Thank you so much for listening to a tune that probably wasn't ready for prime time, and not even one of my very best songs.

You know, I own EZ Drummer, and I just haven't been able to get it to sound right. When I transfer my PSR-S900 to EZDrummer or Cakewalk's Session Drummer it is not balanced and too in your face.

What I have decided to do is to cut and paste drum voices in a composition one at a time to separate EZDrummer tracks where I can try to balance them.

I really appreciate fill happy critique. That's an easy thing to do. Erase some drum hits.

The thing that bothers me most about the song is that many of the lyrics are trite, '60ish flower power lyrics. I rewrote some of these.

DNJ: harmonies are right on time as far as when they come in, but they don't always change chords on time.

Diki: You are right. The Melodyne has made me lazy. I will do more than just one or two vocal takes before I start manipulating the track in Melodyne.

As far as what my intentions are with my songs, when I'm recording, I'm just trying to make something as beautiful as I can. I have sent about 20 demos out to different publishers. I've gotten one rejection so far.

Before I send out more demos, I want to get it right, so I'm glad that I have gotten so many critiques here on the forum. Sorry for subjecting your ears to an unfinished product. It has helped me immensely to hear "out of tune vocals," "lifeless drums," and all the other crap. And to get questions answered like why my songs sound softer than everyone elses on the internet.

I'd rather get these issues addressed before my demo ends up in a garbage can, and I'm left singing at nursing homes when I'm 75 instead of retiring comfortably.

Thanks

Beakybird

I think it's a good song Beaky with a lot of potential. Just polish it up a little bit. I didn't hear anything wrong with they lyrics either.

I rest my case

A little over the top, Squeak? Disagree all you want but sounds like you're ready to go to war over a pretty meaningless difference of opinion.

Would you really have put it that way to Scott if you two were talking in person?

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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 05-03-2009).]

Bill.., if Scott had said to my face (either directly or indirectly) his response here to Donny regarding judging the timing on a song I've never heard before...., he would certainly get a colorful response from me....

Donny points out timing issues with the harmonies (that even Beaky agreed with) then Scott harps Donny for pointing out timing issues in a song he has never heard. Yeah.., that's an asshole thing to say IMO. Since when does having to know a song first become a prerequisite to determining as to whether or not there are timing issues...???

I still say some of you guys need to do a few more push ups every day and toughen up a little more.., and stop being so damn thin skinned.

Donny gives an honest opinion about something that even the poster then confirmed.., yet it's not the POSTER that harps Donny. Another member insults Donny's most basic ability to judge timing. Yeah.., that's insulting. Perhaps Scott should read between his own lines




[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-03-2009).]

Come on boys. Stop fighting!

I think Bill just meant that phrasing is subjective, and what one person thinks is off time, another person can think is stylish.

I wish I could quantize my guitar and voice. In fact, I wish I could go through my entire past and quantize it. Timing has been the biggest obstacle to my living a fulfilled life.

Beakybird

Beaky,

Thanks for sharing your work. How on earth do you have time to play numerous gigs and write original material - that alone is impressive

It's very hard to follow an arranger on time and sing perfect pitch, but practice makes perfect and that's what you continue to do - congratulations.

I like your work. Maybe you should step outside the Beatles box and do something way different - just a thought.

If I had to criticize one thing it would be those awful drums. They really kill the deal for me - but that's not your fault.

I loved the guitar lead, even if a bit fast. Did you play that on the keyboard?

I'm in the process of transferring drum voices one by one on a song from PSR to EZDrummer. The closed hi hat sounds way different, and I prefer the PSR. It's a pain in the behind process, but I am hearing the difference.

If you listen to my songs on www.myspace.com/larrylevin, you will see that I explore some other territory besides Beatlish stuff. Nothing absolutely brand new, but I write a catchy tune.

The guitar was me on my Yamaha Pacifica USA 2 electric and Peavey Revalver plugin effects. I thought it was a great solo if not a wee tad off. If I could do it all together in one take, I would be quite proud. It would take a little practice.

Beakybird

There wasn't anything wrong with what Donny or Scott said. Donny felt the timing was off, Scott allowed that maybe, it was intentionally done that way per Larry's choice.

Both are reasonable ways to address that part of the tune.

This crap about pushups and toughening up? Are you serious? What do you know about Scott? Anything? Who the hell are you to talk to anyone on this forum like that, let alone a guy like Scott?

He disagreed with Donny. So what? Scott's posted his work on the forum several times. There was criticism and he didn't crap his pants about it.

Once again, let's not strain ourselves wondering why good quality contributors and forum members leave and don't return.

Class act, pal...

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Bill in Dayton

A final word from me on this particular thread.

First of all, sorry Beakybird that this somehow turned into what it did because of something I said with no ill intent meant to anyone.

I think Nigel's idea of this forum is for music minded people to get together on friendly terms and share info and opinions in a courteous manner, which is what I try to do. If someone reads something into my comments that's not my problem. If someone disagree's with my opinion, oh well, that's their peragative.

I think we all agree to be able to disagree. I disagreed with Donny, pure and simple. No insult intended. No need for Donny to change his post so that my original comments are no longer aimed at what he said. No need for him to not post on someones music in the future. But that's not my choice to make.

As for squeak, you are certainly entitled to your opinion even if it's different from mine. And it's ok to state your case. However, I really would have prefered your comments to me to have been done in a friendly and courteous manner.

I have all kinds of other comments to make on different points on this thread, but honestly, this is all so immaterial that I won't.

Hope everyone is feeling in a better mood soon.

This is one reason I post very little on SZ as compared to several years ago.

I will not be reading or responding to anything else in this thread.

Scott