DonaldM

Well, here's a few of mine.

Dave...I liked it a lot. Good over all mix. And I agree with the others...keep the vocoder effect, sounds great. I only have two minor tweak suggestions for the mix. At the beginning I would add just a touch of reverb to the vocal. The guitar, piano and synth right there all sound good and 'alive', but the vocal sounds a bit wooden in comparison. A touch of reverb there would liven it, I think. Second, when the vocal does come in, I'd be tempted to bring the synth lead down just a touch...that higher pitch sound tends to overshadow the vocal on some notes just a bit. As I said, these are minor tweak suggestions. Its a great piece. A keeper as they say. Well done!!

I actually started out playing the accordian when I was wee lad. And I still have that old accordian from all those years ago. Its probably worth some bucks by now. Collectors item or something. Maybe I should MIDI retrofit it! I wonder how a bellows shake would work in MIDI...hmmm... (just kiddin' guys!! It'd be inhuman to even try!)

I didn't see this intro thread til just now. I've been lurking around here, posting from time to time for about 6-7 months I guess. I've really enjoyed the wit, help and great ideas shared here. My name is Donald and I'm really a synth-recording hobbyist guy. I do have a recording label and have actually produced 4 or 5 recordings for a local sacred music pianist, one of which had national distribution through what used to be Benson Music in Nashville, TN. But that was a loooonnng time ago. I've playing with synths since the days of the ARP2600 and Moogs. My Masters Degree in Audiology gave me a jump start in understanding the basics of synthesis and how they work. My very first keyboard, which I still have, is was a Siel DK600. I loved programming it and creating different sounds. I'm also a guitar player (acoustic) and have played for over 40 years. I used to do coffee houses and such in my younger days. I grew up on Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Paul Simon, and all those guys. Today, I have a nice little recording/midi set-up that includes: Yamaha Motif XS8 Yamaha TX-7 Yamaha RX-5 Korg DW8000 Siel DK600 Yamaha TX81Z Casio CZ-1 Mackie Onyx 32 mixer ART Multi-Verb Akai AE30P Midi mixer Yamaha KX5 portable controller Software: Pro Tools LE7.3.1, with Xpand, Hybrid, and Structure soft synths, as well as several plug-in effects. 2 Acoustic steel string guitars: Guild F-20 and an Alvarez. I have a hand-made Mexican classical guitar 1 lap dulcimer, 1 Mandolin and 1 Bandurria (if you don't know what that is, google it! Its from Spain!!) I do all this for the sheer fun of it as well as teach my 16 year old daughter the basics, because she's got the gift for writing music and playing the keys. My favorite thing to do is write and arrange music. Thanks to all who have provided me with answers to my many questions. Donald M

Comfortably numb...really like it. Great mix, great song concept and excellent match of music with lyric. The feel of the music captures the message of the lyric. Also liked the female vocals (who is that, by the way...great voice!). Guitar lick was near perfect...understated, but carried a high emotional impact in that moment. Excellent work!