oemo_wae

So after my first posting(http://www.themodernvocalist.com/profile/ChristopherCastleman) and the advice and critiques I received, I got to work. I've upgraded my equipment, so this time around you'll hear me as I am. Head on over to my profile page http://www.themodernvocalist.com/profile/ChristopherCastleman and have a listen to my cover of "Open Arms". It's still not where I want it to be, so I again turn to the members of TMV for help. I know my high notes aren't being done quite correctly, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Help there would be most appreciated! How about the presentation as a whole? I'm not trying to sound like Steve Perry, but sometimes I start to emulate what I've heard on the Cd. Still trying to find my own voice. Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Thanks guys for your feedback! The mic is a PVM38, it's gotta be almost 30 years old as well as the other stuff I'm using. I'm eyeballing some new stuff, but that will just have to wait until the budget allows. I'm also just learning to use Reaper, so the fx could be messing with the vocal tracks as well. Would it be better for you guys to hear dry vocals for the time being? Robert, I think you've put into words what I've been struggling with mentally. Sometimes everything just feels right and smooth and my head just "rings". Other times, like in this clip, I've got to fight to find the notes and sound. My problem is that I'm very inconsistent on when I get into the right "place". Truth be told I think I only figured out what the right placement was a few weeks ago. I was experimenting and my wife went, *whoa*, you haven't sounded like that before! I'm still unlearning bad habits I guess. I'm also unsure as to the proper amount of head vs. chest voice. To often I feel I sound very thin with little body. Just out of curiosity, what is it about the song on a technical level that makes it a difficult song? Its a high song, but I know I have the range for it. Is it getting the mix of head and chest correct to produce that "big" "epic" sound? Chele1000, thank you for pointing out the lack of feeling. I agree. I'm focusing too much on just making the recording turn out and getting my voice to work the way I want it. Hopefully once I can get this placement thing down, I can be more emotive! I'll definitely be more aware as I practice going forward.

So I've been lurking for a couple months and finally have something I'd like to share with the community. I've posted my cover of Faithfully on my TMV page http://www.themodernvocalist.com/profile/ChristopherCastleman . . . What a way to make my introductions eh? Now its not the greatest recording, I'm using some of my dads old equipment, and I've just started to learn how to use Reaper, but I think you can still get enough from my vocals to provide feedback. I'm pretty happy with the piece, it's not my absolute best ever performance, but I think it does a good job of showing where I'm at in my development. So I hope you enjoy, and I hope to receive plenty of critiques because I want to get better :D