Hi all,
I decided to replace my earlier cover of Killer Queen. I've learned so much about recording since then that it would be a shame to have that as a track of record.
Here's the new one: link
I actually tracked it again as part of a remix contest at studio-central forums. The members wanted a song to remix and they decided my 'killer queen' the one they wanted. I couldn't give them the first version (since I'd lost the session multis) so I retracked the song.
Incidentally, if anyone wants in on the remix contest just register over at studio-central! There's no prize, it's just for fun and bragging rights.
Much better mixed than before. Some of the early guitar harmony in the song is a little wav-y and fizzy. Also one at 2:30 was a little strange sounding.
Overall, very cool and much better than what I remember the previous mixes to be.
*Listens to mix2*
Yes, not bathed in reverb this time! And the hi-hats are nowhere near as present as before. And the vocal isn't hidden amongst backing vox, either. Guitar obviously changed to not sound as fizzy.
Adam.
It's just better all the way around. That first version (which has been removed) was not bad for an enthusiast with a mic and a little time on his hands. But it was just that. It was one of the first things I tracked upon getting my digi002r (my first DAW setup).
That was two years ago, so I figured I could do a much better job now in my new acoustically treated room, with better mics, and better technique.(see my website link for pics and more songs)
The main differnce with the guitars ('fizziness') is that in the first version all the guitars were direct using the BHM Vstack. A cool little pedal, but still a modeler. I now have enough of a rig to be able to mic an amp that sounds the way I want and get a much more authentic sound, without all the fizz of a direct modeler.
Please share the details of your room now having been setup. I don't have a room properly set. Just some make-shift bits and pieces/ideas. It mostly works until things get louder and my big room fails to impress, then.
So yeah, it's something I'd like to know how you've done this room setup. Details! Please..!
Adam.
Sure. Basically, I started with a room 7.5' high by 11.5' wide, by 17' long. It has tile floors, and regular painted sheetrock walls as is typical in the US.
First, I determined I wanted my listening position to be 38% back from the front wall (which is the short dimension, and has a sliding glass door in it).
Then, I framed in a grid at the ceiling using 2x4's. I filled that area with 4" thick mineral wool and covered that with fabric. This treated section covers approximately 2/3 of the ceiling.
Then I did the exact same thing on the back wall.
Then I created 'soffit' style bass traps by cutting mineral wool into narrow rectangles (10" wide) and stacking them to make long bar-like obects with a square cross section 10"x10" and 10 feet long. I placed these in all the ceiling/wall corners and all the wall/wall vertical corners.
Next, I built four 2'x4' acoustical panels using 2" thick rockwool and covered in fabric. These, I hung on the side walls in a staggered configuration so that reflections could only make one bounce before hitting a panel.
Lastly I built two large gobos and built metal frames with casters to roll around the room as needed. I put a thin luan on one side so if I want I can flip them around to be reflective.
There are some good photos of all this on my website link
Got it now (thanks Dan!).
Have to say, I'm impressed, I love the vocal harmonies, and your lead vocals sound very good too. On the line "recommended at the price, insatiable an appetite", you sound uncannily like Freddie on the word "recommended", and in other parts, rather similar to Will Young. I had to smile, because like many people, you've mis-interpreted one of the lyrics. "Perfume came naturally from Paris, because she couldn't care less", should actually be "...for cars she couldn't care less", but a forgiveable mistake. ;) This is certainly something I would play again - well done, and thanks for presenting this to us!
Just to defend myself... I didn't actually mis-interpret that lyric. I did that on purpose.
My earlier version had the correct lyric. I had been doing a couple takes on the lead vocal and just the last time through on a whim decided to sing the 'more common' mistaken lyric. I don't know why. but I decided to keep it.
I have since changed my mind and I will change it back because I realize it sounds like I made a mistake. And enough real fans will think I did it accidentally. <case in point>
Anyway, thank you very much for the compliments.
Oh, and don't forget, if you want to 'remix' this version, go to link and register. The multi tracks are available for download in the 'community cafe' forum.
tenchijin2 wrote: Oh, and don't forget, if you want to 'remix' this version, go to
link and register. The multi tracks are available for download in the 'community cafe' forum.
Were exactly??
I'm registered, but I can't find the topic in the cummunity cafe??
Thanks, Adam.
I did track them much hotter than necessary, I have since learned.
And the guitar tracks vary wildly in volume because I was fiddling so much with tones and such and using the same tracks to save space.
But I am quite pleased with the way this came out.
Yeah, like it's been said on that forum, it practically mixes itself. Just some little changes or ideas implemented here or there. Took me little time to come up with something I liked.
The guitars still need work cause like you said, at varying levels. I'll give them their own tracks in certain places.
I may upload something for some critique from yourself. We'll see...
Adam.