Hard Rock anyone?

[thirtysecbreeze]

Hey guys and gals. I have two more tracks up for listening pleasure and I would like some input. Before anyone mentions.. I know the tracks intros are long. Any ideas on how I could shorten them though?For some reason most of my stuff always has an intro. I am one of those "emotional" writers and feel intros work well at being that first impulse of whatever feeling it is I am trying to convey. But anyways, my band CLINCH, two songs here, "Repo" and "Finally over" Thanks in advance!http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemus ... dID=742345

[squidlips]

Hey!Well, first off, I LIKE the intro build on Repo you've got. But if you were to shorten it, could you maybe keep the bass beginning, cut out the guitar where it's just mimicing the bass line and paste to where the drums and the guitar come in? That might give you a few seconds. Does that make sense? I wouldn't do that myself, I'd keep it as is for the build but if you're looking at cutting down, it's a thought. Anyway, I like this song.Which one of you is singing? Great screamer you've got there, good tone on that. Is it possible to (gasp, I know this is gonna suck ta say) autotune him on the more quiet passages? He's pitchin' a little flat in spots.The only other thing I could say is maybe the drums could use some beef. The snare sounds hollow and the toms just can't compete with the bass. Maybe you could bring up the level and some of the lows on the drums? Please bear in mind, I have an engineer with all sorts of toys who does this stuff for me, I just ask him to do what I need and he does it. I like this song a lot.I like Finally Over too. I listened for stuff to critique but there wasn't anything in there. Maybe a little more intensity in the quieter singing spots but then again, that wouldn't really lend itself to the lyrics. Maybe you could boost his vocals a bit on "peaceful day" in the 2nd verse. Good song. I like the effect you added to his voice at the end, that might be good in smaller doses during the song and then boost it at the end.

[thirtysecbreeze]

Yes, I am a fan of the longer intros, I just realize that most time (for reasons I can not understand) shorter intros are better... I would like to talk to the man who said this btw. Yes, I know there are a lot of pitch issues with the vocals, these songs were not thrown into any type of mixing process, pretty much, record and go. We do our recording ourselves and it usually falls on me to mix it all up and I can never seem to find the time to do so. I appreaciate the feedback and pm'd you as well. Thanks!

[squidlips]

Well, ya know what they say.....it takes three times as long to mix a song as it does to record it, so I'd say you're doing great. I'll go check that PM. Thanks.

[rnrmachine]

Hi again Thirty,I agree with you in loving intros that build. When I played out with the most popular band I was in (not necessarily the best band) we did a mix of 50% covers and 50% originals. The covers we chose suited our originals and vice versa. We had some nice build intros that went over well live, and album would have been fine. But there is a reason alot of songs have "radio edits". It is wise to keep that in mind and just don't over do it. Now that I tend to write more for finding the hit then so much just a self artistic expression I do not drag stuff out because I think it is cool, I am keeping it more to a set structure. Although if I feel a birdge I intended on will not work and needs to be trashed I would do it, and add a bridge when I did not plan on it. Or change the structure with the song as it gels. With that in mind my stuff is getting better and better. The stuff I am writing/recording now is more refined in a sense so in some ways better because I am following a structure.All that said in a hope for you to know me a lil better as I discuss your music with ya. I listened to all the songs on your site. It confirmed what I suspected earlier listening to "No More" and "Burn". You definately have a "band" talent. If you and I were close I would jam with ya, with the idea of doing originals together for live performance. I can sing too so it would be fun to see the harmonies and lead voc swaps we could pull off. It would definately be fun. Nothing like jamming out live.. finishing a song and seeing stupified looks on peoples faces. Then the "Roar" of the crowd rises as the cheers overwhelm.. it truly is priceless. You have a talent that refined with a band built around you like a pair of good fitting blue jeans would be cool. I miss playing out and every once in a while I hear some recordings from people that remind me of it.The only thing I can really say to you is keep working at it, keep recording and trying to listen to your stuff as an outsider. I know it is very hard to listen to your own music that way because of the emotional connecting in perforiming it, but ya need to be able to do it. This will elevate you to a new level of professionalism.I liked alot about all the stuff ya have. It sends me off on tangents like it use to be when writing with a band. Because there is real good stuff in there. Not all of it but some of it. Worked up with another songwriter in love with your style of music your stuff is a def "money maker" and "stadium seat breaker". hehe... but it needs refinement which I have no doubt you will do as you record more...Rob

[thirtysecbreeze]

Thanks Rob. I really appreciate that. You are right, it is extremely difficult to listen to your music as an outsider. I do not have that "it is set and wrote perfect. No changes" mentality (thank god) like a lot of musicians I have come into contact with over the years. I DO want to expand and make the best of my music, but I find it hard to be emotional and also feel "free" with my music by following standards, which is an area I know I need to grow and mature in. Hopefully I will find that mesh of people so I can "pack the house" so to say. I just love to play, always have and always will. As for the money maker, eh.. if it happens I won't complain.. lol. But if it doesn't I will still be happy. Luckily I found this site and I think all you guys will help me out a lot and I just hope I can return the favor.Thanks.

[Casey H]

HiBefore I listen to the tunes, which should be very soon, I wanted to make a comment on intro length. The main reason short intros are recommended is for pitching your songs. When you send a song to a publisher, A&R person, etc., they do not want to take the time to wait through more than about 15 seconds of intro to get to the "meat" of the song. They are busy people and want to see what you have as far as lyrics and, most important, hook. The general rule of thumb is: get to the hook (usually chorus) in 45-60 seconds. So many folks cut 2 mixes of their songs, one with a long intro and one with a short...So save the long intros for the concerts and albums... Casey

[Casey H]

Hi againI listened to "Repo"... Good metal stuff! If you are concerned about the intro, you could easily strip off a good 8 seconds of soft bass at the very start. Although, screaming stuff is not my preferred listening, I think this is really well done. You, if you haven't already, you should be seeking out opportunities in video games as well as film/TV. Also, the music track without vocal may be very pitch-worthy for these applications...Good vocal! I also like the intro build. In this genre, I am not as sure that shortening the intro will matter as much. This is not pop music where A&R are rushing as much to hear that next Top-40 hit chorus. The overall effect is important. But to be safe, the first about 8 seconds may not add that much to the overall effect.Best of luck! Casey