Tryin' out my Gauge ECM-87. Film/TV?

[wen]

I wanted to do something in the film/tv genre - very emotional; intimate kinda rough vocals (no problem there! haha!); universal lyrics etc.

This is what I did. Of course its loaded up with harp, probably too much as usual. The questions I have are this (but feel free to make any comments):
1. Genre. Is this new age pop, or ... what?
2. If the cello at the beginning doesn't sound realistic, does it at least sound like something that would fly?
3. Is the harp too complicated and/or distracting?
4. Is the synth pad schmaltzy?
5. Do the 'drums' work even though they are simple beyond compare? Probably will make a drummer cringe... sorry!
6. The Gauge mic is great, almost too great. I'm going to have to adjust my singing style. I am not a great singer to start with, and it picks up all kinds of mouth noises (who ever knew). So I'd also welcome any suggestions on using such a sensitive mic. I had to edit out a whole bunch of extraneous noise.
7. Is it too busy, overblown etc. for the 'typical' film/tv song placement?
8. Anything else I've missed....

Many thanks.
Wen


https://soundcloud.com/wendawilliamson/dont-smile-at-me

[Cruciform]

Hey Wen, I don't think my input will be too useful here. What you've done is completely outside my field. But 2c...

1. Genre - if this was you and an acoustic I'd call it singer/songwriter, maybe it's new age singer/songwriter. Dunno, sorry.
2. As it's buried deeply, I don't think it's problematic.
3. Probably too complicated for underscore but maybe would be fine in a scene where there's no dialogue ie. a person in an introspective moment of reflection and as you've indicated that's the kind of thing you have in mind
4. I don't think so. Didn't really notice it.
5. TBH, I'd go even simpler, maybe a solo djembe or something but that might make it too new agey
6. Can't help with mics.
7. See 3.

[6bq9]

The 'intimate vocals' technique usually works best with simple arrangements. The reason guitar or ukulele are used so often is that you could be playing one and whispering right in someone's ear. Or piano - you could be sitting together on the piano bench. That would also be possible with just the harp as well, but when you bring in the other instruments you've suddenly brought a whole crowd into the room with us, and that's not intimate.

Dump the other instruments, lower and level out the harp volume, raise and level out the vocal volume and I think you'll get a stronger result.

A noise gate on the vocal track can help get rid of the background noises (you can apply one as a vst post recording) and you can move quite a bit farther away from a studio mic than a stage mic.

A strong song, but not naked enough to be intimate. Strip it down until you blush when you hear it.

[coolhouse912]

The 'intimate vocals' technique usually works best with simple arrangements. The reason guitar or ukulele are used so often is that you could be playing one and whispering right in someone's ear. Or piano - you could be sitting together on the piano bench. That would also be possible with just the harp as well, but when you bring in the other instruments you've suddenly brought a whole crowd into the room with us, and that's not intimate.

Dump the other instruments, lower and level out the harp volume, raise and level out the vocal volume and I think you'll get a stronger result.

A noise gate on the vocal track can help get rid of the background noises (you can apply one as a vst post recording) and you can move quite a bit farther away from a studio mic than a stage mic.

A strong song, but not naked enough to be intimate. Strip it down until you blush when you hear it.

Your chorus is truly lovely. Beyond that...see above.

Regards,

Mike

[wen]

Thanks for the thoughts! Very much appreciated.

I am noticing I am too addicted to that harp. I need to get out my bari uke and get back up to speed on it. I think it will be easier to get that intimate vibe with the uke.

[coolhouse912]

I am noticing I am too addicted to that harp. I need to get out my bari uke and get back up to speed on it. I think it will be easier to get that intimate vibe with the uke.

Wen I don't have any objection to the harp. In fact, I think it's beautifully effective for this song. If you reread Sean's post, he wasn't really suggesting that you replace the harp but feature it instead. The uke reference was to illustrate his point about emphasizing the intimacy that your song deserves.

You're going to find plenty of situations where you can't take advantage of your abilities on this instrument. However, I think you should whenever possible. I don't think there's a plethora of harpists on TAXI for you to compete with.

Happy New Year

Mike

[Robtoons]

Hi Wen,
I too like the harp, it makes for a very unique sound. I think others are right about stripping it down a bit though.
When the harp goes into the super rapid arpeggios I think it gets too busy- I'd cut those in half (or less)
Your vocal is great- all those mouth noises etc. are what makes for the intimate sound, (you'll hear plenty of that with people like Ingrid Michelson- embrace it!)
Your voice has a tonal quality that reminds me of someone, but I'm drawing a blank on who it is right now, (that's helpful!) but it works!
I'm no help for genera and placement on this...
Nice job!
-Rob

[6bq9]

The new mix is much better, it puts the focus on the vocal where it belongs. Has a much better balance overall. Good work! Good luck on the listing!

[pedrocosta]

Great work Wen!
I like this song a lot. Nice usage of the harp. Really unique, I like it.
Best of luck with it!

[andygabrys]

Wen,

its a really pretty song. my 2 cents.

As far as the "demo" wording in the listing, I think that the a la artists are generally pretty produced, strings etc. lots of sound. So they would accept something more simple in instrumentation, as long as the feel is there, the soaring feel that you mentioned in the other posting about this song.

IMO - what they are NOT looking for something that feels unfinished as far as the performance (is the piano in the same rhythmic zone as the rest of the performance?) or the mix. They didn't mention re-recording this for an artist, so you have to assume that your performance / mix is going to be the one.

I think you would have most success by just putting vocal and harp in. Pan the harp out around the vocal. I don't agree that the vocal should be that loud compared to the accompaniment (as you have on mix2 for example), I think it should be lower than it is now, and you will have to make a "hole" in the harp for the vocal to sit in the middle. The vocal needs some leveling along the song - there are some loud points like at 0:55 on mix 2, those have to be brought down into context with the harp.

I love the sound of the harp on the intro. that is the vibe right there. I would maximize that sound and touch.

the sound of the recording of the vocal is fine. Using a condenser mic, its normal to have to edit out (or drop in volume using automation) lip and mouth noises, and sibilance (although your vocal is pretty sibilance free as it is, sounds nice).