamar!!!
Overall mix is really good
I'm hearing some synth as well but more in the latter string/horn Pad???
I agree on the vocal being close but not dead-on...

Here's my take...
If you had a female sing this, provocatively, ala Marilyn Monroe or Amy Winehouse, you'd have a hit!
It is interesting that you suggested a female vocalist, Cass. My wife Sabrina did as well. That would certainly open up some new avenues.
Onward and upward!
Lamar

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by roguenoisemachine » Wed Aug 28, 2019 10:16 am

I love this track, well done!!! I mostly focus on vocals in the mix, so I will just say I think the vocal could be smoother in the mix, perhaps a touch more reverb and manual tuning here and there. I'm no expert, just what my ears picked up. Good luck!

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by songmaster » Thu Aug 29, 2019 10:36 am

I agree with the others. I don't have any complaints with the music mix, but the vocal was the first thing that felt a little unsure, just slightly lacking energy, which didn't seem to jive with the rest of the music. But it is a great song and has a real Christmas vibe, so I would not give up on it. just my 2 cents, I hope it helps :)

Tom

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Re: Ears Needed Please - Make Christmas Memories

Post by LamarPecorino » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:25 am

roguenoisemachine wrote:
Wed Aug 28, 2019 10:16 am
I love this track, well done!!! I mostly focus on vocals in the mix, so I will just say I think the vocal could be smoother in the mix, perhaps a touch more reverb and manual tuning here and there. I'm no expert, just what my ears picked up. Good luck!
Sorry for the delay in responding. I am going to recut the vocals and then address the vocal tuning. Thanks for writing!
Onward and upward!
Lamar

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained" JFK

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