Mediator

[tuite]

Hey guys!We`re a band from Ireland, have a listen to the tracks on our site and let me know what you think! Any crticism is welcome!http://mediator-online.bebo.comThanks,Colm.

[hummingbird]

Hey Colm! Nice to meet you. I listened to Away from Here. Nice vocals, nice atmospheric pop. I was hoping for a deeper rock sound when you got to the chorus - some electric guitar to give it more impact (something like after the second chorus/solo, but happening during the chorus to give it more depth/edge) - otherwise the build-up feels empty/hollow. I like the modulations in the second chorus. THere's lots to like, but I found that while I liked each section, it felt like sometimes there was too much of the same thing. For example - in the section between the 1st chorus and 2nd chorus, there is a verse, and then it feels like the verse repeats again (too much the same) - but with a great lift at the end. Same in the solo, repeats the same riff. I'd just get more creative with those parts. THe vocals at the end of the solo - the high 'away from here' - the vox are too far back in the mix. Overall I think the composition is good, good vocals & harmonies and good playing too. All my opinion of course. Welcome aboard Hummin'bird

[tuite]

Thanks for your comments Hummingbird! I have been playing around with that arrangement for a while and I can`t imagine any more guitars fitting in. We have two guitar players in the band and all of our other songs have at least two guitar tracks. Some of them have 5 or 6 even. However, I just cant visualise any more guitar parts here. I might try a slighty overdriven strum of the chords in the chorus, wot do you think? If I over complicate the first chorus, then the 2nd verse has to be more interesting and the second chorus has to be more complicated than the first one to hold interest. The end riff repeats itself to create a kind of hypnotic atmosphere and the singin at the end is far back to create a reverby effect of someone be far away (Away From Here), I agree its not done right though. Its only demo quality but we`ll be re-recording all these songs for our debut E.P. soon. Thats why Im looking for feedback, anymore more comments anyone?

[liamkelly]

ColmDia duit. My tuppence - no problems with the vocal tracks or the guitar tracks per se. In fact, the guitar sounds you got were lovely.I did notice the following for what it's worth:1) Arrangement was fine until the gtr solo thing. It went on too long. And while those reverby background vocal things were fine, they were lost in this repeating gtr four note turnaround thing. Cut this break in half and bring those vocals up.2) The bass sound was not good. I heard sliding so I'm presuming it was a bass player but bad tone.3) The chorus has a pop hook. So do it a few times at the end. A few hundred times in fact. That's what pop songs do. We're supposed to be all going home going 'So takeaaaake me...' etc..4) The vocal tracks were missing harmonies. Make that voice do chord stuff. If you can't, find a backing singer who can. It'll give the listener goosebumps. Worth it.5) I didn't like the delay on the chorus vocals. Go for a clean, lean reverb instead. The vocals are strong enough.All the bestLiam Kellywww.liamkellylive.com

[liamkelly]

Sorry, Colm. Comments above apply to Away from Here. Don't have time right now to listen to the others.

[tuite]

An-maith Liam! Conas ata tu?1) I will take your arrangement comment on board and we might cut the end riff shorter when we redo the song. The vox will be up in the mix next time, I was just trying out an effect that didnt work out.2) The bass sound is awful, cheap P-bass copy with year old strings and a shity lil amp. I took a DI and used no mic. Awful tone, it really deadens the mix when you concentrate on it!3) I cant really fit the chorus in again, I think the end guitar has to kick in where it does and I like the end vox (when mixed right), then the song quitens down and ends. I cant imagine sqeezing another 2 choruses in between the distorted guitar riff and the quiet riff at the end....can you?4) There are harmonies at the end of each chorus for one line. Tey wouldn`t sound right any other time in the chorus but we will defo put them into the verses when we redo the song. Your right, it would fill the song out more!5) I dont know about you but I loved the delay in the chorus when I thought of tryin it! I think it makes the song! Maybe its too loud/wet and the setting have to be fxed up but I love it! I think a reverb would not be powerful enough? We dont play this song live unless there is a good delay unit in the outboard rack.Thanks Liam for your input! I will definetly take it into consideration!Has anyone else got any suggestions about the delay or indeed any of our other songs? It would be really appreciated!!Cheers,Colm.

