Ventures style surf song......

[CHuckmott]

My Initial offering, quick but hopefully not too monotonous. My specific ala was Walk Don't Run. DIdn't want to overproduce this one, so although it is set up with standard stereo aux tracks etc. via my template, instrumentation is sparse, no doubled tracks, light compression on the lead guitar, some on the bass, Amplitube patches and Addicitve drums retro drum loops, modified only slightly. Opto tremolo and Fender amp patches in Amplitube seemingly the only logical way to go with the guitars....

Anyway comments on mix, track, production, etc. would be appreciated, so fire away . My track: https://soundcloud.com/chuck-mott/waves-over-atlantis

The listing: SURF ROCK SONGS and INSTRUMENTALS in the style of Dick Dale, The Ventures,Link Wray, etc., are needed by an Independent Music Publisher for a varietyof placements in Film/TV projects. QUOTING THE SOURCE: "Material must be reminiscent of the surf culture. Instrumentation needs to sound authentic to the genre. Tremelo guitar, classic surf drumming, electric organ, tenor or bari saxwould all work for this." Be sure your submissions have a classic Surf Rocksound similar to the referenced artists. As always, DO NOT rip off or copythe referenced artists in any way, shape or form. Use them ONLY as a guidefor tempo, texture, and vibe. Top-notch vocal and instrumental performancesneeded. MALE and/or FEMALE vocals are BOTH OK. NO COVERS, ORIGINAL MATERIAL ONLY. MID-to-UPTEMPO ONLY. If you submit songs with lyrics, please make sure they are UNIVERSAL and don't include names, places, dates, etc. ÊBroadcast quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine.) ÊYou must own or control 100% of your composition and master recording. ÊPlease submit one to three songs and/or instrumentals online or per CD, include lyrics (if applicable). All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS ONLY - NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than Wednesday, March 27, 2013. TAXI #Y130327SR

[AlpacaRoom]

Hey Chuck,

Cool track, nice laid-back surf vibe, and some tasty surf lead playing. A couple of things, though.

The first thing that jumps out is that one of the high strings on the rhythm guitar is out of tune--the opening chord is brutal. The attack is also a little harsh for me; I'd either use a faster compressor on it or just play it a little more smoothly. If you listen to the studio recording of "Walk Don't Run," to use your example, you'll notice that the rhythm guitar is really dark and, for lack of a better word, squishy. I think that helps it sit in the mix better. It's also much quieter--quieter than the bass, even (you might want to bring the bass up a bit, too).

You might want to think about adding a drum break, or at least some kind of break, in there, too, for variety. It's possible to do convincing-enough drum breaks with AD, but it'll take some careful programming.

If it were me, I'd also go way wetter on the drums and the rhythm guitar (and, hell, probably the lead as well). A little spring reverb on the guitars, probably a mono plate on the drums (on an aux so you can send some guitar to it too). But at the same time, I think you're probably right to be a little conservative with the effects--too much and it's a mess. Modern surf generally has the drums mixed higher--like you have here--while period recordings have them much lower. I guess it's a matter of taste.

Finally, what's that hum that comes up as the track ends? I'm listening on earbuds, so I can't tell if it's humming throughout the whole track, but you should check it out.

Good track, though, and I think it could be a winner with a little more attention.


-Nick

[Robtoons]

Hi Chuck,
Cool piece, I like the composition. I wasn't bothered by the intonation issues, as I think it lends a loose vibe to this.
The 60hz hum throughout was a bit much though (I don't know if that was intentional to add a "period" vibe or not).
Also, I can't hear the bass at all.
Surfalicious! -Rob

[VanderBoegh]

Fun song, Chuck! I'd have to agree with Nick and Rob on their comments though (mostly, anyway). I'm not hearing any bass in this song. Was there a bass line at all? Or is it just mixed super low? Regardless, to my ears it could use more bottom end. Also, like Nick, I'd like to hear more drum breaks/fills to keep this sounding more natural and less programmed. Give me some slightly off-time fills on some loose tom heads, or a couple of snare fills... just SOMETHING to make it sound like a real drummer and not just copied loops. As for the intonation, it didn't bother me. And I didn't hear the humming mentioned either. Could be that I've been mixing all morning, and my ears are shot, haha.

Best of luck, Chuck.

~~Matt

[eeoo]

Where's the bass? Cool vibe, I think the guitar on the left could come down some and I'd take a bit of the bite out of it if possible, it's a tad harsh.

Nice one!

eo

[CHuckmott]

Good points all. Anyone else agree that there should be a drum break? For a TV pitch? WOuld it possibly kill the track or no for this listing? I like the idea and the ala definitely has it.

I don't know where the bass went. Will look. I listened today on the van stereo while driving place to place for work. I agree. Harsh rhythm, no bass.

Also levels are a little hot overall.

Yes bass track disappeared. Looks like I inadvertently deleted it. It was a quick bounce to share and rushed it through before heading out this a.m.

[CHuckmott]

Updated version with bass (jeez...) is up. Hope the drums are an improvement. Annoying piercing frequency addressed on rhythm guitars. I wasn't hearing the hum either, please let me know if that continues to be an issue. Again arrangement, mix, production, feel free to comment. Think this is an improvement. What think you ? Tweaking to be made anywhere?

https://soundcloud.com/chuck-mott/waves-over-atlantis

[VanderBoegh]

Nice work, Chuck! Great improvements. Amazing what the addition of a forgotten bass line can do, haha. Drums sound much more natural too. Maybe just drop the snare by 2-3 db?

Sounds great.

~~Matt

[CHuckmott]

Thanks Matt. I always get called out on my drums using straight loops , the attack/velocities are off, is a compromise more often then not how I hear the part going (for the record, though, I have a fair amount of experience playing with drummers, and I believe I have a good sense of what to play/program and how it's done).Will likely be the last song where I try to get by with nothing but loops, may even take the other route and play/program myself.

I always clean up unused audio in Pro Tools using that select feature but when I get on a rule when it asks if I want to delete unused regions, it will often delete audio I need. Apparently did that with the original bass line if it says it is used in a track. DOn't understand that. If it is used as part of an active playlist on a track, it isn't unused is it. So I get on a role deleting tracks an often delete some of those if I'm not careful. Glad I didn't spend hours playing that.

[CHuckmott]

With some additional tweaking. SOme work on the drums, guitars, bass. Best sounding one yet I think. Any other comments/suggestions? https://soundcloud.com/chuck-mott/waves-over-atlantis