CW-333 Project 2 Final Grade

Hi Chris, let’s review the breakdown of your grade.

Composition/Song (25pts) (A)

The first thing I look for is the strength of your composition/song. Specifically, is
there enough interest in your melody and lyrics to engage the listener, and is
there a strong enough “hook’?

In your case the hook is strong and easily memorable.

Secondly, does the form of your song support commercial success on the radio?

In my opinion, your song follows the formulae of many popular songs.

Arrangement and Production Choices (25pts) (A)

One of the primary considerations in this regard is whether or not you have
enough contrasting textures in your arrangement to hold our attention for over 3
minutes. Does your arrangement develop well and support the “story” of your
song?

I would say the track does a good job of holding our interest. There is
enough diversity in production, and the arrangement grows over time. (Dig
the strings!)

Another major consideration is the choice of sounds used in support of the song.
This affects the sense of energy, balance and overall texture. It is an important
component in engaging your audience, and often dictates the ease or difficulty of
mixing since you have to consider these production choices in 3 dimensions
(Depth, width and height).

Your choices were helpful overall. Maybe a better backbeat would help this
groove more?
 CW-333 FINAL PROJECT 3 GRADE FEEDBACK 2

Skills as a Studio Producer in the Studio (25pts) (A-)

This is a combination of how well you were able to get the talent (singers and or
players) to perform, and how well you were able to edit and manipulate the audio
in postproduction. I look for several things:

1) Timing/Grid: Overall this was good, and a huge improvement from the
demo. Less “uncomfortable” when the lyrics get busy.
2) Pitch/tuning: Overall, OK. I would still tighten this up more however. Pop
needs to be much more exact, less “organic”. Autotune will take care of
this easily. There are just a few places where you may have to still use flex-
pitch or Melodyne.
3) Emotional content/attitude/vibe: In line with the lyrics.

The band/programming feels “groovy”!

You mentioned that she sounded far from the mic. Did you check the polar
pattern of the microphone? Silly question, but was she singing into the
front of the mic diaphragm? Some mics are not “obvious” in this regard. I
have had students make this mistake in the past–––singing into the back of
the capsule capturing the room reflection rather than the source. Food for
thought….

Final Mix and Quality of Work (25pts) (B)

1. Balance of elements: Your backbeat is not equal in energy to your kick.
This makes the groove less effective. The vocals need MUCH MORE in
terms of volume automation, especially when she tends to “yell’ some of
the higher notes. You can control that with clip gain in advance of volume
automation and compression.
2. Use of Stereo Field/panning: Good usage of the available stereo width.
3. EQ (overall and individual elements): When Cindy goes for those high
notes in the Chorus 3.5kHz “rips off our heads” at even a moderate volume.
Take that down with a narrow Q about 5-7dB to tame that. As I mentioned
earlier the backbeat is not present enough. Needs energy in the 5kHz
range, and in the lower mids (200-400Hz). Perhaps just choose another
sound or layer what you have with something more prominent. The overall
mix is slightly “dull” for a contemporary mix based on a retro vibe. Needs
more in the 5-6kHz range. I would not suggest you do this on the final
master, but rather by placing this on individual tracks that could be
brighter (Like the keys).
4. Compression: This is mastered nicely.
5. Use of reverb sound, FX: The lead vocal is in a weird space. I don’t think it
had to do with reverb, but rather poor recording technique. Sounds like she
is in a small room, and this pushes her “back” in the mix.
6. Final bounce edited properly: 4 seconds of “dead air” in the front is un-
professional. It is useless form a broadcast perspective, and could be a
 CW-333 FINAL PROJECT 3 GRADE FEEDBACK 3


reason to get fired if working with client with critical needs. The use of vinyl
sound was not enough of a valid reason for this delay of the music. IF you
are going to use that effect, then make it PROMINENT before the music
starts. It should be an event!

So overall, the quality of your work was good, but still requires some
improvement to get you to the next level. Keep up the hard work and
dedication. You will get there!