Charas-Project

Off-Topic => Creative arts => Topic started by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 02:30:58 AM

Title: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 02:30:58 AM
Hey, guys. Here's the deal.

If you weren't aware already, I'm a singer. I'm so serious about it that at one point I was considering auditioning for a music school instead of a regular university. I really want to make some recordings of my voice for your enjoyment, but I don't know what to sing!

Here's where you come in. I need suggestions as to what I should sing, as I have bad taste in music am extremely indecisive. If you want to hear me sing something, post below with the artist name and song title. If I feel that your song fits my voice, I may make a recording of it for everyone on the forums to listen to. Keep in mind that I said may, so posting here does not guarantee that I will cover your song.

Things to consider:

My Range - This generally isn't an issue. I began as a first alto but trained my voice until I could sing first soprano, so my range is rather wide. I can't sing low alto notes anymore, though.
My Voice Type - I have a very rich tone to my voice. For those unfamiliar with musical terminology, an example of a rich voice would be Amy Lee from Evanescence. This is as opposed to a bright voice - consider ABBA or just about any <insert country of your choice here> Idol finalist. Voices like mine usually don't work well with pop, though there are exceptions.
My Time - I don't have a lot of free time. I'm pretty much going to be recording these on my days off. If you choose a 10-minute song, I'm probably less likely to do it than a 3-5 minute song. This works in conjunction with the following:
Backup Vocals - When I record a song, I don't record just my voice most of the time. I usually record a vocal version of the instrumentals in order to back up my singing voice. This takes much longer than you'd think.

Now that that's out of the way, suggest away! I'll try to have my first recording up within the next two days if people participate.

Addendum:

I will not take more than one request from a single person until I've given everyone a chance. If I haven't done your song yet, it doesn't mean that I won't!

Songs
2/15/11 - Fireflight - Serenity (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT43Dwbs5iI) (coreystranick)
2/22/11 - John Lennon - Imagine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoJdZoNP3A) (lucas_irineu)
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: coreystranick on February 14, 2011, 02:54:36 AM
I'd love to hear your version of a Fireflight song  Serenity. Your voice would probably  be a good fit since you have a rich tone, and well I love that song. (and so what if it's christian rock and a girl band)
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: fruckert on February 14, 2011, 03:02:22 AM
Feel like a challenge?
I've got a couple of songs from my favourite band that'd be rather difficult.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 03:06:01 AM
Feel like a challenge?
I've got a couple of songs from my favourite band that'd be rather difficult.

I'm always up for a challenge. Post anything you'd like to hear. Like I said, I can't guarantee that I'll do your songs, but I'll try to do as many as I can.

Just one note, though...If it's screaming-heavy, I probably won't be able to do it. Screaming is something I can't really do. If it's only a little, I might be able to incorporate it into the song in a different way, though.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Zerlina on February 14, 2011, 03:06:35 AM
I would love to hear an SSA arrangement of Caccini's Ave Maria
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: fruckert on February 14, 2011, 03:15:18 AM
What, you don't like opera-metal?
Seriously though, these'd be tough.
I believe she's singing in a high soprano, but I honestly don't know.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivnnMDX7wPY) is a pretty good one.
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwC4IFz512o)'d be less difficult, I presume.
The lyrics in the last one are a bit more clear, and less...opera, for the most part.
Plus, it's just a better song.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 03:19:27 AM
Just so you know, Fruckert, I went through a really heavy opera-metal phase. On my old desktop, I actually had some recordings of Nightwish songs.

EDIT: I should probably note that my microphone isn't the greatest, though. With really high notes, it starts making static-y noises and my voice starts sounding distorted. We're talking helium-high here, though.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: fruckert on February 14, 2011, 03:23:07 AM
I think I love you.

[/creeper]
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Archem on February 14, 2011, 03:26:00 AM
If you choose a 10-minute song, I'm probably less likely to do it than a 3-5 minute song.
Ooh, man, that just cleared out a big chunk of my favorite songs. Well, I suppose I can find something a bit shorter...

