Birds (take 2) - a REMIX

Jim · #1 July 2nd, 2006

This is a greatly simplified remix of the same source tracks of Birds that I posted Friday. No new music was recorded for this - I am trying to get a better quality recording with the same material I had Friday. I am trying especially to incorporate the changes Ben and Kirk suggested in such detail - and I think it does sound better.

About half the original tracks are gone. The guitar strumming and lead tracks are gone - only the finger picking is left - (it doesn't sound like a clean acoustic guitar, because it was actually done on my strat, using the Crossroads pedal acoustic model to emulate an acoutic). I also added as much bass as I could without bringing excess noise or distortion into it, but it's still a little tinny. But at least you can hear my 30-year old rusty finger picking attempt...

I also lowered the vocals and got them to feel more like they fit in with the instruments. I hope you will like this one better - it's an improvement I think, and certainly a lot simpler!

Jim

joe_strummer · #2 July 2nd, 2006

Fine job Jim, love the tone the crossroads pedal gives out on the strat, some nice picking, think this version enhances the picking and acoustics a little more, well done

allthumbs · #3 July 2nd, 2006

Better Jim. It is great to get feedback from great players like Kirk and Ben, isn't it

Jim · #4 July 2nd, 2006

Thanks again joe - glad you liked it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Better Jim. It is great to get feedback from great players like Kirk and Ben, isn't it

You bet!! And you too Marty!

It's part of what makes this place so special. I'd have to pay a fortune to get this kind of playing/recording feedback from any other pro! Which makes this forum priceless...

Jim

si16 · #5 July 2nd, 2006

Much easier to hear the picking now Jim, nice and steady. I think this particular song benefits from being stripped back a bit. I prefer this mix to the other one.

Jim · #6 July 2nd, 2006

Thanks si16! I agree that this song sounds better with less extraneous stuff going on. I'm learning!

JIm

nocat · #7 July 3rd, 2006

Much better Jim... The overall feel of the song is much crisper... I can now hear your
vocal harmonies...!!!
Great emotion in your voice...!!!
Excellent...!!!

Cheers
Ben

Hilch · #8 July 3rd, 2006

Well done Jim

I think I mentioned very talented in the other version well I'm sticking to that statement mate . You are very talented and thanks for letting this old wanna be listen ..

Cheers

Hilch

Jim · #9 July 3rd, 2006

Thanks Ben!!!

Hey, if this is better, I owe it to you and Kirk!!

You guys are teaching me SOOOO much about recording (and playing too) that I really can't thank ya enough!

Jim

Misty2u · #10 July 3rd, 2006

Wow Jim..........that is better. Thought the first one was good but this one seems to be much clearer and more "together" if you know what I mean. Great stuff..!!

Jim · #11 July 3rd, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilch

Well done Jim

I think I mentioned very talented in the other version well I'm sticking to that statement mate . You are very talented and thanks for letting this old wanna be listen ..

Cheers

Hilch

Thanks Hilch! But cut out the wanna-be stuff!!! OK?? You're doing great and I think I posted once before that what passes for talent is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration (and I didn't even make up that saying! - I think it was Thomas Edison, but don't quote me on that!

)

Jim

Jim · #12 July 3rd, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misty2u

Wow Jim..........that is better. Thought the first one was good but this one seems to be much clearer and more "together" if you know what I mean. Great stuff..!!

Thanks Misty! I appreciate that and I know you heard both versions fairly close together, so that lends even more validity to your preference! Thanks for taking the time to listen to both.

Jim

Rockerbob · #13 July 3rd, 2006

It's getting better. I think the guitar tone could be better. Perhaps it's too much reverb, but it lacks definition, and yet there is a twangy quality as well. Recording accoustic guitar is not easy. Your vocals sound better in this mix. Keep up the good work!

Jim · #14 July 3rd, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockerbob

It's getting better. I think the guitar tone could be better. Perhaps it's too much reverb, but it lacks definition, and yet there is a twangy quality as well. Recording accoustic guitar is not easy. Your vocals sound better in this mix. Keep up the good work!

Thanks RB!

I think the basic problem is that this is a strat going through an acoustic emulator (crossroads pedal acoustic layla model) and I had the TBX control - top tone knob on EC strat - turned full up, which is very trebbely. I could have turned up the mid-boost overdrive (bottom tone knob on EC strat), but I think if I want to sound like an acoustic, I should just play on my acoustic! I was experimenting to see how good an acoustic I could get out of that pedal, and it might be a lot better if I had the treble turned down. And there was a little reverb I added, and that didn't help the definition. Good twangyness if I want it, but not as good as a real acoustic.

I'm glad you liked this mix of my vocals better!

Jim