AndyB01

We're in the process of helping my lad renovate a 1980s semi he bought that needs a fair bit of TLC. On the advice of the electrician we decided to have a full rewire done and some of the crimes he has uncovered are absolutely unreal.

People have no idea what is lurking behind their sockets, light fittings, up in the loft or behind stud walls and plaster work - genuinely jaw-dropping bodges that are off the scale and positively lethal!

Andy

Great job Nigel - loved it - exceptional work as always.

Andy

I agree, very reminiscent of The Shadows (I think Wonderful Land was one of the earliest things I learned to play at the tender age of eleven). 🙂

You've absolutely nailed the style here - some neat playing too.

Well done

Andy

Thanks all for taking the time to listen and critique. The harmonies are kind of fake, in so much as they have been largely (although not exclusively) produced with Melodyne.

The objective was to try and produce something with a bit of a gospel/ soul feel with fairly lush harmonies.

I guess it kinda missed the mark - ah well - got to have a few duds along the way; all part of the learning curve. 😀

Agree with others, great song, perfect soundtrack and video for some really well-crafted lyrics.

Andy

Wow Gary this is a killer track - definitely cooked and done.

So much to enjoy here - really terrific work - congratulations all round; I loved it! 🤩

Andy

Hmm more variety on the guitar arpeggio would add some colour I think. First class work again though, different style for you but same high quality of execution.

Well done 👍

Andy

Hi All

I hope you're all keeping well.

I've had zero time for music lately, big project at work is just closing out and my son has bought his first house. In the UK we call a house like this a 'fixer-upper' and to say it needs some TLC would be quite the understatement, so all my spare time is spent honing my DiY skills to make it habitable. Still, the end goal of him being out of my hair in his own place is worth the pain.

Anyway, here's a bit of fun using EzKeys (it's made from one of the midi packs), some simple lyrics and a few harmonies - some sung and some 'faked' with Melodyne. I did this in a couple of hours I managed to grab recently.

Here We Are

Please forgive the odd discordant harmony - I can hear it but, with so many tracks, I can no longer find it. 😂

There are some dips in the vocal volume I need to fix too (caused by comping and inconsistent mic technique) and some of the mix levels might need work.

Be nice - it's more of an adventure into the art of the possible than a serious piece of songwriting and recording. 

Andy

Hmm very good - some excellent chops on show here - sounds great.

Andy

Late to this one - great job as always Nigel - best for the season and 2024. 

Andy

Not sure that dissing Mike is super helpful,  everyone has to make a living and if he's covering both bases - good for him. I use both platforms and am currently mulling over an upgrade to S1 Pro 6 (from 5) so I'll watch this with interest. I've always used Sonar/ CbB as my main DAW for donkey's years, but there is a lot about S1 I like so when the cost comes in for new Sonar (and I have absolutely no issue with them charging for what I think is an already excellent product), that might be my time to make the switch.

So I for one, am grateful for Mike for this and his other videos - they have helped my production skills considerably - long may they continue.

I get it, his style and content are not for everyone but better to just go elsewhere for your tutorials than to criticise the guy.

Just my 2c

Andy

Magical vocal - loving your work - as always. The accompaniment is a picked guitar I think (unless my ears deceive me)? Did you quantize it, as it sounds very 'perfect' to me. Maybe back off the quantize a little to allow some swing, so it sounds a little more rubato?

Depends if it's a recording of you playing guitar or whether it's a VST I guess. Either way - it's taste and fancy stuff - it's still a wonderful song.

Well done.

Andy

❤️

Andy

45 minutes ago, John Vere said:

This is why I sold all my LDC mikes. I use dynamic mikes because they are dead quiet. As well as they suit my vocal style. People seem to choose LDC because they see them in the big studios. I think in most cases they are a bad choice for a home studio environment. 

That's interesting John, I did the exact opposite as I could never get a good vocal recording using a dynamic mic (Shure SM58) - probably a combination of poor vocal/ mic technique and lack of experience with my chosen DAW.

However, since I switched to a LDC mic, I've achieved significantly better results. That said, it does pick up 'everything' so I just need to set up properly to eliminate any potential squeaks, rattles and clicks.

Andy

@53mph I had a Gen 1 for many years and currently have a Gen 2 - I've never had the issue you describe above.

Can't comment for the Gen 3, I'm surprised to learn there is a widespread issue but if there is, I suspect a firmware or driver fix will follow shortly as Focusrite support are excellent in my experience.

Such issues are often caused by USB power settings on the USB port in question on the host computer.

I guess you can only be guided by your own research, I wish you atb with your eventual purchase.

Andy

Sounds great - big 👍👍👍 here

Andy

I use one of these (although mine is the older Gen 2). Gen 3 was only released recently, I've used Focusrite gear for decades, unbeatable in my view and yes, I use this for vocal and acoustic guitar work both DI and mic.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

Hope it helps

Andy

Top notch as always Nigel, I expect nothing less. 👏👏👏👏

Andy

@tiyaf Really, you've quoted my entire post just to insert a scam link - as if you think I'd miss it.

Get lost!

Gary

I've been taking a break from posting on these forums recently (but dipping in occasionally),  a song from you was always going to tempt me back.

I was always impressed with Roger's work (beautifully understated). This is fabulous, and a first class tribute.

Well done.

Andy

Nothing to see here

As a fellow guitarist, I appreciate your craft, very enjoyable listen. Some wonderful chord changes in there.

Andy

Guitar sounds just a little forward in the mix to me and I'm picking up some ever so slight distortion on the bass strings (but that could be these earbuds instead of my usual over ear headphones).

Nice work with lyrics on this, as well as your usual song craft.

Andy

First song in a decade eh? You really should do this more often. 😉

Great stuff

Andy

Nice chill to this - as always took a few twists and turns I didn't expect 🙂 

Andy