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I've been working on one of my BIG ballads...orchestrated to the hilt and keeping my reputation alive as the "king of modulations"...it deals with a theme that I've written many songs about , the prodigal son...but it not so much about the story itself as it is about the meaning of the story...so if you do...thanks for listening and I always appreciate your thoughts and comments concerning any aspect of the song or production...Dan Come Back to the Lordhttps://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=5254470 Style is _NEBULA.STY (Nebula Modern Country Pop Ballad) RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 1595:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop8thsSteady Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 1168:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065 (Bluesy) RealTracks in song: 1537:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBelieveArp Ev16 065 RealDrums in style:BluesRockSlowEv^3-a:SideStick , b:Snare, Ride I added: the vocals, piano, distorted guitar synth, strings, a second drum kit and some percussion (from a Yamaha Tyros)
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Dan,
A very strong write. You know what you are doing.
And very strong vocals. Another strength. Beautiful harmonies.
Really nice piano. You strike me as a "real" piano player. Like you've done it all your life and I imagine you able to sit at a piano and "just be impressive". It always amazes me how few piano guys are out there - we're mostly guitar guys (and WHERE are all the piano girls?). Mostly, I'm jealous - having wanted to play piano for a very long time.
The first verse really drew me in. The production there is really nice. Beautiful.
But you lost me in the choruses. They strike me as "overproduced". The underlying musical track seems to have so much going on that there is no definition. It's a "big mass of music", difficult to determine what might make it up.
There is a "pulsing" from the combination of instruments and many voices. Everyone seems to pounce on the beat.
I listened first on speakers and then listened again on earbuds (which allowed a bit more "identification", but not completely).
You are truly talented in ALL aspect of "what we do" - writing, recording, arranging, production, singing. This is the first time I've heard something from you that I felt "needed work".
Then, again, I might be losing it completely and everyone else will negate all of this.
These ears get older every day. And I have a cold.
fj
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The "king of modulations" strikes again with another winner.
Super strong vocal on this one.
FWIW I liked the chorus.
A super write with a very powerful message.
We do need more people to come to the lord during these trying times.
Unclear if the pianist is a total beginner or a professional jazz player?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Really, REALLY nicely done. Love the way this pulls the listener through a beginning, middle and end. My only (slight) disappointment was that I SOMETIMES couldn't hear your lead vocal starting at about 3:30. There's a lot going on there with the choir, orchestration and reverb, so it's easy to do. I only bring it up because your vocals are SO good, I missed them when I couldn't hear them clearly. Love the tune, well done!
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Dan, This is a great write and extremely well sung. I love the modulation. The melody is really pretty and relaxing as well as inspirational. I definitely agree with floyd's observations regarding the chorus. Less instrumentation would allow the beauty of the vocals to shine through. It just seems a little busy. Besides that it is a great piece of music. You are very talented, Tom
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Dan,
Wow! What an epic song. Outstanding vocal and a big lush production. So well done...
Excellent!
Bob
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Hi, Dan. Nicely done, as usual. And modulations!  This does turn into a wall of sound, which by its nature is going to be a bit unfocused and distant. My preference is always to hear the vocal, no matter how pretty the orchestration. Especially since your vocals are so great.
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Dan,
You really have this down. Gorgeous production here and a wonderful, moving write. I would think there’s a big market for this genre of music . . . and what you do here and with all of your songs really are deserving of endless listeners and wide attention. Great, great vocal. Just brilliant stuff!
All my best to you,
Deej
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Oh, such a wonderful BIG ballad, Mr. Mod. Strongly full of life. Instead of calling it overproduced I'll say it has that Wall Of Sound. That piano is such a strong element. So well done. I kept waiting for one of the modulations to bring us to much celebration and a fatted calf. I use this one and the one where some guys get a full days wage for an hours work to showthat life is not fair, get over it. But you captured the true meaning perfectly.
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Dan. You do these so well.
Vocals are excellent.
The arrangement great.
Applause!
Vic
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Good song and a great message. Prodigal son, which we all tend to be at one time or another.
The production and vocals are good. My nit kinda goes along the lines of what Floyd mentioned. In spite of his cold and possible hearing issues due to that...he's not wrong.
There's a lot of reverb on the mix which melds it into a mostly non-distinct wall of sound. The vocals sound like they're in a huge empty hard surface room. Pull that reverb back or change it to a "smaller" room to make it more intimate sounding. When the BGVs come in on the chorus it only gets bigger. I think most of the issues with this mix revolve around the blurring of the sound with the reverb.
