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Audio: As Long As Stars Entice

Video: As Long As Stars Entice

Couple of years ago, I was asked to do an arrangement and a melody for lyrics, something in "euro pop ballad" style. I sent my suggestion, but I never got a reply. Pity, because I liked the lyrics. I felt that the song was too good to be forgotten, so this autumn I decided to write my own, more personal, lyrics. And here is the result for you to judge I sing in the SoundCloud version, but I used Synthesizer V Kevin in the video version. My voice is harder to blend with the band and has other flaws, Kevin is easier to mix and I like his softer sound. They are different, I let you decide which one suits better for the mood of the song

Most of the clips in the video are from Adobe Stock. I had some personal clips I was hoping to use, but I didn't get a reply for my permission request in time, so only the clips having roots in the forest and the eagle are mine.

Here is the orchestra:

RealDrums:
UrbanPopEv16Uplift^1-a:clap, b:tamb
WoodblocksEv[single]^09-16thsPt3
Loops: destiny_71_drum_loop_b_minor ev16.wav, la_flava_beat93a drums ev16.wav

RealTracks:
#518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
#910:Piano, Electric, Rhythm SmoothBallad Ev16 065
#1831: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModern
#1834: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopModern
#2878:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrent Ev16 060
#1842: Synth Pad, ModernGroove Ev16
#2739:Synth, Rhythm PepSquadPad Ev 165 (double time)
#2265:Synth, BellPad, Rhythm 80sPopMelodic Ev 085
#1861:Synth, Rhythm, EuroDance ChorusHousePianoOffBeat Ev16 120
#3390:Mandolin, Soloist BalladPopTremoloAndy Ev 065
#475: Sax Alto Bossa

Vocals: me (SoundCloud), Synthesizer V Kevin (YouTube), Synthesizer V Solaria (backing vocals)

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab

Lyrics:

Happy couples heads in the clouds
they've never walked a moment in my boots
they have had their ruby wedding
I have had my endless treading
and tripping on the lumpy roots.

A happy couple in a balloon
I have to climb a mountain for a view
their affection is the fire
warms the air and lifts up higher
I can barely see the ocean blue.

But I can dream as long as I have time
another tripper would find my plight
together to survive the final climb.
And I can dream as long as the stars entice
two lonely single wings would unite
to be a bird steering by its instinct
on its virgin flight.

A happy couple can navigate
the compass and the map connect their hearts
one knows trails, their intersections
and the other all directions
I am straying with no counterparts.

A happy couple looks at the sky
they read the constellations to sail far
from a shoal to another
they are beacons to each other
I can only wish upon a star.

But I can dream...

[Solo]

But I can dream...
------------
Janne

Janne

A very well constructed song. Intricate and evocative.

I really liked the combination of the Synth V voices when they sang together.

Your vocal version is good too and again the harmonies work well.

Good song.

Peter

A pleasant listen. I'm not sure I've heard a eurobeat with a mandolin before.

The chorus (with you) is - as you hinted - not quite balanced. I think the upper harmony part is a bit harsh.

I disagree about the description of "flaws", though.

Very strange... after hearing your vocal, when I started hearing Kevin sing, I heard him singing with your accent.

Listening to the version with Kevin's vocals, I think the problem with the harmony doesn't lie with you, but with the synth voices. They just don't know how to blend!

Nice song!

I like both versions: Yes, the one with Kevin sounds more balanced, but I also like the contrast between your and Solaria's voices in the harmonies, they give the song something the other version doesn't have.

In general, human voices take a lot more effort to sit properly in a mix than vocaloids. A little compression to keep your natural voice levels more even, some reverb, and adjusting the voice levels (not in general, but where they need to be louder or softer) and you're there.

Very well written song, Janne, as your songs always are.

I watched the youtube version as video production is something I'm just starting to get into. Nicely done, supported the song quite well, and I really like the picture in a picture stuff you did.

To my ears Kevin did a good job for you, especially like it when you bring in the other voice.

Nicely done, enjoyed!

Hi, Janne. I listened to synth Kevin first. I really enjoyed the video. Thew production of the song is top-notch, man. There is a lot in that mix, and it all fits so well. I gotta say in all sincerity, Janne, your voice is so much better, and the harmony (synths) sound great. It may be easier to use the kevins, but... well, I've already said it. This is sucha good song, and the lyrics are wonderful. There are as many visuals in your lyrics as there are in the video --perhaps more.

I like both versions also. It never fails to amaze me how well these vocaloids seem to work. They are getting better all the time. I enjoyed my listen, Tom

Really nice tune Janne. Loved the mix and production. Super vocal. This vocal sounded so real. Well done...

Thanks Peter for your kind comment Glad you liked both vocal combinations.

Janne

Hi Janne
Excellent song
Kevin sounds great
A cool song
But your video is the icing on the cake
Brilliant Janne - Such beautiful pictures
An excellent work
both thumbs up
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

I listened to both versions, imho, the harmonies in the SoundCloud version were a bit off to my ears.
The video, lyrics and your vocals are great !
A very creative and uplifting piece of art.

Hitting on all cylinders here: great lyrics, terrific song with a catchy-as-hell hook, and an intriguing production. Really outdid yourself here. Synth5 is perfect for you. Way to go.

Kevin's voice is softer, rounder & unemotional.
Yours is slightly harsher but emotive.
You could EQ the harshness/strident aspects of your voice, (they reside in a couple of spots between 3kHz & 4.6kHz though the sibilant parts may be in various places).
It depends on what you want to achieve I suppose.
Why note try two simple experiments when you next record your voice:
a) the pencil n mic option which splits plosives
and
b) not singing directly into the mic but to the side of it.
Though definitely NOT in combination.

Thanks David for your nice comment With mandolin I was trying to bring some good old serenade performed under a lady's window With flaws I meant many pronunciation things I could have easily fixed, but was too lazy to do... Just like the harmonies which I exported as a mono track and then tried to make it better with Neutron. Well, next time I remember to export as separate files, easier to control.

Janne

Thanks B.D. for your kind words and very good tips I'm already having lots of compression on my voice and more reverb than usually, but I guess I have to do manual adjusting more. But I'm glad you liked both versions, this was a test to make comparison and to learn from human/synthV differences.

Janne

Thanks Dave for your kind feedback I'm really glad you liked the video, I found many nice clips that supported the song and even added to the story which is not always the case. Nice to know that those PIP effects worked, it is not easy to make them blend, but practicing with different blend modes and masks or color key effects can produce very nice results. But your videos have been very enjoyable already so you know what you are doing

Janne

Thanks Marty, you surely know how make my day with your uplifting comments I'm really glad you liked the lyrics and visuals, I'm sure that your songs have inspired me quite much both lyrically and visually

Janne

Thanks Tom for your kind words Yes, those synth vocalists sound already better than most of us wannabe singers...

Janne

Hi Janne,

I listened to both your versions.
I like you melody and the lyrics a lot.
And Kevin and his bg-vocals did a very good job, for sure.

But than I listened to you singing it. And you know, I realised I had missed your vocals for some time.
You have that special way of singing. Sometimes a bit out of tune, but very emotive and endearing.
I think Kevin can learn that from you! it brought a smile on my face from the moment I heard it.

On the other hand, you had some problems in aligning the bg-vocals with your own vocals.
But the song with your vocals won, close...

loved it,
Hans

Thanks Scott, I appreciate your positive feedback

Janne