Brighter - Original (Newest Version)

Todd Zielinski · #1 November 29th, 2007

So here is the updated version of Brighter. The first version I did on my very first night with a new Mac. Now, I've added a simple lead, some effects, and tried to recut the vocals.

I'd appreciate your insight regarding the effects, etc... I don't want to overproduce it. I like simple and honest - even if it's not as flashy or clean. But this song lends itself to a reflective "air-y-ness" so I thought I'd throw on some reverb, compression, echo, etc...

So here it is. Any input is welcome, even negative....

eCowboy · #2 November 29th, 2007

Hi Todd, nice song, well mixed. You have a great singing voice. The vocals are clear and concise and not overpowered by the music. Can I assume that you were harmonizing with yourself at the end of the song?

eddiez152 · #3 November 29th, 2007

Todd,
Good work on the second version.

Dad

X4StringDrive · #4 November 30th, 2007

Geez, almost missed this, caught me off guard with the thread title.

No offence intended at all towards your first posting of this, but this is a great improvement IMO {re-read "this" lines beginning as need be

}.....Very well produced Todd

Todd Zielinski · #5 November 30th, 2007

X4 and eCowboy,

Thank you. Those are all my vocals eCowboy. Once I have figured all this out a bit better, I intend on having some of my friends join in. I think this latest version is definitely better than the first, but then - I guess I wouldn't post it if I didn't.

knight46 · #6 November 30th, 2007

Todd I enjoyed the first version a lot, this was an improvement on perfection. Very nice mix, great vocals and playing and I thought that the effects were very well done and spot on.

Rockerbob · #7 November 30th, 2007

Very nice!

starsailor · #8 November 30th, 2007

Beautiful Song Todd with a strong message, the first version was great and this remix has really enhanced the Song, very good and a pleasure to listen to.

Todd Zielinski · #9 November 30th, 2007

Do you all think I should make the simple lead parts a little more "clean"? That's how I originally played them (little reverb, flanger, and some amp simulation to grab a fender sound) then I dirtied it up. I wonder if that was a mistake.

eCowboy · #10 November 30th, 2007

I can't offer any help since I didn't hear the original. I liked this version just the way it is though.

eddiez152 · #11 November 30th, 2007

Todd,
I liked it better with the clean guitar. Ain't into he nasal sounds.
Still good though.

namiguShin · #12 December 1st, 2007

I liked it very much, Todd... I'm no expert, so I can't give you any advice...

But I know that I liked it...

Todd Zielinski · #13 December 1st, 2007

namiguShin - I'm glad you liked it. You are an expert (at least as much as anyone else) because although beauty really is not in the eye of the beholder, taste is. A song is a gift to sing, but it's a blessing when the gift is received by others. Thank you.

namiguShin · #14 December 1st, 2007

You're welcome...

I liked it, I think I should be thanking you...

Jomi · #15 December 2nd, 2007

Beautiful, wonderful lyrics, great melody, what a gifted musician you are Todd!

On the subject of reverb compression etc.. I don't think 'clean' recordings capture sounds in the same way that our ears hear them, 'clean' recordings often seem to be lacking in something, and a bit of reverb etc can help put that back.
I use reverb when I record although at first I kept thinking I was 'cheating' because I'd added something atificial, but when I really thought about it, it's not really all that different from adding backing tracks, drums or multi-track recording.