\"I Hurt Today\"

[Mikem]

Hey all,

I thought I'd share my latest completed project, just to see what you guys think.

It's a song called \"I Hurt Today\", written and sung by Allison Affleck. I did the arranging and played all the instruments, as well as mixing and mastering it. I began the project in Nuendo 2 and finished it in SX3. There is heavy use of my UAD-1's, of course!

I Hurt Today.mp3

Enjoy!

-Mike

 

[Mikem]

People viewing and possibly listening, but not commenting. Hmm....is it that bad?

 

[marc777]

Hi Mikem,

Real busy at present, but will reply later on!

Heard it a couple of times and like what I hear, so far.

Talk to you later!

Marc777

 

[jaredq]

I thought the song was very good.The bass sounds a little light,maybe a little more bottom along with some warmth and more legato type playing.The piano was played well but the sample is weak sounding.I think a nice hammond b3 instead of the strings would sound nice. The guitars and vocals sounded real nice.I especially liked the beginning with just the singer and the acoustic guitar.To be honest I really liked the whole song.You should try to promote the song and the singer.Both are very good.

 

[Mikem]

Hey Jared,

Thanks for the comments. I'll see if I can beef up the bass a tad. And the piano is actually just EQed so as not to compete with the rest of the mix. So it's been intentionally \"weakened.\" I arrived at the sound after a lot of experimenting, but I guess I could keep trying.

The piano isn't supposed to be a focal point, mind you.

And she wanted strings.

 

[jaredq]

I gotta be honest Mikem.I am kind of old school when it comes to mixing and recording.You really have a more modern sound goig for sure.Me being a piano player, I seem to lean toward having it more up front and in stereo.
Yea those sweet sounding strings really make the girls weak in the knees.
I kind of like the sound of a smooth fender jazz bass.

 

[Mikem]

I've posted an updated mix. I'm not sure you'll even discern much of a difference, but I addressed a few issues that had been brought to my attention.

 

[jaredq]

Piano is much better.While listening to the song at one point it makes me think of the Cranberries but then on the chorus it reminds me of sarah mclachlan. I would guess the songwriter is heavily influenced by these two acts.Which to me is a good thing.I have always enjoyed their work.Your arrangement skills bring that out also.
Nice job Mikem. 

 

[Mikem]

OK, new mix up, same link.
New bass patch, new EQing on drums and bass, less reverb on drums, less reverb on vocals intro and on drums throughout and a little less reverb on guitar solo.
I think this mix is better, because my wife even noticed it sounded better.

 

[Michael]

Sounds real nice ! I like the improvements you made I didn't get the chance to reply about the first mix but the new version sounds real nice.

 

[toystein]

This song sounds great, very professional, it has a cranberries / natalie merchant vibe, probably due to the signature backup vox at parts. Everything is very well played.

The mix and mastering jobs are so clean and pro sounding. I wish I could get that type of sound.

From a songwriting perspective I don't think she's crashing through any barriers. Very girlie type lyrics safe arrangement and predictable instumentation. Of course this gives her a very professional sound so what do I know.

Overall, I like the tune. It's pleasant to listen to and is very well engineered.

Cheers!

 

[sniper]

i agree with toystein, i hear a bit of cranberries in there.

to me this is a very relaxing song/sound.
BUT send those drums throuh an 1176!

IMHO the song lacks a bit of jeff lynne!
bus'em through a heavilly choked 1176ln and mix that 1176 bus with the other drums.

 

[Mikem]

Sniper,

I already did just that, actually. Perhaps it's more subtle than you'd prefer, I guess.

 

[Dr_Jones]

Hi Mike, very nice indeed. Can you tell me a little bit about how you processed the vocals? - I really like what you did with her voice. I'm still having a little trouble making a lead vocal punch through the mix. thanks.

 

[Mikem]

Thanks for the ongoing comments, guys.

I've uploaded a new mix (same link--see above) that includes a real bass. I didn't change much else.

Please let me know if you spot any glaring mixing problems. This is the last pass before I upload it to garageband.com.

Go here if you want to hear the \"acoustic\" version of the song. It was the direction Allison wanted to take the song, so this more \"band\" version has been my own undertaking (although she's really liked the results).

Thanks,

Mike

P.S. Dr_Jones (Indy?), I'll reply to your inquiry when I have a bit more time. Thanks for asking.

 

[Sparky2]

I dig this...I am partial to \"earthy\" stuff sung by great sounding female vocalists ...

* Mix sounds pretty much dead-on to me...nice blend of the harmonies with the lead
* Nice guitar, electric and acoustic

** Some of the snare fills seem a little stiff and mechanical


On the whole...really like this mix and tune...

 

[dBRider]

Yeah Mike,

Great song and super job tracking it!...How about throwing us a bone and sharing your signal chain???

Acoustic to drums would be sweet. :wink:

dB

 

[Mikem]

My signal chain is rather boring and cheap, I'm afraid: Studio Projects C1 into Studio Projects VTB-1 into RME HDSP 9632 into Nuendo 2 for vocals. I used a few UAD-1 plug-ins as inserts. This last version actually utilizes the Plate 140, too.

 

[dBRider]

Thanks Mike...Dosen't sound cheap.

You mentioned that you used both SX and Nuendo, did you find that they sound different?

dB

 

[Mikem]

I didn't notice any difference. If I can afford the upgrade, I do plan to get Nuendo 3 (if for no other reason than to keep up with the versions so I won't have to pay tons more later for a future upgrade). The most useful new feature of SX3 for me has been the insert freeze (especially for UAD-1 plug-ins).

Who is Chris? :wink: