View Full Version : Cd decision making help
so, after a few delays, my cd master is going to diskfactory this week (btw- great prices for short run- go to musiciansfriend.com for more info-"i am not associated with t hese guys, just did research re: price, quality, quantity, etc...).
we have gotten to the final decisions and there is one song that is a quandry and i'd love your help (hey i put in all you mandocafers in the thanks section, so i figured i could ask). we have one tune that i wrote that is kinda rockin for a just mando, guitar and vocals tune. really good reccurring riff (g7-c7), great vocals-for us, and really nice guitar lead. the only prob is, the cut we did straight through which is powerful and full, has a bit of a thump in the pause between the riff sections, from the pickup. we are able to cut the thump out, but the song loses some power as it sounds a tad clipped and sterile.(wish we could do better, but hey-we don't have studio/mastering cash and the cd sounds pretty darn good if i say so myself).
do i go with the raw version, flaws and all, or the clean version with a bit less umph?
which would you rather hear?
please respond. thanks
ira
Strado Len
Oct-12-2004, 7:12am
Having made a cd with my band, I am well aware of all the difficult choices that must be made. I know that when we recorded and mixed our cd, we listened to each cut many times over until I was aware of every sonic imperfection, and paid less attention to the actual music.
I would suggest that if you have both versions available, let members of your family or friends listen to both, and tell you which they prefer.
My gut feeling is that a technically flawed, but moving, performance may be preferable to a more perfect, but slightly sterilized version.
I depends on how much of an annoyance the interupton is on the raw version. I know I have been disappointed in some live cd's I have bought as it gets annoying to hear the same joke or talk between songs remember people will be listen more than once so if you are getting annoyed cut it if the cut version annoys you more keep it. JMHO
Keith Wallen
Oct-12-2004, 9:04am
I agree with Strado Len. I would try to get other opinions. What you hear may not be as noticable to someone else. It is a tough choice. Good luck and congrats on the CD!
Jeffers
Oct-12-2004, 11:38am
Ok, haven't listened to the track, but I would guess that my opinion would be RAW!!!
Maybe I set my standards lower than you do if you're making a proper CD, but with my home minidisc recordings, flaws are an integral part of the music! If I worry about them too much, by the time I get a take I'm happy with, the music is all flat from overplaying the same tune too much. Are we so vain?? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Bonus track, include both the "radio airplay" cut and the "extended dance" version. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
you know we look and sound so much like shakira, we were considering the arabian, rock, disco, and latin versions, but took too much disc space.:D
anyone else want to chime.
not to butt in, but I should be recieving my cds from diskfactory next week.
It truely was hard picking tunage for the master. but, being a hobbiest, I just picked and burned. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
curious about their (diskfactory) guality and service. we'll see.
sbarnes
Oct-12-2004, 8:13pm
seems to me you could ride the fader(s) on the 'bump' and take it out - then ride the faders back up and nobody know the difference....
Spruce
Oct-12-2004, 8:14pm
"do i go with the raw version, flaws and all, or the clean version with a bit less umph?"
No brainer....
The former...
Check out "Respect" by Aretha....
The vocal clips like crazy, with the pres set too hot....
So be it....
dtb- let me know how it turns out so i know what to expect (btw- anyone else go the diskfactory/musician'sfriend route for dup).
spruce- words of wisdom, as always.........
thank you all for your input.
peace,
ira:cool:
madog99
Oct-13-2004, 2:58am
hey Ira , rockin' tune ? Got to go with the raw version , but maybe I'm biased just a little wee bit ,having heard your other "raw" stuff .
dtb- let me know how it turns out so i know what to expect (btw- anyone else go the diskfactory/musician'sfriend route for dup).
spruce- words of wisdom, as always.........
thank you all for your input.
peace,
ira:cool:
okie dokie
ethanopia
Oct-13-2004, 5:59am
ira I would say if it bothers you a little right now it will only bother more in the future. So pick which ever one bothers you more and and don't go with that one! After about a year you won't even be able to listen to it if it bothers you even a little now.
So if the click bugs you, take it out, but if a weak sounding tune bothers you more go with the click.
Ira,
From having recorded several projects/releases I've found that what had urked me to death isn't noticed 2 years after the fact...Now, occassionally, it still does...and YOU are your own worst critic...I agree, let other people listen to it (don't tell them what to listen for) and see what they say...
what a variety of takes and great advice. thanks guys.
mandolooter
Oct-16-2004, 1:10pm
raw would be my first choice but I'd have to hear em both to make a educated decision. If listening to the commercial radio is any guage my opinion must really suck tho.
well uploaded stuff to diskfaktory so it is all set for duping. we went for the raw, and removed a couple of things where it wouldn't change the quality.
thanks again folks for all of the advice and thoughts. i'm really psyched about the cd. it is a great blend of acoustic music and love it or hate it, sounds like us if you see us live.
madog99
Oct-16-2004, 1:33pm
well uploaded stuff to diskfaktory so it is all set for duping. we went for the raw, and removed a couple of things where it wouldn't change the quality.
thanks again folks for all of the advice and thoughts. i'm really psyched about the cd. it is a great blend of acoustic music and love it or hate it, sounds like us if you see us live.
I'm glad you made that choice , after listening to your other "raw" stuff !!
mandolooter
Oct-16-2004, 1:38pm
cool ira...from newbie to CD in such a short time! I really like most of the stuff I listened to so keep it up. The mando's sounding good, any noticable change as time has went on? Im not sure if a flat-topped instrument "opens up" or not. Take care bro http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif
i dont know about opening up or what it should sound like. there has been a definite change in the sound of the mando, but i have changed string brand, gotten slightly more proficient, and added an armrest. so not sure about what has contributed more.