Female Talent

[luctellier]

Hi guys,

I only post my rock/metal/punk projects most of the time but I decided to post something different this time. I found a local female singer that really impressed me with her voice and I decided to help her. Here's the first song we wrote.

http://www.luctellier.com/val

Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks
LT

[ohmicide]

i love her voice

did you tune the vocals? sounds a bit too hard at times, but that might also be her voice

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by alehoe

i love her voice

did you tune the vocals? sounds a bit too hard at times, but that might also be her voice

She's a very good intonation, no tuning except a few words, really.

[dougb415]

Really like this song! She has a very distinct accent

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by dougb415

Really like this song! She has a very distinct accent

I had some hard time coaching her for the accent, is it still that bad or?

[Jake 2.0]

great vibe! sounds great bro.

[cooker]

I don't think you should mess her head with accent, it gives character to her and sort of has a feeling that fits the song (at least for a European listener)

Specially at the end of sound (she say you don't know), at that last word need tune correction and 2-3 places also slightly bothered me. I'm sure with more studio experience it will get better.

Also I'm not sure if its the mastering/playback format but I didn't like how her sound comes. Maybe wrong mic. (little too near for me of being nasal) for her voice or eq'ing isn't there yet.

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by cooker

I don't think you should mess her head with accent, it gives character to her and sort of has a feeling that fits the song (at least for a European listener)

Specially at the end of sound (she say you don't know), at that last word need tune correction and 2-3 places also slightly bothered me. I'm sure with more studio experience it will get better.

Yeah it was her 2nd time in studio I think. Although, I don't hear any pitch problem during the whole track? At what time exactly do you hear pitch issue?

Originally Posted by cooker

Also I'm not sure if its the mastering/playback format but I didn't like how her sound comes. Maybe wrong mic. (little too near for me of being nasal) for her voice or eq'ing isn't there yet.

I've tried 4 different mics and the one I used was the best I had for her. She is VERY sibilant and does have harsh mid when going higher. I did tried to fix that using a C4.

[dougb415]

Originally Posted by luctellier

I had some hard time coaching her for the accent, is it still that bad or?

No no no! It's unique! For some reason it does not sound 'French' to me. Almost Gaelic or Nordic, if that makes sense, but also a mix of others. Not something you can easily pick out. I agree with cooker's comments.

Did you do the arrangement/production? Very nice job

[cooker]

ops actually on 2. listening not pitch issue I should have said more like vocal imperfections like at 3.00. I felt she was new to the studio environment, she doesn't have that " different " kind of relaxed attitude yet.

I listened to the back vocals and get the picture better of what you mean. Its always the hardest for me to get the vocal right ITB if I (or vocalist, more experience helps controlling these issues) can't get it like what I want when tracking.

If multiband doesn't work good enough, maybe a preamp emulation or something like that from nebula might bring better results. I had great success with it on 1-2 harsh vocals though not sure if it will work for her without trying.

[ohmicide]

Originally Posted by luctellier

Yeah it was her 2nd time in studio I think. Although, I don't hear any pitch problem during the whole track? At what time exactly do you hear pitch issue?

yeah i didn't hear any off notes, in fact she sounded perfectly in tune the whole time

[Dean Roddey]

Sound great. I'd say let more of her natural accent through. She almost has a little Cranberries vibe in places, and they definitely didn't suffer from the accent, it was one of the most distinctive voices of that decade.

[SkunkWorks]

Originally Posted by luctellier

I had some hard time coaching her for the accent, is it still that bad or?

Yeah a bit especially on "don't."

But it's also really obvious on some words on some of the Delson stuff too and you know I love that stuff! It's all good , bro.

[opentune]

I think her accent sounds great. Would even like to hear a little more of it.

Good tune, solid production. The bridge is a little "too standard" for my ears, though.

[dougb415]

Played it for my wife last night.... she loves the bridge, doesn't like the accent, especially some of the times when she says "the answer". She also says the most powerful line ("If I tell you how I feel....") is being diluted by being backing vocals and repeated way too often.

I disagree.

If I have to come up with some criticism:

a) opening piano sounds a little mid-rangy. A gorgeous full grand piano would sound wonderful.

b) the vocal trill at the 3:00 mark could be redone

c) the fade out is a little abrupt

I'm not kidding when I say I've probably played this song around 20 times. I like the haunting qualities, the subtle feeling of desperation.... my wife thinks I'm nuts

[olofd]

Vox-chain?

[CosmeLiccardo]

Wow the song's amazing, and the accent gives it so much I love canadian artists! I agree about the piano, I feel it's a bit mid rangy and the fade is abrupt but the vibe in the mix rocks so much! Great production Luc the music and the lyrics are great. BTW the vocalist sounds like I'd fall in love with her if I saw her.

[jimmieee]

Her voice reminds me of Alanis Morissette, Love this.
Snare seems a little bit too tight, but no big deal, just a matter of taste.

[cooker]

She actually reminds me of an (if I remember right) italian singer Elisa. Comparing, she had a slightly less accent but it was obvious. Still she had a good success, I remember getting bored of seeing her on MTV

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by olofd

Vox-chain?

Neuman TLM103 - SPL TrackOne - Midas Venice - MOTU 896 - Cubase 5.

