Month: March 2017

A NEW BEGINNING by BFATAL

BFATAL

Broadjam Artist: BFATAL
Song: A NEW BEGINNING

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Dave Hampton (Audio Engineer, Music Technologist, Producer)

Pro General Comments: This music sounds like some generalized mood music. I didn’t get the R&B connection. It never goes any definitive place. Similar to what’s called generic sound alike. I also know that when string sounds and flute sounds are used as main stays or constantly thru a production they often work very much like a “tell” in poker. In other words the use of these sounds can often que the listener as to a repetitive pattern in the writing style. That means that I can tell the parts of the song that you were sure of. Also using sounds with slow attacks often signifies that your playing or musicianship is not at a fluent level that you can improvise and use other sounds and styles of notes to create transition in a song. Sonically the blend of the instruments is ok in places but use of delay on a guitar is not transition. Piano sound is import an as well as the use of the sustain pedal. The pureness of a piano note is emphasized by holding it and letting it decay into the next cycle. Short stabs and piano notes make it sound like strikes on a toy piano.Also on the Drums several times they go low in the mix they the sons sounding like a fade but not really. Please on drums and instrumentals it helps to close your eyes and imagine that the band is in front of you then create and choose the proper pans sonically for each drum sound. All sound is not stereo L,R in the same place. When you place guitars and flutes do the same. It helps the listener hear the blend as if it were actually being played . Just because it’s canned doesn’t mean that you don’t have to do a little extra to bring them to life.On the use of effects. Make sure that your reverb times and delay times do not conflict. The distortion guitar and the flute seem to switch places as lead vocal types in this song. The Rock sound is great and the pure tone of the flute is just as powerful, great choices. They are also helped by building an overall ambience for them to set in with the drums and effects.Also listen to fusion artist Jean Luc Ponty I find this reminds me of some of his blends of sounds.Please remember these are production observations from an engineer. If they sound harsh please read my other reviews and also listen to the song as you read my comments.

Quote From Pro: “Great contemplative themes for relaxing and reading or just trying to slow down and chill. Not too complicated as to make you fell assaulted by sounds, notes and confusion but instead a collective direction from and to the same place. Completeness!”

BFATAL

Broadjam Artist: BFATAL
Song: A NEW BEGINNING

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Dave Hampton (Audio Engineer, Music Technologist, Producer)

Pro General Comments: This music sounds like some generalized mood music. I didn't get the R&B connection. It never goes any definitive place. Similar to what's called generic sound alike. I also know that when string sounds and flute sounds are used as main stays or constantly thru a production they often work very much like a "tell" in poker. In other words the use of these sounds can often que the listener as to a repetitive pattern in the writing style. That means that I can tell the parts of the song that you were sure of. Also using sounds with slow attacks often signifies that your playing or musicianship is not at a fluent level that you can improvise and use other sounds and styles of notes to create transition in a song. Sonically the blend of the instruments is ok in places but use of delay on a guitar is not transition. Piano sound is import an as well as the use of the sustain pedal. The pureness of a piano note is emphasized by holding it and letting it decay into the next cycle. Short stabs and piano notes make it sound like strikes on a toy piano.Also on the Drums several times they go low in the mix they the sons sounding like a fade but not really. Please on drums and instrumentals it helps to close your eyes and imagine that the band is in front of you then create and choose the proper pans sonically for each drum sound. All sound is not stereo L,R in the same place. When you place guitars and flutes do the same. It helps the listener hear the blend as if it were actually being played . Just because it's canned doesn't mean that you don't have to do a little extra to bring them to life.On the use of effects. Make sure that your reverb times and delay times do not conflict. The distortion guitar and the flute seem to switch places as lead vocal types in this song. The Rock sound is great and the pure tone of the flute is just as powerful, great choices. They are also helped by building an overall ambience for them to set in with the drums and effects.Also listen to fusion artist Jean Luc Ponty I find this reminds me of some of his blends of sounds.Please remember these are production observations from an engineer. If they sound harsh please read my other reviews and also listen to the song as you read my comments.

Quote From Pro: "Great contemplative themes for relaxing and reading or just trying to slow down and chill. Not too complicated as to make you fell assaulted by sounds, notes and confusion but instead a collective direction from and to the same place. Completeness!"