Those modulations are really nice.
I'm thinking that this needs a bit of tender loving care on a remix with attention to the reverb levels.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Dan,
A very strong write. You know what you are doing.
And very strong vocals. Another strength. Beautiful harmonies.
Really nice piano. You strike me as a "real" piano player. Like you've done it all your life and I imagine you able to sit at a piano and "just be impressive". It always amazes me how few piano guys are out there - we're mostly guitar guys (and WHERE are all the piano girls?). Mostly, I'm jealous - having wanted to play piano for a very long time.
The first verse really drew me in. The production there is really nice. Beautiful.
But you lost me in the choruses. They strike me as "overproduced". The underlying musical track seems to have so much going on that there is no definition. It's a "big mass of music", difficult to determine what might make it up.
There is a "pulsing" from the combination of instruments and many voices. Everyone seems to pounce on the beat.
I listened first on speakers and then listened again on earbuds (which allowed a bit more "identification", but not completely).
You are truly talented in ALL aspect of "what we do" - writing, recording, arranging, production, singing. This is the first time I've heard something from you that I felt "needed work".
Then, again, I might be losing it completely and everyone else will negate all of this.
These ears get older every day. And I have a cold.
fj Floyd....thank you SO MUCH for your comments...over the years here at the forum I've learned ( listening to your mixes) to trust your comments...thank you for taking the time to listen with a critical ear to this song...I've spent hours trying to get this mix right (whatever that is?) knowing that mixing is subjective...I wanted this song to be BIG and powerful and I wanted a "wall of sound" around the vocals but after your thoughts and the comments of other trusted forum members I can see that I had build the wall too thick...so I've posted a remix with a few adjustments...1. I brought the pad (distorted synth, strings, etc,) down in the overall mix...2. I took a lot of effects off of the vocals and raised them in the mix...3. I automated the vocal tracks so that they would increase when the dynamics and volume of the track increased in an attempt to keep them on top of the mix...4. I tweaked some other tracks and automated some of them too...I can hear the difference...thanks to you and all the other guys who made such comments...I believe it helped enhance the song...Dan
Last edited by firesong; 11/03/23 08:48 AM.
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Dan,
Night and Day.
The vocals are king (as they should be). Killer.
I can now hear the band.
(now that I can better hear the instruments, I was very surprised that you did not include a soaring string section in the last minute - going bigger. You are always good at strings...)
Nice work.
fj
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Mario, Ron, Tommy, Bob, David, Deej, Marty, Vic and Herb...my sincere thanks to all you guys for the great comments...I love the community of writers and musicians we have on the this forum...your comments and suggestions are such a valuable tool for me as I endeavor to present my songs in the best manner possible...I appreciate it more than I can say...thanks again guys...Dan
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Dan,
Night and Day.
The vocals are king (as they should be). Killer.
I can now hear the band.
(now that I can better hear the instruments, I was very surprised that you did not include a soaring string section in the last minute - going bigger. You are always good at strings...)
Nice work.
fj Thanks so much! I thought because it was a "rock" ballad I'd use the electric guitar lead to soar in the final chorus for power and grittiness...(there is a string pad laying underneath)...thanks again!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Dan, the remix is flat out majestic. Just a great song with perfect, powerhouse vocals. The production now supports your intent. (Not sure you need the solo guitar in the outro. The song has swept through a breathtaking arc, and it's hard for him to add much. FWIW.)
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Better mix . However the vocals are still colored by the reverb and to my ear it still sounds like the singers are in a different sonic place from the music.
You're headed in the right direction but just a little more to do IMHO
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hi Dan. I didn't hear the original mix so I have nothing to say in relation to a comparison. What I can comfortably say, though, is that this song is extraordinary. The melody is brilliant, the arrangement and production are outstanding, and your performance is truly inspirational. Wonderful music though and through  Best regards, --Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2024
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Just listening to your remix and really like it, great song, great vocals and a great arrangement. Whatever you changed, it was good If you still feel like experimenting, I would turn down the reverb for the vocals even more (at least in the verses) so that they fit better with the ambience of the other instruments.
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Yep, that is a BIG wall of sound!
Those are soaring performances vocally and instrumentally too.
A powerful P&W statement!
J&B
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