mark skinner 647 Posted March 13 (edited) Hello to all. Here's a new one , and an instrumental for now .. I think I've got the basic tracks down . I would appreciate any suggestions for improvement. I made some volume changes on the guitars in this mix . I have now added a mandolin track and a short cello section after the intro. I traded an early verse for an extended fade and am happy with the mix for now. Thanks for your time and input. Time to start a new one. mark https://soundcloud.com/user-810058643/major-z?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing Edited March 24 by mark skinner Remix 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeeringAmps 1,732 Posted March 13 1 hour ago, mark skinner said: still in the early stages So I'll hold the "like". 1 hour ago, mark skinner said: any suggestions for improvement If it remains an instrumental maybe I'd pull the lead "voice" up in spots; maybe. Without the vocal, its hard to say. Its "grooving" for sure, the foundation is laid. t 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 13 Thanks Tom , don't know for sure where it's going .. I'm sure the Soundcloud version will be deleted several times before I'm done. I'll look closely at the lead stuff. mark 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jack c. 709 Posted March 14 man are ya all funked up.great.jack c. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bajan Blue 1,038 Posted March 14 as an instrumental sounds great - and as tom said if stays an instrumental bring the lead "voice" up a bit Cool Nigel 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 14 @DeeringAmps @Bajan Blue I'm revisiting the mix. Are you specifically referring to the lead guitar coming in at 1:11 or anything trying to carry a melody playing against the left acoustic ? Trip to the dentist today. Major reconstructive work starting next week so .. this "is" for sure staying an instrumental . Thanks .. mark 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyB01 339 Posted March 15 The lead at 1:11 sounds ok for level to me, it's the Knopfler'esque guitar work that precedes and follows it that I would say could do with a slight lift. Minor crit though - great groove. Good luck with the old dentistry. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bajan Blue 1,038 Posted March 15 Hi Mark I think Andy has it exactly - the Knopfler like electric in the right channel which counterbalances the Acoustic in the left channel. The Acoustic cuts through and the electric seems a little in the background. Hope that Helps. Dentist today ☹️ Hope that goes well my friend Nigel 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 15 (edited) Thanks for your suggestions. I made some minor volume changes on the guitars and organ. I'm not sure if I've made enough difference yet .. I'm Really missing the main melody line of the not included vocals. I think I'm going to try and cover it with a cello. It's suppose to be the instrument closest to a human voice. Might work , might not.. May take awhile. The link now reflects the changes. Thank You for listening and responding .. mark Edited March 15 by mark skinner Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSband 308 Posted March 15 Another cool track, I like the groove and of course your playing is great. I think the recording and mix sound good. My only suggestion would be a break where it slows to half speed or a different groove to break it up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
batsbrew 430 Posted March 15 nice and funky! dig the guitar fills... drums are smooth and well tamed. this would totally work with a vocal treatment, without changing a thing instrumentally, you'd have to find a good jazz style singer and just cut em loose on it, if you wanted to discover another version. i like kurt s's suggestion. that would lift it one more level. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wookiee 1,746 Posted March 16 @mark skinner One has got ones funky groove on here, love the groove, as always exceptional playing, mix is sounding nice here, why spoil it with vocals, just bring that lead a up a little and let your licks shine 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 16 @jack c. @AndyB01 @KurtS @batsbrew @Wookiee Thanks guys for your time and comments. It Always helps. I'm still playing around with different instruments on this just trying a few things out. If I think I've made any headway I'll repost. Still got a ways to go. I Really Appreciate it .. mark 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
noynekker 376 Posted March 17 Hi Mark . . . sounding great, the mix has evolved since I last tuned in. Such an amazing up tempo piece . . . your guitar playing here really shines, as always, acoustics, electrics, slides, groovy bass. If you're inclined to make it a song (with singing and lyrics) there's tons of melodies that come to my mind in the opening and middle sections . . . and right now sounds like the singer would just bow out when the electric guitar solo comes along. There's not really a traditional chorus so far, but it's only 3:20, so possibilities. Oh yeah, the Wookiee thinks the vocals would spoil the magic, but I can't recall him singing anywhere on this site, but I may be wrong ? Anyways, as it is . . . it's a super chillaxing listen, if you go cello instead of vocals, you'll make it work . . . I just think there's always another jazz vocal standard in the making, lurking here, but might just be me. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wookiee 1,746 Posted March 17 4 hours ago, noynekker said: Oh yeah, the Wookiee thinks the vocals would spoil the magic, but I can't recall him singing anywhere on this site, but I may be wrong ? This is not quite correct, but I tend not to sing as Wookiee singing is lethal to all none Wookiee life forms within a parsec or two of the offending Wookiee. 🤔😎 You may however wish to risk life and limb by listening to Watching the Black on my Soundcloud page. Apologies Mark for the minor highjack. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 17 @Wookiee I checked it out "Watching the Black" You should Really sing more .. You've got that Pink Floyd thing going on.. mark 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark skinner 647 Posted March 24 I'm calling this one done . I've made changes including the length of the song and a new mandolin track. I thank you for all your help and time. Thank You all .. mark https://soundclick.com/r/s8kuqw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidden Symmetry 1,442 Posted March 24 Mix sounds fine here, cool tune & groove..enjoyed it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry T. 234 Posted March 24 On 3/13/2022 at 12:33 PM, mark skinner said: Hello to all. Here's a new one , and an instrumental for now .. I think I've got the basic tracks down . I would appreciate any suggestions for improvement. I made some volume changes on the guitars in this mix . I have now added a mandolin track and a short cello section after the intro. I traded an early verse for an extended fade and am happy with the mix for now. Thanks for your time and input. Time to start a new one. mark tight, smooth, tasty, precise, well arranged, superbly played, great production and mix 👍🎸🎼🔊 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeeringAmps 1,732 Posted March 25 Turned out sweet Mark! t 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites