mark skinner

 T.C.    This is a Very Nice mix and production.  I Really liked the way the low end glued everything together. The rather hot shakers coming in then out was a nice touch.  I still haven't figured out how you bring these changes in and out so seamlessly without fading on either end ..

Your production skills are always Amazing.          Loved it ..          mark

We're good ..

2 hours ago, John Vere said:

Stop complaining and either switch to Sonar or switch DAWs

The question to Mark Mcleod was whether I could switch to Sonar and run it being offline. This is since it seems to need a handshake with Bandlab when you open it. I guess I should have started my own thread instead of responding on yours.  I might have avoided a lecture and your condescending feedback . 

2 hours ago, John Vere said:

The ride is still smooth if you get on board and switch to Sonar. 

Unplug your internet and let me know how smooth it is.   That's all I wanted to know.     ms

On 5/3/2024 at 11:21 AM, msmcleod said:

On 5/3/2024 at 9:05 AM, ptheisen said:

This may be one of the factors. My DAW PC is offline unless I'm intentionally updating something, and I have gotten a number of the superfluous activation requests for CbB when offline,

I can almost guarantee this is the cause.

My PC has been offline since Cakewalk by Bandlab first got released.  6 month reactivation has now changed to roughly 3.5 weeks. With the exception of an OS upgrade 2 days ago , nothing on my end has changed.  This is "almost" as aggrevating as the countdown window that was removed earlier. I'm going to assume that if this doesn't get resolved soon that it's just not worth the effort to pin this down for the ones of us who work offline.  Especially this late in the life of CbB.

So ..  is the new Sonar needing a handshake going to also be a problem ?        ms

This is for CbB. I have not pulled the trigger on Sonar yet. I just went from Win 7 to 10 yesterday. Couldn't even download the new product center on win7. I've been doing a combination of offline activation and moving my gear around to get online every 3 weeks. 

I should have bookmarked the page about the reactivation being removed but didn't. I've looked around a little and have'nt located the remark.     mark

Great production !  I'm not a drummer but really appreciate really hard hitting almost frantic drumming like on this. 

Always enjoy watching drummers doing stuff like this and the way they work themselves into an almoast trans like state. I thought the programming was very impressive as was the bass and  guitars. Loved the tone on the bass. 

curious what drum instrument you used on this ?   

Enjoyed it ..  mark

Hi Bruce ,  Fantastic job on the video!   It sure doesn't look like a first attempt at doing one. 

I really liked the part where the guitar neck was superimposed over the railroad track.  Cool ..

It was nice to have some quality visuals to go along with the song.  Your workload has now gotten a lot heavier 😁

Loved the video and working on the project with you .   Thanks ..  mark

On 4/30/2024 at 7:05 PM, Tez said:

Noel Borthwick claims it not an error, but a failure to complete a browser handshake ergo a local system problem!

Hard to get a handshake when your pc is "offline"       !

I got my 13 days left activation prompt Again this morning on my offline pc. I'm bringing it in , putting it  online and downloading the new product center . Just downgraded from win7 to win 10 yesterday. I'll see if that slows down the notices. I distinctly remember the first 6 months this forum was started  - Statement -  the reactivation was just for a check in and would be removed later.    I think it's way past later ..  ms

Thanks Guys , @KSband , The main sliding acoustic guitar riff, isn't relaxing at all to play. I'm really surprised this got even close to a relaxed groove. @jack c. Thanks for the listen and comment. Always nice of you to respond to nearly every song on this forum.. @noynekker Thanks , I really like that reverb snap in the drum track as well.  That was a loop from Sonar 7 sample library. Yes there is a lot going on in this one . I had to selectively cut quite a few parts out to keep it from being so jumbled up. I think I still have a few panning changes to do. @Rikfr , Appreciate that. I'm also hearing some spots the lead guitar could come up some. I'll start a remix ..       mark

Here's one as an instrumental for now. Several acoustics and G&L Tele style electric processed with Bias FX using a Les Paul emulation.   Nits , crits and suggestions welcomed .  Thanks ..    mark

https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=14773447

I'm getting activation required on my off line computer about every 18 days!  I did the offline activation request and accidentally opened CbB on my online computer (instead of the new product center). I had one more day to activate my online pc.  WTF .       

 Ross , I sure enjoyed that wonderful collaboration.  The vocals were powerful and excellently done! This sounds like one that would be hard to pull off without being Totally comitted. I've not heard the original and don't think I need to ..

Enjoyed it ..   mark

Jack , Fantastic job on this complex song. What really got my attention (other than the great chord changes) was the melody line you created with your vocals.    Nice ..            Highly impressive production !   mark

@Bajan Blue , @Wookiee Thank's for the listen and comments. means a lot. @Lynn Wilson Thanks Lynn . You keep that up and I'll have to buy a bigger hat !  😁

Final mix in the link.  I'm calling my end of it done.  Any comments or suggestions about the master belong to Gary Brun.

