"<u>Something</u>" I Mixed in Sony Vegas

Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/22/2006, 4:55 AM
Because I'm young and optimistic I joined a band a month ago, and we've already played three shows in the local area. I never mentioned it on here because I'm shy about it, we're new obviously, and it was a bit off-topic ... that is, until tonight when I decided to make Sony Vegas our newest member!

The guys; Jon, Dave, Scott, and myself (Jonathan) have recorded two songs live in Jon's garage. We're just a bunch of college guys hoping to make it, and for now the garage is the best studio we've got. After we recorded our first song it was then mixed together and put onto (the most vile) Myspace. I wasn't pleased with the mix, but what do you expect when you can't individually record everyone's parts, right?

WELL .... since I knew our instruments were individually mic'd - I convinced the powers that be that I should be given the tracks of our second live recording. Permission granted and I got the tracks emailed to me, so I mixed the whole song in Sony Vegas, using 95% Sony Vegas effects I might add. The raw tracks weren't that great, but I think I did decent job with what I got, and I'm hoping my band-mates like it and let me mix more of our stuff.

Here's a link to the song:
Something

Comments

vicmilt wrote on 9/22/2006, 5:20 AM
Well I liked it - sort of reminds me of early REM.

The mix was fine for my laptop playback - I could clearly hear all the instruments and the drums didn't totally overload the song, as so often happens in new bands.

The vocalist has an interesting voice, but could probably use a couple of sessions with a vocal coach to help him extend his range. Not to "slick it up" - just to give him a little more control of his instrument.

So what do you play?
Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/22/2006, 5:26 AM
I play the keyboards, and before this I recorded some stuff on own stuff - usually in Cakewalk Sonar. I make very ... weird or maybe funny music.

If you'd like to hear what sound I bring to the band, vicmilt, you can listen to the last song I recorded - it's called Only A Child. For this track I recorded weird synth, vibe, and accordion tracks from my keyboard, played twelve string guitar for bass and guitar, then kept looping them, the whole while trying to make it sound like an old-fashioned song. Like I said, kinda weird.
Ecquillii wrote on 9/22/2006, 6:37 AM
Hey Jonathan

Thanks for the songs. I especially like your lightness of heart and idiosyncratic sense of humour. As for mixing, you're bringing that inner sound out, and your bandmates are gonna hear that. In terms of creativity, keep on playing. Sacred play. That's what it's all about.

Computers, music and Vegas (or whatever): it's a brave new world.

Tim Robertson

Desktop:ASUS M32CD

Version of Vegas: VEGAS Pro Version 20.0 (Build 370)
Windows Version: Windows 10 Home (x64) Version 21H2 (build 19044.2846)
Cameras: Canon T2i (MOV), Sony HDR-CX405 (MP4), Lumia 950XL, Samsung A8, Panasonic HC-V785 (MP4)
Delivery Destination: YouTube, USB Drive, DVD/BD

Processor: 3.40 gigahertz Intel Core i7-6700
RAM: 16 Gigabytes
Graphics Card 1: AMD Radeon R9 370; Driver Version: 15.200.1065.0
Graphics Card 2: Intel HD Graphics 530; Driver Version: 31.0.101.2111
GPU acceleration of video processing: Optimal - AMD Radeon R9 370
Enable Hardware Decoding for supported formats: 'Enable legacy AVC' is off; 'Enable legacy HEVC' is on
Hardware Decoder to Use: Auto (Off)

Dan Sherman wrote on 9/22/2006, 7:25 AM
me like
Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/22/2006, 9:29 AM
Sherman, thanks!

Ecuillii, thanks as well, I really appreciate the line 'bringing that inner sound out'; I hope that means I did the mixing job right!

Yea, we're only a month or so old - so practice, play, rehearse - that's what we do .. and play a few shows in downtown Fullerton when we can. :)

Last song to share (because that's all we've got), this one was recorded in a church by my three band-mates, and then I added all the instrumentation on afterwards WITHOUT having access to the original tracks, so I didn't really get final mixdown - more like, final overlay.

Wonderful
JJKizak wrote on 9/22/2006, 9:33 AM
I agree with Vicmilt.

JJK
mjroddy wrote on 9/22/2006, 11:53 AM
I also agree with Vicmilt: mix and musicianship good, voice will be better with more experience/training.
I QUITE liked "Only A Child!" Very fun.
Former user wrote on 9/22/2006, 12:42 PM
I'm thinking a cross between the mournful Doors and classic rock sensibilities of ELP.

It's groovy. I'm even more pleased that someone under 30 is recording something with dynamic. Bonus marks for not ONCE do they use the words "oops" "baby" or "yo."
TeetimeNC wrote on 9/22/2006, 1:04 PM
I like it and I'm old enough not to.

Jerry
RalphM wrote on 9/22/2006, 7:13 PM
Something - a hint of Pink Floyd

Only a Child - defies categorization

All three - eclectic and likable....

Vocals entirely understandable....Keep on!
fldave wrote on 9/22/2006, 7:36 PM
Only a Child - cross between a Godfather movie and early Todd Rundgren?
Wonderful - touch of The Kinks?
Something - like old Aphrodites Child (Vangelis) or Captain Beyond

Granted, all of these artists' works I'm referring to are probably way before you were born!
CAmpworks wrote on 9/22/2006, 9:47 PM
I disagree with the remarks about the vocalist. I think his chops are fine. I'd hate to hear what some would say about Bob Dylan's first song. Tell the vocalist that his style is excellent, different, unique and try not to piss him off. If he has any stage presence he's a keeper and you're in. Something is a very definining song for your band and very good. I could see your band performing on Saturday Night Live. You guys are very hip. Only a Child is a cross between the Beatles, B52's and Leon Redbone on Helium :). Hang on to it as it will be a good album filler. Same thing with Wonderful
Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/23/2006, 9:32 AM
Thanks EVERYBODY! So very much, I really mean it. I'm tremendously grateful to everyone who provided feedback. You provided constructive comments, criticism, cross affirmation, all with a descriptive honesty that I could never get from friends and family.

I got a kick reading the 'sounds like' comments. I do admit that many of them are before my time, and, unfortunately, vaguely familiar to me. However, fldave was probably the closest with The Kinks and (edit) => CAmpworks with The Beatles. My primary influence is Brian Wilson, though you probably couldn't hear much of that in the one recording you heard which I wrote (Only a Child). I practiced singing as a kid to bootleg mixes of the never-was 1967 Smile, though no child is complete without Pet Sounds either. As a whole band, I believe our influences are The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Jellyfish (how's THAT for obscure). I only hope I could live up to the description Ecquillii gave me.

And I think it's clear that from now on I'll be mastering all of our live sessions in Sony Vegas, without a doubt. Vegas' work flow and use of envelope tools are unbeatable.
busterkeaton wrote on 9/23/2006, 9:40 AM
Did Jellyfish have more than one album? I do remember liking the one I knew. I think me and my brother were the only people I know who had that album.
busterkeaton wrote on 9/23/2006, 9:44 AM
Allmusic.com says their second album is even better.