[mixopenta]

I'll chime in here on "Away from here". Lovely song! Good job.I agree with Liam on the guitar solo part though, It's too long. There's not too much going on to make it interesting, and it doesn't build enough to hold interest for that long.I also feel the same way about the echo on the chorus, although I can see why you thought it made the song. If you want to keep it, I suggest you'd filter out some highs and lows, maybe make it ducking, and back it off in the mix.I also agree with Liam on the harmony thing. Putting harmonies on the chorus would make it a killer. I had to listen several times to even notice the harmony vocal at the end of the chorus, which makes me wonder if it brings enough added value to make the chorus stick out.Vocals could IMHO be a bit louder overall. That is after all, peoples centre of attention.I also understand what hummingbird is saying on some "missing" guitars. Though I guess it depends on what the aim of the recording is, I don't think it's "full" enough sounding for master, or even broadcast quality. Though I'm not quite sure exactly what it is, it might even be because of the poor bass sound. If the bass is addressed, the hollowness in the sound image might be fixed.All these things aside, the song has great potential. Great Job!

[stickinsound]

i would probably change the arrangment a little also not much and maybe drop the effects a tad , but other than that the tune rocks . keep up the great work and good luck

[tuite]

Thanks guys! Ive decided to shorten the end guitar part, quieten the delay and play around with the setting a little, fix up the bass and add a few harmonies wherever I can! It will also be recorded with better mics, preamps, guitars etc. so it should be broadcast quality then!I agree it does sound kinda empty now, though I never noticed it before. It`s kinda hard to notive things like that with your own mix. I guess its the bass, it just sounds so out of place, as if the song was mixed and then someone added in this bassline! Anyway, thanks for all the helpful comments! If anyone has any comments about the other two songs it would be really helpful?

[mixopenta]

Well, I had a listen to the other tracks as well, and I can tell you this, even if this kind of genre is out of my domain really. I'm a keyboard player, so considering this is basic, guitar driven rock, I might be a bit out of line. The only thing that came into mind, was that the bass at some points could shift to pumping 8ths instead of following the guitars at all times. For a "take-off" effect, e.g. in "Teddy" at the guitar solo part, and maybe the last chorus. The same applies to Mary-Jane, maybe on the last chorus, or the latter half, switch to pumping 8ths, to create a sort of lift-off, or a push, if you like.All tracks are pretty well recorded, and will definitely serve it's purpose as presenting a band "as is", if you know what I mean. It sounds like a "live demo", without any "make-up", or "production tint". So, if the recording is for the purpose of presenting a band for getting gigs, you're on the right track. I think the general approach of this recording only was to keep it honest and real, and this is not a bad thing.If, on the other hand the intention is to present a "full sounding" production, there are some elements missing that will sustain the listeners attention. While I can't really identify what those missing pieces are, I'm not sure if adding stuff to it is the proper way to go. Theoretically, the current instrumentation should be sufficient. Having only guitars to provide the comp, they should be really creative and well arranged. And now, I'm going to stick my neck out, so please don't get me the wrong way The guitar arrangements probably need to be more inventive, to be really memorable. But, hey! I'm only a keyboard player, so what do I know? I know a lot of bands having a mind-set they can't record something they won't be able to recreate live. IMO when it comes to separating the different approaches, is to realize that you have a lot more resources at hand of grabbing an audience attention in a live situation, whereas you can only rely on the audio representation in a recording. Something needs to go into a recording intended for a listening experience only, to make up for all other "distractions" in a live situation.You say you will re-record the songs with better mics and preamps, and that might actually do the trick. Getting full bodied sounds could turn this from being a "live demo" to a full scaled production.I have nothing to say about the songs and their structure, other than that they are great songs and have a lot going for them.So, keep up the good work!