KVR Audio

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 12:56 pm

My first time doing my own vocals.
Some Waves Tune, a little vocoding etc etc, to try and make it sound half decent.
Wasn't sure what genre this is, maybe Retro EDM...
Feedback on improvements always welcome.
https://soundcloud.com/bansaw-843690132/you-took-hold

And video if you're interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-LY8RyQ17g

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Wed Apr 03, 2019 1:30 pm

My Feedback

Music - 8.5
Instruments - 9.5
Performance - 10
Mix - 10

Overall - 9.5

Comments: Avenger sure sounds good. Definite 80s here. Sounds like Depeche Mode. Well done.

layzer · Post by **layzer** » Thu Apr 04, 2019 12:00 am

impressive. well done.
only quibs on this would be that ping-pong
bass that is not centered always freaks my
ears out when listening on phones.
perhaps using a monoizer plug?
or reduce the stereo spread.
and the kick was a little overcooked
to the point of distracting and drawing too much attention
from everything else. (IMO).
and finally, less verb on the brass. too much even for me, a
recovering verb addict under Dr. Frantz supreme care.
and yeah... DM for sure.

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 2:56 pm

layzer wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2019 12:00 am impressive. well done.
only quibs on this would be that ping-pong
bass ...

Thanks @Wagtunes & Layzer... I'll look into that pingpong bass issue.
It may be a delay fx in the synth that might have caused it.
My last track was a Synthwave one, hence the reverbed brass influence !

Morgaxx · Post by **Morgaxx** » Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:28 pm

I enjoyed that. You did a convincing job with your vocals. Only a couple of spots seemed too timid, out of breath or sung as if trying to keep quiet. I liked the vocoder, vocals layering and fx use. Tasteful. When I read that in your description I was expecting "we are the robots". Oh, the music was well done also.

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Sat Apr 06, 2019 3:30 pm

Morgaxx wrote: ↑Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:28 pm I enjoyed that. You did a convincing job with your vocals. Only a couple of spots seemed too timid, out of breath or sung as if trying to keep quiet. I liked the vocoder, vocals layering and fx use. Tasteful. When I read that in your description I was expecting "we are the robots". Oh, the music was well done also.

"Wir sind die roboter"

, ... thanks... I just read somewhere that adding a subtle amount of vocoding in the background could thicken up vocals, so I tried that. I am hoping to bump into a good vocalist in my social circles, its not improbable. I'm doing vocals now for my next track. Who knows, I might develop into a slightly-above-average vocalist. It never stopped Robbie Williams.

Adrian Earnshaw Music · Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:55 am

Really enjoyed this track, true retro EDM. Looking forward to hearing more in this style.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:45 pm

Definite DM vibes when the vox come in. Processing on the vox in parts is a bit overdone for my personal tastes - I don't think you actually need to bury your vox as much as you think you do

I would agree with the comment that there are some lines where you sound too timid, and don't have the conviction behind your delivery that the music demands. Probably just your lack of faith in your vocal abilities that is holding you back here.

You could - if you want to really ride that retro train - mess with the snare, and give it a bit more of that gated reverb "bang" sound. It wouldn't be out of place here. The snare is fine as is if that's the sound you like though, just more subtle than the retro stuff this is inspired by tended to be. Nothing says retro like masses of gated reverb on the snare...

Minor observation: the 4 to the floor kick thing is more of a modern evolution, but doesn't detract.

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:07 pm

biodiode wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2019 10:55 am Really enjoyed this track, true retro EDM. Looking forward to hearing more in this style.

Thank you : )

sjm wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:45 pm Probably just your lack of faith in your vocal abilities that is holding you back here.

True. Its my first vocal track I've done. Hopefully I can grow.

sjm wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:45 pm The snare is fine as is if that's the sound you like though, just more subtle than the retro stuff this is inspired by tended to be. Nothing says retro like masses of gated reverb on the snare...
Minor observation: the 4 to the floor kick thing is more of a modern evolution, but doesn't detract.

I do have a couple of Retro drum kits in my arsenal in VPS Avenger. I do like the Retro era and have influence from there, but I also wanted to make it relevant to the modern era if possible. I don't know if I can attend both parties. We'll see.

sjm · Post by **sjm** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 11:39 am

Bansaw wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 10:07 pm I do like the Retro era and have influence from there, but I also wanted to make it relevant to the modern era if possible. I don't know if I can attend both parties. We'll see.

It straddles the two quite nicely at the moment. There's obviously no right and wrong, just options for you to choose as the creator according to your vision.

Frantz · Post by **Frantz** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:04 am

The vocals are very good especially for your first time. Maybe next time you could try putting more conviction and emotion into your delivery. I see others gave similar feedback.

The backing track was minimal but effective. Although I found the bass arp a bit monotonous.

Good job overall.

You Took Hold of my Heart [Retro EDM] - - feedback welcome