Man, this tune rocks. I mean it rocks. Then, it keeps rocking and then it rocks some more!
OK, let me back up. I started this afternoon just spinning "Turn it Up", and thought I'd work on it, since I didn't have to be to work today (holiday and all). So, I hooked up the bass and played the part live, to replace the synth bass I'd been using all along.
I've always liked using synth bass because I can quantize it. I really like my bass and drums to be locked solid in step, and I just don't think I play precisely enough to pull it off. But the sound of a live bass guitar is always punchier than a synth. What to do?
Well, it turns out that with the time warp features of Cubase SX 3, you can tighten up the timing of audio as well as MIDI. It means you have to open up the wave and edit it directly, but it can be done, and it's not that hard. It is a little more time consuming, though.
So, I did it. Then I thought, "While I'm here, I'll cut the bass for 'Play the Cards', too." So I did, then I tightened that one up, too.
Then, I thought, why not add the lead guitar back into "Turn it Up"? Because of the way I wanted to mix it, I ended up adding four tracks of lead guitar. One spot in the intro, to be panned center, in the same place as the lead vocal, some fill leads to be mixed just behind the lead vocal, and then the main solo. That one is really two solos, trading off, and I'll pan those slightly L and R, like dueling guitars... :-)
At that point, I put down a synth line. I'd been debating putting that in the horns, but I just was having a hard time hearing horns in this tune. It just wasn't working for me. But with the synth, it really brings in that '80's hair-metal sound this song is beggin' for.
Finally, I'm thinkin' that I might as well go ahead and cut the lead vocals. So, I do my warm-ups, and cut a buncha tracks. I haven't comped them yet, but it felt right in my zone, right in my range. It's an amazingly easy song to sing, so I was able to really let go and have fun with it.
Then, some harmony vocals.
So, now all I have to do is to comp the lead, and mix it. Another song to be done. I'm hoping to have it all done by the end of the week.
Then, when I finish up one more, either "Play the Cards" or "Where's My Soul", I'll be back on track to my goal of two new songs each quarter.
MRKH - Mark Hansen
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