I finished this demo about 6 months ago. It grew out of my experiences of the past five years and I decided I would never give up, no matter how bad it gets. Lyrics are on SoundCloud. The link is:
Feedback I'm looking for: mostly ideas for production (on Reaper), ideas that are possible for an inexperienced producer but are still effective. Also ideas for further development of the vocals. Should there be more background vocals? Less? And the ending--right now it fades out but I would prefer for it actually to end. I haven't been able to figure out how to do that yet, so suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
Vicki[/size][/font]
Quote from: Vicki on Dec 23, 2024, 05:22 PMI finished this demo about 6 months ago. It grew out of my experiences of the past five years and I decided I would never give up, no matter how bad it gets. Lyrics are on SoundCloud. The link is: https://soundcloud.com/caliamoko/never-give-up
Feedback I'm looking for: mostly ideas for production (on Reaper), ideas that are possible for an inexperienced producer but are still effective. Also ideas for further development of the vocals. Should there be more background vocals? Less? And the ending--right now it fades out but I would prefer for it actually to end. I haven't been able to figure out how to do that yet, so suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!
Vicki
@Vicki -- This an excellent folk song! The acoustic guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals, lyrics, and mix are all great! I enjoyed listening!
Regarding the specific feedback you requested, I use Mixcraft 10.5 pro studio and plan to switch to Cubase in the not-too-distant future, so I'm not familiar with Reaper. Do you know if it comes with mastering plugins or EQ plugins/tools? I often get ideas by searching for videos featuring my DAW and learning how advanced users are applying the features and plugins when mixing their songs.
Regarding the lead and backing vocals in the demo, I think you have a good arrangement with those, but perhaps the backing vocals are
slightly too loud in the mix. Maybe pull those back 5%, but, honestly, it all sounds good as it is.
Regarding the ending, I prefer fadeouts, but I know many like the abrupt ending. Hopefully someone who likes quick endings will address that.
Overall, I like your current demo of your song a lot, and I'm sure as you polish it more using the concepts you've expressed, it will only become better. I look forward to hearing your next version of your song. :D
Hi
@Vicki i haven't done any folk music but the song sounds sweet
if you want you could send me the vocal track .. tempo.. key
& i could try to build something around your vocals My Daw is Cubase 14 Pro
& i think i could export a project that could be imported in Reaper
cant promise if it would be any good as i am not familiar with Folk but who knows
it may result in some development ?
its just a offer without any obligation
success
subvibe
Hi Vicki,
I don't know if I can bring anything to the table because I heard it different too the other guys, saying that I think they made some great suggestions. For what it's worth I heard it in my head with some light drums, some piano, a touch of reverb on the voices, lead and backing vocals. Having said that it all depends on the setup you have, as a simple folk song it works really well, if you want more layers in it to give it more depth, then you have to think about adding some different textures. I think you did a great job with what you did, could it be better, absolutely, but so could anyone's song. Well done.
George or Jazz101
Thank you, @icystorm . I'm not very good with things like mastering and EQ. I know Reaper has at least one EQ plugin and I know Reaper can be used for mastering. I've played a little with both of those, although not recently due to obstacles of the past 5-1/2 years. Maybe I'll post a little bio in the Bar one of these days, but the short version is--my husband of 48 years had a stroke that long ago and died four years later. And my body is betraying me with a variety of issues. So those reasons are what led to this song.
@subvibe -- I would love to see what you could do with this. I'm in the midst of computer maintenance and my files are not available to me today, but I should be able to get to them after Christmas--between Christmas and the New Year. I'll send you a DM and we can make arrangements.
@jazz101 -- It's always good to get different perspectives. I like your ideas and want to give them a try.
Thank you for the valuable feedback and thanks to anyone who listened.
Vicki
Quote from: Vicki on Dec 24, 2024, 03:58 PMThank you, @icystorm (https://songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=11) . I'm not very good with things like mastering and EQ. I know Reaper has at least one EQ plugin and I know Reaper can be used for mastering. I've played a little with both of those, although not recently due to obstacles of the past 5-1/2 years. Maybe I'll post a little bio in the Bar one of these days, but the short version is--my husband of 48 years had a stroke that long ago and died four years later. And my body is betraying me with a variety of issues. So those reasons are what led to this song.
@Vicki -- You're welcome. Your obstacles are unfortunate, but your positive attitude and resolve to remain strong and overcome the trials you've experienced are good signs. It's great that you use your musical talent and ability to write songs as an outlet. I hope your situation improves soon. Stay strong and keep writing, playing, and singing! I look forward to hearing your next song soon. :D
Hola
@Vicki Here we are!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Your song is really engaging, as it invites listeners to sing with it...
Hi Vicki, First great to hear your lovely voice again. Nice backing vox too..I would perhaps mix them a little higher. A fabulous song.
I'm not experienced enough with Reaper to offer you advice. I'm a long time Cubase user. You're in safe hands if
@subvibe and/or
@jazz101 are willing to help you.
Happy New Year :)
Thank you, @Mora Amaro La Loba and @ChrisPrice
I appreciate the comments and feedback and hope to get back to working on this song again so I can try out the suggestions.
Vicki
I love it, Vicki....
It's wonderfully optimistic and genuinely charming.
As far as recording, it's a lane I try to avoid. I'm not very savvy.
Thank you very much! @IronKnee
I am also not very savvy, but I don't try to avoid it--I just keeping experimenting.
@Vicki I really missed your songs and vocals
This song works really well "as is" as a folk song - but as you asked for ideas....
I would crop out the noise at the start - first impressions are EVERYTHING - so I would cut out the "settling noises"
I think the guitar could be a bit "softer" and "looser" to suit the track
Did you record the vocal and guitar together? If you did, I would suggest trying to record them separately so that you can treat them separately - e.g. use compression and EQ to make the guitar a bit "smoother"
I am not sure how you mic'd the guitar - but a good starting point is to point a good vocal mic at the 12th fret - and if possible another mic (the same distance away if possible) pointing at the body of the guitar so that you can blend the 2 when you mix
The vocal is REALLY good - I would be tempted to add some compression to smooth it out a bit and add a touch of reverb. The EQ actually sounds fine on it to me, but there is definitely some finessing that could be done to make the most of that wonderful vocal
I would also bring the backing vocals (BVs) in a touch earlier - e.g. around the 41 second mark - and from a production point of view, I would recommend
always having a definite "lead vocal" with the BVs - so that the BVs wrap around it. At the moment it sounds like the BVs come in out of nowhere and we lose the lead vocal - so the listener loses the "anchor" for the track
If I were to produce it, I think I would just add some natural percussion (shakers, tambourine etc.) and some type of "pad" - e.g. small string section or light hammond type organ - to support the song
For a song titled "Never Give Up", I think it MUST have a fade out to compliment the concept of the song - i.e. the singer never giving up - but make sure you fade out completely before stopping - there is nothing worse than hearing the song stop "during" a fade out ;)
Overall though, I loved it - and I am glad you are back writing and recording
Thank you, Boydie! A lot of good ideas there. I'm looking forward to trying them out.