Here are a few:

Mother Superior - Coheed and Cambria (6:38) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZaEcRWD4nU)
Three of A Perfect Pair - King Crimson (4:13) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWyJfdob0a4)
Somebody to Love - Queen (4:56) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbFLYa0_bw)
The Circle's Gone - Cynic (5:20) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXJ8XWiprTw)
A Touch of Evil - Judas Priest (5:44) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gQH1IEMf4Q)
Into the Hollow - Queens of the Stone Age (3:42) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeiAoXw_An0)
Give Me A Chance - Black Tide (3:43) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8p9h7Ye91g)

EDIT: Updated to include video links.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 03:34:11 AM
I'm not saying I won't do a really long song at some point, but it would be a huge undertaking. If I ever were to do a longer song, I'd probably work on it bit by bit while I worked on other songs, but it would take me a long time to complete.

Since I'm just starting out (and, frankly, am sort of inexperienced with audio-mixing programs), I'm going to start out with short/medium-length songs first and see how long it takes me to finish them.

Ooh, I have an idea! How about this...every once in a while, I'll make a post that I'd like to work on a longer song. That's when you guys get to throw your 10-15 minute monstrosities at me. That way, I'm not necessarily excluding your favorite song. For now, I'd like to start with shorter songs first to get the hang of doing this.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Archem on February 14, 2011, 03:36:58 AM
That's good, because it's pretty hard to find a short Dream Theater song.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Natako on February 14, 2011, 03:43:39 AM
I'm certainly not ignoring you, Lucas. I'm taking everyone's songs into consideration, but I probably won't even choose what to sing until tomorrow. I won't hint at what I'm doing beforehand. I want to surprise you. ;)

Oh yeah, the reason I'm waiting: because the neighbors go to work at like 5AM. They don't like it when I make a racket. Also, I'm not familiar with some of these songs and I have to listen to them to decide which I want to do.

I may even do...more than one. o.O
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Archem on February 14, 2011, 03:49:03 AM
What about the one I suggested? It was like, one song, everyone is throwing huge lists out! Why do you ignore me ):
Really, it's just me, and I'm only doing it to improve my odds of being selected because I'm indecisive and would have much more readily picked out my ten-to-twenty minute songs. Perhaps even longer than that.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Prpl_Mage on February 14, 2011, 08:11:22 AM
I can't believe I haven't heard any of Coheed's songs from No world tomorrow... I need to expand my collection it seems.


Anyway, I think it will be easier to come up with something one you've posted a song. Gotta kick that Imagination to work where we place your voice in our songs and ponder if it will work or not.
I'd still like to hear someone sing those Metal Gear (solid) songs, but it kinda requires a certain voice to pull it off.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: coreystranick on February 16, 2011, 12:40:49 AM
No World Tomorrow is on of my favorite albums besides the IV one (all I can remember right now is the CD had a giant IV on it) and Year of the Black Rainbow.

OOOOOooooOO

Try Chamberlain by Coheed and Cambria I love that song and No Longer by Decyfer Down.

or if you wanna do rap Tech N9ne--OG haha jk I just love that song
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Natako on February 16, 2011, 04:38:34 AM
F*** Youtube's server maintenance. I took a page out of Drenrin's book and uploaded to Box instead.

Just a note before you listen: this wasn't the song I was originally going to do. However, once I had started that song, I realized how insanely difficult it would be to finish it within two days, and I switched my song. The song that I'm posting today was done within a few hours. For the most part, I'm happy with it. There are some spots that are kind of eh...but you know what?

A. My microphone sucks. I can't even describe my frustration with this. I had to rerecord the chorus so many times, holding the microphone at arm's length away from me so that it didn't mess up the sound quality, and it still managed to mess it up. If I try to convert it into mp3, it makes deafening static noises, so I had to leave it in its original wav format. Because of this, the chorus is a little softer than I'd like it to be. Sorry about that.

