| Richard Orchard 19.05.2004 05:04 |
by Sebastian. |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 05:19 |
Wow,. I didn't expect to see it here:). Any critic is welcome, even if it's like "hey idiot how can you destroy the song of the millennium" |
| Bohardy 19.05.2004 05:30 |
Well... "Interesting" would be how I would describe it. I like some of the ideas you had, for example, the guitar in the second verse instead of the piano (to me it had a Beatles vibe to it), the choir over the heavy section, and it was nice to hear a reprise of the verse/first ballad section at before the coda of the song. What lets your version down though is the execution of it. I'm sorry, but the guitar-sound is horrible, and whoever played it (I presume you) is not particularly adept. The a capella intro was bold, but I felt it just seemed random, like you didn't actually have a clear structure and idea, harmonically and rhythmically, of what you wanted to do, or ultimately how it was gonna sound. I mentioned on Vinou's song about my discomfort when hearing foreign accents in an English-sung song, so I won't repeat myself here... And finally the mix was odd. Certain parts sounded like they were maybe meant to be panned hard-left or something, but instead just faded out completely. That may be intentional, but it sounded like a mistake to me. And somewhere around the heavy section there was just a nasty overall harshness of white-noise and overblown sound. But still, it showed creativity and knowledge, and as always it's good that you did this and that people continue to do these things. |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 06:16 |
Yeah the guitar sound is the top criticised feature here. It's way too distorted, I do like it that way but I'm aware it's too different from the Red Special. Particularly in lower quality versions (that I had to send to some friends in 96 kbps and things like that) is just a bizarre noise each time I hit a chord. There's many stuff that could have been better but I was so incredibly tired working on it that I just went and finished it and mixed it. I did know how I wanted each section to sound but I didn't work on every track (as I must have done) and just did a little of edition in the bounces (which were a lot, some vocal parts are 8 times tracked or soemthing like that). So sometimes you get weird noises... specially the bass in the reprise has some distortion that I didn't want but it was already mixed. 100% right/left panned stuff: I did like them when I heard them in a huge stereo. Hearing them in headphones is not so good, I agree. Vocals: In all my recordings I do one simple take of the lead (since I don't care that mych about it) and I work harder on harmonies. Some day I'll do it the pro way, compiling a vocal track out of many takes, even if I have to repeat every sentence separately. Anyway, thanks for the comments. It's getting better all the time. I'm planning on a new version... much longer and heavier. But I'll do it in matter of years, since I wrote some instrumental parts way too difficult and I'll need some time to rehearse them. Moreover I don't have the equipment right here right now. |
| Simmer 19.05.2004 06:49 |
The singing is very bad and de intro just doesn't make any sense. Sorry pal, but you have to try better than this if you want to impress me. |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 07:03 |
I'm not trying to impress you. I'm not trying to be Freddie Mercury either. This version is not recommended for people wanting it to sound like the original. But thanks for the comment :) |
| Sicmot 19.05.2004 08:36 |
Yes.. I agree.. thats quite effortless try.. The intro is horrible.. and actually.. quite everything is.. I dont know if anyone can really rape it any better =D and the synths.. Uve used... more than terrible and hobrrible.. frankly, its horrondous!!! :) sinister, malign, wicked, queasy, vicious, dismal, doleful, piteous, pitiable, woeful, paltry, dreadful, grisly, horrid and disastrous... |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 09:03 |
lol |
| The Fairy King 19.05.2004 09:16 |
*cries* WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY |
| Adam Baboolal 19.05.2004 09:42 |
Weird. The harmonies at the beginning sounded so random. I don't know if that was intended, but I perceived some as mistakes. And was pitch-shifting used? Not great. Liked a bit of the main song. But don't get me wrong, it's not because it's not the Queen arrangement! Peace, Adam. |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 10:18 |
No I didn't change pitch. The "randomness" in the intro is because of bouncing as I mentioned. For example I recorded "very very frightening me" but had a noise, like an airplane in the background or something. I didn't edit it because I used to rush to the next take, and that was like 8-10 takes so a lot of background noises were together. If you put them with piano and stuff they're hardly noticed, but not left a capella they sound harder. Same as many vocal parts sound way weaker. But, just as my website, it's a matter of re-doing it over and over again until I can have a finished version |
| Bohardy 19.05.2004 10:27 |
Now come on Sebastian...Are you SURE you didn't use pitch-shifting on your voice? Somehere towards the end (probably "for MEEE") there was a high-voice that I would have bet my house on as having been sped-up. Similarly, there was a stupidly low voice somewhere that could only have been slowed down. |
| FriedChicken 19.05.2004 10:33 |