A NEW BEGINNING by BFATAL

BFATAL

Broadjam Artist: BFATAL
Song: A NEW BEGINNING

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Dave Hampton (Audio Engineer, Music Technologist, Producer)

Pro General Comments: This music sounds like some generalized mood music. I didn’t get the R&B connection. It never goes any definitive place. Similar to what’s called generic sound alike. I also know that when string sounds and flute sounds are used as main stays or constantly thru a production they often work very much like a “tell” in poker. In other words the use of these sounds can often que the listener as to a repetitive pattern in the writing style. That means that I can tell the parts of the song that you were sure of. Also using sounds with slow attacks often signifies that your playing or musicianship is not at a fluent level that you can improvise and use other sounds and styles of notes to create transition in a song. Sonically the blend of the instruments is ok in places but use of delay on a guitar is not transition. Piano sound is import an as well as the use of the sustain pedal. The pureness of a piano note is emphasized by holding it and letting it decay into the next cycle. Short stabs and piano notes make it sound like strikes on a toy piano.Also on the Drums several times they go low in the mix they the sons sounding like a fade but not really. Please on drums and instrumentals it helps to close your eyes and imagine that the band is in front of you then create and choose the proper pans sonically for each drum sound. All sound is not stereo L,R in the same place. When you place guitars and flutes do the same. It helps the listener hear the blend as if it were actually being played . Just because it’s canned doesn’t mean that you don’t have to do a little extra to bring them to life.On the use of effects. Make sure that your reverb times and delay times do not conflict. The distortion guitar and the flute seem to switch places as lead vocal types in this song. The Rock sound is great and the pure tone of the flute is just as powerful, great choices. They are also helped by building an overall ambience for them to set in with the drums and effects.Also listen to fusion artist Jean Luc Ponty I find this reminds me of some of his blends of sounds.Please remember these are production observations from an engineer. If they sound harsh please read my other reviews and also listen to the song as you read my comments.

Quote From Pro: “Great contemplative themes for relaxing and reading or just trying to slow down and chill. Not too complicated as to make you fell assaulted by sounds, notes and confusion but instead a collective direction from and to the same place. Completeness!”

BFATAL

Broadjam Artist: BFATAL
Song: A NEW BEGINNING

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Dave Hampton (Audio Engineer, Music Technologist, Producer)

Pro General Comments: This music sounds like some generalized mood music. I didn't get the R&B connection. It never goes any definitive place. Similar to what's called generic sound alike. I also know that when string sounds and flute sounds are used as main stays or constantly thru a production they often work very much like a "tell" in poker. In other words the use of these sounds can often que the listener as to a repetitive pattern in the writing style. That means that I can tell the parts of the song that you were sure of. Also using sounds with slow attacks often signifies that your playing or musicianship is not at a fluent level that you can improvise and use other sounds and styles of notes to create transition in a song. Sonically the blend of the instruments is ok in places but use of delay on a guitar is not transition. Piano sound is import an as well as the use of the sustain pedal. The pureness of a piano note is emphasized by holding it and letting it decay into the next cycle. Short stabs and piano notes make it sound like strikes on a toy piano.Also on the Drums several times they go low in the mix they the sons sounding like a fade but not really. Please on drums and instrumentals it helps to close your eyes and imagine that the band is in front of you then create and choose the proper pans sonically for each drum sound. All sound is not stereo L,R in the same place. When you place guitars and flutes do the same. It helps the listener hear the blend as if it were actually being played . Just because it's canned doesn't mean that you don't have to do a little extra to bring them to life.On the use of effects. Make sure that your reverb times and delay times do not conflict. The distortion guitar and the flute seem to switch places as lead vocal types in this song. The Rock sound is great and the pure tone of the flute is just as powerful, great choices. They are also helped by building an overall ambience for them to set in with the drums and effects.Also listen to fusion artist Jean Luc Ponty I find this reminds me of some of his blends of sounds.Please remember these are production observations from an engineer. If they sound harsh please read my other reviews and also listen to the song as you read my comments.

Quote From Pro: "Great contemplative themes for relaxing and reading or just trying to slow down and chill. Not too complicated as to make you fell assaulted by sounds, notes and confusion but instead a collective direction from and to the same place. Completeness!"

WHEN YOU’RE HERE by frank falgares

Broadjam Artist: frank falgaresSong: WHEN YOU’RE HEREBroadjam Pro Reviewer: Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)Pro General Comments: Hi Frank- nice to meet you in cyberspace! Thanks for sending your song in for review.Please note I don’t ra…

