Moving on demo

Heres a link to my new song: http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/danielm
Its really just a first demo and I wanted some advice on improving as this is the first time I've recorded and mixed a song.

Also don't mention my singing voice I knows its terrible but i made this by myself and at it's just there to give you an idea on how it goes

@ madman3123
Actually you have a fine voice. sort of like Al Stewart. I'm a novice at recording too. Emperism and skold have more experience with that so maybe they'll comment.
The rhythm track was clean but the playing on the lead track needs some work. It sounded "forced" and out of tune in some parts. Keep working on it.
Phip

All the guitar was done on my acoustic and I was just jamming along to it and I kinda got carried away and tried to do a bend once or twice which probably contributed to it.

And the general consensus with people is my voice is pretty flat.

Recording sounded bad, but that's ok (for now). Your voice isn't bad, you just need to sing on key a little bit more (and louder, I might add). As a very wise person once told me, "It's like someone's in the next room and you're too embarrassed to sing louder". If you're singing doesn't improve, I would suggest looking for someone who can do the job better, because you can have the best music in the world, but if you don't have the right voice in front of it, it just isn't gonna sound nor feel right.

It sounded to me like you recorded this with a PC mic - Get rid of it, and buy a real mic. You'll also want to get a mixer or a workstation (which will improve the recording quality quite vastly if you know how to use it).

The first few seconds of the song didn't really catch me nor impress me. I wouldn't use this as a demo. With a demo, what you really want to do is show the producers/labels what you CAN or ARE thinking about doing with the song.

I'll get a copy of a CD of all of my old recordings from a friend of mine, and I'll let you compare it to the new recordings.

ok thanks and yea I do have a PC mike but I don't really have the money for anything better.

How would I improve my singing voice?

@TheAmericanBrit

What great advice.

To add for your demo, is it to get a label contract or to pass out to other musicians to try and get into a band? Or just a rough version of a song?

If you need to improve your voice. Sing to songs when you listen to them. Sing the song over and over. try singing it differently in an octave higher or lower.

I've been told that I lack confidence when i sing which is true I'm not confident. I think your not either (welcome to the club) Try singing from your gut and really belting it out.

Guitars was nicely played. Recording was full of "ticks" and "plops" that cause when it cut over... PC mic is horrible when recording. I dont know whatkind of computer you have, but soundard+POD or a like or mixer is strongly recommended as TAB said.

Singing voice improve when you sing :D...so dont hesitate to sing high and low and try different styles freely. It improve by time, but more pay attention to singing technique that dont sing from throat, but from deep. I remember saw one Jazzys post that its recomended to stand when singing... so now with your pc mic you prolly sit when sing.

Recording vocals you should try double them in sequencer... or maybe use stem vocals. I could say that song was promising start when you get proper equips.

mixing and mastering is an different thing, but you cant do that well if your actual recording tracks are cutted over or otherwise bad quality.

I do sit but I try and keep my back straight and muscles relaxed. I'll try the singing tips when I can but right now I got a cold and my throat hurts a bit so I'm not gonna trying when my voice sounds pretty **** already.

I'm not doing this to try and get signed I just have fun writing songs and it a good way to show how I'm feeling. Also it will serve as a draft on how it should go when my band gets fully organised if the others want to do it...



Being signed would be nice tho :P

Aye, if recording to just for getting ideas up, its same what quality it is. When it comes to band recording stuff, you need recording mixer table... or cash to buy time in studio.

yea but we would all chip in not just me.

Although I think there is a recording studio nearby that will let starting bands record for £5 per hour which is easily affordable.

that not much. even it takes few hours to get all the tracks recorded... but if you mix and master tracks there in studio...man, that takes time.

But anyway have fun with the metronome...tic tac tac tac tic tac tac tac xD

...did I ever told that I hate metronome? :P

btw, signed under some label isnt always a best thing. They say how your stuff should or MUST sound. They give you a route and if you step a side they resign... crap if you ask me. It have its good sides, but Iron Maiden forexample started with selling by mail.

There plenty of choises...what route to choose is up to you.

Wise words, Emp.

yea I've joined another band for a mate after their old guitarist only really owned a guitar, didn't try to learn at all. He wants to be signed by some label from those mainstream bands but I wouldn't cause mainstream music is mostly manufactured. I'd like to be signed by a label like roadrunner.

But anyways this is all wishful thinking I'm here now making my music and thats all that matters currently.

Old: http://www.mediafire.com/?2hmdttllj4n

New: http://media.putfile.com/The-American-Brits---Its-Ok-unfinished-34

Your voice isn't the problem - You're singing is.

Try to sing on key a bit more. A good way to do this is to not be afraid to sing louder. I've found that when I get embarrassed and start trying to "safe-it", I start singing off key and, overall, BADLY. Don't be afraid to use your voice, man.

ok so just sing louder then and i'll be in key more.
Oh and thanks for all the advice everyone this is gonna help on my other acoustic songs :D

Well, it helps me. Don't be afraid of singing a bit off key, though. Sometimes, singing slightly off key is what makes a song.