Need Objective Critique of Bluegrass Tune

[cosmicdolphin]

I am using only real instruments and a click track. No midi involved.

I am not sure why it sounds so disjointed then. If it's all recorded in the same space and mixed with a shared complimetary reverb it should at least sound cohesive

[VanderBoegh]

I'm certainly no expert in Bluegrass, but to me this seemed more like a bunch of random instruments jumping into the spotlight to take shots at a quick solo over a bass & acoustic foundation, rather than a cohesive piece of music. This is almost what I would expect to hear at a backyard BBQ where people take quick turns playing 8-16 bars, then step away and let someone else take the next pass.

Now, it could be that this is exactly what Bluegrass is supposed to do. Again, I'm no expert (defer to our resident expert on the genre, Peter Rahill), but this seems too random, with more of a sense of "how many rootsy instruments can I solo with in one track".

Also, since nobody else has mentioned it, I'll add that the strumming on that acoustic got irritating to me, as the sound of the pick scraping against the strings was far too present, almost like the guitar player was standing right next to my ear. Did you DI that acoustic? That's the sound I seem to be "picking" up on (pardon the pun), and to me, the sound of a DI'd acoustic guitar is like nails on a chalkboard.

Keep after it though, man. There's no shame in starting over if you need to, and as long as you learn more and get better each time you take a whack at it, there's no lost time in the learning!

~~Matt

[funsongs]

I'm no expert (defer to our resident expert on the genre, Peter Rahill)
~~Matt

- Hey, TBH - I barely play the stuff... so, I'm no 'expert' - but "I know a guy..."
(for those times when a song needs that kind of expression).
Just sayin' - if you need great players of the genre, there are plenty of them out there.

[Stubee]

I am using only real instruments and a click track. No midi involved.

I am not sure why it sounds so disjointed then. If it's all recorded in the same space and mixed with a shared complimetary reverb it should at least sound cohesive

I think that I may have recorded the guitar without the "low latency" switch on. I've done a lot of rework to this since we spoke last. I'll be sending a follow-up
version later today. I'm sure that there will still be some things that you might find but I need to hear it from you. Thank you for the objective feedback.
I added some light drums because I am hearing that contemporary bluegrass uses them sometimes.

[Stubee]

I'm certainly no expert in Bluegrass, but to me this seemed more like a bunch of random instruments jumping into the spotlight to take shots at a quick solo over a bass & acoustic foundation, rather than a cohesive piece of music. This is almost what I would expect to hear at a backyard BBQ where people take quick turns playing 8-16 bars, then step away and let someone else take the next pass.

Now, it could be that this is exactly what Bluegrass is supposed to do. Again, I'm no expert (defer to our resident expert on the genre, Peter Rahill), but this seems too random, with more of a sense of "how many rootsy instruments can I solo with in one track".

Also, since nobody else has mentioned it, I'll add that the strumming on that acoustic got irritating to me, as the sound of the pick scraping against the strings was far too present, almost like the guitar player was standing right next to my ear. Did you DI that acoustic? That's the sound I seem to be "picking" up on (pardon the pun), and to me, the sound of a DI'd acoustic guitar is like nails on a chalkboard.

Keep after it though, man. There's no shame in starting over if you need to, and as long as you learn more and get better each time you take a whack at it, there's no lost time in the learning!

~~Matt

You are right. I actually uses a Shure SM57 to record the instruments. I think I may have been too close to the mic. I'm just learning how to use compression so that take wasn't good as far as that goes too. I watched the Del McCouray band
in a live performance and they seem to just have each instrument step up to the mic for solos one at a time. I'm in the process of rerecording the cue, so I'll have it out later today.

[AlanHall]

Re-think the 'strummy' guitar. The bluegrass guitar I've heard has almost always been a 'boom-chick' kind of realization. Just thinking out loud...

[Stubee]

I've just uploaded a new version of Kentucky Breeze. Please let me know if it is an improvement or not. I'm trying to get to a point
where I could recognize what I need to change but I guess until I get some forwards, I'll rely on the experience and expertise of this wonderful group.
Than you for your help.

Use the link at the top of this post to hear the track.

[Stubee]

IMHO the new version is much better than the previous one. The main things that I think could still be improved include tightening the timing timing of some of solo sections, putting a bit more interest in the first fiddle part and the pedal steel part, and taming the reverb on the pedal steel. Also, as Matt says, the overall piece comes across as a set of players taking a few bars of solo rather than building a composition. However, in recording terms I think you've done well to get from that first version to this one, and that's a big step forward. With some tighter playing and arrangement consideration you could get this one whipped into shape. I hope you keep working at it and enjoy getting better results.

Thank you, that means a lot to me. I'll try to figure out where the timing is of and reduce the reverb on the Steel Guitar. I'll target posting another version tomorrow.
Much appreciated!!!!!!

-Stu

[cosmicdolphin]

I'll try to figure out where the timing is off

Use Melodyne

[Stubee]

I'll try to figure out where the timing is off

Use Melodyne

I'll check it out. Thank you.