Lend me your ears.

[pushedbutton]

Hi guys,
I need to somehow make this song radio ready.
http://phead.mu/s/iFPzEuPB
Any advise would be fantastic.
Thanks,
(PS I have less than a week)

[pushedbutton]

http://phead.mu/s/2ZbOIneZ

Or there's this one.

[Soft Enerji]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "radio ready"? I think what you have here are two fairly well arranged pop songs. I'm not a huge fan of the vocal processing you've used, especially on Evergreen, I prefer a more natural approach but hey that's just me. There's some mixing issues with the vox on the chorus of Stay Another Day. Kind of feels like they're too separate.

So, back to "radio ready". I'd say that most folks nowadays, think of mastering the final mix, in which case you've a number of options, starting with Reason's own suite, or whatever REs you may have. Or you have to step outside the box......

Anyhoos, hope it goes well dude!

[pushedbutton]

Well if you have any tips on getting a guy with cerebral palsy and impaired hearing to deliver a better performance I'm all ears.

[MarkTarlton]

what does radio-ready mean? we have college stations and public radio where I live that play all types of stuff from exceptionally recorded and mixed, to productions that sound like they were done at home by amateur musicians/engineer, and I bet it's that way all around the world. stuff that I have recorded that I am embarrassed about even gets played on the radio so don't beat yourself up and do the best job you can..it sounds like you are already guaranteed radio air play...so have fun and enjoy being able to listen to your track without judgement

you might try collaborating with other musicians...I always find that helps make me be a better engineer with more ears around and other talents to add to the sauce!

[pushedbutton]

I mean it's going to be on the radio and I want it to be ready. Bit late to start a new project so I'm hoping to do that best I can with what I've got by the weekend.

[Julibee]

Will the listeners know the story behind the song?  Meaning, are they running a story along with the song?  I would certainly be more forgiving if I knew your singer's triumphs... 

I think Evergreen is a better choice than Stay Another Day - the beginning syncopation/echoing of the lyric lines in Stay is hard to work out what I'm hearing. 

I wonder how "bad" it really is without Neptune?  Can you layer a clean(er) version of the vocal in parallel or some other way? I'd be really curious to hear it withOUT Neptune.

Would some vocal back up help?  

The arrangement is fine, the instrumentation is pretty damn good (although one synth - a string? - feels a little fake.  It's produced well, given what you're working with.

[Benedict]

I'm mixing Evergreen now and sadly the vocalist is almost 100% carried by Neptune. I haven't got to vocals yet but will see if there is any way to expose the singer a bit more.

This is such a lovely song and with a bit of "understanding" (the singer has cerebral palsy and wears a hearing aid) it really is a lovely performance.

[Julibee]

You're such a good egg, Benedict.

[Soft Enerji]

Well if you have any tips on getting a guy with cerebral palsy and impaired hearing to deliver a better performance I'm all ears.

Wasn't aware of that but now that I am I can genuinely applaud the effort.

[pushedbutton]

Thanks for your support guys, it really means a lot to me to know you're there for us. #wellingup

[Benedict]

First Mixes PMed

[pushedbutton]

Brilliant Job.
If it's ok with you I'll share the broadcast next week so I don't spoil the surprise before then.

[Benedict]

And that is how it should be.