noynekker

I was thinking about how so much of my stuff is about the struggle, so wanted to write something more positive. On a mixing note . . . I'm struggling to find the right level for the Hi Hat on this one. If I bury it in the mix too much, the overall feel doesn't work as well, If I have it too prominent, it takes over everything, doesn't sound natural . . . maybe it should be shaker or tambourine, something softer ? Anyways, give a listen, the comments here are always helpful.

Hi Rick . . . what sound card / audio interface are you using . . . or, are you using just the mother board default on board audio ? Sounds like windows is finding the audio, but Cakewalk is not. Can you define what " I output to a surround sound system" actually is regarding the sound source ?

Were you using per project Cakewalk project folders ? If so, when you saved it, they would be in a sub-folder called Audio. If you weren't using per project folders, they would be in a root folder (of your install) called Audio. Try searching for "Audio" folders on your drives . . . maybe you'll find them and be able to reload them . . . best of luck ! Definitely more information required to assist further.

Hey thank you everyone for having a listen, and posting some more such positive comments ! I always treasure comments from fellow musicians. Originally, I threw this out as a question about how the mix sounds ? With all the comments here, I learned to leave it alone . . . maybe even use it as a reference track, since many of my other recordings are questionable. (More of a songwriter than an audio engineer) Also, I have to mention my songwriting partner on this project, my good friend Daniel. Maybe many of you have had that experience playing music with someone where it just flows so easily, and the results don't have to be mangled by technology too much. Just wanted to give Daniel some credit for helping make this even possible.

I like this one Jesse . . . I get a real downtown gritty feeling from it, and a kind of an experimental jazz rock experience. Recording wise there are some interesting effects and allusions. Lyrically . . . well it's interesting to me that it conveys a certain feeling, but never really states what it is really actually about. Leaves it up to the listener's interpretation, just like good jazz should do.

Hey Jesse . . . went to listen, and Soundclick wants an email and password, never seen that before, is this something in your upload settings ?

The CPU Metrics mouse hover thing is absolutely brilliant ! I've been using it on a few projects, and it really gives me a more precise snapshot of resources my computer is using. When I engage my mastering plugins, I can see how much the CPU usage really spikes. It's nice to put a number to it. The one thing I don't get about it is the Late Buffers . . . so far, I haven't seen any, so guess that's all good. I've never heard the term "late buffers" before . . . can you elaborate what they actually are ?

Hi antler . . . I like this very much, a most enjoyable listen. Also, I find it very interesting since you posted to You Tube and Soundcloud . . . that the You Tube mix to my ears just sounds much rounder and warmer. I'm assuming you uploaded the same version of your mix to both ? Now I have to upload something to You Tube to test it out, you've got me wondering.

Hey JohnB . . . yes, I remember that Rodney King LA moment, seems so long ago now, and I really appreciate that your lyrics are so positive. Musically , it swings a lot more as it goes along, nice touch with all the horn parts, a very well detailed arrangement.

Keith . . . I'll surely check out Spotify . . . and as for those "thin" mixes . . . remember what Mr. Da Vinci said: "Art is never finished, only abandoned"

Dan . . . mix wise you surely know what you're doing . . . but also it is a very powerful and insightful piece of music you've created here, amazing stuff ! My BFD3 drums never sound as crisp and balanced as you've accomplished here, so I'll swing by for many more listens.

Hi Keith . . . the feel (groove) of the song is really great as it moves along, and very powerful when the vocal extends into a higher range (maybe it's just me, but I heard some McCartney there) My first listen was on headphones and the vocal and lyrics are very clear, (Also, I like your singing voice a lot) . . . but on my speaker listen, I wanted the vocals a hair louder in the mix. So, wow, "25 years ago using a Yamaha SQ-16 key/sequencer" you got a balanced and natural sounding recording here. Thanks for posting it here, got any more nuggets from the past ?

Quite the musical journey . . . kind of a piano tango, which momentarily goes Copacabana, and eventually morphs into EDM, then, was that a hint of new age disco ? . . . and all along the ride a grab bag of interesting sounds, and jazzy chords. There's so much here that I enjoyed. I especially like the piano intro, where you change it up on every phrase, just slightly enough . . . very well played ! Overall, it's got a very eclectic flavor to it . . . so, I'm thinking now, whatever will he come up with next ?

Hi pwalpwal . . . thanks, but just one monitor here on my system.

Matthew Sorrels . . . thanks for responding . . . I've updated my graphics card drivers, as per your suggestion (was only 1 version behind), and I've tried inserting FabFilter ProQ3 (VST3) using higher and lower ASIO buffer sizes on an otherwise empty new project, still crashes instantly. Cakewalk tech support responded to try to insert the VST2 version of this plugin. So, I enabled the VST2 version and it does work OK without the crashfest. Yeah! workaround. I'm hoping this gets looked at in a future Cakewalk by BandLab update . . . because . . . I want my, I want my, V S T 3 ( sing this with opening melody of 90's tune Money For Nothing by Dire Straits)

Thanks for responding Fwrend . . . exactly what I was looking for, so must be something on my system / install . . . but can’t find it yet !

Anders . . . beautifully done, every aspect . . . my main pointer would be to just keep doing what you do.

Originally, I reported this issue of completely crashing Cakewalk when inserting FabFilter Pro Q3 (VST3) into an FX Clip Rack. At least, that's where I first noticed it. So, today I'm now running the latest Cakewalk by BandLab version, and notice it is much worse than I thought. I can't actually use FabFilter ProQ3 in Cakewalk at all. Here's the new steps to reproduce: 1) Start new cakewalk project 2) insert FabFilter ProQ3 into the FX Rack (or onto Master Bus) 3) complete and instant cakewalk crash. I've already sent the dump file to Cakewalk to investigate, and posted on the FabFilter forum . . . but, would love to hear if anyone else has FabFilter ProQ3 working in Cakewalk by BandLab ? (Incidentally, it does work in my Cubase, and I have tried reinstalling the FabFilter Pro Q3 plugin a few times)

Hi mark skinner . . . really like this piece, a most enjoyable listen ! On first listen, for myself (being a singer) I just wanted to just sing along, and waited for some vocals to appear, but as it moved along I was totally comfortable with it being an instrumental groove. Normally, I expect some chord changes, or section change ups . . . but I must say the variations and jazzy interactions of all the instruments kept my interest all the way through. I totally get the Indian vibe here, especially at the end where it became more obvious. I'm also curious where you got the inspiration to write this ? . . . do you listen to a lot of Indian music, or maybe saw a concert somewhere ?

Max . . . I've found something similar, but can't confirm freezing synths exactly resets "gain to 0" . . . but I have noticed when I freeze a synth it becomes noticeably louder in my mix, and have to trim it slightly to blend in and sound as before the freezing.

Lee . . . maybe she thinks you’re cute, you should just roll with it. (sorry, if that seems insensitive)

Yes . . . you're referring to "Recycle Plugin Windows" in preferences. I believe if you leave this on, you have to hold down Ctrl key to open multiple plugin windows. If you have it off, it works the old way.

Thank you Grebz . . . I'm grateful for your comment, and it's very reassuring to hear the mix translates well onto other systems.

Hi Tom . . . thank you for listening, and for your constructive comments. So many great responses here, so I'm still mixing this. I went online and searched for Johhny Clegg and Savuka . . . and found myself listening to some amazing music ! . . . thanks for that. Seems my bongos sound like congas ?

Wow, Men at Work and Wham . . . now that takes me back in time a bit. Always liked George Michael's voice. Yes, I'm playing a real guitar in this one, it's a Gibson Epiphone, through a Korg A3 guitar processor.