Originally Posted by CosmeLiccardo

Wow the song's amazing, and the accent gives it so much I love canadian artists! I agree about the piano, I feel it's a bit mid rangy and the fade is abrupt but the vibe in the mix rocks so much! Great production Luc the music and the lyrics are great. BTW the vocalist sounds like I'd fall in love with her if I saw her.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by jimmieee

Her voice reminds me of Alanis Morissette, Love this.
Snare seems a little bit too tight, but no big deal, just a matter of taste.

I agree, with also a blend of the voice of Cranberries / Sarah Mclachlan and Avril Lavigne all put together. She needs more studio experience and we did this first song as a demo. 2 more songs on the way.

[equallyscrewed]

Hey dude,

The song writting and arrangement is absolutly lush! Her voice is amazing too.

I agree on the piano sound too, no one's asked if it's real or midi yet. It is sounding a bit middy, almost like a cheaper patch. The strings on the other hand sound awesome!

Personally I'd like to hear the instruments up a bit during the loud passages, more of a rock sound. But obviously thats just personal taste and depends on how you were producing it.

Superb work as always though dude!

xcx

[Pat]

How old is she?

[12ax7]

She has a great voice.

...And an unusual one.

I would try to resist the temptation to "fix" it, lest you "kill the goose that laid the golden egg."

I would take a tack more like accommodating her voice -- and I don't just mean in mixing, but as early in the process as the arrangement stage.

That part of the spectrum that is filled-up when she goes up high should be kept clear of other instruments when that's going on, to let it "breathe."

Let it be what it is! (Including the accent!)

(BTW, I'm not saying the arrangement is "bad"; just that with the above-described mindset, it would be better for the piece.)

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by Pat

How old is she?

She is 19.

[meymia]

Originally Posted by luctellier

Hi guys,

I only post my rock/metal/punk projects most of the time but I decided to post something different this time. I found a local female singer that really impressed me with her voice and I decided to help her. Here's the first song we wrote.

http://www.luctellier.com/val

Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks
LT

I think she is obviously talented and has a quality voice and suitable to almost every project ,to my specific taste (which is very individual and MOST people disagree on i dont think she have sufficient special falvour and charcter in her voice so IMO she fits in the mtv variation singers YMMV.

She reminds me of anna ternheim wich i like.
YouTube - Anna Ternheim - Nights in Goodville

Just to give you a clue regarding what flavor i like in women vocals=kate bush=sussan vega=kristin hersh-joni Mitchell,Had some one recording in my old studio that had an amazing flavor alltho needed more practice in quality and vocal strength (where the girl in the song you posted is superb at).
YouTube - InVein - Moments of Clarity
You'r doing a great job in the studio man!

[ohmicide]

Originally Posted by luctellier

She is 19.

haha she's my age x)

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by meymia

I think she is obviously talented and has a quality voice and suitable to almost every project ,to my specific taste (which is very individual and MOST people disagree on i dont think she have sufficient special falvour and charcter in her voice so IMO she fits in the mtv variation singers YMMV.

She reminds me of anna ternheim wich i like.
YouTube - Anna Ternheim - Nights in Goodville

Just to give you a clue regarding what flavor i like in women vocals=kate bush=sussan vega=kristin hersh-joni Mitchell,Had some one recording in my old studio that had an amazing flavor alltho needed more practice in quality and vocal strength (where the girl in the song you posted is superb at).
YouTube - InVein - Moments of Clarity
You'r doing a great job in the studio man!

Cool thanks! I checked out the videos.

Me and the girl are still experimenting and trying to find the best style to suit her voice. Like a said, this is song is a demo and it's the first time we were working together and her 2nd time in a recording studio. She's a big fan of Adele. She 'excel' in jazz music but we don't wanna go that road. She's currently studying jazz singing in music school. We are going to write songs until we feel we find what's the best for her and what she likes to sing the most. She doesn't write so it's a bit more dificult for me but I think are good team. She's able to find vocal melodies and play a little bit of piano, just enough to write draft of song we can later work together.

[meymia]

Originally Posted by luctellier

Cool thanks! I checked out the videos.

Me and the girl are still experimenting and trying to find the best style to suit her voice. Like a said, this is song is a demo and it's the first time we were working together and her 2nd time in a recording studio. She's a big fan of Adele. She 'excel' in jazz music but we don't wanna go that road. She's currently studying jazz singing in music school. We are going to write songs until we feel we find what's the best for her and what she likes to sing the most. She doesn't write so it's a bit more dificult for me but I think are good team. She's able to find vocal melodies and play a little bit of piano, just enough to write draft of song we can later work together.

Best of luck ,i wish you two will find what you are looking for!

[xgabrielx]

Sounds great!!!!but whats that at 2:59????
Sounds like autotune rape

But I´m in the middle of a big project and dreaming of waves tune lt.....so maybe it is all in my head

[luctellier]

Originally Posted by xgabrielx

Sounds great!!!!but whats that at 2:59????
Sounds like autotune rape

But I´m in the middle of a big project and dreaming of waves tune lt.....so maybe it is all in my head

No autotune and there's no editing on that part too. Nothing feels wrong to me ears during this part. She has this jazz vibe in her voice and I don't want to take it away.

On a side-note, I think it's funny how many people complain about 'autotune' and all that too-much-editing thing but as soon as someone hear something a little bit out of tune or not perfect pitch, they point it right away. Even funnier, people telling the vocals are too much 'autotuned' when there's absolutely no editing at all. (I'm not referencing about your post Gabriel).