Healing Words-Original

[JBMusic]

Genre

Pop

Instruments

EZ Keys 2, EZ Drummer 3, Trilian Bass, Soprano Sax by Straight Ahead Samples. Strings by Session Strings Pro 2

Released when

August 18 2025

I used a weird setting on EZ Keys 2s Studio Grand piano to make it sound like a flanger is on it (panned about 10 o'clock left). The guitar is Sunburst Electric by Native instruments. Would welcome feedback.

 

[Craig Anderton]

I think you're on to something. I don't think it would take much to turn this into a 70s-type song that would slide right into a yacht rock-type playlist along with songs by Christopher Cross, Ambrosia, Player, etc. That's NOT an insult! I've often said I like all kinds of musical genres, I just seek out the best in each (FWIW I saw a Christopher Cross concert and it was excellent). As to specifics:

• More consistent levels with the vocals. Check out the tips I've done about using the Gain Envelopes to create consistent vocals that amplify the human element.
• Selective use of doubling. Not at the same level as the lead vocal, but in a supporting role.
• The song is crying out for some vocal harmonies in strategic places. Your voice's timbre lends itself well to additional harmonies. If you have a hard time coming up with harmonies, copy your vocal and use Melodyne to program a harmony that sounds good. Learn it, and use your real voice to overdub it.
• Personal bias alert: I've never used saxophone in any of my music, because I don't play sax, and I just don't think it's possible to include the nuances that make for a convincing saxophone sound. That said, you got more out of that part than most people would! My "workaround" is to use a synth sound that comes close to a sax when playing sax lines. Then you still get the effect of a sax, without sounding fake. There's an example of this in my song Factory Girl (the link takes you to the solo). I use a sax sample from Presence, but modified it to sound more like a synth. It may not be your cup of tea, but you'll hear what I'm saying.

Keep at it, and be confident about your vocals. You may not realize how much potential they have.

 

[JBMusic]

I think you're on to something. I don't think it would take much to turn this into a 70s-type song that would slide right into a yacht rock-type playlist along with songs by Christopher Cross, Ambrosia, Player, etc. That's NOT an insult! I've often said I like all kinds of musical genres, I just seek out the best in each (FWIW I saw a Christopher Cross concert and it was excellent). As to specifics:

• More consistent levels with the vocals. Check out the tips I've done about using the Gain Envelopes to create consistent vocals that amplify the human element.
• Selective use of doubling. Not at the same level as the lead vocal, but in a supporting role.
• The song is crying out for some vocal harmonies in strategic places. Your voice's timbre lends itself well to additional harmonies. If you have a hard time coming up with harmonies, copy your vocal and use Melodyne to program a harmony that sounds good. Learn it, and use your real voice to overdub it.
• Personal bias alert: I've never used saxophone in any of my music, because I don't play sax, and I just don't think it's possible to include the nuances that make for a convincing saxophone sound. That said, you got more out of that part than most people would! My "workaround" is to use a synth sound that comes close to a sax when playing sax lines. Then you still get the effect of a sax, without sounding fake. There's an example of this in my song Factory Girl (the link takes you to the solo). I use a sax sample from Presence, but modified it to sound more like a synth. It may not be your cup of tea, but you'll hear what I'm saying.

Keep at it, and be confident about your vocals. You may not realize how much potential they have.

Thanks so much, Craig! I don't take the "yacht rock" comparison as an insult at all. In fact, it's a high complement to me because that era was among my favorites as are most of the artists you mentioned. Christopher Cross was amazing.

Your tips are, as always, very good and worthy of trying out. I was going to do some vocal harmonies but I guess I just got lazy and decided not to at the last minute, but as I'm not a pro I can work on it anytime if I choose and I may sometime in the future. I know what you mean about using Melodyne in this capacity. I've already done this the way you describe. Many times I'll use it as an arrangement aid for harmonies and afterwards, if I can hit the pitches I'll go back and sing them proper. If I can't hit the pitches I'll just keep Melodyne in there. That works too.

Regarding the "sax": Straight Ahead Samples is awesome in their ability to create a realistic sound, especially using a tool they call "Smart Delay". I create the part in real time (which in most cases doesn't sound very realistic) and when I'm finished I move the event(s) one bar early and move the slider in the app to Smart Delay and let it do it's thing. The results are surprisingly good. Not perfect but as close to it as you can get in that price range. I'm using the soprano sax here but I use the tenor in "Beacon" which I also have posted on this forum. I also have their flute and alto sax samples. I played the saxophone for real growing up, in fact I still have my alto.

Again, thanks so much. I regard you as one of the best experts in recording. I bought a book of yours back in the 80s in my 4 track cassette days.

John B