B. The program I use to record DROPS OUT EVERY 5 SECONDS. Ugh. This is so annoying when you're singing, doing fine, and all of a sudden..."What?!?! It didn't record ANY of that? GRAIHGOEHGOAOIFAEWFAEWOGH;AEWG!11!!!

But you know what? I'm still happy with how it turned out for the most part. Some things I learned: either use a metronome or record the harmony first. This song turned out completely different than I thought it would. I sort of had to turn it into a choral song because I recorded the melody first and didn't use a metronome. And my recording software sucks and it's too much of a hassle to edit the audio clips.

Also, I was thinking about how I'm going to manage this in the future, and I've decided that I'll try to do a request from each person before I do more than request from the same person. So if you post a list of songs and I choose one of yours, you're not going to have a turn again until I've done a request from everyone else. I'm going to amend my original post to add this new rule in.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...the song (http://www.box.net/shared/ey4rzzr8no)! This time, I did "Serenity" (http://www.box.net/shared/ey4rzzr8no) by Fireflight. Due to the aforementioned reasons, I had to take some creative liberties with it, and it sounds a lot different than the original song aside from the core melody. I hope you guys like it. Corey, I hope I didn't ruin a song that you like. :x
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions.
Post by: Archem on February 16, 2011, 04:47:58 AM
My list wasn't really posted as a "do all these" so much as a "pick what you prefer". Anyway, this sounds very good, and I'm glad to hear that you went through with this, despite the issues that arose. Good on you.

Now I feel that I should go work on my new avatar, and possibly some Unfunny Comics. Can't let everyone outdo me in the creativity department.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Zerlina on February 16, 2011, 04:49:49 AM
Not bad. :)

(I can be more specific if you want, just not sure if I should go into detail since you're new and I don't know you to well).
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: coreystranick on February 16, 2011, 03:19:19 PM
I do like this, a neat way to hear it since I'm used to the other I do like it though you have a good voice.

Can't wait to hear more of your songs.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Prpl_Mage on February 16, 2011, 06:55:24 PM
You do sound like Evanescence indeed.

Good job.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Archem on February 16, 2011, 10:17:44 PM
You do sound like Evanescence indeed.
I think Evanescence is a pretty cool guy.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Natako on February 17, 2011, 02:21:38 AM
Glad you guys liked it. Hopefully my future recordings will continue to get better. ^^

And Purple, you make me blush.  :D
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: SaiKar on February 20, 2011, 05:16:14 AM
You are quite good. But I think it's a good idea to try again with the youtube thing.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: drenrin2120 on February 21, 2011, 04:27:43 AM
woo! box.net!
...sucks a bit. =P

Anyway, you've got a nice voice. Even if the recording was a bit eerie sounding.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Natako on February 21, 2011, 05:09:29 AM
Thanks, guys.

I'll probably post my recordings on Youtube from now on. I just found it extremely annoying that I haven't posted a video to Youtube in almost a year, and when I actually come around to posting one up, Youtube is undergoing server maintenance. WHAT.

And yeah. My voice causes nightmares when I make choral-ish music, apparently. You're not the first person to tell me that. XD

(I may secretly be a mythical creature...)
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/15)
Post by: Natako on February 23, 2011, 12:15:39 AM
Song number two is up! And, well...let's just say I switched to Audacity for this one. I think the quality is a little lower (plus Audacity is missing a lot of features such as a built-in metronome), but I got sick and tired of Sonar dropping out and wanted to finish this sometime today.

This time, I did Imagine by John Lennon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBoJdZoNP3A). For the most part, I'm pretty satisfied with it. Hope you guys like it. Lucas, hopefully I didn't ruin the song for you...not that I'd care if I did. :P

Also, I'm going to come right out and confess that I have plans to do Archem's Pokémon master theme from the All of All forums. That's right, you heard me. That'll probably take me an hour at most to do, so maybe it'll be out later this week. (By the way, that doesn't count as a request from anyone. I just think it's awesome.)
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: SaiKar on February 23, 2011, 12:28:13 AM
Lucas, hopefully I didn't ruin the song for you...not that I'd care if I did. :P
Okay, she's a keeper.

