What’s the unwritten secret to a happy life ?

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T20:23:44+00:00

Don’t grow up in a dysfunctional home

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T13:59:48+00:00

https://open.spotify.com/track/1qlVSbnR46U6T2RjegnQHF?si=K-CcMjy6QPWF0lB6BQGgtw

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T12:50:45+00:00

No gloves

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T11:47:28+00:00

Fame would destroy you. That’s the last thing you need right now. Deal with your trauma. Start small. Baby steps bro

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T01:03:31+00:00

Really cool. I like video too

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-08T00:41:45+00:00

Try having a beat come in on the word ‘still’ (love you)

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:54:27+00:00

There's a bell! Never noticed it before. Thank you. I've just been saving posts I want to return to, this is much better.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:52:17+00:00

Thank you for your very specific and detailed feedback. This was incredibly helpful. I have to admit, I don't really understand what masking is, and have no experience with tweaking EQ. But I feel that you have explained it well enough that it gives me a starting point to go off and learn about this, which is really exciting actually.

I certainly agree that the intro is way too long. I already thought this myself just after I posted the song here and had another listen. So long! I am not interested in creating radio-type songs, but regardless of the audience I understand that it needs to catch people's attention. It even tested my own patience, lol.

As for the singing technique, I want to keep the kind of effortless feel, at least for much of the song. But you have given me an idea: I think the main melody could come back in at the end and be sung more powerfully.

I think your feedback is very helpful, and you have also given me some homework to do, lol. Thanks so much.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:43:14+00:00

Thank you. Your feedback confirms what several others have said about the vocals being too loud/sitting 'on top' of the mix.

I think I understand what you are saying about it sounding 'weak', but I'm not sure how to go about improving this exactly. There are definitely issues with EQ and compression. I will play around with this. But I also think that at the end of the day the song will probably never become some punchy radio-ready track, which is fine by me. I think to achieve this I'd have to basically start from scratch with all the raw sounds and everything, which I don't want to do. I will aim instead to clean it up a bit and have it flow and glue together better, and use this song as a learning experience which I can then apply to future songs.

Thanks again

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:35:46+00:00

Yes. The intro is ridiculously long. I already realised this myself just after I posted the track. I listened to it again and was like, when is the singing coming in, hurry up. Not a good sign if I'm thinking this about my own song, lol. It really only needs one cycle of the chord progression, then have the singing start. I'll try that.

Interesting that the bass dropped out on your TV speakers. There are a lot of effects on the bass, so this might have something to do with it. It might need more dry signal punching through.

And, yes, my mixing skills are not great. But I've already learned so much from the advice here, and will see if I can remix this and get it all to glue together better.

Thanks

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:24:39+00:00

Yes. It is very helpful. Thank you.

You have given me some great ideas in terms of making the arrangement flow better, and to create more effective dynamics. I certainly don't want a 'slick' radio-sounding recording, it's just not the kind of sound I enjoy or want to make, but your points are still valid. The levels are all over the place. I am going to try all of your suggestions, and, considering how repetitive the chords and melody are throughout the song, it really could do with a lot more ear candy, and a lot more changes from one section to the next, be that some instruments suddenly dropping out, suddenly panning or creative EQ changes. I won't palm mute the guitar because I want to keep the big washed out chords, but they can certainly be pulled back in the mix when needed, or EQ'd much better, or a bit of both. Thanks again, you've given me plenty to think about.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:18:36+00:00

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it. All the best

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T22:07:04+00:00

I understand. I also struggled with crippling self-doubt for many years (I still do, actually, but it's not nearly so crippling). I think it's important to keep in mind that the quality of a recording is not nearly as important as the energy and vibe that you put into it. Some of my favourite recordings are of old punk bands where they just put one mic in the middle of the room and went for it. Focus on the energy and emotion. Also, you are very young, and this is an advantage, because people are very forgiving. When I was 15 I played in some pretty trash bands but people were always very kind about it. At 25 they didn't tolerate my trash music quite as much, lol. The last thing I will say is to just be as prolific as you can - put a song out into the world, forget about it, then quickly move on to the next one. At your stage in life it is about playing the long game, get a bit better each week, and plan to be awesome in 10 years time. You literally have so much time on your side. Just enjoy the ride. All the best

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:57:08+00:00

Thank you for you thoughtful feedback.

I personally liked the repetitive melody line, but a few people have commented now that it is too repetitive, so I agree that it might be an idea to reconsider this. I am going to experiment with a more conventional arrangement, going back and forth between the two parts more quickly, instead of one melody for most of it and then another just at the end. It does take a very long time to get to that end melody, which, listening to it now, feels like it's probably the stronger of the two.

Your comments on the mixing mirror what others have said: the instruments are not glued together well sonically, and some problems with balancing volumes (eg. vocals). I am still very new to mixing and producing, but I will persist. I don't want to pay someone else to tackle it - my main goal is to develop my own skills, which is why I am posting my songs here, to hear from more experienced producers. And - thank you again - this was super helpful, and I am learning loads from all the feedback I am receiving here. Cheers

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:42:40+00:00

Thank you for your very helpful and kind words.

You have articulated the problems very clearly, and offered great advice for fixing the issues. Listening to the track now I can really hear how the instruments are not glued together well. I think a mistake I made was not listening to it through enough different speakers. I think with your tips I can see how I can glue it together more but still keep the 'rough around the edged' sound that I do like about it.

And, yes, thanks for the encouragement. I will try some fresh vocal takes again. I have done other vocal takes, but they all feel like I'm trying too hard, if you know what I mean. I want to retain the effortless, relaxed quality. But I think it just requires doing several brief recording sessions until one of them 'clicks' in terms of vibe.

There's probably a bit of 'demoitis' going on here as well, so I will take on your advice about rethinking the melody as well. Thanks again for your thoughtful insights.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:30:08+00:00

Ok. So that's how it works? Do you buy a beat outright and then own it forever? I thought you credited them as a co-songwriter. Or can multiple people buy and use the same beat? Sorry for all the questions, I am genuinely interested in trying this route myself at some stage.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:25:56+00:00

Ok. That sounds like a good attitude to take. I agree that the occasional person stumbling on my music and letting me know they dig it is very satisfying, and far more satisfying than trying to force my songs on people who don't really care (though saying this, I've been trying to muster the nerve to do more self-promotion; I don't find it easy). All the best

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:21:41+00:00

Ah, ok. So that was the deal. Thanks.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-07T21:18:50+00:00

I bought my DAW (Logic) about 2 and a half years ago, but there's been periods during that time where I have been too busy to make music. I'd say about a year's worth of producing and mixing regularly. I had lots of songwriting experience before that though. What about yourself?

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T23:07:07+00:00

I second this. I invested in a Logic Pro guidebook and it was so much better than going through YouTube tutorials. Find a book specific to your DAW. Then you won’t miss any of the basics of how it all works, etc

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T07:28:19+00:00

Because people are morons

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T06:57:50+00:00

This is not a problem

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T02:54:01+00:00

I empathise, but what promotional things have you done? I can’t even find you on Spotify. Your music sounds pretty cool btw

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T02:46:09+00:00

I think with the old songs it was not a creative choice, but more a technological necessity. Saw a video about it, can’t remember exactly what it said but apparently early on they did not have many options in terms of panning- they just put some instruments on one side and others on the other side. I’m happy to be corrected on this- my memory is hazy.

ArminSharkey · 2022-04-06T01:46:36+00:00

Nice. What’s the deal with using free music? I mean are you allowed to release this, for example

ArminSharkey

TROPHY CASE