New Song Demo - Broadcast Quality?

[Kazak]

Good Morning!

This is the first time I have submitted a new song demo for Taxi forum members to listen to, so I hope I do it correctly.
I created this track using my iMac OSX 10.6.7, with M-Audio midi and M-Audio speakers, AKG Perception 220 mic. I used the regular female basic vocals without effects in Garageband. I am playing simultaneously my 12-string Ovation live on a single track.

Since I'm here in Kazakhstan I have to buy any equipment in the U.S. and I'm leaving for Houston next week for 3 weeks, so if you think I need something in terms of "hardware" please let me know )

Any feedback on lyrics, melody, vocals, guitar, production, please advise, but be gentle, I do live on the 12th floor of a high rise )
Is it broadcast quality? I need to learn to do this myself here.

http://www.taxi.com/aliciaselby Song is "Tidal Waves" demo at the bottom of my song list.

Thank you SO much!

Alicia

[pgustafson53]

Hi Alicia,

Your song, "Tidal Waves", has a lot of potential, but using a single mic for vocal and guitar recording at the same time limits your ability to produce a broadcast quality sound. I recommend recording your guitar into a separate track, and then record the vocal by listening to your guitar track via headphones. When I record the guitar part, I using lip sink the song which helps me get the feel of the song down. I also use a metronome. This will allow you to work with each track separately in Pro Tools to add the right mixture of reverb, compression etc.. The extra time you take to record in this fashion will pay off down the road.
Now, I'm still working on my song crafting skills, and only had one forward so far, but it seems to me that your verse and chorus sections are the same. I would request a Custom Review with Taxi. I've done this several times, and the feedback is very good. Once you have made the recommended (Song structure/Lryic) changes submit your song to a regular listing just so you can get another review. Then after making those recommend changes, consider having a professional demo made. Not that you don't have a nice voice and all. This is exactly what I went through for my song, "Out of the Blue". I ended up changing the title, half the chorus, and the third verse due to the recommended changes. During the creation process of the demo, which I attended via the internet, the professional singer surprised me by adding the harmony parts. To hear the difference, listen to my singing and playing of "Forever Together Superman", and then the professional version, "Out of the Blue". I'm playing guitar on both recordings BTW.

My other song, "Strangers Around Us", was my first forward (World Music genre). I'm singing plus playing all the instruments, which are in separate tracks. It was a lot of work, and I seemded to have gotten it right that time. But I have written and recorded a dozen other songs that failed to make the grade. Now, I'm focusing on just the song crafting and will let the professionals do the recording.

I hope this helps. Keep writing!

BTW: Nice title of your CD.

Paul

http://www.taxi.com/paulsmusiccafe

[thokus]

Alicia, welcome .. that track you wanted critiqued is way off broadcast quality.What paul says is right ..

Your song, "Tidal Waves", has a lot of potential, but using a single mic for vocal and guitar recording at the same time limits your ability to produce a broadcast quality sound. I recommend recording your guitar into a separate track, and then record the vocal by listening to your guitar track via headphones. When I record the guitar part, I using lip sink the song which helps me get the feel of the song down. I also use a metronome. This will allow you to work with each track separately in Pro Tools to add the right mixture of reverb, compression etc.. The extra time you take to record in this fashion will pay off down the road.

I listened to some of your other tracks .. they sound pretty good .. did you do those or have someone else ? The best way to get critiqued is to post in the "peer to peer" forum. Then ask for specifics.
As for "Tidal wave", take Paul's advice . split each voice and instrument into thier own track so you can manipulate them and eq and all that . Again welcome and have fun .. this is a great place for instruction..
Tom

[mojobone]

Yes, it's broadcast quality; I could hear it for a background or source use in a scene. The recording is decent to good and your Ovation sounds ......well, like an Ovation, so it appears your tools are giving you an accurate 'picture' of your source, and your recording technique is up to the task. As to artistic choices, I'd have maybe picked a guitar with a little or a lot more bottom; Ovation/Adamas cut well through a busy mix without much treatment, but for a simple guitar/vocal arrangement, a dreadnought or larger guitar might be more appropriate. (Gibsons and Martins and Taylors, oh my!) Though I'd imagine pickins' are rather slim in your neck of the woods when it comes to quality instruments, and shipping them is a nightmare. Overall, a pretty good job. (some fine singing, too)

[shoodBworkin]

As a member for a year and one half my experience leads me to believe BroadCast Quality means "thanks for your five dollars" . . . one guy's perspective

[ottlukk]

Alicia: I liked this, and I like your voice. On a more amateur level, compared to the posts above, I'll just say that even though your voice was"up front", it did not come across clearly, in that I struggled to hear the lyrics. And the lyrics I heard, I liked.
Ott

[Kazak]

THANK YOU ALL for your input & for your time to listen to my pop/rock song Tidal Waves. I removed it to make improvements

Paul: I will do separate tracks, use a metronome. There needs to be more contrast between verse & chorus, I'll be working on it.
I always have my songs professionally critiqued. Out of the Blue unfortunately is not original. See Sound Exchange, there's a ton of songs & albums with that title. I didn't know that 'til after I released the album.

Tom: Thank you. All of the other tracks were done at 3 studios out of Nashville using session musicians. I'm trying to do these alone to submit to film/TV listings in the future.

Mojobone: You are a guitar man (BTW I have a song called That Guitar Man). It's an Ovation Legend, not Adamas. You gave me a great idea so I will check out Martins & Taylors in Houston next week. There's NO instruments or equipment available here in KZ.

ShoodBworkin: I'm not sure of your point, but I joined Taxi in 2006 & the $5 has not changed in five years now.

Ott: Thank you. I was about a foot or more from the mic & turning my head away from it to read the music. I will reposition it next time. Sorry you could not fully hear the lyrics.

Keep the music flowing!

Alicia

[cardell]

As a member for a year and one half my experience leads me to believe BroadCast Quality means "thanks for your five dollars" . . . one guy's perspective

Cynacism eh?
What does your work sound like?

Stuart