Help me spend some money - music samples inside

[eyesliketv]

Eyes Like Television - ReverbNation
I just finished a new song..its called Crimes. I bought some new gear (with the help of some peoples suggestions on GS) a few months ago and this is one of the songs I've made...

Now I'm thinking about vocal lessons, but I think I can sing already. Im also thinking about room treatment - which is a must a hear these days.

From listening to the song(s) from my page....what do you think I should do?

I dont need the craziest gear....example...top notch room treatment or better pre's...My Main goal is to record some great demos and have the songs finished before I go into a real studio.

Sorry to drag on.....question is again....room treatment or gear update....or vocal lessons...and let the real producers and engineers take care of the gear issues.

[mikethedrummer]

Crimes is very cool!
I actually really like the lo-fi vibe of it
Has an old death cab feel

If you take lessons, you can work with the instructor on relative pitch and improving your range so instead of double tracking you could layer harmonies to add fullness instead of dissonant unison.

If you DIY your own acoustic treatment you can spend less than $500 and have a REALLY nice sounding room. The most important part of any recording is the source, treatment improves the sound of source ten fold!

The track itself could have used more compression in the vocals at certain points, some other minor mixing things. That all comes down to practicing a whooolllee lot. Its not a bad idea to rent out a top notch studio just for a day or invest in a producer. When you roll with the big dogs you learn exponentially.

I mean the ideal answer is to invest in all three, but its up to you at the end of the day. Do what makes you happy and what you think will pay off the most

[ohmicide]

you don't seen top notch room treatment, just some diy bass traps and moving blankets

what gear are you currently using?

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by mikethedrummer

The most important part of any recording is the source, treatment improves the sound of source ten fold!

Exactly, and it helps even more when mixing. As you and alehoe said, it doesn't have to cost a lot if you DIY.

--Ethan

[eyesliketv]

Hey Mikethedrummer...Im glad you like Crimes ....been working on that one for awhile and I was getting a little pessimistic with it. Im sure you know how it goes....after working on something for so long.....using the linear part of the brain stalls creativity ....in my opinion anyway.

For equipment I use....

A MacBook Pro 15"
Ableton Live 7
NI Komplete - Guitar Rig/ Absynth/ Battery etc
1972 or 74 Garnet Tele copy
Squire Bass
CAD Mic...cant remember the exact make.....
ART Gold Pre
And some cheap monitors.....I swear my old computer speakers with a sub(2.1) were better to use....but who knows....maybe it makes my mixes better.
I occasionaly use headphones for monitoring too


For bass traps.....im so confused as to were I should start....or blankets.......i mean when i sing i make sure the thin curtains over the window in the room are behind me.....i heard that helps.....and when i sing and move the mic around in the room till it sounds good....but this is all amauter ....im sure

sooooo i shouldnt worry about vocal lessons......its ok to be harsh.....im my own worst critic...trust me.