Cleaning up to a brighter sound outcome is not an easy road to travel. Each instrument here shown on the monitor screen can be altered to many different sounds by tweaks of numerous dials. So the whole idea of how the song sounds when they are all played in the mix, is based on a profound amount of subjectivity. Objectivity to apply yourself to an intended result gets lost as new sounds present themselves with the slightest alteration of a dial turned, button pushed, graphic equaliser bent or used instrument for a melody changed to another choice. It is like being a kid in a toy shop.

Added to this is trying to get either a crispness to the overall sound. Or a dreamy swirling and haunting sound that washes over the listener. Presently I have no idea as to what I am doing in all these considerations. Neither the skill nor the knowledge is present here in Summersville. Probably never will be. A bass playing songwriter is my happy place. Not having to try to adopt a music sound producer role. A producer in a studio is a truly valuable addition for a band. When bands go into a recording studio, what one producer hears is very different from another producer. It is how those iconic albums from your favourite bands are either won or lost. A George Martin, Tony Visconti or Clive Langer/Alan Winstanley would capture sound at profound levels. Alan Winstanley? Sound Engineers are important too.

Late last night I opened up the song below and over about half an hour tweaked some of the individual instrument sounds and the overall brightness. This song is myself playing all the instruments and vocals. Apart from the drums. They are from the GarageBand library. I would like a few more harmony parts of my voice in places. And a couple of simple instrumental additions to bring in randomly for a quick visit and then disappear having shown their face and said hello. Am I pleased with this result. I am pleased it is another small step forward. I suppose as Jonny Mozza says in his YouTube videos. Just get the song out there and stop mucking about with it. No one will probably hear it anyway. I love Jonny Mozza. Well worth a visit to his site on YouTube. His views on life are both charming and very useful for when you are feeling low or at odds with life.

Anyways……..the song. Best heard through headphones or earbuds. 🎧 Or wearing a Tip Top Hat. 🎩

Think of some of the bands you love and how different their albums sound at the hands of different producers. I know of bands that would have loved certain producers for their albums, but haven’t been able to organise the collaboration due to busy schedules. Successful and failed results are truly in the lap of the Gods.

I suppose albums recorded by artists hang on the brilliance of a producer completely understanding the band’s soul. I listened to a half hour interview with James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers regarding sound aims on their ‘Everything Must Go’ album. They themselves were going through the loss of their band member Richey Edwards. He disappeared in 1995 and has never been found since. So the whole experience was immersed in emotions. That album, for a three piece band with extra instrumental sounds added, is iconic.

It becomes really interesting as to how the feel of a song should be developed. And onwards to achieving the eventual sound synergy being satisfyingly captured. Especially when a plethora of choices is to be considered. All those dials for editing how instruments and vocals sound. It is a mindblowing presentation of choice. You could go over the top with simply layering on layering to profound levels. What really matters? It is achieving a generic recognised self sound that identifies with yourself. To become the producer of that self sound. This should be the true focus. Simplicity I suppose. I love simplicity. Hey Yano. Played a few keyboard sounds, altered percussion sound and sang a simple lyric and melody.

Simplicity can now get lost however. The act of self promise to keep it all simple.

‘Gone are the promises that held your hand. Leading you into the fight’.

Lyrics by Gray Summers.

However. Complicated searching and experimentation still produces fabulousness. Think of the Phil Spector unique sound. Or seeking eclectic instrumental and synthesiser choices for inclusions which then gives unique sound to each and every individual song or album. The Beatles, Roy Wood, Bjork and David Bowie come to mind. They all experiment trying to find a synergy of new exciting sounds through inventions and explorations. Deep Forest and Groove Armada come to mind too. Their World Music mixing is sublime. Forest Hymn by Deep Forest is often my go to for uplifting and changing dark mood to brighter outlook and bringing peace of mind.

With all this in ‘mind’, that is why collaboration is so important for giving both balance and skills knowledge to getting a decent result.

I am an infant in this process of needed skills. I have no idea of what I am doing. Presently I cannot lock myself away in my home recording room called The Den and simply get on with my songwriting and search to find my own Frail Autumn sound. A certain very needy Frankie the Fella cat has halted that luxury. But that’s another story.

MOVE INTO THE RHYTHM OF LIFE.

I don’t know why

I’m living in a sea of heartache.

I should be high

Living up and having a party.

But oh no! Not me.

Oh no! Can’t you see.

Chorus:

Moving to the rhythm of life,

Caught in the passage of time

Moving all the way to a better place

I can call mine.

I’m lost in the rhythm called love

It’s something I can call my own

I found my way to that perfect place

I call it Home.

Call your name

Down through the winds of sorrows

Call out loud

Until I can’t face any tomorrow’s.

Oh no, not me

Oh no, can’t you see.

And so the story goes

To where? No one knows

Borne out of promises

Not worn out wishes…….