Home Music Events Forums Articles Music Blog Resources   Help
About MacJams.com opens a new door of opportunity for musicians around the world, providing a means of connecting, collaborating, and fostering the development of new music in a supportive environment.
  1. Sign Up [free]
  2. Listen
  3. Locate Musicians
  4. Start a Project
  5. Submit a Song
  6. Participate
Login
Username:
Password:
Who's Online Invisible Members: 0
Guests: 15
A List Is Not A Song
by michael2

Get Flash to see this player.

| Download |
Song Info
Licensing Information:


Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Guest views: 611
Member views: 0
Song comments: 22
Tokens: 0
Plays: 72
Last Played:
Downloads: 38
Fans of this song:
Submitted on: Aug 19, 2007 - 02:34:46 PM
Last Updated: Aug 19 2007 - 02:34:46 PM
Keywords pop (496)harmonies (25)the turtles (1)mama's and papa's (1)grab a glass of lemonade before hitting play (1)love the one you're with (1)technical limitations or just not enough patience to sit down and do it right? (1)
Description Here's a little number that is supposed to be kind of 60's pop sounding. Below is a list of questions I could use feedback on.

If anyone has any tips on how to record with a mic in GB and get it to blend with the software instruments I would be very appreciative. The vocals almost sound like they have effects on them, but there isn't (a touch of reverb, but for some reason they sound chorused even completely dry). To keep the levels consistant, shuold I be recording with compression on? I try to sing consistantly, but i'm not a real singer.

The guitar also sounds a little thin. granted, it's an archtop with dead strings, but maybe I should have used the 58 on it.

also I have a hard time getting a clean bass sound to be decent sounding and consistant in the levels.
Lyrics I could tell you a story
I could tell you a secret or two
I could plant you a garden
what does that really say?

I could show you my footprints
I could show you the scar on my back
I could give you a dollar
what does that really say?

since I met you, I knew that I loved you
and I told you so, but you told me first
I forget and I take you for granted
but I love you more everyday, it's true

we could go to the movies
we could travel the world for a year
we could visit your sister too
what does that really say?

I could tell you a story
I could tell you a secret or two
I could plant you a garden
what does that really say?

since I met you, I knew that I loved you
and I told you so, but you told me first
I forget and I take you for granted
but I love you more everyday, it's true

i could tell you a secret
we could go to the movies
i could give you a dollar
what does that really say?
what does that really say?
what does that really say?

Hardware intel mac-mini, m-audio 49e midi keyboard,harmony broadway archtop acoustic, mxl usb mic
Software: GB
Fan List

Reinholt56

blaky smith

echoroom

bud
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

drakonis said 508 days ago
Pop goes the 60s
This is a great song, as usual... your singing is quite good, and although I don't exactly hear the "chorusing" effect, it does sound like some additional room ambience mixed with the reverb, giving a bit of a "boxed-in" sound. Did you record close to the mic and turn the gain down, to minimize room reverb? That's the only thing I can think of. The overall mix does seem slightly thin, but not too bad. And I admit I didn't care much for the sweeping windy-synthy-thingie, it was distracting and didn't add to the song. Them's my thoughts :-) Good to hear another from you!
ttfn,
Drakonis

michael2 said 508 days ago
drak
thanks for the comments, i always appreciate your honesty. as for the synth noise, i can never do a traditional pop arrangement as it's just not in my blood (taste is a funny thing huh?). the tips on recording the mic are a great idea. i record in a small room that is basically an enclosed porch turned into an office(wood clapboard walls). and you are right (as usual): when I pulled further away from the mic, the room sound took over. since I don't have a laptop to use in the real studio downstairs (and moving this computer is not an option), maybe i'll try putting some foam in a box and sing in it. like a poormans vocal booth. thanks for listening, and I'm glad you liked the song itself.

Reinholt56 said 508 days ago
A great song.....
Hi Michael, I thought the concept and performance of the song were excellent. It had my full attention from the intro.

Technically. I'll have to listen a few more times. I can't think of anything at the moment that I would suggest. The singing and words captured my full attention.

Take care.

