My first track -- Spinning Daydream

[mbouteneff]

Hey y'all,

I've been lurking in the clinic for a while now, and thought it was finally time to dive in. I just finished this track two days ago, and could really use some feedback on it. It's my first, so beware of the pain!

Here's a 192 kbs version:
http://www.garagespin.com/songs/DreamSpin_Spinning-Daydream_192.mp3

Here's a 128 kbs version at SoundClick if the above fails:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=614386

Please let me know what you think, what's good, what's bad...thanks!!

-Mike
(Sonar 3, Reason 2.5)

[Bops2000]

mbout..
You spent quite a bit of time on that, and it shows. (remember what I just said).
Once again someone pops up and blows me away on their talent in delivery of a song.
While I listened, I was brought back to when I heard a certain drummer live, just when I thought I was a kick-ass drummer, needless to say after he played, I wanted to throw my sticks into the can lined with plastic upon leaving.
You are very good sir, and keep on keeping on.
I will critique at only what i can muster.
Vocals are muddy, in the fact that I hear no eq to shine them beyond the whole mix, I suspect you compressed the whole mix, without paying attention to the vocals, probably your vocals, so it could be a subconcious thing to keep them 'kinda hidden'.
I say FK dat! pin the needles on your vocals or whoevers vocals, the tune is from the vocals, last coat of paint, let em shine.
I done now

[mbouteneff]

Hey Bops2000,

Thanks so much for your compliments and feedback! Your absolutely right -- I first completed a general mix, then took the resulting stereo audio file, and did a quick 'mastering' job on them, if you can call it that. Basically, I applied a little EQ to lower the lowest lows and lowest highs, used a slight multi-band compression, then a very slight reverb, then a final limiter. I know nothing about mastering, so I kept it all minor.

In the next version, perhaps I'll bring up the vocals (yup, they're mine) as you recommend...you make a great point, it should be huge.

Thanks again!!

-Mike

[dcwave]

Nice job!. Smooth quality. What was your recording chain? Guitar type etc.?

[mbouteneff]

Thanks, DCWave!

I used a Yamaha acoustic guitar, recorded it with an MXL v67G microphone, which was plugged into an Dmp3 preamp, which fed into an M-Audio Delta 1010LT soundcard. :)

Thanks for listening!!

-M

[passerby3141]

That sounded great! Very creative production, very strong writing and performance.

[vulcan_dc]

nice spirited performance.. cool..

there is some rumble in the bottom though... (BTW i am auditioning this stuff on my multimedia speakers, so... ;) )

good work anyway... cheers,

[mbouteneff]

Thanks for the compliments, Passerby3141, and for the tip, Vulcan_dc.

Much appreciated! I'm hoping to have a second song finished by the end of January...we'll see how that goes.

Best,

Mike

[eedre]

Definitely sounds awesome! Must be a very nice microphone you used for the guitar.

[mbouteneff]

Hi eerde,

Thanks for listening! I used the same mic both for vocals and guitar -- an MXL v67g. It's a great mic for the money, only $76 on eBay, I believe. :)

Thanks again,

Mike (aka DreamSpin)

[Unclenny]

Good song...good performance. Nice use of delay on the vox.
I do agree about the low rumble...maybe roll off a bit more low end.
Also, you might work on the guitar EQ...maybe cut some low mids and add a little sparkle at the top....or maybe even experiment with mic placement to get that Yamaha to ring out a bit more going in next time.
Isn't this forum great!?
Kudos to you for posting your tune.