Some people just have big ranges. I have a range of 3 octaves and 10 semitones. Now I just need a better singing voice |
| Sicmot 19.05.2004 10:41 |
You singers of songs.. I know there's people who have thin voice and some people have thicker and fuller voice.. but Ive been wondering what can you do for a thinner voice.. "put a pair of pliers under throat and frock"? :D in order to make it thicker that is. Smoking, whiskey?.. throat operations?. shaping teeths? |
| Bohardy 19.05.2004 11:27 |
I know Niek. I've got one too. I can handle all the notes in Sebastian's song (except I think the ridiculously low sound that I swear is slowed down), it's just that the SOUND of the notes sounded slowed-down/sped-up. You know, the 'chipmunk' effect when you speed a voice up due to the very fast vibrato, and obviously the opposite with slowed down voices. |
| Hitman 19.05.2004 12:12 |
it's cool that someone dares to record Bohemian Rhapsody! a difficult song! Congratulations, to my ears it isn't bad! (well...you can improve a lot of course.....) |
| FriedChicken 19.05.2004 13:02 |
I also had doubts about the low part Bohardy :) |
| Virtuoso 19.05.2004 14:32 |
The intro sounded like one of those Oompa Loompa's songs...weird.Anyways,I respect the effort. |
| Penis - Vagina 19.05.2004 14:37 |
Lots of fun! Thanks for sharing that Sebastian! |
| Sebastian 19.05.2004 19:26 |
None of the notes, from Bb0 to Bb4 are speeded up. I can more or less easily sing the Bb0, but the Bb4 costed me so much and that's why it sounds like a bat or something like that |
| iGSM 19.05.2004 21:42 |
I don't know. I could have done a worse version. *does one and becomes international songstress...of deaaaaaaaaaath* I tinker! |
| RainMustFall 19.05.2004 22:10 |
It was decent, and at least it was original. The synth guitar bridge sounds preferable to the acousticish sounding guitar that replaced the piano in the ballad section... |
| Richard Orchard 20.05.2004 02:33 |
Sebastian, I really appreciated it. I think all the fan songs bring something new to an old Queen favourite. Well done. Hopefully you will submit more material later. Richard |
| Sebastian 20.05.2004 04:10 |
I didn't use synths :) Those weird guitar sounds are from the very big distortion and in one case I think I lowered one track one octave, in the scales part |
| FriedChicken 20.05.2004 06:23 |
The guitars indeed sound like a bee in a jar. Did you plugged it straight into the computer or something like that? Or used a small amp? |
| Adam Baboolal 20.05.2004 07:12 |
The "very very frightening me" bits at the beginning (24secs in) aren't pitch-shifted?? I find that hard to believe. I can hear artifacts on the voice that are usually associated with pitch-shifting. And then there's that low part at 1min in and the more obvious one at 6:25. So, once and for all, is there anything on there? Peace, Adam. P.S. What was with the guitars? I only ask cause at the very end you sounded much better than anything played in-between. Were you just yanking our chain on this one? :) |
| Mr Coolest Cat 20.05.2004 07:47 |
I must say you've got some bottle, for a guy that can't sing why you attempt a song like Bo Rap is beyond me, and for some people to say decent effort and interesting what the hell have you been listening to, tell the guy the truth, it was the worst possible version of possibly the greatest song ever to have been written, God forgive you. |
| deleted user 20.05.2004 08:49 |
It sucked. When is my song going to show up? |
| Josuè 20.05.2004 10:18 |
Realy awful... it's shown that he has put a great effort doing this song, but I find it just awful. |
| iGSM 20.05.2004 11:53 |
I trust you're aware of this planets stringent state usuary laws concerning Bohemian Rhapsody? |
| inu-liger 20.05.2004 17:40 |
I don't like it. Very horrible. But then I don't like to insult people intentionally, either. Lowest of all fan covers IMO :P |
| Sebastian 20.05.2004 19:05 |
Yes that very very frightening me part sounds weird to me in the intro compared to the one in the opera bit. But as far as I remember I didn't shift pitch at all. I did chage speed for the low and high parts at the end of the hard rock section so the notes would be held longer, but I didn't change their pitch About the guitars, I used a Marshall amp, but I over-distorted it. I know most people don't like it and preferr a copy of what Brian did, but this was, all in all, a version for me, not for queen fans :) |
| Sicmot 20.05.2004 21:41 |
Sebastian wrote: None of the notes, from Bb0 to Bb4 are speeded up. I can more or less easily sing the Bb0, but the Bb4 costed me so much and that's why it sounds like a bat or something like thatYou mean.. like a bat out of hell? =D |
| Sebastian 21.05.2004 04:53 |
Yes I mean that :) |
| FriedChicken 21.05.2004 07:06 |
It's not that I would prefer a Brian sound for the guitars, but I'd prefer a less distored sound, thats all see, i'm not very demanding ;) |
| inu-liger 21.05.2004 16:14 |
I'm thinking of recording Radio Ga Ga, or TMLWKY in Spanish (the last one), for the fan covers section |
| inu-liger 21.05.2004 16:19 |
As well, I'll have to re-evaluate my thoughts on this BohRap cover. I said it wasn't good, but then I didn't have a proper listen to it either in terms of audio equipment. I'm listening to it on headphones now, and I guess it's unique and OK now that I think of it |
| Adam Baboolal 21.05.2004 18:39 |
Different because it's on headphones?? Sorry, that's the biggest excuse ever! lol |
| Sebastian 21.05.2004 20:54 |
Dark may have a point. I like this version much more in a big stereo with huge speakers. With headphones it's ok. With mini-speakers it's just a bizarre noise |