Paul.

michael2 said 508 days ago
thanks Paul
i'm glad you like the song, and certainly appreciate you taking the time out for a few listens. Like Drak, you are always good for a well thought out honest response. thanks for stopping by.

said 508 days ago
hey
What a great song! I would like to help you. so this song could be all it can be. To me I like the effects and the singing is upfront and very clear.The bass sounds fine but I do hear what your talking about. Do you use M adio to hook straight in and if yes are you recording in as audio or midi. Overall its a very enjoyable song lots of catchy things to keep you interested. My favorite in the song is the beeping kind of synth that is just a step behind everything else! Enjoyed this one much!

michael2 said 508 days ago
thanks
on this song I used the keyboard for a bass, recorded it late last night so I didn't want to bust out the real thing. i think i may try plugging the bass into GB next time. thanks for trying to help, any suggestions are welcome; and I'm glad you like the song.

echoroom said 508 days ago
Excellent track
Michael - this is ace - your voice has never sounded better, and I love the 60's pop-tune mixed with the synths. Vox sounds like it was recorded in a live room - doesnt sounded chorused to me. I like the mix - could do with a little more bottom end maybe (have you tried mixing two bass sounds together?).

A pop gem.

Steve

michael2 said 508 days ago
aha
mixing 2 bass sounds together is something I haven't tried. that's a good idea though, I think I will give it a shot. everything is so thin sounding (guitar and the drums especially), it could definitely use some bottom end. i'm glad that you like the song. thanks for listening, and for the idea.

bud said 508 days ago
What a great track
completely unique and enjoyable. Your voice is excellent here - reminds me a little of Harry Nilson. Personally I like every aspect of this production - I guess I'm not very picky - but I agree with some of the suggestions made by others. The most important thing though is to keep your spontaneous live feel no matter what you do to "improve" your production. Oh - the backup vocals were great.

michael2 said 508 days ago
thanks Bud
appreciate the kind words. this one came pretty easy, i think i was inspired by the Target commercial I saw (had the Apples in Stereo as a soundtrack).

biba_nova said 508 days ago
Sounds very good to me
Is your mic stereo? Are you getting some phase by recording in stereo possibly?

michael2 said 508 days ago
no
i recorded the vocals in mono, it started happening when I started to sing louder and backed off the mic. i used the same mic to record the guitar (seperately), could it get out of phase that way?

biba_nova said 508 days ago
Hmmm
Its possible. If you have soundforge you could try inverting either the vocal recording or the guitar recording and see if it makes a difference (or send me the file and I'll do it for you)

b

michael2 said 507 days ago
hey bryn
thanks for the kind offer, but i'm on to the next one already (the wife is coming home tomorrow an dplay time will be over for the most part). i may take a rain check on that though.

Vic Holman said 508 days ago
when the wifes away michael will play
not just mamas and papas there is some everly brothers as well.
Vocals up front and gooood!
I don't think you can get much bottom end out of a archtop. Mine doesn't

Overall it has been suggested to get some bottom end ( bass geetar) boosted. once thats done I think everything else will fit right into pace.
Of course there is also the Multiband compresor plug in that you can use on the master track. Works as a compressor and kind of a EQ across the sound field



michael2 said 508 days ago
bottom end
would be nice. i think i'm going to mess about with it some more. everly brothers huh? that would be nice.

buckhorn said 507 days ago
M2
You do have and endless supply of hits, and they continue to charm.......when I try to smooth out a vocal I use multiband compressor, one of the presets. If your having problems with midi base levels, try setting the key sensitivity to less sensitive, I find the keys too sensitive, especially if your used to playing a real piano, you could also go to the note editor and assign velocities to each note, but I don't think you'd want to do something that tedious. Latter

cjdaley said 505 days ago
I like
the synth sounds in themselves, so I won't of complain of having them in the song, with their unpretententious, slightly wacky sounds, they add to the coolness of the song and its laidback rendering. For the rest, it's pure Michael2, a charming song with a moving undercurrent.

SmokeyVW said 500 days ago
neat - the next cool
i could see texting all this to my lover

well, maybe i'd send a link to here instead

actually, i'd just ask her to come over here and listen up right now.
yeah. she smiled.

it's new and it's old: a perfect combo

thanks!

sarahjane said 484 days ago
Classy and Fun
This song is reminiscent of the Beatles for me. Its very classy and fun...i loved it!

michael2 said 483 days ago
thanks sarahjane
glad you liked the song. when i put the synths in i was thinking of Abbey Road a bit. welcome to MJ, hope to hear your stuff soon.