Edit: actually, I have a request. Memories (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ruh0ewBVo), Andrew Lloyd Webber, ala Cats. It seems to suit your style and I do love the song.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Archem on February 23, 2011, 01:58:18 AM
Also, I'm going to come right out and confess that I have plans to do Archem's Pokémon master theme from the All of All forums. That's right, you heard me. That'll probably take me an hour at most to do, so maybe it'll be out later this week. (By the way, that doesn't count as a request from anyone. I just think it's awesome.)
Yes! *pumps fist*

*something that I'd do anyway*

*on a nightly basis, commonly with scented candles and mood music*
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Dragonium on February 23, 2011, 02:02:53 AM
I like you.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on February 23, 2011, 02:03:28 AM
Thats creepy. But good. :P

That's right, Lucas...They're coming for you in your sleep...

They're crawling in through the cracks in your walls. They're lurking in the basement, glaring through the darkness with beady eyes. They're hiding beneath the floorboards, trembling with anticipation. They're...in your bed.

They're...

[spoiler](http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs11/i/2006/209/e/d/wooly___moth_by_Blepharopsis.jpg)[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Archem on February 23, 2011, 02:15:55 AM
High five!

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/906/internethighfivel.jpg)
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Dragonium on February 23, 2011, 02:28:22 AM
So yeah, anyway. I've been in a couple of choirs as a bass, so I'll try and offer what input I can.

I can't comment as to your range since I haven't heard the whole thing, but you sound much more comfortable in the soprano range. I don't think the full quality of your voice comes through your microphone, which is a shame. I like the very-slightly-fragile quality you have going. When you go lower your voice seems thinner. Carry on with what you're doing.

I hear a lot of Amy Lee in your style. Guessing she's an influence.

If I may step into Faglord Mode for a moment, I think Hello by Evanescence would be a good song for your voice. Try it. You know you want to.

I'll try and offer more advice later when I'm not drunk.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on February 23, 2011, 02:51:18 AM
I can't comment as to your range since I haven't heard the whole thing, but you sound much more comfortable in the soprano range. I don't think the full quality of your voice comes through your microphone, which is a shame. I like the very-slightly-fragile quality you have going. When you go lower your voice seems thinner. Carry on with what you're doing.

I am a soprano, actually. I started out as an alto in middle school and trained myself up to first soprano, but because of that, I have a hard time with a lot of lower notes now. You're right about the microphone thing. If I sing too loudly or at too high of a pitch, the microphone starts acting up. There are certain sections of both of the songs that I've done so far that I had to record multiple times because the mic kept freaking out. It's unfortunate that I have to hold back when I record, but my microphone just wasn't meant for singing - it's more for podcasts or for talking. At least it beats a headset, though.

Anyway, glad you liked it.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: SaiKar on March 06, 2011, 08:31:38 PM
She hath abandoned singing for US!
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on March 06, 2011, 11:15:44 PM
She hath abandoned singing for US!

No I haven't. I've just been busy/sick. It's generally not wise to sing when you're sick.

I do have the next couple days off, so hopefully I'll get something done this week.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Archem on March 07, 2011, 01:52:47 AM
Aw, I was going to make an Unfunny Comic about this!

...Pfahaha! I couldn't keep a straight face!
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on March 07, 2011, 02:05:15 AM
Was originally going to ask what the hell you're talking about, but now I understand Sai's post. I'm super slow today or something.

...How this differs from normal days, I don't know.
Title: Re: Natako sings for YOU! ...But she needs suggestions. (Update! 2/22)
Post by: Natako on March 14, 2011, 01:54:29 AM
*Sigh*...Natako Sings is put on hold while I recover from whatever illness I currently have. I think it's just the weather fluctuating back and forth that's messing my body up. ><