Feeling guilty
When reviewing a song, how much should the standard of the sound quality and production matter? I ask because, without mentioning names, I've reviewed one or two songs by a recent newcomer to the forum, and I've been quite critical of the sound which I felt was poor which prevented me from giving an objective opinion. A shame because I can hear some great ideas.
I feel a bit guilty. We can't all afford the best gear and we all have to start somewhere and learn as we go along. Should we just be reviewing the song as is, or is the sound quality/production of importance? Wondering what other members think.
Comments
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Yes, I do try and tell it as I hear it. I don't think I've ever lied to anyone on the forums. But I appreciate that not everyone has the same knowledge, same standard of equipment etc. So I do try and see beyond a poor recording if at all possible. I will comment about the quality or lack of, but if I can hear good ideas then I'll bring that up too, as I have with your material. I'm over-thinking it I know, but I have a conscience about these things.
Good luck with the recording. Keep 'em comin'!😀
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Well sometimes I feel the guilt when I just don't like the song, and yeah, presentation matters . . . but my guilt comes from "having nothing useful to say, so say nothing" . . . when really something needs to be said, something positive and helpful. If there is really a song there, it should shine through the blemishes of the recording I think. I heard a song on another site where it was captured 1+1 live on iPhone, kind of crackly raw and thin sounding . . . but you could hear a passionate song delivered. Then later it got recorded properly . . . because of that passion, and it sounded absolutely awesome !
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"You guys must know, the playing field going against (Majors) is more brutal than the (Stock Market )"
"Pro tools is only 400 bucks, all you need and a decent mike ". The writing better scare the (pros) too "
"That's the hard part"
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You gotta ask yourself : "If you're not on a full-time music- addiction , what else are you going to do" ?
"Chase women or men ?, Do drugs ?, Waste your time... on endless Net flix movies ? Ponder life with no answers "?
"Waste our time: watching wars where religions were born" ?
"Chase the imagery American Dream "? "Then you'll feel guilty" . (No doubt there) . "Mister Jones: has a better useless roof then me"
I think with all of them : "You will be in Fight, flight, freeze mode"
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When you can, sound the person out on the issue.
There's clearly times when someone is obviously still working on the song itself, so production issues are obviously second order until that's sorted.
If it's a finished piece, then it's a bit harder. Some people, such as myself, aren't trying to create commercial recordings, nor even a demo track. But I'd still like it to have a clear and balanced mix, and to be told if it's missing in the top/bottom registers, or sounds thin, or things like that. I'd like it to be as good as I can get it, even if that's never going to be to a professional standard.
There have been, and will in future be, people for whom the recording is only a means to share the song. And the song itself is all they want feedback on. Unfortunately, there is seldom any way to find that out other than by giving constructive feedback and then them replying that that kind of feedback isn't what they were looking for.
My advice is to go gently, but go there. Any feedback is better than none.
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'My advice is to go gently, but go there'
Very nicely put RDM.
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First off, I would look at if the individual is trying to present a simple, clean demo version of a song, or if he is going all out and making a "full production" from his home/project studio.
If it is the former, by its nature it is easier to sort your review as you know the song is the 'thing' here, and the arrangement is either simple support, or a stripped-down version of how the song can sound.
If you hear something that is "full instrumentation" and arranging, that in itself asks you for a review as this is part of the offering, of the artist. It is likely (ask) that this will be the final effort all around, or at least one big step on the way, Thus it invites thoughts on mixing/instumentation/overall sound.
If you feel tied up by shortcomings in what you are hearing, look for useful details, like a line, or even a word, things that stick out as positive.
That's how I approach it.
C.
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I tend to look at the lyrics first. If there's an acompaniment or musical arrangment and then maybe production. Hopefully, that way I can accommodate for the varying skill level and experience of everybody on the forum.
I've got to admit I do like the mixing and production side of things. But for me, if I haven't got the first two, a high level production isn't always necessary.
I still tend to record acoustic versions on my phone as an aid to memory. It's an art itself. As long as end result is representative of the song, it shouldn't matter.
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Some interesting comments here.
Unfortunately the guy that triggered me to start this thread has decided to do a sudden exit from this forum - and also another which I frequent...so his response here has been deleted.
I sincerely hope I didn't contribute to his decision to jump ship, but he asked me to be honest about his music, so I was. I have a feeling that he was a beginner..we've all been there so I was keen to offer him advice. But he did himself no favours with some of the things he said. A couple of the guys on the other forum were very unforgiving which doesn't really surprise me, but I have a conscience about these things. I wish him well. I hope he returns when he's got the basics together.😀
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@ChrisPrice the person mentioned received some abusive responses outside of this forum, and decided to remove their material until they decided how best to manage the situation. I spoke to them before they left and they were positive about this forum and expressed a desire to return at some unspecified point. So I don't think you need worry about any of your comments.
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Thanks for the update RDM. I'm glad he's okay.
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Chris. The truth is better than being nice. Tell them what you hear. You have a great ear. Share it!!1
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it's a tuff biz , You best grow leather hide , fans can also be brutal
you can't make everyone happy
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Howdy, Stranger!