frank falgares

Broadjam Artist: frank falgares
Song: WHEN YOU'RE HERE

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Hi Frank- nice to meet you in cyberspace! Thanks for sending your song in for review.Please note I don't rate individual instrumentation since my expertise lies more in marketability, lyric, melody, and overall performance.You have a really captivating vocal/voice going on here. It has a earnest appeal along with a bit of mystery and rock solid feel. It reminds me of some of our great 80's singers who really rocked the spectrum and they will always be great- even though the styles are changing (who can say for the better or not)- but nevertheless- a powerful rock vocal is always king in my book. Another cool thing about the vocal is it has a familiar ring to it- I put down "Yes" as a similar sound but that isn't quite right- I just can't place it- and I know it will come to me later after I send in this review!You also have some nice guitar parts and backing vocal parts that are really tasty. I think they can be milked A LOT more. "When You're Here" the last line of the chorus, I thought you could almost add a line or two that rises melodically- to create and extend that hook. It's too good of a "feel", a part - to let it end just there.In order for this song to really hit its mark -- I would pay greater attention to having that melodic chorus part - go for broke. For some reason it doesn't feel like it's paying off as much as it should. The music should really rise in the chorus and right now there is a similarity to your various sections which can get repetitive. If you listen to Triumph's "Lay it on the Line" you can see how when their hook comes in- the roof goes off the house- that's what you want to do whenever you can in your songwriting. "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz26fcmq3S8You have the tools- good production, vocals, guitar work- just make that hook want to grab you by the throat and make us want to sing along.. It's smart that you left the first chorus more acoustic- that way you let your arrangements breathe and kick in. In your lyric- it might be nicer if you get a bit more specific. Give us a few details- right now it could be a lover -it could be someone else. If you said for eg- "Girl- you make me feel alive" or ... something a bit more romantic- it will make your story come more alive. The more you paint a picture the more your audience gets interested.It's usually best to try to keep your lyrics "conversational" that way they don't draw attention to themselves. Read Adele's Grammy winning song of the year's lyrics "Hello" and you will see it reads just like she's talking to an old friend/lover. Lines like "so I search the void that complicates these times"... searching a void- is a bit esoteric- and a bit vague feeling.... Same with "and still anticipate the rain"....You can reel the listener in a bit easier with phrases that are less "talky"- you wouldn't really say I anticipate the rain. Maybe dread the rain or feel the rain... You can really up your hook factor by doing the age old tactic of making every other line pay off with a rhyme. It's easy to do and it works. Some of your lines aren't rhyming as much as they could, it would really help the song- be more catchy.You might want to make your bridge- a bit different sonically- perhaps acapella- or acoustic- a bridge should really take you away to a different place and it feels like it could do so a bit more. You have some great background vocals- why not milk them here?

Quote From Pro: Passionate delivery and feel makes this a great eighties type placement.

WHEN YOU’RE HERE by frank falgares

Broadjam Artist: frank falgaresSong: WHEN YOU’RE HEREBroadjam Pro Reviewer: Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)Pro General Comments: Hi Frank- nice to meet you in cyberspace! Thanks for sending your song in for review.Please note I don’t ra…

frank falgares

Broadjam Artist: frank falgares
Song: WHEN YOU'RE HERE

Broadjam Pro Reviewer:
Diana Williamson (Songwriter, Music Supervisor)

Pro General Comments: Hi Frank- nice to meet you in cyberspace! Thanks for sending your song in for review.Please note I don't rate individual instrumentation since my expertise lies more in marketability, lyric, melody, and overall performance.You have a really captivating vocal/voice going on here. It has a earnest appeal along with a bit of mystery and rock solid feel. It reminds me of some of our great 80's singers who really rocked the spectrum and they will always be great- even though the styles are changing (who can say for the better or not)- but nevertheless- a powerful rock vocal is always king in my book. Another cool thing about the vocal is it has a familiar ring to it- I put down "Yes" as a similar sound but that isn't quite right- I just can't place it- and I know it will come to me later after I send in this review!You also have some nice guitar parts and backing vocal parts that are really tasty. I think they can be milked A LOT more. "When You're Here" the last line of the chorus, I thought you could almost add a line or two that rises melodically- to create and extend that hook. It's too good of a "feel", a part - to let it end just there.In order for this song to really hit its mark -- I would pay greater attention to having that melodic chorus part - go for broke. For some reason it doesn't feel like it's paying off as much as it should. The music should really rise in the chorus and right now there is a similarity to your various sections which can get repetitive. If you listen to Triumph's "Lay it on the Line" you can see how when their hook comes in- the roof goes off the house- that's what you want to do whenever you can in your songwriting. "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz26fcmq3S8You have the tools- good production, vocals, guitar work- just make that hook want to grab you by the throat and make us want to sing along.. It's smart that you left the first chorus more acoustic- that way you let your arrangements breathe and kick in. In your lyric- it might be nicer if you get a bit more specific. Give us a few details- right now it could be a lover -it could be someone else. If you said for eg- "Girl- you make me feel alive" or ... something a bit more romantic- it will make your story come more alive. The more you paint a picture the more your audience gets interested.It's usually best to try to keep your lyrics "conversational" that way they don't draw attention to themselves. Read Adele's Grammy winning song of the year's lyrics "Hello" and you will see it reads just like she's talking to an old friend/lover. Lines like "so I search the void that complicates these times"... searching a void- is a bit esoteric- and a bit vague feeling.... Same with "and still anticipate the rain"....You can reel the listener in a bit easier with phrases that are less "talky"- you wouldn't really say I anticipate the rain. Maybe dread the rain or feel the rain... You can really up your hook factor by doing the age old tactic of making every other line pay off with a rhyme. It's easy to do and it works. Some of your lines aren't rhyming as much as they could, it would really help the song- be more catchy.You might want to make your bridge- a bit different sonically- perhaps acapella- or acoustic- a bridge should really take you away to a different place and it feels like it could do so a bit more. You have some great background vocals- why not milk them here?

Quote From Pro: Passionate delivery and feel makes this a great eighties type placement.