Evil Inside... Satchwood's music, my lyrics and vocals...

[Maverick31]

Now this is my first time trying to step outside my natural vocal sound. If you want to here my natural sound, search for my AIC "Again" cover.
I have about 4 versions of this song, trying to change my voice and the way that I sing.

I ended up changing some of my lyrics, but that's just how it goes sometimes. Satchwood originally did his own version of Evil Inside (which was outstanding) with his vocals and this backtrack, but I knew that I needed to attempt to sing my own lyrics at some point instead of just cover songs.

Just keep in mind that I had to go out of my way to sound different, and I don't know if it works well.

If you'd like me to post my other takes of this song, let me know.

Thanks.

[Maverick31]

Woops, Satchwood said he liked this version... I'll post it as well.




Oh, and please excuse my voice, I've never tried to sing like that... but I'd still love to here your comments.

[Ted]

I like the guitar riff, and the groove.  With the addition of Satchwood, it reminds me of Yngwie and The Stooges.

As for the vocals, I think you've fallen into the insecure singer trap:  Too much reverb.

I think your vocal delivery is pretty good.  IIWYP, I'd have put some compression on those vocals to even out the levels, and backed way off the reverb.

This is the kind of song where some presence on the mic would increase the evil factor a lot, and make it sound like the Great Evil Songcrafter is speaking right into your ear (instead of singing to no one in particular inside an empty, echoing, gymnasium).

[Maverick31]

I actually only have a mic to use. As far as reverb, it's only a life effect, and I have an  echo effect... you know, like a delay... it's just kind of my style I guess.
I don't know anything about compression, as most of you know, I just started this singing business. I'm restricted to have an USB plug-in mic and Cakewalk as far as software.

Thanks for the response though.

[The Reverend 48]

As for the vocals, I think you've fallen into the insecure singer trap:  Too much reverb.

 I'd have put some compression on those vocals to even out the levels, and backed way off the reverb.

This is the kind of song where some presence on the mic would increase the evil factor a lot, and make it sound like the Great Evil Songcrafter is speaking right into your ear (instead of singing to no one in particular inside an empty, echoing, gymnasium).

I made a similar observation over the way Ted...............

[Satchwood]

Lots of angry sounding emotion in your voice!  I think you got a good grunge metal type voice!

This is the kind of song where some presence on the mic would increase the evil factor a lot, and make it sound like the Great Evil Songcrafter is speaking right into your ear (instead of singing to no one in particular inside an empty, echoing, gymnasium).

I agree that an upclose "in-the-ear" vocal would really add some impact to the lyrics, especially during the verses.  Keep singing, and give it try!

Sorry I can't comment too much on the reverb issue, since I tend to have the same issue often in my vocals :~)

[Maverick31]

I think your vocal delivery is pretty good.  IIWYP, I'd have put some compression on those vocals to even out the levels, and backed way off the reverb.

This is the kind of song where some presence on the mic would increase the evil factor a lot, and make it sound like the Great Evil Songcrafter is speaking right into your ear (instead of singing to no one in particular inside an empty, echoing, gymnasium).

Sorry, I also don't know what you mean by vocal compression.
Again, this cakewalk program is kind of strange, so I don't know much about it.

Also about the last part of your comment, I don't know what you mean about the whole mic thing, I mean that's what I'm using... it's the only thing I have.

[Ted]

Sorry, I also don't know what you mean by vocal compression.
Again, this cakewalk program is kind of strange, so I don't know much about it.

Also about the last part of your comment, I don't know what you mean about the whole mic thing, I mean that's what I'm using... it's the only thing I have.

Here's an article on compression:

Compression Basics
If you have ever recorded a guitar solo that you wish had more sustain, or a vocalist that is too soft at some points and too loud in others, or perhaps a bass or percussion track is lost in the background and just not punchy enough, this article is for you.

The concept:

A compressor is like having your own private recording specialist that listens to your track and continually adjusts the volume to reduce it at the highest points to make the overall average sound appear louder and or more balanced.

"Presence" as I meant it, is the apparent distance between the source of the sound and the microphone and/or the ears.  The more reverb you use, the farther away the source of the sound seems to the listener--regardless of how close the mic was when it was recorded.

Here's a more technical definition:

• Presence
  A balance between the attack and main tone of a instrument.

[Maverick31]

Thanks, but I'm not sure that Cakewalk has the function to compress... at least I haven't found it.

[Maverick31]

"Presence" as I meant it, is the apparent distance between the source of the sound and the microphone and/or the ears.  The more reverb you use, the farther away the source of the sound seems to the listener--regardless of how close the mic was when it was recorded.

Here's a more technical definition:

• Presence
  A balance between the attack and main tone of a instrument.

Now I understand what you mean here... so basically just cut back the reverb. I just like the "live" sound that it gives off. I was never trying to really hide my voice.