I never really liked the "Billy Squier" part of "Love is the Hero", and love Freddie's intro, though...
... so this is my attempt to make it work a little better with a better song... link
At only 64kbps bitrate, the sound quality is quite poor. Best to save your mixes at at least 192kbps, or preferably higher, to preserve listenable quality. I usually save mine at 256kpbs, which is a nice balance between preserving quality and limiting file size to an acceptable level.
OK, onto the mix itself - I suppose it's OK as a concept, but simply cross-fading from one song to another is a bit abrupt, in my opinion, and doesn't really sound right at that transition point. That said, I haven't really any suggestions as to how it could be done better, but I do absolutely love Freddie's intro to Love Is The Hero!
Sorry I can't be more complimentary, especially after the nice things you say about my own mixes, but I feel I have to be honest, and I hope my comments about the sound quality help in some way.
There are a number of different versions/mixes of this track, each featuring different amounts of Freddie in the mix.
Love Is The Hero
LP Version - Capitol CDP 7 46317 2
US 12" 5:22 Extended Promo - Capitol SPRO 9779
UK 7" 4:03 Version - Capitol 5619
US CD Anthology 12" Remix - Reach For The Sky: Chronicles 314 529 296-2
I dare say if someone had access to all four versions, they could create the ultimate - or at least a more - 'Freddie-biased' variation. Unfortunately, although I have the material, I certainly lack the talent.
- the idea of combining the different versions of the song sounds nice, JSS!
- Lord F., the really important thing in a fair exchange of opinions is to know that both critics and compliments are sincere. Then, of course, it's up to people to select what - both in critics and compliments - may be really grounded or useful. So, no need to write compliments if they're not in your feelings.
This said, thanks for the advice about the bitrate: I willingly chose a poor quality to allow faster downloads.
Secondly, the idea of the fadeout-fadein is surely quite simple, but 'twas the only way to 'match' Freddie's vocals between "heee-ro" and "my life"...
I keep thinking the timing and the final effect were right :-P
roy_fokker wrote: This said, thanks for the advice about the bitrate: I willingly chose a poor quality to allow faster downloads.
A low bitrate is OK if you're just uploading a work in progress, or some sort of experiment, but if you are offering a finished mix, I think you will find that most people would prefer a larger download, for better quality.
roy_fokker wrote: Secondly, the idea of the fadeout-fadein is surely quite simple, but 'twas the only way to 'match' Freddie's vocals between "heee-ro" and "my life"...
I keep thinking the timing and the final effect were right :-P
OK, point taken, but there's a difference between a proper cross fade, and a fade out / fade in. The fade out / fade in approach is I think what you used, and this is where you get a 'dip' in volume right at the edit point. A cross fade is where you fade the out / in simultaneously, and therefore create a smoother transition. Do you see what I mean? I don't know if you have the software to facilitate this, and it does take some practice, but worth it for better results. :)
It was a crossfade, as a matter of fact... I'm not a native english-speaker! I wrote fade-in fade out to mean a crossfade. If you listen to it carefully, you'll hear that there's a moment in which the two sources are merged.
Perhaps I'd better make it more evident? (Really, I mean, do you think it was a little too rought, the passage between track 1 and track 2?)
I think it's probably just the points where you started and ended the cross fade are quite far apart, so you get a longer transition, if you see what I mean. I have been trying to download this, to show you how I might have attempted it, but I keep seeming to find more of a rock version, without the Freddie intro. Where did your version come from?
Fickle, the Freddie intro version comes from the big Freddie box set.. it's the 12" version. There's also a re-made 12" version on Billy's "Reach For The Sky" anthology because apparently at that time the master was lost or something. I haven't heard that version.
Ah, right. Haven't got the Freddie box set. As a collector, I feel I should have it, but can never justify spending that sort of money on material I have never really liked. I never really got along with Freddie's solo stuff.