Ready for the Storm

[Dragonslayer]

Looking at a lot of rain coming in both last week and this week, and maybe a tropical storm next week… seemed like an appropriate song.
Also, I’m just starting to actually try and record music with good sound quality, if you have any tips or anything please do share.
Hope y’all enjoy it!

[DrGuitar1]

I like it. Very moody. If I were to make constructive criticisms, they would be as follows:

• The song sounds low in your voice, raising the key a whole step or more will add significant energy to your version.
• The harmonies are nice; I would dial them back just about 3-5db so they do not step on top of the lead.
• The Lead voice has a hollow sound to it from the recording (plate reverb or hollow room?). If that is your intent, then you got it. If instead you were looking to get a purer lead vocal sound, I would record the vocal in a quieter environment (even hanging heavy blankets around the room will quiet that a good bit).

My guess is that you recorded this with a DAW. You may already know this, but when I am recording any tracks, I always record dry (without effects). That way I can dial them in to precise levels once the recording is all put together. You never know when you might want a little less reverb on a specific instrument and you cannot do that after you have recorded it with too much.

All That said, I enjoyed your version of Ready for the Storm.

[JohnM]

I’d agree with @DrGuitar1.

Improved recording quality is very apparent. Music sounds great! The song might sound better at a higher pitch for your voice range.

[Dragonslayer]

The song sounds low in your voice

It was a little, for a few reasons. First, I like playing mandolin and fiddle in Bm, so it was a convenient key. Second reason is that I recently discovered that I have very bad breathing technique when singing. So while I work on trying to fix it, singing in my lower register does a lot less damage to my voice than high register. I just tried a verse a step up, and it sounded better, but I definitely wouldn’t have lasted long enough in that key.
I am working on vocal technique, but it’s a process…

harmonies are nice; I would dial them back just about 3-5db

I realized that right after I rendered the track lol

Lead voice has a hollow sound to it from the recording (plate reverb or hollow room?). If that is your intent, then you got it. If instead you were looking to get a purer lead vocal sound, I would record the vocal in a quieter environment (even hanging heavy blankets around the room will quiet that a good bit).

I was kinda going for a dark cavern feel… It was mostly added reverb, but my room is not soundproofed (I want to soundproof or at least deaden it, but I can’t hang blankets because there’s too many pictures on the walls (not my house))

you recorded this with a DAW.

Yep! I haven’t a clue how to do most things on it though

when I am recording any tracks, I always record dry (without effects). That way I can dial them in to precise levels once the recording is all put together. You never know when you might want a little less reverb on a specific instrument and you cannot do that after you have recorded it with too much.

That is a very good point, I have heard that before but forgot it cuz I never used reverb before anyway. I only just discovered that my DAW had reverb, so I might have drastically overused it cuz I was playing with it…

Thanks for all the tips, I will go implement them, and hopefully my next contribution will be a lot better!!

sounds great!

I enjoyed your version of Ready for the Storm

Thanks y’all!

[Michael_Mark]

Great job, I think you’re getting better at the “low lonesome sound”!

[Dragonslayer]

Thanks! I try to sing lower in my vocal range cuz it’s less painful, both for my voice and for your ears lol

[Michael_Mark]

You know it’s totally possible to strengthen and build it in the higher register; that’s what I’m trying to do. I think you’d sound better across your whole range; don’t be afraid to give it a shot.

[DrGuitar1]

Thanks! I try to sing lower in my vocal range cuz it’s less painful, both for my voice and for your ears lol

Don’t sell yourself short. I taught voice for quite a few years (one of my degrees), and you have a nice instrument. A little support (big breaths before each phrase) goes a long way. Start by raising the tune just 1 or 2 frets and practice in that key. You may find that you like it better once you start to relax in the higher key. Always a full breath before each phrase you sing. Remember that singing is just speaking on pitch, if you are doing more than that you are doing it wrong. Relax, big breath and just speak on pitch. You may find that your “range” is much larger than you think. (I am sure it is!)

[Dragonslayer]

possible to strengthen and build it in the higher register;

Working on it, just wasn’t there by the time I recorded this

little support (big breaths before each phrase) goes a long way. Start by raising the tune just 1 or 2 frets and practice in that key. You may find that you like it better once you start to relax in the higher key. Always a full breath before each phrase you sing. Remember that singing is just speaking on pitch, if you are doing more than that you are doing it wrong. Relax, big breath and just speak on pitch. You may find that your “range” is much larger than you think. (I am sure it is!)

Thanks, this is stuff that I’ve been working on since I discovered it a couple months ago. I’ll definitely keep y’all posted with my progress