The Wagtunes Corner (Featuring My Best Yet)

[wagtunes]

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/hive-mind

I listened to Hive Mind which is a very strong song. It has a creative arrangement which alternates between 80s synth heavy production and 70s piano-driven singer songwriter sections.

The vocals sound great. Perhaps it could use an additional instrument in the piano sections to fill out the arrangement?

The fully developed final chorus is a nice touch. Great stuff overall!

Hey Frantz, thanks for stopping by.

I ripped my hair out with this arrangement, albeit not as badly as the track before it which had 40 tracks in it.

I waffled back and forth between "do I add more", "do I add less" and ultimately I settled on what you heard. But sure, there are a ton of things I could have done differently with this.

I'm trying to work harder on my arrangements now and I find the harder I work, the more difficult it becomes.

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Over the Rainbow": intro reminds me of Depeche Mode (a compliment). When the (good) vocals come in, it starts to take on more of a (synth) pop sound. I recognize the vocal software, yet this is a bit different than the usual wagtunes style; which is very good too! Audio quality and melodies are quite good per usual. Cool song, I like it!

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Over the Rainbow": intro reminds me of Depeche Mode (a compliment). When the (good) vocals come in, it starts to take on more of a (synth) pop sound. I recognize the vocal software, yet this is a bit different than the usual wagtunes style; which is very good too! Audio quality and melodies are quite good per usual. Cool song, I like it!

Thanks for the listen and the feedback. Had a blast doing this trance like CD. Will go check out your posting for this month. Can't wait.

[jackoo]

Hi Wags,

I listened to "Growing Pains" and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a melodious tune!

What I like the most is actually the good song writing. I think it's very well structured and I definitely get this sense of development throughout the track. The variety of melody and orchestration is a strong point.
I'm also a fan of the lyrics. I think they fit well with the music and they are cohesive and thoughtful.

You're doing a really good job with the vocals! I think they sit very well in the mix. Also, I'm not sure what effects you're using on the vocals, but they work well.

Regarding the mix, I think it is overall very good, except the high-pitched (synth?) on 2:41, which I think has too much highs (5-8kHz or even above) which are ringing a little in my ears.

I enjoy a lot the quiet instrumental part (where you take a break) starting at 2:50 (like I said, it adds a very nice variety to the track, which is something I struggle with when I make my own stuff)... though, on the other hand, I think the instrumental ending might be a little too long, but stands ok as it is.

What else... I really dig the bassline at 1:15 (which is actually the one element I wish was a little more in the front in the mix / louder).
Also, the synths fit quite well!

Really cool stuff, overall.

Also, if you have any time and could give your impression on Nightfall Serenade which I posted in the cafe, I'd really appreciate it!

Cheers!

[wagtunes]

Hi Wags,

I listened to "Growing Pains" and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a melodious tune!

What I like the most is actually the good song writing. I think it's very well structured and I definitely get this sense of development throughout the track. The variety of melody and orchestration is a strong point.
I'm also a fan of the lyrics. I think they fit well with the music and they are cohesive and thoughtful.

You're doing a really good job with the vocals! I think they sit very well in the mix. Also, I'm not sure what effects you're using on the vocals, but they work well.

Regarding the mix, I think it is overall very good, except the high-pitched (synth?) on 2:41, which I think has too much highs (5-8kHz or even above) which are ringing a little in my ears.

I enjoy a lot the quiet instrumental part (where you take a break) starting at 2:50 (like I said, it adds a very nice variety to the track, which is something I struggle with when I make my own stuff)... though, on the other hand, I think the instrumental ending might be a little too long, but stands ok as it is.

What else... I really dig the bassline at 1:15 (which is actually the one element I wish was a little more in the front in the mix / louder).
Also, the synths fit quite well!

Really cool stuff, overall.

Also, if you have any time and could give your impression on Nightfall Serenade which I posted in the cafe, I'd really appreciate it!

Cheers!

Thanks you so much for the in depth analysis. Much appreciated. I'm usually pretty careful about rolling off those highs at k and above but maybe this time I didn't do enough of it. I'll double check my span on this and see what it comes up with.