Thank You ..   mark

I reactivated CbB on my offline pc about 3 weeks ago. Got another message to reactivate this morning. (13 day window to activate). Might as well get ready to activate it again shortly.  😒           ms

Great feel to this Jesse.    Really liked the change up(s).   Came in like a new chapter..  Glad to see you back ..

Lots of emotional responce from me in this one ..  Cool ..  mark

Hey Wookie , I Really like the Blade Runner feel I get in several parts of this. Very cool !  A Very nice production and I'll bet you had a good time doing it. Very impressive.                  Loved it ..

mark

Nice ..  I for sure like the bottom end on this one. The kick and sub bass gel well together. What did you use for the bass? When the song hits around the 1 min. mark, it sounds like something Tracy Chapman would do. Different voices but they have a lot in common. The fidelity is Very nice on this Soundcloud version. I caught the song on a different forum that didn't have the clairity that this one has.      Take a look around 1:53  There's a "pop" audible on both mixes.

 Loved it ..  mark

Great song Steve ! I Really enjoyed the video as well. The slide rule really brought back some distant memories..

The subject matter will be Very relevant not too far in the future. I hope I'm still around to witness it. 

I like the way you put his feeling of isolation into a light perspective, without letting it get depressing. 

Now I Totally get your suggestion on my last song.  

Subscribed ..  hats off to @DeeringAmps       I  think you're getting the ball rolling ..

Loved it ..   mark

Sorry I'm so late on responding ..  @garybrun , @daryl1968 , @KSband , different indeed I feel the same.. @Old Joad , @Kevin Walsh , Yes the blend of East and West is as close as I can come. I really wish I could get a bettter grasp on Indian and Arabic music. @subvibe , I take that as a Nice compliment as you have been there and know the vibe better than someone just watching a video. I've always been envious of you world travels. Maybe I should do some research on the Cuban vibe ?? 

8 hours ago, steve@baselines.com said:

I don't know if I can explain this

You did a Great job of explaining !  and I get it. There are a few phrases in the song that sound a little too emotional. I totally agree. I will take your comment to heart in future songs.  To be honest ..  I think it was just my "weak voice" singing at 5am that was misconstrued as emotion. Working long hours and totally burned out afterwards, I got into the habit of doing daw work early in the mornings before work. Retired for 10 years , but still on the same schedule.      I really need to do vocals later in the day.   

"Thanks" to all of of you that have listened and responded to this pretty much "out of the norm" and strange song ..

  mark

Kevin , Great guitar work and treatment on them.   I think you could bring the vox up a little. Especially during the sections with the high harmonys coming in. Very good job on the vocals. I Really liked the "airy" sound on the smooth lower sections. I think punching the chorus sections would give it more of that "Floyd" feeling. 

Loved it ..   mark

Hello , years ago .. I watched a documentary about giant river fish in India. They highlighted the creamation of a local woman on the banks of the Ganges river. This had a profound effect on me .. and knowing why it was included in the giant fish show, it had even more impact. This is only about a moment in time and her passing.

This song was started in Sonar 8.5 and just now brought to completion in CbB. All comments,crits and suggestions are welcomed. Thanks for the listen ..  mark   - Final mix -   Special "thanks" to Gary Brun for the excellent mastering .. 

https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=14761020 

Fantastic song and presentation of the lyrics !  I really liked the uplifting energy it had all the way thru. The ending was nice as well. I was wondering how you were going to pull that off.

No crits or suggestions ..   That was a Nice listen.    Loved it ..    mark

 Barry , I Love your vocals on this! They're nice , clear and have a lot of impact . Nothing is being lost on the trailing end of the phrases. I Think the sense of space in them is Perfect , and I loved the add lib parts late in the song.  

Great guitar playing and mix! I really liked the suttle differences between the left and right tracks, and the tone and capture of both of them. String squeeks either work or they don't .. They were a little excessive , but I wouldn't edit them out. They worked for me.  Probabably a minor EQ cut where they live would tame them a little. 

Bass didn't work for me. I think a Lot more bottom end would work better. I'm looking forward to hear what you do this weekend.

My first thoughts, (before reading any comments)..  was the when the drums came in, they were accidentily sitting in the wrong spot in the timeline.  They are definetely dragging and pulling the energy out. I'm sure you will find an easy fix. I'd just try to line the snare up with one of your consistant other tracks that are driving the beat.

 Fantastic song , and I Loved the tonal quality of the guitars and Vox.    Enjoyed it ..   mark