Heightened said 408 days ago
A list...
I love simple songs like this - especially when it is so well song!

Artist Profile
michael2 photo
michael2

Artist Bio I'm a guy who never wanted to do anything but play music. I grew up with classic rock and prog rock before discovering punk and the new york dolls once I got to high school. As i got a little older (and less angry), I developed a love of all thi...[more]
Artist Music
Arrangement for Cello and Theremin (w/Luna Trick)
Baby Baby M2 Remax (w/Particledots)
I've Never Seen A U.F.O.
Speculation
So Much Time
Stella Too (w/Jim Bouchard)
Sleeping (w/Bryn,Bibanova,Particledots)
Sapience (No Codes, Can't Send Notes)
Waltz of Time
Ego42 Bday Remix (w/Five Extra Arms)
Was It something I said (w/karmatoburn, jimbouchard, z293, & rich mussacio)
Finally Quiet
Got My Eyes On You (LIOLI 8)
Wish It Would rain
I'll Be Sad (When You're Dead)
We are Marching (w/RSorensen)
Letter of a Heart (by Feter)
I Laugh at Myself
Up Above
Ebo Lotus (w/Dee1962z)
Letter of a Heart (by Feter)
Warped Grungey Electronic Drum Track
Piano's Play
I Hate Being Broke (grand ol opry challenge)
I Need Gasoline (folk-psych)
Stella Too
How Did You? (MJ Coffehouse)
Have You Had Enough?
Wake Up Remix (w/Orbiting)
Greg's Theme (w/gregb)
Turkish Boat Ride
Driving (with my girlfriend)
I'm Uneasy
Underdog (CBGB)
A Handful Of Something (CBGB Challenge)
Tacoma Reaper Experiment
Let's Go Steady
Waiting For Nothing
Prepared Piano (re-mix)
Prepared Piano
Kyoto Glitch
Regret (w/Spitlogic)
What's In The Air? (LIOLI)
You Can Say It's Right (But It Feels Wrong)
Pop Song About an Ex
After All Granular Re-Mix (w/LeDebutante)
Say A Prayer
Worries
I'm Just Fine (fuzz mix)
Estar Listo ( w/ Bud )
I'm Just Fine
What Will You Do?
So Easy To Read
After The Storm
The Berlin Years (w/Bud)
I Could Go To Bed (w/Bud)
Do It For Reasons
Reverse Folk
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Time to Change
Moments in Time #2
Alpha Knock (W/Le Debutante)
God Only Knows (LSP Challenge)
Kalimba Manipulation
Temporal Light
Gleetchlab Experiment
Friends of the Warlocks
I'd Rather Be Dead
Mountain (w/vocals)
What Now? (w/Bud)
Unkind (remix)
Salem Witch Hunt
668 The Neighbor of the Beast
Waters Edge (w/ Buckhorn)
Rings Around the Moon
unfinished
Delay on Ten (w/Mystified)
Warm Inside
Level of Actual (w/Bud)
Cumulus
You Breathe God (W/Vic Homan)
You Breathe God
No Fault (w/Vic Holman)
A List Is Not A Song
Down in the Valley (collab w/ Buckhorn)
In This House
All My Friends
Pretty Soon
Pretty Girlfriend
Green Fields of Canada (Space Re-Mix)
Past the Sky
So Far
Faith Drives You Home
Ocean
Casio CZ-1 Experiment
e-bow sizzle
Can't Help What I Am (LIOLI)
Only The Sun Knows
sequestered
Caught You Smiling
never walk away
Begin to Wonder
Flames Grow Tall
Play Along
A Thoughtful Gift
Wrinkled on the Floor
Slo-Boy Meets Snakecharmer
Thyme Honey
Stayed At Home
Fake Bass
Under Your Skin
Everyone Relies on Time
Caroline Knows
California #1
California #2
Anyone want to try and finish this one?
Even If It's Lies
Darcy
Change Me
Sea-foam Green
Outside
Jamaica
Right As Rain
Dust
Is This Love?
I Can Be Happy
Pet
Castaway
Trust Knot
Unkind
Fractal Psi
I Don't Know
Mendocino
Ember
Like A Person
Delay Loop
Someday
Eve
Topo's Revenge