Will definitely check out your track as soon as I can. Crazy morning ahead of me which includes a trip to the post office and Best Buy. Have to return a crappy mouse and web cam.

[Bansaw]

HIve Mind: a really original piece. I was excited to hear the driving synthpop in the verse and liked it a lot, but the pre-chorus and chorus were completely different. Unique... I'm still trying to figure out if it works for me or not. Maybe a few more listens...

Growing Pains. 1:28 loved the soaring lead and fx. Melody and chord work was good. Nice one.
Good sine arps too.

[wagtunes]

HIve Mind: a really original piece. I was excited to hear the driving synthpop in the verse and liked it a lot, but the pre-chorus and chorus were completely different. Unique... I'm still trying to figure out if it works for me or not. Maybe a few more listens...

Growing Pains. 1:28 loved the soaring lead and fx. Melody and chord work was good. Nice one.
Good sine arps too.

What I've been trying to do with this CD is experiment a little more. You know, not the same old, same old. So some of it will work and some of it, maybe not so much.

Thanks for the listen and the feedback as always.

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Hive Mind" (did you use u-he Hive? I guess not; sounds more like Mini Moog to me on the nice synth bass). How did you do the bee-buzz vocals (those worked well)? I wasn't expecting the trademark wagtunes piano on this song, but it ends up working very well. Between the piano and the Brian May-ish guitar sound, reminds me a bit of Queen when those play together (a compliment!). Very nice audio quality on everything and melodies per usual! Nice song!

[wagtunes]

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Hive Mind" (did you use u-he Hive? I guess not; sounds more like Mini Moog to me on the nice synth bass). How did you do the bee-buzz vocals (those worked well)? I wasn't expecting the trademark wagtunes piano on this song, but it ends up working very well. Between the piano and the Brian May-ish guitar sound, reminds me a bit of Queen when those play together (a compliment!). Very nice audio quality on everything and melodies per usual! Nice song!

Hey Aaron. I actually did use Hive somewhere in this song. Think it was one of the ARPs. Of course I used a lot of synths in this song so it probably got lost in the mix.

The vocal effect was done by XILS 5000 vocoder that I recently purchased, along with their other vocoder. I thought it was a nice touch.

[aaron aardvark]

Interesting, I never would have guessed a XILS vocoder; I didn't know or forget they had one. I tried a demo XILS synth plugin a couple of times. I am currently working on a song with some Arturia Vocoder V vocoder stuff. I didn't think I'd use that plugin much, but somehow it's working for me with the non-vocoder synths I am using.

[wagtunes]

Interesting, I never would have guessed a XILS vocoder; I didn't know or forget they had one. I tried a demo XILS synth plugin a couple of times. I am currently working on a song with some Arturia Vocoder V vocoder stuff. I didn't think I'd use that plugin much, but somehow it's working for me with the non-vocoder synths I am using.

Can't wait to hear it when it's done. Oh, the Hive synth is actually the opening bass ARP. Just an FYI.

[wagtunes]

10th track from my upcoming CD "Journey To The Other Side"

Took me 21 days to do this one. At one time that would have been unthinkable for me to spend that much time on one song.

Time To Share

I can see you thinking
Thinking of the past
I can see you're troubled
That good times will not last

But I'm here to ease your pain
I will chase away the rain

Time to share your wildest dreams
Your plans and your schemes
I won't tell a soul
Time to share your innermost thoughts
The youth that you lost
I will make you whole

You don't have to worry
I know what you need
If you have the dream girl
I will plant the seed

I am here to ease your mind
I will be gentle and kind

Repeat Chorus

Floating endlessly in space with me
All your wishes I know you will see

Instrumental Break

Repeat Bridge

Repeat Chorus

Outro

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/time-to-share

[rotku60]

Hey Wags, good stuff. Has a nice 80's pop/rock vibe.

[wagtunes]

Hey Wags, good stuff. Has a nice 80's pop/rock vibe.

Thanks for the listen and the feedback. Much appreciated.

[aaron aardvark]

wagtunes,
Now listening to "Time To Share": it wasn't obviously a wagtunes song for me until your vocals started; not a bad thing to mix things up a bit. Vocals are working well. All melodies are very good per usual. I like the 80's vibe! Nice synths and song!