When You Go (1977) (New Mix 2025.01.01)

[Barry Seymour]

Sorry I haven't been around much lately, but I need advice on this one.

This was written in 1977, recorded in 2024. This is just a rough mix.

There's just one rhythm guitar here, and one lead guitar. Towards the end, the lead guitar does a little rhythm- like comping in the background. But should I do something to stereoize it? Should I add another rhythm track and pan them?

It seems to me that simpler is better here, so I'm unsure. Advice appreciated.

Thanks, all.

Edited January 1 by Barry Seymour

[AndyB01]

I enjoyed this, very much of its time - both lyrically and musically. Could it be enhanced and improved with a few tweaks here and there - probably. Should you go there or leave it as it is - debatable?

It is all panned fairly centrally to my ears, so some separation might help, as would a double-tracked and panned rhythm guitar track, but don't duplicate the existing one; record another take and pan them.

Or leave it as is and call it done - your call.

Nice job either way.

Andy

[jack c.]

real nice all around nice job.jack c

[Barry Seymour]

2 hours ago, AndyB01 said:

I enjoyed this, very much of its time - both lyrically and musically. Could it be enhanced and improved with a few tweaks here and there - probably. Should you go there or leave it as it is - debatable?

It is all panned fairly centrally to my ears, so some separation might help, as would a double-tracked and panned rhythm guitar track, but don't duplicate the existing one; record another take and pan them.

Or leave it as is and call it done - your call.

Nice job either way.

Andy

Darnit, I wanted you to tell ME what to do! 😄

I was considering recording another acoustic guitar rhythm track and then panning them out.

Also, not complaining, but it's also getting hard to hear people say "ah, this is vintage" and stuff like that.  I am old. This isn't 'vintage music' to me, it's just 'music.' LOL

 

Edited December 30, 2024 by Barry Seymour

[FreeEarCandy]

If you feel in a playful or experimental mood and want to widen it with a second acoustic guitar, then take the acoustic guitar track and plop it into melodyne (if you have the software?), and then slightly alter the timing and maybe a very slight offset of tuning (up or down). You can do this to the entire track all at once and it will make quick work of it.  Then you can incorporate the result into your project and see if you like the wider sound. If you do, then you can either keep it or make a second one the old fashion way.

Its a nice laid back tune. 

Dean.

[KSband]

I think it would sound nice to add the track to the chorus to set it apart from the verse.

The mix sounds kind of crispy on my system, maybe too much high EQ.

[Barry Seymour]

3 hours ago, KSband said:

I think it would sound nice to add the track to the chorus to set it apart from the verse.

The mix sounds kind of crispy on my system, maybe too much high EQ.

I ended up recording a second guitar track for the whole song, and panning them out. Sounds better.

But your second comment brings something into focus for me. "Sounds kind of crispy on my system." I consider it likely my 68-year-old ears are not hearing upper frequencies as well, so I'm mixing to compensate.

The next mix will have a high pass filter on the master track. Coming in minutes.

Thanks for the feedback! Very helpful.

[Barry Seymour]

Here's the new mix, my first mix for 2025. Recorded a second acoustic guitar track and panned them both out. Also backed off some of the treble on the master channel, as one commented said "it sounds kind of crispy on my mix." I'm wondering if my mixing is overcompensating for my 68-year-old ears being unable to hear higher frequencies.

Let me know what you think, and thanks!
 

 

[KSband]

The guitars sound nice. I have old ears too so I try to resist the urge to add more highs.  Still seems to have plenty of high end, have to see what others have say on that, might be good.  It's a nice song.

[Bajan Blue]

Hi Barry

I listened to both versions - late to the party, lot of Christmas and New Year duties!!

I really liked the second version - i think all i would do is drop the guitars just a very small amount in the mix - apart from that sounds excellent and a very good, NOT OLD track🤪

Nigel

 

[Barry Seymour]

On 1/4/2025 at 12:35 AM, Bajan Blue said:

Hi Barry

I listened to both versions - late to the party, lot of Christmas and New Year duties!!

I really liked the second version - i think all i would do is drop the guitars just a very small amount in the mix - apart from that sounds excellent and a very good, NOT OLD track🤪

Nigel

 

Thanks, Nige, and everyone else. Here's the final mix, with the obligatory lyric video:

 

 

[equality]

I really like this song and listened to all versions. Harmonies and the rich acoustic guitars reminds me  of the group America. There's a huge leap from first to second version, essentially going from mono to stereo. Seems like the bass is  more active on the video version? Good job with that btw. As my ears are 67 years old and have documented an upper frequency hearing loss, I can't give a clue about the upper region. I really like the arrangement as well but as I am getting a bit nostalgic for the 70's, I just thought how it would sound with the drums and strings shifted to congas, piano and Hammond. But by no means don't change anything. It's great as it is. 

[AndyB01]

Just got around to another listen to the final mix, wow it really pops now - from shades of grey to full Kodachrome - latest version is great

Great job 👍 

Andy