| Kuku 22.05.2004 02:54 |
I don't know much of the musical/technical stuff so can't talk too analytically, so... Forgetting the original version, this cover sounded like a completely different song, especially the intro part. (Was quite surprised to hear that part.) I liked how you arranged the harmony. And a great vocal range. Was it really necessary to distort the guitar sound? (I too thought it was a synth. Maybe you could try using synth next time.) Also, the low range backing vocal needs more power. I found the "ballad" part "acoustic sounding" guitar (the very staccato sounding one?) quite interesting. Overall, I think the song would have to have one "heavy" part to really work for me, at least. (Sounded kind of melancholy without the guitar, too.) Sounded original though, and a fascinating arrangement. |
| Adam Baboolal 22.05.2004 07:58 |
Sounds like you have defective speakers, Seb. It shouldn't sound that different on small speakers. |
| The Real Wizard 22.05.2004 20:34 |
Adam Baboolal wrote: Different because it's on headphones?? Sorry, that's the biggest excuse ever! lolNo, I really do know what these guys mean by this... some things honestly sound better on one output than another. Some concerts sound better on smaller speakers than bigger speakers, and vice versa... and some sound their best in headphones. Some speakers can give a different atmosphere than others. |
| Adam Baboolal 22.05.2004 21:46 |
What concerts? |
| Mr Coolest Cat 23.05.2004 07:00 |
Don't let them draw you Adam, they are talking bollocks and they know it.Forget speakers and headphones, you either like it or you don't. |
| Adam Baboolal 23.05.2004 07:13 |
As much as I am heavily conflicted about agreeing with Harvey after his recent comments, I have to agree. When it comes to speakers you either have crappy or defective speakers to be hearing such differences. I have plenty different headphones and quite a few sets of speakers lying about, but they all present the same kind of sonic picture. Some with less bass, some with more, some with heightened ranges in between. The point is, unless you have a £1000 monitoring speaker system, I doubt you're hearing much difference between them all. And if you are, seriously, look for a better setup. No matter what you pickup, there should be a big similarity, unless we're talking bad hi-fi. They like to change peaks in the range and it's very annoying if you can't change it via the amp controls. Peace, Adam. |
| The Real Wizard 23.05.2004 15:56 |
"Don't let them draw you Adam, they are talking bollocks and they know it.Forget speakers and headphones, you either like it or you don't." There's a lot more to enjoying things than merely deciding if you like them or not. Some people actually like to analyze things as opposed to dismissing them immediately. It seems you aren't one of those people, so don't criticize someone who is. But since you seem to know me and my motives so incredibly well, why even bother posting furthermore on this matter of headphones vs speakers...? I'll just say that certain stereo panning techniques are heard differently in headphones than from two speakers beside one another... ie, hard left wouldn't seem so hard left, would it? |
| Adam Baboolal 23.05.2004 18:28 |
You were talking about pannings? Well obviously that'll sound different! I was referring to when you said, Guitar Hero wrote: Some speakers can give a different atmosphere than others.? stereo panning techniques are heard differently in headphones than from two speakers beside one another... ie, hard left wouldn't seem so hard left, would it?Who in their right mind puts their speakers together?? But comparing headphones and speakers when it comes to pannings is a very strange thing to bring up. Look, if you meant the pannings then, fair enough. But it shouldn't change the feel of the track. And it can never sound any better or worse, that's down to your imagination. Peace, Adam. |
| Another Roger (re) 23.05.2004 19:02 |
I cant believe what I am reading in here. Obviously Sebastian have put a lot of effort into this recording. I think its well done, but of course I prefer the original. |
| Sebastian 24.05.2004 09:13 |
In fact hard left doesn't sound so exaggerate in big (2 ft high) speakers, whilst on headphones it does sound different. Same as for that annoying effect I gave the crah cymbal - everytime it's being hit, it pans from left to right several times. On the big cuadraphonic speakers it was ok, but in headphones it's weird |
| FriedChicken 24.05.2004 13:18 |
what's 'hard left'? |
| the oppositionist 25.05.2004 09:39 |
whoa! thats kwwwwwl! i think the queen members would be interested to hear such a parculiar version. it doesnt stick to the usual bo rhap formula which is very intersting. the beginning sort reminds me of a georgian choral piece. good effort mate, hats off- it is a very very difficult song to do, especially to do right! :) |
| The Real Wizard 25.05.2004 15:06 |
Chicken, When you listen to something in stereo, you know that some parts are in the middle, some are partially off to one side, and some are way off to one side. 'Hard left' is the very limit of the left channel. I'm sure you know this, but just didn't know the actual terminology for it. I didn't know the term myself until a couple weeks ago, and I've been recording for years! :P |
| FriedChicken 25.05.2004 17:15 |
I just call it 'all the way to the right' :) |
| The Real Wizard 27.05.2004 23:56 |
Yeah, that's how I always thought of it too... :) |