I've decided to make all my material free from this point on. I've lost interest in monetising songs. A new track for you all.

and a link to all the songs.
https://layker.bandcamp.com

 

Last edited by a moderator: Mar 2, 2021

To be honest.
Music is great. I loved it.
Like something between Tycho and Ivy.
But I don't like the vocal.
Maybe because I hate strongly autotuned vocals.
When I hear autotune I don't like it.
And maybe because in this type of music I prefer listening to only music.

Will be great if You had instrumental version too.

 

I'm sorry. I'm not really a singer. I'm just trying to do my best with what I have.

 

Great track, thanks for posting @Lenny Belardo II.

 

My advice. Try to use less autotune.
Natural is always the best.
It's like with fake tits.
Smaller but natural are better than big ugly ballooned fakes.

 

I found it!
I don't know why but intro or even whole track reminds me Yppah track.
But that's good. Something between Tycho, Ivy, Yppah.
Equals own style.
I just prefer this type of tracks without vocal.
I imagined Your vocal from this track in some R.E.M song type.
Like Everyobody hurts. More acoustics type. In my opinion in this type of music Your vocal fitting more well.
Maybe I have that thoughts because Your vocal reminds me of Michael Stipe.

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2021

Bit of a vocal volume jump at .57 sec on the vocal?
Maag eq air band 40k is good on vocals.

 

My mistake! I pushed it up 2db to get on top of the synth stabs then decided the synth stabs needed to come down 2db and forgot to pull the vocal down.
I'll try Maag on the vocal. I used bx Digital V3 to push the top end but I get scared of sibilance which emphasises my lispy elocution lessoned voice.

 

I've been watching a lot of tutorials sometimes they take out the high with a normal eq like pro q3 or also de-ess but add it back in with the maag or eiosis. I've tried it sounds nice.
Kush clariphonic is also good on vocals. Dave Pensado used it in his Groove3 course. You can prob find it on the sister site.
Would be nice if your vocal had a bit more air and shine on the top maybe even a hall reverb does it. Just something higher then where the snare is.
Trackspacer on your synth sidechained to the vocal could also help there as it just ducks the vocal fq.

 

It has taken me 40 years to stop making music for other people. I have never sung because I am bad. But in retirement, I really have learned to love writing songs again. I sing them because I don't know anyone else who will. I will let go of auto tune as soon as I can, but I'm an impatient producer with others and worse with myself. I allow myself two takes and then I'm bored. So I "fix it in the mix" with too much reverb so my vocal flaws aren't so noticeable. Stupid really. I spend a week arranging the song, then ten minutes doing the vocal.

 

I am one of the narrow group of people who finds "autotune artifacts" very annoying. That's why I try to convince anyone I can to not use it on that strong level or don't use it at all.

 

Well fortunately I am not making music to please you.

 

can i suggest something Lenny.
Have you tried singing in the same key but an octave or two lower?
A different tone less forced might be less noticable

 

I have been deliberately changing the keys of my compositions over the course of the last 25 songs I have sung. When I was in my early 20's, singing backing vocals, my tenor range could comfortably reach an A above middle C. When I began singing for my own songs last November I could only reach a E. This was a small triumph to have stretched my vocal chords back to my youth now that I'm in my mid 60's. I agree, it is strained but I am happy I can do it. This was my high note a few months ago. Yes, it is a better sound. But I just wanted to know if I could get back up there.

 

To my ears, you are singing the verse on here at a lower octave (or perhaps just not as loud) and the resultant tone is less distracting than the "shrill" that is evidence of the first song.

I know you said you are not making music to please the other guy (or me) but I struggle to listen to your songs because the vocals are so upfront.

I still think that if you sang one octave down from what you believe is your "natural register" then the songs will be showcased far more.
I realise that's easier said than done though

 

Lenny, I enjoy your music very much. Truly. Thanks for sharing.

Whenever someone starts with, "To be honest," duck!

 

I though that contructive criticism is always welcome.
Often someone who listen to something for the first time can see a more things because if You work on something Your ears get used to it. We only here to help.
Someone may try to apply the advice or simply ignore it.
I'm not a toxic and treat everyone with respect and not criticize.
It's only my opinion, my two words which can be ignored.
But maybe You have right.
Lenny don't ask for advices and this thread isn't in unfinished category.
Before I noticed it, it was too late.

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2021

I love this song(cold start)

 

Thank you very much. I am truly pleased to hear somebody expressing their reaction to the song.

 

I like it. You are talented. I listened Water Falls and Cold Star, both songs are excellent compositions. Thanks for share