Indie pop, first attempt

[orest]

I need your feedback on the production as well as the music. Is this something I should continue to compose, or should I continue to make film music, new age and piano music only?! www.alexanderorest.com/world.htm - UNIVERSELyrics: VERSE 1:Counting every single stepNot knowing what lies aheadThe future is the strangerCrawling backwards in my mindThinking I am awakeBut the body is sleepingCreating a world within myselfIt feels more real than lifeBRIDGE:Falling into a dreamAway from the realityCHORUS:The universe can bend the truthHiding behind the starsSailing the milky wayRiding the atmosphereVERSE 2:Running faster than beforeThe clock ticking louder nowBut I cannot move, I'm trapped foreverMy mind is stronger than meWaking up for a little whileEverything feels so strangeBut before I even have the time to thinkMy body fades away againBRIDGECHORUSMIDDLE VERSE:Floating awayI can't find a way outI'm trying to get inSo I can let go before I get outCHORUS

[partyofone]

Hi Orest!Man I've been asking myself similar questions... ("should I do this genre or that genre"). First off I think you've presented a solid effort here (especially if this isn't something, as I've gathered, that you don't do often).Production seems pretty solid and mix is clean. My take is that while the overall direction works for the style I want some more authenticity or raw emotion. I'd like the drums (especially snare) to hit harderMaybe more guitar in mixThe vocal is nice but could it be done with more angst or in a more pushed way and with less vibrato?Lastly I feel like the mix needs something to make it pop more. Maybe just more compression overall would give it a more in-your-face sound.Hope this helps! I think you can pull it off with some tweaks here and there. But then again I know that sometimes those tweaks seem like more work than it's worth! Good luck.

[orest]

Thanks Patrick! I will certainly take your advice! I use compression on the drums, guitars, bass and vocals and compression on the main channel for the whole sound image. How can I make the sound more tighter and in your face? Well, I've done 2 songs previously in this genre, but this is the best one I think. I have played all the instruments and the vocals is done by a friend of mine. I would like to sing myself, but I'm afraid my English pronunciation is not enough. You can be the judge of that: www.youtube.com/misterkeyboard - listen to Washing of the water.

[southpaw]

Hey orest! It was a very unique song, and it kept me interested because it took me in a lot of directions stylistically. I dug it dude. I think it is very original, but im with patrick in a lacking of raw emotion with the vocals. Mix sounds clean in general. My ears said that the guitars could be a great way to boost the impact of this track. Quote: Is this something I should continue to compose, or should I continue to make film music, new age and piano music only?! I dont think that is something anyone can answer but you.. I hear you though, and i am still exploring the styles myself.. Personally, its hard for me to do my best on a song if i dont really believe in the song itself, regardless of the style. This is a tough question for sure, i dont think you really need to answer it any time soon though. (if ever) For me, i dont want to put any limits on myself when i am creating something as an artist, a song just goes where ever it flows for me. I only try to stay inside 'the lines' (to a degree) when i am writing something for a specific listing or intended purpose. I say, write what you are passionate about! But what do i know? Quote:I use compression on the drums, guitars, bass and vocals and compression on the main channel for the whole sound image. How can I make the sound more tighter and in your face? For the mix you might try your best limiter, or 'warmest' compressor, using around a 10:1 ratio. Also some saturation plugins i have found to be a great tool to boost the percieved levels of a mix. You can usually get the snare to pop better by boosting a lil in the 200-400 range, and limiting that in addition to your compression. Some reverb couldnt hurt as well for some more distance with the eerie soundscape you have going on here..I think that the vocals could be delivered with a less 'inhibited' performance and a more passionate delivery, if you know what i mean.. In addition, if you build a bigger sound with the guitars, it will help drive the impact a little more i think. Nice start, i think if you feel the song, then its worth developing it, if not put your efforts in to one you do.Good luck!*The song dropped out at about 3/4 thru the song for some reason, my internet may have temp disconnected or something..?

[orest]

Well, I'm not the singer of this song, I have played all the instruments and I have written the song. I did a version myself, and the screener liked my singing and the lyrics, but he thought if someone could sing it with an American accent it would be better. It's a musical artist friend I have who did the vocals on this track. I use Logic, how can I use the compression there the best way? It's a new version uploaded as well, maybe a bit more "in your face"?

[southpaw]

I listened to the update twice through. I noticed a little difference in the chorus, overall its sounds pretty good. Sounds a little bland at times imho. Kind of like there was something missing that i cant put my finger on right now.."Well, I'm not the singer of this song, I have played all the instruments and I have written the song. I did a version myself, and the screener liked my singing and the lyrics, but he thought if someone could sing it with an American accent it would be better. It's a musical artist friend I have who did the vocals on this track. "Right, but are you able to have him retrack the vocals, or is that not an option...? I mean the production of the vocals sounds good, nice work. It could be helpful to the song if he sang it with a little more emphasis/emotion at times, especially during the chorus. "I use Logic, how can I use the compression there the best way?"For what.. Are you talking for the vocals, for the mix, the guitars..? Because compression would be used differently in each case..For the mix, try the adaptive limiter, or the other logic limiter plug. I dont like squashing the final mix bus with compression, and may add a little during 'mastering'... Though I almost never use logics compressors on the final bus, if i do use a compressor its with very very modest settings and use one of my 'go to' compressors (usually sonalksis) more for the color it adds, than as a volume booster.

[feaker]

OrestDidn't read all the comments. Voice was a good fit. No pitch problems anywhere.Only though I had is where it jumps from verse to chorus at "than life" to "falling is so quick.I was leaning forward to get a better listen and it took me by surprise.Paul